"Sousuke, you're finally back."

"Yeah."

"You've seen the boss already?"

"Yes, had a meal together."

Sousuke spoke as he sat down at the conference table.

Around the massive round table, the elders of the council gathered once again.

Though not everyone was present, having most of them gathered like this would have been impossible a few years ago. Sousuke could clearly feel that ever since Rinji went to study in Japan, these retired employees worked as if they were interns desperate to get permanent status.

"Honestly, we'd like to see the boss too, but he has his own life, maybe next time."

One of the elders said, then looked at Sousuke.

"So, did you ask?"

"I did."

"What did Little Rinji say?"

"He said he has no intention of inheriting IW for now, told me to find someone else," Sousuke answered.

"..."

Although they had prepared themselves for this, Sousuke's reply still left them silent.

"So little Rinji... doesn't plan to take over the organization?"

"That's what he said," Sousuke sighed. "Probably thinks managing such a massive organization is troublesome."

"That's a problem..."

Bang!

One person suddenly slammed the table.

Everyone looked up to see a middle-aged man.

Though aged, his hair was not gray, and compared to the other elders he was still younger.

He lifted his head, sharp eyes reflecting his past glory.

"Sousuke, you just asked once and gave up? Don't you know how important it is for the young master to inherit the organization?"

"What else can I do? Rinji refused..."

"If he refuses then find a way to make him agree. IW must be inherited by the young master," the man said sternly. "This isn't deciding where to have dinner, this concerns the entire future of the organization!"

"Calm down, Wilson."

Wilson, second only to George Shechik in following Rinji's father, was the youngest of the elders.

He once trafficked arms in the black market. After being recruited by Rinji's father, he managed finances, later established IW's finance department when Sousuke became president. Four years ago, the blow dealt to the Shinomiya family industries was orchestrated by him.

"Sousuke, I am calm, which is why I know how crucial it is for the young master to inherit," Wilson said coldly. "I'll forget past matters, but this time I will personally go to Japan."

"What do you intend to do?"

Sousuke's eyes turned cold.

"Persuade the young master to inherit and become the new leader."

"And if he refuses?"

"If the young master refuses..." Wilson's eyes narrowed.

"Then I'll kneel down and beg him."

"...I shouldn't have expected good ideas from you anyway, it's one thing to mess things up for me, but can't you people stop adding to Rinji's troubles?"

"Don't talk nonsense! Sousuke, don't forget who was the one messing things up first!" Wilson cursed. "Sending you to school even caused biochemical weapon leaks, how amazing is that!?"

"Wait..."

"Exactly!" another elder scolded. "How many times did your Jindai High need repairs in just one semester?"

"I..."

"We poured manpower, resources, and money into one undercover mission in that school, with the boss supervising you the whole time, if it weren't for us covering for you could you have won your little girlfriend?"

"..."

Here we go again, bringing up old mistakes.

To be fair, when Sousuke joined IW he was only a teenager, back then he really did cause these old guys plenty of headaches.

Though Rinji's father made just as much trouble, since he built the organization from the ground up, these people never blamed him, instead seeing him as a genius strategist.

"In any case, Rinji finally gets to live like a normal person now. If he really doesn't want to inherit, please don't disturb him..."

"We watched the young master grow up, don't you think we know what he's like?" Wilson said. "Since the boss completely let go of organizational affairs, though IW kept growing, it's been stagnant for years. This is the time when someone extraordinary must step up or our foundation will be eaten away. Sousuke, your methods are too conservative."

"I know that."

"We old guys are the same. Without the boss back then, we'd just be nobodies abandoned by the times, rotting away in the gutter."

Wilson sighed.

"I can see a bit of the boss in the young master. If it's him, IW can shine again, and it will prove to us old useless men that we haven't been abandoned by the times."

A smile spread across Wilson's face.

"We truly hope someone like the boss can lead us once again."

---

At IW, the topic never strayed from Rinji. Meanwhile, Rinji himself sat in a café chatting casually with two others.

"So, Ishigami, if you want Koyasu-senpai to like you, the best way is still improving your grades," Rinji said. "Scraping by at the passing line won't cut it, you need at least top fifty in the year."

Kazeno: "Of course, girls like guys who give them a sense of security, so muscles are also a must besides studying... of course, with Rinji's pretty-boy looks, he's already got appeal among girls."

Rinji: "Actually I'm pretty strong, I can kill a cow with one punch."

"Grades... and muscles?"

Ishigami thought seriously.

He truly wished to hold a place in Tsubame's heart, and for that he would push himself toward impossible goals.

"If you're serious, I can tutor you in studies a little," Rinji said. "As for working out, I happen to know a good coach."

"Then I'll count on you."