In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 120

Chapter 120: Sweets Satellite at FF21 Part 2

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As the TV station staff busily began packing up, a sales staff member holding a handheld sign reading “End of the Line Starts Here” appeared at the EXA booth of Pudding Satellite. Looking a little nervous, she glanced around the booth, still buzzing with the heat of the live broadcast, and called out loudly to the remaining spectators.

“We’re now handing out numbered tickets here! First 50 people only. These are special tickets for purchasing a lucky bag containing our new product ‘Two-Tone Pudding Caramel,’ the event-exclusive ‘Custard Pudding Flavor & Burnt Caramel Flavor Popcorn Twin Can,’ and other recommended EXA sweets!”

As she made the announcement, several more EXA sales staff lined up, inexplicably forming a protective perimeter around the queue barriers.

“Oh, it’s just a lucky bag? Pudding-kun is already gone, so shall we check out the other booths?”

“Wait. Isn’t it weird to hand out numbered tickets just for a lucky bag? They said it’s “special.” I think there’s something more to it.”

“Huh. I mean, I wouldn’t mind buying one as a kabedon event souvenir, but is it worth lining up for?”

“Each purchase will include a ‘Handshake Ticket’ with Yuusei Takeda-san, who just appeared in the EXA commercial, and each customer will receive the lucky bag directly from him…”

Before the staff member could finish her sentence, a loud thundering rush of footsteps surged toward the numbered ticket distribution point—so intense it felt like the ground shook.

The sales staff threw themselves into action, guiding the crowd in a battle-ready stance.

“Running is dangerous! Please line up along the partitions!”

“Please form a single line starting from this direction!”

〈Handshake ticket. She said handshake ticket, right?〉

〈She definitely said it!〉

〈Top 50 only! Did I make it? Maybe from this spot I still have a chance?〉

A long line formed in an instant. The staff swiftly began counting heads. Those who made the cut cheered with joy, while those who didn’t looked close to tears—a scene of emotional highs and lows.

Then, among the victors, a sudden realization struck. They turned to one another with questioning faces.

“Wait, how much is the lucky bag again?”

“Do I have enough on me? I want to believe EXA wouldn’t overcharge us.”

“No way it’s in the five digits, right? I mean, I’d still pay, though.”

“Now, let me explain the contents of the lucky bag. It includes a jumbo gift box of our new product, ‘Two-Tone Pudding Caramel,’ the event-limited ‘Custard Pudding Flavor & Burnt Caramel Flavor Popcorn Twin Can,’ and a redemption ticket for the also event-exclusive ‘Pudding Soft-Serve Ice Cream.’ On top of that, we’re adding a variety pack of popular EXA sweets. Altogether, it’s over 3,500 yen in value! And we’re offering it for just 3,000 yen! It’s a truly great deal!”

“That’s actually a solid deal. In fact, it’s actually a steal given we could get a handshake ticket.”

“Forget that—hurry up and tell us more about the handshake ticket!”

“At the time of sale, Yuusei Takeda, EXA’s campaign boy, will personally present each customer with a heartfelt handshake and hand over the product.”

“Yessss! The handshake is confirmed!”

“I get to stare up close at the half-naked boy and shake his hand—all for 3,000 yen? Blessed be!”

“I didn’t get a ticket, but I might still come just to watch from afar.”

“The first round of lucky bag sales will begin at 1:00 PM. At that time, we’ll also start distributing numbered tickets for the second round at a separate reception. If you missed out this time, please try again then.”

“Wait, what? A second round!? The losers are back in the game! I’ll do my best this time!”

“When should I line up to guarantee a ticket?”

“Now’s the time!”

“Please note that for the second round of ticket distribution, lining up will only be allowed from noon onward.”

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After finishing greetings with the TV station crew, I returned to the waiting room.

“Welcome back! The kabedon was amazing!”

“The studio talk went longer than expected, and you had the audience laughing while sampling the sweets. Thanks to that, we got a lot of great materials.”

“Oh, that part was a surprise, wasn’t it? The reporter really seemed genuinely shocked.”

“Sorry! The director asked us not to tell Yuusei-kun either. But the way you leaned in on that flustered reporter was so cool and manly!”

It was nice to hear that, but the surprise during the live broadcast definitely had me sweating bullets.

“I was doing my best to follow instructions and get the lines out on time. It was all I could do. Live TV is intense.”

“I knew Yuusei-kun would nail it. Great job. You can relax here until the talk show. Feel free to help yourself to the snacks and drinks. Oh, and we’ve arranged for some pudding soft-serve ice cream to be brought in later.”

Yay! Pudding soft-serve ice cream! I know it’s shallow of me, but I’m honestly thrilled to get ice cream.

The waiting room was piled high with EXA sweets—sweet and salty alike. It was basically an all-you-can-eat and drink. That alone made it feel like heaven.

“I was really curious about the soft-serve ice cream. Can’t wait to try it.”

“You’ve got a sweet tooth, after all, Yuusei-kun… Oh, look! The announcement’s about to start.”

“For the ticket distribution?”

“Yeah. It’s definitely going to be a total chaos, but let’s trust the staff to handle it.”

“The lucky bag is a good deal. But… Does anyone even want my handshake ticket?”

“Of course! That’s the highlight of the lucky bag! There’s bound to be a stampede for it.”

“Totally. In fact, people would be more than happy to get the ticket only without the sweets. Look.”

Whoa! She’s right. There’s a huge line.

All those people were lining up to buy the lucky bag… Of course, all of them were women. I had to shake hands with that many women? I was starting to feel nervous just from thinking about it, but since they went to all this trouble to line up and buy it, I had to make sure to shake hands with them sincerely and gratefully.

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After the nerve-wracking talk show, I returned to the waiting room. It was just past noon, so lunch should be waiting. When I stepped inside, I saw that my dad was already there.

“Yuusei, the talk show was great. I really enjoyed listening to it.”

“Really? That means a lot, but it’s kind of embarrassing coming from family.”

“I know it’s weird to say this to my own son, who takes after me, but your smile is amazing, Yuusei. I was genuinely charmed.”

As my dad smiled without a care, Jun-san and Yoriko-san gazed at him with starry eyes. 

Wow. He’s still charming woman left and right here. What a sinful older man he is.

“I came because I wanted to have lunch with you, Yuusei. It’s just catered bento, though. Still, this place is nice. Are those snacks all-you-can-eat? I might never leave this room.”

“Yeah, it’s all you can eat. You won’t be able to stop as long as you alternate between sweet and salty.”

“Then after lunch, is it alright if I have tea with you and these two lovely ladies?”

““Yes, please!””

Dad… I see. I understand why he’s popular…

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