The Invitation

Sitting in the hall, Ibara Shiozaki held a copy of "The Self-Cultivation of Plants." Seeing Jilan emerge from the room, he calmly looked up and asked, "Is it over? The package shouldn't be damaged, right?"

Jilan naturally understood Ibara Shiozaki's meaning, gave a wry smile, and took out three 10,000 yen bills from her wallet. "I'm very satisfied. This is your pay for this month."

Ibara Shiozaki didn't move. A slender Vines extended from her Vines -like hair and swiftly pulled the banknote from Jilan's hand. Although she was expressionless, Jilan could tell from her constantly swaying hair that she was very happy.

For Ibara Shiozaki, money was merely a necessity for buying fertilizer and new potted plants. She could live comfortably in her leaky house all by herself, and she wasn't picky about food. She could survive for half a month without eating, relying solely on photosynthesis. She often wore her school uniform or sportswear and had no desire to buy new clothes. She rarely went out and lived a life of austere poverty, like an ascetic.

Looking at her calm face, Jilan Jiyu suddenly smiled and said, "Shiozaki, would you like to come with me on a boat to 'IIsland'?"

Ibara Shiozaki raised his head, looking somewhat puzzled, and asked, "What's that?"

For Ibara Shiozaki, these plants and school life were her whole world; she didn't care about news from the outside world.

Jilan thought for a moment and explained, "Well, let me put it this way, it has the most scientists in the world; it's a floating city at sea, and it contains..."

"I'm not going." Ibara Shiozaki replied coldly before Jilan could finish speaking, "I need to stay home and take care of these children." The children she was referring to were the flowers and plants she tended to every day.

"This is a publicly funded trip; I'll cover all your expenses along the way."

Jilan received two anonymous tickets. Although she could give the tickets to someone else, it was hard to guarantee that the other person wouldn't follow her around after boarding, making it impossible for her to get away to the press conference.

Whether it's Hagakure, Ashido, Yaoyorozu, or Kaminari, Midoriya, and Yoarashi, Jilan felt they weren't suitable to act with him. If things went as expected, many criminals and enemies of heroes would appear on this ship, and Jilan didn't want to clash with them on board.

After much thought, Ibara Shiozaki is the most suitable person to go out with. She has a calm personality, doesn't run around with boundless energy, and won't ask where I go. All I need to do is give her something to attract her attention, and I don't need to spend any effort taking care of her.

"Not interested," Ibara Shiozaki replied coldly once again.

Ibara Shiozaki wasn't the type to take advantage of others. Taking money from Jilan was just an equal exchange. She only liked doing things that interested her, and she was very straightforward, saying what she didn't like directly.

"Really?" Jilan scratched her head, looking somewhat troubled. "I heard that the 'IIsland' expo this time has many novel plants, as well as ancient Arbor on display."

Upon hearing Jilan's words, Ibara Shiozaki immediately closed his book, stood up as if ready to leave at any moment, and said seriously, "I'll go with you. When do we leave?"

"And what about your children?"

"I'll call Kendo and ask him to help take care of her," Ibara Shiozaki said without hesitation.

Jilan Jiyu sighed, feeling no challenge whatsoever; the fish were too easy to catch. As long as she grasped Ibara Shiozaki's preferences, she could largely control her pace.

"No rush." Jilan pressed Ibara Shiozaki down into a chair and said with a smile, "Since you've agreed to go to 'IIsalnd' with me, you should at least learn some things about the expo. Also, bring a few decent outfits, and preferably a formal suit."

Ibara Shiozaki nodded without hesitation at the first part of Jilan's statement, then asked somewhat hesitantly, "Can't I not have a formal school uniform?"

Jilan wanted to bring Ibara Shiozaki along because she didn't want her identity U.A. High School student to be discovered. Wearing the U.A. High School. uniform, wasn't she afraid that those villains would find out her identity and drag her into the sea to feed the fish one night?

Jilan said with a slight headache, "Alright, the ship sets sail on July 4th. Tomorrow, July 3rd, you can either go shopping by yourself or find a friend to go with you to buy some clothes. I'll pay for it."

Ibara Shiozaki nodded and then shook his head.

Jilan asked, "What's wrong?"

Ibara Shiozaki hesitated for a moment before asking, "Aren't you coming with me to buy clothes?"

Jilan stretched and said, "I have things to do tomorrow. After all, I still need to take care of the invitations."

As the home of "human wisdom", IIsland naturally wouldn't allow unlimited access from everyone in the world during the Expo. For the sake of order and security, only those invited by the island's scientists and their families, or those with invitations, would be allowed to enter.

Invitations are available for sale on the island's official website, but they sell out quickly. What's left are invitations distributed by the island to various companies, well-known firms, organizations, and businesses, making them extremely rare.

Jilan naturally wouldn't spend a high price to buy scalped tickets, so she called Camie Utsushimi instead.

Camie Utsushimi rushed into the ice cream shop like a gust of wind, went up to Jilan and drank the iced orange juice in front of him in one gulp. A relieved smile appeared on her face as she sat down opposite Jilan.

"Jilan, it's rare for you to contact me! I'm so happy!" Camie Utsushimi crossed her arms, smiled, and rested her arms on the table, trying to emphasize her... well, you know. "Actually, even if you hadn't contacted me, I would have contacted you in a couple of days!"

Jilan didn't care that her juice, which she had just taken a couple of sips from, had been snatched away by the tiger. She said to the waiter standing to the side, "Miss waiter, please bring two more glasses of chilled juice."

"And a blueberry sundae!" Camie Utsushimi added with a grin.

Seeing that Jilan did not deny it, the waiter bowed and stepped back.

"Hmph, this waiter is way too young for me, yet he still has the nerve to bow," Camie Utsushimi muttered somewhat discontentedly. "He's far from being able to entice anyone."

"This is service industry etiquette, it has nothing to do with body shape," Jilan Jiyu replied speechlessly.

"Since we're both in the service industry, how about I help you out?" Camie Utsushimi winked mischievously and leaned forward, almost touching Jilan.

"No need," Jilan replied, her eyes half-closed.

"Sir, please enjoy your drink." After the waiter placed the three drinks in front of them on a tray, Camie Utsushimi reluctantly moved back.

"So, Jilan, what brings you here?" Camie Utsushimi asked curiously.

"Just like why you wanted to see me," Jilan said, stirring her straw without looking up, "I want an invitation."

Camie Utsushimi had taken a big bite of sundae, hearing Jilan's words, the cream instantly slid down her throat, causing her to cough, but that didn't diminish her excitement. "Cough cough cough Jilan, do you want to go to the expo with me? Sure!"

Camie Utsushimi excitedly replied, "I've been ready for a long time. Just give the order, and in a few days we'll be flying directly to IIsland in our private jet!"

"Ahem." Jilan looked at the excited Camie Utsushimi and said with a forced smile, "Well, I do want to go there, but I need tickets for two people."