I, the spiritual mentor of beautiful girls from all over the world

"It expresses our gratitude without the risk of choosing the wrong gift, and it also solves our own dinner problem. It kills three birds with one stone and is the most cost-effective solution under the current circumstances."

This proposal, full of "Hachigaya-esque" ideas, was like a ray of light, instantly illuminating everyone's gloom.

"Ah! Great idea!" Yui Yuigahama was the first to respond.

Yukino Yukinoshita nodded almost imperceptibly in agreement.

This solution is logically sound, has manageable risks, and is indeed the optimal solution.

The proposal was thus passed unanimously.

Chapter 51: This damned charm, the daily love triangle is really bothering me!

After school, at the entrance of Zongwu High School.

As the group from the Service Department walked out of the school gate, an eye-catching black Range Rover was parked on the side of the road in an arrogant manner that seemed completely out of place with its surroundings.

Its size and presence made everything around it seem small.

The car window rolled down, revealing Hiratsuka Shizuna's strikingly handsome face.

She had an unlit cigarette dangling from her mouth, and when she saw the group of students, she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? So neatly arranged, are you going to a social gathering? How about I join?"

“Hiratsuka-sensei…”

Hikigaya Hachiman was speechless.

When Hiratsuka Shizuka heard that they were planning to go to Lynn's place to solve Kasumigaoka Utaha's copywriting problem, her usually weary eyes instantly lit up, sparkling with a mischievous glint.

"Interesting! I've heard a lot about that second-year student, Kasumigaoka. I heard he's a pretty difficult guy. The fact that your entire Service Club went to beg that lazybones is quite a show for me!"

She excitedly pulled out her phone, waved it in front of the students, and wore a sly smile.

"You have to be sincere when asking someone for a favor. Let me find out where that guy is first, so you don't end up going there empty-handed."

As she spoke, she dialed the number and pressed speakerphone.

"Hey, Lynn? Where are you having fun? Don't tell me you're slacking off at some coffee shop again." Hiratsuka Shizuka's tone was full of teasing.

Lynn's somewhat helpless voice came from the other end of the phone: "...Hiratsuka-sensei, is there something you need? I'm at a cat breeding center on the outskirts of Tokyo, taking care of some business."

"Oh? A cat?" Hiratsuka Shizuka raised her eyebrows even higher.

“That sounds even more interesting. Send me your address, and I'll bring a few cute students over to support you.”

Before Lynn could refuse, she hung up the phone decisively, tossed her head with a flourish, and pressed the car key.

The large tailgate automatically rises, revealing the third row of seats.

"All done! Get in the car, we're going to capture that guy alive!"

So, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and in the end, they were all crammed into this extremely spacious luxury SUV.

Qiong naturally sat in the passenger seat.

Yukinoshita and Yuihama occupied the second row.

Hachiman Hikigaya and Hayato Hayama were "assigned" to the third row.

The car drove towards the outskirts of Tokyo.

At first, outside the window was a bustling urban jungle of towering buildings, with glass curtain walls reflecting the evening sunset, and huge billboards and crisscrossing tram lines forming a vibrant yet oppressive backdrop.

The atmosphere inside the car was slightly subtle due to the unusual combination of passengers.

"Wow, Hiratsuka-sensei, this car is amazing! It's so big and cool!" Yui Yuigahama's focus was as simple as ever as she excitedly looked at the luxurious interior.

Yukino Yukinoshita simply glanced calmly at the luxurious interior of the car, then turned to Shizuka Hiratsuka and said in her usual cool tone, "Hiratsuka-sensei, while we appreciate your offer of a ride, isn't it a bit inappropriate to visit someone in such a ostentatious vehicle?"

"Haha, Yukino, it's part of youth to be carefree once in a while!" Hiratsuka Shizuka said, turning the steering wheel in a great mood, clearly not taking her advice to heart.

The two boys in the last row, however, presented a completely different picture, as if the line between light and darkness had been forcibly drawn in the middle of that row of seats.

