The happy weekend flew by in a flash, but for Mori Shinra, the work on the weekend seemed even more tedious.
Aside from playing tennis with Miura Yumiko for an afternoon, the rest of his time was spent learning how to create a detailed and reliable business strategy development plan.
This was Mori Shinra's way of accounting for previously mobilizing his family's resources for his own reasons—a report card for the future.
Because he was a transmigrator, Mori Shinra basically knew the major future trends.
The reason he had to learn how to create a business strategy development plan was to convince his grand-uncle to believe in the future he spoke of.
He couldn't just go up to the old man and say, "I've traveled back from the future, just invest in XXX, trust me, you can't go wrong!"
Are you trying to scam an old man out of his pension!
Not to mention that Mori Shinra wasn't the heir to the Mori Conglomerate.
Even if he were, they wouldn't let him mess around like that.
After all, there could be many heirs, both living and dead, but the losses from taking the wrong path were very real.
That's cold, hard cash...
Currently, Mori Shinra had already obtained industrial data on the automotive industry in recent years through his family's channels.
This data could only be obtained through such channels; an ordinary person couldn't get it even with money.
Besides analyzing the data, Mori Shinra also had to supplement his knowledge in various fields beyond his specialty, such as economics, politics, and culture.
In short, an ordinary person couldn't handle this kind of work.
Even with Mori Shinra's cheats, working backward from the answer, and with the assistance of a professional team, it would still take a month or so to produce a preliminary draft of this report.
Not to mention the real-time adjustments that would be needed based on the actual situation if it were to be adopted.
Thinking you can develop a massive industry just by being a prophet and moving your lips is something that only happens in dreams.
Money is hard to earn, and shit is hard to eat.
This has been a truth since ancient times.
Even with cheats and knowing the future direction of development, at most, it just turns the shit into chocolate-flavored shit.
Of course, it's a different story if you can conquer the world.
Anyway, Mori Shinra admitted to himself that he couldn't do that right now, so he still had to make money according to the rules.
Sigh, only beautiful girls could bring Mori Shinra a sliver of comfort in his tedious life of study.
If, while studying, he had Yukinoshita or Mai serve him a hot cup of coffee in a maid outfit, what a wonderful thing that would be.
What? Both of them at the same time? Better not.
Loving one person can't be hidden, but loving two must be hidden well.
Currently, his progress in conquering the two of them hadn't reached the bayonet-charging stage yet.
However, he really did need to consider cultivating a professional assistant to help him handle some matters.
Uncle Li was useful, yes, but bothering him with minor things was a bit of an overkill.
He was the president of Mori International, after all.
As for the candidate, Mori Shinra hadn't decided yet.
The ideal choice was Yukinoshita Yukino.
She has the ability and the looks.
The backup was Yumiko.
Although she wasn't as capable as Yukino, her whole family was in his hands, so there was no need to worry about being backstabbed.
As for her ability... it could be cultivated.
She just needed to be able to understand what he was saying; he didn't need her to make any major decisions.
Of course, the best-case scenario would be a beautiful girl assistant who was both good-looking, capable, and very obedient, someone who could do the work of two people.
But Mori Shinra knew very well that such a situation probably only existed in his dreams.
Not necessarily.
If a situation where a big star like Mai could have her existence stripped away can happen in the world, who's to say a genius beautiful girl with shadow clone jutsu won't appear?
...
"Um... Futaba Rio-san, right?" Mai looked at the information in her hand, then at the inscrutable girl before her, and asked.
"That's me. Can I help you?" Futaba Rio put down the beaker in her hand, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes behind her glasses.
She recognized the girl in front of her.
She was currently the hottest figure on campus, not only a once-famous celebrity but also a formidable presence who, as a current student, had a place in the school's hall of famous alumni.
But why would she suddenly approach a 'three-no' person like herself, with no friends, no fame, and no special features?
"It's like this, according to the information provided by the school, Futaba-san, you fully meet the criteria for the scholarship, but I don't seem to have received your application. I just wanted to come and ask if you didn't know or if..."
To prevent a repeat of past tragedies, Sakurajima Mai was paying close attention to the scholarship's progress.
And besides the scholarship, Mori Shinra had also told her it would be best to make a few friends to solidify her own existence anchor points.
So Sakurajima Mai simply decided to choose from the list of those eligible for the scholarship.
After all, the application criteria for the scholarship Mori Shinra had set up for her were quite high.
Under normal circumstances, those who could meet these conditions wouldn't be too bad themselves.
Choosing directly from this list could also reduce the cost of trial and error.
And Futaba Rio was the candidate Mai had chosen for a potential friend.
No bad social connections... oh, no social connections at all, a well-off family, no bad habits, and excellent grades, ranking among the top in her year.
The most crucial thing was her stable emotions.
According to her classmates, they had never heard of Futaba having a falling out with anyone.
The impression was that she was a girl who didn't interact much, but if you needed help, she would lend a hand as long as it wasn't too much.
A pretty nice person, perfect for a friend.
"A scholarship? Leave it for those who need it. I'm not short on money." Futaba Rio's family was quite wealthy, and she immediately said that the money should be left for those who needed it.
"Hmm... how should I put this? This money will only be given to those who meet the conditions, and there is currently no limit on the number of recipients, so you don't have to worry about taking someone else's spot."
In order to maximize its influence, at least before Mai graduated, there would be no limit on the scholarship amount.
After all, it was a true charitable donation, with no need to consider profit and loss.
Hearing Mai's words, Futaba Rio was a little confused.
Why was someone so eager to give money away?
Has society progressed so quickly?
"It's strange, right? But I can't help it, it was that guy's decision..."
"That guy?"
"Mhm, my boyfriend, Mori Shinra."
Hearing this name, Futaba instantly thought of the person she had met in the cafeteria last time.
Her eyes flickered, and after a moment of silence, she asked:
"...I remember you're a celebrity, Sakurajima-senpai. Is it okay to just say that out loud?"
"It's fine as long as you don't tell anyone else."
"I see. I understand. I'll keep it a secret."
"Since we share a secret, that makes us friends, right?"
"Huh? Friends?" Futaba Rio didn't expect Mai to say that.
Looking at the other girl's exquisite face, she habitually lowered her head.
"Is that not okay?"
"No, it's just... I don't have any experience with that."
"Who needs experience to make friends? It's just about whether you want to or not. If you don't want to be friends with me, you can just refuse. So, do you agree?"
"...I have no objection."