She couldn't let herself get within one meter of him, and she couldn't let her say a single word to him; she had to ignore him… Isn't this the kind of foolish decision parents make when they discover their child is in an early relationship?
Was Sachiko Juraku serious about this?
Leaving aside the fact that he didn't have any definite intimate relationship with Mikura to begin with, even if he did, such a non-mandatory punishment would be impossible to supervise, right?
Even if Mikura was very obedient to Sachiko Juraku, some things were not within her control.
If Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shamelessly pestered her and cornered her against a wall, how was she supposed to ignore him?
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly recalled a plot from a certain book he had read.
In a secluded mountain village, the male protagonist, having been previously exiled, returned to the village. Because he offended the village chief, all the villagers were ordered to ignore him.
The male protagonist originally wanted to get along well with these people, but everyone obeyed the village chief and ignored him. So, the male protagonist's courage was fueled by evil; since they were all going to ignore him, whatever he did would be ignored anyway, so he might as well just go all out…
Just like all similar plots, the male protagonist gained the upper hand through "clapping," and even became the village chief…
Of course, applying such plot to reality was not advisable; Ayanokoji was just thinking casually.
"Senior Juraku, is this how you punish people?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sighed helplessly: "The punishment you've set isn't really punishing me at all."
"Is that not allowed?" Sachiko Juraku tilted her head, smiling: "Mikura is my pet, so of course I can't let her associate with bad kids."
She couldn't punish Ayanokoji, this wild animal, but couldn't she keep her own pet at home?
She paused, then added, "Of course, if you don't want me to carry out this punishment, I do have a good idea."
"May I ask what brilliant idea Senior has?"
"My pet cannot associate with outsiders, but what if you become my pet?"
Sachiko Juraku extended her hand towards Ayanokoji, a smile playing on her lips: "As long as you become my pet, you'll be considered part of my family. No matter how much you and Mikura stick together, I can pretend not to see it."
…Did she think he was some wild Pokémon that could be easily captured?
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought she had some brilliant idea, but it turned out her ultimate goal was still to make him her dog? Do all dominant-type girls have this kind of desire for control?
Ayanokoji sighed: "Senior Juraku, I reiterate, I truly have no interest in becoming someone else's dog, nor am I an M.
If you need help with anything, I'd be happy to assist, but being a pet is out of the question. Wearing a tacky collar all day doesn't align with my aesthetic."
"I'm not an M either…" Mikura quietly defended herself from behind Ayanokoji, "I just obeyed Lady Juraku's orders. Also, my collar is real leather, very comfortable to wear, and very stylish, not tacky at all!"
"Since you don't want to, then forget it." Sachiko Juraku didn't seem to expect Ayanokoji to accept; there was no surprise on her face.
"However, I need to tell you something: you haven't committed no mistakes.
If I hadn't seen the report and discovered you didn't attend the opening ceremony, and kindly suppressed that report for you, now your and Saotome's self-criticism would be publicly posted on the bulletin board."
Ayanokoji was choked.
He wasn't afraid of public self-criticism and cleaning duties. It was just that when his name was placed alongside Saotome's, it was indeed very easy for people to misunderstand.
In this matter, he really should thank Sachiko Juraku.
"Then I really appreciate it, Senior." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka coughed lightly, feeling awkward.
"If you want to thank me, a mere light remark isn't enough; you need to show some sincerity. How about… you perform the Quick Knife Finger Stab for me? You said you know how to play this game, I really want to see it."
Sachiko Juraku changed her request again.
"…"
Leaving aside the fact that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka no longer had the buff potion he once did, even if he did, he didn't want to cut his fingers again.
Moreover, when he competed against Ikishima Midari, he used an unsharpened dagger. She certainly wouldn't have such a tool here. If Ayanokoji had to do it for real again, he couldn't handle it.
After Ayanokoji refused again, Sachiko Juraku clicked her tongue in annoyance: "Not even that? You really are troublesome…"
He felt that if he didn't say something that could interest her, she would make an even more outrageous request.
"Oh, by the way, Senior, I have something to tell you." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had a flash of inspiration and raised his left hand: "I know there's an organization in the school that resists the Student Council!"
"Resistance organization?" Sachiko Juraku's brows twitched slightly: "Are you talking about the Zenshoukai?"
As expected, Sachiko Juraku knew much more about the Zenshoukai than Ayanokoji.
Ayanokoji was well aware of this, but still pretended to be completely ignorant and continued: "Yes, I also found out by chance. Within the Student Council, there is a leader of the Zenshoukai…"
"You mean Aoi, right? I've known about him for a long time."
"Does the President know about the resistance organization?" Ayanokoji asked: "She would actually allow a resistance organization to appear right under her nose…"
"She certainly doesn't know." Sachiko Juraku smiled and interrupted Ayanokoji: "Such an interesting thing, if it were revealed, it wouldn't be interesting anymore. I really want to see how the President will handle Mibuomi Aoi's rebellion."
This Student Council is just like a distillery, full of moles… Ayanokoji sighed inwardly, feeling a bit sorry for the Student Council President.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka hadn't seen her in person yet. This morning's opening ceremony was actually an opportunity, but Ayanokoji missed it.
This was the only thing he regretted about missing the opening ceremony.
"Since you already know about the Zenshoukai's intelligence, do you have any thoughts on this organization?" Sachiko Juraku's interest was piqued, and she asked Ayanokoji with great curiosity.
"No thoughts at all. As long as he doesn't provoke me, it's fine." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head and asked, "What about Senior Juraku? Whose side are you on?"
Mibusakaomi Aoi's resistance organization, Zenshoukai, and Momobami Kirari's Student Council. Who does Sachiko Juraku truly support?
