I'm in Teresin, dedicated to playing badly

This doesn't look like a normal business activity at all; instead, it has a strange sense of déjà vu.

Moreover, similar problems may not only exist in this one company.

Although I haven't visited other stores yet, according to information from Tamamo Cross, many stores around Tressen seem to have similar promotions, with discounts that defy normal business logic.

Although she was so focused on the rewards that she didn't have time to look at the requirements, according to Shinji Kitahara's judgment, these shops probably weren't just doing charity on Valentine's Day; it was probably something similar... Hmm?

Just as Shinji Kitahara was pondering, he felt something soft touch his fingertips, but it quickly withdrew.

"...Tamamo?"

Shinji Kitahara turned to look at Tamamo Cross, who lowered her head and remained silent for a while before slowly speaking.

"Maybe we should just forget about it..."

Oh, I've been rejected.

Despite thinking this way, Shinji Kitahara wasn't particularly surprised by Tamamo Cross's decision.

After all, they weren't lovers. Although they were willing to pretend for the discount, the rules of the event clearly went beyond the scope of pretense and even crossed certain lines.

In particular, Shinji Kitahara also knew that although Tamamo Cross came from a poor family and was in poor economic condition, it was precisely because of this that her persistence in certain aspects was stronger than that of ordinary people.

For example, regarding her previous poverty, although she came from a poor background, given the outside world's attitude towards her, as long as Tamamo Cross was willing to disclose her situation, there would definitely be plenty of people willing to help her raise funds.

Not to mention that she was an elite member of Treson's headquarters, which alone would make many companies willing to sponsor her.

After all, the cost of sponsoring a poor student is negligible for a company, but the positive impact that this action can bring is something that money can't buy.

And if one day Tamamo Cross becomes successful and wins one or two big-reward matches, it's hard to imagine how much profit it could bring to the company. It's almost like a business that's guaranteed to lose money and has a chance to make a huge profit.

But Tamamo Cross did not adopt these methods, nor did it even consider them.

Self-esteem? Perseverance? Or something else entirely?

Shinji Kitahara didn't know what it was that made her refuse the help.

But he also realized that it was those very things that made her refuse help that sustained her to this point, and in the process, they gradually seeped into her very being and became a part of her.

Although Tamamo Cross suffered a lot because of this persistence, it was precisely because of this persistence that Tamamo Cross became who she is today, which is also the reason why Shinji Kitahara likes her so much.

Of course, his fondness for the child was purely liking, and it contained no romantic feelings whatsoever.

Even during the most difficult times, Tamamo Cross did not waver in her resolve due to financial issues, so a mere price reduction event is even less likely to shake her conviction.

—At least that's what Shinji Kitahara thought.

As for why Tamamo Cross touched his hand just now, and why he's now keeping his head down and remaining silent...

Shinji Kitahara thought for a moment and figured that it was probably because Tamamo Cross felt guilty for making him come all this way for nothing, so she tried to touch his hand, but when she realized she couldn't accept it, she pulled it back. Then she didn't know how to tell him about the situation, so she lowered her head and remained silent.

In that case...

Shinji Kitahara thought for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"How about we go check out the next one first?"

Faced with Kitahara Shinji's suggestion, Tamamo Cross did not immediately agree. Instead, she lowered her head, her fingers trembling a few times before she slowly nodded, her tone seemingly hesitant for some reason.

"Let's check out the next one then..."

After saying that, Tamamo Cross started walking, leading Kitahara Shinji to the next shop.

Since it was a pre-planned route, it didn't take long for Shinji Kitahara and Juji Tamamo to reach the second shop. Then, looking at the event posters posted outside the shop, they both fell silent again.

This is getting even worse!

Looking at the even lower discounts and more outrageous demands on the posters, Shinji Kitahara became increasingly suspicious of the motives behind these stores' promotions.

However, before he could think for long, he noticed that Tamamo Cross's head was gradually lowering again. Without thinking any further, he quickly spoke up.

"Let's go check out the next one then. We can't do this with every shop..."

Right?

Upon arriving at the third store, seeing that the discounts were even greater than those at the second store, and the terms were even more outrageous, Shinji Kitahara even considered calling the chairman and asking her to investigate the situation at these stores.

This doesn't look right at all!

After visiting three stores in a row without success, Shinji Kitahara realized that this was probably the case for all the stores offering discounts in the area, so there was little point in continuing to browse.

"Let's... go back."

