Chapter 157

The first to react was the former heiress, Ebizuka Tomo. She glared at Sakurakoji Talent and shouted, "Liar!"

"What's wrong?" Anwa Subaru tilted their heads.

Ebizuka Tomo ignored her, staring intently at him. "You're not trying to say that your work is on par with the designers at fashion shows, are you?"

"Huh? Is that so?"

"Oh, so that's what it means—wow! Isn't that amazing?!"

"Eh eh eh eh eh!!"

"What do you mean? How much is one piece actually worth?" Kawaragi Momoka asked, puzzled.

"... At least the price you mentioned should be increased by several hundred or even a thousand times." Ebizuka Tomo felt frustrated and wanted to cry.

Are there really such big differences between people?

"What did you say?!!"

"Is it really that expensive?!"

"But... but! That's a price only top-tier designers can command, isn't it?" Even Anwa Subaru were incoherent, unable to accept it at all.

"Yes, can you compare to them?" Ebizuka Tomo questioned.

Sakurakoji Talent didn't explain, only saying, "It should be fine, after all, some of the studio design drawings you just saw were designed by me."

"..."XN

Inoseri Nina felt a little dizzy, her eyes swirling and unfocused, and she was completely dazed. What had they just said? That a work that gets featured in an exhibition is a top-notch costume designer?

So Mr. Talent is such an amazing person?!

These clothes are so expensive! I don't dare wear them at all!

"Well, I wasn't planning on giving you those kinds of clothes anyway. After all, most of them are flashy and impractical, not suitable for your band activities."

Taking in the terrified reactions of the group, Sakurakoji Talent shrugged and reassured them.

"Ha... that's great..."

"Indeed, I wouldn't dare move if I actually wore those clothes."

"I never knew that wearing really nice clothes could be stressful. It's such a strange experience."

"It's better to wear ordinary, durable clothes, right?"

"Uh-huh!"

Even so, after this incident (and the shock), the way they looked at Sakurakoji Talent changed; they suddenly felt like they were targeting someone important.

Even if they achieve great success and become a famous band in the future, their income and status will probably still not compare to his, right?

"Don't look at me like that... Who I am and what my profession is have nothing to do with your dreams, right?" he criticized them sharply.

As the Band Manager, he had to crack down hard on this unhealthy trend of sycophancy!

Image: "Our Assassin Gang is just that cool!", Location: "Images/1761402814-100446961-114013696. jpg"

Volume 1: A Woman the Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies - Chapter 201: A Woman Whose Birthday is Always Someone Else's

"That's true, Talent is irrelevant to our goals! Hmm!" Anwa Subaru wiped the cold sweat from their temples, forcibly trying to create a lively atmosphere, "Everyone, cheer up!"

"That seems to be it... Alright! I get it!"

"This feels like something I, as the team leader, should be saying..."

"Hehe, Mr. Talent is indeed Mr. Talent!"

"Hmph, I didn't feel anything."

Seeing that they had all recovered, Sakurakoji Talent nodded in satisfaction. Yes, this is how a band should be.

The band should maintain the purity of kirakira—that's what Bang Gorzu instructed.

"Then let's disband. I'm heading back to Tokyo soon; I have things to do tomorrow morning." He clapped his hands, giving the final instructions and ending the team meeting.

"Huh? Mr. Talent is already going back to Tokyo?" Inoseri Nina frowned slightly, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "It feels like I haven't been here long at all."

"There's nothing we can do. Tomorrow's a workday, and Talent is very busy. Please be understanding, Nina." Kawaragi Momoka placed her hand on Nina's slender shoulder, closed her eyes to comfort her, and silently took advantage of her (lol).

Now that she knew how "valuable" Sakurakoji Talent was, she dared not tease him like before.

"Well, the mission is complete. I have other things to do tomorrow, so I have to go there first."

"Oh, I see. We look forward to your next visit!" Anwa Subaru grinned, making a drumming motion.

"Oh, but... before that, you'd better compose and practice with your lives on the line, understand?" His expression changed from sunny to gloomy, his eyes dark and sinister, silently staring at the five like a demon.

"If you don't meet my expectations when I come next time, you'll be in for my punishment!"

"Oh, oh..." XN

Those troublemakers who saw him in this demonic form for the first time were all terrified, a cold sweat breaking out on their backs.

"By the way, what kind of punishment is it?" Inoseri Nina, who is always straightforward, spoke up boldly on behalf of the other four.

"Sony...but punishment is only effective when it's done without the knowledge of the perpetrator, isn't it?" A hint of mockery flickered in his beautiful, cold, ruby-like eyes.

Evil! Evil spirits! There are evil spirits here!

Several people roared inwardly.

The next day, which was the seventh day of April, was Monday of the second week of school in Ogura Asahi.

The new week began, and just like a week before, he—no, she—elegantly stepped out of the car and into the school gate where Rowing Boat, all under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Her every move was even more elegant than the debt-ridden heiress next door, gentle yet dashing, with kind eyes that held a touch of mischief. Her androgynous charm was incredibly alluring in this girls' school!

The mere sight of her casually tossing a strand of hair sent a burst of excited screams through the crowd!

If you didn't know, who would guess that this is a cross-dressing man?

Four days have passed since his last visit to the school, including the time he took leave (absent from class).

Looking up at the distant teaching building, he sighed inwardly, feeling a tingling of PTSD; an invisible pressure made him unconsciously want to get away.

