The state's daughter paid me 300 million worthless - chapter 3

Don’t underestimate its value

“Huh? I called Eina, so why are you here?”

“I had no choice; I was dragged into it. So, if he asked you for a favour, would you refuse?”

“I wouldn’t refuse.”

“That’s what I thought.”

The logic that if someone has an ulterior motive, they might as well ask for a favour is a reasonable one to present to guys. If they’re in love, they understand these feelings, and even if they’re not in love, they are aware of the fact that many are, so there’s no reason they wouldn’t understand.

Rokuya Hasekura struggled to respond to the flawless and unwavering argument. There was nothing to say in response. If he had the courage to confess, he believed that understanding the desire to earn a favourable impression was akin to understanding his own feelings.

“Still, why is it you… You’re the luckiest one. You’re Eina’s closest friend. You’re the only one allowed to enter the rooftop she bought.”

“…I don’t think it’s something to be too happy about… Ahaha.”

The common perception is that if a guy and a girl are especially close, they must be in a relationship, but neither guys nor  girls tease me about it. The reason is simple: it doesn’t look like we’re in a relationship. Despite Eina’s unfriendly nature, she’s not the type to celebrate any more if we were in a relationship.

“So, about the answer… I’m sure you already know the moment I came here. I’m politely declining.”

“I know! Ugh, what’s wrong with me? There’s no one with better looks and athleticism than me.”

I wanted to point out that it’s not something he should say about himself, but even from a guy’s perspective, Shikura is quite handsome, so it’s hard to argue. True humility from a genuinely attractive guy can be misinterpreted as sarcasm, and in that case, it’s better if he’s aware of it.

It’s also true that unless Eina’s the target, Shikura is quite popular. I’ve witnessed a few confessions since he enrolled. Nevertheless, he continues to refuse, like a certain lord who is single-mindedly focused on turning Eina’s attention toward him, with no regard for other girls. His self-assuredness is likely based on the number of confessions he’s turned down over time.

“I’ve finished delivering my message, so I’m going now. See you.”

“Wait a minute, Kotone. How much have you piled up, anyway?”

Despite being told not to engage in unnecessary conversations, I came to a halt. Letting out a sigh, I turned around, and Shikura approached with 100,000 yen in his hand.

“What’s this? I don’t need a bribe or anything.”

“No, no, it’s not like that. You know how Eina often brings up money, right? Like last year’s cultural festival and the preparations for the mock store, she said she’d do it all for 400,000 yen. You’re one of her friends, and you’re not as good at sports or as handsome as me, so you probably paid the ‘friend fee’ to be friends with her, right? How much did you pay?”

He put his arm around my shoulder. Shikura probably considered me a close friend, as he was grinning and flaunting the money. 100,000 yen was a substantial amount. Most people would be delighted even if it were given as a reward.

I’m feeling complex about this.

When I looked at the bills, I remembered that day. The sight of Eina, who had come to visit with an attached case filled with 300 million yen, and my mother’s face, dazzled by the money, as she readily signed the contract. Without any hesitation, she exchanged me, and as if she had just regained her child, she hugged the attached case.

“Shall we go?”

Eina led me out of the house.

“Wait. I don’t need the reward. I’m not in need of money. Instead, there’s something I’d like you to tell me.”

“Sure, I’ll answer anything if you’re going to work hard to bring Eina and me together.”

“You know… if you were to put a price on yourself, how much do you think it would be?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you should know a bit about Eina’s values. It’s like personal PR. I’ll come up with all sorts of great things about you, and you just have to tell me your price and why you think that way.”

“Oh, that’s what you mean! Then hurry up and tell me! My price, huh…”

Self-promotion is something I really dislike. I can’t come up with anything when asked what’s so great about me. Shikura’s statements are all facts, and I don’t have any extraordinary skills or talents that could capture someone’s interest. I’m neither exceptionally skilled nor so bad that it’s hard to believe. I’m just right in the middle, not excelling in any way.

“Ugh, I don’t know. Well, let me think.”

“…I don’t want to stand around for hours. I’m in a place with too many mosquitoes.”

