Chapter 170 170

Chisato stood before Tenku and the others with her hands on her waist. She felt irritated after hearing Takaya and Noboru's complaints. Most of the students from Class C chose the haunted house because the other classes had already decided on a maid cafe as their event for next week's cultural festival.

Because of that, the male students who chose the maid cafe were disappointed with the result. They were annoyed that they were outnumbered by the students who chose the haunted house.

In addition, not all male students vote for the maid cafe because some want a concert band. It was the same as Tenku's choice. But he wrote it carelessly and had no intention of participating in any cultural festival events.

"Why are you guys just sitting and chatting here? Can't you see that the others are busy preparing for the haunted house? Mr. Hayate has given us time to prepare for this event as well as possible. So please don't disappoint him! We will build the scariest haunted house in the history of Suisei High School! We can't lose to the other classes!" Chisato said seriously.

"We understand." Takaya and the others answered lazily.

"What's with your weak answers!? Show your passion for this year's cultural festival!" Chisato raised her voice, and the students in the classroom heard it.

Chisato is a disciplined and intelligent student. On top of that, she had awakened a pretty high-ranking Phantasmal Object. The students in class C like her because she is flexible and gets along quickly with others. Thus, Chisato was chosen to be the class representative.

"We understand!" Tenku and the others shouted in response to Chisato's words.

"That's good! We have to defeat the other classes! The best program will receive awards and prizes from the school principal!" Chisato clenched her tiny fists and said with determination.

She didn't want Class C to be looked down upon by the other first-year classes, especially Class A and B. Chisato knew that the two classes were more potent than their class from the number of students awakening high-rank Phantasmal Objects. But that doesn't mean the quality of Class C's students is lower than Class A and B. So, Chisato wants to prove that at the cultural festival.

The number of attendees will determine the winner of the cultural festival at Suisei High School. The class with the most visitors will receive an award and free lunch for one month in the cafeteria. Therefore, Chisato wants Class C to attract as many visitors as possible with their haunted house.

After that, Chisato divided the work of the students from Class C. Some made ghost costumes, while others made decorations for the haunted house. Of course, it would be installed three days before the cultural festival started. Their studies would be disrupted if they turned the classroom into a haunted house now.

The students looked busy with their respective assignments. It didn't just happen in Class C, but in all classes at Suisei High School, from first year to third year. They prepared their event as well as possible because they wanted to win an award from the principal and a month's worth of free lunches. Of course, the former was the priority for them as it concerned the prestige of their class.

Time passed quickly, and the sky darkened. The students stopped their work and prepared to go home. They don't need to rush because the results will not be optimal. After all, there was still plenty of time left until the cultural festival started.

Takaya and Noboru had returned earlier because they had something to do. They asked Tenku to come with them, but he refused because he had to accompany Akina back to her house.

Tenku couldn't let Akina go home alone because it was already night. Even though he no longer lives at the Karitoshi residence, he still has to repay Misora and Kouta for caring for him over the years.

"By the way, what event will your class make for the cultural festival next week?" Akina suddenly asked, and she kept smiling the whole way. She was happy because she could go home with Tenku again.

She remembered when they still lived in the same house. In the past, they returned home together, but Akina had to keep her distance from Tenku for some reason. But now Akina could walk shoulder to shoulder with him, making her heart flutter.

"Class C will be making a haunted house for the cultural festival. Then how about your class?" Tenku asked in return.

"Ooh, haunted house? It sounds fun and scary at the same time. My class will make a maid cafe. It would be best if you did not forget to visit my place." Akina said to Tenku and winked coquettishly.

"Maid cafe? Wasn't it the same when you were in middle school? I remember that your class hosted a maid cafe for three years straight. So this is your fourth year as a maid?" Tenku smiled and teased Akina.

But he was confused because the girl didn't respond to his words. When Tenku turned his eyes to her, he found Akina speechless and looked at him in surprise.

"Why are you silent? Is there something wrong with my words?" Tenku recalled his words and was sure he didn't say anything strange to Akina.

