People bring their own maids to the training camp

Although the other person said they had come to appreciate the deliciousness of the cafeteria food, Chihaya visits the cafeteria almost every day at noon and has never encountered Shiina. This girl probably finds the cafeteria too noisy at noon for a similar reason to Suzune, so she might visit it in the evening when it's less crowded.

"Then you could ask her out. She's a girl, so you should take the initiative," Hayasaka suggested enthusiastically.

“It’s not the right time yet.” Chihaya refused decisively. “Although it involves Class C, it has nothing to do with Shiina. Asking her out won’t be of any use. Instead, send Ryuen an anonymous email to remind him that there might be witnesses in Class D.”

"You're really obsessed with giving Ayanokouji the hardest challenge. What if he just gives up?"

“If he doesn’t want to drop out, he won’t be slacking off. Otherwise, I’ll have Chabashira-sensei put pressure on him—we won’t let Ayanokouji see through our tricks until Ayanokouji Atsuomi actually visits this school.”

"And what if you've seen through it all?"

“Of course, I’m trying to get him to drop out of school,” Chihaya said nonchalantly. “Doesn’t he like to play the weakling? I’ll get all his classmates expelled one by one. Unless he stops pretending, it’ll be his turn sooner or later—and once he stops pretending, the class will be on the verge of collapse, and then we can use some kind of agreement to appease him.”

"Tsk, what a cunning scheme."

"...Isn't this the kind of thinking the family needs? Otherwise, why would they place such high hopes on me?"

“What you say makes a lot of sense. The other members of the same generation in the family are indeed far inferior to you, and there is simply no possibility of them being cultivated.”

"That's why I've been so willful and free all these years."

"However, you are now stuck in Gaoyu and can't get out."

"Shouldn't you be comforting me instead of adding insult to injury? Are you even a maid?"

"Honest advice is hard to hear, but it's beneficial." Hayasaka said this with great conviction.

"Remember to send a text message. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Ayanokouji will manage to make C and D lose to each other. After all, C class has an absolute advantage right now. Even if D class's eyewitnesses find C class, they still have plenty of time to prepare."

“Next, let’s contact the eyewitnesses from Class D.” Chihaya smiled. “I want to see how Ayanokouji will accomplish my request in this desperate situation.”

......

Chihaya's initiative was remarkable. The night before, he sent a private message to Hasebe, asking her to accompany him to find Sakura Airi from their Class D after school.

Hasebe naturally knew who Sakura was. Although he didn't know the specific reason, he readily agreed and reminded Chihaya that Sakura might be a bit introverted, so getting to know her would be a bit difficult.

Chihaya said it was alright, as she had a clever plan.

And so the next day came quickly.

After school, Kushida left his seat as soon as the class meeting ended and went to Sakura, who was quietly preparing to go home. Kushida looked unusually nervous.

Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo also seemed to be interested in the conversation, while focusing their attention on Kushida and the others.

"Sakura-san, I'm sorry to bother you."

"Is there something you need, Kushida-kun?" Sakura didn't even dare to look Kushida in the eye.

"Um, there's something I'd like to ask Sakura-san about, it's about Sudo-san. I was wondering if you'd be free later?"

"I'm sorry, I... I have other plans..." Sakura put on an obviously embarrassed expression and looked away.

"I won't take up too much of your time. This matter is very important, so I hope you can tell me. When Sudo got involved in the incident, were you nearby, Sakura-san?"

"I...I don't know. Horikita-san told me the same thing, but I really have no idea..."

Sakura's eyes darted away; she couldn't look Kushida in the eye. Just as Suzune had said, it was obvious there was something wrong with her reaction.

"Sakura-san, shall we go?" Hasebe walked over at that moment. "Ah, it's Kogoro~"

"So, Hasebe and Sakura had a date? Actually, we were just now..."

"Ah, it wasn't me, it was actually Chihaya~" Hasebe said nonchalantly, "Last night she asked me to help her make an appointment with Sakura-san, so I told her about it at noon."

"Mmm." Sakura nodded vigorously. Although she was reluctant to meet Chihaya before, Kushida had pressed her about Sudo. Weighing the pros and cons, she thought it would be better to meet Chihaya for coffee and a chat.

If Sakura were to give her opinion, the top beauty in the grade would be a much higher priority than the top-ranked girl with a bad reputation.

