Sis, Let's Go on a Date

The additional reward of 10,000 points seems to be the maximum limit. Apart from the members of the Student Council and the Drama Club, only Ken Sudō and Onodera Kayano received the largest additional funds. The remaining eight students received additional rewards ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand points.

The total additional funding Class 1-A amounted to 105,500 dedicated Private Points.

If each student has 5,500 initial points, it's like suddenly having nearly 20 extra students' worth of initial points, almost half again. It's an incredibly exaggerated number, which undoubtedly gives Class 1-A, which was originally at a disadvantage due to the total number of students in the class, a sudden financial advantage. After all, Mashima Tomoya quickly announced the total amount of additional bonuses for other classes.

"While we cannot disclose specific details, we can inform everyone of the total points earned by the other classes in the First Year. Class 1-B earned a total of 42,000 points, Class 1-C earned 21,000 points, and Class 1-D earned 46,000 points."

"In other words, our class received the most additional funding throughout the entire First Year, and there was a significant gap between us and the second-place class. This is thanks to everyone's outstanding performance in actively participating in club activities after entering the school, and I am truly proud of you all."

While listening to Mashima Tomoya's usual encouraging teaching, Kitagawa Ryo began to think about the additional points he would receive.

Undoubtedly, Class A benefited from the Student Council and Drama Club activities. The former goes without saying, since Miyabi Nagumo is now the Student Council President. The weight he gives to Student Council members in the OAA evaluation is enough to show his intentions. It is only natural that they can get the maximum additional funding of 10,000.

As for the Drama Club, its main strength lies in its hard-earned honors. Although Kitagawa Ryo himself always regarded this club as a slacking-off club and a club for going out to play, in the eyes of other students, it is an outstanding club that has been bringing back a substantial award from outside every now and then since entering the university. Over a semester, the display case has grown from flower pots to several trophies, making it impossible to find fault with it.

As for the other three classes, it's no surprise that Kitagawa Ryo came in last place in Class C. After all, apart from Shiina Hiyori, who seriously participated in the Tea Ceremony Club activities, most of the other students were just playing around. For example, Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo signed up for the Athletics Club and the Basketball Club, but they mostly only participated sporadically, so they certainly wouldn't get much extra funding.

As for Class B and Class D, it can only be said that the situation at the Sports Festival was repeated by the two classes. If we only look at the overall picture, the students in Class B participated in more clubs and were more active than those in Class D. However, just like how Class D scored a lot of points in the final relay race at the Sports Festival and overtook the competition, this time Class B was overtaken by Katsuragi Kohei and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Because the two were recruited into the Student Council as new members by the newly appointed Student Council President, Miyabi Nagumo, shortly after the Sports Festival ended. Although it only lasted a few days, they still managed to secure a considerable amount of additional funding for the class.

The reason why these two students from Class D were able to join the Student Council so smoothly was because of a prior agreement with Miyabi Nagumo. After all, if Miyabi Nagumo hadn't offered these two Student Council spots, Katsuragi Kohei would never have allowed his students to borrow so many Private Points from him.

However, on the other hand, Katsuragi Kohei joining the Student Council was within Kitagawa Ryo's expectations. After all, as the class Leader of Class 1-D, he was in dire need of some positive events to boost the class's morale.

But as for Ayanokoji Kiyotaka... for now, Kitagawa Ryo can probably only guess that it's because of the upcoming Cultural Festival.

Given that Ayanokoji Atsuomi would be enrolling at the school that day, he did need to prove to him that he had taken action and achieved results at the school, even if it was just for show.

After explaining the additional points for this Cultural Festival, Mashima Tomoya took the initiative to explain again:

"By the way, starting next week, all physical education classes held in the Gymnasium will be canceled and postponed until after the Cultural Festival. The same applies to club activities. More detailed information will be sent out later."

Mashima Tomoya said this, the students in Class A, who were initially happy about the extra points, all showed expressions of surprise or confusion. Immediately, a boy who participated in the sports club raised his hand and asked:

"Why can't we use the Gymnasium suddenly? Does Mashima, the homeroom teacher, know the specific reason?"

