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

"It's a pleasure working with you, Mr. Yukinoshita."

So Himekoji hung up the phone, blocked Yukinoshita's mother's number, and casually tossed it back into Yukinoshita's arms.

She hasn't recovered from what Himekoji said about the kidnapping.

"Why are you asking me to be your representative...? I didn't ask you to make me do this, why...?"

“I hate your sister. Is that reason enough? Otherwise, why would I have said I would kidnap your sister and take humiliating photos to threaten your mother? If I had nothing to do with her, why would I have done that?”

"...That's a reason I can't refute."

“I know you are capable, but everyone says you are your sister’s replacement, no, it would be more appropriate to call you a backup. But this time you are no longer a backup. You will stand at the forefront of the Yukinoshita family. If the cooperation goes smoothly, your position may be permanent.”

"Meow~~"

In the silence, only the cat's meows could be heard.

Himekoji then contacted Juya and her mother. Unlike the Yukinoshita family, where the father was in charge of business and politics and the mother was in charge of household affairs, in Himekoji's family, the mother was in charge of business and household affairs, the father was in charge of politics, and the grandparents were too lazy to care about anything and just wanted to live a leisurely life.

So don't be fooled by Himekoji's mom's seemingly adorable 30-year-old appearance as a cute little duckling and fruit-drawing loli; she's actually quite terrifying. Otherwise, Himekoji wouldn't be so obedient to her mom all these years, and she'd have to ask her mother's permission before even wanting to skip classes and go out during the holidays.

However, his mother was quite lenient in managing him, unlike Yukinoshita's mother who tried to control everything. Italian mothers are really romantic by nature. As long as it's something related to their son and girls, they basically let him do it, except for a certain woman named Touma Yoko.

"If you don't want to be the representative, just decline, and I'll contact you again."

"No need, I'm very satisfied, and I'm just as satisfied with your work, Himekoji."

Yukinoshita has finally returned to normal, no, she's above normal, far beyond normal. She's practically jumping for joy if Himekoji weren't around.

"Huh, what's your job?"

"It's nothing, just an evaluation of what you did today."

"You rascal..." Himekoji said speechlessly, turning back to lean on the seat and looking at Yukinoshita, "Didn't you say you'd never ride in my car again?"

"Hmph." Yukinoshita turned her head away and said, "Taking a woman's words seriously, Himekoji Haruto is nothing more than a cricket."

"You bastard, get out of here right now, you and the cat!"

"Uh—, sorry, I take back what I said earlier. Please take me home, okay?

"Just cook for me, that'll be fine."

"Hmm, this is a very good deal... The transaction is settled."

"Should I say 'It's a pleasure working with you'? Just like when I talked to your father."

"Pleasure doing business with you?"

"Happy my foot! Buckle up, the veteran driver is about to set off!"

However, Himekoji also had to thank Yukinoshita a little. If it weren't for her calling him, a few hours of rest would have been a pipe dream, something he could only dream of but never achieve.

"But before that... take me to the pet supply store again, Mom threw everything away at home."

"Your mother is really something... phew, never mind, let's go."

Himeko shook her head and started the car.

Shopping didn't take long. After finishing, we bought ingredients. Since Yukinoshita was going to cook this time, Himekoji let her cook what she was good at. Anyway, he has a rather eclectic palate. He's not picky about food except for celery. Besides, not eating celery is a genetic issue that can't be changed.

Arriving at the neighborhood where Yukinoshita lived again, Himekoji parked the car according to Yukinoshita's instructions. It was her parking space, originally intended for people to come and visit her, but now Himekoji had taken it over. Himekoji carried groceries and bags of pet supplies and set off on this road again, with Yukinoshita following behind him carrying a cat carrier. Their feelings were completely different from before.

Author's Note:

PS: This is the fifteenth update. There will be five more updates starting around 8 PM.

Chapter 104 A Big Favor: Yukino Yukinoshita Decides to Cook by Hand

Yukinoshita's house was still as barren as ever, just like her rather flat chest. Himekoji was used to it. The floor lamp emitted a comfortable, dim yellow light, and the TV screen was paused, playing a Blu-ray of Disney's Panda Pan. When Yukinoshita saw Himekoji looking at the TV, she immediately stiffened and quickly pulled out the remote to turn the TV off.

"What does it matter? I know you like this."

"This is a completely different matter from that!"

Yukinoshita blushed slightly as she argued.

