111 Please Dial 110
At this moment, the blonde-haired high school girl had indeed grown into a snow-skinned beauty — but her violent, ill-tempered personality remained unchanged.
"What are you looking at, huh! Bleh~!" Eriri pulled down her lower eyelid with a finger, making a silly face. "Like an elementary school kid..." Shirou retorted. "Shoo, shoo, move along already!" Eriri bared her little tiger teeth in a grin, waving her hand to drive the boy away. "Fine, fine." Shirou waved his hand helplessly, not bothering to argue with the girl, and walked toward the other side. "If you wanted to talk, why didn't you just come find me earlier..." the girl muttered under her breath as she watched his back leaving.
Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka Utaha, sitting nearby, had overheard everything. She thoughtfully cast the boy a few more glances.
Inside the spacious conference hall, the ones gathered were all elites from the international high school and middle school — top students from various fields.
For example, among the international junior high students was a round-faced girl with orange-brown long hair, said to be good at running.
"Hehe, my Jack-chan little sister is so cute, I wanna dissect her, I wanna swallow her into my stomach..."
With hearing sharper than most, Shirou caught something seriously disturbing and looked over in astonishment. It was the orange-haired, round-faced girl in junior high uniform, sitting alone in the corner, clutching her phone, eyes burning with desire as she muttered to herself.
'Wait... did that girl just say she wants to eat her little sister?' Then he realized: 'Oh, she's talking about her in-game little sister.' Shirou let out a breath. 'But... in all sorts of ways, that's still really bad, isn't it?'
"Illya flying around in her magical girl outfit... what color are her panties? And Kuro-chan's tummy... ahh, I wanna prpr..."
'This is an enemy! So scary! So dangerous! Are Chiba's middle schoolers all hentai?! Absolutely cannot let this kind of person know about the FGO system.' Shirou quietly shifted himself away.
"Hey, what are you sneaking around for?" A familiar girlish voice rang out. Turning back, he saw a golden long-haired, queenly young lady.
"Oh, it's Erina. Why are you here?" Shirou asked in surprise. "Of course I'd be here — it's a rare exchange opportunity. I naturally want to meet talented young chefs from other countries.
Although among our age group, my cooking is undoubtedly the most refined! And don't get the wrong idea, I didn't come here for your sake!" Erina pointed a finger at Shirou as she declared. "Well, if we can go to the same place, that'd be great." Shirou replied with a light chuckle. Nobody would think otherwise anyway. "Uuuh... hmph!" Erina hadn't expected that response. Her face turned red, and she folded her arms, turning her head away.
At that moment, someone at the front clapped their hands. "Alright, alright! Everyone, please sit down. The meeting is starting." a Sensei called out.
A dignified middle-aged woman in a lady's suit walked to the center stage, with Hiratsuka Shizuka and several Senseis standing beside her. "Thank you for coming here to attend this meeting. As the principal of this junior high school, on behalf of our school I welcome the international high school students as our guests.
Now, we will officially begin the briefing session regarding the overseas exchange program during the holidays. I hope everyone can learn new things from this experience and share them with the people around you. Now then... Hiratsuka-Sensei."
The middle-aged woman finished, stepped down, and gave the stage to the Sensei presiding.
Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded, put on her headset mic, and stepped forward. "Alright, then I'll explain this exchange trip...
You will be acting as school representatives.
For the next three weeks, you will visit sister schools in various countries across Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and Oceania.
The paperwork will be uniformly handled by the school. At that time, you'll also participate in friendly competitions or performances.
As long as you perform well, the school won't be stingy with rewards. Each of you will earn credits and scholarships — the exact amount depends on your performance. This is a healthy competition, so show off your talents and enjoy the journey!
But! Listen carefully! During this period, both your good and bad performance will be recorded in your profiles.
You're not just going abroad as individuals to broaden your horizons — you're representing the Chiba branch school, showcasing the results of our education to the world, promoting cultural exchange...
