In Tokyo: They are heavily dependent on me

Chapter 76. Ms. Shoko, you don't want to be discovered either...

[Aid mission now available (Rank S)]

[Mission Objective: Help her successfully exact her revenge and regain her confidence]

Another S-rank mission?

Hoshino Kaoru's expression turned grave as she began to assess the likelihood of completing the mission.

To help her complete her revenge, evidence is essential.

Therefore, he had to get close to those two girls in LOVE and gather evidence that they had stolen the work of Minami-chan, the former lead vocalist of LOVE.

The task is significantly more difficult than before, but the rewards will be even greater.

Putting aside the 'props' and 'points' for now, if Aozora-chan can regain his confidence, he won't need to spend a lot of time finding an idol who might betray him at any time to collaborate, which would reduce many potential risks.

After weighing the pros and cons, Kaoru decided to accept the mission.

After the morning rush hour, I have two hours to rest.

Aozora was downstairs dealing with guests who might appear at any moment, while Kobayashi followed behind Kaoru, and the two of them went to Rin's room together.

"Rin, Kobayashi has come to see you."

Kaoru opened the door, and Kobayashi curiously observed the bedroom, which was about six tatami mats in size, before noticing Rin lying on the bed.

"Ah... Chio... why have you come to visit me?"

Rin turned her head to look at her, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Hoshino-kun said the ramen shop is short-staffed, so he asked me to help out."

Kobayashi sat on the edge of the bed as if they were old friends, holding Rin's hands which were outside the blanket, and then rubbing her cheek against them.

"Poor Rin-chan, she must be really sick. I wish I could help you with some of the burden."

"Don't say things like that. I don't want Chio to feel bad either."

"It's okay, we're friends... By the way, Rin-chan, have you heard? LOVE seems to be recruiting members recently, and apparently there are no gender restrictions."

That's how conversations between girls are—they're very varied. Often, before one of them can even react, the conversation has drifted to a completely unrelated topic.

Kaoru didn't want to disturb the two of them, so she quietly sat down to the side and found her smartphone.

He typed 'LOVE' into the search bar of the search engine and started browsing the latest news about them.

[Breaking news! Just two weeks after the release of the sensational "Blue Bird," the popular idol group LOVE has announced that they will release their new work, "LOSER," next week.]

They will show every audience member that their creativity has no limits.

He glanced at it quickly as if it were junk information, then looked at the next news item with no interest.

[LOVE, the idol group that has won awards in multiple fields with "Blue Bird," recently posted that due to a shortage of members, they welcome anyone with dreams and expectations for the stage, regardless of gender. As long as you can successfully pass the initial assessment, you can become a member of LOVE.]

The news article concluded by listing the address and requirements for the assessment.

Xun glanced at the assessment requirements.

1. Participants in the assessment must have the ability to independently write lyrics, compose music, and arrange music.

2. Well-proportioned facial features. If male, there is a height requirement: must be over 175 cm.

3. Master the relevant musical instruments required for performance, including but not limited to at least five commonly used instruments such as piano, electric guitar, and bass.

4. Has experience in creating related works or performing and winning awards.

The last part lists the location of the assessment, which is in Shibuya, not far away.

Kaoru fully meets criteria 1 and 2, and he is confident that his works will win various awards once they are released, so there is no need to worry about criterion 4.

The only condition that is not met is condition number 3.

The school's music curriculum did include related courses, and Xun learned them very quickly. However, he only had a basic understanding of them and had not yet reached the level where he could play them independently.

If he can learn to play these instruments, he will meet the requirements for the preliminary assessment.

Revenge... is one step closer.

After hesitating for less than a second, Kaoru made up her mind.

[Plans to be implemented next week]

[1. Spend a week mastering at least one musical instrument.]

[2. Prevent the disbandment of the kendo club]

Xun was full of confidence, believing that she could definitely do it.

------------

On Monday, just after the morning classes ended, Kaoru went to Ms. Shoko's office and knocked on the door.

"Wait a minute... is this a teacher?"

"She's your favorite student, Ms. Shoko."

"Oh... it's Hoshino-kun, come in."

The door was opened.

Ms. Shoko was sitting in a chair with a troubled expression. When she saw Kaoru come in, she nervously crossed her very fleshy legs, and her cheeks turned red for some unknown reason.

"Is there something you need?"

Even the sound was much quieter than usual.

Kaoru noticed her unusual behavior.

"Teacher, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No... I just..."

Shoko, who had originally planned to make up an excuse, sighed as if in resignation, and then stood up.

The tight-fitting dress that accentuated her figure had a rip at the top of her thigh. When Shoko saw Kaoru staring at her intently, she quickly sat down and covered the ripped fabric with her hand.

"I don't know why this happened so suddenly. I have an important meeting this afternoon, and I'm too embarrassed to talk to my colleagues about it... I really don't know what to do."

"Well—"

Kaoru came up with a solution.

He ran out, found a needle and thread in the sewing classroom, and then returned to the office.

After locking the door, Kaoru knelt down in front of Ms. Shoko, who was looking on in astonishment.

"Hoshino-kun... what are you going to do...?"

"Teacher, could you please cooperate?"

The school offered sewing-related courses, and Xun memorized the sewing techniques after just one lesson.

The tear in the skirt was about ten centimeters long and was a straight line. Xun threaded the needle and used white thread to sew a kitten pattern onto the black skirt, then secured the end of the thread.

Okay, that completes the task.

Seeing the kitten that had been sewn back together, Ms. Shoko was so moved that she almost cried.

"So cute... I really don't know what I would do without you, Hoshino-kun."

"It's alright, I really like Shoko-sensei, and I'd be happy to help you."

Ms. Shoko stroked the adorable kitten embroidered on her skirt, her cheeks noticeably flushed.

To be taken care of by one's own student... what is this all about?

"Ms. Shoko, you wouldn't want your students to discover that you, as a teacher, can be so careless, would you?"

At that moment, Kaoru braced herself against the desk piled with documents, leaned forward, and looked at Shoko's face, which seemed flustered by his approach.

"I'll keep it a secret for you, but there's one thing I need your help with."