Perhaps in her mind, the difference is like that between a swimsuit and underwear—one is meant to be seen by others, and the other is not meant to be seen by others. However, what's interesting is that the degree of exposure is basically the same. Women are truly amazing creatures. They can walk around on the beach in a bikini without feeling shy, but if their underwear is accidentally exposed, they will blush and scream incessantly.

Himekoji was settling Yukinoshita's pet cats in, while Yukinoshita was preparing food—a scene of perfect harmony. The six cats were completely unaware of the ordeal they had just endured; they had almost had to sleep on the streets that night. They thought it was just a simple short trip, a day trip to the park with their kind female slave, and even a comforting of their heartbroken slave at the end. Hmm, very good, perfect; their cat lives were about to reach their peak!

However, Yukinoshita was clearly quite sincere this time. She prepared a traditional Japanese kaiseki meal for Himekoji, with various dishes arranged one after another. It took a long time to finish everything. After finishing the whole meal, Yukinoshita was almost unable to stand up. She was not very confident in her physical strength.

Still wearing the apron she'd bought with Himekoji on that outing, Yukinoshita, supporting her aching back, managed to sit down and forced a smile as she asked, "Wh...how are you?"

“Excellent, excellent blend~”

Ji Xiaolu gave her a thumbs up in satisfaction.

"That's strange, why hasn't my mom called me yet?"

"Because I just blocked all your phone numbers."

"...You're still as reckless as ever."

Yukinoshita's lips twitched, and she sighed, rubbing her forehead.

However, her mother probably wouldn't have the face to keep calling her. This incident has had a significant impact on her family, and even Yukinoshita Taeko has to learn to compromise.

While the two instigators of this joint venture were enjoying kaiseki cuisine and petting cats, the three parties had already begun intensive arrangements and negotiations. As Himekoji said, everything would be done according to the normal rules. I wouldn't give up an inch or a cent. After finishing the meal, Himekoji stayed for a while, drank a cup of tea, and then took her leave. There was nothing to linger about.

"Goodbye."

This time, Yukinoshita didn't say anything like "thank you so much today" when she said goodbye. As the saying goes, great kindness needs no words of thanks. Himekoji prevented her masters from sleeping in the park, so her farewell was just a simple goodbye.

Perhaps what's unspoken is the most important? After all, some things can't be understood simply by saying them.

After returning home, Ji Xiaolu continued attending his law classes. His mother didn't ask him what he had done or why he did it. In short, this matter wouldn't harm the interests of Ji Xiaolu's family, and she wouldn't care about these "mundane matters" at all. By the next day, Ji Xiaolu's life had once again become a pre-programmed routine, running flawlessly in every detail.

Yukinoshita started working as a negotiation representative for her own company, and Haruno wasn't even allowed to step into the meeting room. No one mentioned the cat at home anymore. Yukinoshita maintained this delicate balance and tacit understanding with her mother, as if the cat didn't exist.

Himekoji has finally gotten rid of his problem once and for all, because he has reached the terms of the negotiation. So Yukinoshita will no longer need to let him take care of the cat; she can take care of it herself. But Yukinoshita still owes him a favor, or maybe two, or three, who knows.

This kind of life only came to an end on a sweltering day in July, when Hiratsuka Shizuka called Himekoji.

"It's me. What are you doing during summer vacation? Never mind, you're definitely not idle. The Service Club's summer activities have started. Get to the vicinity of the subway station exit near the bus terminal right now. I'll take you to a good place."

"Wait a moment, let me ask my dear mother."

So, Ji Xiaolu went to her mother and talked to her, then handed her the phone. After a brief exchange, her mother said, "Great, that's like giving you a three-day holiday, um, three days and two nights, right? You also have to bring your swimsuit and scare the elementary school kids by pretending to be a ghost."

"Swimsuit? Did Hiratsuka Shizuka say that?"

"That's right, you'd better bring your swimsuit."

"Oh, then I'll take it with me. It shouldn't be a big problem."

Himekoji felt the only problem was that if she went into the water, her figure would probably be exposed. Well, it was going to be exposed sooner or later anyway, so it didn't matter. After that, Himekoji received a call from Yukinoshita. Needless to say, she wanted to help take care of her cat. After all, just because she could keep a cat didn't mean that her servants would take care of it for her. This was probably the loophole that Yukinoshita's mother had taken advantage of.

"Today is the highest temperature since the start of summer," the TV presenter said. However, the truth is that high temperature records are being broken every day, so these presenters keep repeating, "Today is the highest temperature since the start of summer." The TV station even compared temperatures from the past few years and concluded that this year's summer has the highest average temperature in the past ten years.