...That's all. Next, we'll announce which country each of you will be assigned to. Some students may have to visit multiple countries or multiple branch schools. Senseis will
accompany you, so rest assured. Now, please look at the big screen. Each group, please note your leading Sensei's phone number. If you have any questions about going abroad, you may consult them."
Hiratsuka stepped aside, and the big screen behind her projected the detailed arrangement list.
The grouping by the school had been decided after much deliberation. For example, athletic students were generally assigned to countries strong in their sport. Basketball players, naturally, would be sent to America, while soccer players might go to several countries. And in highly populated countries, multiple branch schools had been established — like in China, where there were several.
Each team would be accompanied by two Senseis to ensure adult supervision. As for Shirou, he had been assigned to three countries — coincidentally, the same as the girls he met today.
After the meeting ended, Hiratsuka was in charge of taking Shirou and the girls to the subway station.
At the entrance, she stopped the car and stepped out. By now, the sky was fully dark.
Shirou looked at the hairband girl and said: "It's late already. Kasumigaoka-senpai, how about Eriri and I walk you home?"
Senpai gave the girl a smile and said: "My, Shirou-kun, you really are impatient. You've only known me for one day, and you already want to know where I live?" "Hah? Kasumigaoka Utaha, what nonsense are you spouting? Shirou's not the kind of guy who'd be interested in your house. If anything, we've been going over to each other's houses since elementary school." Eriri declared, arms crossed.
Senpai smirked with contempt and said: "But from what I know, just a few dozen minutes ago you both admitted you've hardly had contact in recent years, right? And back at the school parking lot, Shirou looked at you for only three seconds. But he looked at me for eight — and stayed three of those seconds right on my most confident spot, my calves."
"What!? Shirou! So that's what kind of person you are?! Do you like black stockings that much? Are thigh-high socks not good enough for you?!" Eriri shouted, tears forming at the corners of her eyes as she glared at the boy.
"That's not the point. Though it's rude to stare at a girl, I admit. But it's also because Eriri's an old acquaintance — so I was curious about the person you'd argue with.
After all, at school you always put up the act of a perfect lady, but you're willing to drop the mask to quarrel with her. That must mean you recognize her as a fellow kind of person.
Even if... she's the total opposite type of you." Shirou said.
"I... I see..." Eriri blushed and nodded slightly.
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at the boy with approval: "Heh, what a man. To think you could so easily deceive Sawamura-san."
"What? Did you trick me about something?" Eriri frowned, her face darkening as she turned toward Shirou. "Senpai, what are you trying to say now?" Shirou asked with a wry smile and cold sweat, realizing that the girl in front of him, despite her cool and quiet appearance, was vicious in both personality and words.
No wonder the violent, ill-tempered Eriri always ended up clashing with her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha continued her analysis: "First, you used Sawamura-san as an excuse, making me drop my guard and accept your offer to escort me home. Once you know my address, your first objective will be achieved.
Then you can also kill two birds with one stone, very naturally taking a detour to send Sawamura-san home, tricking her into being so happy she forgets everything.
By tomorrow morning, you'll very naturally appear near my house, wait for me to come out, and then go to school together, right? Just like back in elementary school, when you were always going in and out of girls' houses, Shirou-kun~."
"Why does it sound like you're making me out to be some kind of criminal ever since I was in elementary school?" Shirou retorted.
"Baka! You! You still need to be punished!" Eriri charged forward, swinging her twin-tails at Shirou's face.
"Hmph! The same move won't work on me." Shirou used his height advantage, stretching out his hand to block the attacking twin-tails.
"Waaah! Let go of me! Idiot! Idiot!" Even though she was blocked, Eriri stubbornly kept swinging her twin-tails, continuing her assault.
"Wait! You're wearing the International High School uniform—don't do such embarrassing things out here on the street." Hiratsuka Shizuka, unable to stand watching, stepped forward and stopped Eriri.
"Shirou, you know," Hiratsuka continued, "humans actually have what's called a 'popular phase' in their lives. Once that time passes, even if your appearance doesn't change, people's impression of you still worsens a notch.
