Chapter 153: Festival part 2

"Nee∼ Nee∼ Hito-Kun∼," purred Kaede sweetly.

"What is it, Kaede?" Tadano asked, already somewhat aware of the answer.

"Being out here is a bit boring, and there's still some time before Najimi and the others restock the supplies for the class. What do you say we do something fun♥∼?" Kaede said flirtatiously as she rested her head on Tadano's shoulder.

She had acted very spoiled earlier and even asked to be carried, given the current situation.

Tadano thought about it for a moment, but as someone who couldn't resist persistent requests and with Kaede's insistence, he decided to humor her for a while.

Seeing Tadano nod in agreement, Kaede purred happily. It had been a few days since she last replenished her "love batteries," and she urgently needed some of that sweet, liquid affection.

One should know that training to become the future leader of a major corporate group was incredibly exhausting and stressful.

Since Kaede took her training seriously and earned her grandmother's approval, her academic and social levels had skyrocketed over the past few months. If she wanted to, she could graduate early and enter a prestigious university with flying colors. However...

What good is that? She much preferred her current lifestyle—a relaxed and easygoing school, having fun with friends, and spending time with her boyfriend and future husband. Maybe it would be nice to intimidate a certain brown-haired "dog" a bit more, but other than that, life was good.

As Kaede got lost in her thoughts, a group of familiar gals approached.

"Uhmm? Tadano-san?" a cute, tan-skinned girl asked curiously.

"Hmmm... Oh, if it isn't the duck girl? What a surprise to run into you here..." Tadano replied to her.

Kaede, standing nearby, glanced at the tanned girl.

It didn't take her long to figure out who she was.

"Manbagi Rumiko, 1-C. An eccentric girl who likes to wear too much makeup and has few friends, often surrounded by gals. However..."

Initially, Kaede didn't consider this girl a threat, being well aware of her man's preferences.

However...

"This girl is dangerous…" Kaede thought to herself as she observed the pair's interaction.

"Eh? Again with that! I told you several times, I'm not a duck!" Rumiko grumbled angrily.

Tadano seemed amused as he teased the poor girl further.

Things didn't improve with the rest of the gals joining the conversation. True to their sociable and slightly mischievous personas, they enjoyed poking fun at poor Rumiko.

Kaede watched silently as she clung tightly to Tadano's arm, sneaking a sharp look at a certain blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl.

Hayasaka felt a shiver run down her spine but gritted her teeth, maintaining her act.

"Fufu～ Since we're all here, why don't we have some fun together? The more, the merrier, right?" Hayasaka said flirtatiously, trying to encourage her friends.

Hayasaka subtly glanced at the emerald-eyed tigress smiling at her with amusement.

The plan was clear—she would use this group of girls to distract Kaede and create an opportunity for her young mistress.

In the distance, Kaguya cheered on her loyal servant.

Meanwhile, Shouko...

She had received a call from her mother earlier, so she decided to temporarily part ways with her friend.

"Hmmm♫∼ Hmmm♫∼"

Shuuko hummed happily as she wandered through the halls of her daughter's school.

She enjoyed the curious looks the students gave her. It amused Shuuko that people mistook her for her daughter. On one hand, it made her feel proud knowing her child inherited her good genes, and on the other, it flattered her vanity that, despite her age, she still looked so youthful to these kids.

In high spirits, Shuuko continued exploring the school, looking for her daughter.

Behind her was her good friend Ryouko, observing the surroundings with curiosity. Unlike Shuuko, Ryouko's personality was more tranquil and homely, and she hadn't set foot in a school since graduation, except when picking up Akira in the past.

As a regular at her daughter's school, Shuuko decided to show the beautiful, light-blue-haired woman around.

Not far behind Ryouko—or rather clinging to her leg—was the shy Akira, who looked around nervously.

And where was Shousuke, you ask? Well…

Bueno...

Staring

Staring

"Mama! This big black cat is looking at me weirdly. I think it wants a fight!" declared Hitomi as she rolled up her sleeves, ready to teach this big black cat a lesson.

"Mooh∼ Hitomi-chan, don't cause trouble at your brother's school… Remember, we're supposed to be undercover…" Jeanne murmured.

Jeanne and her daughter had come to see Tadano at his maid café.

This decision had been made almost immediately after Najimi sent them a photo of Tadano dressed as a butler.

Both women were very interested in seeing this new side of their son/brother.

"But mama, this big cat is…"

Bonk!

"..."

At some point, the black cat mascot costume in front of Hitomi had pulled out a foam bat and hit the pesky girl standing before it.

However...

Crack!

"Well… you've done it now…" Hitomi growled as she cracked her knuckles.

"Let me show you the power of a judo black belt, you little furball!" she shouted angrily, chasing after the black cat.

Shousuke, inside the black cat mascot suit, sensed the danger and quickly ran off.

Yes, that's right! Shousuke was the black cat.

He had found the mascot suit by chance and decided to use it after realizing he couldn't take more than three steps in the area without being surrounded by annoying women.

Everything was going smoothly until he ran into this pigtailed girl.

For some reason, Shousuke felt uncomfortable when he looked at her.

Her arrogant attitude didn't help as she started pointing him out.

And don't ask where he got the foam bat—he doesn't know either.

All he knows is that he enjoyed seeing the frustrated expression on the girl's face when he hit her.

Jeanne couldn't help but smile like a proud aunt as she watched her daughter chase the boy from the Komi family.

Are you wondering how she figured out who he was?

Hehe, you only need to remember that Tadano Jeanne isn't a normal person. If she were, could she really be the wife of a certain multimillionaire family head?

Shinomiya Residence…

"ACHOO…" Gan'an sneezed.

"Master, are you alright? Should I book an appointment with a specialist doctor?" Masato asked.

"Haha, there's no need for that… This isn't an illness. It's just that a certain beauty must be thinking about her man!" Gan'an replied arrogantly while rubbing his nose.

Masato, the head butler of the Shinomiya family, couldn't help but roll his eyes at his master's narcissism.

Sigh

"Well, I guess it falls on me to take on the oh-so-important task of photographing Hito-chan in his butler outfit," Jeanne said while pulling out a professional, high-end camera from her bag.

...

Author's Note:

"Here's the second chapter… It took me a bit of effort, but here we are. Remember to drink plenty of water, and know that I love you all.

Sincerely, your favorite depressed author."

--------------- nwnr