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

"It was permitted by Principal Kiryu Academy, and Chairman Sakayanagi also approved it!"

"Principal Kiryu High School and Chairman Sakayanagi?"

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Majima realized that since both the principal and the chairman of the board had agreed, he seemed to have no reason to refuse.

"I'll confirm with you two later. If it's true, you can stay. But Kiryuin, what's your purpose here? And how are you going to take the final exams?"

Ms. Mashima went straight to the point. Kaede had participated in the last educational trip, but the destination wasn't Hokkaido. It seemed a bit too much trouble for her to travel all the way here at her own expense just to see the scenery of Hokkaido again.

Because Kaede's behavior defies common sense, Majima-sensei has to be cautious.

"I came here to take care of Arisu. Although I heard that Hoshinomiya-sensei is also on the educational trip, I know Arisu's physical condition better and can take better care of her. This is why Chairman Sakayanagi agreed to let me come here. As for the final exam, the school will send the exam papers to you, Majima-sensei. After printing them out, I will complete the exam under your supervision. This way, it won't delay the final exam."

Maple's answer wasn't problematic, so Majima-sensei temporarily accepted her joining the group.

Since everyone has just started skiing training, all arrangements will have to wait until the skiing training is over, so Maple's task is to accompany Arisu and rest on the side.

Tianyin, due to her excellent skills, also joined in teaching those skiing novices.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, please help me! It's out of control, it's out of control, oh my god!"

With a scream, Hui fell twice and accidentally slid down the snow slope before crashing headfirst into a snowdrift.

Upon seeing this, Tianyin quickly went over and pulled Hui out of the snowdrift.

"Be careful, it looks like it's all snow here, but it can actually hurt quite a bit if you fall."

"Yeah! It hurts so much! I never want to ski again!"

Hui clutched her bottom with a long face. She had fallen hard on the ground, and the pain was so bad that she couldn't even walk normally.

"Really? Let me take a look..."

"It's right here, it hurts so much!"

Tianyin grinned mischievously and reached out to check.

Shiina, who had just realized what Amane was about to do, instinctively turned her blushing face away. Because of this sudden turn, Megumi saw it clearly. Megumi belatedly realized what Amane was going to do, but it was too late.

"Ouch!! Tianyin, you bad guy! Watch how I hurt you!"

Hui, blushing with embarrassment after being comforted in public, angrily bent down to make a snowball to teach Tianyin a lesson, but just as she slid a few steps to throw it, she fell heavily to the ground again.

"Karuizawa-kun, are you alright?"

"benefit."

When Shiina and Amane saw that Megumi had fallen to the ground again, they quickly came over and helped her up.

The ski instructor next to her shook his head helplessly when he saw Hui like this, and could only let Tianyin help Hui go back to rest first.

After helping Hui change out of her ski gear in the changing room, Amane wanted to linger with Hui for a while, but Hui, who was in so much pain that she could only lie down, was no longer the clingy, snake-like person she had been before. In the end, Amane had to push and kick her to get her out of the changing room.

"How are you, Karuizawa? You looked like you were in a lot of pain from that last fall."

Upon seeing Amane return to the ski resort, Shiina carefully walked up to her step by step and asked her with concern. Shiina's sense of balance seemed to be much better than Kei's. However, the way Shiina carefully moved her feet just now looked a bit like a cute little duck. Amane was amused by Shiina's actions and shook her head while trying to suppress her laughter.

"It's nothing serious. Judging from the fact that you can still kick people, you probably didn't break any bones. You just need some rest. How were you the other day? Do you need me to teach you how to ski? I'm super skilled, you know~"

"No way! I saw everything that just happened, I'm not going to give you a chance, Tianyin!"

Shiina clumsily distanced herself from Amane, but Amane was much more skilled at skiing than Shiina and easily circled behind Shiina, catching her as she tried to escape.

