I, the mastermind behind the scenes at Soubu High, refuse to be caught in a bloodbath.

"This is backstage. There's been a slight delay in staff preparation, but they should be able to keep up with the performance."

"Understood. Please take your positions before further instructions are given."

Standing behind the scenes, Himekoji issued the instructions.

"It's your turn, student council president."

Yukinoshita walked over to Himekoji and patted him on the arm.

It's definitely time for Himekoji to make her appearance.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Himekoji temporarily removed her headset, slowed her pace, and walked to the center of the stage with the main microphone in her hand.

"Countdown, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6..."

Hikigaya stared intently at the clock, reporting the time to everyone. Although Himekoji wasn't wearing a headset and couldn't hear him, the lights would suddenly turn on when the countdown ended, which was the best signal.

"Snapped--!"

All the main spotlights turned on in an instant, illuminating the entire stage.

"Everyone, I'm sure you've all been looking forward to this day for a long time!" Himeko stepped forward, looking around as she spoke, "You're probably thinking right now about how much annoying, sleep-inducing long-winded speech that damned student council president and executive chairman will deliver for this important moment, and some of you might even be ready to scroll through your phones, but—"

"My consistent principle is that speeches should be like a young girl's skirt—the shorter the better. So, I'm only informing you of three things: the cultural festival was originally supposed to last two days, but I've secured a third day; the ban on cooking during the festival has also been lifted; now, let's begin! This cultural festival belongs to you, and to the entire Soubu High School! And—the first Soubu High School beauty pageant is now open for online voting!"

Ji Xiaolu pointed to the sky with a smile and proclaimed, and after a moment of stunned silence, the students below cheered and laughed. The dance troupe, now ready, immediately took the stage, and colorful lights began to sweep across the stage. Ji Xiaolu then bowed to the audience and returned backstage.

As soon as he returned, he met Yukino's gaze, which seemed to want to tear a piece of his flesh out. He heard her whisper, "What do you mean by saying that a speech should be like a girl's skirt? Only a delinquent would utter such vulgar lines."

"Oh? Isn't that how it is?" Himekoji brazenly swept her gaze toward the hem of Xue's skirt. She hissed and immediately took a step back, warily covering her skirt as she looked at him and said, "Don't, don't come any closer."

"This time you're covering your skirt instead of your chest?" Himeko shrugged helplessly and spread her hands. "I don't think I've ever done anything out of line with you."

"Didn't you suddenly hug me at my house last time..."

So Yukinoshita ended up covering her chest with one hand and her skirt with the other, looking quite comical, but her blushing from nervousness was also incredibly cute.

“Speaking of which, Yukinoshita,” Himekoji reached out towards her cheek, getting closer and closer. Yukinoshita backed away, finally leaning against the wall. Just as she closed her eyes as if resigned to her fate, Himekoji pinched the miniature microphone pressed against her lips and said, “Everyone could hear what you just said very clearly…”

Suddenly, Yukinoshita opened her eyes, slapped Himekoji's arm away, and turned away with a "humph!" She knew she had spoken out of turn, but there was nothing she could do, so she could only sit on the chair and sulk.

After Ji Xiaolu put on the headset, there was silence in the headset for a full four minutes, which made him wonder if he hadn't turned it on.

However, it looks like my reputation is going to suffer again.

It's true that Himekoji picked up Yukinoshita at her house last time, but that was because she fell and her shoes flew off. Normally, Himekoji wouldn't do such a thing, but to the working group wearing headsets, it didn't sound like that at all. After all, they were just bystanders who didn't know the truth. In addition, the Japanese word "抱く" (bàoku) has the meaning of "sex," and Yukinoshita's embarrassed and annoyed words just now made everyone's imagination run wild.

Hachiman looked up for a few moments, scratched his head with a complicated expression, and had nothing to say.

Soubu High School's cultural festival lasts for three days. According to past practice, the first day is a closed event on campus, but Himekoji felt that it wasn't lively enough, so she decided to open it to the outside world from the first day. Of course, deciding to open it to the outside world meant taking on some security pressure, but that was actually a minor issue.

Kasumigaoka was frantically campaigning for votes at school, surrounded by her personal guard. Now, her guard included not only boys but also a bunch of girls. It seemed that Himekoji wouldn't be able to see her for a while. Meanwhile, a woman wearing a white coat, sunglasses, and a mask was also handing out a large stack of ballots to passersby, implying that they should vote for the top candidate.

Ju Ye openly led a group of girls in a tea party. They set up a parasol and a small round table in the designated area outside the venue. They cooked tea and snacks here, and occasionally gestured to passing guests that they wanted to choose them.

