"Where's the meeting room?"

"Hello, this way please."

While Rinji and Shirogane were talking, a luxury stretch car pulled into the parking lot of Amano Pharmaceuticals' building.

Shinomiya Un'yo stepped out from the back seat. This time he brought no subordinates, entering the building alone.

Because of the betrayal he suffered from his men during the Kyoto incident, he had dismissed them all and his paranoia only grew stronger. From now on, he figured he would always have to watch his own subordinates closely.

Originally, he hadn't wanted to handle this deal himself, but someone had to come.

Shinomiya Gan'an had been stricken with some unknown illness, his life dependent on Amano's drugs.

Gan'an couldn't die, not yet. At least for now, that was the one thing all three Shinomiya heirs agreed on.

Negotiating for medicine with Amano Pharmaceuticals was crucial, and his sister Kaguya (played by Rinji) had personally named him to conduct it. Somehow, Amano had also insisted the same.

He knew perfectly well that his sister was using this as a means to balance him against his two elder brothers, who controlled more resources.

"So she's treating me as a pawn…"

Led by staff, Un'yo entered the company's conference room.

The room was empty. After an employee served him coffee, he could only sit and wait quietly.

About ten minutes later, the door opened.

Shirogane walked in, finally steadying himself enough to face the meeting.

"Hello, are you Mr. Shinomiya?"

"Hello…"

Un'yo looked at him—clearly just a high schooler.

Was this kid really the head of the company? Was he being made a fool of?

He glanced doubtfully at Shirogane, who was visibly nervous.

So scary. This was one of the Shinomiya brothers? No wonder he carried such a heavy presence, nothing like an ordinary person…

Though frightened, Shirogane knew he couldn't show even a hint of weakness.

Pinching his thigh, lowering his voice, he said, "Mr. Shinomiya, my name is Shirogane Miyuki. I represent Amano Pharmaceuticals in this transaction."

"Shirogane, you say?"

The name sounded oddly familiar.

Shirogane Miyuki… he recalled hearing it before. Hadn't this person been made acting governor at Dai Nippon Bank? And wasn't the president of Amano Pharmaceuticals also named Shirogane? Oh right, he was also the current student council president of Shuchiin.

That was no small identity.

Rinji and his sister were both in the student council, nominally under Shirogane's leadership.

His sister's recent change of character had already burned both him and his eldest brother. And Rinji—no need to even mention him. The bloody night four years ago was still vivid.

Even now Un'yo didn't dare face Rinji, that terrifying man backed by forces so strong even the Shinomiya clan had to remain silent. The constant threat he posed never disappeared.

Thinking of this, Un'ei decided he had to treat Shirogane carefully.

"Mr. Shirogane, I'm honored that you came in person."

"Much obliged."

Shirogane forced himself not to falter, pinching his thigh harder to maintain composure.

But the pain only sharpened his gaze.

His eyes already looked fierce from constant lack of sleep, but now they seemed even more menacing, startling Un'yo.

…I didn't offend him, did I?

"Before we start the transaction, may I ask one thing?" Un'yo suddenly said.

"Ah… please go ahead."

"You and my younger sister, what is your relationship?"

"!!!"

It was likely just small talk. He already knew Kaguya was in the student council.

But this casual question nearly stopped Shirogane's heart.

"Vice President Shinomiya… is an important partner of mine in the student council. I admire her greatly."

"My apologies, I was being rude."

"Ah, not at all."

Seeing Un'yo apologize first, Shirogane quickly waved it off, relieved.

Didn't expect Shinomiya's brother to be so polite.

But Un'yo's heart sank.

As the youngest of the three, he had honed his ability to read people.

When he mentioned Kaguya, Shirogane's face clearly darkened, his eyes turned sharper.

That was an obvious warning: don't ask about things you shouldn't.

So Kaguya's strange behavior in the family really did tie back to Shirogane. Makes sense. She was never one to act so boldly, but now even their eldest brother had fallen to her schemes and been forced to cede assets. Without outside backing, Un'yo wouldn't believe it.

But why was Shirogane targeting the Shinomiya family?

Could this entire drug negotiation be one of his plays?

"Then let's not waste time. Let's get to business."

Shirogane didn't want to linger. He pulled two bottles of medicine from his pocket.

No codes or markings on them—looked almost like some shady, unregulated products.

"Alright, how much for a bottle?"

"How much…"

Shirogane froze.

Rinji hadn't told him the price.

Staring blankly at Un'yo, he asked, "Didn't Rinji tell you?"

"Rinji? Who's that?"

"Rinji Takamine."

"!!!?"

Un'yo's face twisted in horror.

Just hearing that name was nightmare fuel.

Rinji Takamine… so he was involved too? And this Shirogane had joined hands with both Kaguya and that terrifying man against the Shinomiya family?

Of course, Un'yo didn't believe Rinji would ally with Kaguya. If Rinji wanted to move against the Shinomiyas, his means would be nothing but bloody.

"I see you didn't know. I'll ask him for you."

Shirogane noticed Un'yo's grim expression and panicked. To avoid leaving a bad impression on his future brother-in-law, he decided to call Rinji.

But this phone… was the one Rinji had lent him back in the first semester.

Its unusual design wasn't recognizable to most—but Un'yo recognized it instantly.

That phone… only IW combat officers were issued those. So that's why his gaze was so sharp. Only men who'd been to war and killed could have such eyes.