"Ah, well then. Since I have a date with Chihaya-san, let's do it another time." Upon hearing that it was Chihaya who needed someone, Kushida immediately agreed. At the same time, she was shocked by Chihaya's infiltration of Class D. Besides lending money to Karuizawa and helping Horikita, she even maintained a good relationship with Hasebe. It was terrifying—especially since she didn't even know when Chihaya had gotten in touch with Hasebe.

"Okay, let's go then, Sakura-san. Remember to take your camera; Chihaya said she'd like you to take her picture."

"Okay, okay!" As long as she doesn't get asked about Sudo, Chihaya can take pictures of her.

114. Small Animal Sakura

"Greetings, Sakura-kun."

At the familiar coffee shop, Chihaya greeted Sakura as she entered with a polite smile.

"Y-you-you, hello, Himegami-kun!" Sakura responded incoherently. She rarely spoke more than five sentences a day, let alone talking to Chihaya like this.

As always, she avoided eye contact with people; in her eyes, Chihaya's smile was simply too bright and dazzling.

"Although you probably know me, please allow me to introduce myself: My name is Chihaya Himegami, and I am in Class 1-B."

"I...I...my name is Sakura—ouch!" Sakura bit her tongue while nervously saying her name.

"Pfft." Hasebe, standing next to Sakura, couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Let's order, Sakura-san. What would you like to drink? I have some free coupons here."

"Um, I..." Upon hearing that Chihaya meant to treat everyone, Sakura became nervous again. It was clear that she was not used to accepting other people's kindness.

"It's nothing, just a cup of coffee. I asked you to come out with me today because I need your help with something," Chihaya said. "Consider this cup of coffee a small token of my gratitude."

"Well... um." Sakura nodded, then chose a coffee she wanted.

On the other hand, Hasebe acted as if he belonged there, decisively choosing the coffee he wanted and then using the coupon Chihaya had given him to place the order—because Miyake hadn't grabbed a few extra packets of sugar while she had to order by herself.

Chihaya treats everyone to a meal, and she just runs the errands.

"The reason I invited Sakura-san here today is very simple." While Hasebe was ordering, Chihaya spoke to Sakura, "You bought a digital camera after the start of the semester, right?"

Although it was a question, the actual tone was that of a statement. Buying a camera wasn't something to hide, especially since Sakura had already brought it along, so Chihaya nodded in response to her question.

"Actually, it's like this: my friend and I are working together on a magazine, and the first issue will probably be released soon." Chihaya then briefly explained the magazine's contents, "I believe Sakura-san has already realized that we actually need an excellent photographer."

"Photographer, me...me?" Sakura's eyes widened behind her glasses as she pointed at herself in disbelief. "I...I...I definitely can't do it!"

The self-criticism was several decibels louder than usual.

"Don't be so quick to refuse." Chihaya smiled slightly, then opened her phone, navigated to a certain screen, and pushed it towards her. "You clearly have excellent photography skills and styling abilities, don't you?"

"Eek!" Sakura looked down and let out a mournful cry like a small animal, then, disregarding manners, reached out and turned off Chihaya's phone screen.

Chihaya's smile remained unchanged across from her.

"I stumbled upon these photos, and I think they're fantastic," Chihaya commented. "I think Sakura-san could handle both the photographer and the model role. No matter how you look at it, Sakura-san is a stunning beauty, so I think you can be quite confident about that, okay?"

"But...but..." Sakura still wanted to refuse.

A long, slender finger was placed on her lips, preventing her from finishing her sentence.

"Don't rush to refuse. Listen to my terms first," Chihaya said, watching Sakura nod and then retracting her index finger. "First, as both photographer and model, I'll definitely pay you accordingly. Then, since you brought your own camera, I'll also cover the rental and maintenance costs. And then—"

Chihaya then lowered her voice.

"Class D is looking for witnesses lately, right? If you're willing to cooperate with me, I'll help you handle this, okay? You're in a difficult position, aren't you? After it was discovered that you were a witness."

"..."

"This is a great opportunity, isn't it?" Chihaya felt like a tempting devil, but she continued to "bewitch" him. "Not only can you get rid of your current troubles, but you can also get a lot of points. It's a win-win situation. If you're just too shy to express yourself, I can take care of the explanation for you; and if you want Sudo-kun to learn a lesson, I can also help you reject all the people who ask you questions."