It's unbearably hot even at home without air conditioning, and this is already in the suburbs. Himekoji can't imagine how terrifying the temperature must be in the city center. In normal summer, many rooms in Himekoji's house are cool enough without air conditioning, but it looks like that won't be the case this year.

After packing her things, Himeko got into Reiko's absolutely high-speed car and sped all the way to the seaside Makuhari. Today, Reiko had chosen the latest Widowmaker model, and with her already crazy driving skills, Himeko felt like the car was about to fly. By the way, this was Himeko's beloved car.

With a perfect drift, Ms. Reiko parked her car in front of the purplish-red seven-seater van that Hiratsuka Shizuka had rented. Then, she adjusted her sunglasses slightly and said to Himekoji with a mischievous grin, "Alright, Haruto, I won't be able to see you for another three days~"

"Doesn't that mean your workload will be greatly reduced?"

"So I'm really excited~"

"...Alright, goodbye then, I'm off." Picking up her meager luggage, the lightly dressed Himekoji got out of the car and walked towards the van. A dark figure stood in front of the driver's side door; her curvaceous figure easily revealed her to be female. She had her long black hair tied in a ponytail and wore a khaki hat; she wore a black T-shirt, the hem rolled up and tied in a knot, paired with denim shorts and hiking boots-like sneakers.

Author's Note:

PS: Sixteenth update.

Chapter 105 Yay! The entire Service Club is gathered.

"You came really fast..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka said somewhat embarrassedly that she hadn't expected to be alone with Himekoji right after arriving. Although the awkward experience last time was a month ago, and Hiratsuka Shizuka hadn't seen Himekoji for a long time afterward, their relationship gradually returned to normal, the atmosphere felt a little awkward now that they were suddenly alone together.

"Because you're waiting, Ms. Hiratsuka."

“I’m telling you… sigh—,” Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed, rubbing her forehead, “Oh well, it’s my own fault.”

The two chatted casually. Himekoji went to a nearby convenience store and bought some cold drinks. Hiratsuka Shizuka wanted to order an "ASAHI" drink, but that would definitely be considered drunk driving, so she gave up and chose an iced MAX coffee instead. Himekoji also ordered coffee.

"Snap—" The two opened their coffee and leaned against the car, drinking it with great satisfaction. Drinking cold drinks on a hot summer day was so refreshing. When there was only a little coffee left, a "Huh?" came from beside Himekoji.

Himekoji and Hiratsuka Shizuka turned around and saw Yui Yuigahama rushing towards them. She was wearing a pink sun hat and a T-shirt with a very short hem, making people wonder if the fabric was cheap. She was also wearing hot pants, which were the essential outfit for surviving in the summer.

"What's so good about it?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Yuihama walked over briskly and greeted Hiratsuka Shizuka, "It's been a long time, Hiratsuka-sensei."

"Ah, long time no see. I feel much more at ease now," Hiratsuka Shizuka lit a Seven Star cigarette, exhaling smoke contentedly. Yuihama stuck out her cherry-colored tongue slightly, then turned to Himekoji and said, "Student council president, hello, long time no see."

"Well...long time no see. By the way, your outfit is quite cute and playful."

"Hehe, right?"

Yuihama wasn't embarrassed at all; on the contrary, she gave Himekoji a slightly mischievous smile with genuine sincerity.

Hiratsuka Shizuka took a deep drag of her cigarette, slightly tipsy, and said, "Those kids have it so easy..."

Not long after, Yukinoshita arrived. She had come by subway, wearing a high-necked top and, unusually, jeans. Although not much skin was exposed, she looked refreshing and exuded a cool feeling. Noticing Himekoji watching her, Yukinoshita paused briefly before quickly walking up to her.

"Yukino, ya hello!"

"Hello, Yuihama-san."

Yukinoshita handled the situation well, but it was clear that her mind was still on Himekoji. After approaching Himekoji, she said openly, "Could we speak in private for a moment?"

"Ah, no problem."

Himekoji suggested they go buy some cold drinks together, and Yukinoshita readily agreed. Then Yuihama said she wanted grape-flavored soda, and he went with Yukinoshita. After walking a little further away from them, Yukinoshita asked, "Are my cats... still energetic?"

"You've only been apart for a short time, of course you're full of energy."

"...Phew—, that's good. I hope your family can take good care of me."

"By the way, haven't you given yourself a name yet?"