Like one of my friend's friends—back in high school and university, she shone so brightly and was super popular. She didn't care at all about getting a boyfriend. After graduation, she got busy with work, and when she looked back, all her friends were married and had kids. But she was still a vir—still! Single!"
Realizing she had almost slipped, Hiratsuka's face heated up and she quickly corrected herself.
"Is this your personal experience, Sensei?" Kasumigaoka Utaha muttered quietly. For a romance novelist, this was really of no reference value.
"Usually when someone says 'a friend's friend,' they actually mean themselves." Eriri nodded in agreement.
"Shut up! Quiet! I said it was my friend's friend!" Hiratsuka snapped, her face red.
"Ahem!" Hiratsuka coughed, turned back to Shirou, raised a finger, and said seriously: "Listen carefully! Your popular phase only lasts a fleeting moment in your life. At this time, you should be more cautious—you shouldn't go after little girls who know nothing about the future. You should find a woman who genuinely wants to live life together with you…"
At that moment, the two girls beside him stared at Shirou with eyes full of suspicion, as if they were looking at a criminal.
"No, wait! What am I even saying!" Hiratsuka snapped out of it, slapped the car door in frustration, and glared fiercely at Shirou.
"What I mean is—Shirou! You damn normie! Don't get cocky! Soon your hair will turn white, your skin will get darker, and no one will think you're handsome anymore, and no one will be fawning over you!"
"So in the end, what you wanted to say was just jealousy, huh… what an ugly adult you are," Kasumigaoka-senpai quipped.
"I'd rather be a single otaku for life than become an adult like that," Eriri muttered quietly.
Shirou answered honestly: "I think, whether you're popular or not, once you find the woman you like and decide to marry her, then she's your one and only partner in the whole world.
You must treat her wholeheartedly. If she does something wrong, you scold her, then support each other and live life together. Isn't that the way it should be?"
"…Are you serious?" Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at him in astonishment.
"Why would I lie to you?" Shirou asked curiously, though he also thought this whole conversation had already gone way off track.
Hiratsuka had no words. She leaned her head against the roof of the car.
Because he was too correct, she had no rebuttal. Because he was too correct, she felt her own moral stance as a Sensei start to waver.
"That's why I said your idealism is beyond saving," Eriri remarked.
"You… you're like the protagonist of some shoujo game!" Kasumigaoka-senpai added with exasperation.
Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped forward, placed both hands on Shirou's shoulders, and spoke earnestly: "Shirou! Be careful not to get deceived by those 'virgin killers' who enjoy being fawned over by men!
Except for the minority of girls who have no interest in men, almost all girls have dreamed of being surrounded by a group of handsome, excellent guys. Like becoming Athena, for example!"
"I don't really understand, but Sensei, could you please not use such outdated examples? It just feels kind of sad," Shirou said, exasperated.
Before he could finish, a cold gust of wind blew across his face, lifting his bangs. A pale but powerful fist appeared right in front of his eyes, less than two centimeters from his nose bridge.
"There won't be a next time! Understand?" Hiratsuka warned coldly.
"Sorry…" Shirou quickly stepped back two steps. The punch had been so fast he hadn't even reacted. Just the wind pressure made his brow sting.
"Since we've already reached the subway station, you kids can head back yourselves!" Hiratsuka retracted her fist, gave her students a final word of caution, and got back in her car.
"Okay, Sensei," Kasumigaoka Utaha replied.
"Okay, see you, Sensei." Eriri called out, then ran ahead of Shirou, grinning mischievously: "Hmph, serves you right~!"
"Well then, let's head back," Shirou said.
"Eh? Shirou-kun, you're not going to walk me home?" Kasumigaoka-senpai asked, looking a little disappointed.
"Alright then, let's go. Eriri, you come too," Shirou said helplessly.
"Tch, don't get so full of yourself, Shirou," Eriri pouted.
"Really? Then I'll just leave you behind," Shirou said as he started walking with Kasumigaoka toward the underground passage without waiting.
"Ah! Wait for me!" Eriri froze for a moment, then chased after them in a panic.
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