The Acquisition List
While waiting for the food, we chatted idly until Yuna pulled a document from her handbag and handed it to me. I took the papers she offered and glanced at the title: Entertainment Companies Worth Acquiring for Minjun!!
"The title's pretty cute."
"N-not that! Just check the contents, please!"
"Ah, right."
I scanned the document Yuna had prepared. It contained a neatly organized analysis of entertainment companies valued around 100 billion won, including their acquisition potential and supporting rationale. Even someone like me, who knew next to nothing about the industry, could instantly tell which firms were stable, which had growth prospects, and what advantages each acquisition would bring. I couldn't help but feel impressed.
She's capable. Really capable. Lee Yuna. You're definitely mine.
I already had Dayeon as a connection and planned to acquire Star Entertainment anyway. Building another link to a different agency sounded like a hassle. Still, when I'd mentioned my interest in entertainment to Yuna, I hadn't told her I already had a specific target in mind. I figured I could reveal that once she became my believer and my woman. But the moment I expressed interest, the ever-diligent Yuna had acted several steps ahead, and the result now lay before me.
Of course, the document wouldn't change my decision, but it was more than enough to confirm her competence. On top of that, Star Entertainment—the company I'd already set my sights on—was included in the list, making it easy to review the relevant information.
"You must have been busy enough already. Did you really put this together just for me? Now I feel like I owe you even more..."
"No, it didn't take that long. Besides, you're my client, so... you really don't need to worry about it!"
I focused on the papers, making my admiration obvious as I looked at Yuna with the kind of lovestruck eyes I hadn't used in a while. Overwhelmed by the intense romantic atmosphere, Yuna waved her hands in embarrassment. Such talent paired with such humility. Thank you for raising your daughter so well, Chairman of Sehan Group. I'll enjoy her thoroughly.
"Excuse me~. Here are the dishes you ordered."
The waiter arrived with our food right on cue. But the only thing on my mind was devouring Yuna in one bite, so even the elegantly plated gourmet dishes failed to spark any appetite. The only thing stimulating my salivary glands right now was Yuna herself.
"Um... Minjun..."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Your gaze is so intense... I can't eat. It's too embarrassing..."
"Oops. Sorry about that."
I'd unconsciously let my true intentions show. Not that it could be helped. Any team owner would feel the same way when drooling over a once-in-a-generation talent. I wanted to bring Yuna over even if it cost ten or a hundred billion won. Though, of course, showing her something far more addictive than a few hundred trillion won—namely, the taste of my cock—would make her fall just as quickly.
"I'll keep my eyes in check. Let's eat, Yuna."
"Yes. Please do. Your stare was so strong I thought I was going to melt."
"That's just how a man looks at the woman he loves."
"Really? You must have a lot of experience with love, even though you're still so young."
"...Let's just eat."
"...Minjun?"
After a brief awkward moment, the meal continued in a pleasant atmosphere. Good scenery, good food, and a highly desirable talent—everything about the dinner was perfect, so it would have been strange if the mood had soured.
Slurp.
Sipping the ridiculously bitter coffee made from some fancy bean, I looked at Yuna and spoke as if it were nothing.
"Where should we go for the next part of our date, Yuna?"
"Huh? I-I haven't decided yet..."
"Then how about a walk along the Han River? The weather's nice today."
"Oh! That sounds great! I've always wanted to walk along the Han River with a boyfriend."
Yuna looked genuinely delighted, like a child. It was an adorable reaction that transcended her age.
"Hmm... now that I think about it, maybe not. Sorry, but let's save the Han River for when the weather's bad."
"What?! Why?"
"Other guys would be stealing glances at you. Look around. The men at the next table, the one after that, and the one across from us—they're all staring at you."
"Ah..."
It was a cringeworthy line, but it wasn't a lie. Yuna was radiating the aura of the queen of the district, her overwhelming visuals silently screaming, I'm the prettiest one here! The men's gazes refused to leave her. I wanted to gouge out their eyes for ogling my precious talent, but I hadn't gathered enough power to ignore the law yet, so I held back. Moments like this made me painfully aware of my current limitations.
"Haa... Minjun. You're so sensitive to men's stares, but why are you completely oblivious to the ones coming from the opposite direction?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Women. Look at the women sitting across from the men and see who they're glancing at. Just don't make eye contact."
"Ah..."
She was right. I hadn't noticed until she pointed it out, but now I could feel the gazes from the women seated opposite the men. Oh, right. I'm handsome now.
"I'm the one who's worried, you know. You're handsome, rich, well-mannered, skilled with women... and on top of that, you're much younger than me. If I tell my friends I'm dating you, they'll definitely call me a thief. They might even faint from jealousy."
"Haha..."
I had no comeback. I'd given women plenty of compliments before, but being praised so sincerely by a woman—and by Yuna, the talent I coveted—was a different feeling altogether.
This won't do. I'd planned to go through at least one more course before getting to the main event, but I couldn't wait that long. We'd already had dinner together as a couple. Who cared about courses? Whether we took the scenic route or the shortcut, as long as we ended up in Seoul together, it didn't matter.
I activated Prophet's Voice and Pope's Aura, then began to make my move in earnest.
"Since we're both worried about other people's stares, it makes sense to go somewhere we can be alone."
"A-alone?"
"Yes. Just the two of us. I'm sure we'd have plenty of fun together."
"W-what would we do for fun?"
"I don't know. What would you like to do, Yuna?"
"M-me? I-I don't really..."
"Then should we just end the date here?"
"No...! That's not what I meant...!"
