I'm in a real religion, why are all the people who confess to me girls?

"Hmph, no need for you to worry. I'm heading back to my dorm now. Tianyin, don't forget our bet..."

Wrapped in a blanket, Tianze had just gotten up and taken a couple of steps when he suddenly seemed to remember something important and quickly turned back to remind Tianyin.

"Don't worry, I'm ready to fulfill the bet whenever you have time."

Tianyin scratched her cheek awkwardly. Tianze noticed Tianyin's gaze and his face burned. Knowing that he absolutely could not stay any longer, Tianze quickly changed his shoes, opened the door, and prepared to leave.

As they reached the door, Tianze turned back somewhat awkwardly and said to Nanase.

"I'll return the panties."

"Um... I'll just consider this a gift for you, Ichika..."

With a 'bang,' the door slammed shut.

The two people in the dormitory looked at each other and then breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

"I was really afraid that Ichika would act like she was going to die because she felt ashamed, but I didn't expect Ichika to be much calmer than I remembered."

Tianyin couldn't help but smile bitterly as she recalled what had happened in the bathroom not long ago.

"Tianyin, how dare you say that! It's all your fault for asking that extra question back then!"

Nanase mustered up her courage and rubbed Amane's face.

"Hey, hey, you can't blame me for this. I really thought she was still half asleep and couldn't find the toilet... How could I possibly guess that she was scared by you... Come to think of it, it's Xiaoyi who's the pervert!"

"Huh? How did this blame end up on me... I, I'm innocent too, it's all, it's all Tianyin's fault! Who told you... to make me... feel so... comfortable... You'd better apologize to Yixia properly next time."

Nanase blushed and stammered as she spoke.

"Let's just let this go. Apologizing would be the same as mocking Ichika, wouldn't it? Besides, how am I supposed to apologize? I can't exactly apologize for making you feel too comfortable, Tsubasa, can I?"

"Eek! Tianyin! Please don't say such embarrassing things with such a straight face... I get shy... Let's forget about apologizing. So, Tianyin, what are your plans next? You can't exactly return that, can you?"

They had already fought for a whole night and a whole day, and if this continued, Nanase felt that even if her physical condition was good, she wouldn't be able to withstand Amane's torment.

"Sigh, what's all you thinking about in your little head all day?"

Amane patted Nanase's head, and Nanase lay in Amane's arms with a playful smile, gazing at Amane affectionately.

Suddenly, Nanase remembered something.

"By the way! Amane, do you know about the cultural festival?"

Whenever the cultural festival was mentioned, Amane's gaze toward Nanase became strange.

"There's less than a week left until the cultural festival starts, Xiaoyi, don't tell me your first-year Class D hasn't prepared for it yet."

"No, there really isn't any."

Nanase's honest answer made Amane helplessly cover her forehead.

Sometimes being too honest isn't a good thing.

"I understand that much, so I'm being completely honest with Tianyin... The reason I brought up the cultural festival is because Class D of the first year originally planned to just coast through it. After all, even if we came in last, there wouldn't be any punishment. Instead of wasting time and effort fighting for those few class points, we figured we might as well take a break and enjoy the festival to the fullest... But after seeing your barbecue stall yesterday, Tianyin, I changed my mind. Maybe... our Class D of the first year can compete. After all, the top few get over a hundred class points, which isn't a small amount..."

Amane listened attentively as Nanase recounted the events of Class D in the first year and the cultural festival, but she didn't hear Nanase ask her for any help until the very end, so she directly asked Nanase.

"I have a general understanding of the situation in your class, but Xiaoyi, you've told me all this not just to tell me about this decision, right? If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

Nanase lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, seemingly ashamed that her little thoughts had been seen through.

"I do have something I want to ask of you, Tianyin. Only you can help me with this."

Nanase got up from Amane's arms and looked at Amane with a serious expression.

This sudden change made Amane sit up straight. She could sense that Nanase's request this time was definitely not ordinary.

"I would like to ask Amane to lend me Horikita-san, Karuizawa-san, and Ichinose-san for a day."

