Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

Suddenly, I turned back into the arrogant person I used to be.

No, it's even worse!

Upon seeing Saki, he let out a cold snort.

Then, he raised his chin and looked Saki Saku up and down with disdain.

After finishing, he arrogantly dropped a sentence—

"On the day of the academy competition, you'd better pray that you don't lose too badly when you face me."

I am now terrifyingly strong!

Moreover, it will become stronger every week!

"???"

Even Saki was dumbfounded.

If I remember correctly, this person was beaten up by himself not long ago and cried uncontrollably, right?

It's only been a few days, and it's already showing signs of life again?

The wind stopped and the rain cleared up. Did she think she was capable again?

Saki was filled with question marks.

I really want to ask her, where does your confidence come from?

me?

Upon further reflection, Qi Ji realized that it really might be him.

He in the sea of ​​consciousness...

That's fine.

In any case, Saki does need to become stronger.

After all, only a strong enough opponent is worthy of being used to highlight him.

When the time comes for the awakening and resounding response, and the powerful blows are delivered, it won't seem like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

……

After lunch.

Huomu, Liuli, Setsuna, and Bailili, the four little ones, once again gathered on the desolate rooftop.

For a moment, Qi Ji was even a little puzzled. When did his sleeping place become their common room?

Is this... okay?

The group gathered together to discuss where they should go during the holiday.

In an instant, many eagerly raised their hands to propose:

"Let's go to Yungang Beach! I've been working part-time at a travel agency these past few days, and they've launched an amazing activity!"

Go to that beach, admission is free, and they even include one night's food and lodging!

Upon hearing this, Qi Ji was about to say that he had plans for the next few days and it wouldn't be convenient for him.

But when he heard the word "beach," he suddenly paused.

An idea surfaced uncontrollably—

and many more!

Could this be...?

Is this the legendary "swimsuit comeback"?!

It seems he has no choice but to go.

After all, in anime series, swimsuit episodes often have a significant role, sometimes spanning an entire episode or even multiple episodes!

It's full of interactive shots and potential plot foreshadowing.

As the saying goes, wherever there's a camera, there's Saki!

Upon hearing Setsuna's suggestion, Ruri, Hōki, and Hakuri thought about it and all nodded in agreement.

Then, all four of them focused their attention on Saki.

Undoubtedly, everyone was waiting for him, the absolute core of the team, to make the final decision.

Qi Ji nodded: "I have no objection."

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered with relief and began excitedly discussing their beach trip the next day.

……

City of Firewood.

Echo Association.

Special Affairs Office.

"Is everything arranged?"

Zhu Yin looked up from the mountain of documents, rubbed his temples, and looked at his subordinates.

"The arrangements are all set, sir. When the common people learned that there was a free trip, they were all very enthusiastic, and the number of people who signed up far exceeded expectations."

Where is that guy?

"He's already on vacation and won't be back for over a month. Our people will make sure he has a great time."

"Well done," Zhuyin praised, then buried his head back in his desk.

The subordinate remained silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant, before finally speaking in a low voice:

"My lord, the director of the Civil Affairs Bureau publicly accused you of being a... a demon at the internal meeting this morning. Should we... warn her?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuyin did not look up, and said in a calm tone, "She is right."

"Can……"

As if guessing what his subordinate was about to say, Zhuyin interrupted him:

"Someone has to play the role of the devil."

If we let kind-hearted people make the decisions, it will only lead to more casualties.

Therefore, I will carry out the orders.

I will bear all the consequences myself.

"But sir, I'm afraid that..." The subordinate's voice was full of worry.

Zhu Yin guessed what his subordinate meant, but smiled dismissively:

"Are you afraid that if things are exposed, they will kill me to appease public anger?"

Putting aside the fact that the Pure World Society and Deep Blue City will take the blame for this, we will be held responsible.

Even if the plan is exposed, as long as it succeeds, what does it matter if I give my life to them?

Since I can use a single order to kill thousands upon thousands of potentially innocent civilians for the sake of the City of Fire...

Then what is there about myself that I cannot die?

Rather, my own death was part of my plan.

So you don't need to worry too much about me.

"Yes……"

The subordinate's Adam's apple bobbed, but he ultimately just bowed deeply and left the office.

It was late at night when I finished processing the last document.

Zhuyin stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the brightly lit, seemingly prosperous and peaceful night view of Xinzhi City.

In recent months, the rifts near the City of Fire have been erupting more and more frequently, and there have been unusual occurrences where high-level void beasts have emerged from low-level rifts.

This is precisely a sign that "ideological pollution" is accumulating and intensifying among the grassroots population.

The Echo Association's usual approach is to continuously send more people to clear the rifts and kill the Void Beasts, but this is only a temporary solution.

Moreover, it wasted a lot of valuable human and material resources, which further weakened the forces that could actually be deployed to the front lines.

He has a better plan—

Amputation.

The main sources of "consciousness pollution":

The vast number of civilians who are unaware and unable to purify themselves from their own pollution are "cleaned out" and then "controlled".

In that case, the overall level of consciousness pollution will be effectively alleviated quickly, and the abnormal outbreaks of fissures will also decrease.

Only by making drastic sacrifices can Xinzhi City have a true future!

If no one dares to be the villain, then he shall be the villain.

Zhuyin closed his eyes, the lamplight outside the window casting flickering shadows on his face.

He was certain that he was ready, prepared to bear everything for the City of Fire.

……

the next day.

When Qi Ji and his group arrived at the beach, they were immediately shocked by the huge crowd of people in front of them.

"W-why are there so many people?!" Huo Mu was dumbfounded.

"Because it's free..." After learning more about the inside story, she whispered to everyone, "Moreover, with the ticket, you can also get a box of eggs and participate in a lucky draw after the event."

"No wonder." Liuli said, casually stuffing her ticket into Qiji's hand.

"Then, does that mean I don't need to change into my swimsuit?" Bai Lili's focus was on this matter.

The girl often felt inferior and troubled because her chest size was different from other girls.

So she really doesn't want to wear a swimsuit or anything like that...

As for Saki and Hiki, they both looked at Setsuna and said in unison:

Where can I collect the eggs? Where can I participate in the prize draw?

Setsuna was prepared for this, and upon hearing this, she pulled out an activity guide from her small bag and handed it to the two of them:

"Look, it's written here."

But not today. I have to spend the whole day here. I can only go to the service desk tomorrow night to collect my ticket and participate in the lucky draw.

"Tomorrow, okay..." Huo Mu scratched his head, looking at the crowded beach.

"But with so many people, how are we supposed to have fun? There won't be enough room to squeeze in!"

She felt a little embarrassed for a moment, after all, this was the place she suggested, but it turned out like this.

Bai Lili, who was standing to the side, seemed to realize something, and suddenly raised her little hand, her eyes lighting up:

"How about we go to the amusement park? My house is in the nearby commercial area, and it seems like there are several there!"

"Is it free?" Huo Mu immediately grasped the crux of the question.

"I guess...?" Bai Liuli tilted her head, unsure. "Anyway, I've never seen them take money."

"That's great! Let's go!"

Indoor amusement parks mean air conditioning, games, and no need to be exposed to the sun or squeezed like sardines!

The others naturally had no objections.

Thus, what Saki had envisioned as a swimsuit shoot was cut short before it even began, turning into an indoor amusement park trip.

He didn't even have a chance to show off his perfect eight-pack abs.

What a pity, what a pity.

……

The amusement park is extremely large and decorated like a dream castle.