Teasing a prim older woman was always enjoyable—especially when subtle sexual innuendo was involved.
"Do you not want to be alone with me, Yuna?"
"No! Of course not!"
"Then why are you hesitating?"
"It's just... it's too fast. We've only known each other for a day. My friends say if you fall in love too quickly, the feelings fade just as fast. So maybe we should take things a little slower..."
"Yuna, what are you even saying? I was just going to suggest a drive along the Han River embankment."
"...What?! But earlier you clearly said we should be alone!"
"Exactly. We'll be alone in the car... What exactly were you imagining?"
"Well... when you put it that way, of course it sounds like..."
Yuna's face flushed bright red, too embarrassed to finish her sentence. It was a delightful sight, but her earlier words hadn't exactly pleased me. If you fall in love quickly, the feelings fade quickly? That might apply to ordinary people, but it had no place between a believer, her cult leader, and the solid bond of obedience that tied us together. Falling in love quickly only meant falling deeper.
"Hmph... You only ever tease me..."
"If you're done eating, let's get up, Yuna."
"Okay, Minjun."
I stood and offered her my hand. Though she grumbled, Yuna took it and rose from her seat.
"Eek...!"
Because I'd poured a generous amount of aura into the hand she held, Yuna let out a soft moan, her face slightly scrunched as if she'd been shocked by static electricity. I feigned ignorance.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"N-no! I'm fine!"
"Really? That's a relief."
She claimed to be fine, but with direct contact to the aura, she would soon be feeling lightheaded. Just imagining Yuna, ignoring her friends' advice, getting excited and clinging to me made a shiver run down my spine.
"Thank you for coming."
As promised, Yuna paid with her card, and we left the restaurant hand in hand. While riding the elevator down to the underground parking lot, she kept fidgeting with the hand she was holding.
"Is it uncomfortable? Should I let go?"
"N-no, it's not that. It's just... holding your hand makes me feel..."
"Feel what?"
"I-it's nothing!"
"Hmm. I didn't think you'd find it uncomfortable. Sorry, Yuna."
I let go of her hand. Yuna's expression showed a sudden, intense sense of loss.
"Aah—Minjun!"
With startling speed, she snatched my hand back and interlaced our fingers again.
"I'm really fine! I want to keep holding your hand! I mean it!"
"I see..."
"Ah. Th-thank you, Minjun."
The air inside the elevator instantly grew hot. Having so openly revealed how much she craved my touch, Yuna was extremely embarrassed. It was understandable—she'd been the one talking about taking things slow, after all. Using the aura cheat had been the right call.
Watching her cheeks flush while she still refused to let go of my hand was deeply satisfying. I kept my true feelings hidden, matching her flustered gestures with my own slightly awkward ones as I stayed silent. The peculiar atmosphere created by silence wasn't unpleasant.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened. We stepped out into the underground parking lot and got into the car.
"Ah..."
Yuna, seated in the passenger side, reached for her seatbelt out of habit, then suddenly stopped and placed her hands on her lap as if she'd remembered something. Smiling faintly, I leaned toward her, my body angled close.
"Huu..."
Yuna's breathing stopped, and I felt her body go rigid. Her trembling hands gripping the edges of the seat and her wavering pupils made it clear just how nervous she was. Taking my time on purpose to tease her, I slowly fastened her seatbelt.
Click.
Yuna, who had squeezed her eyes shut to endure the tension, opened them at the sound. Finding the sight adorable, I leaned in instead of returning to my seat and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.
"Ah...!!"
Yuna's reaction was textbook perfect. She let out a cute little "Ah!" and stared at me with wide, dazed eyes. It was the ideal response any man would want. She's excellent at this too.
"...M-Minjun..."
"Yes? What is it?"
I answered casually, as if I didn't notice her staring. When the other person was desperate, acting indifferent was far more effective at making them even more desperate.
"Where... are we going? A drive along the Han River?"
"Yeah. Why? Don't you want to?"
"No, it's not that..."
"Then what is it?"
Yuna hesitated, clearly too embarrassed to speak. I didn't push her, letting her find her own words. Exposed directly to my powerful Pope's Aura and having received physical contact, even the prim and proper Yuna couldn't possibly resist getting aroused.
"I'm a little tired... so, um, could we maybe rest at your place first...?"
"...My place?"
"Would that be inconvenient for you?"
"No, not really..."
That was a lie. Yeonju, my live-in girlfriend, was at home. I'd knocked her out with intense morning sex, but she might have woken up by now. After declaring the house a sanctuary, Yeonju recovered quickly from unconsciousness thanks to the sanctuary buff. Still, I couldn't tell Yuna we couldn't go there because I had a roommate.
I could just make up an excuse and take her to a hotel...
Sure, that would avoid any complications. But my instincts told me that inviting Yuna to my house would lead to something far more entertaining. It would put Yeonju—who'd grown complacent thinking she had all my love to herself—on edge. Or maybe Yuna and Yeonju would have a thrilling catfight over me.
Of course, I'd have to do a bit of brainwashing on Yuna first...
I wasn't sure how much obedience points I had to spare, but it was definitely worth trying. Besides, they were bound to meet eventually, so experiencing it early wasn't a bad idea. Even with brainwashing altering her perception, jealousy would remain, so I needed to see how strongly it manifested. If it became a problem, I could always do maintenance later.
Yeah. Sounds good.
Every indicator pointed toward going home. It would be a big gamble, but that only made it more exciting.
"Let's go. To my place."
"R-really?"
"Yes. Really."
Vroooom.
I drove toward my house in Hannam-dong. It had been a long time since a drive home had made my heart race this much.