The luxurious Wakaba residence had a garden specifically for relaxation.
Though it lacked artificial hills and flowing water, it was filled with dense greenery and many blooming flowers of unknown names. In one corner, a small clearing had been deliberately opened up and filled with vibrant, dewy cucumbers.
It happened to be springtime. Summer cicadas had yet to shed their shells, and the garden was very quiet, with only the faint scent of flowers drifting on the soft breeze, making one's body and mind feel at ease, as if all anxiety and unrest could be purified away.
Walking forward along the cobblestone path, the black leather shoes stepping on the uneven stones made crisp "tada tada" sounds.
A girl with blue pigtails and a shawl lagged half a step behind, secretly peeking at the boy beside her with the corner of her eye. After a long silence, she quietly said something.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"/"Tsuki ga kirei desu ne?"
This was a subtle way of saying "I like you" in Japanese culture. Secretary Sakiko always felt the timing to confess wasn't quite right, and only dared to use such multi-meaning wordplay when alone together.
But Kaito completely failed to catch the implication, simply lifting his head in confusion:
"But… there's no moon tonight, right?"
Togawa Sakiko: "—_—"
'Stupid president! Big Baka!'
The girl huffed softly, unusually coy, "Then… the stars are beautiful, isn't it?"
'Can this really count as beautiful?'
Looking at the few scattered stars on the horizon, sparser than hairs in a bald head, Kaito didn't quite understand.
Facing Secretary Sakiko's resentful gaze, he wisely chose not to say more.
After all, an employee who willingly worked hard to create a good life for her boss wasn't easy to find, practically a 21st-century SpongeBob.
"What's this?"
A hand suddenly appeared in front of her, fingers spread open, with a rabbit-shaped jade carving resting quietly in the palm.
Exquisitely made, lifelike. It was unclear what type of jade it was carved from, but the surface shimmered with a watery glow, looking anything but ordinary.
Togawa Sakiko liked the little rabbit jade sculpture at first glance.
"A protective charm for you."
Sure enough, young girls couldn't resist cute accessories like this. Kaito's effort hadn't been in vain.
Previously, he had asked Ms. Nagasaki to help acquire a batch of good-quality jade. This career woman had long regarded Kaito as a future son-in-law and naturally took his request seriously. She didn't even delegate it to her assistant, handling it personally instead.
On the day Kaito returned from the town of Hoori, someone had already delivered the goods to his door.
These past few days had been full of light rain, and the weather remained gloomy. Aside from gaming at home, Kaito had also taken time to carve many jade sculptures of various shapes, imbuing each with a trace of his spiritual power to create simple magical tools.
Of course, "simple" was a relative term.
To Kaito, they were casual works. So long as he had enough jade, he could make as many as he wanted.
Even in this lawless era, the effects of jade carvings were still impressive.
Once worn, ordinary ghosts wouldn't dare approach. It could subtly strengthen the wearer's constitution. When danger was sensed, it would automatically activate a protective spirit array, strong enough to withstand shelling. Even if hit head-on by a semi-truck, it would still protect the wearer unharmed.
Secretary Sakiko had worked tirelessly, supporting the entire office on her own shoulders, truly dedicated. She certainly deserved a jade carving.
As for others, Yumiko was definitely getting one. Bocchi, as his first employee and earliest follower, couldn't be left out.
Ms. Nagasaki would also get two, since she provided the materials without even charging him.
As for the others, like Nijika, Ryou, and Kita…
They had traveled together before and were friends. Kaito thought about it and decided to reserve a jade sculpture for each of the girls.
He had carved dozens in total. Even after handing out eight, most were still left.
"Wouldn't this be… too, too valuable…", Secretary Sakiko hesitated. She really liked the little rabbit carving, but even without thinking hard, she could tell this thing must be worth a fortune.
'Even the protective charms sought from Kagano shrine cost 50,000 yen each. This jade carving's material and appearance clearly surpass those. Doubling the price won't be unreasonable, right?'
'That will be 1 million yen.'
Her current salary was 300,000 yen a month, or 3.6 million yen a year. Not bad, but to save up 1 million, she'd need to work three to four months without spending a cent.
"Just consider it an employee benefit," Kaito nonchalantly patted her shoulder, like a shady boss making empty promises. The only difference being that he actually delivered on them, "I've seen all your hard work. A jade pendant isn't much."
"…Thank you," Togawa Sakiko hesitated for a long time but didn't refuse again. She silently resolved that she would never let down the president's expectations.
Gripping the small pendant in her hand, the lifelike rabbit looked like it would come alive the next second. Her pretty face flushed red, and in a voice as soft as a mosquito, "Could you… help me put it on?"
Something as simple as that, of course Kaito wouldn't refuse.
Secretary Sakiko was only 155 centimeters tall, on the petite side. When standing among girls, it wasn't obvious, but next to Kaito, the difference was stark.
Especially since she'd changed into a low-collar blouse when returning to her room earlier. The girl stood gracefully; though not very full-figured, her curves still hinted at budding maturity, like a flower bud about to bloom.
Kaito only had to lower his head slightly to see her delicate collarbones. Further up was her swan-like, slender, fair neck. Perhaps due to nervousness, it was slightly tense now, revealing faint blue veins beneath the skin, making one want to bite down on it.
'Being surrounded by a Kaito-kun's scent…'
Togawa Sakiko's pretty face flushed deep red. She had attended girls' schools from a young age and had never had close contact with a male peer, she hadn't even studied water magic(masturba*ion)…
To a girl as pure as blank paper, even something as simple as putting on a pendant felt far too stimulating.
Due to their height difference, all she could see from her perspective was the president's broad chest. No unpleasant sweat smell, only a light, addictive scent like sun-warmed grass.
Her pert nose twitched slightly, seemingly wanting to savor more of that wonderful scent, but she quickly realized, 'Togawa Sakiko, what on earth are you doing?'
'Such shameless behavior, utterly unbefitting of a proper lady's upbringing!'
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