Chapter 65: Sakura Kyoko’s Turn to Play

Chapter 65: Sakura Kyoko’s Turn to Play

“We at Far Moon have a slightly faster pace in math than other schools, especially in geometry. Here, let me give you a brief overview of these topics. It’s all prepared by me and the President.”

It was Tuesday morning in Seminar Room L502 at the top floor of the Far Moon Academy Library.

Ya Qiao Mu had dragged a blackboard over and was rubbing out the writing while speaking.

Meanwhile, Spencer, sitting across from him, was completely ignoring Ya Qiao Mu. She just turned to Yan Huan and displayed a “sinisterly evil” smile.

“…”

Yan Huan, rubbing his sore muscles, didn’t bother to respond.

Ever since this guy brought that weird comic-stuffed black bag, he seemed like he had gained a powerful artifact!

He kept glancing at Yan Huan and seemed to have learned a bizarre, strong visual evil smile.

He should have realized by now that An Le had picked up that “Dragon of Binding” manga at the convention, and now Spencer might have snagged some real lessons from it too.

Just you wait, Spencer, I’ll show you how it’s done.

With that thought, Yan Huan looked around the not-so-big seminar room, now just the three of them, and wore a “just as I thought” expression.

On the plane, Bai Yi had just sent a message,

“Sorry, sorry, Yan Huan. I have an event to attend this morning, so I’ll only be back at school by noon.

Could you fill in that study group list for me? I want to join.”

Yan Huan replied with a “sure” cat emoji, then locked his phone and started calculating.

So, including Bai Yi, there would only be two people in this study group.

Only Spencer was forced to join from the first, second, and third years; the rest were still just optional invites, as usual.

As long as it wasn’t mandatory, no one would show up.

Plus, the second and third years would be supervised by Yan Huan’s first-year student council so they could guide the upperclassmen—if that really happened, it would be embarrassing.

But then again, this study group was basically Principal Hemis’ old ploy to give Spencer a bowl of “dumplings” full of “vinegar.”

As long as the “vinegar” was served, who cared what the “dumplings” looked like?

So, the study group model Yan Huan and Ya Qiao Mu discussed was generally like this.

Five core subjects: Ya Qiao Mu was responsible for the science-heavy math and science, while Yan Huan handled language, reading, and social studies.

First, they’d assess the baseline, then Yan Huan would create a specialized study plan.

After all, Spencer’s Modifier seemed a bit mysterious to Yan Huan.

It wasn’t as complex as Ye Shiyu or Bai Yi’s, nor as thrilling as An Le’s.

If you’d say it was strong, it didn’t feel like that most of the time—like a presence that’s there yet not.

But if it wasn’t strong, it felt like this guy’s Modifier was always in effect—no cooldown, just outrageous.

Thus, Yan Huan planned to intensify the pressure on Spencer’s studies.

“What are you doing, girl? Are you drawing some sort of curse? It’s finding E option for this multiple-choice question that has only four options—you can’t be serious!”

Is there a master here?

Yan Huan shot a glance at Spencer, who was stubbornly holding a marker and glaring at the question, before she suddenly looked up and asked Ya Qiao Mu,

“Isn’t it all your fault?”

“My fault? What did I do?”

“Why did you only set four options? Can’t you add a few more?”

“I…”

Ya Qiao Mu looked at Spencer, who’s posing as if she was in the right, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

He pointed at her while glancing back at Yan Huan,

“Hey, President, you see this? Isn’t it amusing?”

“…”

Yan Huan sighed and walked over.

In just a mere ten minutes, Spencer was about to break Ya Qiao Mu.

“President, look! She can’t even solve a quadratic equation—let alone other stuff. How are we supposed to teach her? Either this girl never studied or she’s totally clueless—better to just repeat elementary school!”

“Hah?! You call me dumb?!”

Before this, Spencer had been disdainful of whatever Ya Qiao Mu said. But upon hearing that last comment, she instantly flared up, standing up and flipping the desk over.

Ya Qiao Mu jumped back in alarm, hiding behind Yan Huan.

“What are you doing? This is school! Please don’t go wild!”

“Get out here! Let’s see if I can take you down!”

“President, save me!”

Yan Huan merely glanced at Spencer, who was shaking her fist, then nonchalantly lifted the overturned desk, also picking up her unfinished assessment.

Expressionless, Yan Huan glanced at Spencer. Her furious look shifted slightly as if she recalled something.

Right, the more you look down on me, the better.

