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Seeing that Mebius' smile began to have a dark aura, Kong Xin knew that something was wrong and quickly took a glass of sweet water from Ying's arm and handed it to her.
"Is this the nutrition you prepared for me to shed my skin, little white mouse? Hehe, other fragile mice have to strictly control their sugar intake?"
"snake……"
"Don't have that expression on your face. In someone else's hunting ground, you always have to compromise a little for your own survival and safety, and be a little more hidden - there's nothing wrong with playing house drinking with each other."
"Snake--"
"...I know, little white mouse."
Hearing Sora's tone become flat, Mebius grasped the moment when his worry turned to anxiety, took the milk tea, and his voice became less artificially sweet, returning to the normal tone he had on the ship.
Haiya was deeply wary of her sudden change - just like a snake that failed to kill its prey with one blow, so it retracted its attack and lurked back.
She could temporarily not target Haiya, but in the end, it was only out of pity for Kong and she carefully protected their relationship.
"You definitely didn't come here just to eat two dumplings and drink some sweet water, did you?"
"I'm sorry, my goal is to bring you out to kill time - the old man Yang who does the real work is still in the bureau."
"But the two beauties only 25 meters away from us seem to have something to ask for?"
"You mean the two judges? Well, they are not here to escort us. Last night, in addition to the evil creatures, there were also a lot of Sui Yangs roaming around. I think the activity range of those psychic creatures is in Jinren Lane."
Kong caught sight of Xue Yi and Jackdaw returning to life from the corner of his eye. The Ten Kings did not ask for help today, and although they occasionally looked over here, their eagerness was not directed at him... It was as if they had made an appointment with someone else to meet here.
"Just a coincidence?"
"I don't always think hard about where to go. It's because I usually have too much on my mind, so wandering aimlessly is more valuable, isn't it? Besides, no one would dare to approach me."⑤
"I hope so." Sheshe did not comment.
"If I have to say what the purpose is, it's to see if Huna Laodeng will take back the blessing he bestowed on me. But so far, everything is going well."
Sheshe didn't care about the Star God who had caused him a lot of problems, and finally stopped rubbing the skin on Kong's back. When Haiya saw that she didn't continue to compete with him, she also retracted her tail and moved closer to Ying, trying to get some food from Ying to relieve the pressure.
"...Thank you. It's unsinkable."
"…Are you bringing these snacks for us, or are you planning to keep them all for yourself, Miss Ying?"
“…of course, to share.”4
There was a hint of regret in Ying's voice, like a little girl whose candy was taken away by her parents. Haiya, who had taken the Happy Tea from her arm, almost stood up.
This electrician actually has such a cute side? What kind of ultimate contrast is this? No wonder the doctor couldn't stand her acting cute.
Each of them is so difficult to deal with. If it weren't for the fact that they needed surgery and were physically weak, and the doctor had been paying special attention to them...
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but adjust her emotions, and her canine teeth gently scratched the plastic tube, making an ambiguous sound.
And she thought that Shadow would also hate Mebius. After confirming that she could not keep all the snacks in her arms, she could only secretly feel uncomfortable and reluctant, and put a basket of buns in front of Mebius, in exchange for the other party's polite response that made her goosebumps all over the floor -
"Hmm? You are - Lei Dianying? Thanks, I'll remember you."
...Why do you two think there is no conflict of interest between you after just one interaction? Why? Isn't this attitude contrast too stark?
Haiya became a little annoyed again - it seemed that isolating the other party was not entirely feasible.
She didn't know that Ying would treat them well. Not only because her temperament gradually became calmer, but also because their physical signs reminded her of Oropus, whom she had sent away with her own hands.
But whether or not he is compared with the god of "dying heroically", Haiya's "wounded heart" also needs to indulge in something unhealthy.
The Shura Field, which had lasted for several hours, came to an end. Exhausted both physically and mentally, Sora sat down on a chair while listening to the girls' frightening sucking noises. He chatted with Karin, who was looking down and pinching her brown belly under her apron with a troubled look on her face, and Asuna, who was not worried about fat accumulation at all, about the topic that had been causing him so much confusion and that he had not been able to reach a conclusion before:
"...Do you think Hinata can hold on?"
"If it's Chairman Sorasaki, even though it's a little unfair, everyone will understand." Asuna tilted her head: "Teacher, why do you keep worrying about this? Don't you want to meet the chairman?"