At full speed, I left the school gate and descended the hill, where a black car was parked on the roadside. The rear seats had curtains drawn, physically concealing whoever was inside. After ensuring we weren’t under observation, I entered, and Eina, who had been reading a foreign book, closed her book and mumbled softly.

“You’re two and a half minutes late, just as I expected.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

The door automatically closed and locked. In this car, the rear doors couldn’t be opened manually, so we were in a semi-sealed environment.

“What were you doing? I told you not to engage in unnecessary conversations.”

“W-well, it wasn’t precisely an unnecessary conversation…”

“Kage… Ya…”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll tell you everything.”

Since she dropped the use of ‘kimi’ when addressing me, our friendship was on hold. In this car, Eina was the master, and I was… a pet? A servant? A subordinate? I wasn’t entirely sure, but in any case, I had been bought by her, so I had to follow her orders. I couldn’t afford to devalue myself, and I owed it to her for acquiring me.

“I initially planned to return home right away, but Shikura seems insistent… He asked me how much money it would take to become friends, so he offered a 100,000 yen reward.”

“You accepted it?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if you accept the 100,000 yen. So, did you? Did your eyes gleam with avarice?”

“No, no, not at all! I’m… content as long as you’re here, Eina.”

Upon hearing this, Eina’s eyes flickered slightly, and she turned to look out of the opposite window.

“I see. That’s acceptable, then. Please continue.”

“He thinks I became his friend because I paid a ‘friend fee’ to talk to you. He’s being foolish, right? I don’t have that kind of money. But he seems relentless and won’t give up, so he asked me how much I would charge for being his friend, which is why I inquired about my worth. If I had to put a price on myself, how much would it be?”

“I thought 30,000 yen would be reasonable.”

“He… He claimed his current self is worth 50 million yen.”

“……….”

“……….”

An uncomfortable silence filled the car. Even the driver, who presumably overheard the conversation, seemed unable to withstand the silence, and his breathing was audible.

“…So, the reason for that… Honestly, he believes he’s a bundle of talent destined to become a soccer player in the future. So, he said he couldn’t ask for less than 50 million for his future… I don’t quite comprehend the way he calculated it.”

“Well, it’s not an entirely ridiculous story. It’s admirable to estimate your future value. However… 50 million. Does he want me to purchase him for 50 million yen?”

“Well, he didn’t explicitly say that.”

“Can you please get the car moving?”

As Eina issued her command, the car started moving, and we headed for home. Since I was forbidden from looking out of the back seat’s window, I had no idea where we were going or when we would reach home, but it was going to be a considerable journey.

“Differences in values are common, but this level of disparity is unusual. I wonder if Shikura possesses some charm that I’m unaware of.”

“…Perhaps he had a change of heart?”

“50 million. I contemplated buying him for that. I thought it was a bit excessive to have one of the mansion’s vacant rooms cleaned by a servant, you know? Really? So, I was willing to assign him that room… I believe. Kageya, you don’t need to do anything. I’ll send a car to pick you up later.”

“Oh, you’re more amenable than I anticipated.”

It’s somewhat less amusing than I expected.

I was summoned by Eina and ended up serving as a pillow while the car swayed. I had no right to decline. I glanced up at Eina, but fortunately, my view was obstructed by my chest, so I couldn’t see her face.

“A probationary period isn’t exclusive to him. Even acquired servants typically have a trial period, meant to make them desire me. However, you don’t require such a probationary period. Don’t worry about any insecurities. I’ve never considered you worthless. I love you, Kageya. So please, stay by my side… forever.”

I wanted to tease Eina. After all, I’d spent a year with her, so I knew. Probationary periods are when individuals who have piqued her interest must be the most cautious. She might act solely based on their temporary worth as long as they aren’t her possessions, but once they become her property, it’s a different story.

“A trial period? Did I have one too?”

Eina placed her hand on my head and another on her chest.

“Are you curious? But you don’t need a trial period. Don’t worry, please. I’ve never thought you’re worthless. I love you. Please continue to stay by my side… forever.”