Chapter 071 Booking Hiyori's Massage / Why Is Hoshinomiya Asking About Duration?!
Even though it was past 6:00 PM, 2nd Year Class C was still holding a meeting regarding the Cultural Festival.
After some discussion, the class decided to adopt Shiina Hiyori's strategy: a stamp rally system. Class C would set up eight distinct projects. Every time a guest successfully visited a location, a student would stamp their card. Collecting four stamps earned a small prize, while all eight earned the grand prize. This would significantly increase the likelihood of customers visiting multiple stalls within their class.
"Wait a second," Kaneda Satoru adjusted his glasses. "What should we choose for the four-stamp reward and the final reward?"
One student suggested, "For small prizes, maybe stickers, keychains, or postcards? Low cost, but good as souvenirs."
"And the final reward?" another asked.
"We could make it bigger! Like a collectible... or maybe a chance to take a photo with a student from Class C?"
"A photo?" several girls frowned. "Who wants to take a photo with you guys?"
"Then a photo with the girls," the boys jeered.
"No way! That's just weird!"
"The visitors will probably be a bunch of smelly middle-aged guys; I don't want to take pictures with them."
Ryuen Kakeru slapped the table. "Alright, shut up. Shiina, you tell us. What's more appropriate for a final prize? Do we do the photos or not?"
Shiina Hiyori put down her sketchbook, thought for a moment, and spoke: "I suggest against the photos."
"Why?" someone asked.
"The target audience is too narrow," Hiyori explained. "Most guests are outsiders invited by the school; they might not be interested in photos with students. Even if they are, they might not be willing to wait in eight lines just for one picture."
"Makes sense," Kaneda Satoru nodded.
"Then what do we pick?"
Shiina Hiyori flipped her sketchbook to a page with several drafts. "I suggest limited-edition merchandise. For example, canvas bags, T-shirts, or mugs with the Class C logo. If we control the cost at 1,000 to 1,500 points per item, the number of guests who complete eight stamps won't be that high, so the total cost will be manageable."
"Furthermore," she continued, "these items have practical value. Guests can continue using them after they leave, which acts as free advertising. If they look good, people might specifically collect stamps just to get the final prize."
The class looked at her sketches and nodded in approval.
Ryuen also felt the plan was solid and made the final call: "Then it's settled. Class C will host eight activities. All of you make sure to hand over every bit of your activity budget the moment it's issued, including the extra personal points from clubs. If I catch anyone pocketing points, you're dead. And those of you not in clubs, find one to join within this month."
"Got it!"
"Understood!"
"Join a club... I'm not really interested in any."
"Wait, is it mandatory? I'm in the 'Go-Home' club!"
While most had no objections, a few couldn't help but speak out. Tokito Hiroya raised his hand: "Wait, Ryuen. Collecting the budget is one thing, but what's with forcing us into clubs? That should be a personal freedom, right?"
"Freedom?" Ryuen Kakeru let out a cold laugh. "Since you came to this school, you don't have a damn bit of freedom. My goal for the festival is top three. I'm telling you: if you dare skip out on a club and fail to secure more funding, prepare for a beating."
"..."
"What are you looking at? Did you hear me? You must join a club. I'm not asking for your opinion; I'm giving an order."
Tokito's face soured. He wanted to say more, but seeing Yamada and Ishizaki standing by Ryuen, he could only grit his teeth. "I get it. I'll join a club as soon as possible and guarantee more funding."
He finished speaking and turned to leave, but Ryuen called him back.
"Wait."
Tokito turned back, glaring. "Hey, I already agreed to the club. What else do you want?"
Ryuen smiled thinly. "You still haven't paid back that Ichinose woman, have you? Transfer the money to her now."
"Huh? Why? Since when do you care about this?"
"Hmph, I don't care about the money. But that Ichinose woman is Shimizu's girlfriend. If that guy comes knocking on my door for debt collection, it's my face that gets shamed. Hey, you know how well he fights, right? You still want to skip out? Aren't you afraid of being beaten into a pulp?"
At the thought of Shimizu's absurd combat ability, Tokito—though fuming—was forced to take out his phone and transfer the funds to Ichinose Honami before storming out.
Ryuen snorted and looked at the rest of the class. "What about the rest of you? Is there anyone else who owes Ichinose? Pay up now!"
Hearing this, Manabe Shiho and Yabu Nanami didn't dare hesitate; they took out their phones and started the transfers.
Ryuen stared expressionlessly at Manabe. He felt that Manabe, like Tokito, was a troublemaker. He had already made her sign that "expulsion priority" document last time; he'd find an opportunity to kick her out eventually.
Seeing the matter settled, Ryuen turned to Yamada and patted his shoulder. "Yamada, you're fine now, right?"
