Loving Pet Dogs

The principal's office.

Akimoto Yoichi had thought they were merely going to an office, but he had ended up following Tashiro all the way to the principal's office.

It was his first time here. He glanced around but did not see the bald principal. Instead, the Dean and the others were present.

"Um, Akimoto-kun, I need to eat too, you know. I'm barely getting by on this meager salary. You understand, right?"

After gesturing for Akimoto Yoichi to sit on the sofa, Tashiro kept stacking buffs on himself.

Listening to that, Akimoto Yoichi more or less understood what was going on.

The principal probably had something to tell him. Still, he found it strange. He had not done anything.

"I understand. Just tell me what this is about, Tashiro."

At that moment, the Dean, who had been standing to one side, spoke up.

"Akimoto-kun, you know that you did not enter Izuki Academy through the standard entrance examination. Your circumstances are highly unusual."

"Under normal circumstances, you would not have been able to enter our academy."

"The principal originally recommended you, but there have been some changes at the academy..."

That tone makes it sound like they're going to throw me out.

"Are you forcing me to drop out?" Akimoto Yoichi asked bluntly.

Upon hearing that, Tashiro took several steps back and stopped talking.

The Dean and the PE teachers, meanwhile, looked at Akimoto Yoichi and smiled faintly.

"Nothing that serious. It's just that, Akimoto-kun, you have not paid your tuition yet. The total is 1,573,621 yen. Please pay it."

...Damn.

More than 1.5 million yen? For one year of tuition?

Was private high school tuition really that expensive? Akimoto Yoichi froze.

This was something he had never understood at all. After all, money had never carried much significance or presence in an eroge.

But now that he had transmigrated into this eroge, the eroge had become reality.

Money, which had been a completely vague concept in a two-dimensional world, was now indispensable. That was something Akimoto Yoichi had overlooked.

"Although the former principal waived your tuition."

"The principal was just transferred away by the board of directors, and the new principal reviewed the records again and found that you did not qualify for a tuition waiver."

"Your enrollment has been approved, but the tuition cannot be waived."

Tuition? More than a million yen?

Come to think of it, private high schools did cost about that much. It was not some arbitrary fee.

But where was Akimoto Yoichi supposed to get that kind of money?

"...Wait a moment. I'll ask my father." Akimoto Yoichi took out his phone and called the old man.

But the moment the call connected, he heard the clattering, rolling sounds of pachinko balls from the other end.

There was no need to think about what the old man was doing.

"Old man, send me money. I need 1.6 million for tuition."

"..."

"There's a new principal now. The previous one ran off."

"..."

"No, I'm not inheriting the family business with you. I'm going to college."

"..."

"Then there's nothing to discuss. Goodbye."

After hanging up, Akimoto Yoichi looked up at the Dean and the PE teachers before him and spread his hands with a bitter smile.

"As you can see, I have no way to pay the tuition. I only want to study seriously at this high school. If possible, could you let me pay in installments? I'll get a part-time job."

Though taking a part-time job would definitely affect his studies, Akimoto Yoichi's academic level was probably around middle school.

He needed a great deal of time for tutoring and remedial study.

But to avoid being expelled, he had no choice but to work. He could not let this keep him from attending high school.

"Oh, excellent. I'm relieved to hear you say that, Akimoto-kun." The Dean seemed quite satisfied with Akimoto Yoichi's answer.

"I have a way for you to repay not only one year's tuition, but even all three years' tuition with ease. Are you interested?"

Very suspicious. That wording sounded strange.

But Akimoto Yoichi had no other options right now, so he could only say, "I'm interested. What do I have to do?"

"Akimoto-kun, you are not interested in becoming a committee member, right? Then would you be interested in joining the Student Council?"

Tashiro's words left Akimoto Yoichi utterly confused.

What did this have to do with the Student Council?

"I don't want those things to interfere with my studies. But if joining the Student Council can waive my tuition, then I'm willing to join."

"Excellent. Then it's settled." The Dean and the surrounding PE teachers immediately began applauding.

As soon as he finished speaking, the office door was pushed open.

The person who entered was none other than Nishida Yuki.

Behind Nishida Yuki stood the Dean and teachers he had seen at the opening ceremony. A group of adults was now bustling around Nishida Yuki alone.

"Very well. Then from now on, Akimoto-kun, you are my Vice President of the Student Council. Please take care of me."

The instant Nishida Yuki appeared, Akimoto Yoichi immediately understood what had happened.

According to the original plot, there would have been no development involving the principal being replaced, nor would Blondie have had to pay tuition.

But because he had transmigrated into Blondie and done things Blondie never would have done, the script had changed.

"Nishida Yuki, does Izuki Academy belong partly to your family too?"

Akimoto Yoichi had thought he and Nishida Yuki would have nothing to do with each other. As long as she did not dislike him, he had no intention of approaching her.

That was fine too. They could each go their separate ways.

Yet Akimoto Yoichi had still underestimated Nishida Yuki.

"Yes, Akimoto-kun. Fortunately, this means I can learn more about you."

Surrounded by the adults, Nishida Yuki sat in the principal's chair. Now he understood why the Dean and the other teachers had not sat there.

She crossed her long legs clad in black stockings and watched Akimoto Yoichi standing before her, the smile on her face gaining a touch more pleasure.

Her confidence had returned. At this moment, she was undoubtedly in the superior position, in control of the situation and other people's lives.

"I never expected you to work so hard just to attend high school, Akimoto-kun. I am willing to assist you, and I hope you will assist me as well."

"As long as you assist me properly from now on as my Vice President, your high school tuition will be waived."

"Your father does not have a proper job, and your household expenses are considerable too, aren't they? As long as you become my Vice President, I will also provide support for your studies."

What was lost had to be recovered from the very same place.

That was the Nishida Family's motto.

That was exactly what Nishida Yuki was doing now. It was the first time someone had touched her cheek, and Akimoto Yoichi had been so rough about it.

She felt as though Akimoto Yoichi's scent had stained her body.

The Nishida Family did not allow itself to be treated that way. She had to reclaim her status and standing from Akimoto Yoichi.

Even someone like Akimoto Yoichi, a Blondie, was someone Nishida Yuki was confident she could tame.

This was a game. To Nishida Yuki, it was simply a game.

"...I accept."

Hearing Akimoto Yoichi's answer, Nishida Yuki smiled in satisfaction.