Seeing that she had nowhere to escape, Shiina had no choice but to surrender, saying that she could let Amane teach her, but she couldn't be bullied.

After giving a vague answer to the request, Amane began to teach Shiina how to maintain her balance.

Seeing this scene, Maple, sitting in the lounge in the distance, said to Arisu, who was holding a hand warmer beside her, with a touch of sadness.

"Arisu, did you see that? That bastard Amane is even taking advantage of girls while skiing! And you're right here, Arisu! Ugh, it's infuriating. I'll go teach her a lesson for you."

As she spoke, Fenghua prepared to get up and change into her ski suit.

Arisu simply picked up the teacup in front of her with a blank expression, took a small sip, and then slowly opened her mouth.

"If you want to go, then go ahead. I'm not stopping you. Why make excuses? We've known each other for so many years, do you think I don't know what you're thinking?"

"...You're always just watching from the sidelines, aren't you afraid that idiot will fall for someone else?"

Maple put down her ski suit and sat down opposite Arisu with a disappointed look on her face.

"Fall in love with someone else? Do you think she would? How about we make a bet? When Tianyin comes back, if I cough even once, she'll send me back, and she'll insist on sleeping next to me at night to make sure I fall asleep before she feels at ease."

"..."

Maple pondered for a moment, then decisively refused to make the bet with Arisu.

"I'm not betting with you. Everyone knows she's spoiling you rotten. If I bet with you, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?"

Maple sighed as she spoke. She had only been a little jealous of the way Amane and Shiina were being affectionate, but after chatting with Arisu for a few minutes, she was now completely consumed by jealousy.

I should have known better than to bring this up.

"So I believe Tianyin won't have any feelings for me. And if I had to say what I'm afraid of right now, I'd be more afraid of you than Tianyin."

"Hey!! Arisu, that's going too far! I came all this way to take care of you, and you still say such hurtful things to me, waaaaah..."

As Fenghua spoke, her voice choked with emotion, and she wiped away nonexistent tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Whenever I see you, I'm reminded of what happened when we last came to Hokkaido."

"Ahem...that was an accident...um, um...I suddenly remembered I have something to do, so I'll be going now~"

After finishing her sentence, Maple quickly got up and started putting on her ski suit. Before she was even fully dressed, she hurriedly rushed into the ski resort outside.

Seeing this, Arisu pouted. That trip almost cost her her life. It was one thing for Amane to lack common sense since Amane had been isolated from the world for a long time, but for Maple to plan a mountain climbing trip and be even less common sense than Amane was really a bit of a shock to Arisu.

Fortunately, the incident ended without any serious harm, but due to the psychological trauma left by that mountain climbing experience, Arisu never set foot on this land again. She finally managed to secure this rare opportunity for an educational trip to Hokkaido, but then Kaede came along too.

The moment Arisu saw the maple blossoms, those unbearable memories began to resurface. She was now praying that no unexpected events or extreme weather would occur, otherwise this place must have some kind of grudge against the maple blossoms.

Even Arisu, who has always scoffed at metaphysics, has had to become wary this time.

It was 5 p.m. when the second-year students, who had finished their ski training, were gathered together. They were supposed to go to their booked hotel to store their luggage and rest, but Mr. Majima and the ski resort manager organized the students and ski resort staff to line up on the side, seemingly waiting for some important person.

About fifteen minutes later, while everyone was passively trembling, several luxury cars finally arrived.

The bodyguards responsible for security who got out of the car first, along with personnel dressed like special agents, immediately conducted a quick search of the scene. Then, a middle-aged man who looked to be around forty years old slowly walked out.

"Welcome, Mayor Miyako."

Please wait.

The other party nodded slightly, which was considered as greeting the ski resort manager and Ms. Majima.

"I wonder if you could prepare a quiet room for me and Miss Miyako? I have something to tell you."

"Please wait a moment, we'll get ready right away."

