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

"OK, OK, by the way, Hiratsuka-san, how was your Christmas?"

"It's...it's alright, but you should call me Hiratsuka-sensei properly, instead of Hiratsuka-san."

Hiratsuka Shizuka stared straight ahead, driving with utmost concentration.

"Winter break has already started, and there's no school atmosphere at all. Besides, it's not like Ms. Hiratsuka suddenly appeared and took me to eat ramen. She doesn't look like a teacher at all, except for this outfit."

"Really? I think you just like women with nice legs wearing stockings."

Hiratsuka Shizuka gave Himekoji a meaningful look and then they exchanged a few words.

"No, a beautiful girl with a great figure looks good in anything, but stockings are just a nice bonus."

"Little brat."

Hiratsuka Shizuka flicked Himekoji's forehead, her lips slightly pursed, the corners of her mouth turned up high, she looked like she was secretly pleased.

Himeko sent an email to Reiko, saying that she might be back late today and that she was going to have ramen with her teacher, so she didn't need to wait for her at the school's side gate.

Soubu High School lets out early in the afternoon, and Hiratsuka Shizuka drove him there directly, so the shop was still quite empty, except for a few couples who were also students from nearby schools, eating noodles and whispering to each other. This scene reminded Himekoji of a good novel he had read before.

The story is set many years ago. The male protagonist was not well-off and wanted to eat soba noodles with his girlfriend, but she kept whining and insisting on eating something better. Later, the two broke up. His current girlfriend is a very understanding girl. After passing by the soba noodle shop from back then, she went in. The waitress remembered the male protagonist, and so on. He had forgotten what the story was trying to express, but today, with Hiratsuka Shizuka, he suddenly had this feeling.

"What's wrong? Why are you just standing there spacing out?"

"No... I just remembered a novel," Himekoji said with a self-deprecating laugh, "As expected, there's a huge gap between novels and reality."

In fact, this is just a self-mockery. He knows very well that the world he lives in is just a drop in the ocean of a parallel world, a result of people's imagination. But the people in this world don't know this, and instead firmly believe that it is real. So, conversely, the world of the protagonist eating buckwheat noodles and the spoiled girl must also exist.

"Of course, what would you like to order?"

"I wish I were like you."

"Hmm, it seems you're quite good at it too."

No, no, no, it's not that you're good at it, it's that you're too good at it and I didn't even listen to what you said in the car.

When the young couples in the store saw Himekoji and Hiratsuka Shizuka enter, such an odd combination, they couldn't help but turn their attention to them. Himekoji was still wearing her Soubu High school uniform, while Hiratsuka Shizuka was dressed as a complete office lady. With the expensive car parked at the entrance, some people couldn't help but imagine a beautiful young woman keeping a young gigolo.

No, no, no, calling Hiratsuka Shizuka a beautiful young woman is giving her far too much credit... She can't even have a smooth relationship, let alone get married.

While waiting for her ramen, Hiratsuka Shizuka rested her chin on her hand, blinked, and asked, "How's everything been lately? With those kids...?"

Which children are you referring to?

"For example, the Service Club or something..."

"Fortunately."

"Well... I feel that Hikigaya has changed a lot recently, and he seems to be talking to Yuihama more often. As for Yukinoshita, I believe you can handle it well."

"It's not really a matter of handling it; it was just a small favor."

How did you spend Christmas?

"One man and two women engaged in a threesome of debauchery at a hot spring over two days and three nights."

"???"

Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly blushed, but seeing the wicked smile on Himekoji's lips, she knew he was lying to her. She immediately elbowed Himekoji, but he held her elbow tightly, preventing her from succeeding. Hiratsuka Shizuka rolled her eyes and pulled her arm back. She looked annoyed and seemed to really want to light a cigarette, but since they were in the store, she gave up.

"Well, it's true I went to the hot springs, everything else is just nonsense, and it was only for one day." Himekoji apologized with a smile. Hiratsuka Shizuka scoffed, shaking her barley tea, and said with a somewhat dejected expression, "Anyway, it's much better than me going to the movies alone and suddenly being given two tickets..."

Going to the movies alone... and being given two tickets instead, that's just too much! The staff would instinctively assume there are at least two people, and they just handed Hiratsuka Shizuka two tickets without thinking. You can imagine how much of a blow that must have been to her.

"As a result, after watching the movie, those damn guys went straight to the nearest Love Hotel in pairs..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka said through gritted teeth, squeezing the cup of barley tea so hard it made a squeaking sound. Himekoji was really worried that she would crush the cup.

"If you wanted to find a male companion, wouldn't that be a piece of cake?"

"A heartless guy is nothing more than the worst kind of gigolo."

Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand angrily, seemingly disgusted by it. The ramen was served, and the two no longer needed to dwell on the topic.