"No. You didn't say anything wrong, but you've changed quite a bit since returning from China. I'm not saying that it's bad. On the other hand, I'm happy with your change. You smile more often and can joke with other people. Did something good happen on your vacation in Beijing?" Akina looked at Tenku curiously.

"Is that so? I don't feel anything has changed about me. But if you think like that, then it must be true. Many good things happened in Beijing. That might be the cause of my change." Tenku admits it. He had lived for nine years together with Akina under the same roof. They can be called childhood friends, and Akina knows Tenku quite well, both character and habits.

"That's good. I'm also happy about that. Back to the cultural festival next week, you should bring Takaya and Noboru to our cafe." Akina smiled and tried to bring back the topic of their conversation.

"I will try to get them there. They will be happy because they want to make a maid cafe in class C. Unfortunately, most students choose haunted houses because they don't want their events to be like other classes." Tenku replied.

"I can guess why those two people wanted to set up a maid cafe in Class C. But are you the same as them? Do you like to see a girl wearing a maid's uniform?

As far as I can remember, it bothers me that you didn't come to any events when we were in middle school. You're too focused on your crispy tofu booth. Will the same thing happen this year?" Akina brought her body closer to Tenku and grinned.

"I am a normal man. So I also like that kind of thing. But in middle school, I focused on making money because I realized I couldn't depend on your family forever." Tenku answered softly. Of course, that is only one of the reasons but not the main one.

"Yes, I understand. I'm sorry for what my father did to you." Akina's face clouded over after hearing Tenku's words. She felt guilty and annoyed with herself because she couldn't prevent her father from kicking Tenku out of Karitoshi's residence.

That is one of Akina's regrets in life. If she had tried harder, Tenku might still be living with her, and they would still be able to see each other daily.

"What are you thinking about?" Tenku suddenly flicked Akina's forehead.

"Argh! Why are you flicking me!?" Akina complained and pouted.

"If I don't do that, you will continue to sink into your thoughts. I more or less know what's on your mind. But I will leave the Karitoshi residence sooner or later, even without your father kicking me out. So you don't need to worry about it. Can't we still meet? My apartment is not that far from your house." Tenku explained and tried to comfort Akina.

"Is that true?" Akina looked directly into his eyes and asked to confirm his words.

"Of course. I have no reason to lie to you. Therefore, you no longer need to think about it." Tenku said seriously.

"I'm glad to hear it. I'm sorry I can't visit your place often because I'm busy with school and organizational affairs. Besides, my father forbade me when he found out I would come to your apartment." Akina was relieved at her first sentence, but her face darkened at the end when she remembered about her father.

"You don't need to apologize to me. I understand you are busy. So you don't have to force yourself to come to my apartment. You can visit when you have free time... we have arrived at your house." Tenku stopped his footsteps and looked at the building before him with nostalgia.

"Ah, yes. I didn't realize we had arrived. Why do I feel that the distance from school to home is getting closer? We got here too fast." Akina replied in a weak voice. She was disappointed that she couldn't walk with Tenku any longer.

"Then come inside. After that, I will return to my apartment." Tenku wanted to make sure Akina got into the house before he headed back to his apartment.

"Alright. But would you like to stop by for a bit? My mom would be happy if she saw you. She often tells me that she misses you. She also asked if you ate properly during your stay in the apartment." Akina looked at Tenku with an expectant face.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I have to go back soon because I still have other business. After all, your father would be angry if he saw me. You should know about it." Tenku shook his head and refused Akina's request.

"Yes, I know about that. Then I will enter now. You have to be careful on the way, and please let me know when you get to your apartment." Akina reluctantly walked inside the house. She wanted to spend more time with Tenku but knew her father didn't like him. If Tenku suddenly appears, Kouta will ask him to return with the excuse that it's already night.

"I understand." Tenku answered and waited until Akina came inside the house. After the girl disappeared from his sight, Tenku left that place and walked in the dark of the night streets.