The man, also called Miyako, stopped in front of Amane but did not greet her. It wasn't until the ski resort manager had prepared the room that Mayor Miyako smiled and nodded to Amane before walking towards the prepared room. Amane could only helplessly follow behind. She didn't know what Mayor Miyako wanted to see her about, nor did she know why even Arisu had been asked to participate in the conversation.

"Everyone, please wait on the bus."

When Sakagami saw that Majima-sensei had also been called over, he quickly got the students, who were almost frozen stiff from standing in the snow, onto the bus. Reminded by Sakagami, Chabashira and Hoshinomiya also hurriedly stopped the students from getting on the bus heading to the hotel and waited for Majima-sensei and the others to finish their conversation.

As soon as Amane entered the room, she saw Mayor Miyako and Ms. Majima already seated, so she and Arisu sat down in the empty seats.

Mayor Miyako only spoke after everyone was seated.

"I heard that your educational trip, Miss Miyako, is to my jurisdiction, so I came all the way from Sapporo to ask if you have any guidance for me, or if you need my help?"

Mayor Miyako's overly solicitous attitude made Amane wary.

Educational trips for high school students are very common. What mayor would make a special trip to meet with a high school student just to discuss an educational trip?

"You're overthinking it. I'm just on a normal educational trip and there's nothing I need help with. Thank you for your concern."

"Miss Miyako, please don't be so polite with me. Actually, I've come to bother you today because I hope you can help me with something."

Mayor Miyako, who had been testing the waters and found that Tenon didn't have the temper of a spoiled young lady, didn't feel relieved at all. Instead, he started to get nervous. He realized that if he continued to be so polite, Tenon would probably be happy to see it happen, so he decided to just cut to the chase.

"I'd better avoid what comes next."

After Majima-sensei realized that Mayor Miyako might say something that was inappropriate for him to be present, she got up to leave, but Mayor Miyako persuaded her to stay.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Majima, there is nothing about me that I need to discuss with a high school student that requires your recusal as a teacher."

Mayor Miyako's words left Amane and Majima-sensei looking at each other in bewilderment.

Judging from his expression, if he wanted to seek help, it was either to establish contact through Amane and Miyako Kuninori, or it was about family matters. But none of these things are things that Majima-sensei can listen to, right?

Furthermore, Mayor Miyako actually said that what he was about to say was to Amane, who was a student. So what help could a student possibly give him?

Filled with doubt, the two looked quietly at Mayor Miyako, waiting for him to continue.

Mayor Miyako first organized his thoughts before speaking in a softer tone.

“I have only recently been promoted to this position, and it will be difficult to gain the respect of others without demonstrating something, especially since this is not traditionally ‘our own’ territory. It is somewhat difficult for outsiders like us to get involved. Therefore, I hope that I can step forward to provide assistance and support for your school’s educational trip.”

Mayor Miyako's actions left Ms. Majima completely baffled. Why would he support a seemingly ordinary educational trip for no apparent reason?

Compared to Majima-sensei, Amane is much more direct.

What do you want? What do I need to do? What can I get in return?

When these three questions were presented, Mayor Miyako became visibly nervous, and his posture even became more restrained and serious.

"First, I want to use the purpose of your school's educational trip to boost my political reputation, and at the same time, take this opportunity to promote the specialties of Sapporo and even Hokkaido, and even set a precedent for local departments to use school educational trips to promote local cultural traditions, customs and specialties."

Then, Ms. Miyako and your school don't need to do anything; they just need to follow the original plan. If possible, I would like to organize more visits to attractions in Sapporo, and of course, all expenses will be borne by us.

Finally, your esteemed school and Ms. Amane will receive the highest level of hospitality in Sapporo. Furthermore, all expenses for this educational trip, including accommodation, will be covered by us. Moreover, some of you may perform exceptionally well and attract the attention of talent scouts or companies, potentially leading to new stardom or opportunities for sponsorship, all without incurring any costs. You only need to participate in our filming and cooperate appropriately with our promotional efforts.

