Bubbles of Happiness / No Rush. Let's Play Along

"You know, if you really like him, that's fine. You just need to work on your stamina a bit more."

As a woman who'd fought Hoya, Ryuen Shoko knew how strong he was. With Shiina Hiyori's physique... she'd probably be knocked flat in two rounds.

But she was different. Sure, she'd been on the back foot the whole time, but she hadn't lost!

As long as she didn't surrender, she wasn't defeated!

"Tsk, tsk. The boss and the strategist are arguing."

"Figures. The strategist really is a sinful man."

The camera crew watched the scene unfold, chatting about the gossip as they filmed it.

Two girls arguing over a boy was exactly the sort of thing that got them buzzing.

As for Shiina, the strategist... Since she was basically the third most important person in the class, everyone called her Strategist Shiina.

Still, no one was jealous of her position. After all, it meant a ton of work and no benefits.

Hoya had given her all sorts of tasks, from forming groups to organizing study sessions. She even had to handle logistics for the camera crew and keep track of future class-fund expenses. It made him look like a heartless playboy who'd tricked an innocent girl into working for him.

Tsk, what a sinful man.

And he was always acting a little too familiar with girls from other classes. Hoya had gotten his playboy reputation from whispers spreading through Class C.

Among the boys... some were envious, some were amused, and some were jealous. There was no shortage of all kinds of feelings. After all, who wouldn't want to be a playboy for once and experience a sweet romance?

Chapter 80: Bubbles of Happiness

The morning passed just like that. Aside from Ryuen Shoko pinning him beneath her legs and making a fuss because she was annoyed, nothing else really happened.

Everyone went about their business. The camera crew was busy filming, Shiina Hiyori was preparing for the study sessions, Albert had been sent by Hoya to Class B to play their panda again, and as for him... he was slacking off.

"Ah, this is the good life~"

Hoya lay sprawled over his desk, happily blowing bubbles as he looked forward to the end of the school day.

The lesson was already over, and there were just a few minutes until the bell. The teacher had decided to have them study quietly, giving everyone a chance to review the material.

As far as Hoya was concerned, this stuff was... heh. High school physics? Child's play.

"Chukai-kun~ Chukai-kun~"

Hoya heard someone calling his name through the bubbles he was blowing. He squinted and scanned the room, then figured out who it was from Ryuen's annoyed glare.

Shiina Hiyori.

It was rare for Shiina Hiyori to call out to him during class. She was sitting diagonally behind him, and when she saw him look over, she tossed him a little ball of paper.

He caught it casually and read it.

'Chukai-kun, I noticed that Ryuen-san's grades aren't particularly good. If she keeps slacking off like this, she might have trouble on the exams. Could you help tutor her?'

It seemed Shiina knew that getting Ryuen to join the study sessions was impossible.

So the only option was to ask him to tutor her himself.

Reading the note, Hoya's face crumpled.

Good grief, he had to deal with this too?

He couldn't help glancing at Ryuen Shoko, wondering if her grades could really be that bad.

Still, she was so laid-back. Surely she had some way of passing the exams, right?

"Exams? I'll just cheat when the time comes."

"You've got to be kidding me! I thought your grades were good, so I didn't worry about you. Turns out you're on the list too!"

Hoya angrily rapped his desk. He didn't dare hit her, but he could hit the desk.

"What, got a problem?"

"How could I not? Boss, if you keep this up, you'll get expelled!"

"Then you can be the boss."

"It's not that simple. I get it now—you just don't want to join the study sessions, right? Then you're studying with me starting tonight. Stop staring at your phone all the time."

"No."

"Then I'm throwing out that beer."

"..."

Seeing the dangerous look in Ryuen Shoko's eyes, Hoya had no choice but to respond to her.

There were some things he couldn't let her have her way about. Otherwise, they'd turn into a huge mess later.

This was one of those things. They had to deal with it properly, or it'd be too late to study when the time came.

"Tsk..."

Seeing that Hoya actually dared to threaten her, Ryuen Shoko made a rather unfriendly gesture at him.

But at least she seemed to agree.

All right, then. That settled it.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Hoya left the school building and returned to the dorm to clean up the mess he'd left that morning.

After tidying up at home, he grabbed a quick meal and then returned to the school building to get ready for class.

"Strategist, how does this look?"

"Hmm... a little over the top. We're aiming for realism. Don't worry, we have plenty of time. There's no need to rush. Take it slow."

"Strategist, Shiina-san said she needs to discuss the study sessions with you in more detail."

"Oh? Where is she?"

"She's busy over there."

"Good grief, that's a crowd. Fine, I'll go see how the study sessions are going."

"Strategist, am I going to Class B again this afternoon?"

"What, don't you want to go?"

"It's just... they're so enthusiastic."

"Hey, that's exactly why you have to go. This mission is yours and yours alone. No one else could pull it off. Come on, go keep them company."

While fixing up the camera crew, soothing Albert, and checking on the study sessions, Hoya felt like he was busy all over again.

