Rebuilding Sakamichi in a chaotic worldline

Chapter 36 The Long-Awaited WNANA

"Nono Mio? Who is she?"

Nana pouted, looking somewhat confused, as Kubo Rito kept repeating his name since he arrived early in the morning.

"Huh? You don't know her?" Rito asked naturally, then slapped her forehead, realizing, "Oh right, Sakurazaka wasn't even born when you graduated."

"Sakurazaka? What's that?" Nana Min was even more confused when she heard this. She did know that Nogizaka had a sister group called Keyakizaka, which became an instant hit as soon as they debuted and was very popular. There were even discussions among the members about how the management was too good to them. However, she had already decided to leave at the time, so she did not participate in these discussions. She only remembered that Keyakizaka's songs were indeed very well made.

"Well, that's a long story. I'll tell you about it when I have time."

Li Ren smiled, but Nana Min could see a clear, pointed regret in his eyes. So, wisely, she didn't press further and turned to ask, "What about me? What are your plans for me? Will you put me in the operations department?"

"No." Rito refused her outright, having anticipated this: "Since you're not interested in the entertainment industry, there's no need to get involved. Go to Dentsu; they have a newly formed department that should be perfect for you."

Nanamin glanced at him curiously, intending to ask again, but Rito didn't explain further, waving his hand to indicate that she would know when she got there.

"Serious and mysterious, acting like a ghost."

The girl muttered a couple of things, but there was nothing she could do about it. She had no choice but to go along with him, pack her luggage, and prepare to go to the new home he had chosen for her.

The new address is easy to find; it's right next to the apartment where Rito lives now, the place where Airi used to live. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but the hotel Nanamin stayed at was the one the president stayed at, and now the new house she's moved into is Airi's old address. It seems like I'm always letting her pick up where others left off, which sounds rather pathetic.

"Don't worry, you won't be staying here for long. I'm moving soon, and then there will be a room available for you."

Rito smiled apologetically and opened the door. After Airi left, a cleaning service came every week to clean and tidy the house, so it never felt deserted and always had a lively atmosphere.

"This is already pretty good, at least much better than the dorms in Nogizaka."

Having endured hardship herself, Nana Min didn't have any picky thoughts. After looking around, she contentedly tossed her luggage onto the sofa, then lay down herself, revealing a relaxed expression.

"That's good. You can stay here for the next few days. I've already given your phone number to the people at Dentsu. They'll contact you about the pre-job training and such."

Li Ren nodded, placed the key and room card on the table, and prepared to leave.

Nanamin lay on the large sofa, which was even bigger than her previous bed, glanced at him sideways, and asked in a relaxed manner, "Why didn't you take me?"

Rito shrugged speechlessly: "Who do you think you are, that you deserve my personal attention?"

Nana Min didn't answer, she just looked at him with a cold smile.

Just then, a tram passed by outside the window. Around the time the fourth carriage sped past, Rito couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"I can't hide it from you anymore. Okay, I'll be going to Osaka in the next couple of days, so I won't be able to take you, alright?"

He leaned over the back of the sofa, so close that their hair was visibly intertwined. Only then did Nana Min smile, and she immediately asked, "Who's there?"

"Nana Sai," Rito replied.

"It's her." Nanamin nodded thoughtfully. "You and her?"

"Yes, I like her."

Rito didn't bother to hide anything and frankly admitted his relationship with Nana Sai.

"It's a good thing you didn't say anything like she seduced you or any other nonsense." Nana Min wasn't too surprised. She turned to look at him and smiled leisurely.

"I'm not that tasteless." Rito shook her head, then suddenly asked with some curiosity, "By the way, what was your relationship like with her when you were in the group?"

"She's just so-so. She tries too hard. I can never handle people like that."

"It's as if some of the first generation members don't work hard. If you don't work hard, then give your spot to the second generation members."

"roll!"

After receiving a powerful slap from Nana Min from Hokkaido, Rito chuckled mischievously twice, then sprang up from the sofa with a somersault.

"I'm leaving now. Call me if you have any questions."