"How is that possible! I'm afraid that her classmates will blame her - it will be hard to do her job after she returns, or even she will lose her position as president -"
When Hua Lin saw that Sora had returned to his previous nervous state, he loosened his fingers and spoke in a serious tone with a rare hint of impatience:
"If the teacher doesn't want the president to bear that pressure, why not write another letter to clearly point out that it was you who personally invited her to take a vacation - I think this is the responsibility that adults should take."
"...Yes, there is another way."
Being lectured by Karin in return, everyone looked at him sideways, but after hearing it, Sora simply took out his pen and nodded repeatedly, "Thank you for reminding me, Karin, I almost hurt Hina indirectly."⑨
398. Hina Little Angel Zero
Standing up from the heavy black desk that looked like a coffin, Hina took the statistical table handed to her by Ako.
Not all students from Gehenna have a relatively gloomy aesthetic, but it must be said that this specialized president's office has helped Hinata a lot... especially in certain occasions where majesty and pressure are needed.
"Chairman, I'm afraid the situation is not optimistic." Yazi's face looked as if she had lead poisoning.
"I see—and you're back in time."
"I'm so sorry, President."
"…Even when I apologize, it feels like we're back in high school together, hehe."
Hinata looked at Ako who was in deep thought and comforted her softly, "...We have fulfilled part of our promise to everyone. We only need this final push - before the second half of the third year. If everything goes well, I can give up my position..."
"I support the president's re-election!"
"…It's going to be tiring, Ako. Compared to continuing to be everyone's all-purpose president… I've prepared my graduation project and thesis in advance… I'd rather lie at home for two weeks - really, do nothing, except lie down and take a walk in the park occasionally, to make up for my four years of continuous work…"
Hearing that Ako still supported her so enthusiastically, Hina's face fell a little.
Working hard is to be able to openly be a lazy cat one day - this is what the teacher said, and she did so. However, the gap from the position of chairman to president seemed too big. It was only after she got on the pirate ship that she realized how terrible it was. There is no regret at all. It was only because of her longing for the teacher that she persisted for so many years.
"Ah... yes, everyone was overwhelmed. After the result was finally announced, even Ren Jian was paralyzed for several days." As if a switch had been triggered, Ayako's eyes suddenly turned dull from glittering blue:
"After setting up a university department and haggling with the secret numerals about recruiting funds, I almost forgot the fun of being a girl."
"Maybe it's because of the lack of teacher's care... I forgot that I'm still a girl in the endless work..." Hina's halo also shrank a little.
"Commissioner, would you like some coffee? Triple espresso?"
Although they still called each other by their previous titles, the moment they left the desk, they were no longer in a superior-subordinate relationship, but instead were good friends who had continued their relationship from high school days to the present day.
"Twice is enough."
The two of them sat down in the reception room and enjoyed a short break for the day.
Ako, who was brewing coffee, could tell from the gradual decrease in Hina's daily coffee intake and the number of documents she handled that she was already trying to delegate power - whether or not she could go to the teacher this time, she would find a way to recommend two or three people from several departments and student union executives to take over her baton.
...The chairperson has learned to share her troubles and fatigue with people she trusts absolutely. Although the teacher has not taught her specifically which activities can help adjust her mindset, she has taught her through her own example during many dates and Xia Lai's continuous overtime work and help - no matter how powerful an adult is, there is a limit, and indulgence is a rescue measure before the mind and body are damaged.
Although the teacher's laxity at times was criticized by Yazi, judging from the fact that the chairman was becoming more and more relaxed, the changes he brought to everyone were always positive.
…Oh no, if I continue to think about this, I will immediately have the urge to go find the teacher to give me a hug! Yazi, wake up!
"Ya Zi, after completing our mission and retiring from the student union, have you ever thought about continuing your studies or doing an internship?"
Seeing Ako shaking her head repeatedly, Hina probably guessed what she was thinking, so she changed to a slightly more profound topic to help her distract her.
"...But...we have not yet seen the outline of the real outside world..."
"The teacher will help us find opportunities, not limited to Kivotos. In his letter, he focused on describing the employment prospects of the Black Tower Space Station and Pierpoint. However, everyone overlooked the most important part of his invitation - in addition to being able to date him seamlessly, which seems to be the biggest benefit, internships and practical classes are his way of sharing resources and connections with us to help us find jobs..."
