On Tuesday, the day before the school trip, as expected, Tobe had no intention of giving up his plan. These days, he had been trying every means to incite Hayama to organize a joint operation on the second day of the school trip.
The other two members of Hayama's group, Ooka and Yamato, also didn't mind watching the fun and told Hayama that Tobe's confession plan was the highest priority, and he didn't need to worry about them.
After all, the girls' group were people they were familiar with, so there wouldn't be any awkward scenes. Moreover, it had to be said that Yui's group should be the one with the highest beauty value among girls in the class. Many people wanted to have a group date with them but didn't have the chance!
Regarding this, Hayama could only find Miura Yumiko, the leader of the girls' side, and explain his purpose.
"We don't mind, but we have to ask for Shinra's opinion. After all, we have already agreed with his side to act together." Miura Yumiko said somewhat embarrassedly.
Everything has a first come, first served order. Moreover, strictly speaking, this joint operation was initiated by her...
For this, Miura Yumiko spent a lot of effort, inquiring about Shinra's schedule and hinting Yui to pull Shinra and his group in.
If it were the previous Miura Yumiko, she might have readily agreed to Hayama's proposal, but now... sorry, the pressure given by Yukino was too great. If she didn't take action, she felt she wouldn't even get hot soup to drink.
Recently, the decoration of the apartment prepared for Miura Yumiko by her old father was nearing completion. She could move in almost after returning from the school trip. She also wanted to take the opportunity of this school trip to invite Shinra to her new home to recognize the door... using the housewarming party as an excuse.
Although Hayama and the others coming over most likely wouldn't hinder her, Miura Yumiko always felt the atmosphere on the boys' side was weird recently, maybe planning some bad ideas. To avoid unnecessary risks, Miura Yumiko still chose to play it safe.
Handing the decision to Shinra. As long as Shinra had no objection, she would have no objection.
Moreover, their group wasn't a one-man show by Miura Yumiko. Ebina also pulled that Kawasaki Saki in. The other party wasn't a member of their riajuu group; strictly speaking, she should be from the Service Club's side?
Even for the sake of internal stability, she had to listen to Shinra's opinion... Mm, that's it.
"Shinra..." Hayama scratched his head involuntarily after hearing Miura Yumiko's answer. In the end, he had to beg them.
Considering Shinra's previous attitude, presumably he wouldn't agree... right?
...
"No problem."
"Excuse m... Eh? You agreed?"
"Everyone is a classmate; what's wrong with acting together?"
"But..."
Yumiko doesn't know what Tobe is planning, but don't you, Shinra, know?
You rejected Tobe's request before; why agree now?
Hayama's expression was complicated, feeling things were somewhat beyond his control. In his expectation, Shinra shouldn't agree to such a request. In this way, he could also go back and report conveniently.
Although Tobe would most likely take action on the third day, but... dragging a day is a day, isn't it?
Maybe Tobe would give up?
"But you are worried that if Tobe really confesses, everyone's relationship will undergo uncontrollable changes, causing the small group to fall apart?" Shinra voiced Hayama's worry.
"You knew it all." Hayama revealed a bitter smile.
"Guessed it." Shinra shrugged. His gaze passed over Hayama to look behind him. Tobe seemed to be chatting with others on the surface, but actually focused all his attention on Shinra and Hayama.
"It's not easy for you either." Shinra sighed.
Probably only Hayama could be a big brother like this.
Although Hayama was the leader of the riajuu group, this didn't mean Hayama could do whatever he wanted. On the contrary, he would be kidnapped by others' expectations and do things he didn't want to do for the team.
Just like now.
"Can I ask why you suddenly changed your mind?" Hayama didn't care about Shinra's sigh. This was the path he chose himself; no one forced him. Even with tears, he had to finish it. Moreover, he didn't think it was not easy.
Just a confession. Even if Tobe failed in the confession eventually, the trouble caused to him would be the subsequent relationship repair, which at most could only be considered tricky for him.
Therefore, Hayama felt it was better to avoid if possible. If unavoidable, he was prepared for the worst.
"Oh, Ebina came to tell me."
"She knew?"
"Pretty much. Rather, with Tobe's performance, it's hard not to notice, right?"
Some people think they hide well, but actually, it can be said everyone knows.
"So... what did she say?"
"She came to me; what else could she say?"
If Ebina planned to accept, she could just pretend not to know and accept when Tobe confessed. Her actively finding Shinra for help meant the meaning couldn't be more obvious.
"Sure enough..."
Hayama guessed long ago that Ebina wouldn't accept Tobe's confession. More precisely, the other party wouldn't accept any confession.
Although Ebina was a member of the riajuu group, in fact, the other party hadn't really integrated into this social group, more like finding a hiding place for herself.
Just like many people choosing to continue graduate studies after graduating from university, essentially not for improving academic studies or loving learning so much, but simply not wanting to work or face the dilemma of not finding a job.
"In that case, why agree?"
Hayama felt in this situation, the best way wasn't to isolate Ebina and Tobe as much as possible? Why choose to bring the two together?
"Blocking is worse than dredging." Shinra pointed out the key, "Everyone is a classmate in the same class. Can separate for a while; can separate for a lifetime?"
If no chance is found in this school trip, won't there be a chance later?
Only a thousand days of being a thief; there are no thousand days of guarding against a thief.
Therefore, the best way to cut off Tobe's thought was actually to reject him face to face once.
But unfortunately, due to saving face among friends and avoiding embarrassment in future interactions, Ebina couldn't do this directly, so she chose to ask a third party, Shinra, to step in.
"So you plan to make Tobe realize through interaction that confession is impossible to succeed, letting him retreat in face of difficulties?" Hayama guessed.
"Don't know."
