In the days that followed, Naoki's life returned to a rare and peaceful lull. Whether it was because Aipuxin had been too badly humiliated last time or for some other reason, she didn't come looking for trouble again.
During this quiet stretch, Naoki used her after-school time to wander between various gambling rings on campus, observing and familiarizing herself with the rules of the most common games. Occasionally, she'd place a small bet or two—usually no more than ten or twenty thousand yen.
Bets this small, however, weren't even registered by the system. They didn't count, nor did they earn her any experience points.
With no one bothering her, Naoki's attention naturally returned to her system-assigned conquest missions.
Among the names on the "must-conquer" list, two were particularly troublesome: both were third-year students—meaning they were set to graduate in less than a year.
Which meant Naoki had less than one year to conquer both of them.
There was no room for delay. Strategy required prioritization.
The others on the list—like the student council president and vice president—were only second-years, and could be dealt with later.
Then there was Hanatemari Kaguro, her classmate and close friend. Conquering her could be done gradually, over time. But these two upperclasswomen held high status and wielded real power. They weren't from her year, and would be far harder to approach. A precise plan was needed.
Target one: the current Student Council's Head of Public Morals, Jure Sachi.
Target two: the Head of Beautification, Miharu Taki Sakura.
Both held ministerial-level positions on the student council and had the right to attend executive meetings. Under normal circumstances, it was nearly impossible for an ordinary student like Naoki to even cross paths with them.
Council officers had official duties. They wouldn't just randomly accept gambling challenges from nobodies. Besides, Naoki didn't yet feel confident enough. If she lost everything, she'd only be laughed at.
So, step one: make contact. Use the system panel to observe their gambling stats, then formulate the next phase of the plan.
Between the two, Miharu Taki Sakura was the more approachable.
Miharu Taki Sakura came from a prestigious, centuries-old family—a true daughter of aristocracy. Talented, composed, impeccably raised, she was the textbook image of an elite heiress.
Her reputation on campus was stellar. She performed her duties with diligence and fairness. She didn't bully ordinary students without reason—but neither would she back down from troublemakers.
Still, one thing made her harder to handle: she was engaged, through a political arrangement made by her family, to someone else.
While it was a marriage of convenience decided by their elders, Miharu Taki Sakura struck Naoki as the type who played by the rules. Barring any surprises, she'd most likely follow her family's plan.
Which meant that before Naoki could conquer her, she'd first need to overcome that particular obstacle.
But that was for later. First, she needed to execute step one.
Naoki already had a strategy in mind.
The school cafeteria was a prime location in the afternoon, bustling with students. People came here to rest, sip tea, or even host impromptu gambling matches.
In short, it was crowded—very crowded.
Perfect for using the Bewitching Card.
Naoki had already tested its effects: this card worked like a potent pheromone. Women who saw her would become overwhelmed with attraction, as if doused in a surge of hormones.
And in a place this crowded, unleashing such an effect would only lead to chaos.
Girls who merely glanced at Naoki as they passed suddenly stopped in their tracks.
"Hey, did you see that girl? She's gorgeous!"
"Huh? Wait—wow, she's seriously cute."
"I don't know what it is, but… she just radiates something. I can't take my eyes off her."
"Same here…"
Soon, bewitched students began approaching her one by one.
"Um, hi—what year and class are you from?"
"Hey, are you grabbing coffee? It's on me!"
"No no, let's go for bubble tea instead—you look like someone who'd prefer something sweet!"
The scene spiraled into utter chaos.
Flirting, invitations, and even shy admirers who dared only to stand and stare all gathered around her in a swelling circle, blocking the passageway.
Naoki started to panic. She'd expected the effect to be strong, but this was terrifying.
If the crowd surged forward, someone could get hurt—she could get hurt.
"N-no thanks. Maybe another time!"
She waved off the invitations and tried to slip away, but the crowd of hormone-addled girls wouldn't let her go so easily. They pressed on with their offers.
"Come on, don't be shy—it's just coffee! Let's be friends!"
"Don't listen to her, she's a player! Goes on a new date every week—I'm in her class, I'd know!"
"What?!"
"It's true! You totally are!"
The argument broke out right in front of her, only making things worse.
Even Hanatemari, who had come to eat with Naoki, was caught off guard by the commotion. She tried to pull Naoki away.
But two delicate girls couldn't possibly escape a ring of frenzied fans.
As Naoki had anticipated, things escalated quickly. The cafeteria became dangerously overcrowded. Some reported a disturbance—possibly even a fight.
Before long, members of the Student Council Beautification Committee, tasked with upholding the school's image and maintaining order, arrived on the scene.
"We're from the Student Council Beautification Committee. What do you think you're doing?"
The moment the crowd spotted the officials wearing student council armbands—and as the card's effects wore off—the girls scattered like startled birds.
"Stop right there!"
The committee members moved swiftly, surrounding the fleeing students with stern expressions.
Even though the crowd outnumbered them, no one dared to resist.
Resisting the student council in public was a serious offense. Points would be deducted, rankings would drop, and required donations would rise sharply.
"We didn't do anything!" one girl protested.
"Nothing?" A Beautification officer furrowed her brow and looked toward the center, where Naoki and Hanatemari still stood, looking bewildered. "Then why are you blocking the passage?"
"We also received a report about a fight about to break out."
"That wasn't a fight! We didn't get physical—"
"Oh? So you planned to?" The officer glanced over the crowd, clearly aware this wasn't going to be easy to handle.
Beautification Committee members had the authority to detain students, but with so many involved, no one officer wanted to make a unilateral call.
After some hurried discussion, they decided to escalate the matter to their Chair.
No one ever got blamed for handing things over to the higher-ups.
Hanatemari, still stunned, whispered, "Are they taking us too?"
"Of course. You were part of the scene."
Naoki gently patted her on the back to reassure her. "It's okay. We didn't do anything wrong. The Chair will clear things up."
As they were escorted away, Hanatemari looked increasingly flustered. It was her first time being detained by the student council.
A whole group of students being marched off by committee members—that was a spectacle, and it drew the eyes of everyone around them.
"Naoki, do you think we'll lose points for this? That means we'd have to pay more dues… or get stuck with campus cleanup. What if they make us scrub toilets?!"
"No way. Don't overthink it."
"Okay…"
System Notification: Your comfort has made Hanatemari feel safe. Affection +1.