"what?"

Amane had considered various scenarios in which Nanase might ask for her help, but she never expected that Nanase would actually want to borrow someone.

When Nanase mentioned the barbecue and the cultural festival, Amane vaguely guessed that if Nanase was seeking help, it was because she wanted Class 1-D to open a barbecue stall but lacked the necessary equipment and experience. Therefore, Amane's request to Amane was most likely to be to lend that barbecue stall to Class 1-D.

Or perhaps we should ask Tianyin to teach the students in Class D of the first grade how to make sauces and control the heat...

But what kind of operation is this, directly borrowing someone? Surely it's not like Class D of the first year needs her to provide staff to run a barbecue shop, right?

“Um… I know this request is unreasonable, but barbecuing is something that requires a lot of skill. Today is Saturday, and the cultural festival is in a week. Apart from today, we only have six days to use. Of those, only tomorrow is a rest day where we have plenty of time. The other times we can probably only get together after school. I think it's almost impossible for them to learn how to barbecue and control the heat in such a short time… So I hope that the more skilled Horikita and the others can help train us and give us some guidance on the day.”

Amane breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Nanase only wanted Horikita and the others to come and guide the business during the cultural festival.

You have to understand that Amane is still preparing for the maid café that Class 2-A will open. If Nanase borrows all her maids, who will she find to be a maid...?

Suddenly, Tianyin seemed to remember a woman who had promised her something.

'It seems like no one says that all maids in maid cafes have to be students, right?'

Chapter 280: Study Tour

As the weather gradually cools in early autumn, the scenery at the school becomes much more desolate.

The branches with only a few sparse leaves remind one of how vibrant and full of life they were not long ago, prompting a sigh about the rapid passage of time.

It wasn't that she was being overly sentimental, but rather... Tianyin was staring blankly at the bare tree outside the window.

The knowledge that Ms. Majima was talking about on stage was something she had already learned from the White House when she was a child. To her, the content taught by the teachers was no different from listening to kindergarten lessons. At first, Amane was able to listen patiently, but Ms. Majima was the kind of teacher who was very serious and responsible in her teaching. Whenever she encountered a knowledge point, she would break it down and explain the key points in detail. From the way Wang Meiyu and Yukimura nodded frequently, it was not difficult to see that Ms. Majima's teaching was quite good.

However, the content was simply too dry and boring for Tianyin. The exhaustion from last night, coupled with the dullness of the lecture, had already made Tianyin feel drowsy.

To avoid falling asleep during class, Tianyin could only try to fight off sleepiness by staring at the trees outside, but... the scarf Hui had knitted for her was so warm, she really wanted to sleep...

boom! !

Tianyin triggered muscle memory and instantly raised her hand to grab and smash the flying object thrown from the podium.

Tianyin belatedly looked at her raised hand and then opened it, only to see a small piece of chalk, crushed into countless tiny fragments, scattering from her hand onto the table.

In an instant, everyone's attention was drawn to Tianyin.

"Miyako-kun! Pay attention in class!"

"Yes!"

Ms. Mashima sternly reprimanded Amane for being distracted, and Amane could only obediently admit her mistake and then turn her attention back to the textbook in front of her.

When Majima-sensei saw that Amane was listening attentively again, she continued her lecture.

Ms. Majima has a teaching style that is completely different from the other teachers at Kaoyu High School... Well, rather than saying that Ms. Majima's teaching style is different from the other teachers', it's more accurate to say that the other teachers' teaching methods are incompatible with Ms. Majima's.

In this school, let alone someone like Tianyin who is daydreaming, even if you don't pay attention in class, talk during class, sleep, play on your phone, or whatever you do, no teacher will care.

Because of the powerful tool of surveillance cameras that deduct disciplinary points from students' class records, the school is not afraid that you will not be able to restrain your own behavior.

