Yasuo Hazuki was utterly frustrated at that moment. His heart pounded uncomfortably. The ponytail girl in the embrace of another boy in front of him looked... incredibly familiar. She resembled Sumireko. Although the girl wore simple glasses and her chest seemed ordinary, and she had a rather "country girl" ponytail, Yasuo's intuition screamed at him: That's Sumireko Sanshokuin!
Momo Sakurabara and Runa Kusami beside him were also stunned, their eyes wide. They too thought the person looked like Sumireko. However, the crowded atmosphere inside the train made communication difficult.
As soon as the train doors opened at the destination station, Renji Kamisaka swiftly led Sumireko and Mahiru away, disappearing quickly into the crowd. When Yasuo Hazuki finally managed to emerge from the sea of people, there was no trace of the three of them. However, Yasuo didn't give up. After all, he already knew the other party's school uniform, and it was only on the way. He would find a way to meet Sumireko again.
Shiina Mahiru looked at Sumireko Sanshokuin with a bewildered expression, seeing Sumireko's still pale face. "Sanshokuin-kun, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly, her voice gentle.
Sumireko Sanshokuin smiled bitterly, clinging closer to Renji. "I met someone I didn't want to see."
Shiina Mahiru was stunned for a moment, then held Sumireko's hand, a comforting touch. "Don't be afraid, Renji is here." Mahiru then turned to Renji, then back to Sumireko with her round eyes. "I'll help you too."
"Thank you," Sumireko Sanshokuin felt a warmth in her heart, sensing Mahiru's sincerity. Compared to the desperate actions of Runa Kusami and Momo Sakurabara constantly trying to set her up with Yasuo Hazuki, Shiina Mahiru's concern felt far more genuine. Mahiru genuinely cared for Sumireko, not for any other reason, but purely out of concern.
Renji Kamisaka raised his hand and touched both girls' hair, smiling reassuringly. "It's alright, I'll take care of everything." He looked towards the school entrance, where a large banner was displayed. "I might know why I met people from Toshobu High School on June 27th. Look at the banner above the school."
Clearly written on the banner was, "Heartily welcoming Toshobu High School representatives to our school for a cultural exchange." Sumireko Sanshokuin finally understood why Yasuo Hazuki and the other two had come. Momo Sakurabara was the student council president of Toshobu High School, and Yasuo Hazuki was her secretary. Runa Kusami was their good friend, so naturally, they were gathered to represent Toshobu High School in the cultural exchange. At the same time, Soubu High School's student council president also brought some people to Toshobu High School as exchange students.
Sumireko Sanshokuin was a little upset, sighing. She could meet them even when she was on the train. This world was too small. But... she looked at Renji Kamisaka, feeling Renji's embrace, and suddenly felt relieved. At least Renji was here.
Renji Kamisaka didn't dwell much on Yasuo Hazuki's matter. Ultimately, this guy was a good man, purer than Hayato Hayama. But he was incredibly slow in some aspects, unable to grasp others' roundabout words, and unable to understand others' hints. So, to deal with him, just let the two people around him confess and expose themselves. Sumireko Sanshokuin couldn't say it clearly because of her promise to Momo Sakurabara and Runa Kusami. Renji Kamisaka, however, had no such concerns.
Upon arriving at the classroom, Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mahiru were immediately 'apprehended' by Hiratsuka-sensei and taken to the office. The beautiful teacher in a white suit crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze ablaze with anger. "Little brat, did you forget that you are the class monitor? You actually ran away after class yesterday?" Hiratsuka-sensei's voice sounded like a suppressed growl. "The class activities were still organized by Shiina and Miura!"
"Uh... Didn't you, teacher, let me join the Service Club? I have to participate in club activities," Renji Kamisaka defended himself, shrugging.
"Stop talking nonsense!" Hiratsuka-sensei snapped, her hand slamming the table. "You can't be lazy next time! You have to make Class F stand out! Can you do it?!"
"Then let me ask first, what is our class activity?" Renji asked, looking at Shiina Mahiru.
The girl blushed, looking away shyly. "It's a wedding dress experience event."
"Ah?!" Renji Kamisaka's mouth dropped open, shocked. His eyes shifted to Hiratsuka-sensei. "Is this kind of event alright?"
Hiratsuka-sensei's face turned sour, a bitter smile appearing on her lips, her eyes welling up. "Don't look at me, you little brat! I'm not the one who doesn't want blind dates! Woo woo woo..." She burst into tears, her sobbing filling the office, triggering her sad, unmarried story.
Seeing that, Renji Kamisaka inexplicably heard a narration in his heart, as if an invisible voice spoke. Someone come and marry her soon, otherwise, I will!
After the narration subsided, Hiratsuka-sensei stopped crying, silent for a moment. Shiina Mahiru also looked at her in surprise, her round eyes full of curiosity. Hiratsuka-sensei's face flushed, and finally she grew angry out of embarrassment. "You little brat! Teacher wouldn't choose you even if no one wanted you! What are you thinking?! You have no shame!"