Yamada Albert adjusted his sunglasses and gave a heavy nod.
Ishizaki Daichi, standing beside Ryuen, spoke with some sympathy: "Boss, Kinoshita is still lying in the infirmary; she can't even use crutches yet. She's the star of the track team. This will probably affect the bonus points for the Sports Festival and Cultural Festival."
At the mention of this, Ryuen's temper flared. It was all due to injuries from the island exam. He walked over to Shiina Hiyori and demanded: "I saw the investigation list you gave me. It was that Yagami Takuya kid's doing, right?"
Shiina Hiyori nodded. "It was him. But there's no explicit evidence. It can only be proven indirectly."
Ryuen said without hesitation, "Evidence? Why should I care about that? I just need you to find the person. That guy tripped up my people; it seems he really wants to die."
Ishizaki tugged at Ryuen's collar. "But Boss, hasn't Yagami Takuya already been punished by Shimizu? He's currently lying in the infirmary just like Kinoshita. Even if you want to make a move, you won't have a chance."
Ryuen said disdainfully, "That guy is him, and I am me. Why should I let Yagami off just because he's been punished? Besides, who told you I don't have a chance? The one in charge of safety at the infirmary is Hoshinomiya-sensei, right? That woman goes out drinking every day and is drunk half the time. Finding a moment to strike will be easy."
Shiina Hiyori slowly closed her sketchbook. "Ryuen-kun, I suggest you don't do anything unnecessary. I feel Yagami Takuya is not simple. He faced Yamada, Hirata, and Sudo at the same time, and none of the three were his match."
Ryuen let out another cold laugh. "Those three are creatures with simple minds and developed limbs. You need a brain to fight; you can use little tricks beforehand. In short, don't worry about it. Just figure out the Cultural Festival."
Having finished the arrangements, Ryuen called the meeting adjourned and strolled away with his two henchmen, Ishizaki and Yamada.
Ibuki Mio took the opportunity as the others left to walk over to Hiyori, unable to resist a jab: "That Ryuen... just like on the rooftop, he'll probably only behave once he gets beaten up again. Let's see if he gives up his 'leader' title this time. Tokito would probably be overjoyed."
Hiyori smiled. "Ryuen-kun probably won't fall into that kind of misery a second time. Besides, he's actually done quite well these past few months. In the last island exam, using the 'Free Rider' cards, didn't he make several million?"
Ryuen's class had five Free Rider cards, all bet on Nagumo Miyabi. Since Nagumo got second place, the class netted about seven million. Although they spent ten million to keep Manabe Shiho last time, with the seven million added back, the class fund was still around thirty million. Hiyori even had Protection Points left over from the project selection match. Even if an accident occurred, Class C was well-prepared.
Ibuki Mio scratched her head. "Setting class business aside... that guy has officially started a harem. Hiyori, what's your reaction?"
"What kind of reaction do you want me to have?"
"Like, being jealous or something?"
"Doesn't exist. I've known about this for a long time. Ichinose-san didn't exactly hide it when we chatted privately."
"Don't you find it weird... wait, based on what you're saying, don't tell me you're actually going to join his harem!"
"Sigh... I don't like sharing a man. But since things have come to this point, I can only choose to accept it," Hiyori said, sounding resigned for once.
Nearly a year and a half had passed since she started spending time with Shimizu Akira. Having experienced so many events, she undoubtedly loved him. But at this stage, he already had multiple girlfriends. If she wanted to be his girlfriend, she had no choice but to accept the reality of the harem. The only good news was that Shimizu had modified the school rules, making Hiyori feel that she wasn't doing anything illegal.
"So what now? Are you planning to ask him out to confess these days?"
"Uh... I... should I confess?"
"Hiyori, your personality really isn't suited for taking the initiative. You could always let that guy confess to you instead!"
"But... I feel the time isn't right yet," Hiyori said haltingly.
'That's not enough?' Ibuki thought.
They investigated the surveillance incident together at the start of school, went through so much in the first island exam, hung out almost every semester, planted fruit trees together this year, and Shimizu had even massaged her ankle during the last special exam. That should be plenty.
But Ibuki knew Hiyori had the temperament of a "literary girl." Perhaps in her view, they were still missing that specific moment of shared heart-pounding memory.
Just then, the door to 2nd Year Class C pushed open. Shimizu Akira walked in, accompanied by Ichinose Honami, Kobashi Yume, and Shiranami Chihiro.
He scanned the room and noticed Manabe, Yabu, and Tokito were missing. He walked up to Ibuki and Hiyori. "Hiyori, Ibuki, good evening. By the way, have you seen Manabe..."
Before he could finish, Ichinose Honami awkwardly held up her phone. "Um, Akira-kun, sorry. It seems while we were on our way, those three already sent me the points they owed. Though Manabe and Yabu are still short by half; they said they'd make it up next month when the points are issued."
"Really? Let me see?" Kobashi Yume leaned in, disbelieving. "It's true." The group found it unusual; after all, those three weren't usually so cooperative. Hiyori then explained everything that had just happened.
"To think that Ryuen guy actually did something good." Shimizu raised an eyebrow, then followed up, "But Manabe is still short half! Honami, what did she say? Do you really think she'll pay it back?"
Ichinose sighed helplessly. "She sent me a screenshot of her account. It matches up... she really doesn't have any personal points left."
Ibuki Mio glanced at Hiyori and cleared her throat. "Speaking of which, Manabe is actually quite obedient to Hiyori now. Why not have Hiyori help collect the money?"
Hiyori looked down. "If you don't mind, I can indeed help."
"Then I'll trouble you, Hiyori." Ichinose took her hand. "I owe you one for this."
Hiyori was about to say "It's nothing," but Ibuki cut in. "Actually, Hiyori has something she needs Shimizu's help with soon. You know she loves mystery novels; since the previous business is finished, could you let your boyfriend accompany her for a full day of 'material gathering'?"
Ichinose blinked and instinctively turned to look at Shimizu. Shimizu looked speechless. "Why are you asking Honami? Can't you just ask me directly?"
Ibuki snorted, sounding justified: "Well, I have to report to your girlfriend first!"
Ichinose couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Report? Akira-kun and I don't have that kind of reporting relationship. If you want to ask him out, just say so; I have no objections at all."
"So?" Ibuki stared intensely at Shimizu.
Shimizu quickly waved his hands. "I'm fine with it, of course. In fact, I already made a promise to Hiyori before. Don't worry."
Ibuki added one more thing: "The two of you are going for a whole day. Hiyori said the effect was good last time, and you know her physical constitution; she needs proper maintenance. You might as well give her another massage."
Hiyori couldn't help but glare at her friend. "Akira-kun, the massage isn't necessary... I just need help with the book."
To her surprise, Shimizu said flatly, "No, let's do as Ibuki says. A massage it is."
Hiyori's brain stalled again.
'He agreed to the massage that easily? Wait, this time my ankles and feet are normal. He definitely won't be as restrained as last time... he'll definitely play with them thoroughly!'
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Half an hour later. The remaining three people on the list were surprisingly cooperative, perhaps because they saw Shimizu Akira himself coming to collect. They handed over the points with almost no resistance.
Kobashi Yume and Shiranami Chihiro left first to give the couple some alone time. Shimizu and Ichinose walked back to the dorms.
"Akira-kun, really, thank you."
"For what? We're a couple, after all."
"Hehe, true. Um, as per our agreement, I should give you 30% of the profit. We earned about five million today, so I should give you 1.5 million. But I can't pay it right now because I paid Sakayanagi back directly. Can I trouble you to delay it for a bit?"
"Well, delay it then."
Ichinose seemed embarrassed, so she leaned into Shimizu's ear and whispered: "Um, really, thank you, Akira-kun. Regarding this matter, I'll continue to consult Chie-sensei on various 'techniques' and 'compensate' you properly in that regard."
"..." Shimizu was momentarily at a loss for words. Why was it that whenever Honami thought about rewarding him, she immediately went to that? And she was going to consult Hoshinomiya-sensei again? To be fair, that woman did have a lot of "tricks."
"By the way, Akira-kun, a few days ago Chie-sensei asked me a lot about our intimacy details, and I told her everything. Is this... inconvenient for you?"
"Huh? What did you tell her specifically?"
"Um... things like the time and frequency."
"Ugh... why is she asking for such details?"
"Chie-sensei said intimacy is a very important part of a couple's relationship. Based on her personal experience, she wants us to get along smoothly."
"Ugh... fine, since you already told her, it is what it is. So, what was the result?"
"The result is that we are very compatible, likely belonging to the type where both parties have very strong desires."
"That evaluation... honestly, it's quite accurate."
"Chie-sensei said this investigation wasn't thorough enough. She wants to ask you, the male side, some detailed questions about intimacy. For example... morning wood duration, and how many minutes the 'duration' lasts, things like that."
"Huh? No... those questions are way too weird!"
"Please, Akira-kun. Chie-sensei is very good to me and supports us being together. She's the school nurse, after all; it's all for the sake of the 'investigation.' It's not weird."
Having said that, and seeing no one around, Ichinose Honami proactively pressed her lips against his.
Shimizu was left speechless.
With his mouth blocked, what else could he say? However, he decided he would absolutely not tell Hoshinomiya the answers to those questions. Even for a school nurse, those questions were way too bizarre!
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