"Well... since it's something you can confirm when you get there after school, it's okay to tell you in advance."

When asked by the boy, Mashima Tomoya quickly gave an answer:

"It's because Class 2-A rented the entire Gymnasium as their Matoba the Cultural Festival performance. Since the setup and preparation work for the venue will begin next week, the school issued this regulation on short notice."

"Ah?"

Mashima Tomoya explained it this way, many of the Class A students who hadn't taken it seriously before subconsciously exclaimed in amazement. They were clearly impressed by Class 2-A's generosity. Although the Gymnasium was indeed an area that the school allowed to rent out, the rent there was a full 100,000 Private Points. Before they received additional points, Class 1-A only had 187,000 points in preparation funds for the entire class.

While the other students were still marveling at how arrogant Class A Class 2-A was, sitting next to Kitagawa Ryo, Horikita Suzune quickly figured out the truth behind it all. She gently poked Kitagawa Ryo's side and whispered, "..."

"Does Liang know what percentage of this product is being sold?"

Although the school went to great lengths from the beginning, using "Private Points for the Cultural Festival" and "preparing funds," if one keeps in mind the rule from the beginning of the semester that "Private Points can buy everything," it's easy to see that the special points needed for this Cultural Festival can indeed be purchased with Private Points.

"It's quite expensive, fifty to one."

Kitagawa Ryo naturally inquired about this information early on. After hearing Asahina Nazuna talk about Miyabi Nagumo increasing the exploitation of Class A students and trying to create a grand spectacle yesterday, he had a feeling that although Class 2-A had several Student Council members and the additional funds were not small, they could not withstand Miyabi Nagumo's actions. There must be other methods used.

"That's definitely not cheap; the venue fee alone would be five million."

Horikita Suzune was also somewhat surprised by the proportion, but thinking about it, it made sense. If it were set too low, the school wouldn't need to do this at all; they could just let the students contribute their Private Points to prepare funds for the Cultural Festival.

After finishing talking about these two important things, the school bell rang at the right time. As Mashima Tomoya left, the whole class became lively again. Most of the students were obviously quite curious about the big move that the homeroom teacher had just mentioned in Class 2-A. They called their friends and prepared to go to the Gymnasium to find out. In no time, the classroom was more than half empty.

"Um, Honami, wait a minute, I have something to tell you."

Just as Ichinose Honami was about to go with her friends to find out more information, Kitagawa Ryo suddenly called out to her.

Seeing that it was Kitagawa Ryo who needed to talk to her, Ichinose Honami hadn't even had a chance to speak when several girls next to her giggled and pushed her over, saying things like, "We'll go ahead then," or "Honami, just stay here," and quickly ran away from the classroom.

"Um--Is there something you need, Liang?"

However, Ichinose Honami wasn't at the age where her heart would flutter if someone she liked called her over after school. Besides, Horikita Suzune was still sitting there and showed no sign of moving. So, she naturally walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat down in front of Kitagawa Ryo, smiling as she asked him a question.

"It's about a new project I came up with for the Cultural Festival yesterday. It's a bit inconvenient to talk in the classroom, so let's go to my room. We can talk as we walk. Suzune, you can come too."

Kitagawa Ryo quickly packed his schoolbag and slung it over his shoulder. He then turned back and called to Horikita Suzune, who was still pretending to read a book. The three of them walked out of the classroom and out of the school building together. Only after the crowds on the sidewalk thinned out did he take the initiative to explain again:

Have Suzune and Honami ever been to a cat cafe before?

"A cat café—is that one of those cafes with lots of cats? I think I heard a classmate mention it back in middle school."

Upon hearing Kitagawa Ryo mention the word "cat café, "Ichinose Honami thoughtfully recalled for a moment:

"But I've never been to one of those shops. After all, if I really want to pet a cat, Ryo has Hotaru right at home, and she's even cuter than the ones in those shops."

