The two chatted and laughed in front of the bar, while Meari watched from the side, her anger flaring up. However, due to her own guilt, she couldn't step forward to stop them.
Miharu Taki Sakura finally finished her coffee. She stood up and said, "Ayanokoji, let's go gamble."
"Yes, I've been waiting." Ayanokouji Kiyohira also walked out from behind the bar and said to Meari, "Meari, I'll leave this place to you all. I'm going out for a bit."
"...Okay, then, I'll take care of this place."
Although displeased, Meari reluctantly nodded, saying worriedly, "Ayanokoji, you must win. Don't intentionally lose just because you have a good relationship with her…"
"Don't worry, I will definitely win, and I'll win big." Ayanokoji smiled and promised her, then walked out of the Cooking Room side by side with Miharu Taki Sakura.
"Ayanokoji, what do you want to gamble on with me?" Walking down the corridor, Miharu Taki Sakura asked, "Mahjong, poker, or dice? My office has all of these gambling tools."
"Hmm, let me think…" Ayanokoji deliberately put on a thoughtful pose, then shook his head and said straightforwardly, "I haven't decided yet."
Before Miharu Taki Sakura could answer, Ayanokouji Kiyohira suddenly suggested, "Oh, by the way, since the opportunity is rare and the Ryōran Festival has just begun, why don't we stroll around the Ryōran Festival? Maybe we'll find a suitable game for gambling?"
"Looking for inspiration at the Ryōran Festival? That's a good idea." Miharu Taki Sakura nodded.
If other schools' school festivals celebrated "youth, friendship, and victory," then the theme of the Ryōran Festival was the unchanging "gambling." The themes of all activity clubs and classrooms were more or less related to gambling.
Finding inspiration while strolling through the festival was also a good idea.
During this week of the Ryōran Festival, all students did not have to attend classes and could fully enjoy the festival… although usually no one attended classes anyway.
Many students were already touring and visiting the activity building. They were very surprised to see Ayanokouji Kiyohira and Miharu Taki Sakura walking side by side.
Everyone knew Miharu Taki Sakura's name, but who was the man beside her? It wasn't Mibuomi Aoi.
Miharu Taki Sakura noticed the gazes of the people around her and felt a little uncomfortable.
The Zenshoukai had many eyes and ears; in just this short time, she had already seen several Zenshoukai members.
She also felt some worry in her heart. If the matter of her walking with Ayanokoji was exaggerated and spread to Mibuomi Aoi's ears by busybodies, it might cause him to misunderstand.
Although she was innocent and not afraid to explain to Mibuomi Aoi, it was always best to avoid trouble if possible.
"Ayanokoji, if you can't think of a game for now, why don't we explore the festival separately? You can call me when you find a suitable game, is that okay?" Miharu Taki Sakura stopped and said to Ayanokoji.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira understood instantly: "...Are you afraid of people misunderstanding, Senpai?"
A hint of "pain" flashed in his eyes, and he "forced a smile," saying, "That's right, Senpai has a fiancé. Of course, people will misunderstand if I walk with Senpai. If this matter reaches Mibuomi Aoi's ears, it will be troublesome. He will surely misunderstand that Senpai and I are involved, and then get angry and have a big fight with you…"
Ayanokouji Kiyohira's words were very skillful. He not only silenced Miharu Taki Sakura but also subtly disparaged Mibuomi Aoi, calling him selfish and petty, and implying that he didn't trust Miharu Taki Sakura.
Originally, Miharu Taki Sakura truly wanted to separate from Ayanokoji, but seeing Ayanokoji forcing a smile despite his inner sadness, she was influenced by his appearance and impulsively said directly, "Let those who misunderstand misunderstand. Isn't it normal for us to walk together? Let's just explore the Ryōran Festival together!"
Although it was Ayanokoji who enticed Miharu Taki Sakura to say this, he put on a worried expression: "Wouldn't that be bad? What if Mibuomi Aoi misunderstands? Wouldn't that be very disadvantageous for you, Senpai…"
"If he misunderstands, let me explain to him!" Miharu Taki Sakura said decisively.
It seems my position in her heart can already be compared with Mibuomi Aoi on a scale... My cuckold plan is progressing quite well.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira secretly rejoiced in his heart, but he couldn't really let Miharu Taki Sakura do that.
If she were to have her engagement torn up by Mibuomi Aoi's letter of annulment soon, once she came to her senses, she might blame him, and her goodwill towards him would plummet instantly, which would be unacceptable.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira smiled and shook his head: "I'm very grateful for your kindness, Senior, but I don't want you to bear this responsibility. I do have a good method..."
"Senior, you could give me a Beautification Committee armband, and I could just pretend to be one of the committee members, couldn't I?"
Miharu Taki Sakura's eyes lit up. Oh, that was a good idea.
If Ayanokoji looked like he was part of the Beautification Committee, naturally no one would give them strange looks anymore.
No sooner said than done, Miharu Taki Sakura immediately took Ayanokoji back to the Beautification Committee office, pulled out a brand new armband from a drawer, and helped Ayanokouji Kiyohira put it on his shoulder.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira straightened his back and made a salute gesture: "Miharu Taki-sama, temporary Beautification Committee Ayanokouji Kiyohira accepts your command!"
"Alright, stop playing. I'm not used to you acting like this with me," Miharu Taki Sakura chuckled, putting his hand down.
With the Beautification Committee armband as a disguise, Miharu Taki Sakura no longer needed to care about the gazes of those around them.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira was now also a member of the Beautification Committee. Was there anything wrong with her standing with Ayanokoji?
Similar to the school festivals Ayanokouji Kiyohira had experienced before, in addition to the students' preparations inside the School Building, there were also stalls set up throughout the campus, and the festive atmosphere was everywhere.
There were common festival games like balloon darts, goldfishing, and ring toss; carts selling various snacks like candied apples, takoyaki, and small meatballs; and souvenir stalls selling souvenirs and masks... Guests lingered in front of the various stalls.
These were all prepared by the students themselves. Aside from gambling, this Ryōran Festival was also a business opportunity for many people.
Even a simple candied apple, sold at five times the market price, would be bought without hesitation.
Anyone who was even slightly prepared could make a fortune at the Ryōran Festival.
Many people at the Ryōran Festival had the idea of making a profit and set up stalls outside.
In addition to the stalls mentioned above, there were even students performing tricks and magic, and a few people setting up chess and Go endgame puzzles.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira felt a sudden sense of nostalgia, having never expected to witness these street performances that had gradually disappeared after the popularization of the internet, right here in school.
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