Even if you can't control yourself, your classmates will help you. As long as you're willing to pay the price for your actions, it doesn't matter what you do. It's a typical simulation of 'being responsible for yourself' in a society. At the same time, it shifts the conflict between teachers and students to the conflict between students, making students find ways to correct the behavior of other students. The school only needs to control the class points to control the behavior of students in any class in the whole school. In this system, the role of teachers is greatly reduced.

Ms. Majima is somewhat like a rigid old teacher. Although she looks to be only in her forties, she gives the impression of being meticulous, serious, and earnest.

Without a doubt, teachers like Ms. Majima are truly responsible for their students in their teaching. However, when the teacher evaluation was conducted in the education system last year, Ms. Majima received the lowest score. For example, people may prefer teachers who give students 'freedom', such as the rigid and strict Ms. Majima.

Teacher Tianyin didn't have any ill feelings towards this kind of person in charge, but she felt that his style of doing things was too out of step with the school's mission and atmosphere. Perhaps he would achieve better results if he changed jobs.

As the bell rang, Ms. Majima began packing up her lesson plans and then turned and left the classroom.

Tianyin, feeling relieved, slumped onto the table for a few minutes before deciding to go outside for some exercise, as staying in the classroom all the time was getting a bit boring.

While Horikita and Ichinose were having a heated discussion about the upcoming cultural festival arrangements, Amane quietly slipped out of the classroom through the back door. But before Amane could even take a good breath of the free air, she saw Majima-sensei standing in front of the window with a lesson plan in one hand and the other behind her back, looking serious. She seemed to be admiring the autumn scenery outside the window or perhaps waiting for someone.

Amane cautiously crept along the wall, trying to slip away from Majima-sensei, but unsurprisingly, Majima-sensei called out to her.

"Miyako-kun, I have something I'd like to talk to you about alone."

"I'm so sorry! I was a little distracted during class and my mind wandered a bit, but I've already grasped all the points you covered in class, so please don't worry about that! I promise I'll listen attentively next time."

Amane's perfectly formulaic answer did not cause Majima-sensei's expression to change in the slightest.

"What I want to talk to you about isn't classroom stuff, but something private... It might be a bit inappropriate for a teacher to say this, but I'll be frank. I want to talk to you about Sakayanagi-san. Do you have time now, Miyako-san?"

"Of course I have time!"

"Okay, then please follow me."

Majima was not surprised by Amane's answer. He had heard about the relationship between Amane and Arisu, but based on his observation, their relationship was more than just that of lovers. So he could only find the answers to some questions from Amane.

Mashima brought Amane to the tea room. The tea stalk, who was drinking tea alone inside, was clearly taken aback by Mashima and Amane's sudden arrival, seemingly wondering why such a strange combination had appeared.

"Tea Hashira-sensei, I need to talk to Miyako-kun about something, you see..."

"There's no need to be so polite about such a small matter. My class is about to start, so I'll go out and prepare my lesson plan. I have the key to the tea room on the coffee table. Please remember to close the door after we're done talking, and then have Tianyin put the key on my desk."

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Chabashira."

Chabashira nodded in response to Mashima-sensei, then gave Amane a look that told her to behave before getting up and leaving the room.

Suddenly, only Amane and Mashima-sensei remained in the entire tea room.

Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?

"...Do you have any milk? Uh... never mind, I'm not that thirsty yet. Let's talk about Arisu first."

When Amane saw Majima-sensei standing there with tea leaves and instant coffee in her hands, she quickly changed the subject. More than what to drink, Amane was actually more concerned about whether something had happened to Arisu.

"Since you're so concerned about Sakayanagi Arisu's situation, let's get straight to the point. Miyako-kun, do you remember the 'Unanimous Special Exam' from a while back?"

When Majima-sensei mentioned the special exam that everyone agreed on, Amane's upturned smile seemed to freeze.

A barely perceptible ripple quickly passed through her smiling eyes, like a ripple on a lake's surface caused by a gentle breeze. However, as the ripple returned to the calm lake, Tianyin's eyes also became incredibly calm.

"Of course I remember. Our second-year Class A paid a very heavy price to win that exam."

