Chapter 15: Sora’s Suggestion
The air in the dining room had settled into a comfortable, warm hum. The tension from the conversation about the recorded “first time” had softened, leaving Sora in a state of dazed, happy longing. She sat beside Jun, her gaze drifting toward the leather booklet resting on the table. She noticed that the binder was slightly thinner than it had been when she first handed it to him; several pages had been removed and set aside in a neat, discarded pile.
Curiosity got the better of her. Sora leaned in, her eyes scanning the rejected profiles. She saw women of breathtaking beauty—models, daughters of diplomats, and high-ranking heiresses—all of whom had been summarily dismissed by Jun.
“You’ve been quite ruthless with the selection,” Sora remarked, her voice a mixture of surprise and amusement. “Some of these girls are the most coveted in the Academy. Why aren’t you interested in them?”
Jun leaned back, his expression relaxed. He didn’t look at the booklet; he looked at the women’s photos with a gaze that was far too experienced for a twenty-year-old. “Beauty is a baseline, Sora. But beauty doesn’t make a home,” he replied, his voice smooth. “Looking at their profiles, I can tell. Some of these girls are too used to being pampered; they’ll expect me to cater to every whim. Others,” he paused, glancing at a particularly haughty-looking heiress, “seem like they wouldn’t touch a broom or a frying pan if their lives depended on it. I’m not looking for a trophy; I’m looking for a partner.”
Sora felt a surge of admiration. She looked at the rejected pile again and noticed something that made her heart leap. Several of the girls Jun had dismissed were from branch families of the Tsukama Group—women who had always tried to outshine her or undermine her position within her own clan.
He’s filtering out the trouble, Sora thought, a secret thrill running through her. He doesn’t even know their family politics, yet he’s instinctively removing the ones who would bring drama into the house.
The fact that he had dismissed her competitors without even knowing who they were felt like a gift. It proved that Jun’s judgment was based on a deeper, more instinctive understanding of people. He wasn’t just playing the game; he was rewriting the rules.
Jun turned to her, his gaze attentive. “You’ve had more time with this catalog than I have. Before I make my final decisions, I want your input. Who do you suggest for the regional slots?”
Sora hesitated. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Recommending someone was a risk; if she suggested a girl who turned out to be a nuisance, it would reflect poorly on her judgment. But there was one person she knew above all others.
“For the Japan slot,” Sora began, her voice slightly trembling, “I… I would like to recommend Akane.”
Beside her, Akane stiffened, her breath hitching. She didn’t look at Jun; she kept her eyes fixed on the table, her face flushing a deep pink. To be recommended by Sora was one thing, but to be officially suggested as a partner for a Prime Candidate was a life-changing elevation.
Jun looked at Akane, then back to Sora. He saw the genuine care in Sora’s eyes and the nervous hope in Akane’s posture. He didn’t need the catalog for this. He had already seen Akane’s loyalty and efficiency.
“Akane, huh?” Jun murmured, a small, appreciative smile playing on his lips. “I like the sound of that. If Sora vouches for her, she’s in.”
Akane let out a small, shaky breath, her eyes shimmering. “Thank you, Jun-sama!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with gratitude.
Sora beamed, her heart swelling with happiness. She had managed to secure a place for her closest friend in Jun’s circle, and in doing so, she had ensured that her own home would be filled with people she trusted.
“Now, as for the other regions,” Sora continued, her confidence returning. She flipped through the remaining pages of the booklet, her finger stopping on a profile that caught her eye. “For the Chinese slot… I recommend this girl.”
She slid the page toward Jun. The photo showed a woman of striking, refined beauty, with almond-shaped eyes and a poise that spoke of extreme discipline.
“Her name is Mei Lin,” Sora explained. “She is from one of the top families in China, with a reputation for elegance and grace. But more importantly, her family owns one of the largest hotel and food chains in Asia. She is famous among the elite for her exquisite taste and her skill in the kitchen. If we want this house to be a place of true luxury, Mei Lin is the perfect choice. She is the only one in the region who combines high status with genuine domestic talent.”
Jun looked at the photo of Mei Lin. He could see the discipline in her posture, but he also saw a hidden fire in her eyes—a hunger for something more than just the expectations of her family. He liked that. He liked the idea of a woman who could run a kitchen and a boardroom with equal precision.
“Mei Lin,” Jun repeated, his voice low. “A gourmet and a powerhouse. I can see why you picked her. She’s a keeper.”
Sora felt a sense of accomplishment. She was curating a circle of women who weren’t just beautiful, but useful and loyal. She felt as though she were building a fortress around Jun, ensuring that he would have everything he needed to be the most satisfied man in the Academy.
Sora reached for the page for the Korean slot, her fingers grazing the paper. “And for Korea…”
“Actually,” Jun interrupted, his voice smooth and knowing. He reached out and gently tapped the page Sora was about to open. “I think I’ll handle the Korean selection myself.”
Sora paused, her gaze flickering to him. She noticed the confident, almost predatory glint in his eyes. He wasn’t looking at the catalog; he was thinking of someone.
“You already have someone in mind?” Sora asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Jun didn’t answer immediately. He simply leaned back in his chair, a small, mysterious smirk playing on his lips. He didn’t need the booklet for this. He already knew exactly who he wanted, and he knew that when he finally made his move, the result would be far more interesting than anything the Academy’s “official” selection process could provide.