"My father was careless. He originally thought 'cinderella' would be noticed by Prince Charming.
But what he didn't expect was that half a year ago, the Student Council President, Momobami Kirari, suddenly appeared and issued a series of survival-of-the-fittest rules, vigorously promoting gambling among students.
Since then, everyone in this school has been addicted to gambling, each viewing the other as a tool that can be exploited, even their bodies as stakes that can be placed on the gambling table.
cinderella didn't get the attention of a prince, but instead became synonymous with being easily bullied. I'm not good at gambling, and naturally, I became a livestock."
Hua Shouqiu's father, of course, also knew that if he gave Hanatemari Kazura enough financial support to make her stand out in gambling, it would be easier to attract the attention of excellent men.
However, providing Hanatemari Kazura with unlimited money was something he couldn't sustain. That's why he hardened his heart and only gave Hanatemari Kazura just enough living expenses.
Ever since Hanatemari entered middle school, she hadn't received much financial support from her family. Even the hundreds of thousands of yen she initially used to support Meari were secretly saved up by her.
Hearing Hanatemari Kazura say this, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka felt even more sorry for her. He subconsciously wanted to agree to date her and hold her in his arms to comfort her.
However, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka held back and calmly asked his second question.
"Second question. Hanatemari, don't you consider Meari your best friend? I just expressed my liking for Meari, so why did you confess to me?"
Are you "surface sisters"?
This was what Ayanokoji Kiyotaka found most incomprehensible. Hanatemari Kazura was not the kind of two-faced person; she truly considered Meari her best friend.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had patiently listened to Hanatemari Kazura tell her "life story" precisely to understand this point, but she still hadn't explained it.
"...Do I really have to say it?" Hanatemari Kazura had talked so much, trying to avoid this answer.
She thought her previous conditions were enough to sway Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but he was still digging for answers, unwilling to leave her any secrets.
"You must say it," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded seriously.
Hanatemari Kazura was silent for a long while before softly saying, "Actually, I chose you for Meari. Meari, she is my Prince Charming."
After becoming a livestock, Hanatemari Kazura originally thought she would spend the next three years with no future, and after graduation, her father would arrange a suitable marriage partner for her.
She had already given up hope and accepted this arrangement.
However... unexpectedly, Prince Charming appeared, extended a helping hand to her, and freed her from her status as a livestock.
That Prince Charming was Saotome Meari.
She was the one who extended a helping hand to Hanatemari.
Hanatemari Kazura was very grateful to Meari and wanted to repay her, always staying by her side, not wanting to be separated from her.
However, Saotome Meari also had a "Prince Charming" who saved her by her side, and the two of them also liked each other.
Saotome Meari's heart was entirely set on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka; as long as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka confessed, Meari would surely accept happily, without any hesitation.
After personally hearing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka admit his liking for Meari, Hanatemari Kazura became even more certain that the two would eventually get together.
Hanatemari knew that at that time, she would absolutely not be able to interfere between the two of them.
Saotome Meari would treat her as an ordinary friend, and after three years, they would part ways, with no further connection.
She was afraid of seeing such a future.
So, she pondered how she could join the two of them?
She thought for a long time and came up with one answer, and only this one answer.
As long as she also dated Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, wouldn't she be able to remain friends with Meari forever?
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, you like Meari. I know Meari also has feelings for you. There's no doubt that you two will end up together."
As if worried that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka would continue to refuse, Hanatemari offered a suggestion that made Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's heart pound.
"You don't have to worry that I'll disturb your relationship. I just want to date you secretly, even if it means being your mistress. My lips are sealed; I won't let anyone know about our relationship."
Hanatemari Kazura seemed naive, but he never thought she hid so many things in her heart.
"...Is that really alright? Even if you think so, will your father agree?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
If he agreed to date Hanatemari, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka would naturally not let her go again.
If he wanted to, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could now provide her father with enough "assistance." What she said about breaking up in three years was, of course, nonsense.
If you can freeload, it's best to freeload for a lifetime.
But how should he explain it to Hua Shouqiu's father? Would he agree to his daughter having no official status, merely being someone's hidden lover?
Hanatemari could feel that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was already tempted.
She said without hesitation, "I don't care about having an official title. My father probably doesn't care either. He just hopes to get a 'sugar daddy' who can help him."
For Hanatemari Kazura, this was already the best outcome.
As long as she could stay with Meari, what did a little grievance matter?
Hanatemari Kazura's father was very gentle, never spoke harshly to her, and basically never made any demands of her, except for having her enter Private Hyakkaou Academy.
Everyone consistently considered him a very reliable middle-aged man, and her parents' relationship had always been harmonious.
But Hanatemari Kazura had heard her mother mention that this reliable father also had a mistress outside.
Her mother knew from the beginning, but she never argued with her father and even continued to treat him very gently.
She said that such things were not uncommon; the higher a man's status, the more girls would like him, and it was fine to occasionally go out and have fun, because, after all, she was the one he married in the end.
Hua Shouqiu's father also hinted that the children of prominent families attending Private Hyakkaou Academy would become the lawmakers of the future. So-called "marriage certificates" were just waste paper to them. Even if they liked multiple women simultaneously, their families would have no objections.
Hua Shouqiu's father had also hinted to her that he had no objections.
Hanatemari Kazura was taught by her parents with such ideas; she didn't think there was anything wrong with a man liking multiple women, and she didn't care about official status.
Compared to marrying a stranger in the future, Hanatemari also preferred Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
She actually had a good amount of affection for Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, after all, he was the first person to break through that barrier and enter her heart.
Sometimes she wondered, if there were no Meari, would Ayanokoji Kiyotaka be the Prince Charming who saved her?
Not only Saotome gambled, but Hanatemari Kazura also gambled. She bet the rest of her life on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka; she bet that Meari would not discover their relationship.
As long as Meari didn't find out, this was a good thing that achieved three goals.
To make Ayanokoji Kiyotaka more inclined to accept her, Hanatemari steeled herself and increased the stakes again.
"I know that although you like Meari, this liking has its limits. Meari will also make mistakes and argue with you. If you think Meari is somehow at fault, you don't need to be angry with her; I will help her bear the resentment in your heart."
Hanatemari Kazura extended her hand again, gently pressing against Ayanokoji Kiyotaka like a soft tide.
She stood on tiptoe and whispered in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's ear: "My body should still have some charm, right? No matter when, I am willing to let you vent… You don't need to pity me."
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