Class 1-D: Arisu Asakusa (Continued)

Clearly, for Arisu, whose family background is not well-off, the only option has always been public schools.

... But that's not right.

You'll never get ahead that way.

If the junior high school environment is poor, it will be difficult to get into a good high school; if the high school environment is poor, it will be difficult to get into a good university.

If they fall behind others at the very beginning, they might have to live in this tiny four-and-a-half-tatami-mat space for the rest of their lives.

Arisu could tolerate it herself, but she didn't want her father to live here for the rest of his life.

So, she set her sights on the 'scholarship'.

Awards from the school are given to students who achieve excellent grades.

It's okay, I can do it. As long as I'm always full, as long as Dad keeps feeding me, I can become a genius.

Gently stroking the contours of her lower abdomen, Asakusa Arisu revealed a determined gaze.

As long as it's grass, oh no, as long as you don't die from studying, study like there's no tomorrow.

Only with such a steadfast heart could she realize her dream.

"... Huh?"

The list of scholarship recipients has been released as scheduled.

But no matter how hard she looked, Arisu couldn't find her name on it.

The rules are clearly stated, my grades clearly meet the standards, and I haven't missed any of the application procedures.

But why?

Faced with her question, Shiina- sensei gave an answer.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, but the scholarship application rules have been changed, and I need to resubmit my application."

"Because you haven't contacted me, I can't help you resubmit your application. After all, an application without the applicant's presence is not in accordance with the procedure."

Filled with apology, Shiina bowed to her unpopular student.

Seemingly with a hint of pity, looking at Arisu's despairing face, she whispered a reminder:

"If you have a moment, you can take a look at the list."

In the scholarship list announced this time, Asakusa Arisu been in the last place, just barely meeting the requirements.

Her efforts could only get her to this position.

Arisu had already checked the results multiple times before, but when she looked at the list again this time, she suddenly saw a name she hadn't noticed before.

This list differs from the expected list by only one name.

The name that replaced hers on the list was 'Ryuen Shoko'.

I heard that the child is from the family of Ryuen, a school leader.

His grades were worse than mine, so if I made the list, he would just barely make it onto it.

"..."

For the first time in her life Asakusa Arisu experienced the power of authority.

But what could she do? Protest? Report it? Or stand on the rooftop and try to get justice by committing suicide?

What would happen to Dad if that happened?

Dad will become a person, Dad will be bullied in every way because of her mistakes.

In fact, her father had already suffered one instance of bullying because she insisted on attending a private school.

She saw it.

The teacher named Shiina pinned down her father and snatched her food.

That's why she was able to come to her current school.

That's probably why Shiina- sensei hesitated before secretly telling him the truth.

But this is not just goodwill, it's also an implication.

When she got home, Arisu told her father about it.

And so, their home welcomed a long-awaited guest once again.

Shiina- sensei.

Asakusa Toru smiled obsequiously and ushered her into the room.

Today, Arisu neither ate nor studied.

But the tuition problem, which had become somewhat precarious due to not receiving a scholarship, quietly disappeared.

Asakusa Arisu no longer hopes for a scholarship.

Even without a scholarship, as long as one humiliatingly offers their father to Shiina, the tuition fee won't be a problem.

But she'd rather it be a problem.

As she continued to learn, much of her former naiveté faded away. Although Arisu's mind still couldn't quite process things when she wasn't well-fed, she at least seemed like a normal, mediocre person now.

Perhaps, even as Succubus, she might be able to make friends.

She thought.

However, the problems that lay ahead before making friends naturally reappeared as time went by.

It's still about getting into a better school.

This time, I'm going to become a high school student.

High school.

Arisu used to look forward to high school life, after all, she had heard that it was a time of youth, carefree living, freedom, and memories.

But Arisu any expectations.

Because she knew clearly that behind all that was a hefty tuition fee and stacks of living expenses.

Only the rich and powerful can enjoy their youth.

Rent, utilities, tuition, commuting costs, materials costs not included in tuition, and the inevitable costs of tutoring and private classes.

The weight on Dad was very heavy.

Fortunately, Asakusa Toru still has a face that everyone likes, which can be used as a bank card to withdraw money.

However, the days of using bank cards to withdraw money from Shiina- sensei to pay tuition fees are over.

In high school, I couldn't rely on her anymore.

You either need to find a bank that actually allows you to withdraw cash, or... you can only look for a suitable school that doesn't require tuition fees.

Advanced Nurturing.

Tuition is free, living expenses are covered, employment is guaranteed, and the government provides support.

That was wonderful treatment.

The only problem is that it's a three-year full-boarding program.

This means that Asakusa Arisu will be separated from Asakusa Toru.

She doesn't want that.

She didn't want it to be like this.

Without her father's regular feeding, she had no purpose; she would become weak again, her body frail and sickly once more.

Therefore, Asakusa Arisu originally intended to abandon the option of Advanced Nurturing.

No, it should be said that we have given up our expectations for Advanced Nurturing.

Advanced Nurturing is never an option; even with a clear desire to pursue higher education, not everyone can enroll in a school at will.

In excellent schools, it is always the school that chooses the students, not the other way around.

However, an interview invitation letter from Advanced Nurturing arrived at our home.

He is a father, Asakusa Toru, and a dad.

He still submitted an application to the Advanced Nurturing on his behalf.

Then a response was received.

Now, they have been given a chance to potentially enroll in Advanced Nurturing program.

The agonizing choice had plagued this single-parent family for a long time, until Shiina- sensei, who shouldn't have been there, stood smiling at their doorstep.

"Is Arisu planning to go for Advanced Nurturing?"

"Don't you want to be separated from your father?"

"If you ask me for help, maybe I can try to lend you a hand?"

That's what she said.

Although Asakusa Arisu had no idea what she was planning to do.

But if it were for her father, she would be willing to kneel down and lick his toes.

"I don't need to lick that stuff, it's disgusting."

"I want you to do this, this, this..."

The woman Shiina bent down and whispered some trivial things in her ear.

So, Asakusa Arisu covered her eyes.

"Pfft pfft..."

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

"Um..."

"Yes, Arisu..."

"No, you can't..."

The hushed sounds kept coming from her ears, but Asakusa Arisu just covered her ears and pretended not to hear anything.

Humiliation, shame, frustration, and pain swelled and lingered in her heart. No longer the naive child she once was, Arisu had established her own personality and had her own unique worldview. At this moment, she clearly realized what that woman was doing.

Her self-esteem was being trampled underfoot. She wanted to do everything for her father, but she was forced to hand him over on the way forward.

What am I doing...?

Arisu couldn't help but think that way.

Gradually, the sound subsided, and the noise stopped.

Shiina- sensei, who has regained her elegance, finally brought her some good news.

If she successfully passes the interview and is admitted to Advanced Nurturing, her father will get a job within Advanced Nurturing.

In other words, they don't have to be separated.

The prerequisite is passing the interview.

Despite being well-prepared, Asakusa Arisu was still nervous when she met the interviewer, feeling quite nervous.

I couldn't discern the interviewer's attitude or sense their emotions.

Similarly, there's no way to confirm whether the interview was successful or not.

Arisu couldn't help but start to feel anxious.

If I don't pass the interview, I won't be able to enroll in Advanced Nurturing. If I can't enroll in Advanced Nurturing, then Dad, Asakusa Toru, wouldn't I have been played by that woman for nothing?!

She guessed that perhaps she dared to make such a request because she knew she wouldn't pass the interview.

But now that things Arisu can do.

All she could do was pray that she would pass the interview.

"..."

I passed the interview.