My roommate turns out to be the heiress of a triad!

Tutoring Jiu Tiao Moyou for three months will earn a reward of 500,000.

To be honest, the rewards for this mission aren't very attractive.

Ryoichi Sugawara's living expenses for three months were higher than the reward for this mission before the reduction, not to mention that the reward would be reduced based on the performance of completing the mission.

Consider it a bonus for receiving a favor from Mr. Hase.

Thinking this way.

However, before he could even agree, Mr. Hase spoke first.

"Since no one is saying anything, does that mean they agree?"

Having missed the best opportunity to speak, Ryoichi Sugawara simply shut his mouth.

After waiting a few more seconds, Kujo Mayu remained noncommittal.

Just as Sugawara Ryoichi was about to save face for Hase-sensei and was about to respond, Hase-sensei, as if afraid that he might say something bad, made a decisive statement.

"Okay. It's settled then."

He then continued.

"Nine, I don't expect your grades to return to what they were before in such a short time."

It's not that the teacher doesn't believe you have such a bright mind, but that while you were working hard, others were also working hard.

They are all vying for a top spot.

As for Sugawara, your teacher believes in your abilities.

After saying that, he turned around, took out two Fujiya lollipops from his desk drawer, and handed them to the two of them.

"Alright, it's nothing. I've taken up a little of your time."

If there are club activities, go join them; if not, leave school as soon as possible.

······

When the two returned to the empty classroom to retrieve their belongings and walked along the asphalt road on campus after school, the clouds on the horizon had already taken on a touch of orange-red.

By this time, more than half an hour had passed since school ended, and most of the students who were supposed to leave had already gone, so there were few students leaving school along the same route as the two of them.

Kitasakano High School focuses its academic efforts on college entrance exams.

At the same time, the school's board members have considerable influence in all sectors of society and can bring in a lot of sponsorships for the school every year.

Therefore, the importance attached to club activities that can directly improve college entrance examination pass rates is significantly higher than the average level of similar colleges.

Student unions, academic research societies, sports societies, and cultural and artistic societies account for more than 60% of the university's annual recommendation quota.

This has become a shortcut for some students with less outstanding academic performance but special interests and talents to enter prestigious schools.

Therefore, during the club recruitment season in April each year, the information booths of these clubs are always crowded with people.

Competition for entry within these clubs is fierce, and the selection process is extremely rigorous.

For those clubs and departments, they only select the elite and will never accept gaomi (a derogatory term for someone who is easily fooled or disliked).

However, ordinary people can also join as a way to cultivate their interests and hobbies, as there are always some experienced members in the club who are willing to guide newcomers.

The school will allocate recommendation quotas based on factors such as whether the club won a competition that year, what the ranking was, whether it had other outstanding performances, and whether it was a milestone event.

Mediocre individuals only waste the time of club leaders and advisors, and reduce the department's chances of getting recommended spots.

For those leading roles within the department, genius is merely the threshold to their success.

Because each of them has the ability to win a national competition ranking.

The strength of the clubs at Kitasakano High School is evident.

This is not.

Even after school on Friday, members of various sports clubs are sweating it out in the warm sunset on the outdoor track and field.

The athletes on the baseball field are swinging their bats with Koshien (the highest level of the national baseball tournament) in mind.

The orchestra in the student union building is rehearsing its repertoire for the next competition.

Everyone is moving forward toward their goals.

Only Sugawara Ryoichi was still worrying about what to eat tonight.

How about we go out to eat like we did last night?

Sugawara Ryo thought to himself.

After all, I'm a country bumpkin from Okayama, so my tastes might be different from those of city dwellers in Tokyo.

He certainly didn't want to go through the painstaking process of selecting ingredients, preparing side dishes, and cooking, only to have someone complain, "It's too salty; feeding this to our animal friends would poison them."

After walking together for a while, Sugawara Ryoichi suddenly realized something important and stopped abruptly.

Lost in thought, Mayu Kujo took a few steps before realizing he was no longer beside her. She looked around frantically, only to find Ryoichi Sugawara standing there like a wooden statue.

"Naruto."

Kujo Mayu pouted, looking slightly dissatisfied.

"I suddenly remembered that we can't go back together. Why don't you go ahead by yourself?"

Ryoichi Sugawara and Mayu Kujo are currently living together, and their final destination when returning home is Ryoichi Sugawara's rented apartment.

It's not far from the school, and students from the same school often commute along that route.

If someone they know sees the two of them entering and leaving a rented apartment together, who knows what outrageous rumors will spread the next day.

This morning, taking this into consideration, Sugawara Ryoichi deliberately waited ten minutes after she left before heading to school, almost making him late.

Upon hearing the reason for his stop, Kujo Mayu gave him a look that seemed to say, "That's all?" and then replied.