The more like this, the more I want to utterly crush you later.

With that thought, Spencer’s expression grew a bit excited, even licking her lips.

Ya Qiao Mu unnervedly felt a chill, while Yan Huan just glanced at her test paper and muttered,

“Equations… Hmm, looks like you basically don’t even know algebra.”

“Right, President? I mean, how can someone struggle with a quadratic equation? What’s the point of joining the study group if you can’t even handle this? No wonder you got a 66 on the test.”

Upon hearing this, Spencer’s temper flared again, though this time she didn’t even see Ya Qiao Mu. She had completely ducked behind Yan Huan, only daring to whisper.

“…”

Her raised fist lost its fire, and Spencer, extremely irritated, crossed her arms and sat back down, casting a quick glance at Yan Huan before looking away again.

After a brief silence, she quietly said,

“Just wait! I want to know what you two are blabbing about… what’s this… equation?”

“…”

Holding her test paper, Yan Huan blinked and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Behind her, Ya Qiao Mu also leaned forward, incredulous, his expression incredibly abstract,

“How on earth did you get into Far Moon? This…”

“Hah?! Of course, they let me in because I met their enrollment criteria!”

Spencer raised her fist again, making Ya Qiao Mu retreat even further.

Just when he thought he was safe, he turned around and was suddenly captivated by something outside the window.

He gasped and poked Yan Huan’s shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”

Yan Huan turned back only to see Ya Qiao Mu gazing, slack-jawed, out the window.

“President, look outside!”

Yan Huan followed his gaze.

As mentioned before, the library was just across from the newly constructed teaching building, and scaffolding was finally coming down this morning, revealing the building’s outer wall.

There, the extravagantly lavish facade of the building featured a vividly realistic golden lion head.

Underneath the golden lion’s imposing stance, a decorative inscription reading “Spencer Golden Lion Group” was prominently displayed.

So the whole luxurious teaching building is donated by their family?

No way, girl…

Yan Huan glanced outside again before looking back at the messily scribbled name “Aria Spencer” on her test paper, then turned to the now bewildered Spencer, who wondered why they had suddenly gone silent.

“What’s with you?! I didn’t lie! I have their invitation for me to enroll; I can totally bring it later if you don’t believe me!”

“…”

Ya Qiao Mu covered his face, speechless, while Yan Huan gave her a thumbs-up with a grin,

“No need, I’ve seen enough.”

“Hah? Seen what?”

“Your talent and effort.”

Spencer blinked, not quite grasping Yan Huan’s intent and mistaking it as praise.

She proudly crossed her arms and tilted her head haughtily,

“Hmph, as long as you see, that’s good. But what was that you two were saying about…? ‘Equations’? Is that some kind of code?”

“…”

Ya Qiao Mu had squatted down, covering his face, looking utterly defeated.

Yan Huan felt her lungs constrict from Spencer’s remark, instinctively touching her chest, only to find it painfully sore from last night’s workout.

“Hiss…”

She too donned a mask of agony like Ya Qiao Mu and lowered her head, saying,

“Nothing to worry about; we just need to compile the lists this morning… as for your study issues, we pretty much figured it out.”

“Hah?”

In the seminar room, today’s victory was clearly in favor of…

Student Council: Total failure!

At the entrance, an elderly man in a suit silently withdrew his gaze from observing the unfolding scenes, letting out a deep sigh.

It was none other than Principal Hemis of Far Moon Academy.

He clutched his chest, empathizing with the situation as he silently cursed in his heart,

“This society is just so cruel!!”

Yet, he couldn’t lose hope; true strength was about being able to navigate upstream.

And there was still a chance!

Having previously received countless complaints regarding Spencer, Hemis had already given up on the idea of her participating in the study group, knowing that even if he forced her, she likely wouldn’t attend.

Perhaps the solution lay in the upcoming club battle.

As long as she joined the Athletics Club and secured a victory, it would be a win-win for everyone.

But he never expected that, with Spencer’s character, she’d arrive early at school to attend the study group!

Why?

Principal Hemis didn’t trust that she was genuinely here to study.

So there’s only one reason left—

Beauty~

Hemis leaned against the door, secretly assessing the scene, as if he had found the truth.

Spring, the perfect season for creatures to court!

Boys and girls of this age yearned for romance, buzzing with excitement like peacocks displaying their feathers.

Though in terms of humanity, Spencer surely had her flaws.

But as a creature, her instincts were alive and well!

A thirst for superior mates, leading to procreation—a desire every species shares.