Not only Shinji Kitahara, but after visiting three stores in a row and experiencing the same problem, Tamamo Cross also seemed to realize the issue. After bowing his head and remaining silent for a long time, he finally decided to give up.

"Then it seems like this is the only way."

Shinji Kitahara didn't think there was anything wrong with what she said. Although it was a bit of a pity, given the current situation, continuing to wander around would only be a waste of time, so it was better to go back to the academy as soon as possible.

Strangely, after making the decision to return to the academy, Tamamo Cross did not immediately take a step. It wasn't until Kitahara Shinji turned around and walked for a while that he realized she hadn't followed.

Looking back at Tamamo Cross, who was still standing in the same spot, he noticed that she had raised her head at some point, looking up at the promotional poster on the shop, clutching the piece of paper filled with her plans tightly in her hand.

After a moment, she lowered her head, looking at the papers in her hand, a fleeting look of desolation on her face.

Then, in the next second, she composed herself, looked up, resumed her usual carefree demeanor, crumpled the paper in her hand into a ball, threw it into the nearby trash can, and then turned around and walked towards Shinji Kitahara.

"Ah, sorry, I just saw something strange and my mind wandered for a moment..."

Tamamo Cross walked up to Kitahara Shinji with a smile. Her expression and tone were no different from usual. As she got closer, she shrugged and said playfully.

"It's a bit of a shame, but there's really nothing we can do about it. Let's head back to the academy now. I'm so sorry you made a wasted trip. I'll treat you to a nice meal when I get paid next time... okay?"

Tamamo Cross's words came to an abrupt end.

Because the moment she finished speaking, a large hand grasped her palm.

Without any explanation, Kitahara Shinji simply took a step forward, took Tamamo Cross's hand, and led her to where she had been standing.

In front of Tamamo Cross, he picked up the crumpled paper she had discarded, cleaned it, unfolded it, folded it again, and carefully put it into his pocket. Then he raised his head and led Tamamo Cross to the store that was having a promotion, and spoke earnestly.

"We are a couple and we came to participate in the event."

"Where do I register?"

Chapter 256: Try this

To be honest, if possible, Shinji Kitahara really didn't want to participate in these activities that looked so wrong.

But from afar, watching the fleeting sadness on Tamamo's face, thinking of her excitement before she left, and that piece of paper filled with dense writing, clearly the result of a lot of hard work.

Although reason told him that staying away from these strange activities was the wise thing to do, and although he knew very well that even if he left, Tamamo Cross would not blame him, and would even feel guilty for making him come all this way for nothing.

But he still chose to stay, and even took the initiative to hold Tamamo Cross's hand.

Is it because he doesn't want to give up? Is it because he's not afraid of trouble?

of course not.

Compared to simply giving up and causing trouble, what he finds even more unacceptable is the current state of Tamamo Cross.

Yes, he knew she had principles, he knew she had boundaries, and he knew she didn't want to be pitied.

No matter what happens or what difficulties she faces, she can maintain her carefree and easygoing demeanor on the surface. She is a child who is extremely strong and sensible, which is also the reason why Shinji Kitahara likes her so much.

But the question is, is all of this, which seems so wonderful, really entirely correct?

Shinji Kitahara doesn't think so.

Holding Tamamo Cross's hand, he quickly completed the procedures for participating in the event, and then led her into the store where the event was being held, holding her hand as they walked inside.

However, even though he brought the Tamamo Cross into the store, Shinji Kitahara was still somewhat unsure of himself.

After all, judging from what he just saw, Tamamo Cross was quite resistant to contacting him, and he was mentally prepared for Tamamo Cross to resist, or even be suspected and disliked.

Strangely, Tamamo Cross, who had previously disliked him so much and would immediately pull her hand away if he touched her, did not resist at all after he held her hand. Even now, as he led her in, he did not encounter the slightest resistance and even seemed to cooperate and obey.

This kid...

Looking back at Tamamo Cross, who was obediently following behind him with her head down and whose expression was obscured, Kitahara Shinji thought for a moment and decided to explain first.

"Um, Tamamo, I know you probably don't want to do this, but since we're already here and you've made so many preparations, it would be a shame to leave like this, so I thought I'd at least come in and take a look..."

"But please rest assured, I don't mean to force you at all. I just thought that if we came in hand in hand, at least we wouldn't leave empty-handed. If you don't want to, just tell me, and we can leave now..."

"Besides, I remember you said before, Tamamo, that you considered me family. But what I didn't tell you then was that I felt almost the same way about you. Just think of me as family, here to join you in the activities, and don't feel guilty..."

