Volume 13 Chapter 272 Aqua Shirogane, The Man Who Is Someone’s Treasure
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Now, with only two evaluations left,” the host shouted, raising her mic with flair, “let’s bring out our next group of contestants!”
Iria-san and Oto-san walked onto the stage in their Otomezaki school uniforms. Behind them came Ayana and Claire-san, then Kanon and Kukuri-chan. Following after, Sugita-sensei and Neenee-sensei stepped up, wearing their usual outfits for school.
Finally, it’s starting to look like a real beauty contest instead of some fever dream.
”For someone to become Miss Otomezaki,” the host said, flipping her cue cards, “you need more than just strength or luck. You need brains too! Everyone, please prepare yourselves for some really hard questions. Use your heads and give it your all!”
Hard questions, huh? I tilted my head, arms crossed. I probably won’t get anything about “two lines in a twist” math stuff… but if it’s about where hidden n**ples are hiding in clothes, I’m a freaking pro.
”Now, let’s look at the full rules on the screen behind us,” the host said, turning and pointing like a gameshow star.
I looked with everyone else at the monitor.
* Who answers goes by lottery.
* One person per team answers each question.
* They have to take turns.
* The answering person gives flip chart instructions.
* The partner acts it out.
* If you wanna stop, press the “Examiner Feeling” button.
* But if the judge presses it first, it counts as a win.
* First team to solve 3 questions wins.
Finally… this other dumb little button in my hand beside like has purpose, I thought, glancing at the third-gen button beside me. First and second gen were destroyed by my button-mashing. My god-like skill of smacking the G-spot sixteen times in a row… to think it would ever help me here. Terrifying.
”Everyone ready?” the host asked with a wink.
The pairings were set.
Iria-san answered, Oto-san executed.
Claire-san answered, Ayana executed.
Kanon answered, Kukuri-chan executed.
Neenee-sensei answered, Sugita-sensei executed.
”Alright, here comes the first question!” the host called out with dramatic flair.
All eyes turned toward her.
”First up! Kya! I’m alone in the classroom with my crush! How do I appeal?! Someone, save me!! Alright contestants, show us your best appeal to the head judge! By the way, this question was sent in by Hakuryuu Aiko-sensei. Thanks, Hakuryuu-sensei!” she added, bowing.
I stood up calmly and pressed the button with a straight face. Then I applauded slowly, like some movie villain at the climax.
”What an amazing question,” I said seriously. “Aiko-sensei, I owe you one.”
”The lots have been drawn!” the host declared, holding up the names. “First up: Shirogane Kanon-san, please give us an example—as the main wife!”
Kanon stepped forward with Kukuri-chan and scribbled something on the flip chart. She flipped it around.
[Talk while touching his body. Aqua is weak to that.]
I knew she’d nail it. Not just me—every guy’s brain short-circuits if a girl touches them while chatting. It’s like, “Wait, does she like me?!” So go ahead, Kukuri-chan. Don’t hold back.
Kukuri-chan shuffled up to me slowly, cheeks pink.
”Aqua-senpai, um…” she said, fingers twitching.
Kanon flipped her board again.
[Touching his sleeves won’t work. Go straight for his chest.]
”Kanon!!” I gasped, fists clenched. “Even though we’re already married… please marry me again!!”
The button lit up—one point to the All-Star team.
”Ah—crap,” I muttered. I pressed the button before she even touched me. Didn’t even mean to. It was like my body acted before my brain.
”The main wife is unstoppable!” the host shouted. “And now, as your reward, head judge, please give your own instructions to Kanon-san!”
I stepped toward the senior MC, shook her hand firm like a business deal, then hugged her with both arms.
”Thank you. Seriously,” I said. “And just so everyone knows—this hug isn’t because she has big boobs. It’s from the heart.”
”Th-then… Kukuri-chan, is it okay?” Kanon asked gently.
”Y-Yes,” Kukuri-chan whispered.
I gently placed my hand on her chest—through her uniform, of course.
Ah… Kukuri-chan’s light little chest… so gentle… I didn’t win the round, but it felt like I won something inside. So this is what it means to lose, yet win.
I slapped the button again like I was playing drums in a metal band.
”Next up, the second-year team!” the host said, waving to Claire-san and Ayana.
Claire-san wrote her plan. Ayana acted it out.
[Lock the classroom door. Total privacy.]
Ayana mimed locking the door. The crowd went quiet.