"Look, there are hardly any students leaving school at this hour. There's no need to worry unnecessarily."

Sugawara Ryoichi was taken aback for a moment, then thought about it and realized that the situation was indeed as she had described.

People who are eager to go home have already arrived home by this time, or are on the tram heading home, swaying along with the tram.

A wandering loiter, at this hour, would have already crawled past my house even if he were to.

People who are intentionally going out with friends are even less likely to appear near my home.

However, if you're going to get stuck on something, you can still chat with her for a bit longer.

But neither of them were that kind of person, so the topic ended there.

Once Sugawara Ryoichi arrived, Kujo Mayu started walking, and the two strolled together on campus.

At this moment, she put on the uniform jacket she had taken off earlier, held the handles of her schoolbag in front of her with both hands, and her long black hair fluttered in the breeze of the setting sun, making her look just like a princess in a classic story.

Her demeanor was indeed impeccable.

But who would have thought that such a wonderful girl would have such terrible grades?

According to Ms. Hasegawa's description, her academic performance has only declined in the last few months.

There are many reasons for a decline in grades during high school, but the main reasons are nothing more than two.

One type is the most basic: those who can't keep up with the teacher's pace and can't understand the book's content smoothly.

Although it may sound cruel, this is indeed a demonstration of academic ability reaching its limit.

Another reason is distraction caused by other things, making it difficult to concentrate on studying. This situation is more complicated.

Ryoichi Sugawara knew very little about Mayu Kujo and could not determine which situation it was.

If it were the first scenario, even Sugawara no Michizane would probably have to shake his head.

Moreover, judging from Kujo Mayu's behavior in the staff room just now, there's a very high chance that discussing this matter now would offend her.

However, having taken on this hot potato, he had no choice but to do something about it.

Just as Sugawara Ryoichi was pondering how to bring up the topic, Kujo Mayu noticed that he was distracted.

So I reached out and waved my hand in front of him a few times, pulling him back to reality.

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"

Ryoichi Sugawara did not answer immediately because when Mayu Kujo reached out her hand, he smelled the same scent emanating from her as the shampoo he was using.

Especially considering that she had been sleeping at home for the past two days, combined with this smell.

This gives people a magical feeling.

This makes one wonder if the fragrance on her body was acquired through other means.

Thinking of this, Sugawara Ryoichi decided to tease her. He looked Kujo Mayu up and down with a malicious smile, staring at her so much that she subconsciously covered herself with her hands, like a timid little cat.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm wondering what to do when I get home, since it's still so early."

"What...what do you want to do?"

"Of course, we should do something that will make both of us happy."

When Kujo Mayu said something that would make people feel like she was making a dirty joke, she actually lost her fear of the unknown.

He lowered his hands and said nonchalantly.

"Please don't say anything weird that could be misunderstood, okay? Besides, that's a crime. You'd better get rid of that idea as soon as possible."

Knowing that his words had worked, Sugawara Ryoichi's smile widened, and he pressed his advantage by continuing.

"Huh? Why do you want to give up? You wouldn't even notice if I did it secretly while you were sleeping."

After these words were spoken, Kujo Mayu stood there stunned for a few seconds, her mind automatically conjuring up the kind of thing that Sugawara Ryoichi had said—something that could be done secretly while she was sleeping without being discovered.

It's connected to her; it means I'll need to be with her...

It's unclear what she was thinking, but her breathing gradually became rapid, and her cheeks slowly flushed pink.

Then, in a panic, she took a few steps back and looked at Sugawara Ryoichi with disbelief and shame.

"I...I'm warning you, don't even think about...and don't do that kind of thing. I...I'll call the police!"

"I was talking about studying, studying. What are you thinking, hahaha?"

Hearing Sugawara Ryoichi's words, Kujo Mayu stood there for a few seconds, pondering them.

After realizing that she had been tricked by him, her peach blossom eyes widened, but they had no intimidating power at all.

The next second, Mayu Kujo threw her schoolbag from several meters away at Ryoichi Sugawara.

The spinning backpack sliced ​​through the air and nearly hit his face.

After confirming that Sugawara Ryoichi had caught the schoolbag, Kujo Mayu turned around and walked away angrily.

"Are you angry? I'm sorry."

Ryoichi Sugawara, carrying two schoolbags, followed behind Mayu Kujo with a grin.

The two jogged along the asphalt road on campus, one after the other, looking just like a noisy, silly couple.

Just as Sugawara Ryoichi was getting closer and closer to Kujo Mayu's back and was about to catch up with her, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Fortunately, Ryoichi Sugawara braked in time, preventing a collision.

Peeking out, she saw a tall, thin boy standing not far in front of her.

The man was wearing a black and white striped baseball jersey and a black baseball cap. He stood there, staring at the two of them expressionlessly.