" A Wish Of Lazy Otaku"

17. "The Promotional Party And New Sensation"

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" " Conversion or speech,

' ' thoughts,

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The Ais Hotel buzzed with an eclectic mix of individuals, all bearing a distinct mark of prestige within society. 

Renowned throughout the city, the hotel boasted a lavish and extravagant reception, captivating guests from the moment they stepped inside.

The rise to fame of the Ais Hotel was owed to a single woman, whose exceptional talent and unwavering determination propelled the establishment from obscurity to the pinnacle of luxury in a mere three years. 

Aisa Hironaka, with her magnetic charm and resolute temperament, had carved her own path in the realm of hotel management. Alongside her two close companions, she was affectionately referred to as one of the "three untouchable flowers."

The Hironaka family, proprietors of a vast and illustrious business, commanded the admiration of the entire nation. 

Aisa's grandfather had painstakingly built the Hironaka Group from humble beginnings into one of the country's top ten conglomerates, boasting billions in annual revenue.

Presently, the reins of the Hironaka Group rested in the capable hands of Aisa's father and mother. 

Aisa's grandfather had two daughters and two sons, with the daughters having married and settled overseas. 

The eldest son, Aisa's uncle, lacked the acumen for management or an eye for talent, thus missing out on the opportunity to become the CEO. Consequently, Aisa's father had assumed the esteemed position.

This turn of events had fanned the flames of resentment within Aisa's uncle towards her father. 

However, Aisa herself was oblivious to such familial discord. Being the only child, she was cherished and adored by all, even her uncle and aunt, who treated her as their own.

The influential status of the Hironaka family attracted a swarm of third-generation heirs and young masters, all vying for a chance to form familial bonds with Aisa. 

One of the driving factors behind this pursuit was Aisa's own achievements—she had established her own business and become an independent force in her own right. 

The family had granted her the freedom to make her own decisions, as long as they didn't jeopardize their standing, and pledged their unwavering support.

But today was no ordinary day at the Ais Hotel. It marked the beginning of a grand vacation, an opportunity to determine the market value of a new product that had sent shockwaves through the industry. 

Numerous influential figures eagerly awaited the chance to get their hands on this sensation, their impatience palpable in the air. 

The hotel, as always, would strive to deliver the utmost in service and culinary delights, leaving no guest unsatisfied.

Conversations buzzed with excitement, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the tinkling of laughter. 

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"Clang!"

"Ahem! Ladies and gentlemen, please indulge yourselves in the banquet while we prepare for the show, which will commence half an hour later. Excuse me for the delay," the charismatic middle-aged man announced with eloquence, his smile brimming with pride. Hosting such esteemed guests was no small feat, and he reveled in the honor.

"Hello, Grandpa Ma! It's been too long since we last met, and I'm delighted to see you in such fine health. By the way, who are these gentlemen accompanying you? It seems to be our first encounter, and they don't strike a familiar chord," Aisa Hironaka, the radiant flower and host of the evening's banquet, greeted the elderly gentleman with a distinct air, reflecting his prominent societal status.

"Hahaha! This old man is certainly not as energetic as you young folks. And my, my, young lady, you've grown even more exquisite since our last meeting," chuckled Old Man Ma, bestowing his praise upon Aisa.

"Thank you for your kind words, Grandpa Ma," Aisa smiled graciously, acknowledging the compliment.

"Hmm! Allow me to introduce my old friends to you. They didn't have much to occupy themselves with today except a game of mahjong. Upon hearing about this banquet, they decided to join me. Please disregard their presence," Old Man Ma casually waved off the need for further explanation, a twinkle in his eyes betraying the depth of their camaraderie.

"Hahaha! Old Man Ma, there's no need to burden the young lady with our presence. We aren't shameless; we were simply bored and heard there was a lively atmosphere here. So, we tagged along with Old Man Ma. If you don't mind us being here, we won't trouble you, young lady!" one of Old Man Ma's companions chimed in, attempting to alleviate the awkwardness and disguise their slight embarrassment. 

However, their words inadvertently conveyed the impression that they had come to freeload.

"*Chuckle!* Grandpas, you're all more than welcome. It's no trouble for us to accommodate a few extra guests," Aisa replied, her smile gently concealed by her hand as she observed the old men's behavior.

After some time, Old Man Ma introduced Aisa to his friends, and they engaged in conversation. Once Aisa excused herself, she discreetly instructed a waiter to serve them the finest wines and delicacies from the hotel's stock.

Old Man Ma was a regular patron of the hotel and a longtime friend of Aisa's grandfather, so she was well acquainted with him and held a cordial relationship.

Aisa proceeded to greet a few other acquaintances and loyal customers who shared a warm rapport with her. 

