The Shuchi'in School Festival was a major school event. Classes and clubs arranged various activities, commonly including portrait booths, haunted houses, maid cafés, and restaurants. For the cultural clubs, the festival's performances were the most important focus. Clubs participating in the performances even stayed up all night practicing, aiming only to showcase their best on the day of the festival.
On the eve of the School Festival, a few girls from the Light Music Club wandered through the school grounds. They stopped in front of Shuchi'in's enormous concert hall. Thinking about their performance scheduled there for tomorrow, the four girls all grew slightly nervous.
"Oh, the performance order for tomorrow is already up!"
Spotting a schedule posted at the entrance, the four girls immediately clustered around it.
"We're scheduled for the middle! Yay!"
"Wait, B-Komachi? Isn't that the super-popular underground idol group? How are they participating in our school festival?"
"Oh, Mio, you didn't know? Hoshino Ai, the most popular member of that group, is a student here!"
"Wow, why have I never heard that before?"
"Because she just transferred today!"
The four Light Music Club girls felt immense pressure knowing such a popular idol group would also be performing tomorrow.
"The performances start in the afternoon. Let's go back and practice again!"
The four adorably clumsy girls quickly returned to their club room to get in some last-minute, desperate training!
....
Meanwhile, in an apartment next to Shuchi'in Academy, Hoshino Ai, wearing thin pajamas, was lying on her bed, humming softly along to the music in her headphones. Her small, pale feet were cocked up, alternating rhythmically with the beat of the song.
"Ai-chan, why didn't you tell Asa-kun that you're performing in the Shuchiin School Festival?" Saito Kyoko, her manager, walked out of the bathroom. Her delicate body, wrapped only in a towel, was steaming, and she asked Ai curiously.
Ai looked up, her sparkling eyes, each marked with a brilliant star, shining brightly.
"I'll tell him tomorrow."
"I want to give Asa-kun a surprise!" Ai seemed to have thought of something delightful, and her adorable face was filled with a doting smile.
Seeing the expression on Ai's face, Kyoko shook her head helplessly. No matter how much adoration this girl received on stage, the moment Asa was involved, she instantly reverted to this little-brother-obsessed state.
"I really don't know what this girl will do when Asa-kun eventually finds a girlfriend…"
....
The next day: Shuchi'in School Festival.
The Yukinoshita Residence.
Asa gently pried Yukino's arms from around him. He got up and stretched.
"System, Sign-In!"
Ding!
[Host has Signed-In at the Yukinoshita Residence. Acquired Ability: [LV1. Serious Piston].]
LV1. Serious Piston: The core strength of the Host's waist and hips will break the body's limiter, doubling daily.]
"Wow, a Gold Legendary!"
Asa was stunned by this ability. This was the famous Serious Series' Serious Piston! An existence that could break a person's limiter!
"So, I've broken my limiter now?"
"Though, only in a certain part of my body…"
Asa curiously touched his lower abdomen but didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. And having drawn this ability today, Asa had a feeling he would be using it sooner rather than later…
....
"Auntie Mieko, is Auntie Yukinoshita coming to Shuchi'in today?" Asa asked during breakfast.
Mieko stood nearby and quietly replied, "Young Master Asa, Madam said she will be coming to Shuchi'in this afternoon. And the Young Miss will be rushing over to Shuchi'in immediately after finishing her morning classes."
Yukino felt a momentary daze upon hearing Mieko's words. She hadn't expected her mother would actually come to Shuchi'in to attend a School Festival. This unexpectedly increased her stress level.
Asa saw her slight frown and spoke with a smile.
"When Haruno-nee and Auntie Yukinoshita want to buy our takoyaki, they'll have to pay double the price."
Yukino smiled faintly at his words. "I agree."
After breakfast, Mieko drove the two to Shuchi'in. Although they hadn't gotten up late, they were still startled by the mass of cars jamming the road and the dense crowds at the school entrance.
"There are so many people!"
And this was only the morning. It was hard to imagine the terrifying level of the crowd that would gather by noon. However, the crowd instantly thinned out once they reached the Service Club's area.
"Yukino-nee, let's go preheat the takoyaki machine."
Since their booth was the Service Club, all the machinery and materials were already inside, meaning they didn't have to carry anything back and forth. They quickly set up their stall.
A small table held the takoyaki machine, flanked by neatly arranged toppings and batter. A small vertical chalkboard stood by the door: Takoyaki, 500 Yen per serving!
Given the foot traffic here, it was hard to guess how long they would have to wait for their first customer.
....
The Sawamura Residence.
Eriri sat in front of her mirror, skillfully tying her smooth blonde hair into twin tails and putting on her Shuchi'in uniform. With the pleated mini-skirt on, Eriri's pair of pale, straight long legs were exposed. She had checked the weather forecast for today; it was cloudy, turning overcast, with a slight chance of rain in the evening.
"I guess I should wear socks."
Eriri opened a cabinet filled with thigh-high stockings. She casually picked out a pair. Her foot slid into the stocking, which then glided up her smooth calf until it snapped as the elastic band at the top cinched around her thigh, squeezing the soft, round flesh slightly.
She checked herself in the mirror. "Perfect!"
Eriri headed downstairs, only to find her mother, Sayuri, still fussing over her appearance in her room. She sighed in exasperation.
"Mom, you aren't performing on stage, you don't need to take this long."
"You have a drawing on display, don't you? As your mother, I certainly can't embarrass you," Sayuri replied softly from inside the room.
Besides… Her gaze drifted toward the neighboring Yotsuya house.
