After being rejected by Asakura, Shinomiya Kaguya hurriedly left Soubu High School.
It was clear that she seemed very good at rejecting others, but had little experience with others rejecting her.
In a sense, perhaps overconfidence is a common flaw among beautiful girls?
Asakura glanced at the trembling Gotō Hitori and then felt that his thought might be a bit too rash...
On a side note, although Fujiwara Chika looked like she really wanted to stay, considering Shinomiya Kaguya's previous 'if you betray me, I'll kill you first then kill myself' heavy-girl remark, she eventually followed Shinomiya Kaguya out of the Service Club activity room, tearfully looking back every three steps.
After the three members of Kessoku Band stayed in the activity room for a while, they also prepared to leave—the main reason was that Asakura received a call from the Student Council President (Vice), saying that talent scouts had already caught wind and were heading towards the Service Club. Although the Student Council members would try their best to block them, it would be best for 'Miss Mermaid' to quickly avoid the spotlight.
"I'll see you off."
Asakura glanced at his phone, sent a message, and then said to the three members of Kessoku Band.
"No need to trouble yourself..."
Ijichi Nijika was about to refuse when Asakura shook his head.
"That's not what I mean. I'm afraid you'll be approached by talent scouts on the way."
He took out the Student Council armband, put it on, and then said, "I can help block them for you."
"It shouldn't be that coincidental, right?"
Ijichi Nijika said softly.
"Don't underestimate those people's sense of smell."
Asakura shook his head.
"Capitalists are like that."
Yamada Ryo ate snacks, saying something of unclear meaning.
Yanami, the owner of the snacks, was biting her finger and drooling, with an expression of 'Oh, how nice, how nice, I want to eat too'.
Ignoring the strange conversation beside them—"Anna, didn't you just do an eating challenge at the Crazy Burger?" "Yui, snacks go into a different stomach!"—Asakura stood up: "While it's still early, let's head out quickly. Our destination is the parking lot by the side gate."
"Take other gates..."
Yamada Ryo mumbled, and just when Asakura thought she would be displeased, the girl's eyes lit up: "Very much like a rock star, I love it!"
"...As long as you're happy."
Only then did Asakura once again understand the true value of Ijichi Nijika's earlier assessment that Yamada Ryo was an oddball.
Ijichi Nijika and Yamada Ryo exchanged glances, as if reaching some consensus, then nodded slightly to Asakura: "Then we'll trouble Asakura."
☆
After leaving the Service Club activity room, on the way to the side gate parking lot, Asakura easily avoided the talent scouts who had caught wind of them, thanks to his network of small snakes hidden in various pipes—it seemed Amakusa Shino's earlier remark about many guests coming for the 'mermaid girl' wasn't wrong after all.
"The parking lot is just ahead. I've called someone there. Later, just take that slightly dilapidated old Ford car with 'Rabbit House' painted on the outside..."
Asakura said to the three members of Kessoku Band while leading the way.
"You can drop us off here."
Suddenly, Ijichi Nijika said.
"It's only a few more steps. Might as well see it through."
Asakura didn't mind.
"Ah, Asakura-kun, you misunderstood. That's not what I meant."
Ijichi Nijika waved her hand and pulled Gotō Hitori, who had been silent since earlier, in front of her.
Gotō Hitori instinctively tried to struggle, but Nijika, who usually helped carry her when she entered a dazed state, had long since developed strength far superior to a pink slime, leaving Gotō Hitori completely powerless to resist.
"Bocchi-chan has something she wants to say to Asakura-kun, right? Ryo and I will wait for you at the parking lot. Hurry up and say whatever you want to say!"
After Ijichi Nijika finished speaking, she grabbed Yamada Ryo's ear, who wanted to shamelessly stay and listen to gossip, and forcibly dragged her away from the scene.
Perhaps because many tourists had already left Soubu High School through the Student Council's guidance, and also because this area was relatively far from the school festival's activity zone, there were no tourists here. For once, Asakura and Gotō Hitori were alone.
"Is there anything Hitori wants to tell me?"
Asakura asked gently.
"Th-th-that..."
Gotō Hitori's face turned red, and she stammered for a long time, unable to say anything.
"Don't be nervous, just take your time. You did so well on the rooftop earlier, Hitori, didn't you?"
Asakura encouraged her.
However, Gotō Hitori not only didn't get motivated, but instead looked a bit dejected, as if she was very annoyed with herself for being unable to speak at crucial moments.
"Don't worry, I'll wait here until you can speak properly."
Asakura continued to comfort her.
"...I'm really terrible."
The girl said softly.
"That's not true. If it weren't for Hitori today, there might have been some stampede incidents at the Soubu High School festival, and someone might have even been injured because of it."
Asakura shook his head: "It's all thanks to you, Hitori, that all of this was prevented. You're truly amazing, you can be more confident in yourself."
"Ehehe..."
Gotō Hitori, praised by Asakura, showed a somewhat unsettlingly happy smile.
Actually, Gotō Hitori had always wanted to ask Asakura if he was dating her, who had no particular strengths, out of pity.
But now, being gazed at by him with such gentle eyes, Gotō Hitori suddenly felt that perhaps it was fine for things to continue like this.
After all, her best skill was avoidance, so perhaps it didn't matter if she never knew the answer...
Gotō Hitori felt her mind was a bit jumbled.
But after a long hesitation, she still tried to make herself look at Asakura.
However, upon meeting Asakura's gaze, the girl's head suddenly dropped again.
As expected, she still wasn't used to being stared at! she screamed internally.
"Are you not used to being stared at?"
Asakura asked.
"H-how amazing! Mind reading?!"
Gotō Hitori's cowlick stood up high in shock, she exclaimed.
"I don't have such a convenient ability."
Asakura shook his head, "It's just that sometimes, Hitori, you wear your thoughts on your face."
"...Is my face a display screen?"
For some reason, the girl's mood dropped again.
One of the reasons Asakura liked to stare at Gotō Hitori was that this child's expressions were always changing, making her quite lively and interesting.
However, constantly being so dejected wasn't a solution. It was better to give her a little encouragement—
But before Asakura could speak, Gotō Hitori suddenly cheered herself up and said to him: "Th-th-that!"
"What?"
Asakura, who didn't expect Gotō Hitori to cheer up so quickly, was momentarily stunned.
"I, I have something I want to give to Asakura-kun! Please, you must accept my, my..."
Gotō Hitori stammered.
"...Virginity? Isn't that too fast?"
"No, it's not that!"