Although the bet ended in a draw, the game was still ongoing.
How to obtain the greatest benefit under the premise that the other party would accept it became the new, unspoken competition between Mori Shinra and Yukinoshita Yukino.
However, this kind of matter was not suitable for discussion in front of the other three. After all, whether it was the unequal treaty Yukinoshita was forced to sign because of the cat video, or her providing him with handmade snacks three times a week, these were secrets not suitable for outsiders to know.
After exchanging a glance, they chose to change the subject.
"By the way, didn't Hiratsuka-sensei say she was going to organize a club trip?" Shinra asked.
Yukinoshita clearly had her own sources of information. "After the regular exams, the school is organizing a workplace tour. This has been in the works for a long time. It was supposed to be today, but it seems there was a problem. After a lot of back and forth, the matter ended up on Hiratsuka-sensei's plate again."
"Under these circumstances, she probably doesn't have the time to plan any club trip."
Hikigaya touched his chin and said, "No wonder I haven't seen her today except for during National Language class."
"I feel a little sorry for her."
Yuigahama was a little disappointed. She had been looking forward to the club trip, as it was something she had never experienced before. But she quickly cast this sympathy aside and asked, "By the way, where did you choose to visit, Yukino-chan?"
"I chose a nearby state-owned enterprise," Yukinoshita replied.
"Eh... I see. Then we probably won't run into each other," Yuigahama was a little disappointed. She was going to an electronics and machinery manufacturing company, which was a private enterprise. It was clear she wouldn't see Yukinoshita.
Shinra interjected coolly, "Anyway, as long as the students go on a tour and meet the quota, the school will turn a blind eye even if you mix into another group."
"Really?" Yuigahama's eyes lit up.
Hikigaya poured cold water on her idea. "Even if you can cross-group, what are you going to do about Miura?"
Hearing this, Yuigahama laughed sheepishly. "Oh, right..."
"Besides, you guys have already arranged to come over to our group, right?"
Speaking of this, Hikigaya was depressed. He had originally planned to find an unpopular and close-to-home company with Shinra and just get it over with. But for some reason, that Hayama guy had lost his mind and had proactively asked to join their group.
Due to the vast difference in their ecological niches, Hikigaya had no way to refuse.
Shinra, however, saw through Hayama's thinking. It was nothing more than the fact that each group had a limited number of people. With so many people in the normie group, as the core, no matter who Hayama teamed up with, someone would inevitably be left out, which would affect their group's relationship.
So he simply joined their group. This way, although those who wanted to team up with Hayama would be a little disappointed, it wouldn't cause any rifts between them.
This move was classic central air conditioning.
Thinking of this, Shinra comforted him, "This is good too. With more people, at least we don't have to worry about talking to the company employees ourselves."
Yes, the workplace tour wasn't just a tour; they also had to communicate with the front-line employees. Although it was just a formality, if they could skip this step, why not?
With Hayama around, such tasks would definitely be handled by him and the 'guards' surrounding him. So, he and Hikigaya would just need to show up. It would be like visiting a museum.
"That's true," Hikigaya said after a thought. He felt that Shinra had a point and felt much better.
Making him go and talk to front-line corporate drones would only strengthen his resolve to become a house-husband in the future and would not bring any other results.
"Which company did you choose, Kawasaki-san?" Shinra suddenly asked the invisible girl at the side.
Since she didn't have a shift today, and was curious about the outcome of the bet, Kawasaki Saki had rarely attended today's club activity.
"Me? I just randomly found a group with few people," she replied.
There were many small cliques in the class, but each group could only accommodate so many people, so someone would definitely be left out. She had just picked one at random. Anyway, the other people in her group would probably run off to find people they knew, just like Yuigahama's group.
It would be convenient for her to tour by herself. Even if she just skipped it... okay, that would still be a bit of a problem, since she still needed to get the scholarship.
Shinra thought for a moment and then extended an invitation. "In that case, why don't you join our group too? We have so many people already, one more won't make a difference."
There were advantages to having more people.
Generally, each group would be accompanied by a teacher. If there were few people in Kawasaki Saki's group, it was highly likely she would be assigned to a teacher from another class and have to tour with them. Just thinking about it was uncomfortable.
But on their side, there was no such concern. Because of Hayama's presence, Shinra suspected he could attract half the class over. Therefore, it was highly likely that Hiratsuka would be with them too.
With their relationship with Hiratsuka, they wouldn't have to worry about the teacher's evaluation after the tour at all; they would definitely get an 'excellent'.
After he explained the reasons, Kawasaki Saki hesitated for a moment. Finding no reason to refuse, she had to agree. She felt like she owed him another favor.
Little did she know, this was exactly what he wanted. The more he helped her, and the deeper her gratitude, the more generous the reward for the Wish Request would be.
This move was a triple win.
She won by having her wish fulfilled. He won twice, by gaining her favor and getting a generous reward.
Perfect!
...
Wednesday. The postponed workplace tour was finally held, thanks to Hiratsuka-sensei's tireless efforts.
Shinra could see that she had been exhausted these past two days. Even her punches at Hikigaya had become weak.
This won't do. It'll spoil him! He hasn't been dropping any Wish Points recently!
Shinra, mixed in the middle of the crowd, secretly cheered for Hiratsuka, who was at the back, correcting Hikigaya.
Kawasaki Saki followed him like a little tail, occasionally looking at the machinery on display, but she didn't try any of it out like the other students, even when he offered.
It was clear she had no interest in machinery and was just here for the points.
"What did you do to that girl? She's looked at you no less than ten times since just now," Kawasaki asked in a low voice.
And the 'that girl' she was referring to was Miura Yumiko.