With his signature cheerful smile on his face, Hayama Hayato took the initiative to say to Hikigaya, "I didn't expect that we would work together again for Kasumigaoka-senpai's sake, Hikigaya-kun."

"Speaking of which, from being called upon by Teacher Lynn to help, to the poster incident, it seems like we always fight side by side at crucial moments. It feels like we're really destined to be together, haha."

"..." Hachiman Hikigaya leaned against the window, staring out with his dead fish eyes, silently thinking, 'Fate? Don't use such a convenient word to gloss over this series of ill-fated connections.'

"And that 'haha,' is that a standard interjection used by people who are really into dating/relationships? Like the screen protector that comes with a free phone purchase?"

'I shouldn't have acted impulsively in the Service Department. Now, this mobile secret chamber is practically a tailor-made execution ground for me.'

'I feel like in a few minutes, this moss-like creature growing in a dark corner of mine will be purified and evaporated by him.'

Finally, under Hayama's expectant gaze, Hachiman Hikigaya managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth, his voice so low it sounded like he was delivering a eulogy for this "fate":

"...It's just a rotten coincidence."

……

As the car entered the highway, the scenery outside the window began to change rapidly.

Dense clusters of buildings were gradually replaced by low-rise detached houses, and the hustle and bustle of the city was left behind by the roar of engines.

The sky opened up, revealing distant, indistinctly outlined mountain ranges.

The atmosphere inside the car shifted from initial tension to reflection on the mission.

"Regarding the question about Kasumigaoka-senpai." Yukino Yukinoshita broke the silence first, her voice calm and clear.

“We must make our demands clear. After all… Professor Lynn’s style of doing things is unpredictable, and we can’t be unprepared.”

Hachiman Hikigaya yawned and lazily replied, "A plan? The other party is that Mr. Lynn. In his eyes, our plan is probably as ridiculous as a primary school student's summer vacation plan. Why not just honestly throw the problem at him? That's what we're here to do anyway."

“That…makes sense,” Yui Yuigahama murmured in agreement, then glanced at Yukinoshita. “But Yukinoshita is right too; it would be very impolite of us not to prepare anything…”

Just as the three were each sticking to their own version of events, Hayato Hachiman, who was standing next to him, spoke up.

“You all have a point. Hachiman is right, a detailed plan is meaningless in front of Lynn-sensei. But Yukinoshita is also right, preparation is a sign of respect.”

He smiled and concluded, "Therefore, we don't need to formulate rigid plans, but we must at least clearly define our core demands and bottom lines. This way, we are prepared yet flexible, what do you think?"

This concise and to-the-point suggestion instantly resolved the deadlock.

Yui Yuigahama immediately agreed, "Ah, this is great! As expected of Hayama-kun!"

Yukino Yukinoshita nodded slightly in agreement.

Hachiman Hikigaya pursed his lips and said nothing more.

This flawless "correct answer" is precisely what he is least adept at dealing with.

As the car fell into another round of silence, Qiong, who had not participated in the discussion, simply watched the fields and trees rushing past the window, her gray eyes reflecting the serene sunset.

Her silence created her own world, seemingly isolating her from the noisy discussions inside the car.

Hiratsuka listened quietly to the students' discussion, a cigarette dangling from his lips, humming an off-key tune, in an extremely good mood.

Watching Lynn and the group of problem students create a lively scene was one of her few pleasures.

The car exited the highway and turned onto a country road.

Finally, we stopped in front of a cat breeding facility that looked quite professional.

……

The scene that greeted everyone as they got off the bus instantly created a subtle tension in the air.

Lynn was standing in front of a row of neat cat houses, chatting happily with a woman who looked to be around thirty years old and had a gentle and intellectual demeanor.

The female shop owner was wearing a beige work uniform, her long hair was loosely tied up with a hairpin, a few strands of hair hung down beside her ears, and she had a gentle, heartfelt smile on her face.

In Fujiwara's eyes, Lynn was a rather peculiar man.

He may seem lazy and uninterested in anything, but when he talks about the quality and habits of cats, the professionalism and focus he exudes are more convincing than any words.