As expected of the chairman, even though his mind was already filled with the impulse of love, he still made a thorough analysis.
"Although it will make the expectation of meeting the teacher less pure...Ako, why don't you consider it? Having a better future is the best reward for the teacher's hard work, right?"
The president is right... We can choose not to consider it, but the teacher will always consider it for us...
The chairman who can see through all this is indeed more suitable...
She lowered her eyes - she still had a long way to go before she could become a trustworthy person, but this time she was bewildered and could not forgive herself any more:
"…I've become the adult I once dreamed of, but I don't feel like I've grown up at all."
Yazi blew gently on the cup, letting the hot air blow on her face.
"From the moment the teacher left, we were all adults - it's just that we were all busy with our own things and couldn't feel the change."
"But recent events have confirmed to me that I am not yet qualified to be an adult."
"... Yazi, I know that many students support you. You don't have to feel sorry for me because of those votes that I can't get."
"No, but... President, I... am your competitor."
Ako didn't dare to look directly into Hina's eyes: "Although it's not the first time, but this time there is absolutely no room for cooperation..."
When launching the vote, for the first time, she did not vigorously promote Hinata, but let those who knew who was busy in this Academy City, who took the initiative to bear the pressure and serve everyone after the teachers left, vote on their own - and her votes were unexpectedly high.
This was the only thing she didn't want to help Hinata with - there was only one spot available, and the situation was even more dangerous than the previous chicken-eating competition.
It was also in the process of winning votes that Ako began to realize that her selfishness had damaged her relationship with the chairman for the first time, making her a little ashamed to face Hina.
Hinata took a sip of the familiar taste that gradually became lighter, and found that Ako's mood was getting lower and lower. The low pressure of "defeatism" and "betrayal" made her unable to help but speak out:
"Ako... Whether it's the world of students or adults, there is always cruel competition. You did nothing wrong."
"...But Chairman...even if I try my best...I still can't win over the majority. And I've taken away the votes that I should have fought for you, which may result in you not getting enough votes..."
Yazi's nose turned red: "This time I try, but I might hurt you..."
"It's okay. This is recognition of your hard work. I wouldn't have been able to get those students to support you."
He chuckled at his friend's disappointment. When the votes were tallied, Sorasaki felt very relaxed: "Don't look like you've betrayed me... I should feel bad if I say that I've been bothering you all the time. I was selfish for keeping you by my side. I should be the one asking for forgiveness."
No matter what the result of the vote instructed by Teacher Jiu is, she will accept it with pleasure, because the biggest uncertainty so far, that is, whether the teacher is still alive, has been answered to the relief of everyone.
Three years of hard pursuit and efforts have paid off. On the road to the certain and inevitable reunion, a few setbacks and hesitations are nothing to worry about.
Just as the teacher said, the world is spiraling upwards - the stagnant Kivotos has escaped from the infinite cycle and started flowing again, which is proof that he still cares about everyone.
"Once it comes to who can see the teacher immediately, even Gehenna's friends become my enemies - but from the perspective of wanting to see the teacher itself, no one is my enemy."
Hinata's words already sounded a bit empty.
Seeing her old friend, bestie, and old boss showing a cute smile from the bottom of their hearts, Ako quietly slid the tablet that was covering her chest down. It was unclear whether she was relieved or burst out with guilt towards Hina:
“It was the only time I really wanted to say, ‘Please give me the qualification, Chairman—I want to see the teacher!’”
The blue light in her eyes flickered again, as if she was holding back tears: "...but no - if I make such a cunning request, you will definitely be embarrassed, I don't want you to..."
"Azi, the opportunity gained by voting cannot be transferred. This is a 'rule' and a 'law'. Even the president has no right to change it. Even if the teacher's instructions are announced, there will still be many people who are unwilling to believe that the student council did not interfere and want to continue the ranking results of the competition."
Hina "ruthlessly" shook her head and interrupted Ako's spell - ⒐令咝捌≮＠泀』★尔玖棂∨￡wu肿〗转,: The discipline committee members who were promoted in status, although they were no longer stubborn little girls, but some things still had to be made clear.
“…Hmm, Chairman, you’re really something. Can’t you just let me be touched for a moment…”
But this is the way they communicate based on absolute trust. After wiping away her tears, Yazi knew that her selfishness had been forgiven.