If possible, Sakurakoji Talent wouldn't really want to come here. Wouldn't it be better to just stay in Kawasaki and enjoy yourself for another two days?

But there's no way around it; the reality doesn't allow it. Today is a woman's birthday, the perfect opportunity for him to win her favor.

That's why he was willing to take an incredibly expensive taxi last night to rush back.

At this point in time, I might be the only one who knows her birthday?

Lost in thought, he carried his lunchbox, schoolbag, and gift bag, passed several suspicious-looking men in black, and nimbly entered the teaching building.

Good morning, Shizuka.

He deliberately changed his voice and manner of speaking, greeted Miyako Shizuka had arrived earlier, and sat down in his seat.

Goodbye, my manly self. See you after school, he thought to himself with a sense of loneliness.

"Oh my, you're here today? It's you, Little Asahi." Miyako Shizuka winked at him in surprise.

"Yeah, I'm here." He replied with a cool one-eyed pose.

"Don't you have work today?"

"Hmm, let's leave it at that for now."

"I see," Miyako Shizuka helplessly, her alluring purple eyes sparkling. "I thought I was special enough, but I didn't expect you, Little Asahi, to be even more outrageous than me."

"You actually started leaving early on the second day of school, and then stopped coming altogether on the fourth day... You really have a personality."

"Haha, she's not that outstanding."

"Does this sound like I'm praising you for being so bold?" Miyako Shizuka was momentarily confused, then quickly changed the subject, "How many days will you be able to work this time?"

"Hmm... I don't know," Sakurakoji Talent gave an ambiguous answer.

I was just kidding. He's not actually coming tomorrow.

"I really want to know what your work is like, Little Asahi. You seem to be very busy." She shook her head helplessly.

"No, even if work isn't too busy, I still find the classes at school boring..." Realizing something was wrong, he quickly stopped talking.

Miyako Shizuka smiled slyly, "I caught you, didn't I? You were skipping class because you didn't want to go, weren't you?"

She leaned closer, whispering intimately in his ear, her delicate yet mature fragrance filling his nostrils, stirring a slight flutter in his heart.

"... That's not true."

"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Anyway, with your grades, I don't need to worry about you." She shrugged as if giving up and sat back down in her seat.

"It's rare for us to become classmates, but I rarely see you. It's a little lonely."

"Is that so? Then let's meet up privately afterwards? We have each other's contact information anyway." He waved his phone.

"Hmm? Won't this bother you too much?"

"No, if it's with you, Shizuka, I'm available anytime."

"Hehe~ What you said is quite tempting."

"That's exactly why I said it!"

"Haha! If you were a boy, Little Asahi, I'm afraid I'd be completely captivated by you!"

"Yeah..."

Haha, all women are liars. I hope you'll still have the guts to say that when you see me in person!

After ending his conversation with her, he turned his gaze to the girl in front of him, a strong-willed woman with Black Long Straight Hair.

"Hey, long time no see, Classmate Shiina."

He raised his hand in greeting, but received no response.

Strange, she wasn't wearing headphones, so she shouldn't be unable to hear. He glanced at her round, plump earlobes.

So that was intentional? Hey, with that temper of his.

He got up from his seat, took two steps forward, then leaned over her desk and stared directly into her eyes.

"What are you doing?" Shiina Rikki's sharp, pinkish-purple gaze swept over.

"Good morning, Classmate Shiina." Sakurakoji Talent's gentle and accepting gaze easily absorbed her unfriendly attitude.

"Good morning! Can we go back now?" Shiina Rikki turned her face away, raising her hand to shoo him away in disgust.

"Hmm..." He remained silent, gazing at her quietly.

The oppressive atmosphere made Shiina Rikki feel extremely uncomfortable. She had no choice but to meet his gaze again, her tone even colder. "What exactly do you want?"

He didn't answer, only sighed in disappointment and shook his head, "You're still angry about what happened last time? How Kokoro of you. If it really doesn't work, I'll let you get back at me?"

"Just do it the way I did last time!"

"What?!" Shiina Rikki was speechless for a moment, then her face flushed crimson. "Who are you calling Kokoro! It's not because of what happened last time!"

"Besides, April Fools' Day is over, so saying that now would just be..."

"What is it?" He looked at her with a teasing glint in his eyes and a slight chuckle.

"Ugh!!!" Shiina Rikki turned her head away, her face flushed. "There's nothing there! Go to hell! Idiot!"

When she criticized and scolded him, Sakurakoji Talent didn't get angry at all; instead, he found her quite adorable.

Normally aloof, strict, and unsmiling, this person broke down in his own way, revealing a shy expression he wouldn't normally show. For him, whose sadistic spirit was overflowing, this was like a refreshing remedy that brought him joy!

He stared at her beautiful profile for another 30 seconds, trying to memorize her stunning appearance, until even her ears turned a deep blush. Only then did he return to his seat, satisfied.

If he hadn't felt that she might explode and rush out of the classroom if he watched any longer, he might have watched a little longer.

Upon his return, he was subjected to verbal attacks from Miyako Shizuka.

"Little Asahi, your personality is really awful," said Miyako Shizuka, who had witnessed the whole thing right under her nose.

"No, this is just a normal way for classmates to strengthen their friendship."

"Is your understanding of friendship a little different from mine?" She was a little dumbfounded, unsure if he was joking.

You'd better be!