This sense of reliability hidden beneath the lazy exterior was something she, as a professional, greatly admired, and even found irresistible.

"Mr. Lynn, you have excellent taste! The plush toys you've chosen are top-notch in both appearance and personality. They'll definitely become the most popular stars in the new store in no time!"

The female shop owner smiled and said that her tone and eyes showed her sincere recognition of Lynn's professional abilities, as well as a hint of goodwill that was obvious to anyone with eyes.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Fujiwara," Lynn said gently.

This scene, like an invisible needle, pierced the hearts of the girls present.

Yukino Yukinoshita's internal computer began to operate at full speed.

'A new contact has emerged! Is he an intelligence intermediary? Or the head of one of his businesses? Could this cat breeding facility be some kind of secret hideout?'

Qiong simply stood there quietly, without saying a word.

Those gray eyes were fixed on the woman named "Miss Fujiwara," their gaze so cold it seemed to freeze the air.

Yui-bin felt a pang of sadness inside, and her usual cheerful smile became somewhat forced.

When Lynn turned around, he saw a large group of people standing at the door, especially the leader, Hiratsuka Shizuka. The rare relaxation on his face vanished instantly.

Instead, I had a headache that was clearly visible to the naked eye.

trouble.

Huge trouble is coming in droves.

At this moment, Shizuka-sensei's teasing voice, tinged with a mischievous smile, added fuel to the fire.

"Hey, Lynn, it seems you're popular wherever you go."

Hiratsuka Shizuka's gaze swept meaningfully between the girls and Ms. Fujiwara, with a hint of amusement that seemed to enjoy watching the drama unfold.

Lynn held her forehead.

Since they're already here, he can't just turn them away.

The female shop owner, surnamed Fujiwara, was very enthusiastic. She glanced at the sky and offered her suggestions with a smile.

"It's almost dinner time. I know a great all-you-can-eat BBQ place nearby. The ingredients are very fresh, and it has a great reputation. If you haven't decided where to have dinner yet, you can give it a try."

Hiratsuka Shizuka immediately made the decision: "Oh? That sounds good! Let's go there then!"

So, the group moved to the self-service barbecue restaurant.

……

The atmosphere at the dinner table was rather strange.

The meat slices on the grill sizzled and released an enticing aroma.

However, in stark contrast to this lively scene was the almost frozen silence at the dining table.

In stark contrast to the students' reserved demeanor was Hiratsuka Shizuka.

Without any hesitation, she picked up a piece of freshly grilled beef tongue, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in her mouth with satisfaction. Then she took a big gulp of beer and let out a hearty sigh.

···Requesting flowers··· ···

"Hmm... the meat here is really good! It's worth the high price."

On the other side, Hayato Hayama naturally took on the responsibility of grilling the meat. He skillfully flipped the meat slices on the grill and used tongs to distribute the grilled parts to each person's plate, his face still bearing that impeccable, cheerful smile.

"Please don't be shy, everyone. Eat up, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

This level of "sincerity" can be described as the ultimate.

Yui Yuigahama blushed and nervously poured drinks for Lynn and Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Although Yukino Yukinoshita's expression remained aloof, she silently handed the clean plate and tissues to Lynn.

Even Hachiman Hikigaya, under the "kind" gazes of everyone, had no choice but to pick up the serving chopsticks and reluctantly help arrange the ingredients.

Qiong, on the other hand, simply sat quietly beside Lynn from beginning to end.

She did not participate in any services or social activities, as if everything outside of her was irrelevant to her.

In her world, there was only the grill and Lynn's bowl.

When Hayama placed a perfectly grilled piece of pork tenderloin on the communal plate, Sora silently picked it up with her chopsticks, blew on it, and then precisely placed it into Lynn's bowl.

Throughout, her gaze never left Lynn; her grey eyes, illuminated by the glow of the charcoal fire, held a focused intensity that allowed no one else to interfere.

This silent declaration caused Yuihama, who was about to serve food to Lynn, to awkwardly freeze her outstretched chopsticks in mid-air.

In the end, it was Hiratsuka Shizuka who couldn't stand it anymore.