Yesterday, she had learned from Miko that Asa would be selling his homemade takoyaki at the School Festival. The quantity was limited, first come, first served. She was certain that Mrs. Yotsuya (Touko) would not miss this excellent opportunity to connect with Asa! Naturally, Sayuri wasn't willing to be left behind.
After an elaborate preparation, Sayuri emerged wearing a yukata. Even Eriri couldn't help but be impressed by her mother's stunning appearance.
"You're dressed like you're entering a beauty pageant…"
Sayuri heard the comment and gently tapped her daughter on the head. "You talk too much, let's go."
As they left the house, Sayuri turned her head to look toward the Yotsuya house. She was certain that Mrs. Yotsuya was harboring the exact same thoughts as her and would have also gone to great lengths to dress up!
The two families left at the same time and indeed ran into each other.
"Good morning, Mrs. Yotsuya / Yotsuya-san!"
"Good morning, Mrs. Sawamura / Sawamura-san!"
The two families greeted each other with smiles.
The girls' smiles held a degree of shyness and awkwardness. Both knew what had happened on the rooftop that day. But Eriri didn't know how to ask, and Miko didn't know how to explain. So, even though they had been neighbors for a few days, they hadn't spoken more than a few words.
The wives' smiles, however, were veiled barbs. As mature women, they could vaguely perceive the intent radiating from the other. The label of "Rival for Asa's affection" had long since been placed on the other.
But…
Sayuri looked Touko up and down, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. Simple makeup, a simple high ponytail, straight pants under a black coat, and black patent leather low-heeled boots. It looked like an extremely plain outfit.
"Did I misunderstand her?" A trace of doubt rose in Sayuri's mind. But her intuition told her it was impossible. When she met Touko's eyes just now, she faintly perceived an almost imperceptible contempt as Touko looked at her.
Just then, Eriri nudged her in the waist and said helplessly, "Look at her mom, she's dressed so plainly…"
While Eriri was speaking, Sayuri's gaze remained fixed on Touko. As Touko started up the steps, Sayuri finally noticed the clue.
Good heavens, stockings under pants!
She clearly saw a flash of sheer black silk, laced with subtle seductive flesh tones, revealed the moment the straight pants rode up past the ankle.
Wearing stockings under pants—is that what she calls plain?
Furthermore, looking at Touko's coat, which concealed most of her body, Sayuri's confusion deepened. The weather today was a little cool, but it wasn't cold enough to warrant such a conservative outfit.
"Could it be…"
Sayuri recalled a certain genre of movies she often watched. The kind where a woman wears a proper, plain coat on the outside but hides an extremely figure-hugging, or even a cosplay outfit underneath. When unveiled, the stark contrast was astounding.
Anyone would be left dazed. How could a little shota like Asa possibly withstand such a test? If Asa were to be confused, wouldn't that mean Touko could do whatever she wanted with him?
Sayuri, having figured out her rival's plan in an instant, couldn't sit still.
"No, I can't let this woman bewilder Asa!"
Sayuri thought long and hard, eventually deciding to seize the initiative! If she could get to Asa and test him before Touko. She would raise Asa's tolerance threshold! That way, even if Touko's plan succeeded, it wouldn't be enough to tempt Asa!
This is me: understanding Yotsuya Touko!
Becoming Yotsuya Touko!
And finally, surpassing Yotsuya Touko!
Walking down the street, Sayuri quietly pulled Eriri aside and whispered in her ear, "Did you say you have a special small room at the Art Club?"
Eriri was puzzled as to why her mother would ask this. However, the moment her mother brought up the privileged room she earned through her own skill, the girl immediately became smug.
"Well, if the Art Club President hadn't insisted on giving it to me, I wouldn't really have wanted this privilege. After all, with my skill, I don't need a private environment to draw a unique masterpiece!"
Sayuri quietly watched her daughter acting up, then directly burst her bubble. "Isn't that just where you keep your little toys and cosplay outfits?"
Eriri's face instantly flushed crimson. She looked nervously left and right, then angrily lowered her voice. "Mom, why would you bring that up on the street!"
Considering her daughter's self-esteem, Sayuri cooperated by lowering her voice. "Do you still have any cosplay outfits in that room?"
"W-well, I only have a few sets left…" Under Sayuri's relentless questioning, Eriri stamped her foot and, in a whisper soft as a mosquito, detailed the styles of the remaining outfits in her mother's ear.
"Hmm, that should be enough."
"What's enough? What are you thinking, Mom?" Eriri was utterly confused by Sayuri's actions.
"Nothing, let's take a taxi to Shuchi'in."
"Huh, the bus stop is right there. Aren't we going with Yotsuya-san and her daughter?"
"No bus."
"We have to seize the initiative!"
Sayuri clenched her fists and quickly flagged down a taxi by the roadside.
On the other side, the Yotsuya mother and daughter, who had just boarded the bus, noticed the Sawamura mother and daughter were no longer following. Looking back, they saw them getting into a taxi!
"Sawamura-san really is a rich girl; she's taking a taxi," Miko exclaimed softly. Taxis in this country were ridiculously expensive, with fares starting at several thousand yen per ride.
Touko calmly watched the taxi pass them, her expression serene. She wasn't worried about any action Sayuri might take.
Today, she was wearing the "Sure-Win Set" rumored on the internet! It was said that no boy could resist it once he saw it. And her slender waist and wide hips were the perfect frame to present the outfit's effect.
All she had to do now was create an opportunity to be alone with Asa!
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