After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

When she entered the house, Mrs. Saijo was still on the phone.

It seemed she was speaking with a lawyer, discussing topics like sentencing and bail.

"Okay... okay... then I'll leave it to you, Lawyer Ueno."

After hanging up the phone, Mrs. Saijo turned around while maintaining her kneeling position and greeted him with a smile and a nod, "Are you Mr. Kagura? Mari has been under your care."

Kagura Hikaru was somewhat surprised because she looked very much like Saijo Mari, almost like a grown-up version of her.

She looked very tired, probably from running around recently, and her hair was untidily tied back in a ponytail that hung over her shoulder.

But it was clear that when groomed, she must be quite beautiful.

With composure, Kagura Hikaru sat upright on the tatami and bowed to Mrs. Saijo, "I apologize for the intrusion, please forgive me."

"Not at all, as long as it's not a malicious visitor, our home is welcoming," Mrs. Saijo said with a smile, "By the way, Mari mentioned that you could help our family with some financial issues. May I ask what specifically...?"

Seeking help from my daughter's classmate was a desperate move on my part.

She thought to herself while speaking.

She did not have much expectation for a high school student's abilities.

Agreeing to let Kagura Hikaru come over was more to show gratitude for his care of her daughter during this time. Otherwise, she should not have revealed her current residence to any outsider.

Bringing those debt collectors to her door would cause trouble for the elderly and children in the family.

But soon she realized how terribly wrong she had been.

"Yes, I heard you were looking for a job, so I thought maybe I could help in that aspect, and managed to acquire this business card from an acquaintance," he said.

Kagura Hikaru pulled a bone-white, high-grade business card from his jacket pocket and slid it across the tatami.

Mrs. Saijo picked it up with a puzzled look.

It bore a name and a simple job description—Yuhiko Rosaki, President of Rosaki Group.

"Pres... President Rosaki...?!"

She couldn't help exclaiming aloud.

Although not in the same industry, as a former rich man's wife, she had heard of the Rosaki Group.

Now a leader in Island Nation's dining industry, they operated many beverage factories and a famous sake brand, and owned countless chain restaurants.

The Rosaki Group, a family business now in the hands of the third generation President Yuhiko Rosaki, was truly high society, belonging to a class unreachable even at the Saijo Family's wealthiest.

To acquire a personal business card from such a person required a commensurate status.

Mrs. Saijo had never imagined she would see it through her daughter's classmate.

"May I ask if President Rosaki is your... "

"Please don't misunderstand, he is not my relative, we have no direct connection," Kagura Hikaru explained, "but I am quite acquainted with his daughter, so I am able to speak with him."

"I see, that's how it is…"

In the incident with Ruzaki Mami, the Rosaki family had owed him a favor.

If Kagura Hikaru and his colleagues had not intervened, Ruzaki Mami might have continued to face extortion or even the risk of abduction.

Given that it concerned her daughter's reputation and personal safety, exaggerating the debt was not considered excessive.

Ruzaki Mami once tried to give Kagura Hikaru an expensive watch as a thank you gift, which he felt was too valuable and refused.

Perhaps feeling that the favor had not been fully repaid, after that incident, Kagura Hikaru found himself frequently encountering Ruzaki Mami, who seemed to be making an effort to get closer.

Upon learning of the Saijo family's difficulties, the first person Kagura Hikaru thought of was Ruzaki Mami, or more precisely, her father.

After that event, he had done some research and looked up the Rosaki Group.

For someone in the wealthy class, like a large corporation's president, arranging a job that could clear a debt was naturally not difficult, and he could also settle an unpaid favor, which logically was a sound deal.

After requesting Ruzaki Mami to relay his request, her side almost immediately agreed, hence Kagura Hikaru obtained that business card.

If one were to think purely rationally, lending a helping hand to the financially bankrupt Saijo family or owing a favor to a wealthy family like the Rosaki family, the latter is certainly better.

But the crux of the matter was that Kagura Hikaru didn't care about these things.

Six years had passed since he had acquired the Mind-reading Extraction Skill, and he had become almost omnipotent.

The talents, knowledge, and experience that appeared out of thin air could all be converted into existing abilities, allowing him to quickly reach the top in any technology-driven industry.

He would strive for what he wanted after entering society; he didn't need to use personal connections as a way to bind others for his own benefit.

Unlike the still vigorous Kagura Hikaru, the current situation of the Saijo family was on the brink of collapse, like a derelict house that could fall over with one wrong step.

If he hadn't known, it would have been one thing, but since he had seen it, he decided to help in a way that was morally justifiable.

Of course, he also admitted that this act of extending a hand was not purely out of chivalry; another goal was to win over Saijo Mari.

The votes that she held sway over were something Kagura Hikaru and Ayakoji Chiyoko had long coveted.

"I've done some research privately. Auntie, you used to work in a restaurant, right?"

"Yes."

"Then this job should be very suitable for you."

The job Kagura Hikaru introduced to Mrs. Saijo was a managerial position at a chain family restaurant, with a quite handsome annual salary, with immediate appointment without examination.

This job was enough to allow her to maintain her family operations while slowly paying off debts, potentially settling them all in about ten years.

"Can this really happen....."

Perhaps because happiness came too suddenly, Mrs. Saijo was a bit perplexed.

"If there are any problems, contact Mr. Rosaki with that business card," Kagura Hikaru stood up, "That's it, I won't disturb you any longer."

"Eh? Are you leaving already?"

Saijo Mari, who had been following the conversation, finally came to her senses and subconsciously stood up as well.

"Yes, at least stay for dinner before you go," Mrs. Saijo also hurriedly said.

But Kagura Hikaru did not agree and left after exchanging a few polite words.

Once outside the house, Saijo Mari offered to walk him to the station.

Thus, they walked side by side.

"Knowing just that you would visit my house was unexpected, but you brought such a wonderful gift... With Mom having this job, Midori and Riko can also go to school without worries, and it can alleviate a lot of difficulties at home,"

Saijo Mari showed him a smile.

It wasn't strained like before but was a gentle, relaxed smile. Your next read awaits at empire

She knew what a high-paying job meant for her mother, and thanks to Kagura Hikaru, although they would still struggle, they could finally live a normal life.

For a family that had been through hardships, just knowing this was more than comforting.

"Thank you, really, thank you, Mr. Kagura."

She quickened her pace, walking ahead with her hands behind her back, her short hair that almost reached her shoulders gently swaying, "I will never forget this favor in my lifetime."

The twilight's glow cast upon her, outlining her youthful silhouette.

A gentle breeze brushed through Kagura Hikaru's hair.

He fiddled with his fringe: "You don't need to remember it for a lifetime; I have something I need your help with now."

"Anything, just say it, even if you want me to be your lover, I can do that too~"

"...Girls shouldn't joke about such things lightly."

"Let's be serious." Kagura Hikaru said, "About the Student Council election after summer vacation, I hope you can mobilize the sports clubs to support Ayakoji Chiyoko as the Student Council President. Your vote count added to her current number almost matches President Kiriyu, so your preference is crucial."

"So you helped me because of Classmate Ayakoji." Saijo Mari seemed slightly upset, Kagura Hikaru saw her puff her cheeks from behind, but she quickly relaxed and smiled, "Well, since I am the third wheel, I'll help for you, Mr. Kagura."

"If you face any difficulties, talk to me anytime, and don't switch sides to President Kiriyu carelessly."

"Yes, I'll stand with you, Mr. Kagura, so—"

Saijo Mari turned around, her face slightly flushed: "Be in a relationship with me, Mr. Kagura, I like you."