In short, the first beauty pageant was a battle of wits and talents. A huge poster with the words "Sayka's support!!" was already plastered on the door of Class F in the second year. Totsuka Sayka was very depressed, but he was powerless to change the fact. Even when he asked Hachiman for help, Hachiman just smiled and even prepared to help him campaign for votes.

There couldn't be many programs at the opening ceremony, because most people would also have to go to each class to experience their unique features and grab some food from the various stalls. Thanks to Himekoji, all the classes in the school were allowed to cook, so all sorts of fun things were made, though of course, some failed.

Kazusa wasn't interested in working with Himekoji; she was currently frantically playing the piano in the music room. Setsuna's class was running a Taisho-style tea ceremony experience center, and it was quite popular with customers. Incidentally, Setsuna and Mizusawa Iori were both in Class 3-A.

Chapter 206 What the hell?! [Who on earth] is touching my butt?

After successfully completing the opening ceremony, the students gradually dispersed from the venue, and the on-site team inside the venue also had some free time. After announcing that most of them could rest, Himekoji checked her watch, stood in front of the main teaching building, and waited for Yukinoshita for two minutes.

Yukinoshita arrived on time, gently brushed a strand of hair aside, and frowned, saying, "Are we going to inspect the situation of each class now?"

“That’s right, the reporting forms for each class are here.”

Himeko waved the form in her hand and gave one to Yukinoshita as well. Yukinoshita glanced at it casually, then folded it up and stuffed it into the pocket inside her coat near her chest.

Although Himekoji stripped Sagami Minami of her title as executive committee chairperson, Yukinoshita still retained her title as vice-chairperson. The inspection work was carried out by the chairperson and vice-chairperson together, so she naturally had to accompany Himekoji on the work. Even if she didn't want to, she had to come. After all, if she returned to her class, there would be something even more unpleasant for her.

After all, Class J of the second year is a "female housekeeper's tea shop", and the only thing that makes her feel fortunate is that the shop is only open to women.

The two walked side by side, knocking on doors and entering each classroom to patrol. Fortunately, most of the classrooms did not do anything out of line, until the two arrived at the door of Class 3B.

Class 3B decorated the walls into caves and hung up a sign that read "Mine Cart Adventure," mimicking the logo of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

According to the description, the "Mine Car Adventure" activity is supposed to allow passengers to ride in a slowly moving mine car and admire the interior decorations and three-dimensional models.

However, screams and loud, clattering vibrations kept coming from inside the room. This was clearly a roller coaster ride! Perhaps they saw the enthusiastic response to the roller coaster ride in Class 2-E yesterday and decided to change the design at the last minute. These people really know how to think fast.

However, given Himekoji's personality, everyone should just be happy and there's no need to strictly follow the reporting manual. But Yukinoshita is different. She immediately knocked on the door and demanded that the person in charge come out and explain.

"Is the person in charge here? The content of your class's presentation is different from the application form you submitted."

Yukino glanced back at Himekoji and found Himekoji whistling and looking at the scenery without any reaction. However, both of them had armbands that read "Cultural Festival Executive Committee Member" on them. The girl who came to answer the door immediately changed her expression when she saw this.

"Oh no!"

"They discovered us immediately!"

"Quick, quick, shove her into the car and try to get away with this!"

Several third-grade boys and girls quickly discussed the matter, and three girls took turns grabbing Yukinoshita's hands, while another girl pushed her from behind.

"Wait, wait a minute, hey, Himekoji..."

Yukinoshita cast a pleading look at Himekoji, who finally turned around, slumped his shoulders, and sighed.

"Student council president!"

"Damn it! This guy's tough! Everyone, attack together!"

"Yes, stuff him in too!"

"We're coming too!"

Himekoji happens to be a passionate person who hopes for a life full of surprises. So he surrendered and was shoved into the mine cart by several girls and boys, leaving Yukinoshita, who was anxiously waiting for him to show off his prowess, completely bewildered.

Wait, who among you took the opportunity to touch my butt?! I'm a man of principle!

While I was being pushed and pulled, a few girls were secretly laughing. Looks like it was you guys who did it! Come to the student council office after school, and I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget.

It's roughly the same color as silver nitrate solution?

The classroom was also decorated like a cave, with minerals and crystal skulls illuminated by LED lights, rocks made of polystyrene, and bats flying around on hanging wires. Their ingenuity was evident everywhere. Finally, someone gave a strong push from behind, and Himekoji and Yukinoshita fell into the minecart together.

Because the space was too cramped, Himekoji could only squeeze tightly together with Yukinoshita. At first, she was curled up in a corner like a kitten, so Himekoji had to maintain a hunched posture, but the two heads could only helplessly touch each other.