Thus, to Principal Hemis, Spencer’s compliant participation in the study group was likely caused by one reason—

Interest in Yan Huan!

Hemis’ breathing quickened for a moment, and an idea suddenly struck him!

Oh, I have a plan!

If I entice Yan Huan, surely I can keep her settled.

Regardless of gender, when interacting with the opposite sex, one tends to present their best side to gain attraction.

“So, all I need to do is secretly play matchmaker for them.”

Hehehe.

“Matchmaker? What do you mean matchmaker? Principal, why are you just standing here?”

However, in the next moment, an unfeeling female voice suddenly rang from behind him, like a thunderbolt striking Hemis’ spine.

His eyes widened, and he turned around just in time to see a petite, stunning girl leading several students out of the elevator.

Sakura Kyoko.

She wore a smile, though it looked rather menacing.

Oh no! It’s over!

Hemis suddenly remembered that the young lady from the Sakuraguchi family had been lingering around the student council as well.

At first, she merely mentioned something about “experiencing student council life,” but after that, it seemed she was always subtly nagging him whenever he issued heavy tasks to Yan Huan.

Hiss…

Sweat beaded on Hemis’ forehead. He cleared his throat and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead, saying,

“Hehe, I was just inspecting the library’s books, and happened to see how the study group organized by the student council is going. Sakura, why have you brought so many students here?”

“Oh, these are students who haven’t joined any clubs yet. The responsibility for this falls on the student council, so I thought we might as well find a seminar room together to wrap up the club joining process.”

Sakura Kyoko walked closer to Principal Hemis with a beaming smile, and out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Yan Huan and Ya Qiao Mu instructing Spencer.

As she approached, the smile on Sakura Kyoko’s face faded just a tad, and she added,

“However, Principal Hemis, regarding that Spencer student, she doesn’t seem to meet the enrollment standards of Far Moon Academy, does she?”

“. Vice President Sakura, Linyi Gate’s education system differs from yours; it comprehensively assesses a student’s qualities, not merely their academic grades. Spencer possesses her shine, after all.”

Why does Ya Qiao Mu say this hellhole of a school is a rich family’s troublesome cup?

On the left, the Golden Lion Group’s Spencer hadn’t been chased off yet, and on the right, another member of the Sakuraguchi family was popping up.

Far Moon Academy is a private institution, and it’s essentially reliant on the immense influence of these powerful parent’s backgrounds.

But what did they say?

One must bear consequences after reaping benefits.

How much influence was needed to be significant?

One mountain is higher than another, and sometimes it’s hard to balance the scales—when two powerful forces fight, it gets messy.

Thankfully, it was Sakura Kyoko speaking to Hemis, not the entire Sakuraguchi family.

Sakura Kyoko merely smiled lightly at the sweating Hemis and stated,

“That’s best, Principal Hemis.

“I trust that the school has a comprehensive student evaluation system and am willing to believe that Spencer is a well-rounded, intelligent, outstanding, and healthy student who meets the recruitment standards of Far Moon Academy.

“After all, even if she joins Far Moon Academy, if her performance falls too short, the expulsion process will commence, right, Principal?”

This statement made Principal Hemis break into a cold sweat.

“This…”

Just as he was about to say something, Sakura Kyoko had already turned to her fellow students,

“You all go ahead and wait for me in Seminar Room L502. I will notify the respective club recruitment officers to come over.”

“Sure, Vice President~”

Most students from the home club chatted as they moved forward while cheerfully greeting Principal Hemis.

Only a handful of seemingly gloomy boys and girls walked carefully, speaking quietly.

An Le was among them.

Earlier, when she heard Sakura Kyoko’s words, she had clenched her fists.

This morning, Pu Shuwen returned to school.

Though her face was still bandaged thickly, she dared to sit next to An Le only when she saw that Spencer’s seat was empty.

But when she caught sight of An Le, she couldn’t help but taunt,

“Just wait. That Spencer will be expelled soon. Without her, you’ll have a good life ahead.”

“…”

Was it because she stood up for me that Spencer would be expelled?

As An Le walked past Principal Hemis, she pondered, her fists tightening further.

A dangerous smile flicked from Little Pinky perched on her shoulder.

But just then, Sakura Kyoko’s voice rang out,

“An Le, please wait a moment.”

“Eh?”

An Le turned back and saw Sakura Kyoko, gracing her with a smile. She continued,

“I would like to discuss something with you, An Le.”

“Me?”

“Exactly.”

“Alright then.”