Chapter 273 So, [Hiratsuka Shizuka] has a very low alcohol tolerance.

After finishing their ramen, the two wiped their lips, and Himekoji continued, "You didn't just bring me here to eat ramen and ask me about the Service Club, did you? Is there something more important?"

"Ah... let's talk in the car."

It seemed to be a topic that couldn't be discussed in public. Hiratsuka Shizuka blushed as soon as she mentioned it. Himeko looked at her strangely, considering the possibility that Hiratsuka Shizuka had come to find him. The two got off their chairs and returned to the car. Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't ask for his advice or say anything. She started the car and drove away quickly, as if she already had a destination in mind.

"There's a social gathering going on recently... I've been dragged along by an old friend. He's a staunch bachelor who's traveling all over the world, living a very free and romantic life. He just got back to Japan recently and insists on introducing me to a few potential partners, so he's organized a group of people for this social event... So, I was thinking of having you come with me, is that okay?"

"And pretend to be your boyfriend?"

"Yes...that's how it is."

Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't dare to look at him, she just kept pressing the accelerator and accelerating.

"Going to a social gathering with your boyfriend or girlfriend is just a regular cocktail party or dinner, isn't it? Wouldn't that spoil the fun for others?"

"Ah, I just want those bastards to know that I can date great guys too!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fist, revealing a confident expression.

"...I think you need to exercise, I think I'd better not go."

"Huh? Hey, wait a minute! You ate the ramen I treated you to, it was so delicious!"

"How about I invite you to my house for authentic Italian food next time?"

"Hey..." Hiratsuka Shizuka slammed on the brakes, glaring at Himekoji and saying, "Kid, you're really not going?"

"I won't accept being bought off with just a bowl of ramen. In other words, the deal is off."

Himekoji didn't seem threatened at all. If Hikigaya were threatened like that, he would probably agree immediately.

"Hoo—" Hiratsuka Shizuka reclined the seat, half-lying there, then took out a pack of Seven Stars cigarettes from the car, lit it, rolled down the window, and said while smoking, "What will it take for you to come with me?"

"Wait, the way you're talking right now makes it sound like you're taking me there!"

"Oh, that's quite clever, isn't it?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka flicked her cigarette ash out the window, then gently nudged Himekoji's leg with her knee and asked, "So, what will it take for you to come with me?"

"I'm still wearing my school uniform, didn't you consider that?"

"It's okay, I need to change my clothes too. Let's go buy a new set now, or I can take you to my house to change."

Hiratsuka Shizuka seemed determined to drag Himekoji along. Seeing her firm resolve, Himekoji had no choice but to give in and say, "Alright, I'll go with you, but before that, let's treat you to a meal."

Himekoji pointed to his lips, and Hiratsuka Shizuka showed a very pleased expression. Himekoji immediately felt that he had asked for too little, but it would be too much to raise the price at this point. So he had no choice but to accept Hiratsuka Shizuka's not-so-skilled kiss with a mixture of pain and pleasure.

"Wait a moment, let me apply your lipstick."

Hiratsuka Shizuka took out a handkerchief embroidered with a few withered plum blossoms from her pocket and carefully wiped Himekoji's lips. After spending a few minutes wiping them clean, she stuffed the handkerchief into Himekoji's hand.

"This is for you."

"Tsk tsk tsk... What's this? A foolish daughter's handkerchief left behind, stirring up unrequited love?"

Himekoji played with the soft silk handkerchief, then casually stuffed it into her handbag.

"It's just not working very well anymore. It's so awkward to use with lipstick on it." Hiratsuka Shizuka blushed slightly as she readjusted her seat, stubbed out her cigarette, and tossed it away. She whispered, "Is it... is it okay now?"

"Well... that's fine, but what about the car? You can't go to a social gathering without drinking and then drive back drunk, can you?"

"How about we leave it in the parking lot of that Cesare Grand Hotel and then take a taxi there? I think you can get some influence there."

"No problem, let's go."

Since she had already agreed, Ji Xiaolu would never go back on her word. She sent another email to Miss Reiko, saying that she might not be going back tonight, and that she could wait at the Cesare Grand Hotel before 10 o'clock, and go home directly after 10 o'clock.

After parking their cars, they immediately bought a set of clothes for the social gathering at a nearby shopping mall. To be honest, this was the first time Ji Xiaolu had attended a social gathering that was purely for the purpose of socializing. The cocktail parties she usually attended were either business meetings or transactions. Thinking about this kind of social occasion with such a pure purpose, Ji Xiaolu couldn't help but feel a little excited.

"Is it okay if I wear casual clothes? Don't stop me from getting in at the door."

"It's nothing, it's just a slightly better barbecue restaurant and izakaya."

