Chapter 56: I didn’t like you at all!

“Is everything progressing smoothly?”

“Yes…”

Facing her grandfather’s inquiry, Anmiya Marina lowered her head respectfully.

Without needing to ask, she knew her grandfather’s primary concern was the suppression of Ishikawa Yuka; it had become almost the only topic of conversation between them.

Although her words promised success, Marina knew better than anyone in her heart: it was a complete lie.

Far from making any progress, she was being thwarted at every turn.

She had thought she could stir up trouble using Matsuyama Shoko, but the result was the opposite, as she had inadvertently helped the Ishikawa faction win over people’s hearts.

Her later attempt to exploit the conflict between Ishikawa Yuka and Nogami Hiroki was also a total failure.

Instead of pushing Ishikawa Yuka out of the Ōka Association, it had facilitated her relationships with the Noyama and Kurohara families.

Nothing was going right, and she met defeat at every turn—it was almost an inevitability.

It wasn’t that Marina lacked ability or that her strategies were flawed.

If her opponent had been anyone ordinary, they would have been expelled from Ōka Academy long ago.

But Ishikawa Yuka… she was truly unfathomable.

That girl’s mind was too meticulous, making all of Marina’s schemes appear childish and laughable in comparison.

Every move Marina made was instead turned against her, serving only to benefit her opponent.

No matter how Marina and her advisors plotted, it felt like mere child’s play before Ishikawa Yuka.

Even more terrifying was her flawless acting.

Long-term observation allowed Marina to see clearly: Ishikawa Yuka presented a different face to everyone.

Sometimes she acted as a harmless good person, sometimes she revealed a gaze cold enough to freeze one’s marrow, sometimes she was as innocent as a pure young girl, and other times she was like a veteran strategist…

She switched between various masks with ease, enchanting people, winning over factions, and using threats or lures while always standing at a height unreachable to others.

But Marina could not give up.

Fulfilling her mission was the entire meaning of her existence.

If she lost even that shred of value, she would have nothing left.

Therefore, she had to tell her grandfather, “Success is certain”—there was no other choice.

“You may leave.”

“Yes.”

Her grandfather never looked at her once from beginning to end.

Marina bowed once more and silently exited the study.

****

Today was the day she had agreed to meet Ishikawa Yuka.

Marina couldn’t guess the other girl’s intentions; the agreed-upon location was actually a shop of questionable taste, definitely not a place a student of Ōka Academy should frequent.

Just what on earth was Ishikawa Yuka planning?

She couldn’t let herself get flustered.

She would just respond as usual.

Marina had received a rigorous upbringing since childhood; compared to other spoiled children of prestigious families, the effort she put in far exceeded common imagination.

While other children played, she was putting her heart and soul into her training.

Academics, etiquette, the art of leadership… she studied every required subject with dedication.

Even if she lacked natural talent, she was confident her hard work was second to none.

As long as she applied what she had learned, she could surely handle anything.

“I apologize for making you wait, Yuka.”

“Marina, good day.”

“It’s not yet time for our appointment; I just arrived too early.”

Marina greeted the waiting Ishikawa Yuka.

She thought she had arrived early, but she didn’t expect the other girl to be even earlier.

“Where are we going next?” she asked tentatively, truly unable to understand the purpose of coming to a place like this.

However, the answer she received only confused her further: Ishikawa Yuka actually said she wanted to go shopping around here.

Unable to discern the motive at all, Marina could only follow her and browse the shops along the street.

Then something even stranger happened: Ishikawa Yuka kept recommending poorly made clothes that were completely beneath the standard a student of Ōka Academy should wear.

Just what was the intention… Marina carefully weighed the other girl’s motives.

‘(Marina… let’s buy some… clothes that ordinary people wear, then we’ll change and slip away.)’

“What?!”

Marina was shocked by this objective.

A daughter of the Ishikawa family would surely be heavily punished for doing such a thing; why would she plan an escape?

Did the Ishikawa family know?

She herself wasn’t afraid of being blamed, as she could simply claim she had fallen for Ishikawa Yuka’s scheme.

After a moment of thought, Marina decided to cooperate with the plan.

They bought cheap changes of clothes and hid in a restroom to change.

Marina didn’t notice it at first, not until she stepped out of the stall and encountered several children their age—no, that wasn’t a coincidence, but the result of Ishikawa Yuka’s meticulous calculation.

She had timed the children’s use of the restroom perfectly, allowing them to change quickly and blend into the crowd, skillfully avoiding the eyes of their attendants.

To even account for such details… Marina felt a shiver run through her; this was simply not a tactic a peer should possess.

Marina changed into a cheap T-shirt, while Ishikawa Yuka wore loose trousers and a large hat that completely hid her beautiful hair, obscuring her refined features at the same time—killing two birds with one stone.

The attendants were completely unaware, falling perfectly into the trap.

Such a brilliant technique was almost worth applauding.

After slipping out, they headed straight for a large shopping center.

Marina had likely seen it while passing by in a car, but she never knew what it looked like inside.

Although she had seen reports about it on TV, this was her first time actually stepping inside.

