Chapter 9
Ichika was stunned. How did they come to an agreement so fast?Do you even know how bad our grades are?
"Nino, that condition is way too harsh. It's literally impossible—let's just cancel the bet…"
Nino leaned back with her arms crossed, turning her head away dismissively.
"Fine by me. Just admit you've lost, and I'll ease up on the terms."
Ichika opened her mouth to protest, but Ye Yu cut her off.
"No need. A man keeps his word. Top 50 means top 50."
The five sisters' expressions varied, but they all shared one thing in common: none of them believed him.
The national exam was only a month away. Normal college students took it in their junior year or after graduation.
Did he really think he was some kind of god?
Maybe he overestimated their grades?
No way—he knew Musashino University wasn't exactly prestigious.
Thanks to Nino's disruption, the first meeting ended on a sour note.
Not long after Ye Yu returned home, he heard a soft knock.
Opening the door, he found Ichika standing there, looking embarrassed.
"What's wrong, Ichika? You don't look happy."
He pulled her inside without waiting for an answer.
As the door clicked shut, he wrapped her tightly in his arms.
Remembering his intensity from the night before, Ichika swallowed hard.
"Wait—just a second. I only came to check on you. The others are still waiting—mmph…"
An hour later, Ichika lay limply on Ye Yu's chest.
Her eyes were misty, and she traced lazy circles on his skin with her finger.
"You're such a brute. You don't know the meaning of gentle."
"Can't help it—my Ichika is just too irresistible."
Looking at his handsome face, Ichika kept one thought to herself: I really, really like him.
They stayed like that in comfortable silence for a long while before she spoke again.
"You were too rash. You have no idea how bad our grades actually are!"
Ye Yu slid an arm around her bare shoulders and whispered into her ear.
"What, are they that terrible?"
Feeling his warm breath and recalling their scores, Ichika blushed slightly.
"Terrible? That's an understatement. You truly have no clue what you're dealing with when it comes to us failing students!"
Ye Yu pinched her cheek affectionately. She looked like a ripe little apple.
As if he didn't know exactly how bad they were.
In the original story, Fuutaro's first test had the five of them scoring a combined 100 points.
It took all his effort for each to finally pass even one subject on their first real exam.
But you, my dear, have no idea what an ability user is capable of.
"Don't worry. If I made that bet with Nino, it means I'm confident."
Seeing the man she loved so assured, Ichika's worries melted away.
After cuddling a bit longer, she chose to head home instead of staying the night.
The next morning, Ye Yu skipped class and went straight to Yuka Education Group.
Though it was called a "group," it was modest in scale: one rundown two-story building and a five-story training center leased for a year.
The receptionist greeted him respectfully as he walked in.
Soon, a man in a suit hurried out and bowed.
"Good morning, President!"
Ye Yu nodded and headed to his office.
"Murata, update me on the new project."
Murata, the man Ye Yu had suddenly promoted from executive to president after buying the company, didn't dare slack off.
Not just because of the promotion, but because of the overwhelming pressure Ye Yu exuded.
Every time their eyes met, Murata felt like he couldn't breathe.
He'd never encountered such presence in anyone else.
Bowing again, he reported.
"President, progress is rapid. The original facility is being renovated for high school entrance-exam crash courses. The study hall is already finished. Ten teachers have agreed to join, and we're still negotiating with the rest."
Ye Yu nodded. The kindly-looking man was surprisingly efficient.
Yes—the company was genuinely in the tutoring business now.
He'd scrapped the previous adult skills training and pivoted entirely.
The new offerings:
High school entrance-exam crash courses targeting repeat students or those aiming for elite schools. Fees ranged from 4–10 million yen per student, based on current score vs. target school. Full refund if they failed.
A supervised study hall for high/middle/elementary students, with professional teachers available for questions. Top-10 students from local schools were invited to study free of charge—and given generous red envelopes—to attract more paying customers.
Fuutaro's role: top student + recruitment/sales.
Starting today, after school he'd either be out working with staff or stuck in the study hall studying.
He could request leave for special circumstances, but otherwise he had to stay until closing.
The study hall charged by the hour (with discounts for monthly/annual passes), provided free drinks, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and lending library of study materials.
Ye Yu had vague memories of someone in his previous life making a fortune this way.
Plus, he had abilities that boosted focus and comprehension.
A single array in the classroom would dramatically increase learning efficiency.
Profit wasn't the main goal—he'd be happy just breaking even within a year.
His real aim: use the project to meet other familiar anime characters.
After Murata's report, Ye Yu added a few instructions, then moved to Fuutaro's arrangements.
"I want you to work him hard—without interfering with his studies. Give him every task you can. If there's no work, make sure he stays in the study hall studying diligently.
Be flexible if he has legitimate reasons, and show the company truly values him. Keep painting big pictures—tell him how much you and I believe in his potential. Got it?"
Murata nodded eagerly. This kind of corporate motivation? I'm an expert.
With everything arranged, Ye Yu headed out for lunch.
Just then, an arrogant female voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ye Yu frowned.
Again with the school bullying?
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