Rebuilding Sakamichi in a chaotic worldline

Chapter 21 Like the Beast Dancing with Belle

Rito was the first to pull his hand away from the girl's. He bowed slightly and took the suitcase from the president's hand. The two walked side by side toward the exit.

"I heard from my father that you, Yumiko, are also interested in idols?"

After meeting him, Yumiko remained silent and didn't say much along the way. Although Rito wasn't a very talkative person either, he considered that he was the host and didn't want to neglect her, so he tried to find a common topic between them.

"Hmm." The president nodded, finally becoming more talkative. "I watched Nogizaka46's variety show, it was really interesting."

"Is it interesting?" Rito's expression was somewhat amused, not out of envy or longing, but rather because he found it interesting. From the young lady's choice of words, he could roughly understand her attitude towards the idol industry—club activities at Kyushu's elite girls' schools were too boring, so she might as well come to Tokyo to find something new to do.

"Yeah, Tokyo is definitely more interesting. There aren't any decent idol groups in places like Kyushu."

Seeing his strange expression, the chairman didn't take it to heart. In the midst of their conversation, he secretly made fun of his hometown again. Rito couldn't help but laugh and agree with him. He led her to his car, put the suitcase in the trunk, and got in the car.

"Yumiko, would you like to stay in a hotel or an apartment?" Rito started the car and merged into the traffic on the airport expressway. "If it's a hotel, I'll have someone reserve a room for you right now."

"I'm fine with anything." Yumiko leaned against the car window, without making any special requests.

"Then I'll book a place near the company. You'll probably be staying for a while this time, right?"

"OK."

After settling on their future residence in a few words, Rito was about to turn around when Yumiko suddenly called out to him with a flash of insight.

"Wait a minute, Kubo-kun, I don't want to go to the hotel right now."

"Hmm? Where do you want to go?"

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At 2 PM, Disneyland was bathed in sunshine and bustling with people.

Guan Youmei, the eldest daughter of the Guan family, looked around with wide, curious eyes, like a country girl visiting the city for the first time. She held a huge Mickey Mouse cotton candy in her hand, taking small bites, completely unaware that her face was covered in pink icing.

Rito followed behind her, moving his feet with a helpless expression. A Mickey Mouse, whose temperament was completely different from his, hovered above his head, looking around.

"Kubo-kun, let's go ride the carousel!" Yumiko tugged at Rito's sleeve, pointing to the carousel not far away, her eyes sparkling.

"Okay, okay." Rito resignedly followed her.

On the carousel, Yumiko sat atop a white steed, slowly turning to the music. The wind ruffled her short hair, revealing her smooth forehead, and a radiant smile graced her face—a stark contrast to the haughty young lady she had been upon arrival. Rito, sitting on the carousel beside her, gazed at her profile and suddenly realized that this trip to Disneyland wasn't so bad after all.

They rode the little train, watched the parade, and visited Winnie the Pooh's Honey Pot House. Rito was allergic to roller coasters, but Yumiko still dragged him on one. His legs were weak when he got off, while Yumiko was still eager for more and wanted to ride it again.

"No, no, absolutely not!" Rito waved her hands repeatedly. "I'm going to throw up if I sit any longer. Let's go see the fireworks; the fireworks show is about to start."

As night fell, dazzling fireworks lit up the sky above the castle. The colorful light reflected on Yumiko's face as she looked up, mesmerized. Rito stood beside her, watching her profile illuminated by the fireworks, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up within him.

"So beautiful," Yumiko murmured.

"Yes," Rito agreed, but his gaze wasn't on the fireworks; instead, it was fixed on her.

After the fireworks display ended, the two followed the crowd out of the park. As they got into the car, Yumiko was still caught up in the excitement, chattering about which ride was the most fun and which souvenir was the cutest.

As Rito drove, he listened to her talk. In his time, Disneyland was already an outdated form of entertainment, but today he was still having a great time, as if he had completely integrated into this world.

It was past 10 p.m. when they got back to the hotel. Just as Rito saw Yumiko to her door, his phone rang. It was his father calling.

"Father." Rito walked a little further away and answered the phone.

"Did Yumiko answer?" The father's tone remained serious on the other end of the phone.

"I received her and have arranged for her to stay."

"That's good." The father paused, his tone suddenly becoming lighter. "Rito, I won't stop you from becoming an idol, but I hope I don't have to remind you who is just playing around and who needs to be taken seriously."

"I understand." Rito sighed helplessly. "But if I may ask, today's scenario won't be the one I'm thinking of, will it?"

"No, I don't think the Guan family has that intention either, but if you take a fancy to her, I, your father, will support you."

"That's good, I'll handle the rest." Li Ren said dismissively and then hung up the phone.

He turned around, about to leave, when he suddenly saw the door to the room wide open, and Yumiko standing in the doorway, holding a glass of water, quietly watching him.

"Did you hear that?" Rito raised an eyebrow, not blaming her for eavesdropping.

"Hmm." Yumiko nodded. "I'm only 18 years old. I'm not at the age where I'm desperate to get married yet. Don't overthink it, Kubo-kun."

Li Ren smiled and said, "I was overthinking it. Go to sleep early. I'll take you to see the person you want to see tomorrow."

"it is good."

The next morning, Rito appeared at the door on time. Yumiko Seki had changed into a smart business suit, her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and she was holding a notebook. She really looked like a professional woman.

"Good morning, Kubo-kun."

"Good morning." Rito looked her up and down. "Well prepared."

"Of course." Yumiko raised her chin smugly. "President Kubo, your new manager, Yumiko Seki, is reporting to you."

Rito laughed heartily. The two of them had discussed it last night and finally decided to let the president enter the company as an intern to experience the atmosphere. However, he originally thought that Yumiko was just playing around, but he didn't expect her to be quite serious.

When the two arrived at the company, the Nogizaka46 members were already practicing in the practice room. Rito led Yumiko in, clapped his hands, and attracted everyone's attention.

"Everyone, please stop for a moment. I'd like to introduce a new colleague." Rihito pointed to Yumiko Seki next to him. "This is Yumiko-san. Starting today, she will be working with you all as an intern manager. Please welcome her."