In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 141

Chapter 141: ◇ SNS Like Edvard Munch’s Scream

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Saki: Aww, I really wanted to go to the roasted sweet potato festival too!

Ran: That volunteer thing at Yuuki-kun’s place, right? They do it every year, but this was the first time they actually put out a call for help, wasn’t it?

Mika: Yeah. It sounds like the Prince asked if there were any good volunteer opportunities, and thanks to that, they got the info out.

Ran: So basically, if no one had asked, they wouldn’t have recruited anyone this year either?

Mika: Probably. That’s just how Yuuki-kun is. He wouldn’t bring it up himself.

Chika: So? How was it? The sweet potato festival, I mean.

Saki: Ugh, get this. Sanae ended up in the same group as Yuuki-kun, of all people, and they were cleaning together the whole time. I’m seriously so jealous I could scream.

Mika: It’s not Sanae-chan’s fault, but yeah, that setup is enviable. I wonder if Yuuki-kun finds it easier to talk to younger girls? That part kinda has me curious.

Saki: Nah. Seems like he was his usual self. He only said what was necessary, but apparently, just being close to him was enough to make it fun, so no one who got invited complained.

Chika: Wait, wasn’t one of Sanae-chan’s classmates aiming for the Prince too? They went to his open school event together, didn’t they?

Saki: Yeah, it seems like there are a lot of girls going after him. But this time, the Prince apparently got along really well with the older twin sisters in his group, so Sanae was kinda bummed out.

Hina: The twin sisters made a move on the Prince?

Saki: That part isn’t clear yet. They just cleaned together, that’s all.

Ran: I’ve heard Yuuki-kun’s older sisters are all stunning.

Saki: That part’s definitely true. The eldest is a graceful, Yamato Nadeshiko type. The second is a bit boyish and looks like Yuuki-kun—a real beauty. And the twins are super cute, with this teen magazine model kind of charm. Sanae saw them herself.

Hina: If the Prince squad heard that, they’d probably go into a panic, but I guess now’s not the time for that, huh?

Mika: Not the time, you mean because of that rumor about  St.Catherine?

Hina: Yeah. I asked my cousin who goes to St.Catherine, and it’s true—the Prince actually showed up there. I figured it was better for the three of you to hear it from me than through the grapevine, so I let you know right now.

Chika: So that’s why things have been kind of quiet lately.

Mika: I mean, this sort of thing can’t be helped. You can’t exactly eliminate every girl who tries to approach the one you like.

Chika: If I’m being honest, I don’t want more rivals. But I’m one of the latecomers myself, so I’d be in a tough spot if someone else pulled the “I was here first” card. It’s complicated.

Ran: Latecomers have to be careful about how they show their jealousy too.

Chika: Exactly. I was worried enough to buy a book called How to Get Along with Your Partner’s Other Partners on impulse.

Hina: Oh, I read that one too! It’s weirdly popular, isn’t it?

Chika: It’s pretty positive. It says to approach things with a forward-looking mindset. Reading it kind of lifted my spirits. Maybe that’s why it’s a bestseller.

Kyouko: Back in the day, we would’ve just given up if a guy already had someone, or it would’ve been considered cheating. But now it’s all, “Let’s share the amazing men together!” right? A lot of people are reading that kind of thing.

Hina: Kyou-chan! You’re here! Feeling better?

Kyouko: The initial shock has worn off. Now I’m just thinking about how to gain an advantage without stirring up drama.

Ran: That’s so you, Kyouko—always aiming for a peaceful approach.

Kyouko: If we girls get too caught up fighting over a guy, he’ll just run away. That’d defeat the whole purpose, right? Rivals aren’t just the ones in front of you.

Ran: Well, someone like the Prince probably has admirers in every direction.

Kyouko: I was lucky to meet him at this academy, so I want to cherish that connection. Not just for me, but for Yuuko and Shizu too—I want all of us to be happy.

Yuuko: Kyou-chan, I love you!

Shizu: Me too!

Mika: Whoa, the whole Prince squad just showed up at once. Nice to see you all bouncing back.

Kyouko: I love you both too! Let’s stay together forever!

Ran: Are you guys a yuri couple now or what? Still, it’s nice that you’re all getting along well.

Hina: Real talk, the St.Catherine thing might actually be a serious threat. But since the Prince hasn’t made any official dating announcements, we should focus on getting through entrance exams first.

Mika: So he didn’t actually say he’s dating her?

Yuuko: But I heard he said something like, “I’ll wait for you.”

Hina: Depends on how you interpret that. He could’ve meant, “I don’t know you well enough to say yes yet,” even if she confessed in a letter.

Shizu: So… What if they do get to know each other better?

Hina: That’s for the Prince to decide. But he went all the way there just to give a reply, so I wouldn’t say there’s no chance for her.

Yuuko: I heard she’s super pretty. I’m really anxious about it.

Hina: Huh? Yuuko, you haven’t figured it out yet? I think this girl is the same person…. Ah! That’s right—I didn’t tell you her name.

Yuuko: You didn’t! Who is she?

Hina: The girl who confessed to the Prince in a letter is Maya Yamagata, a third-year at St. Catherine’s and former student council vice president.

Yuuko: Wait, what?! Seriously?! No waaay—!

Hina: Dead serious. Out of everyone here, you know her best, right?

Shizu: Is she the beautiful girl from Catherine we talked about before who transferred in partway?

Kyouko: The pretty one who’s also nice and super popular with other girls? Yeah, she sounds like a major threat.

Yuuko: She transferred in late because she was prepping for outside exams. I thought her timing was a bit odd, but now it makes sense—she did it for Yuusei-kun.

Hina: Whoa, that really explains a lot. Unlike the former president who entered in high school, she’s a born-and-raised St.Catherine girl. That must’ve been a big decision for her.

Ran: If it’s for the Prince, Yuuko would probably even consider breast enhancement surgery, so maybe she and Maya will actually hit it off?

Kyouko: Then maybe instead of butting heads, it’d be better to try getting along. You said she’s the approachable type, right?

Yuuko: Yeah, she’s not stuck up at all—super friendly. But still, she’s just way too high-spec. If she’s around, I’ll totally fade into the background…

Hina: Hey now. I told you you’re cute, didn’t I? You’ll be fine! And the Prince would never treat anyone like they don’t matter.

Kyouko: Exactly! It’s just going from three to four. Until exams are over, only Yuuko has the means to get in contact with her, but please introduce us to her in spring, okay? Let’s pull her into our camp early.

Shizu: Pull her in? Even though they’re not officially dating yet?

Kyouko: Well, if the Prince completely forgets about her, that’s a different story—but I don’t think that’ll happen. So yeah, might as well make the first move.

Hina: They say women’s intuition is spot-on, but who knows?

Kyouko: Either way, I’ll handle the fine line there. Yuuko, just focus on the entrance exams, okay? Don’t get stressed over this.

Yuuko: But I might not be able to stay motivated! What should I do?

Kyouko: In that case, maybe ask Yuusei-kun for a little favor to boost your motivation?

Shizu: Like what?

Kyouko: I’ll tell you in a private chat.

Shizu: Got it!

Yuuko: Okay, will do!

Hina: Looks like your spirits are back—good. But wow, asking for favors, huh? I kinda want to try that too…

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