Chapter 245.1. The Beginning Of Recognition

-Miu’s POV-
While the adults were enjoying themselves, bantering and drinking sake, Mii-chan returned to her room with Yamiyo and others, paying no mind to their revelry. 
Mii-chan had no intention of getting involved in the playfulness between the tanuki and the foxes. 
For the innocent Mii-chan, adult conversations were complex and bewildering. 
She knew she had to put on a facade of understanding and confidently puff out her chest. After all, if she exuded confidence, she would easily mislead others.
“Mii-sama, how much of the Dog Puppy Company’s stocks did you acquire?”
As we made our way to Mii-chan’s room, Yamiyo whispered to her, causing her to be slightly surprised.
“Why do you think that, Yamiyo-chan?”
With a puzzled tilt of her head and a playful expression, Mii-chan wondered. Yamiyo had never raised such questions before, so why now?
“Hehehe~ Because Em-chan had the same look in his eyes as Kon-chan when she was eyeing a piece of fried tofu. Like this: Konkon~.”
“Konkon!”
Tamamo laughed, covering her mouth with her hand, and the little fox perched on her head hopped around playfully.
“That’s right~. I was really surprised. I felt a shiver down my spine, like a villain was right in front of me, eyeing my wallet.”
“That’s an exaggeration. Mii-sama’s sharp expression is so wonderful that no matter how many pictures I take, they won’t be enough.”
Yamiyo, who had recently equipped herself with a , smiled brightly at her. For some reason, Suzu felt intimidation and involuntarily moved back.
Mii-chan opened the door to her room with a creak, pondering how to respond. 
Something felt off. No, maybe this was the norm. Perhaps the way things were before was abnormal.
Somehow, Mii-chan had a feeling that she was beginning to be recognized. If that were the case, she might as well answer truthfully. After all, Yamiyo and others were her best friends.
“It’s a secret, but I’ve acquired 10% of the company’s stocks with my assets!”
“You’ve acquired that much?”
“Yeah, just to be safe.”
It would be troublesome if a traitor showed up, like Aguni Dukedom, Aguni Dukedom, and yeah, Aguni Dukedom. Like the Bat, they’d flutter around anywhere as long as there’s the honey of profit.
“You’re quite reliable. As expected of Em-chan.”
“Hehe. Pressing those buttons was fun.”
It was enjoyable to acquire stocks together with Sora and Mai. We all pressed the buttons together. The amount? Wealthy people don’t bother with such details. 
I was also secretly working to break down the Menou Marquisate’s holdings and smoothly receive shares from the Menou family branch. In reality, I could add another 11% of shares secretly.
Of course, the shares were registered under the names of Galdo Farm, Ulhara Company, and Ein Security, so there was no risk of exposure.
I wanted to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible. Money was something I had plenty of.
“Um… Are you hiding anything else?”
Yamiyo tapped her forehead and stared intently, but Mii-chan confidently met her gaze with wide eyes.
Muu, puffing her cheeks, Yamiyo gave up on pressing further and moved away.
“More importantly, after the midterm exams are over, want to go somewhere?”
They all entered Mii-chan’s room, which a long, it had a fluffy carpet, a glass table, and numerous soft cushions on the floor. 
Flopping onto the cushions, I kicked my legs and lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling.
“Yeah~ How about we go somewhere~?”
“Are we going to the beach? Conquering the ocean dungeon sounds like fun. Let’s buy Mii-sama a new swimsuit.”
“Lately, we’ve been tackling dungeons all the time, you know~.”
Tamamo sat on a cushion, resting her chin on her index finger, and made a suggestion. Yamiyo mentioned the beach, but Mii-chan is still growing, so she doesn’t need a new swimsuit. She’s still in the process of growing, after all!
“Wait a moment~. After the midterm exams, the national martial arts tournament will start. The selected students have to participate.”
Suzu waved her hand, looking flustered with nyan-nyan.
Oh, right. There was a martial arts tournament. Was it in Volume 5? No, maybe Volume 6… Volume 5 was the battle with Frunngil, so… 
I think Volume 6 was the school’s selection tournament. Volume 7 was the martial arts tournament.
Odd. It’s an event from high school, but it’s happening earlier again.
“Does it start with the selection tournament?”
I knew, but I wanted to confirm. Since it’s now a reality, the details might have changed.
“Yeah~ The middle school and free divisions will have participating students.”
“Wow~. Yamiyo-chan and the others might win! Do your best! I’ll cheer for you!”
After all, Yamiyo and others have become much stronger than in the original story. 
Even considering the adults, they are undoubtedly some of Japan’s strongest.
Excluding Shin and Masatoshi. With Masatoshi butting heads all the time, he might have an accident soon. So the only tough opponent would be Shin.
If he weren’t Sena’s boyfriend, I wouldn’t mind if he had an accident already! I’m pretty sure it’s him. I’m not completely certain yet.
As I thought, I expected Suzu to say that Yamiyo and the others might win, but she unexpectedly brought up a different topic.
“Mii-chan, you’ll be in the selection tournament too~. You’re strong, right?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you too. You defeated a golem all by yourself the other day, right? And you easily took down magic weapons, didn’t you? You hogged the spotlight, didn’t you?”
“……”
Huh? Seriously? Until just now, they didn’t even acknowledge her! Even though they witnessed Mii-chan’s achievements, everyone pretended not to see and bullied her!
I don’t want her to get bullied, but it’s also troublesome if I get recognized like this.
Why has it come to this? …The cause… What’s the cause?