Just as she was about to make her way indoors to take a moment of rest, she suddenly heard her name being called. Curiosity piqued, she turned towards the source of the voice, eager to discover who was summoning her attention.

"Hey, Aisa! Phew, we made it in time. Um, Kristine, who are you searching for?" a brown-haired beauty called out to Aisa, her gaze shifting towards her companion, who was scanning the crowd in a somewhat furtive manner. 

Aisa, having approached the pair, beamed with delight upon recognizing her friends.

The brown-haired lady with warm brown eyes, dressed in an elegant white and black ensemble that accentuated her alluring figure, was Hana Eto. 

The other woman, Kristine, possessed ample curves that strained against her white shirt, complemented by a black skirt, high heels, and black stockings. Her stunning appearance left onlookers captivated.

Together, the trio exuded a unique aura, honed through years of inhabiting high-status circles and navigating diverse personalities. They had developed distinct personas, molded by their experiences.

Aware of the prying eyes fixed upon them, Aisa led Hana and Kristine to a secluded corner, away from any potential distractions.

"Hana, Kristine! Why were you both late for the party? I had already informed you about it," Aisa inquired, already anticipating the reasons behind their tardiness.

"Hmm, you see, I got caught up with work and lost track of time. Then Hana called, saying she wanted to go together, so she waited for me. That's why we're a little late. Besides, we've never been fond of mingling with a bunch of pretentious individuals. This way is much better," Kristine explained, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Their aversion to unnecessary social interaction had always been a shared sentiment among the three.

"Well, I understand, but today I have the responsibility of welcoming the guests. I can't simply escape from it. Moreover, this party is hosted by our dear friend's close associate, so I need to be extra attentive," Aisa replied wearily, her expression reflecting the challenges she faced in dealing with people.

With a knowing look, Aisa shared the news that Kristine had been eagerly anticipating. 

Aisa had noticed her friend scanning the crowd, and the purpose behind today's banquet aligned perfectly with what Kristine had mentioned during their last conversation. Aisa had a strong hunch as to whom Kristine was searching for.

"Oh! How did you find out? I wasn't even trying to hide. So, did he come? I have some personal matters to discuss with him!" Kristine exclaimed, surprised by her friend's direct approach. 

She had been anxious about the outcome of this encounter, yearning for the answers she sought.

"Hmm, he hasn't arrived just yet, but he will be here in a few minutes. Oh, it's time for the show to begin! Wait for me in VIP Area 3, and I'll join you both after I've taken care of the necessary arrangements, alright?" Aisa replied to her friend, glancing at her watch and realizing that the main event was about to commence. 

She quickly instructed Hana and Kristine to wait in their designated resting and viewing area, then hastened off to double-check that all the preparations were in order, ensuring everything was fine for the upcoming spectacle.

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"Clang... Clang...!!" 

The resounding chime of glass captured the attention of the crowd, hushing the conversations and drawing everyone's focus to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The time has come for the main event of this splendid evening. Please take your seats and get ready to witness the show you've all been eagerly awaiting," announced the charismatic middle-aged MC, his words serving to calm the audience and urge them to retrieve their sheets without delay.

After a brief period, once the guests had settled into their assigned places, the hall was arranged in a way that would avoid any confusion. 

The first half of the hall was reserved for the banquet, while the second half was designated for seating.

"For those esteemed individuals with high social standing, VIP areas have been arranged, while the rest of the attendees will be seated in the common area," the MC informed the audience, setting the stage for the evening's proceedings.

"Now, with everyone well-fed and comfortably seated, we shall commence today's main event. Please join me in welcoming the hostess of this magnificent party, the one who will oversee this event, Ms. Aisa Hironaka!" The middle-aged MC beamed warmly, injecting a touch of humor to lighten the atmosphere, before inviting Aisa to take the spotlight.

"Thank you, Hiroto-san, for your hard work," Aisa expressed her gratitude with a warm smile, reciprocated by Mr. Hiroto's nod and a smile in return.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today is an extraordinary day, and I must admit I'm feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement as I prepare to unveil the new product—or rather, three special products—that I'm sure all of you have heard about. These products have been the talk of the town, creating quite a sensation in recent days. Now, the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived. I understand that some of you may be skeptical, while others may have already placed their faith in these products. Isn't that right?" Aisa began her speech with a genuine smile, exuding both enthusiasm and nervous anticipation, captivating the audience's attention. 

Her charm radiated throughout the venue, making her the center of attention.

Pausing momentarily in her speech, Aisa purposely created suspense, allowing the audience to react and express their thoughts. 

It was an opportunity for them to ponder, as she herself wouldn't have believed in the products if she hadn't witnessed their remarkable efficacy with her own eyes.

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