Ah, compared to him, Ryuen Shoko was completely carefree. She sat nearby with her legs crossed, playing on her phone.

That made sense. Shiina and he were handling most of the work. All Ryuen had to do was hold down the fort.

As for anything else? It wasn't like she'd necessarily do a good job.

"What's the problem with the study sessions?"

"We've found there are quite a lot of students who are falling behind, so we're having trouble. Each tutor would have to teach five students, and we just can't manage that."

"Then why don't we join forces with Class B?"

Hoya clapped his hands and asked.

If Class C didn't have enough capable students, they could just call in outside help.

Joining forces with Class B couldn't just be talk. They had to do something concrete, right?

Class B probably thought of it as an alliance, but maybe they were imagining something like playing house. They were still too cautious.

"Oh, right. Then how should we bring it up with Class B?"

"Just tell them the truth. Go straight to Ichinose. Their class has lots of well-behaved kids. If you talk it over with them, they'll probably be happy to help. Oh, and remember this: Class B is our ally. You can be hostile to the other classes, but when you're dealing with Class B, even if you're crying, you'd better smile while you do it. Don't scare them, got it?"

"Got it!"

Seeing everyone's response, Hoya nodded. Then he thought of something and said to Shiina, "Also, bring Albert along. He's our diplomat now. His grades aren't all that great either, are they? Have him say we're working together so we can all improve. Come up with some slogans to get Class B fired up. Can you manage that?"

"That's easy. No problem."

Seeing Shiina Hiyori say there was no problem, Hoya nodded and let her and the others get back to work.

There were still a few minutes before class, so they could keep at it.

Ah, once afternoon classes were over, he could finally relax~

Hoya stretched languidly, then flopped back down on his desk.

Mmm~ This desk was so comfortable~

"Hey, come buy booze with me this afternoon."

"You're drinking again? We're supposed to study this afternoon~"

"If you don't buy it, I'm not studying."

"Fine, fine, I'll buy it. But don't think you can just drink and skip studying once we get back~"

Still radiating bubbles of happiness, Hoya was in a great mood for once.

So he quickly reached an agreement with Ryuen Shoko.

However, another problem came up that afternoon, and he'd have to think it through carefully.

Chapter 81: No Rush. Let's Play Along

"Tsk, clubs..."

Hearing about them, Hoya couldn't help rubbing his temples.

All right, another obstacle had appeared.

The biggest problem with the study sessions was that clubs took up so much of the students' free time.

The study sessions had originally been scheduled for after class in the afternoon, which was exactly when the clubs met. They clashed completely.

So what should they do?

"Why even think about it? Let the clubs take priority. Move the study sessions to the evening."

"But everyone's less motivated to study in the evenings."

"Heh, as if they're usually that motivated. Rotate the schedule so they don't have to study for so long every day and get fed up. Have them talk to their clubs too. Aside from a few exceptions, most clubs probably don't need to meet every single day, right? If they talk to the club presidents, they should be able to work something out. Students are supposed to prioritize their studies, after all."

This was a problem Hoya had never considered before. In China, who had time to join clubs?

That was something university students thought about.

"Except for the recreational clubs, the only serious clubs that might need to practice every day are the sports clubs. Ask them if they can come later. If that doesn't work, have them come every other day. If that still doesn't work, hold study sessions during lunch. Unless they don't care whether they study at all or can guarantee they'll score at least half the average, we can leave them alone. Remember, the main goal of these study sessions is to help the students who are falling behind pass."

"Okay, I'll see what I can arrange."

Shiina Hiyori spoke as she considered the problem. It was a lot of work, and it really was a headache.

"Prioritize the sports clubs, then the more serious clubs. The ones that are obviously just for fun should be easy enough to negotiate with. And don't think you have to do it all yourself. Ask a few people to help, or call on Class B."

"Is it really okay to keep bothering Class B?"

"Don't worry. They'll be happy to help. Their needs are already starting to reach the level of self-actualization."

Maslow's hierarchy of needs was very applicable at this school. Once their physiological and safety needs had been met with points, the next needs were social connection, esteem, and self-actualization. These little angels already liked helping people, and teaching others would improve their own academic skills too. What was there not to like?

"If anything gets in the way, tell me and I'll handle it. Don't always think you have to shoulder everything yourself. I asked you to help because I don't have time to handle all the little tasks myself, not because you absolutely have to do them. Don't wear yourselves out."

"Okay, I understand."

Seeing Shiina blush, Hoya rubbed his chin... Had he said something strange just now?

Never mind. It wasn't important.

Clubs, huh...

Hoya stood by the window, watching the lively club recruitment fair outside, and couldn't help sighing.

Back in China, he'd been in a literature club once. After that... never mind. It was all in the past.

Anyway, things hadn't ended well for anyone. They'd all gone their separate ways and never spoken again.

Ah, to be young.

Hoya sighed, suddenly feeling old, and looked around the classroom, where hardly any students were left.

"Shiina, what's wrong? Why are you still standing there?"