Shinra shook his head. Then he expressed very wickedly: "I'm only responsible for passing the message. How to do specifically is your business. Whether success or failure, it has little to do with me."
After all, Shinra was an outsider to the riajuu group. Although monks from outside can chant scriptures better (outsiders can handle things better), this didn't mean Shinra would sacrifice himself to fulfill others. He didn't have Hachiman's spirit of dedication. Therefore, he would only be responsible for passing the message. How to do specifically was something Hayama, the riajuu leader, should consider.
Shinra wasn't worried Hayama wouldn't exert effort. After all... Hayama, you don't want cracks to appear in everyone's relationship, right?
Handled (grasped), so to speak.
Of course, this didn't mean Shinra wouldn't care about anything. If necessary, he would still help. There is still a wish-power point.
"I know." Hayama understood Shinra's meaning. He nodded, then hesitated for a moment and said: "About Yumiko..."
"I'll tell her." Shinra understood Hayama's meaning.
Hayama opened his mouth. He actually didn't mean that.
In fact, he wanted to remind Shinra that Yumiko seemed interested in him, and another member of their group, Kawasaki Saki, also seemed to have thoughts about him. Besides, there was Yukino. Don't let anything happen then, like a Shuraba (carnage/jealousy scene)...
Thinking of such a scene, Hayama felt a headache for Shinra. He felt that situation was ten thousand times trickier than Tobe's confession, like walking on a tightrope; a slight carelessness would lead to an abyss.
After all, because Hayama was too popular, he often faced situations like Shinra's. But the difference was that most of the opposite sex who had good feelings for him weren't very familiar with him, so even rejecting wouldn't worry about affecting existing relationships.
But Shinra was different. Whether Miura Yumiko, Kawasaki Saki, or Yukino, these people were all Shinra's friends. Once something went wrong, probably...
Hayama shook his head, not optimistic about Shinra's future.
Miura Yumiko and Kawasaki Saki were okay to deal with, but there was a sister above Yukino. With that person's temperament, would she tolerate her sister's admired object being half-hearted?
Hope Shinra is okay.
Seeing Hayama suddenly look at him with a little pity, a big question mark popped up above Shinra's head.
Wait, what does your look mean?
Why start pitying me out of the blue?
LOL, have you solved your own trouble yet? And you pity me.
"Please take care of me during this trip."
Hayama finished speaking and turned to leave. Before long, a strange cry of 'yahoo' came from the back row of the classroom.
It could only be said Tobe was happy too early.
He thought time and fate were on his side, but actually, his homie set him up.
It's over already...
——————
Although it was a school trip arranged by the school, because Kyoto was too far from Chiba City, arranging bus pick-up and drop-off took too long and the cost was too high to be realistic.
Therefore, the school chose a more economical plan—letting students take the Shinkansen to Kyoto by themselves, and then arranging pick-up buses upon arrival in Kyoto.
Chiba City didn't have Shinkansen, so they needed to take the train to Tokyo first, and then transfer to Shinkansen after arriving at Tokyo Station.
Fortunately, as the prefecture closest to Tokyo, Chiba didn't take much time on the road.
But for Shinra and Yukino, they had a better choice...
"Just have nothing to do, let Nee-san send you to Tokyo Station." Haruno volunteered.
Speaking of short-distance travel, private cars are definitely more convenient and comfortable than trains.
"No." Yukino refused directly without thinking. Obviously there was a dedicated driver for pick-up and drop-off; Haruno said it as if she would drive them personally.
"Eh... why so heartless?" Haruno showed a hurt expression.
Yukino was unmoved, crossing her arms, looking like 'I'm quietly watching you perform'.
"Okay, okay, not sending if you don't want. Then be careful on the road." Haruno sighed, then as if remembering something, said: "Pay attention to safety measures."
"Nee-san, what nonsense are you talking about!" Yukino's pretty face turned red instantly, not expecting Haruno to suddenly say such tiger and wolf words.
Haruno looked at her sister with a strange expression, then leaned into the car and buckled Yukino's seat belt.
"Even sitting in the back row, you have to fasten your seat belt."
Oh, this safety measure.
"What safety measure did Yukino think of?" Haruno asked back with a smile.
Checkmate!
Compared to Haruno, Yukino was completely a rookie.
Yukino also knew she fell into her sister's trap. No matter how she answered, she had to swallow this dumb loss. So she simply pretended not to hear and said to Shinra watching the show on the side: "Let's go."
"Mr. Li, trouble you."
Haruno also put away her joking expression and signaled to Uncle Li acting as the driver in the front row.
"Miss Haruno, rest assured." Uncle Li glanced at Shinra sitting calmly in the back row, then asked: "Young Master, shall we depart?"
"Mm, let's go." Shinra nodded.
The vehicle started slowly. Watching the black luxury car go away, Haruno stretched lazily and said to herself: "Next, time to deal with business."
She opened her phone and found a photo in her email.
The photo showed a man and a woman. The man was handsome, and the woman was bright and moving. The background seemed to be a shooting site, with staff visible around. In addition, the two in the photo behaved intimately, looking not like a normal relationship between men and women at a glance.
And Haruno happened to know both of them. She just met the man, Shinra.
And the woman... although Haruno hadn't seen the real person with her own eyes, her figure could often be seen on the streets and alleys recently—Sakurajima Mai.
As for who sent her this email, Haruno didn't know, but presumably with bad intentions.
"Tsk, boring." Haruno deleted the email expressionlessly, not even saving the photo.
However, deleting aside, what should be understood still needed to be understood. Returning home, Haruno poured herself a cup of black tea. After a little thought, she picked up her phone and made a call.
As a local snake (powerful local figure) in Chiba, the Yukinoshita family naturally had their own relationship network. Inquiring about news of a local female star wasn't difficult for Haruno.