"Wait a minute, I remember Hotaru is secretly being kept in Ryo's dorm right now, right? Could it be that Ryo is planning to open a cat cafe during this Cultural Festival?"

As if suddenly remembering this, Ichinose Honami quickly guessed Kitagawa Ryo's thoughts.

"Hotaru is indeed the kind of cat that's very likable and easily attracts customers."

Horikita Suzune on the other side nodded in agreement. After all, the mascot of her and Kitagawa Ryo's original confectionery shop was Hotaru, and combined with Kitagawa Ryo's own dessert-making skills, it was fair to say that they had completely captivated the elementary and middle school girls around them.

"Yes, we do have that idea, but the main thing is to let Hotaru be able to come out and get some fresh air legitimately. Staying in the dorm all the time feels a bit stifling. What do you think of this plan, Honami and Suzune?"

"I think it depends on the school's perspective. After all, if they're really going to open one, they can't just have Hotaru as their cat; they'll have to rent some more from outside."

"Yes, I originally planned to use this opportunity to let Ying sneak in unnoticed. As for the school, I went to inquire at noon today. The procedures are quite strict. The cats must meet the epidemic prevention and hygiene standards and have no tendency to hurt people. I can definitely find them, and I am confident that I can calm them down, but the cost will probably not be low."

"But even if we do go over budget, I can just make up the difference with my Private Points."

"What? Now that things have come to this point, it seems Liang isn't here to ask for our opinions at all, but rather to inform us."

"After all, Ryo really likes Hotaru, and so do the cat and her sister."

After speaking, Ichinose Honami paused for a moment, then said:

"Actually, from a feasibility standpoint, there's no problem. After all, the dessert shop project has already been finalized. We can easily have the two shops collaborate, such as allowing customers at the cat cafe to order hidden items from the dessert shop's menu, which would expand our customer base."

"Just like Suzune said in the discussion yesterday, there are definitely guests among us who aren't really interested in high school Cultural Festival programs, but are just accompanying their relatives or children and want to find a quiet place to kill time. If the final result isn't too bad, Ryou's project should be very popular."

Ichinose Honami's tone was as gentle as ever as she methodically supplemented Kitagawa Ryo's proposal, which was simply based on his personal feelings:

"I will help Ryo get this project approved in front of the whole class."

The girl made this promise.

She no longer lingered like a satellite around what she truly wanted to say; she went straight for the moon, expressing her affection for both the cat and the person.

Chapter 323: Sister, Let's Make a Date

With the permission of Ichinose Honami and the assistance of Horikita Suzune, Kitagawa Ryo was finally able to get down to business and begin making intensive preparations for opening the cat café. However, to his surprise, just two days later, Asahina Nazuna, a second-year student, took the initiative to ask him out again.

Unlike the last time when Kitagawa Ryo waited Matoba Asahina Nazuna, this time it was Asahina Nazuna who arrived at their meeting place a full fifteen minutes early. However, she didn't seem to be in a very good mood. When Kitagawa Ryo arrived, he saw her angrily tapping her phone screen repeatedly with her right index finger, as if venting some kind of dissatisfaction.

"What's wrong, senior? Is it because you're worried about treating me to dinner today that you're acting like this?"

Kitagawa Ryo pulled out a chair in front of the other person and sat down, not forgetting to make a casual joke.

"Kitagawa... you're here. Oh well, I'm not in a good mood today, so I don't want to use such complicated titles. I'll just call you by your name, hmm, Ryo?"

Is there any necessary causal relationship between these two things?

"Your fans call you that too, so why can't it be just me? Or is there something else?"

Asahina Nazuna's emotions did seem a bit unstable, revealing a demeanor somewhat different from usual. If it weren't for the strict rules of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School prohibiting the provision of alcoholic beverages and alcoholic drinks to underage students, Kitagawa Ryo would have even thought that she might have already entered a slightly tipsy state.

"If that's what you say, then so be it."