"Ah, what's wrong? What's wrong with me?" Renji pretended not to know, winking innocently.
Shiina Mahiru tugged at Renji's arm, her cheeks red. "You just said what was in your heart, and you said you wanted to marry Hiratsuka-sensei yourself."
Renji Kamisaka quickly laughed, trying to defuse the atmosphere. "I'm joking, Hiratsuka-sensei, don't take it seriously."
"Get out! You little brat!" Hiratsuka-sensei was furious, pointing to the door. She chased them both out of the office, her gaze sharp.
Standing at the door, Renji and Mahiru looked at each other. Then they couldn't help but laugh, small, amused chuckles. Shiina Mahiru covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter. "It's better not to bully Hiratsuka-sensei too much. How should I put it, she's quite sympathetic." She sighed. "Our activity is really too hurtful for her." Hiratsuka-sensei was almost 30 years old, and she hadn't arranged her marriage yet. Yet her own students wanted to report on a wedding dress experience activity. I feel sad just thinking about it.
Renji Kamisaka was a little curious. "So, when I wasn't here yesterday, did you and Yumiko propose this activity? Did those boys agree?"
Shiina Mahiru rolled her eyes, as if to say of course. "Because they can take wedding photos with the girls they like, those boys are like chicken blood!"
Renji Kamisaka's face suddenly darkened, his brows furrowing. "Can we take pictures of everyone?"
Shiina Mahiru suppressed her laughter, a playful smile on her lips. "Fool, of course the girls have to agree, so they can only look at the girls in wedding dresses at most." She shook her head. "It's impossible to take pictures with them. However, couples from other classes might come to experience it, which is also a way to improve their feelings."
Renji Kamisaka's eyes lit up, an idea sparking in his mind. "Then Mahiru can take a picture with me?"
"If I don't take pictures with you, who else can I take pictures with?" Mahiru replied, her tone innocent and straightforward. "However, Yumiko and the others seem to have ideas too."
"That's easy, just take pictures together when the time comes," Renji Kamisaka felt that he would receive many envious glances. Shiina Mahiru didn't mind, appearing completely calm.
After leaving the office, the two returned to the classroom to organize the class activities. It was mainly about the rental fees for wedding dresses, which had to be crowdfunded from the students. The school had already provided some venues and props, but if they wanted to make it beautiful, then it was only natural that the students had to participate and contribute. In short, whether the girls could wear beautiful wedding dresses depended on whether the boys' wallets were strong enough.
Basically, Renji Kamisaka didn't need to say anything. Hayato Hayama, that good person, promptly stood up and paid the money first, showing his ever-helpful and understanding nature.
Because of the event, there would be no classes for the next three days. According to Hiratsuka-sensei, this time the cultural exchange with Toshobu High School aimed for Soubu High School to primarily reflect the diversity of its school clubs, as well as the friendly, united, and positive style of its classes. And the wedding dress experience was also the students' hope for the future.
At this moment, Yasuo Hazuki and the other two had been taken on a Student Council Tour, exploring the school. Yasuo Hazuki immediately asked to visit the library, after all, he would be staying at the school for a week. He wanted to see what Soubu High School's library was like. However, the librarian had requested leave, so he had to give up. Nevertheless, he became even more convinced that the librarian was Sumireko Sanshokuin.
Renji Kamisaka also joined in. He took the money and left the school with Shiina Mahiru, Miura Yumiko, and others. They headed to the wedding dress shop to rent wedding dresses. There were also boys' outfits available for rent.
When they returned to school, it was already noon, the sun directly overhead. Renji Kamisaka sent a message to Sumireko Sanshokuin, asking her to meet him on the rooftop.
When he arrived on the rooftop, someone was already there. Kawasaki Saki. She was assigned to register for the wedding dress experience. Now that she was free, she came to the rooftop for some fresh air and lunch, enjoying the tranquility. But she didn't expect Renji Kamisaka to come too.
She nodded at him, a brief greeting, and was about to leave, keeping her distance. But Renji Kamisaka smiled and said to her, "For the wedding dress experience, remember to take a picture with me."
Kawasaki Saki's delicate body trembled for a moment, and she looked at him with some dissatisfaction, her eyes showing resistance. "What if I refuse?"
"Then I'll give you another hundred million! And I'll give it to you in front of my classmates," Renji countered, an offer that couldn't be refused.
Kawasaki Saki immediately compromised, sighing in resignation. She wasn't afraid that Renji Kamisaka would ignore her. If he ignored her, she would be more than happy. But she was afraid he would give her money. Because the previous 1 million was used up by her. Her mother who worked outside was suddenly hospitalized due to a leg injury, and all the money was used for the surgery. So Kawasaki Saki couldn't produce the money she had saved for him now.
She sighed, blushing, and said, "If you win, I'll take a picture with you in a wedding dress."