Ultimate Man [JJK X SOL]: Loading Golden Entries at The Start

It wasn't until the afternoon school bell rang that the girls reluctantly left.

"Phew!"

Though it was nice to be surrounded by so much admiration, the constant chatter had been a bit overwhelming. Now, finally, there was some quiet.

Ryuji was about to head back to his classroom for the next lesson when Shizuka, the club advisor, gave him a look with a hint of mischief.

"Are you sure you want to go back to the classroom?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm?" Ryuji stopped and looked at her in confusion. "What's up?"

"There are probably still quite a few students hanging around outside your classroom. After everything that's happened, I doubt anyone's going to be focusing on lessons," she said. "Some of them are there just to gawk, but others are probably hoping to get closer to you."

Ryuji sighed, already picturing the crowd. He could understand why they'd be curious, but the idea of being mobbed didn't sound appealing.

"Well, if I don't go to class, where else can I go?" he asked, giving her a curious look. He'd noticed something in Hiratsuka's gaze, as if she had an alternative in mind.

Clearing her throat, she replied, "I don't have any classes this afternoon, so you could hang out in my office for a bit. After a couple of days, when the excitement dies down, things should go back to normal."

Some of the girls who hadn't left the clubroom nodded, clearly thinking it was a good idea. They trusted Hiratsuka's suggestion without a second thought.

Before long, it was just Ryuji and Shizuka alone in the now-empty clubroom. The spacious room felt even larger with everyone else gone.

Noticing Ryuji's amused gaze, Shizuka turned her head slightly, looking away with a bit of awkwardness.

"Let's go," she said in a serious tone, trying to cover up her flustered expression. "I'll take you to my office."

But just as she turned to leave, Ryuji reached out and gently pulled her back.

"You…" Before she could react, Ryuji leaned in and whispered with a smirk, "I think this space is big enough. Don't you?"

After all, once the clubroom door was closed, no one would come in. They had the place entirely to themselves.

Ryuji's words made Shizuka's steps falter, and she nearly tripped.

"Whatever… suit yourself," she muttered, glancing away as if giving him permission, though her expression said otherwise.

Seeing her reaction only made Ryuji's grin grow wider. With everything that had been happening lately, it'd been a while since he'd had the chance to enjoy moments like this with her.

While Ryuji was busy in the clubroom, the live broadcast from earlier had stirred up waves in other places as well. People across various circles were investigating Ryuji and Gojo, having recognized them as some of the strongest sorcerers alive.

For the powerful and wealthy, this meant opportunity. If they could win over one of these sorcerers, it would be a game-changer for their influence and security. The potential benefits were too tempting to ignore.

---

At the Shinomiya mansion, Kaguya Shinomiya sat with her maid, Ai Hayasaka, watching the recorded footage of the live broadcast. Though Kaguya wasn't particularly tech-savvy, Ai had been more than happy to set everything up for her.

Watching the footage, Kaguya's gaze was filled with awe. She'd seen Ryuji's strength in action once before, back at one of her family's properties, but that day was nothing compared to the spectacle in the live stream.

It made sense now, she realized. No wonder her father, Gan'an Shinomiya, had insisted on holding a birthday banquet for her this year, a rare occurrence. The purpose was clear: to try and bring Ryuji closer to the Shinomiya family.

And how would he accomplish that? The answer was obvious. By using her as bait.

Kaguya sighed, feeling a familiar bitterness at the idea of her life being dictated by her family's ambitions. But after witnessing Ryuji's power, her feelings were mixed. There was a strange sense of admiration within her, a quiet acknowledgment that she was drawn to his strength.

"Hayasaka!" Kaguya called out, her voice more hesitant than usual.

"Yes, Miss?" Hayasaka responded, looking at Kaguya with her usual composed expression.

"Have you prepared the dress for the banquet?" Kaguya asked, her tone carrying a hint of anxiety she rarely allowed herself to show.

Hayasaka immediately understood her mistress's unease. Smiling softly, she replied, "Don't worry, Miss. The head of the family personally approved the dresses. He made sure they're perfect for the occasion."