Seeing that the other party seemed determined to argue with him about this topic, Kitagawa Ryo immediately raised his hands in surrender.

After receiving permission from Kitagawa Ryo, Asahina Nazuna dropped her half-serious, half-fierce demeanor and slumped dejectedly onto her arms, which were folded on the table. Her tone softened slightly.

"That's more like it -- but I didn't know that before. I only found out after checking these past two days. So Ryo used to be such a famous theatrical Actor? Her number of followers on social media is also quite alarming. It's too much like a plot from a light novel or manga for someone like that to be attending high school normally."

"It's nothing, after all, there's a former popular idol in our class who's even more popular than me, going to school together."

"Uh, now that Ryo says it, doesn't it sound more like a scene from a light novel or manga?"

Asahina Nazuna made this comment in a gloomy tone, but she didn't seem to care much about Sakura Airi, or rather, anything related to idols, and immediately steered the conversation back to Kitagawa Ryo:

"I remember Ryo told me last time that she was going to open a dessert shop at this year's Cultural Festival. With your skills, it should be very popular. Just thinking about it makes me think it will be super busy."

Although it seemed like a casual chat, just like their last one, Kitagawa Ryo sensed something was off. After a moment's thought, he decided to voice his true feelings:

"If Asahina Nazuna has anything you want to say to me, you don't need to beat around the bush like this. After all, I think we can definitely be considered friends."

Kitagawa Ryo said those words, Asahina Nazuna, who had been trying to maintain a smile, immediately slammed her head on the table, looking utterly ashamed, and lowered her voice, making a muffled sound from under the table.

"... So my acting is really that bad, or is it just too obvious?"

"Perhaps both? After all, my senior has never been the type to keep things to herself."

Kitagawa Ryo was quite willing to admit this, after all, compared to his childhood friend Nagumo Miyabi Nagumo, who was known for her two-faced nature, Asahina Nazuna's personality was undoubtedly much more genuine.

It's worth noting that when Kitagawa Ryo first met her, he even considered tricking Miyabi Nagumo Asahina Nazuna of her relationship with Nagisa. However, as they got to know each other better, he realized that this second-year senior was indeed just being herself, and their relationship gradually became one of friendship.

Of course, if everything he's known about Asahina Nazuna from summer vacation until now has been a lie and a facade put on by her, then Kitagawa Ryo thinks it would be more appropriate to give all his talents as a 'Fraudster' or 'Super Detective' to Asahina Nazuna.

"But since Ryo has put it that way, I'll just say it directly."

Seeing a first-year boy, a year younger than her and still First Year junior, casually discussing "what kind of personality she has" in front of her, Asahina Nazuna couldn't help but reach out and flick his forehead as a lesson for disrespecting her senior. Then, resting her chin on her hand, she helplessly began to talk to Kitagawa Ryo:

"Actually, it is indeed related to Ryo. Didn't I tell Ryo before? Nagumo is planning to put on an unprecedentedly grand show at this year's Cultural Festival. The news about renting the Gymnasium should have spread around campus recently, and this is one of his schemes."

"With such a large Matoba, the specific programs can naturally be arranged to fit into the mainstream. The planned program alone includes a symphony orchestra, choir, theatrical performances, and a whole bunch of other things. But halfway through his planning, he suddenly remembered that there was already a theatrical Actor named Liang in the First Year... Well, he's more worried about clashing with you in the program schedule. After all, it's not scary to wear the same clothes, it's embarrassing if you look worse."

As always, Asahina Nazuna began to complain about all sorts of trivial matters in her class and grade in the tone that Kitagawa Ryo knew well. To be honest, some of the things she said could only be said so casually in front of Kitagawa Ryo. Although she had many close friends in various classes in the second year, her position as a student in Class A was still there. No matter what she said, it always gave off a subtle sense of a beneficiary who was pretending to be innocent. But now, she could speak freely in front of Kitagawa Ryo, which was a rare treat.

"Then, Nagumo somehow found out that Ryo and I were getting along well, so he sent me to sound out Ryo's opinion."

