Chapter 48: Something in Return

"A plan, huh? I'm also wondering about the exact plan I need to take. However, in the short term, I need to quickly train to become stronger." Mike only took Alfred's question as a confirmation.

"No, that's not what I meant." Alfred shook his head.

"What do you mean, then, Sir Alfred?" Mike glanced at the driver's seat behind the small window.

"Someone who is willing to go through so much trouble and bear such a huge burden for someone you don't know very well. Something must have prompted you to do all this. Now tell us what you have planned for us." Alfred slowed down the car and looked in the rearview mirror.

Alfred's question instantly made everyone in the limousine fall silent. They looked at Mike then as if they wanted to know the answer too.

"Hm, so it's like that. Did my actions and what just happened make you guys doubt me? Was it all just a test or something?" Mike heaved a sigh. He finally understood what Alfred wanted to mean.

"No, it's not like that, Mike. No one doubts you. You're just helping me finish." Yuna didn't expect the sudden change in atmosphere. She immediately came to the defense to gain Mike's trust.

"Though what you say is probably true, but if my answer can make you feel relieved, then this is my answer. You can judge me." Mike looked up slightly with a self-deprecating smile. "Yes, as you say, Sir Alfred. I have the plans for you as you have for me. I am not a gullible ignorant."

Mike's statement made almost everyone feel tensed, especially Yuna. It would be hypocritical if she told Mike she had no secret plans for him.

"You need to give something to get something in return. You need to be kind to get a good return. I keep this mindset, and I'm sure it applies in this unfair world. Trust and relationships are like that too.

You try to believe to be trusted, and even you love someone to hope to be loved back. Although it doesn't always end as expected, it will be fine if you try and hope for the best.

Imbalance can destroy trust and relationships if you give a lot but get nothing in return. I say this as a nobody. Due to an unforeseen event, I was invited to join the Kisaragi Clan with open arms, but is it that simple? Is that what happened on your side?

I don't think so. I have some use on your side. Even so, why don't I do the same? That's the rule of the world, right? Even though the problem that comes is quite extensive and troublesome, will I face it alone? Yuna already promised me, then why should I hesitate?" Mike delivered his long speech eloquently and casually as if he was not under the pressure of everyone's gaze. He could already guess the truth, but it wasn't a big deal for him.

"Mike..." Yuna felt a mixture of joy, relief, and confusion. She once again realized that Mike was more mature than he seemed.

"Well said. You give something to get something in return. You believe in expecting to be trusted, be kind to expect to be treated well, and love to expect to be loved back. You are pretty mature at your age.

All right. Suppose you really want to win that golden plaque challenge for Yuna-sama's sake. In that case, I will participate in cultivating you with careful preparation. Please prepare yourself for some vigorous training, Mike-sama." Alfred smiled faintly and accelerated the speed of the car. Behind that, Mike's statement made him quite satisfied.

Meanwhile, a sentence echoed in Yuna's mind over and over again. That became the focus that kept flashing after Alfred's reaffirmation.

'Love to hope to be loved back? Mike trying to love me so I love him back? He treats this fake lover relationship as something serious? He's after me? But, I'm not a good girl. Will he hate me and leave my clan if he knows the motive behind my invitation?' Yuna muttered in her mind as if her feelings were being tossed around by the violent waves.

'But give something to get something and believe to expect to be trusted. So, I just need to give Mike what he deserves for all the trouble I'm going to bring him. Then, we need to build trust so he doesn't leave my clan. If that's possible, I want Mike to stay in my clan forever. But how?' Yuna wondered while looking at Mike's face.

It was an infrequent and golden opportunity to have someone with exceptionally gifted talent around as an ally. There wouldn't be a second chance if the first one was wasted.

"Thank you, Sir Alfred. I will prepare myself well." Mike nodded with a happy smile.

Turns out, the question just now was just a test because that old man wanted to make sure he was worthy of being trained or not.

As if noticing the complicated gaze from the other side, Mike turned his head to meet Yuna's eyes. "What is it, Yuna? Did my statement to Sir Alfred surprise you?"

"Uh-huh, uhm, no. I know that what you're saying is true and I'm glad that you have the same beliefs as mine. The world is indeed cruel and unfair. We need to build a solid group that can help each other in face it all together. There's a limit to what we can do alone. Please don't misunderstand me, okay?" Yuna shook her head meekly. She emphasized the last two sentences.

"Understood." Mike just nodded with a smile. Yuna also smiled for a slightly different reason.

Seeing that, Kisa and the others looked at each other as if they had one thought in mind. Mike and Yuna look so close and harmonious. It was a bit of a surprise. Yuna was a bit like an ordinary sweet girl when she was around Mike. Whereas usually Yuna often acted as a stern and dominant leader.

"Forget it, let's go with the flow and enjoy the ride." Kisa shook her head and sat down to Mike's left.

"Nee, Mike-sama~ You can share your worries and problems to this big sister. I am ready to help you as much as you want~" Kisa spoke with a seductive rhythm.

"Kisa, you are so close. Don't you ever try to seduce Mike in front of me." Yuna pursed her lips to see Kisa suddenly so close to Mike and even holding his arm.

"Oh my, looks like our Ojou-sama is jealous? So, is it okay if I seduce Mike-sama behind your back?" Kisa teases Yuna as well while covering her mouth. Then, she waved her hand in front of her face and delivered a gentle reminder to MIke. "No worry, you can also share your worries or problems with Yuna-sama and everyone else. As you said, we will help you deal with any problems that come your way. Yuna-sama will take full responsibility for you."

On the way home, the topic of conversation instantly changed to everyone versus Mike and Yuna. It was as if they tried to tease this fake lover about becoming the real one.