He went through the tasks in his mind, making sure nothing was left out, and then, without further delay, he gave a brief instruction, turned around, and headed out the door towards Osaka.

The last time Kubo Rito came to Osaka was two months ago. After being caught by Nanase's doting mother, he hadn't been back since. Although Nanase later participated in a school free-fighting match and, with her indomitable will and the advantage of having no breasts, defeated three bullies and ended up in the hospital herself, he didn't visit her even once. She even had a small argument with Rito about it, but Rito didn't want her to develop a spoiled personality too early, so he didn't give in until he had really arranged everything before setting off.

Rito parked his car at the intersection near the Nishino family's house. He had just opened the car door and hadn't even had time to take out his phone to make a call when he saw the door of a high-rise apartment building in front of him suddenly pushed open. A figure in a light purple dress rushed out of the door, her long hair swinging in an arc in the afternoon sunlight. In a moment, she rushed into his arms.

"Didn't they say they wouldn't arrive until the afternoon?! Good thing I checked again, you big liar!"

Nishino Nanase buried her face in his chest, pinched his cheeks with both hands, and scolded him with a smile.

"There were no cars on the road, so I drove a little faster." Rihito smiled and helped her up, his hands naturally slipping inside her clothes, and hooking his right foot onto the car door.

Nanasai grunted like a little pig, then wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and looked up at him. Her face was a bit paler than during the selection process, and Rito knew this was the result of her diligent skincare. He gently kissed her forehead, and Nanasai blushed slightly but didn't refuse, even offering her lips in return.

"It's so sweet, even sweeter than the okonomiyaki from Dotonbori." Rihito commented after tasting it.

Nana Sai, who was enjoying the pleasure of the moment, almost laughed in anger upon hearing this. She lightly patted his chest and retorted:

"Why would okonomiyaki be sweet? Did you eat the one from Tokyo?"

"What are you talking about? I went to the authentic old shop." Rito wrinkled his nose.

"Tch, I'll treat you to dinner at my house next time. You can't find authentic okonomiyaki anywhere these days." Nana snorted, proudly promoting her family's food to him.

"Okay, as long as you're not afraid your mom will recognize me."

Li Ren shrugged, leaving the arrogant little pigeon speechless with just one sentence. He could only glare at him, grab his hand, and urge him to get off the bus quickly.

Nana walked ahead, her slippers clicking on the ground. After a few steps, she stopped, neither turning back nor speaking. Her right hand was behind her back, and her finger beckoned in his direction. In the few months since they last met, her youthful face had gradually changed, and one could already vaguely see the alluring look that would later captivate countless fans.

"I'm here, what's the rush?" Rito lazily raised his hand and waved, then followed her.

Upon arriving at the Nishino family home, it was clear that they were well-off, with all sorts of furniture and everything kept very tidy. None of the other family members were home today, which was why Nana had arranged to meet them here.

"Hug me." Back in her own home, Nana was visibly more relaxed. She casually tossed two socks under the sofa and reached out her arms like a kitten, begging for a hug.

Li Ren readily complied, grabbed her waist, and led her to the bedroom, pressing her down onto the most familiar large bed.

"Mom went to Grandma's house and won't be back until the day after tomorrow."

Before long, Nana Sai's hair was disheveled, her eyes were full of spring, and the whole room could smell the fragrance emanating from her rising body temperature. Pressing her forehead against Li Ren's, she whispered an invitation that was self-evident.

Just then, Rito's phone, which was on the bedside table, rang. The caller ID showed Hashimoto Nanami.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call." He chuckled lightly, ignoring the other person's resentful expression, and answered the phone. Before he could even speak, a familiar voice came from the other end, cold and clearly complaining. In the background, someone was discussing things like exchange rate fluctuations and expected rates of return—words completely out of place in an idol management company.

"Kubo Rito, are you kidding me? I'm a spatial design student at Musashino Art University, not a finance student at the University of Tokyo or Kyoto University. What's with throwing me into the venture capital department? This is my first day at work, and I haven't understood a single word all morning. Are you deliberately messing with me?"