An Le’s face flushed slightly as she lowered her head to walk back, feeling puzzled about what Sakura Kyoko wanted to say to her.

As for Hemis, he wiped the sweat off and stated,

“Well then, you all carry on with your work in the student council. I’ll check on matters elsewhere.”

“Yes, Principal. You take care.”

“Goodbye, Principal.”

Only An Le sincerely bowed, lifting her head to find Sakura Kyoko beside her, still wearing that pleasant smile.

Sakura Kyoko was both graceful and beautiful. While many girls at school claimed to dislike her, An Le felt that a lot of it was merely jealousy.

Because her academic performance was exceptional, and her family background was no less than those noble girls.

People like her, who adhered strictly to rules and remained distant, easily harmed the self-esteem of other prideful boys and girls.

“Vice President Sakura, why do you need me…”

“Oh, it’s this. You haven’t joined a club yet, right? So I specifically contacted the leaders of the Anime Club and the Gaming Club for you. You can join directly without having to go through negotiations or assessments.”

“Eh? That’s a bit… too much.”

Sakura Kyoko gently tucked her black hair behind her ear, covering her mouth while watching the astonished An Le, she explained,

“While the policy states so, the school cannot force clubs to accept new members. The student council holds significant authority, and clubs have the right to refuse new entrants.

“And since the club battle is approaching, every member must participate in the events, making it quite troublesome to add new members at this time.”

At this point, Sakura Kyoko lightly held An Le’s hand and said,

“You don’t seem adept at conversing, so I thought it best to directly inform the two club leaders to skip these processes. They’re not too hopeful about this year’s club battle anyway, so it should be relaxed.”

An Le was so startled that she stammered,

“I-I-I, how could this be troubling… Vice President Sakura?”

“Don’t worry; you are the childhood friend of the President. We all share great relationships in the student council. You are a friend of the President, so you are also our friend. Helping you is only right!”

“Th-thank you, Vice President Sakura.”

“Just call me Sakura, An Le.”

“Okay, Sakura… Sakura.”

“Hehe, you’re so cute.”

Sakura Kyoko giggled softly, further flustering An Le.

Yet, deep down, she revealed a “plan achieved” expression.

Mind games~

In reality, she was hardly concerned about An Le.

This girl looked soft and easy to bully; even being a childhood friend of the President, she was weak and adorable.

Sakura Kyoko’s true target was Spencer.

Since Spencer got along well with An Le, winning her over was akin to slipping a spy next to Spencer, making it easier to gather intel and set traps.

Yesterday, she had asked Nairu to find out that Spencer was on the verge of expulsion.

There were only two scenarios where she wouldn’t get expelled.

One was the midterm exams, passing more than half of her subjects.

Hmm…

Based on her 66 on the entrance exam, the chance was slim and negligible.

If that didn’t work, she would sabotage the study group she was part of to thoroughly extinguish her learning possibilities.

The second was the upcoming club battle.

Hemis had arranged for Spencer to join the Athletics Club as a fallback.

It was evident that under the leadership of that guy named “Owen,” the Athletics Club was the most likely to win this year.

That old Hemis would definitely tweak the rules for Spencer, making it easy and right for her to keep her spot.

But Sakura Kyoko would not allow this old man’s plans to succeed.

That girl had a super ability and was eyeing the President, which was quite dangerous.

For the sake of independence—no, to protect the President—Spencer had to be expelled!

Sakura Kyoko watched the touched An Le with a smile and waved her hand,

“Alright, let’s head over to the seminar room next door. I’m handling this discreetly on your behalf, so let’s keep it subtle in front of other classmates… Now let me contact those club recruitment officers.”

“Um, thank you, Sakura!”

“No need to mention it.”

As Sakura Kyoko observed the blushing An Le moving toward the classroom, her prim yet pleasant smile gradually faded.

She quickly glanced at Spencer, who was proudly showcasing herself in the room, then quietly took out her phone.

On her phone, Sakura Kyoko had already created a group containing various club recruitment personnel.

And the person who just commented, saying “I’ll be there soon,” was the leader of the Athletics Club, Hua Zhaofeng.

That Pu Shuwen’s simping dog.

Sakura Kyoko expressionlessly tagged everyone in the chat and sent a message.

Sakura Kyoko: “@everyone, all club recruitment personnel, please hurry and gather in Seminar Room L502 at the library’s top floor.”

Hua Zhaofeng: “Understood, Vice President.”

Sakura Kyoko was ready to play her cards!