Chapter 25: Favor for a Friend

John shuffled some papers on his desk and then looked at the person across from him.

Sakura took a seat on the chair and said, “So? What did you want to drag me up here for? Don’t tell me that you actually fell for-“

“First off, stop there. Second off, no. This is something serious I want to discuss.”

Hearing that, Sakura frowned. “Alright… Then go ahead. What do you want to talk about with me that can’t involve my sweet daughter?”

John placed the papers down and then laced his hands together. Staring carefully at Sakura, he said, “I want you to-“

“I’m not being an idol.”

John rolled his eyes. “I’m not asking that.”

“Just making it clear.”

John slid the papers over and said, “I want you to be Rin’s manager.”

“Huh?” Sakura took the papers and then flipped through them. After a few seconds, she frowned and said, “Is this for real?”

John nodded. “Of course. I don’t mess around when it comes to contracts.”

Not after the last time he made one half-heartedly and it bit him in the butt.

Sakura hummed and flipped through the papers again. As she did, she kept her expression neutral.

John waited.

Finally, after a few minutes, Sakura spoke up. “I refuse.”

“Great. I’ll just-” John paused. “Wait. You refuse?”

Sakura nodded. “The terms are great, and it’d be nice to help Sweetie in her dream. But…” She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you shifting responsibility?”

“…I’m not?”

Sakura leaned back, crossing her arms. “Weren’t you the one who said that you’d make my sweet daughter’s dreams come true? Why are you going out of your way to let someone else have that role now?”

“That’s…” John hesitated.

How was he supposed to explain that something terrible could happen to Rin because of his actions?

Sakura frowned. “…Don’t tell me I misjudged you? Was all of this just a trap to-“

“No, no. Nothing like that.” John quickly cut her off and said, “It’s just…” He sighed. “I recently learned from my daughter that something personal has come up… or rather, will come up that could cause issues if I’m the one managing Rin.”

“Hm?” Sakura blinked. “Personal issue? And daughter… You mean Miss Beta?”

“No, not her. Alpha.”

Sakura blinked again. It seemed like her mind was spurring to a halt, but she nodded, as if setting the issue to the side for the moment. “Alright. Then… what? Is your wife going to be jealous that you’re working with a cute, young girl like my daughter?”

John nodded.

Sakura blinked. “…Wait. You’re serious?”

“My wife is… Well. Let’s say that I went on this extended business trip without thorough consultation with her.”

“Heh. I knew that a guy like you would be a good for nothing.”

“Huh?”

Sakura shook her head. “Well, let’s say this wife of yours does come and get mad. So what? Is she going to attack Rin or force you to fire her?”

“…No?”

John’s beloved wife might get jealous, but she was also fair and kind towards the people he helped. Of course, she drew a clear line in the sand and punished those who tried to step past it, but it wasn’t like she would go out of her way to be vindictive towards them.

Only John.

“Then I don’t see a problem.” Sakura shrugged and pushed the papers back. “You took my sweet daughter’s hand, so you have to see this through… Ah. Not all the way through though. If you attempt to get too close to her, I’ll be the first one to team up with your wife and call the cops.”

John laughed. “Don’t worry. I already learned that lesson a long time ago.”

Sakura gave John a blank look. “That… isn’t something you should be going around saying. And how exactly did-“

John coughed. “A-Anyway… You aren’t going to be Rin’s manager?”

Sakura shook her head. “No. While it’d be nice, I also don’t think I’m qualified. I don’t have any business background, first of all… and I only really know how to write and cook.”

“Hm…” John frowned.

This would be a problem then…

Though Sakura made a good point about things not going too far with Rin in regards to his beloved wife holding a grudge, the fact remained that he was still the target of a lot of bad luck right now. Well, mostly negative karma from his actions.

While it wouldn’t target Rin directly, by proxy she might get impacted…

John sighed. “I guess I’ll just have to work something out then.”

“Good. Then are we done here?” Sakura stood up.

“I guess so. Though I really do need to hire some more people…”

“Mm. That’s true.” Sakura took a look around and said, “For a place as grand as this, it’s pretty empty.” She paused and said, “Do you need any recommendations? I know a guy who’s good at business.”

John shook his head. “I’ll work it out. At least until we get Rin’s career rolling, this should be fine running at the bare capacity like this. Afterwards though…”

John was already being pressured doing things for Rin. Nothing he couldn’t handle, but he hadn’t had any time to relax and play games like Alpha and Beta were doing in their spare time.

Granted, it was mostly because of his bad habit of putting too much effort into something to help someone out, but-

“Then I’ll head off first. Rin wanted me to watch her practice streaming for a bit and show off her partner, Hana.” Sakura walked off and waved. “Don’t work too hard, Mister Smith.”

“…I’ll try.”

The elevator opened and then Sakura left.

John was alone in his office again.

He frowned, wondering if he should really make someone to deal with the paperwork while he slacked off.

But if he did that and *she* found out, wouldn’t he be in more trouble? She was already scolding him for shirking his duties back in the Three Realms already.

But this was supposed to be a vacation. A chance for him to finally catch up on all he missed out on!

…Except that all of what he wanted to catch up on had changed.

Still, it wasn’t like there weren’t any cool games or Anime he wanted to watch. It was just that he didn’t have the time… and turning back time to watch Anime and games defeated the purpose.

After all, the best part about playing games was to escape reality… What was the point if you played it and then went back in time to do your work anyway? Wouldn’t it just be a cruel, sweet dream then?

John sighed and then decided to put it off later. Right now, he needed to start planning interviews and talk shows to advertise Myth Inc. and MirAIs after Rin’s debut as Hana…

“…Dammit. I should have put someone else as the CEO.”

A lack of foresight. Since he was already registered, it was too late to step down and prop someone else up. Not to mention the fact that he created all of the cutting edge tech for Rin to use…

Gah, he’d have to write up papers and proof of concepts for that too. And then the patenting, trademarking…

“…I really am just like back at the Sect, huh?” He let out a wry smile, realizing he was doing the exact same things and then let out a sigh.

Just as he pulled out a notepad to start writing down his schedule, his phone rang.

“Hm?”

Glancing at the caller ID, he saw that it wasn’t anyone he knew. At the same time, he was unlisted from all the spam callers, so it couldn’t be one of those…

Curious, and with slight wariness, John picked up.

“Hey, Friend!”

“…Wrong number.”

John hung up the phone and moved to block the number again. But before he could, the person called back.

John sighed and picked up.

“H-Hold on! Don’t hang up! It’ll be quick, I promise!”

“Fine. What do you want, Kai?”

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