Rito couldn't help but laugh.

Nana, who was nestled against his chest, heard a woman's voice on the other end of the phone and immediately opened her eyes, turning her head to look at him with a subtle wariness in her eyes.

"Ms. Hashimoto, don't be so resentful. Finance isn't as mysterious as you think," Rito said calmly into the phone. "It's simply about putting money where it can generate more money. As for those obscure terms and concepts, someone will take care of that for you."

"Am I just your mouthpiece? Anyone can do this job, why make me do it?"

Nana Min glanced at her busy colleagues, still somewhat puzzled by his intentions.

"Of course, it's because I need someone who's truly one of my own."

Rito smiled, but there was little joy in his eyes; instead, there was a hint of sinister coldness. Nana looked at him, so different from his usual self, but she wasn't afraid. Instead, she became even more captivated. She secretly leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I do."

"Who is speaking?"

Nana Min on the other end of the phone frowned and asked instinctively.

Startled, Rito frowned in unison, pressed his index finger against Nanase's forehead, and walked to the deserted balcony.

"Is it Nishino?" Nana Min wasn't stupid. After Rito had been walking for a while, she had already figured it out. Since he said he was going to Osaka, who else could that woman be? Of course, it was her old teammate. Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a wave of disgust. Nana Sai's way of asserting her dominance was so old-fashioned that her instincts reacted before her emotions.

"Yeah, it's pretty childish of her to still do something like that now."

Li Ren didn't notice anything amiss and didn't intend to hide it from her.

"Women of all ages know this trick, they just use different forms."

The Philosophy Bridge is available for a limited time. He adjusted his non-existent glasses and said calmly.

"Perhaps." Rihito didn't want to argue about such a pointless topic, so he quickly moved on and continued the previous conversation: "Dentsu isn't my own company after all. Having things handled by people below you creates a lot of unnecessary risks. You understand what I mean?"

"I think I understand. You want me to help you manage your business?"

"Yes, as you know, I've only been in this world for a short time. I'm worried about the people under the original owner's command, so I can only ask you for help."

"You trust me that much?"

Nana lowered her head, her words carrying a hint of mockery. Rito noticed this and teased her with a smile:

"I believe in you, just as you believe in God."

After joking around and exchanging a few more casual words, the two hung up the phone. Rito returned to the bedroom, only to find that Nana Sai was no longer there, so he went to the living room to look for her.

In the living room, an adorable little otter was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, seemingly watching a dance video on her phone, but her eyes were actually frantically looking towards the corridor every second. As soon as Rito came out, she caught her eye.

"snort."

Upon making eye contact, Nanasai immediately turned her head away, her pouty expression quite adorable, fully demonstrating her serious and angry attitude.

"What are you looking at? Oh, isn't this the third single dance? It's here so quickly?"

Li Ren pretended not to notice and picked up his phone to take a look.

"Yeah, I've only been resting for a few months, and the group's CD sales are already over 100,000. By the time I go back, there probably won't be any spots left. I'm thinking, maybe I should just retire sooner rather than later. What do you think, CEO?"

High school girls are always good at being sarcastic and sarcastic, and Nishino Nanase is even better than them; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to get into fights with others so easily.

"Don't rush. If you can't compete with the first generation, you can compete with the second generation. If you can't compete with the second generation, you can go to Under. If you're at the bottom of the Under too, it's not too late to quit."

Li Ren wouldn't tolerate her; with just a few words, he made Nana Sai Mingzhu burst into tears, and she picked up a cushion and threw it at him.

Smiling broadly, Rito intercepted the object from outer space in mid-air. Suddenly, he remembered the last thing Nanamin said to him before hanging up the phone:

Be careful, Nana Sai is not a woman you can just play around with. Don't get yourself into trouble.

"Who said I was just playing around?"

Li Ren shook his head and muttered to himself.

"What did you say?"

Nana, who was in the distance, vaguely heard him speaking, but couldn't make it out clearly. She quickly straightened up, wanting to know what he was saying.

"It's nothing." Rito smiled and pounced on her like a hungry tiger, pinning her down.