Rebound of the Shadow Prodigy

"Hey everyone! 🎉 Let's give a huge, thunderous welcome to our newest adventurers, Legend Wolfpack Studios and Legend frandley mesidor! With them on board, our journey just got even more exciting and fun!"

🌟 These legends have taken the plunge, joined our exclusive crew, and are now getting all the extra perks and early access on this amazing journey!

Who's ready to follow in his and many others' footsteps? 😉 Don't miss out—there's a whole world waiting for you too!

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The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the weekend sky in hues of gold and orange.

Kaito stood outside Vision Studios, his hands shoved in his pockets, gazing thoughtfully at the sign. It had a certain charm, but the faded colors and crooked letters betrayed the struggles behind the operation.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his schoolbag (now stuffed with documents and a laptop), and walked inside.

"Seriously, kid? You again?" Ayaka's exasperated voice greeted him as he pushed open the glass door. She was seated behind her desk, hair tied up, surrounded by scattered papers and an open laptop displaying analytics charts.

Kaito smirked. "Good morning to you, too, Ayaka-san."

Ayaka narrowed her eyes. "I don't have time for games. If you're here to waste my time—"

"I'm here to talk business," Kaito interrupted smoothly, his tone far too serious for a ten-year-old. He pulled out a chair across from her desk and set down his bag. "I came prepared."

She blinked, momentarily stunned by his confidence. "Business? You? Do you even know what that word means?"

"Try me," Kaito said, his smirk growing wider.

Without waiting for her reply, he opened his bag, pulling out printed charts, diagrams, and a laptop of his own.

Ayaka watched, dumbfounded, as he arranged the materials on her desk like a seasoned professional.

"What... is all this?" She asked, leaning forward.

"A roadmap for Vision Studios," Kaito replied. "I studied your current business model, your local market, and the potential for expansion. You've got the talent, Ayaka-san, but your approach is scattered. No clear target audience, no strong branding, and no long-term strategy. That's why you're struggling."

Ayaka stared at him, her jaw dropping slightly. "How... how do you even know all this? Aren't you, like, in grade school?"

Kaito chuckled. "Let's just say I've done my homework. Now, let's get down to the details."

Ayaka leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, as Kaito launched into his presentation.

"First off," He began, pointing to a printed chart, "You need to solidify your niche. You're trying to be everything at once—video editing, graphic design, online courses. That's fine for the long term, but right now, you need to focus. My suggestion? Build your brand around social media content creation. It's booming, and small businesses are desperate for help navigating platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You can capitalize on that."

Ayaka frowned, her skepticism returning. "And how exactly do you expect me to compete with bigger companies? They've got the resources I don't."

"That's where the second point comes in," Kaito said, flipping to another chart. "Local partnerships. Collaborate with small businesses in the area. Offer them discounted services in exchange for referrals and testimonials. It's a win-win."

Ayaka studied the chart, biting her lip. "Okay... that's not bad. But what about scaling up? I can't survive on local clients forever."

"Exactly. That's step three." Kaito opened his laptop and brought up a mock website design. "Build an online presence. Not just a website—think beyond that... Start a YouTube channel showcasing your skills. Post tutorials, behind-the-scenes content and, success stories from clients. It'll build credibility and attract a wider audience. Social proof is everything in this line of work."

Ayaka leaned closer, genuinely impressed. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"

"I told you—I came prepared."

As Kaito continued outlining his plan, Ayaka couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and confusion.

How was this kid speaking with the confidence of a seasoned entrepreneur? His analysis was spot-on, his ideas innovative, and his delivery professional.

Who the hell is this kid? And where did he learn all this?

She wondered, studying him closely. Despite his youthful appearance, there was something unnervingly mature about him—his tone, his posture, even the way he gestured while explaining complex concepts.

And then there was his mysterious 'Investor.'

Ayaka couldn't decide if she was being pranked or if she'd stumbled into something far bigger than she could understand.

After nearly an hour of discussion, Kaito leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "That's the roadmap. What do you think?"

Ayaka let out a long breath, running a hand through her hair. "Honestly? It's brilliant. But... it all hinges on one thing—money. I don't have the capital to pull off even half of what you're suggesting."

Kaito nodded, as if he'd expected this. "That's where my investor comes in."

Ayaka raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't told me who this mysterious investor is."

"And I'm not going to," Kaito replied bluntly. "But I can tell you this—they believe in potential, and they're willing to take risks on people who show promise. That's you, Ayaka-san."

She crossed her arms, staring at him. "And what's the catch? Investors always want something in return."

"No catch," Kaito said firmly. "All they ask is that you dedicate a portion of your profits to charitable causes—like improving the local orphanage."

Ayaka's skepticism softened, replaced by a flicker of hope. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

"Dead serious," Kaito replied. He opened his laptop again and typed rapidly before turning the screen toward her. "Here's proof of their commitment. Check your account."

Frowning, Ayaka picked up her phone and logged into her business account. Her eyes widened as the balance updated.

"Fifty million USD?!" She gasped, nearly dropping her phone. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Kaito said his tone calm.

Ayaka stared at him, completely floored. "This... this is insane. Who in their right mind would give this kind of money to someone like me?"

"A smart investor who knows talent when they see it," Kaito said simply.

As the initial shock wore off, Ayaka leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. The money was real. The plan was solid. And the kid in front of her... well, he was anything but ordinary.

"Alright, Kaito," She said slowly. "I'll bite. But I want to know more about you. You're clearly not just some ordinary kid. So what's your deal?"

Kaito smirked, but his eyes held a hint of something darker—something she couldn't quite place. "Let's just say I've got a complicated past. But that's not important right now. What matters is that you've got a chance to turn things around. Don't waste it."

Ayaka studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll do it. But don't think for a second that I'm not going to figure out who you really are."

"Good luck with that," Kaito said, standing up and slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'll be checking in on your progress. Don't let me down, Ayaka-san."

As he walked out of the studio, Ayaka sat back in her chair, still clutching her phone. The fifty million yen felt like a lifeline—but it was the boy himself who intrigued her the most.

Who are you, Kaito?

She thought, watching him disappear down the street. 'And what are you really after?'

Kaito stepped out into the cool evening air, a faint smile playing on his lips. The first piece of the puzzle was in place. Ayaka had the potential to build something big, and through her, the orphanage—and perhaps even more—would thrive.

This is just the beginning.

He thought, his sharp eyes glinting with determination.

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Thank you for being a part of this journey. May these stories bring excitement and inspiration to your life, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures!

🔮 Myth Guild 🦉

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