"I'm not on either side. I'm already in my third year of high school, and I'll graduate in a few months. It doesn't matter who becomes the new Student Council President..."
Ayanokoji was not surprised by her viewpoint. After all, she was currently acting like a "fun-seeker," merely looking for things that could bring her enjoyment, without a clear stance.
But what surprised Ayanokoji was her next statement.
"I originally thought that only Mibusakaomi Aoi and Momobami Kirari could bring me some fun in this school. I didn't expect to meet you at this time... Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, I'm really looking forward to it. Bring me enough fun."
Not only did she want to find fun from Zenshoukai and the Student Council President, but she also wanted to find fun from him?
"...I'll try my best. After all, I don't have the talent of a comedian." Ayanokoji shrugged.
"Comedian? Do you mean... both Aoi and Kirari are comedians? You really dare to say that!" Sachiko Juraku burst into laughter, holding her stomach.
"Hey, Senior, don't jump to conclusions. I didn't say the President is a comedian." Ayanokoji quickly explained.
The implication was, Mibusakaomi Aoi was a comedian in his eyes? Sachiko Juraku took a deep look at Ayanokoji.
This guy is really interesting.
"Forget it, I won't ask anything more of you. You can leave." Sachiko Juraku put away her smile and casually waved her hand at Ayanokoji, indicating that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could leave.
She then added, "Oh, right, the punishment I just mentioned for Mikura is void. If you need anything from the Student Council, go find her. She'll report to me."
It seemed she also thought the punishment was meaningless.
"Then thank you, Senior."
Ayanokoji could finally leave. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Before leaving, he didn't forget to tease Mikura: "Mikura, you heard it, right? Senior doesn't mind us dating. Don't hide from me when I come looking for you."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had also stayed in the Student Council office for quite some time. When he left, the sun had already set, and the unlit room was gradually darkening.
Mikura was considering whether to turn on the lights in the room when suddenly, she heard Sachiko Juraku's laughter in the darkness.
"Mikura, do you remember how you confidently said you would make him confess his crimes before he came? Now he's gone, and you didn't get anything out of him."
When Mikura learned that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and the others hadn't attended the opening ceremony that morning, she couldn't sit still and wanted to know what good deeds they had done last night.
She originally wanted to take this opportunity to interrogate Ayanokoji thoroughly, but she was provoked by him and completely forgot what she initially wanted to ask.
Under Ayanokoji's banter, Mikura's interrogation had been successfully evaded.
This guy is truly detestable!
Mikura gritted her teeth in anger. Although she had only known him for a few days, she felt as if she had known him for a long time, developing a complex and indescribable feeling for him.
Every time she felt some affection for him, he would successfully provoke her. Even though this guy could please her, he insisted on making her angry. She really didn't know if this guy truly liked her or if he just wanted to tease her and play with her on purpose!
Sachiko Juraku watched Mikura's expression constantly change in the darkness, her own expression one of pleasure.
She had originally felt that Mikura had become boring after being with her for so long, but she didn't expect that after meeting Ayanokoji, she became lively again.
This is... amazing! She wanted to see more expressions from Mikura!
"Mikura, have you fallen for him?" Sachiko Juraku suddenly asked.
"I haven't!" Mikura's face flushed, and she desperately explained, "Everything about me belongs to Lady Juraku, and I have absolutely no other intentions!"
Sachiko Juraku stood up and walked to Mikura's side, gently stroking her head: "Mikura, I've told you, as long as it's of your own will, no matter what you want to do, I won't mind. If you truly like him, I'd be happy to make it happen for you."
"Absolutely not, I am Lady Juraku's dog, and I will never serve another master!"
Mikura stubbornly denied it, desperately explaining and expressing her loyalty. Sachiko Juraku had heard such words enough times. She waved her hand dismissively, telling Mikura to leave first, and remained alone in the Student Council.
"I didn't expect Mikura to change so much... Before, her eyes only had me. Speaking of which, I'm actually a little jealous. She's been with me for so long, yet her heart was so easily swayed by a bad boy."
Sachiko Juraku sat on the throne, muttering to herself. Her vision was in complete darkness, but her eyes, like a snake's, gleamed brightly.
"Is love really that interesting? Should I try it too...?"
...
The next morning, when Saotome Meari arrived at the Teaching Building, she saw a group of people gathered around the bulletin board on the first floor, discussing animatedly.
Is there any interesting news?
Saotome Meari, very interested, squeezed into the crowd. She saw a poster, as if not wanting her handwriting to be recognized, the notice was pieced together from letters cut out of different newspapers.
This uniquely styled notice was very eye-catching, and even more so was its content,
"This Sunday, the first Hyakkaou Private Academy Landlord Competition will be held at the casino in the Second Library? The winner will receive two million Japanese Yen..."
Saotome Meari read out the content, completely bewildered.
Landlord Competition? And the venue is the casino she operates?
And... the winner will receive two million Japanese Yen? What's going on? Why didn't anyone discuss this with her!?
Around Meari, a group of people were also discussing the notice.
"Landlord... have you heard of this game?"
"Not sure, it seems to be a newly innovated game. Aren't the rules right next to it?"
"Two commoners against one Landlord, a two-on-one match, it sounds a bit interesting."
"The competition is this Sunday, such a tight schedule, we definitely need to practice well..."
Meari was looking at the notice when a hand patted her shoulder, pulling her out of the crowd.
It was Togakushi Yukimi.
"Togakushi, you've come at a good time. You saw this news, right? Did you write this notice?" Meari quickly asked.
Togakushi Yukimi shook her head: "It wasn't me. Like you, I just saw this notice. I thought Ayanokoji had discussed it with you..."
Even Togakushi Yukimi doesn't know? What in the world is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka doing, spending two million yen on this competition!
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