I Actually Didn’t Mean to Ask for Water

As a hot-blooded youth, Shinichi glanced at the charming figure of Ichika in a tempting uniform. He quickly turned around, scanning the people around him, only pausing briefly at Yotsuba.

"If there are no issues, today's 'Support Speech Interview Meeting' is officially starting. As for who goes first..."

Shinichi pondered for a moment and found the fairest method.

"Let's just decide with rock-paper-scissors."

Rock-paper-scissors was a good civilization; any dispute could be settled with rock-paper-scissors. The six girls played rock-paper-scissors to determine the order, with Ichika starting, followed by Rizu, Miku, Itsuki, Fumino, and Yotsuba going last.

Under Shinichi's arrangement, all the interviewees stood by the wall, waiting for their turn to step forward. The two interviewers, Shinichi and Mafuyu, sat on the main sofa chairs. Nino, as one of the spectators, sat beside them, preparing a cup of hot black tea and sinking into the soft sofa.

"The first interviewee, please step forward."

After Shinichi finished speaking, Ichika took a step forward and sat across from the main chair.

"Hello, both of you. I am the interviewee No. 1, Nakano Ichika."

It was an extraordinary acting ability that was truly different from the other two.

"Can you tell me the purpose of coming here today?" Shinichi first asked a seemingly nonsensical question, but it was actually the basis of the interview.

The girl in front of him smiled brightly and answered in a relaxed tone.

"Of course. The position I'm applying for today is the support speaker for candidate Asada Shinichi. I believe I am more qualified than anyone else for this position. Please consider it carefully."

Well-spoken words, confident yet slightly arrogant, caused the entire study room to fall silent. The other interviewees by the wall all looked surprised, becoming nervous and feeling the pressure.

Only Yotsuba stared at the interview location with fiery eyes, seemingly forgetting all other complicated thoughts and watching intently.

"Good."

Mafuyu nodded. Although she was very meticulous, she was satisfied with Ichika's opening performance.

Staring directly into the eyes of the judges, confident and unpretentious, smiling with a relaxed yet polite smile, gave an outstanding first impression.

Ichika was indeed a rising young actress, and her mature response was truly impressive.

"Confidence is good. I look forward to your next answer."

Shinichi remained unfazed and handed the information in his hand with a serious expression.

"Firstly, regarding this speech, in what aspect do you think you can surpass other interviewees, and why should we... choose you?"

Considering Kirisu was by his side, he paused for a moment and then changed his wording.

Although this minor detail went unnoticed, everyone was now focused on the matter.

The first question, simply put, was to list strengths and merits, which should be related to the interview question.

As soon as Shinichi finished speaking, the others began to think—some pondered for a long time, and some quickly gave their answers.

But Ichika only pouted slightly and immediately showed a bright smile.

For some reason, Shinichi sensed something bad again.

"Excuse me, Shinichi-kun, may I borrow your hand?"

"Sure."

Shinichi hesitated a bit, but as an interviewer, he extended his hand without changing his expression, watching as Ichika clasped her fingers and turned his palm upward.

Ichika slightly bowed; her fingers touched his palm, and her voice gradually softened.

"I have one advantage that only applies to Shinichi-kun: I'm good at reading palm prints. Look..."

"Amazing, right? Then admit it~"

She raised her head, showing a fox-like laugh.

Shinichi gazing into the abyss as Ichika bowed, felt a provocative tickling sensation coming from her palm.

With an expressionless face, he began contemplating the principles of life so that mentally he could transcend this world.

"Disqualified!"

While Shinichi was dumbfounded, a cold voice sounded displeasedly. "This is a serious interview; how can you seduce the interviewer! Moreover, in front of Sensei, you behave so indecently."

"Ichika-san, please behave properly and take this interview seriously!"

Leaning forward to separate their hands, Mafuyu looked stern.

From the teacher and interviewer's perspective, her anger here was quite reasonable and nothing wrong.

Shinichi regained awareness and glanced at the hand that had just been released from Ichika's grip, now firmly held by Mafuyu.

(Mafuyu-chan is indeed Mafuyu-chan. If her hand is cold, it means she's weak and feeling cold. She might feel very uncomfortable when her aunt comes.)

"Sorry, sorry~ I accidentally had too much fun!" Ichika withdrew her hand without changing her smile, sticking out her tongue, pretending to be sweet.

"I've been trying to figure out roles like this recently, and if I don't pay attention, I act too far... I voluntarily withdraw from the interview. Please forgive me, Sensei!"

"...Really, that's why I stay here to watch over you." Mafuyu sighed, the cold feeling gradually disappearing from her face, and her tone softened, "Never again, the study room is not a place for you to misbehave."

"Can it be done somewhere else?" Ichika asked innocently.

"Of course not!" Mafuyu hesitated unintentionally but seemed to realize it was somewhat inappropriate to say that, so she quickly added, "Dating during student years should be within a reasonable and moderate range and not too extreme. No matter which teacher sees your behavior, they will stop you."

Ichika looked at the others, her eye color slightly dim, but her smile remained bright.

The more you talk, the more you can see.

"I understand~ In that case, Sensei, can you release Shinichi-kun's hand?"

"Hand?" Mafuyu released her palm, warm like an electric shock. Her face felt hot, and she quickly coughed.

"Sorry, I didn't realize it now and forgot to let go."

"No problem~ Besides, Shinichi-kun doesn't mind; he even looks happy?" Ichika stared at Shinichi with a smile.

Not only her but also the keen-eyed girls, after seeing Mafuyu trying to remain calm but with a slightly red face, focused their attention on Shinichi.

The gaze was complicated and meaningful.

"...I can be misunderstood by you even if you touch my hand. Has my trust in integrity dropped to such a low level?"

Shinichi rolled the information paper in his hand into a stick and tapped the table, looking at Ichika's smiling face.

"Now it's interview time; don't worry about things unrelated to the interview."

"I don't care~" Ichika snorted, turned, and stood up, like a tantrum-throwing child.

"Okay, I failed the interview, and now I have to go. Please invite the next person~"

"I think you're just here to have fun..." Shinichi was too lazy to complain about her again. He turned to Rizu and said, "Next, please take a seat."

The atmosphere returned to normal. Only Nino was watching, placing her teacup down and curving her mouth with a mocking tone. Her eyes were fixed on the side of Shinichi's face, but she didn't say anything, as if to say, "Let's see how long you can keep pretending."

Despite the pressure from the side glances, Shinichi's expression remained unchanged as he looked at Rizu sitting in front of him.

"So, the first question..."