In that exam, Class 2-A lost two students, one of whom was an outstanding student like Hirata. Although Ibuki and Kamuro joined later, they could not compare to Hirata's value to Class 2-A.

Even though there was a significant gap in ability, Class A actually lost that special exam, despite seemingly gaining a large number of class points to widen the gap with other classes.

The reason why Class A is considered to have made a huge profit is because of Tianyin. As the leader of Class A, Tianyin's strength is outstanding in the entire school. Therefore, as long as Tianyin is still there, no matter what huge price Class A pays, they can still regroup and go all the way to the end.

But what if there's no Heavenly Sound?

The loss of Hirata in Class A is just like Chabashira-sensei's fear back then that losing him, the most important leader in the class, would mean the entire class would lose all hope of competing with Class A for victory.

A class without a leader is nothing more than a castle on the beach; a single wave can easily destroy it.

Therefore, judging solely from the outcome, the price paid by Class A in that special exam was far too heavy. Fortunately, Amane had been consciously collecting strong individuals from each class and gathering them together. Otherwise, if they had encountered a situation like losing an important class figure like Hirata, the entire class would inevitably have fallen into chaos and division.

Amane pulled her thoughts back from the unanimous special exam. Majima-sensei said the discussion was about Arisu's problem, so how did it turn back to the unanimous special exam?

"To be precise, that special exam cost all classes dearly. If possible, I don't want the school to keep setting extreme special exams that target so-called humanity. After all, humanity... even adults can't withstand any test, let alone you high school students."

Ms. Majima shook her head, seemingly feeling helpless about this kind of extreme and special exam, before continuing to speak.

"Since you remember that special exam, Miyako, you must also remember that one of the questions was asking where you would like to go on a study tour."

"That's right, I do recall having such a question, could it be that..."

"The location and time for this year's study tour have been set. In previous years, the study tour usually lasted for about five days to a week, but this time it will last for a full twenty-one days, and the location is Hokkaido."

Majima-sensei's words immediately made Amane realize certain elements.

"Mr. Mashima, do you mean that Arisu might not be able to participate in the study tour?"

"As expected of Miyako-san, her reaction was indeed quick. But to be precise, I was against her participating in this study tour, while Sakayanagi-san insisted on going. I understand how important this study tour, which only happens once every three years, is to you. But I don't need to say much about Sakayanagi-san's physical condition, do I? It would be very difficult for Sakayanagi-san to endure the climate of Hokkaido."

Ms. Mashima said earnestly.

Amane pursed her lips and fell silent. Objectively speaking, Mashima-sensei was right. Last time when the three of them went hiking, she and Kaede had taken special care of Arisu, but in the end, Arisu still developed a high fever and almost died.

This made Amane absolutely unwilling to let Arisu suffer the same danger again, so from Amane's perspective, she supported Mashima-sensei's decision.

But now that Majima-sensei has come to talk to her, it means that she must have discussed this matter with Arisu, but because of Arisu's insistence, she was ultimately unable to persuade her.

Majima-sensei came to Amane to try and persuade Arisu because she couldn't change his mind...

But even for Amane, persuading Arisu, who has already made up his mind, would probably be quite difficult.

"How are the accommodations for this study tour? Couldn't Arisu come with everyone to Hokkaido and wait for them at the accommodation?"

Amane first tried to obtain some information about study tours from Majima-sensei. With a detailed plan and arrangements for the study tour, Amane was able to find ways to avoid the dangers that Arisu might encounter when participating in the study tour.

"It's true that accommodation is guaranteed, but... since it's a special exam, I can't tell you too much. I can only say that the study tour is a group activity that everyone has to participate in. If Sakayanagi comes to the site but doesn't participate in the specific activities, even if everyone knows that she can't participate because of health reasons, there will definitely be some rumors, and some people will be dissatisfied with it."

Although Majima-sensei said she couldn't reveal the information, she had actually already revealed some of the most crucial information to Amane.

Special exams and group activities.

If it were just a simple trip, Amane wouldn't mind Arisu participating, but when it comes to special exams, Amane has to take it seriously.