At this point, Asahina Nazuna also curled her lip indignantly:

"Actually, it was just this kind of thing, but recently Nagumo has been acting strangely, distrusting everyone. When he told me, he kept implying that if I couldn't get the answer out of him, he would expel Moeka from Class C. She's also a pretty good friend of mine. Ryo should have met her at the Sports Festival."

"Yes, I remember."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded in response. After all, he had initially thought that Asahina Nazuna was a good person because he had seen her build genuine friendships with students from other classes despite the challenging environment of her second year.

"Sigh... I feel like I don't know anything anymore, everything is..."

After explaining the real reason for inviting Kitagawa Ryo over today, Asahina Nazuna took the latte that the waiter brought over, bit the straw, and drank half a cup in one gulp. Her tone was noticeably disappointed.

In the past, Asahina Nazuna had always believed that she was just lucky to be assigned to Class B with Nagumo, and that Class B's promotion to Class A and complete control over the second year was all thanks to Miyabi Nagumo's efforts. As a beneficiary of this favor, she had no right to criticize it, and therefore she had always been able to tolerate Nagumo's various actions that were not entirely in line with her values.

"Maybe I need to change my mind from now on, after all, he's already become like this."

She seemed hesitant to speak, but the heavy words still slipped out from deep in Asahina Nazuna's throat, accompanied by a clearly visible sigh.

"If possible, I hope Ryo can keep defeating that guy like he did during the Sports Festival."

"Does Senior mean I should correct Senior Nagumo back to his original form?"

"No, not really. After all, he wasn't much different before."

Asahina Nazuna waved indifferently, but a fleeting image of Kitagawa Ryo swiftly leaving Nagumo behind in the final event and then defeating Ayanokoji Kiyotaka at the last second flashed through her mind. Somewhat absentmindedly, she stirred the remaining latte in her cup with the straw, and unconsciously blurted out her true feelings:

"I just think he's very handsome."

"Yeah, the super handsome kind."

Experience has shown that a skilled Time Management Master should never resort to last-minute scrambling at the first sign of a crisis; prior practice is essential.

After saying goodbye to Asahina Nazuna- senpai, who felt she had said something ambiguous and hurriedly departed with a slightly flushed face, Kitagawa Ryo immediately headed to her second destination for her second appointment of the day.

The person I was meeting this time was none other than Chabashira Sae, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-D, and the location was, as always, near the Special Teaching Building.

Although Kitagawa Ryo was also outmaneuvered by Ichinose Honami at this Sports Festival, her actions only further solidified the belief that he would be transferring to Class D. After all, didn't you see how desperate his girlfriend was, borrowing money everywhere to try and keep him? Even Hoshinomiya Chie from Class B stepped in!

This is precisely why Kitagawa Ryo's status with Chabashira Sae remains unquestionable, although this is also closely related to Kitagawa Ryo's acting skills and her rather abnormal mental state.

In fact, ever since Chabashira Sae sided with Kitagawa Ryo, he has hardly needed Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo as spies anymore.

"For this Cultural Festival, Katsuragi and the others are planning a large-scale project: a maid café."

As expected, when Kitagawa Ryo and Chabashira Sae met, the other party immediately and without hesitation told them in detail all of Class 1-D's plans for this Cultural Festival.

"Although a few girls in the class, such as Kamuro and Morishita, disagreed with the project and were unwilling to participate, the class ultimately approved the plan thanks to Kushida's active participation. After all, Kushida could mobilize some girls, and six or eight should be enough to support the maid café."

After recounting in detail the decisions and inside information that had taken place in the class recently, Chabashira Sae suddenly stared intently into Kitagawa Ryo's eyes, as if trying to verify something, and asked him:

"Kitagawa, how well do you understand the rules of this Cultural Festival? Especially regarding us teachers."

Faced with Chabashira Sae's question, or rather, her test, Kitagawa Ryo quickly recalled the relevant content he had seen in the rulesbook of the Cultural Festival not long ago.