Shin was unaware of the meeting between Yotsuya Miko and Utaha Kasumigaoka at the entrance of the Paranormal Research Club.
At the moment, Shin was standing at the school gate, drawing quite a crowd of onlookers—or rather, they weren't just looking at Shin, but also at the two girls from Shuchi'in Academy standing in front of him.
As expected, Hayasaka had brought Chika Fujiwara to the gates of Private Toyosaki High School. However, Chika Fujiwara didn't seem to realize what Shuchi'in Academy meant to students from ordinary schools.
She stood at the school gate, sizing Shin up and down, occasionally nodding as if she were silently grading him in her mind.
"While I don't mind you looking at me like that… maybe we should move this conversation somewhere else. Everyone around us is staring," Shin sighed helplessly. He knew Chika Fujiwara's personality—charitably, it could be called "unconventional," but less charitably, it was "completely oblivious to the atmosphere."
But being scrutinized so openly in public was a bit too attention-grabbing.
The last time Hayasaka had come to see him alone, it had sparked days of gossip at school.
Now, with Hayasaka and Chika Fujiwara showing up together, Shin could almost imagine the new wave of rumors that would spread tomorrow.
He wouldn't be surprised if something like "Shin is dating two girls from Shuchi'in Academy at the same time" started making the rounds.
He just hoped he wouldn't be called in for a talk with Hiratsuka-sensei—after all, she was a caring teacher who might worry that his grades would suffer because of this.
While Japanese high school students dating wasn't something teachers usually interfered with, if it seemed like it might affect academic performance, they would definitely step in.
"You're right…" Chika Fujiwara blinked, seemingly only now noticing the crowd of students around them. It was only then that she realized the issue.
Perhaps because Shin seemed satisfactory to her, Chika Fujiwara's attitude remained quite friendly.
"Then let me arrange a place where we definitely won't be disturbed," Hayasaka, who had been standing silently nearby, finally spoke up.
She had been quiet until now, but her demeanor was very much that of a proper maid.
However, Shin knew better—Hayasaka wasn't some mild-mannered maid. Beneath her calm expression lay a rather mischievous personality.
Shin could almost guess where Hayasaka's "absolutely undisturbed place" would be.
...
"Wait! Why are we discussing things in a place like this!?"
Standing in the pink-themed lobby of a love hotel, Chika Fujiwara's eyes widened in disbelief.
When they had driven up to the hotel earlier, Chika Fujiwara had thought they might have taken a wrong turn. But to her shock, Shin and Hayasaka had actually led her inside.
And seeing how smoothly Hayasaka went to the front desk to get a room key only added to her astonishment.
Why was Hayasaka so familiar with this place!? Had she been here before!?
"Because this is part of the Shinomiya family's business," Hayasaka replied matter-of-factly to Chika Fujiwara's incredulous look, offering a reason that was both unbelievable and impossible to refute.
"Also, the soundproofing here is excellent. No one will eavesdrop."
"The Shinomiya family invests in this kind of business!?"
Chika Fujiwara was stunned—as a student, she wasn't very familiar with the specifics of the Shinomiya family's investments.
But no matter how you looked at it, the Shinomiya family didn't seem like the type of conglomerate to invest in this kind of industry. Wasn't this the kind of thing usually associated with yakuza-related organizations?
For example, Momo Ryūju, a student at Shuchi'in Academy, was the daughter of the leader of the "Ryūju Group," a large-scale violent gang. If this were her family's business, Chika Fujiwara would have found it more believable.
Of course, Chika Fujiwara had no idea why the Shinomiya family had suddenly ventured into this kind of business.
On one hand, it was because of the "deep exchange" between Shin and Hayasaka at this hotel last time, which made the Shinomiya family feel it necessary to do something for Shin to facilitate his future actions.
On the other hand, it was also because the Shinomiya family had recently formed connections with the Kiryū Group, so they were quietly investing in some yakuza-related industries to pave the way for the Kiryū Group.
But seeing that Hayasaka had already gotten the room key and Shin was just as familiar with the place as she was, heading toward the elevator, Chika Fujiwara found herself following along in a daze.
After all, when two out of three people showed no hesitation, the third would naturally follow due to the herd mentality.
This dazed state only ended when they entered a room that was clearly designed with a romantic atmosphere, and Hayasaka locked the door behind them.
"Wait! Why are you locking the door!?"
Seeing Hayasaka lock the door, Chika Fujiwara couldn't help but ask.
She felt that something was off. Wasn't this trip supposed to be about her evaluating Shin?
Back at the gates of Private Toyosaki High School, things had been fine—she had felt in control (or so she thought).
But ever since leaving the school gate, the initiative seemed to have shifted to Hayasaka, and Chika Fujiwara had been forced to follow her lead.
"To prevent any uninvited guests from barging in without knocking. There have been quite a few news reports about such incidents recently," Hayasaka explained seriously, even citing recent news stories to back up her point, further confusing Chika Fujiwara's already muddled mind.
"Is… is that so?"
Perhaps the romantic atmosphere of the room was affecting her emotions, but Chika Fujiwara felt her brain slowing down.
Faced with Hayasaka's explanation, she could only try to steer the conversation back to its original purpose:
"Never mind that! The reason we called Shin here today is to confirm what kind of person he is and whether he's worthy of Kaguya!"
Having blurted out her purpose, Chika Fujiwara felt like she had regained control of the situation.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Hayasaka nodded seriously and walked over to Shin, her hand reaching for his clothes:
"You're absolutely right. To ensure that Shin is worthy of Lady Kaguya, we must thoroughly inspect every aspect of him."
"Every aspect… Wait! That aspect doesn't need to be checked, right!?"
At first, Chika Fujiwara didn't catch the implication in Hayasaka's words, but as Hayasaka's hand made contact with Shin's clothes, she quickly realized what was happening.
Being a pure-hearted girl, she immediately let out a scream.
But as Hayasaka had mentioned earlier, the room's soundproofing was excellent, so no one outside could hear what was happening inside.
To be continued…
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