Of course, Gan'an Shinomiya would want Kaguya to look her best. If the plan was to win over Ryuji, Kaguya's appearance would need to be flawless. Anything less would be an embarrassment to the Shinomiya name.

"I see…" Kaguya murmured, feeling somewhat reassured. But then, another thought surfaced, and her expression turned worried again.

"But… what if he doesn't like me?" she asked quietly, a vulnerable look crossing her face.

Although Kaguya was the Shinomiya family's designated successor, being an illegitimate child meant her status within the family was always precarious. Despite her usual cold and dignified facade, only Hayasaka knew how insecure Kaguya could be behind closed doors.

"Miss, you have nothing to worry about," Hayasaka reassured her, her voice softening. "You're beautiful and intelligent. I'm sure Ryuji will be impressed. And if the two of you do end up together, no one in the Shinomiya family would dare look down on you again."

Privately, Hayasaka herself hadn't fully grasped the significance of sorcerers until the live broadcast. She'd once thought of them as nothing more than con artists. But now she knew better. Sorcerers were like walking natural disasters, capable of bending the very fabric of reality. It was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Still, seeing her mistress's nervousness, Hayasaka kept her own emotions in check, focusing entirely on Kaguya's needs.

"Yes… you're right," Kaguya replied, her expression firming up. "As a member of the Shinomiya family, I won't allow myself to fail."

Seeing her mistress's determined expression, Hayasaka couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and amusement. Kaguya's serious demeanor, even about something like this, was both admirable and endearing.

Just then, Hayasaka's phone vibrated in her pocket. Glancing at the screen, her face fell slightly.

"Excuse me, Miss. I need to go to the bathroom," she said politely.

"Hmm? Oh, go ahead," Kaguya replied absentmindedly, already lost in thought as she mentally prepared for the upcoming banquet.

Once in the bathroom, Hayasaka checked her phone. The message was from none other than Kaguya's older brother, Oko Shinomiya. Her expression soured as she read it.

"Don't let Kaguya succeed."

The message was short, but its meaning was clear. Oko wanted her to sabotage Kaguya's chances with Ryuji. Hayasaka clenched her teeth, feeling a surge of disgust.

"Are you afraid, Oko?" she muttered to herself with a bitter laugh.

It was obvious why he wanted her to interfere. If Kaguya managed to form a bond with someone as powerful as Ryuji, her status in the family would skyrocket. Oko's own position as a potential heir would be at risk, and he couldn't allow that.

Though she loathed the order, Hayasaka knew she couldn't openly defy Oko. Instead, she typed back a calculated response.

"Kaguya is beautiful. If Ryuji likes her, it's beyond my control."

She knew Kaguya's beauty and intelligence were undeniable. If Ryuji truly took an interest in her, there would be little anyone could do to prevent it.

Oko fell silent, seemingly frustrated. But then, after a moment, he responded with a new plan:

"Then you seduce him."

Hayasaka stared at her screen in shock. Was he really suggesting…?

But she quickly realized he was serious. In his eyes, she was just another pawn, someone he could use to further his ambitions.

"Do you think I won't destroy the Hayasaka family if you fail?" Oko added, making his threat clear.

Hayasaka clenched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. The Hayasaka family had already fallen under the Shinomiya family's control after a failed business endeavor. They were no longer independent but a subsidiary family, existing only because the Shinomiya allowed it.

"Bastard…" she whispered, feeling a surge of anger.

If she had the power, she'd gladly slap Oko across the face. But in reality, she had no choice. With a bitter heart, she forced herself to type a single reply.

"Understood."

For the sake of her family, Hayasaka had no choice but to obey, even as it pained her to betray Kaguya's trust in such a way.

***

Checkout my new books:

☆DC: Tyrant

☆ASOIAF/GOT: The King On The Wall

☆Ethan's Fantasy-Drift

Check them out so you can vote for anyone you enjoy before the poll ends.

For every 300 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 100+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.