Hiratsuka Shizuka adjusted Himekoji's shoulders and collar from behind. Because their clothing styles were so different when they first arrived, the shop assistants were all speculating about their relationship. She had already chosen her clothes, and at Himekoji's insistence, she didn't change her stockings. Instead, she changed her office lady suit into a long, tight-fitting sweater with a short, unbuttoned skirt, and finally added a light gray coat. Overall, it wasn't too expensive, but when Himekoji went to pay, Hiratsuka Shizuka had already paid for his portion as well.

"Now, let's set off. There's still about half an hour until the agreed time, which is just right."

"So you were just keeping track of the time?"

"This is a basic skill for people in society."

"Yes Yes."

Himeko nodded in response. Hiratsuka Shizuka's plan was too clever. She had been plotting to take him there since before school was over, and then she would win him over with a bowl of ramen and a kiss... But then she thought about it again, pretending to be Hiratsuka Shizuka's boyfriend didn't seem like she would lose out.

The social gathering was held as scheduled, but when Hiratsuka Shizuka said that Himekoji was her boyfriend, everyone was speechless. After all, it was obvious to everyone that Himekoji was quite young, probably only 20 years old. But they were wrong; he was not even 20 years old, only 17.

One of the men, who had been arranged to meet her, kept trying to talk to Hiratsuka Shizuka, but because Hiratsuka Shizuka had already brought Himekoji along, his attempts to engage her in conversation seemed rather weak and ineffective. The rest of the group, on the other hand, were chatting quite happily, enjoying beer, barbecue, and tempura. Everyone had drunk quite a bit. If a policeman were here, he could arrest them all in no time.

After all, encouraging minors to drink alcohol is quite a troublesome matter.

Chapter 274 is speechless; [Himekoji Haruto] looks completely bewildered.

Since these were Hiratsuka Shizuka's "friends," they were all from prominent families, if not extremely wealthy. They chatted about things like how a company chairman's daughter had gotten pregnant by a low-level employee and almost ruined the company, or how they were doing things on the high seas that were illegal in any country. Hiratsuka Shizuka seemed very impatient; she probably preferred talking about anime.

After they started playing games and drinking instead of chatting and casually toasting, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who has a very low alcohol tolerance, had to have Himekoji frequently drink on her behalf. Although her friends had many complaints, since Himekoji was Hiratsuka Shizuka's "boyfriend" in public, they could only say a few words at most and it was not appropriate to interfere.

Seeing Himekoji down beer after beer, Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at him with a hint of pity. Her flushed cheeks were very close to his, and because she was almost drunk, Hiratsuka Shizuka was practically leaning on Himekoji's left arm.

"Ah, Jingjing, you lost again!"

A woman who came with them shouted happily, pointing at Hiratsuka Shizuka. There was no way around it; drinking would slow down reaction time, so when playing games, those with lower alcohol tolerance would naturally make the most mistakes. Soon, two more glasses of wine were placed in front of Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Let me do it." Just as Himekoji was about to reach out to hold his hand, Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly hardened her stance, slapped his hand aside, and glared at him reproachfully, saying, "I'll do it myself."

Everyone burst into laughter, but Ji Xiaolu shrugged indifferently. It seemed that Hiratsuka Shizuka still had some conscience. Moreover, according to his own estimation, Ji Xiaolu would soon reach his limit for drinking beer. It wasn't that he couldn't drink anymore after reaching his limit, but rather that this was the bottom line that Ji Xiaolu set for himself. Before reaching this bottom line, he could still maintain a basically clear mind and actions.

Regardless of Himekoji's reaction, Hiratsuka Shizuka truly couldn't drink anymore. Those last two glasses had completely pushed her to her limit. When she put down her glass, she felt a churning in her stomach. She immediately covered her mouth and stood up, swaying unsteadily, almost falling to the ground. Himekoji quickly helped her up and took her to the restroom, thinking to herself: "You, you can't drink anymore, yet you insist on drinking. You could have just drunk enough and left. Anyway, I don't think you have a very good relationship with them."

Despite his complaints, after escorting Hiratsuka Shizuka into the women's restroom, Himekoji washed his face outside and carefully observed his reflection in the mirror. He thought to himself, "That's about enough."

Many people drink excessively despite the health risks, but Ji Xiaolu would never do such a foolish thing. As for alcohol, a little is fine as long as you're happy; drinking too much is just asking for trouble for yourself and others.

Hiratsuka Shizuka was vomiting so badly that she felt dizzy and disoriented. Himekoji waited outside for about ten minutes before she finally came out. Because she had rushed to get up, she forgot to bring her handbag, so she couldn't even touch up her makeup, and her lips looked very strange.

"I'll go get your bag."