As Kitahara Shinji was chatting casually, he happened to pass by a shelf and noticed some great value items listed on Tamamo Cross's list. After checking the list to make sure it was correct, he reached out and took the items, then handed them to Tamamo Cross.

"I see this on your list. If you're really unhappy about it, how about I buy it as an apology?"

"......don't want."

Faced with the product handed over by Shinji Kitahara, Tamamo Cross, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke again.

While answering, she took the item from Shinji Kitahara with her free hand, then raised her head, her face slightly flushed, and spoke with a sidelong glance.

"I was the one who asked you to come and help, so if anyone should apologize, it should be me, not you..."

Seeing that Tamamo Cross finally responded, and seemed to be in a good mood, Kitahara Shinji's anxiety gradually subsided, and he replied with a smile.

"Well, you said it yourself. If you don't agree now and regret it later, I won't buy it for you."

"Who would regret it, you idiot!"

Upon hearing this, Tamamo Cross couldn't help but secretly kick him, then paused for a moment before extending her hand to Kitahara Shinji.

"Bring it here."

"what?"

"Give me back that piece of paper."

Tamamo Cross glared at him and spoke irritably.

"Because of your interruption, I can't even remember what I wanted to buy. Time is of the essence, hurry up and give it to me, we still have to go to the next store after that."

Should we go to the next place?

Upon hearing Tamamo Cross's statement, Kitahara Shinji raised an eyebrow. After confirming that she had indeed returned to normal, he returned the paper to her and, guided by Tamamo Cross, began to wander around the store shopping.

Since it was confirmed that Tamamo Cross's emotions had returned to normal, and she seemed to have no resistance towards him, and had even started shopping normally again.

Shinji Kitahara thought for a moment and decided that there was nothing for him to do here for the time being, so he stopped paying too much attention to Tamamo Cross and instead looked around the store to try to figure out the reason behind the store's promotion.

Originally, Shinji Kitahara thought that investigating the cause of something so obviously wrong wouldn't be so easy.

But to his surprise, he didn't even need to investigate deliberately. He just glanced at it a few times while accompanying Tamamo Cross and easily discovered a clue—a Mejiro family crest.

So this place is Mejiro family property?

Looking at the Mejiro family crest on the wall, Kitahara Shinji thought for a moment and vaguely remembered something.

At the social gathering at the beginning of the year, while chatting with Meguro Ardan, he remembered that she seemed to have mentioned that due to health reasons, she couldn't train too much and had a lot of free time.

So after careful consideration, the family entrusted her with managing the Mejiro family's businesses near Treson, partly because they were worried that if she had nothing to do all the time, she might overthink things and have a moment of despair.

Part of the reason is that she does have talent in this area. Although she hasn't graduated yet, after she started taking charge of the businesses near Treson, she not only didn't lose money, but her performance was even better than before.

Furthermore, when discussing this matter, Kitahara Shinji recalled that Mejiro Aldan had said that the Mejiro family's main purpose in owning businesses around Tressen was not to make a profit, but rather to socialize.

Although this topic involved some rather confidential business plans of the Meguro family, Meguro Aldan didn't explain anything further after that point.

But even a fool would know that these businesses are all located around the Treson headquarters, and the people who frequent the area are either horse girls or trainers, so their social circles must be with these two groups.

If that's the case, could it be that this strange event was simply the Mejiro family giving out perks to the horse girls and trainers in order to expand the family's influence?

Shinji Kitahara's guess was not without basis, because after entering the store, he did see many familiar faces from Treson headquarters, many of whom were in similar situations to him.

Either the trainer is short of money, or the horse girl is short of money, or both of them are short of money. So after they agree on it, they come together to take the opportunity to buy things, which also fits his guess.

But recalling the strange requests on the posters at the entrance, Shinji Kitahara felt that something was off.

After all, if the goal was simply to provide benefits, there would be no need for such convoluted methods, and there's no need to offer the biggest discounts on Valentine's Day. Even a simple student discount would be more effective...

It's just weird.

Just as Kitahara Shinji was pondering these things, he suddenly noticed that Tamamo Cross had stopped walking.

"what happened?"

He asked, then followed Tamamo Cross's gaze and saw something he recognized—it should be on Tamamo Cross's shopping list. The discount marked on it was even lower than what Tamamo Cross had recorded, practically free, but...

[Note: This product is only available for purchase after completing 'Valentine's Day Challenge #12'.]

Next to the product, there is a sentence that reads: