152. Mibuomi Aoi Gradually Senses Something Strange
"Since she's going to become a new cadre, has her capability been assessed?"
"Don't worry, I personally verified Nadeshiko's skills~"
Since she was meant to serve as bait to attract the student council's attention, the more the better. As for her actual gambling skills, Mibuomi Aoi no longer held any hope.
He nodded slightly and ordered, "In that case, during the Great Bloom Festival, you'll be responsible for challenging Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Eh? Hikigaya Hachiman?" Rurichou Nadeshiko exclaimed, covering her mouth, "You mean the Hikigaya who's rumored to have been 'kept' by the vice president recently?"
"That's right, it's him."
"I see~" Nadeshiko licked her lips. Recently, she happened to be short on cash to buy a Steinway piano. It was only because her good friend Kurume had told her about a good money-making opportunity that she agreed to join this strange organization.
She didn't care what the Full-Bloom Association's true goals were, but if they were directly handing over a big fat sheep like Hikigaya Hachiman, who seemed super rich, to her... she was very satisfied.
Her specialty in gambling was Listen, Weigh, Jackpot, and she had once earned nearly ten million yen through it. Normally, she could have qualified to join the student council back in her freshman year, but because of her extravagant spending habits and solitary personality, she became a wandering lone wolf and a wild, freelance gambling expert on campus.
"Any problem?"
"No problem. I'll take him down."
'After all, my Listen, Weigh, Jackpot is invincible!' She kept this thought in her heart and added aloud, "But I heard that the vice president secretly assists him? I can't deal with the vice president. That'll be an extra price. You'll have to handle that for me."
"You can rest assured about that."
Mibuomi Aoi nodded. Seeing her reliable appearance, he felt somewhat relieved.
The burly man beside him, who acted like Mibuomi's loyal hound, raised the next issue:
"Aoi-senpai, what about the two traitors from the Ougatou Sisters? Shouldn't we get rid of them first?"
The burly man made a throat-slitting gesture with righteous vigor.
'Idiot.' Mibuomi Aoi cursed inwardly. Why were his subordinates either incompetent or brainless?
With a friendly smile, he replied, "They are related to a secret plan critical for our uprising. I will personally handle them at the end of the Great Bloom Festival."
"But you are right. Since they are traitors, they must be punished." He turned his gaze to a pink-haired girl wearing a face mask and spoke with a chilling tone,
"Rokujou Eneru, you will deal with those sisters. Use your favorite method."
Then, Mibuomi Aoi began distributing the rest of the tasks. When he got to Shimotsukiuri Ouri, he paused slightly:
"Ouri, you remember your mission, right?"
"I've always remembered, Mibuomi-sama. This time, I will prove myself!" Shimotsukiuri Ouri clenched her fists tightly. She was tasked with defeating Momobami Kirari. It would be extremely difficult, but for her beliefs, she would not hesitate.
Suddenly—
The shrill ringtone of a cellphone rang. Miharutaki Sakura looked at the caller ID with feigned surprise, her expression changing drastically. She discreetly stepped back a few paces, covering her mouth:
"I understand. I'll come immediately."
"Sakura, what happened?" Mibuomi Aoi asked in confusion. It seemed to be the first time he had seen such an expression on his fiancée's face.
If he had to pick a word to describe it, it would be... embarrassment? Nervousness?
'What's up with Miharutaki Sakura today?'
"Sorry, Aoi. I have an urgent matter to deal with." Miharutaki Sakura glanced at Mibuomi Aoi apologetically and then turned away without hesitation. As she brushed past Rurichou Nadeshiko, she left a faint trail of fragrance.
Rurichou Nadeshiko gave Miharutaki Sakura a somewhat strange look.
She tugged on the sleeve of her close friend Kurume and whispered in her ear,
"Kurume, what's the relationship between that Vice President Sakura and President Mibuomi?"
"Eh? They're engaged, why?"
Engaged?!
Rurichou Nadeshiko's face flushed slightly red. Ever since she was a child, she had an unusually strong sensitivity to sounds.
Just now, she had clearly heard a man's voice ordering Vice President Miharutaki around! Combined with the expression she had just seen, a vivid drama unfolded in her mind.
Nadeshiko glanced at Mibuomi Aoi with a trace of sympathy. She could almost see a green glow radiating from his head, but she had no intention of exposing it. Instead, she smiled meaningfully.
'This is... a perfect chance to make some money!'
'A fiancée betraying her betrothed — there's no way Miharutaki-senpai would want such a scandal exposed, right?'
'In that case, she'll have to pay a little insignificant price!'
A series of plans formed quickly in Nadeshiko's mind. Her purpose for joining the Full-Bloom Association was very clear — to make money. She wouldn't let any opportunity to profit slip away.
Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, she quickly excused herself, saying she had something urgent, and then slipped out. Watching Miharutaki Sakura's graceful departing figure, she quietly followed.
'One after another, what's wrong with everyone today?'
Behind them, Mibuomi Aoi frowned deeply, sinking into confusion.
.
.
.
"Hachiman~ can you explain what's going on with the girls' school uniform in your hand?"
At this moment, Hikigaya Hachiman was like a defendant under trial, sitting stiffly on the leather sofa in the baseball club's activity room, both hands gripping his knees. Facing the five girls led by Yumeko, he didn't even dare to breathe heavily.
'Saotome and Aiura betraying me is one thing…'
'But why did the Ougatou sisters, who were supposed to be my private livestock, betray me too?'
'What the hell happened while I was away?'
Hikigaya was utterly bewildered.
In front of him, the Ougatou sisters looked like two obedient Persian cats, each resting on Yumeko's left and right thighs, enjoying her lap pillows and the gentle strokes of her hand. This was a level of pampering that not even Hikigaya Hachiman had received yet.
'Yumeko's affinity with girls is really something else...'
Hikigaya shook his head with a wry smile. To think he would actually feel jealous over something like this—he really had changed.
"It's Miharutaki Sakura's clothing," Hikigaya Hachiman said calmly, speaking out the name.
The sacred item that would be considered a priceless treasure by certain perverted boys was now casually held in his hand.
He had always believed that honesty was the most important thing between boyfriends and girlfriends. For that reason, even though he had gotten his hands on another woman's intimate clothing, Hikigaya Hachiman had no intention of hiding it. He explained the situation to Yumeko without reservation.
Upon hearing the name "Miharutaki Sakura," the Ougatou sisters, who had been squinting their eyes in enjoyment, instantly opened them wide.
'Miharutaki-senpai actually gave her personal clothing to Lord Hikigaya?!'
'This world is crazy!'