[Push him down and go for it. If we make a baby, we win.]
Should I be getting undressed already? I wondered, joking in my head.
Ayana blushed so hard her whole face turned red and she covered her mouth with both hands.
[Missionary is best for feelings. But don’t get excited and sit on his face.]
”There’s no way I’d do that!” Ayana shouted, face burning. “Mmmmmmm!!”
Then she slammed the button like she wanted to break it.
”U-Um…” she stammered, “Oto-san and Kato-san… Nice to meet you…”
The senior MC just let it slide like none of that happened. True pro. Claire-san, don’t worry. I’ve got your back.
As expected, Claire muttered under her breath, only Aqua-sama is my… nnngh…
Next was the first-year team. Iria-san wrote on the flip chart. Oto-san executed.
[Pretend to trip and fall on him. Hakuryuu-sensei’s manga said it’s a solid opener.]
Oto-san faked a stumble, and I caught her mid-fall.
”A-Ah, thank you… um…” she said shyly.
She looked at Iria-san, waiting.
[Apologize, introduce yourself. Make it cute!]
”S-Sorry for bumping into you. I’m Oto Rurika, first-year,” she said, voice small but sweet.
She looked up at me with big eyes. Usually, she’s all serious and cool. Seeing her act this cute? It hit me like a truck.
[Now hug him around the waist and try to carry him off. That wins for sure.]
I read the card and froze. Yep, a true Power School move.
Oto-san clung to my waist and tried to drag me. But she couldn’t move me an inch.
”Hnnngh… mmgh… ughhh! You won’t move!” she cried, clenching her teeth.
Am I that adorable? I asked myself while tapping the button.
”Power solves everything,” the host said, laughing.
That feels wrong, I thought. But it still kinda… worked?
”Now, Chairperson Aqua,” the host said, “please hug Oto-san.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her, holding her close so her chest was near my head.
”How’s that? Scary? You can lean on me more,” I said softly.
”Y-Yes…” she whispered, face deep red.
Her chest pressed softly against my head. I swear this is innocent. This is just like some scene from a female-led isekai light novel where the prince lifts the saint into his arms. Totally wholesome. Service scene. All above board.
”Hakuryuu-sensei lost again even though she’s not even here!” someone in the crowd laughed.
”She’s the only one who can lose offscreen!“
”Somebody take a screenshot and DM it to her!”
”I want to see her face when she finds out!!”
I gently lowered Oto-san and whispered into her ear, “Sorry.”
She quickly shook her head.
”No… I should be the one saying that,” she said, her voice soft.
Oto-san gave a small, embarrassed smile.
Even just a little, it felt like I’d gotten closer to her during this Cultural Festival.
”Well then, to finish things off—teacher team, you’re up!” the host called brightly.
The teacher team had Neenee-sensei as the one giving the answer, and Sugita-sensei as the one acting it out.
Sugita-sensei looked over at Neenee-sensei with the same expression you’d wear before walking into a surprise math test.
[First, ask if the student has any worries—like a real teacher.]
Got it.
Sugita-sensei stepped closer and gave her usual soft smile.
”Shirogane, do you have anything on your mind? If something’s troubling you, you can tell your teacher,” she said, all calm and sincere.
Worries, huh…? Fine. Let’s play serious.
I turned to her with a straight face.
”I like you, Sugita-sensei. What should I do?” I asked without blinking.
”Eh!?” she gasped, almost stumbling as she shot a panicked glance at Neenee-sensei.
[The teacher’s job is to listen to students and guide them gently. (Also, maybe be open to romantic guidance. Kyaa!~)]
”Is that even allowed?!” Sugita-sensei blurted out, her face flushing red as she slapped the Your Feelings button like it had personally betrayed her.
I thought I could bulldoze my way through with Neenee-sensei’s support, but… nope.
Sugita-sensei’s defense level was paladin-tier.
”Alright, switching roles!” the host said, clearly enjoying this way too much.
Now Oto-san was answering and Iria-san acting for the 1st-years, while the 2nd-years had Ayana answering and Claire-san acting. The All-Star team had Kukuri-chan as the answerer and Kanon as the actor.
For the teacher team, Sugita-sensei would now answer while Neenee-sensei took the action role.
”Next up! Let your heart burn and confess your love!” the host shouted. “Yes, this is a straight-up love confession round! Brought to you by Director Hongou Hiroko. Thank you, Director!”