Himeko immediately smelled the faint scent of incense on Yukinoshita, the same scent that lingered in her bedroom. She had already witnessed it once when she visited Yukinoshita's house last time.

She nervously looked up at Himekoji, but because of his very tall stature, he couldn't fit properly in. Even if they both moved towards opposite ends of the minecart, there would always be some contact between them.

"Hey... Himekoji, what's with your knees thumping around like that?!"

"It's too narrow, there's nothing I can do about it, you idiot Yukinoshita."

"I...I'm going to call the police!"

"Hmm~ Thank you all for riding the 'Mine Cart Adventure'. Now, please enjoy the mysterious underground world."

Before Yukinoshita could even take out her phone to call the police, the guy who seemed to be in charge coughed twice and announced the start.

As soon as the broadcast ended, four burly male students dressed entirely in black began moving the minecart. Upon closer inspection, two more people were seen assisting.

The mine cart slid at high speed along a track made of tables, planks, and iron plates of varying lengths, making a rumbling sound. There were also drops along the way, and Ji Xiaolu could feel the cart climbing up and rushing down.

"Hahahaha, this is so satisfying! You guys are really capable!"

"Oh my god, the student council president said the same thing!"

Himekoji was laughing merrily in the minecart, while Yukinoshita clutched his clothes tightly in fear. Himekoji glanced at her; she was muttering something absentmindedly.

So Himekoji stopped laughing and naturally took Yukinoshita's soft little hand, letting her loosen her clothes first, while their hands remained clasped together.

The mine cart continued its violent rumbling, occasionally lifting them to higher ground. Himeko seemed to understand the feelings of clothes in a washing machine.

Finally, the minecart came to a stop at the finish line.

Yukinoshita leaned against the wall, her mind seemingly drifting elsewhere.

"Wasn't this underground journey interesting? Welcome back again, both of you."

Hearing the students' announcements outside, Himekoji released her hand at the opportune moment. Yukinoshita, regaining her senses, immediately pulled her hand back and stuffed it into her pocket, as if she had never had that hand before.

Because of Himekoji's praise, the person in charge of Class B boldly appeared in front of him and asked confidently, "How was it, President, and Executive Committee Member Yukinoshita? Wasn't our class's minecart fun?"

Chapter 207 Why does [Himekoji Haruto] always address her by her first name?

"It's not a matter of whether it's fun or not; this facility doesn't match your class's application..."

Yukinoshita was still blushing a little, and her speech seemed a bit unnatural.

"It's alright, well done, but be careful. Also, make sure to explain at the door that you can't push the passengers in so roughly anymore," Himekoji said, pushing Yukinoshita by the back as they left. Yukinoshita tried to say something more, but Himekoji dismissed her with the excuse, "Alright, alright, I have other work to do."

"Whoosh—, whoosh—"

After stepping outside and being greeted by sunlight, Xuexia closed her eyes and took deep breaths, one hand on her chest, constantly trying to regulate her state.

"Alright, go to the next class."

Yukino walked straight ahead, and across from her was Class E, which was Kazusa's class. However, Kazusa was currently in the music room, or if she wasn't, she was frantically devouring the sweets at the stalls.

A sign like this is displayed outside Class 3-E: Pet Hostel Meow~ Woof Woof~

So Yukino stopped again.

The students in Class E each brought their own pets, and the classroom walls were covered with photos of pets. In addition to the most common cats, dogs, rabbits, and hamsters, there were also ferrets, stoats, weasels, snakes, turtles... Why are there so many animals with long bodies? It really looks like a pet store.

Why don't you guys have any ducklings?! Ducklings are so cute and delicious.

One of the photos particularly caught Xuexia's eye.

Oh, it's a Ragdoll cat. This breed has long, fluffy fur that feels very soft to the touch. It's considered a large cat, hence the name "Ragdoll." In China, it's also known as "walking RMB," as it's a very expensive cat. The litter of purebred Persian cats that Yukinoshita found was obviously not as expensive as Ragdolls, but since she already had a cat, she shouldn't be fickle—Yukinoshita's words.

But it should be fine to take a quick look, right?

So Yukino stared at the photos on the wall for a long time before finally taking a step and saying, "Let's go, it seems there's nothing wrong here."

So, if a class has a cat, would that not be a problem for you?

The next class is Class A, which is Ogiso Setsuna's class. This is also the last stop of this inspection. When we were in Class F, we saw Hachiman Hikigaya, who was in charge of registration and payment at the door. Yes, miracles and magic are not free, and watching the play "The Little Prince" is not free either.