Chapter 201 – A visit to the aquarium

The members of Yukio's class were initially apprehensive about leaving directly with Yukio, driven by their trust in him. However, after hearing the conversation between Yukio and Ryuen, they finally understood and felt completely reassured.

"So that's how it is! No wonder Yukio-san dared to leave just like that. We're not here to do the actual work!"

"That's awesome! To be honest, I've been watching a lot of videos about yukata manufacturing online lately, and it's been giving me a headache. Actually making them would be impossible for me."

"Hahaha, you think you're the only one? I've also been watching yukata-making videos until I was sick of it. But when I searched for pictures, I immediately perked up~"

"Ah, a kindred spirit! Come on, let's share some links."

Seeing his classmates completely relax, Yukio walked over to Shiina. The conversation with Ryuen was both right and wrong.

Working certainly isn't an issue; not working would mean no project points, guaranteeing a fourth-place finish for this project. However, the key point is that even if they worked diligently, they wouldn't necessarily secure first place.

Direct competition is always the fiercest. If they could work hard, why couldn't the third-year students do the same? Why struggle so much? Yukio's real aim was the highest-scoring part of the project: devising strategies to increase revenue.

Plainly working would earn some points, but it wouldn't compare to the points from completing the project's core objectives.

The reason he dared to leave directly lay in the purpose of Advanced Nurturing High School. As mentioned several times before, the school's main goal is to provide mid-level talent for society.

Remember, they're cultivating mid-level talent, not entry-level workers. So why bother with serving tea or sweeping the floor?

This confidence in leaving directly also fell within the school's permissible range, ensuring no problems would arise.

Thinking about the rules of this special exam, Yukio sat down next to Shiina. She naturally leaned her head on his shoulder: "Yukio, do you already have a plan? How can I help?"

"Don't worry," Yukio said in a soothing tone, as if lulling a child to sleep. "I do have a plan, but we need a lot of information about Takahashi Yukata."

"We don't need to go through the trouble of finding this information ourselves. Tomorrow, we can ask Horikita Manabu. He'll have spent the entire day meticulously sorting through the data."

"Although he's our competitor, he's quite upright and won't withhold relevant information from us."

Of course, while he said this, Yukio knew that it would be necessary to randomly verify the information they received. He never forgot that the most dangerous aspect of the workplace often wasn't external competition, but internal sabotage.

Trusting Horikita Manabu was one thing, but a basic level of verification was absolutely essential.

The driver soon brought the group to the nearest café. Following Yukio's instructions, he cheerfully ran to the bank to withdraw money, then used his phone and cash to exchange with the students on the spot.

The school generally only allowed point-to-cash exchanges on graduation day, and the rate was high.

But given the special circumstances, the students only had points, while the driver had both cash and points. Naturally, he wanted points because, although one personal point was equivalent to one yen, in practice, points were more valuable when exchanged through the school.

The group practically took over the entire café, chatting idly. Once everyone was energized, they eagerly boarded the bus again, heading to their newly decided destination—Sumida Aquarium.

This aquarium is located next to the tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree, so it's commonly referred to as such. Its proper name has long been forgotten by many.

During their discussion at the café, they unanimously chose this place as their outing destination. After all, visiting an aquarium and the Tokyo Skytree offered experiences completely unavailable at Advanced Nurturing High School.

As vibrant teenagers cooped up at school for so long, each student's youthful and restless spirit was almost bursting at the seams.

Finally having the chance to play openly, they couldn't help but want to make the most of it.

Ordinary high school students might go to internet cafes, karaoke bars, or movie theaters, all available at Zelkova Mall. Given this, they chose the aquarium and Tokyo Skytree.

It was likely because it was a weekday morning that there were hardly any people besides these students and a few scattered tourists. With laughter and chatter, they queued up to buy tickets, and everyone's spirits were incredibly high.

As they passed through the initial seaweed and aquarium area, the moment they entered, it felt like Yukio's class had stepped into a dreamlike world.

The first exhibit seemed designed to capture their hearts—it was a jellyfish exhibit. A row of about six-meter-high transparent U-shaped tanks lined up.

They looked like a wall of castles or a row of cradles nurturing a blue dream. The ceiling lights were turned off, with only soft, color-changing lights at the bottom of the tanks.

This made the already translucent jellyfish easily visible under the various lights. Every time the jellyfish pulsed like umbrellas, they floated gracefully and swam leisurely.

Watching them, one couldn't help but feel their spirit being healed.

"Look, look! Such beautiful jellyfish!"

"Shh! Idiot! Keep your voice down. You'll disturb the jellyfish!"

"Eh? Aren't you loud too?"

"Why do I feel so moved? When I came here in middle school, I thought it was boring..."

"Maybe our mindset has changed? Back in middle school and now, we're different inside. This is growth, I guess?"

"Forget it, Nomura. The poetic style doesn't suit you. Just shout 'Wow, this is amazing!'"

"Damn, don't ruin the moment!"

This must be the joy of teenagers visiting an aquarium—not as sweet as young couples, nor as heartwarming as parents with their children.

But this lively, moderate commotion uniquely highlights the exuberance of their age.

In contrast, Yukio and Shiina stayed at the back of the group, quietly watching the jellyfish. Shiina was very interested, leaning close, with her hands pressed against the glass, closely admiring: "Flat on both ends, slightly bulging on top, Yukio, this is the cradle jellyfish~"

"I've read about it in books."

Yukio subtly glanced at the label at the bottom of the tank and suppressed a laugh, not exposing Shiina: "I think jellyfish swimming so lightly and gracefully are like you, Hiyori. You're always so light and airy, just like a cloud."

"Hehe, really?" Even a girl as calm and cloud-like as Shiina couldn't help but feel shy and blush when praised by her beloved. She smiled foolishly, liking these cradle jellyfish more and more.

She didn't know if this growing fondness was for the jellyfish or for the person beside her, watching the jellyfish with her.

***

Enjoyed the chapters? Read 30 chapters ahead on Patreon

PATREON.COM/METARLN

200 power stones = 1 extra chapter