Revenge, Alliances, and the Auction
After wrapping up my business discussion with Oliver Fitzgerald, I headed straight to Mimata Chieri’s room. I knocked and stepped inside to find her sitting on the bed in the babydoll I’d seen before, getting ready for sleep. She’d been up all night having sex, so it was no wonder she looked exhausted.
“What brings you to my room, junior?”
“I just finished talking with my uncle…”
I explained what I’d learned from Oliver Fitzgerald about the Mars colonization project—that several major food companies were almost certain to be eliminated—and asked her to compile a list of the most promising candidates likely to receive development rights. Investing in one before they secured those rights, I told her, could turn out to be an extremely lucrative move.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to do it right now. Get some rest and take care of it by tomorrow.”
“Understood. Sorting food companies without colonization rights by market cap is simple enough. I’ll grab a little sleep and handle it first thing.”
“Good. I’m pretty tired myself, so I’ll sleep in my own room.”
“All right… Sleep well, junior.”
Just as I was about to leave, Mimata Chieri caught my arm, gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, then slipped under the covers. I left her room and returned to mine.
My stamina and recovery stats are high enough that I can go a day or two without sleep, but resting when I can is still better. Not sleeping since dawn had left me feeling a little foggy.
I’d already showered at the hotel, so I simply threw myself onto the bed. The plush, high-end mattress wrapped around my body, gently pulling me toward sleep, when my phone buzzed. It was a Line message from Mimata Chieri.
What kind of employee makes her boss work and then goes straight to bed…? Still, Mimata Chieri had already gathered the data. All I had to do was pick one name from the list.
I opened the document she’d attached. It contained a ranked list of food companies—from roughly fifteenth place downward—that had failed to obtain Mars colonization rights. A few familiar names jumped out at me… but then one stopped me cold. Why was this company here?
The name was Mother Mars—commonly known as MM. In the future timeline of TMC, the previous work of that megacorp’s youngest son, it was one of America’s five major megacorps.
Originally a small research lab contracted by NASA to study Martian soil, Mother Mars had begun by developing crops suited to that soil. From there it expanded into mining, construction, and real estate, eventually growing into a colossal enterprise. Ironically, despite the name, it seemed the company had missed out on the very first Mars colonization project.
It looked like existing food companies were being eliminated due to some scandal, clearing the way for Mother Mars. Even if they didn’t win colonization rights this time, the chance to acquire shares in a future American megacorp was too good to pass up. I’d have to ask Mimata Chieri to set up a meeting.
She was probably asleep by now, so I’d talk to her after I got some rest. I wasn’t the kind of rotten boss who sent work messages in the middle of the night.
After a short nap, I woke up and worked with Mimata Chieri to schedule a meeting with Mother Mars.
Desperate for investment, the company greeted our call with open arms. I practically broke a sweat trying to stop them from flying to New York immediately.
Luckily, their headquarters was in California—right on our next itinerary—so the timing worked perfectly. They even offered to meet us at the airport, which suggested we could finalize the investment contract on the spot.
After successfully arranging the meeting, I joined dinner in high spirits. Knowing it was our last meal in New York, the butler and maids had prepared an extravagant feast that lifted my mood even further.
“By the way, do you know about the underground auction?”
“Yes, I’ve gone with Mom a few times. Are you planning to attend this one too, Ryuta?”
When I brought up the underground auction over dinner, every member of the Fitzgerald family already knew about it.
“Senior and I are thinking of going. Since it starts at dawn, we can pack, attend the auction, and head straight to the airport afterward.”
“Then we should all go together! Aris has to take the same plane anyway, and as CEO of Legion I can see what styles are trending these days.”
“Of course I’m going too! We’re a group!”
The moment they heard we were attending, both Aris and Nae Fitzgerald excitedly declared they would join us.
“Hmm, I’d love to visit the underground auction after so long, but I have to fly to England for business right after dinner…”
Oliver Fitzgerald was leaving on his private jet immediately after the meal, so the same three-to-one group from last night would be attending the auction together.
“Ryuta, do you have a proper formal suit? Even though it’s hosted by the underground, many high-ranking people attend. You’ll need to dress appropriately.”
It was a good thing I’d packed a suit just in case. Although the auction itself was non-face-to-face—bidders viewed items through windows or screens before placing bids—you still encountered people coming and going, so formal attire was expected.
It wasn’t an official rule, but the unspoken custom was to dress formally, so I had no choice but to follow it. Mimata Chieri said she had brought a dress, which was a relief.
Because the auction was at dawn, we spent the intervening hours chatting in the drawing room. A few hours before departure the three women left together, giggling about helping each other choose outfits. I finished packing in my room, put on my suit, and waited in the drawing room with a light drink, scrolling through my phone.
Some time later the drawing-room door opened and Aris walked in. She wore a light green summer dress that matched her eye color, accented by the necklace I had given her.
“How do I look?”
“Beautiful. The dress matches your eyes perfectly.”
At my sincere praise, Aris beamed and came over to give me a quick kiss. Before the atmosphere could grow any hotter, the door opened again. This time Nae Fitzgerald entered wearing a white, cream-colored dress that resembled an elegant suit. She looked every inch a refined lady—yet the deep, inviting cleavage made the outfit incredibly arousing.
“Does it suit me? After you filled me with your white baby juice earlier, I felt like wearing something in this color♥”
“Mom!”
Aris cried out at her mother’s lewd remark. Nae simply gave her daughter a look that said what about it? As if to interrupt another mother-daughter quarrel, the door opened once more and the last member—Mimata Chieri—entered.
She wore a beige mini-dress that fell just above the knee, accented by a large ribbon at the waist. The fresh, juicy charm of the dress suited her perfectly. She had also put on rather flashy earrings she must have brought along.
“Hehe, I prepared a dress just in case. I’m glad I get to wear it.”
“You look beautiful, senior.”
“Hehe, really? That’s a relief.”
With everyone ready, we climbed into a limousine and headed to the underground auction venue. Inside the car, Nae Fitzgerald handed each of us a mask.
“Even if we wear masks, people will still have a rough idea who we are. But since this isn’t exactly a legal event, it’s better to wear them.”
They were simple, disposable masks made of thin plastic. Mine was a sullen-looking green frog… Wait, was this Pepe? I was pleasantly surprised to see the meme still alive in 2053.
Aris received a baby chick mask, Chieri a calico cat, and Nae Fitzgerald an elegant, high-society mask like those worn by noblewomen in old movies—the kind that covered only the eyes and had a delicate handle.
“Ugh! Mom’s is the only fancy one, that’s so unfair!”
“This one was originally mine. I had to rush to find the others because I didn’t know you children would be coming. Hohoho!”
That made sense—we had only mentioned it during dinner. Still, the Pepe mask felt a little embarrassing, but there was nothing to be done. Everyone had already put on their own masks, probably afraid I would suggest swapping.
The limousine stopped in front of the auction building. The butler opened the door. Nae Fitzgerald stepped out first, then I followed.
“Shall we go, my Frog Prince?”
“As you wish, my unfair Queen.”
Nae offered her hand. I took it. Aris, emerging behind me, grumbled “So unfair!” and immediately linked her arm with my free one. She seemed especially jealous of her mother. Still, the soft pressure of Aris’s breast against my arm felt wonderful.
I glanced back at Mimata Chieri and saw her standing there, nose dripping blood beneath her mask as she stared at me flanked by two beautiful women.
Even for a netorare enthusiast, was this really nosebleed-worthy? I chuckled in disbelief and walked into the auction house with Aris and Nae Fitzgerald on either arm.