Naoki and Tsuzura were crammed into the Beautification Committee's large conference room along with twenty other students. Trying her best to minimize her presence, Naoki stuck close to Tsuzura in a quiet corner.
"Where's Chairwoman Miharutaki?"
"She went to collect overdue casino management fees. You know, dealing with *that* casino wrecker."
"Oh, I remember now Midari Ikishima, right? She won management rights to several casinos through gambling, but never runs them or pays fees. Arrogant as hell, but to dismantle so many casinos... she must have some skill."
Naoki perked up at the mention of that familiar name.
Fortunately, the committee hadn't forced them to face the wall or reflect, so she discreetly shuffled closer to eavesdrop better.
"Yeah, I heard her family's rich, but she just refuses to pay. Wonder if the Chair can actually recover the money."
At that moment, a woman with sharp eyes and neatly cropped black hair rose and said flatly, "Stop the chatter. Especially in front of outsiders. Watch your words."
"U-understood, Vice Chair Yuyuzan."
The Beautification Committee members, usually peacocks flaunting authority, immediately shut up.
Naoki thought: ...So the power dynamics are exactly what I imagined.
This school really was like a mini society.
"Hey, Tsuzura, have you noticed that woman hasn't changed her expression once? Must be exhausting to keep that poker face."
"Let's not talk... she might scold us too," Tsuzura whispered nervously.
Twenty minutes crawled by. The students were growing restless when footsteps echoed, and the door opened.
"Chairwoman Miharutaki, welcome back."
A group of committee members rushed over, blocking Naoki's view.
"Did you manage to collect the debt?"
A male voice replied, "Of course. The Chairwoman won a gamble against Midari Ikishima and took back the owed money."
"You wouldn't believe how cocky that girl was brought some delinquents along, too. Thought we'd have to use force."
"But then she suggested a gamble and even tried to cheat. The Chair saw through it, used her trick against her, and won."
"What's going on here?" came a clear but composed female voice.
Even without seeing her, Naoki could tell: this woman was disciplined and confident, a person used to commanding respect.
The crowd parted, and finally, Naoki laid eyes on her next target Miharutaki Sakura.
Beautiful and poised. That was the immediate impression.
Her appearance was undeniably striking, but even more memorable was her graceful, noble aura. That kind of refinement can only be cultivated over years, often from childhood.
In other words, nouveau riche could never quite emulate it.
Miharutaki Sakura was unmistakably the daughter of a prestigious family.
Perhaps because Naoki had been staring, Miharutaki's gaze shifted to her.
Startled, Naoki instinctively lowered her head. But remembering her mission, she looked up again only to find that the Chair was still looking.
Facing that composed expression, Naoki felt as if she were being stared at by a strict grade school teacher. She instinctively wanted to avert her eyes.
"Host."
The system's voice popped into her head.
"What?"
"Don't tell me you forgot your mission. You need to observe and gather intel on your affection targets. Why are you shrinking away?"
This system was almost *too* diligent. Maybe it earned performance points from her missions too?
With the reminder, her nervousness faded. She focused on observing Miharutaki Sakura.
High ponytail. Hair perfectly arranged a sign of meticulousness. She looked like a model student and a committee leader.
Uniform aside, what caught Naoki's eye was the watch on Miharutaki's wrist.
She remembered seeing that brand in a magazine. A Swiss model, easily worth 20 to 30 million yen.
And with that realization came a sharp awareness of her own poverty.
**System:** That's all you noticed?
**Naoki:** Huh? You again?
**System:** I told you to *observe*. What did you learn?
Naoki thought for a moment. "She's extremely rich."
**System:** ...
**System:** And how does that help your strategy?
Naoki reflected. If Miharutaki Sakura came from old money, then challenging her through normal gambling might be impossible. She lacked the funds to make a bet enticing enough.
Plus, social strata while not absolute did tend to isolate. People stuck to their own circles.
There was a massive divide between regular students and the Student Council. No natural points of contact.
"Wait, you're saying all this chaos happened just because you wanted to *ask her out*?" a committee member asked in disbelief.
All eyes turned to Naoki. Thankfully, she was deep in thought and didn't panic.
Pretty or not, was it really worth causing such a commotion?
At first, the committee assumed it was a fight. Then, seeing Naoki and Tsuzura surrounded, they suspected bullying.
A bunch of girls in a disturbance? Classic group intimidation.
But no injuries meant no brawl occurred.
Tsuzura desperately explained that they were innocent they hadn't done anything. The others just wanted to invite Naoki for coffee.
"Chairwoman, what's your verdict?"
Miharutaki paused, then said, "Since no harm was done, there's no need for demerits. However "
"Your actions constituted harassment toward Utsugi. She made her rejection clear, yet you persisted, causing public disturbance."
Her gaze swept over the girls. Each one lowered their head in shame.
"As punishment, you'll clean the school for a week. Contribute to its beauty. Any objections?"
Silence. No one dared object. Getting off without demerits was already generous.
Naoki raised her eyebrows, surprised.
"System, she's *really* upright."
Technically, the Beautification Committee could've been harsher. Exaggerate the offense, hand out heavier punishments.
After all, authority was intoxicating. That's why cruelty toward the 'livestock' class was common here.
But Miharutaki didn't overreach. Nor did she back down due to numbers. She applied fair judgment.
Punishment always invites grudges. Today you have power. Tomorrow, if you fall, those you wronged might kick you when you're down.
Hence, most people preferred peacekeeping. Avoid drama. Stay safe.
As things wrapped up, Naoki hadn't said a word to Miharutaki yet.
Did she even remember Naoki's full name?
Naoki hurried forward and bowed slightly. "Chairwoman Miharutaki, thank you so much."
Miharutaki glanced at her once, then looked away. "No need. I was just doing my duty."
With that, she and a few others left.
Naoki: ...
"System, that beauty fitness pill you gave me must be fake. I'm pretty decent-looking now, right?"
"So why didn't she spare me a second look?"
She had even hoped to parlay her thanks into a lunch invitation.
But judging by Miharutaki's demeanor, that was out of the question. Naoki was just another face in the crowd.
**System:** You really don't get it?
**System:** Charm-based abilities are like injecting hormones. They create a temporary high. But people with strong mental discipline can resist.
Naoki thought it over. Matter influences consciousness. Consciousness reacts back on matter.
People with strong minds can override physical impulses.
She hadn't used a Charm Card this time just her natural beauty. And it wasn't enough.
Before dating, people might get excited seeing a beauty. But once in love, their focus shifts.
They barely react to other attractive people. That's called loyalty.
Miharutaki's actions showed she was disciplined and principled.
With a fiancé arranged by her family, there was no way she'd entertain random flirtation.
Realizing this, Naoki felt a chill.
Good thing she hadn't jumped the gun. Any careless move would've gotten her blacklisted as a flirt.
And that would've been *game over*.
Tch... this target was going to be *tough*. Gambling wouldn't work. Flirting wouldn't work.
How was she supposed to even *talk* to her next time?