After Mayor Miyako finished speaking, he took several breaths before his complexion returned to normal. However, judging from his somewhat excited state, Tenon judged that Mayor Miyako had truly expressed his true thoughts and believed that the blueprint had a very high probability of being realized. Most importantly, it would be profitable.

Since it doesn't cost him any money and can bring him a good reputation, why not?

Mr. Majima nodded seriously, seemingly agreeing that the deal was very feasible. Publicity was a minor issue; the school had originally planned to film the educational trip as a form of promotion, and with the strong support of the local city, what more could be said? The only problem was that he couldn't make a decision on this matter.

Just as Amane was about to speak, Arisu gently tugged at her arm.

As Tenon turned around to ask the reason, she saw Arisu wink at her.

This was their secret code, meaning that Tianyin didn't need to speak next.

After nodding to Arisu, Amane signaled for Arisu to negotiate with Mayor Miyako.

"You certainly know how to talk. If I'm not mistaken, you've already negotiated with the school but there are some points that you can't reach an agreement on, so you've come here to take a different approach, hoping to put pressure on the school through Tianyin, right?"

Mayor Miyako sighed upon hearing Arisu's question.

"It seems that the biggest failure this time was allowing the eldest daughter of the Sakayanagi family to come in and listen in. I originally hoped that you could have some influence on Chairman Sakayanagi, but now it seems that I shot myself in the foot. With such an excellent lover by your side, Ms. Miyako, Mr. Kunihiro Miyako can rest assured."

Arisu was unfazed by Mayor Miyako's earlier compliments, but she couldn't help but blush when he openly mentioned that she was Amane's lover.

"I apologize for being nosy, but your families are generally aware of your situation, so it's not exactly a secret... Getting back to the point, the reason I wanted Ms. Miyako to intervene is because this area was originally the traditional territory of the Kiryuin family."

The final piece of the puzzle finally appeared, and Amane immediately completed piecing together all the clues, finally understanding why the maple flowers would appear in a place like Hokkaido at this time.

The reason is simple: her own father must have realized that her mother was gradually influencing him and eventually took Tianyin away from him. Her father knew better than anyone that his status actually came from having a gifted daughter, and apart from that, her good looks were perhaps his only advantage.

In terms of ability, he is utterly useless and only knows how to use his family's power to solve problems for him. Once he loses these powers, he will instantly fall to the bottom. To do this, all that is needed is to take away Tianyin.

So, while Marina was making up for her love for Amane, she also finally drew her sword to avenge her past self. In her anger, her father arranged for his family to move to the Kiryuin family's territory and issued an order to weaken the Kiryuin family's influence. That's why Mayor Miyako made this cooperation request, which seemed like a windfall.

How could Kiryuin Marina, who had become the principal of the high school, possibly agree? However, she was not a political figure, and the Kiryuin family's power was far too insignificant. Without the support of Hokkaido's traditional influence, they would soon lose all their value.

In the end, he was trampled to death by the Miyako family.

Only Amane could save the Miyako family, but Marina felt she owed Amane too much and was too embarrassed to ask Amane for help. So Marina could only send Kaede, the last hope of the Kiryuin family, to Amane, hoping that Amane would help her this time out of consideration for her relationship with Kaede.

only……

She is Miyako Tenon.

On one side is her dog-like father, but also her wicked grandfather and foolish younger brother; on the other side is her mother, who is trying her best to make amends to her, and her future husband, Kaede.

How should I choose?

Arisu still looked a little confused. Perhaps if you tell Arisu the whole story, she will definitely be able to give you a good solution.

But ah.

She's supposed to protect Arisu, so how can she rely on Arisu for everything?

Now is the time for her to get serious.

"You want to put me on the hot seat? Then I only have one way to do it: get rid of you from your current position, and everything will be fine."