I am the Entertainment Tycoon Chapter 981: Lake Party and a Decision is Made I

Pedrarruna Manor, Elffire City.

10:00 AM, Sunday, May 9th.

Following an incredibly cozy night where Theo and Ayia had tangled themselves in the sheets and cuddled each other to sleep, the two lovebirds woke up thoroughly refreshed around nine in the morning. After preparing and enjoying a hearty breakfast together in the kitchen, they decided to spend the gorgeous, cloudless morning soaking up the sun in the expansive backyard, right by the manor’s private lake.

The scenery surrounding the estate was nothing short of breathtaking. The deep, lush greenery of the pristine Pedrarruna Forest at the end of the spring mirrored perfectly against the crystalline, still waters of the lake, making the bright day feel even more vibrant and serene, as if it already was summer.

"What time did you say A-chan was coming back?" Ayia asked, casually smoothing a layer of sunscreen over her shoulders.

Theo glanced down at his watch, adjusting his sunglasses against the morning glare. "Hmm, I think she might arrive any minute now. Her text said she was heading out right after wrapping up breakfast over at Carolla’s."

"Who’s driving her back? Do we need to go pick her up?""No, I offered to drive over, but she insisted she was hitching a ride with Vivian," Theo replied, taking the bottle to apply some sunscreen himself. "What about Shizuka? Did you manage to call her over?"

"Yeah, she said she’s also arriving any second now."

Theo was dressed in simple, comfortable swim shorts, while Ayia looked effortlessly stunning in a bikini top paired with light denim shorts. Bathed in the warm, golden morning light, the two of them radiated an athletic, magnetic beauty that perfectly synchronized with one another. They looked completely relaxed, fully intent on savoring this quiet pocket of peace before the relentless tide of their projects caught up with them on Monday.

A while later, Sylph announced that Shizuka had arrived.

"Let her in." Theo said, "I’m gonna make a few drinks for us." He said before heading towards the kitchen.

"Sure." Ayia said as she picked her phone to take pictures.

Footsteps clicked rhythmically against the stone pathway leading around the side of the manor. Emerging from the lush foliage of the Pedrarruna layout was Shizuka. True to her formidable reputation, she didn’t look like someone simply visiting a backyard pool on a casual Sunday morning. She walked with a natural, commanding posture, her sharp eyes scanning the environment with an analytical gaze that could freeze a unruly line cook in an instant. Despite the warm weather, she looked effortlessly sophisticated, carrying a couple of heavy canvas tote bags packed to the brim. [1]

"Well, look at you two," Shizuka’s crisp, calm voice carried across the lawn. "Basking under the sun like a pair of lazy housecats."

"Shi-chan!" Ayia called out with a bright, lively grin, completely unfazed by her sister’s opening salvo. She hopped off her lounge chair and jogged over to greet her. "You actually came! And you brought the bags!"

"Of course I brought them. When my little sister sends me a hyper-specific text at 1 in the morning demanding her specialized pastry knives, three notebooks, and her favorite bathing suits, I don’t exactly have a choice," Shizuka deadpanned, though a rare, affectionate soften touched the corners of her lips as she handed over the heavy totes. She looked Ayia up and down, her protective big-sister instincts immediately kicking into overdrive. She adjusted her sunglasses, narrowing her eyes slightly. "You look remarkably rested. I take it Theo didn’t let you stay up all night talking about restaurant logistics?"

"Hey! We actually watched anime and wrestled a bit, thank you very much," Ayia shot back, entirely forgetting the mental note she had made the previous night.

Theo, who had just walked over with a couple of chilled drinks, froze mid-step, a massive, teasing grin instantly taking over his face. He caught Ayia’s wide-eyed expression of immediate regret.

Shizuka slowly turned her head toward Theo, raising an eyebrow with an icy, dangerous precision. "Wrestled? Is that so, Theodore?"

"It was purely professional training, Shizuka-san," Theo laughed heartily, completely comfortable under the gaze that usually terrified everyone else. He handed her a refreshing glass of iced mint tea. "She tried to pin me using her Judo, but my Jiu-Jitsu isn’t shabby; I simply had to defend the honor of my martial art. Welcome. Grab a seat before Aurora arrives."

Shizuka took the glass, taking a slow, elegant sip while evaluating her brother-in-law. She let out a controlled, amused sigh, the formidable protective barrier giving way to the deep respect she held for Theo. "You’re lucky I trust your discipline, Theo. If it were any other guy, he’d currently be facing a very real, non-hypothetical throw into that lake."

"Oh, I know," Theo grinned, pulling out a comfortable lounge chair in the shade for her. "That’s exactly why I keep my guard up around you."

Ayia giggled, taking her seat again, thoroughly relieved that the conversation had successfully veered away from her accidental slip-up. The three of them quickly fell into an effortless, lively rhythm, with Shizuka unpacking the specific culinary tools Ayia had requested from their house while asking Theo sharp, insightful questions about how The Spark had performed under her sister’s sole command the night before. Shizuka’s presence didn’t dampen the sunny morning; instead, her fierce, protective energy added a grounding, comforting warmth to the backyard sanctuary, setting the perfect stage for whatever chaotic energy Aurora and Vivian were about to bring through the gates.

The three of them quickly fell into an effortless, lively rhythm, with Shizuka unpacking the things Ayia had requested from their house while asking Theo sharp, insightful questions about how The Spark had performed under her sister’s sole command the night before. Shizuka’s presence didn’t dampen the sunny morning; instead, her fierce, protective energy added a grounding, comforting warmth to the backyard sanctuary.

The quiet hum of their conversation was suddenly pierced by sound of Sylph’s voice announcing that Aurora and Vivian had just arrived.

"The student council convoy has officially arrived," Theo chuckled, setting his drink down on the table.

Minutes later, the casual sound of chatter and soft laughter echoed across the pristine lawn. Aurora and Vivian had arrived. Originally, the entire core group of friends had planned to drop by, but Carolla had a family gathering, and Umaru was going to visit her grandma with her family.

Aurora walked over carrying her backpack, which she used at the slumber party, along the stone path, while Vivian followed closely behind.

"Hey, guys!" She shouted from the house, "Vi-chan and I are going to take a shower and change; we are coming soon!" She said before heading toward her room with Vivian.