Slam dunk, hit 100% of the three-pointers at the beginning!

Ayako didn't say a word as she took the bill from the sushi shop owner. She frowned slightly, surprised.

10,000 yen?

How could it be so expensive? They hadn't eaten much. Could this be a scam?

After Ryu said he had no money—

The air froze.

"No money?!" Ayako thought in disbelief. Was he really planning to skip the bill?

The owner's expression darkened immediately.

"Kid, you came here to eat knowing you had no money?"

"You've got some nerve."

It was the grand opening of his new shop, and someone already dared to dine and dash? His anger was boiling over.

Ryu frowned and retorted, "Dine and dash? When did I ever say that?"

"What, are your sushi rice grains made of gold?"

"Or do you just think we're easy targets and want to scam us?"

Although Ryu was usually mild-mannered, he couldn't stand the shop owner's accusations. The high price was one thing, but the owner's attitude was crossing the line.

The owner, however, glared back at Ryu, his tone growing more aggressive.

"Then show me the money."

"Or else don't blame me if things get ugly."

He rolled up his sleeves, clearly ready to fight.

"What now? You're planning to hit me in broad daylight?" Ryu snapped, meeting the owner's glare.

The tension in the room spiked as the confrontation escalated. Just as the shop employees started closing in—

"Not so fast!"

A loud voice interrupted.

Everyone turned to see who had spoken.

A man none of them recognized strode in with an imposing presence, glaring straight at the shop owner.

"What do you think you're doing, trying to grab these two?"

The owner, feeling a little intimidated, answered, "Are you their guardian? These two ate here and are trying to skip the bill!"

The newcomer's commanding aura made the owner hesitate, but he still pressed on.

"How much do they owe?"

"10,000 yen!"

The man reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and tossed it onto the counter.

"Is 500,000 yen enough to buy this place?"

The shop owner froze, stunned by the amount.

500,000 yen?!

His entire shop, including renovations and supplies, had cost him only about 300,000 yen. There was no way he could refuse.

"Yes! That's more than enough!" he said, quickly softening his tone as he accepted the card.

The man nodded. "Good. Then as of now, he's your new boss."

He pointed at Ryu.

The entire room fell silent.

What just happened?

The owner was about to protest when the man turned and walked up to Ryu. His stern demeanor melted into respect.

"Ryu-sama, I've finally found you!"

"Ryu-sama?"

Ryu's mind raced. What is going on? Am I… rich?

"Ryu-sama, please don't be angry. Your father is very worried about you. Let's go home!"

The words jogged Ryu's memory. He recognized this man—it was his father's assistant.

It all started when he injured his ankle playing basketball. His father, furious, had forbidden him from playing again. This had led to a massive argument, and Ryu hadn't been home for days.

Ryu quickly came up with an excuse.

"Uh, I still have training with Ayako-senpai later. I'll go home after that."

Ayako, standing beside him, looked completely confused.

"Training? Didn't we just finish practice?"

The assistant seemed relieved at Ryu's response.

"Alright, but please be careful, Ryu-sama!"

"Got it. I'll head home later."

Satisfied, the assistant smiled. "I'll inform your father right away."

"Do whatever you want," Ryu said casually. "Oh, and about this shop—find someone to manage it. I don't have time to deal with it."

He glanced at the stunned sushi shop owner and added, "You can figure it out among yourselves."

With that, Ryu grabbed Ayako's arm and walked out of the sushi shop.

As they left, Ayako couldn't hide her shock.

First-year basketball prodigy? Check.

Secretly rich? Check.

Ryu sighed inwardly.

"I wanted to live like a normal person," he thought. "But instead, this is what I get."

No more pretending. It's time to own up—I'm a rich kid.