Using the excuse of going to the restroom, she quietly contacted her attendants: she was currently cooperating with Ishikawa Yuka’s plan, so they shouldn’t worry or make a scene.

At the same time, she had them check if the Ishikawa family was aware.

It seemed even the Ishikawa family’s attendants were kept in the dark and were nearly on the verge of calling the police.

Marina stopped them, informing them it was Ishikawa Yuka’s plan and not to worry.

This way, the matter wouldn’t escalate.

However… she hadn’t expected Ishikawa Yuka to keep even her own people in the dark.

If Marina hadn’t contacted them in time, how had Yuka intended to settle things once the situation blew up?

“Ah…”

Marina suddenly had a realization.

Could it be… that this was all calculated by Ishikawa Yuka?

She had foreseen this scenario long ago!

Marina’s immediate contact with her attendants to coordinate with the Ishikawas and prevent the situation from expanding had inadvertently exposed her own emergency response capabilities.

It was equivalent to declaring to the Ishikawa family that “the Anmiya family has the means to control the situation.”

If this was all Ishikawa Yuka’s ploy, then Marina had inadvertently leaked her trump card.

A major blunder… already at an absolute disadvantage, Marina had even exposed her hidden cards.

Her carefully placed secret pieces from over the years were now exposed, which was far more serious than just sneaking out to play.

In other words, Ishikawa Yuka used the risk of “possibly being scolded” to trade for vital intelligence on the Anmiya family.

A total defeat… that was the true purpose of this escape.

But… even though she understood this…

Marina found an inexplicable surge of excitement deep in her heart.

All this time, she had moved along a predetermined track, all for her mission.

But by casting aside all responsibility and becoming an ordinary first-grade girl… the world was suddenly so colorful.

Her once monotonous vision had become vivid and dazzling.

The food models displayed in the dining area featured combinations Marina had never seen before.

Just looking at them was interesting.

The food court was bustling with people, the ordering method was unique, there were no waiters to bring the food, and you had to pick up and clean up after yourself.

Although the taste was ordinary, it was filled with a sense of novelty.

They visited every shop.

In the stores she usually frequented, staff would open the door, provide personal service, and recommend things with patience.

But here, no one paid them any mind.

Everything was so fresh.

The clothes, sundries, and accessories were all cheap—little trinkets of no value in Marina’s eyes.

But… for some reason, these small objects sparkled in her eyes.

A parking lot should have been boring… but even the rooftop parking lot seemed novel.

She never knew that the wind could feel so pleasant.

And in that rooftop parking lot… they stumbled upon a commotion.

A few children their age were surrounded by seniors, and it seemed an argument had broken out.

Ishikawa Yuka intervened without hesitation.

Marina asked herself, and knew she couldn’t be that decisive.

Although she had studied self-defense and could easily handle those people, she would never have stepped forward as fearlessly as Ishikawa Yuka.

She always worried too much.

Yet Ishikawa Yuka had already acted the moment she saw the scene.

Even more shocking was her skill; those seniors were easily thrown to the ground as if it had been rehearsed.

Marina had also studied self-defense, but she was far from that level.

Precisely because she had some foundation, she understood even better how much Ishikawa Yuka’s strength transcended common logic.

Just what kind of arduous training was required to reach such a level?

Marina thought she had already worked herself to the bone, but Ishikawa Yuka had clearly given far more…

While she was lost in thought, all five seniors had been dealt with.

Marina hurried to Ishikawa Yuka’s side; this was no place to linger.

They returned to the mall to continue shopping.

They couldn’t let their hard-earned shopping center adventure be interrupted by such a small episode.

“Ah! Yuka, look at this.”

“Hmm? Ah… it’s very cute.”

They stopped at a small accessory shop, looking at glass spheres filled with glitter and stars; they were crystal clear and very beautiful.

“Beautiful.”

“It is… oh! Let’s buy a pair?”

“Eh?”

Ishikawa Yuka picked up two glass spheres and headed toward the checkout counter.

Marina followed, and they waited in line hand-in-hand.

“Check out together, please wrap them separately.”

“Are these gifts for a boyfriend? Here you go, please keep them safe.”

The cashier handed the wrapped glass spheres to each of them; seeing them holding hands, the clerk gave a knowing smile.

“B-Boyfriend…”

Marina’s face turned bright red instantly; she stole a glance at Ishikawa Yuka and happened to meet her gaze, so she quickly looked down, her cheeks burning even more.

What was wrong with her?

She didn’t even understand it herself.

It was just… walking hand-in-hand with Ishikawa Yuka like this felt warm and comfortable.

After returning home and completing various reports, Marina sat alone at her bedroom desk, gently removing the glass sphere from its bag and placing it on the table.

“Such a cheap item really doesn’t suit my room.”

She said those words, yet she used her fingertip to give it a light flick, making it roll.

Inexplicably, the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.

“Logically, I shouldn’t keep something like this in my room… but it’s for the mission.”

“If I’m asked about it later, I have to prove I kept it safe.”

As Marina spoke, she carefully placed the matching glass ornament from Ishikawa Yuka into a transparent storage box, ensuring it wouldn’t gather dust or be damaged—both safe and clearly visible.