To prove her authenticity, Chihaya added another sentence.

"Both Kikyo and Suzune are very close to me. If I ask them for help, they definitely won't keep asking you about the witness situation, okay? By the way, I don't need to tell you that Kikyo is Kushida and Suzune is Horikita, right?"

"No, no need, I, I know their names."

"Coffee's here!" Hasebe returned with the coffee. "Thanks for the coffee, boss~"

Sakura, who had finally calmed down a bit, was shocked again upon hearing Hasebe's address.

Chihaya couldn't help but chuckle at the child's sudden outbursts.

"Haruka, you just scared Sakura-san, didn't you?" Chihaya mischievously reminded her.

"Is that so?" Hasebe blinked innocently and turned to look at Sakura. "Sakura-san, you don't want other classmates to know about your affairs, do you? We, the Himegami Group, never hold back."

Hasebe was just making a joke casually, but Sakura, who considered her and Chihaya as allies, naturally thought it was just a threat from Akaroro and let out another mournful cry, though not loudly.

"Boss! I was just joking, why is Sakura reacting so strongly?!" Hasebe was also shocked. Her tone was clearly a joke, so why did Sakura look so frightened? Is she some kind of criminal?

“Sakura-san, Haruka was just joking, okay? The way she addressed me just now was also a joke.” Chihaya had no choice but to explain, “Please don’t worry, the Himegami family has no yakuza background, and I myself am not some yakuza lord.”

"The 'Hime-no-Kami Group' is just a group chat where Chihaya tutors us!" Hasebe, having figured out the situation, quickly explained, both amused and exasperated, even showing Sakura the chat history. "I'm not lying to you, okay? Even if you don't believe me, you should believe Chihaya, right?"

Sakura looked troubled, because her animalistic instincts seemed to be telling her that Chihaya was in more danger.

However, after much persuasion, Sakura finally understood that the Himegami Group was not a yakuza organization.

"So, regarding the magazine thing I mentioned, Sakura-san, you can think about it carefully and then give me an answer," Chihaya said.

115. Should I join the Concubine Group?

Sakura had little choice. After all, compared to the infamous Sudo, the seemingly gentle and kind Chihaya was a better option—even though she didn't sound like a good person either. At least she offered good terms, which was quite important to Sakura, who was following her heart.

Moreover, Sakura's points were indeed in short supply. She had originally thought she could get 100,000 points every month, so she generously bought a digital camera in the first month.

It's worth noting that digital cameras are more expensive than the handheld consoles that Yamauchi and his friends bought. Although Sakura herself isn't the type to be extravagant, the points she had left after buying the camera were indeed a bit tight for two months' worth of food expenses—and what girl wouldn't want to drink coffee or milk tea at least two or three times a week?

Therefore, without even finishing her coffee, Sakura readily agreed to Chihaya's request.

“A wise choice, Sakura-san.” Chihaya smiled slightly. “I can give you an advance on part of the payment.”

As she spoke, Chihaya used her phone to transfer 20,000 points to Sakura.

"Did you receive it? There might be a bonus depending on the magazine's sales, you know?" Chihaya continued to paint a rosy picture. "Could you take a couple of pictures after we finish our coffee so I can see how they look?"

"Y-yes, that's fine." Hearing that they were going to take pictures, Sakura straightened her back a little. She might not be able to be a model being photographed right now, but she should have no problem being a photographer taking pictures of others. "So, what kind of pictures do you want to take, Hime-miya-san?"

"Let's take a picture of me and Haruka together, she's here too." Chihaya said without hesitation; she had already thought of this.

"Whoa! There's something for me too?" Hasebe was overjoyed to hear this, and immediately came over, put his arm around Chihaya's arm, and made a "yeah" gesture with his hand next to his cheek. "How about this?"

“Haruka, your pose is more suitable for a phone selfie, isn’t it?” Chihaya laughed. “Since we have a digital camera, how about Sakura-san helps us design some poses?”

After saying that, he looked at Sakura.

"Okay." Sakura immediately imagined several positions in her mind, but they were all the kinds of couple photos she had fantasized about, so her face immediately turned red.

Although there was no intention to push the boundaries in a certain sense, the sheer size of her front armor meant that even ordinary clothes would look quite suggestive in photos, let alone swimsuit photos. What might not normally be considered revealing swimsuits looked like bikinis on her.