A confession from a girl?!
Is this allowed?! Is this legal?!
My chest gave a painful thump—emotional damage confirmed.
”Alright! Let’s start with the teacher team, who drew number one!”
Neenee-sensei stepped forward, eyes locking onto Sugita-sensei like a hawk eyeing a shy mouse.
[Nope. Nope. I can’t do this. A teacher confessing to a student? That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.]
Sensei… You’re guarding like a fortress during a zombie apocalypse.
By the way, what happens if the flip card can’t be used?
Neenee-sensei and I both turned to the host like confused players waiting for the Game Master.
”Ah, well, the flip is just a helper. The rules don’t require it, so the actor can decide what works best,” the host explained with a shrug.
Ah, so it’s officially sanctioned cheating. I see.
”Hey, Aqua-kun. You look hot,” Neenee-sensei said suddenly.
She slowly unbuttoned her shirt, revealing a deep line of cleavage and the edge of a bra.
It was the kind of scene that shows up on screen before your mom walks in.
Thump.
My heart pounded hard enough to start its own drumline.
”Wanna cool off in the Nurse’s Office… with your teacher?” she whispered, leaning close and pressing her chest into mine.
Bounce.
Without thinking, my hand slammed the Feelings button like I was speedrunning a dating sim.
”Yay! Sugita-sensei, I did it!” Neenee-sensei shouted, throwing her arms up like she’d just cleared a boss fight.
”Nemoto-sensei?! What are you doing with a student?!” Sugita-sensei cried, hands on his head.
Honestly, for an adult, Neenee-sensei was way too good at looking proud like a kid who found a coin on the street.
Maybe that’s what makes her cute.
> ‘Achoo! Someone thinking about me?’
> Kohina-senpai’s imaginary voice popped into my head, completely uninvited.
Wanting to give Neenee-sensei her reward before things got weirder, I looked at the host.
”Umm… maybe don’t jump straight to it. Could the judge give Nemoto-sensei a little reward first? Something light, like before,” I asked.
Something like before, huh… Okay.
I wrapped an arm around Neenee-sensei’s waist and pulled her gently to sit on the sofa with me.
”Kyaa,” she gasped.
She leaned on me with her arms wrapped around my knees, then gave a small smile—half-surprised, half shy.
Looks like I passed the vibe check.
”Hakuryuu-sensei… even with Director Hongou helping, you still lost.”
”Hakuryuu-sensei, how do you fail this hard?”
”Because… she’s Hakuryuu-sensei.”
”That’s right. She’s Hakuryuu-sensei.“
Man, even I was sweating from how close Neenee-sensei’s body was.
She smelled amazing—like some kind of candy that adults aren’t supposed to eat but secretly do.
Sensing I was heading down a dangerous road, I let go of her gently.
”Alright, next—1st-year team!” the host said.
Oto-san took a moment, then wrote something on the flip chart.
[Try looking straight at him and just say how you feel! Sorry, that’s all I could think of!!]
Iria-san gave her a solid thumbs up and walked slowly toward me.
”Aqua-kun…” she said, locking her eyes onto mine.
”I like you. I really like you. You don’t have to go out with me. That’s okay. But I like you. A lot. You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to tell you, because it’s true. I like you, Aqua-kun. Look into my eyes. It’s not a lie. These are my honest feelings.”
She took a breath. “Not just me—Kaede and Inko too. You treat them kindly. You’re not trying to trick Maron. You care about Yukari. I like that. I love that. I love… all of that.”
There was no way I could hold out after hearing all that.
I slammed the button like it was the only thing keeping me alive.
”Alright, judge chairman! Reward time!” the host called.
I stepped closer to Iria-san, meeting her gaze straight on.
”Iria-san. I like you too,” I said. “Thanks for always looking after Ayana, keeping an eye on Kaede so she doesn’t push too hard, and helping Kohina-senpai not get misunderstood. You notice everything. You’ve helped me more than you know. So it’s not just that I like you. I want to say… thank you. Thank you, Iria-san.”
”Ahh, Aqua-kun, I really like youーーー!” Iria-san cried, hugging me tight before spinning us around like a slow-moving tornado.
”Hakuryuu-sensei is…”
”Can we stop talking about Hakuryuu-sensei?”
”Even thinking about her is a loss at this point.”
”Hakuryuu-sensei… do your best…”
I gently placed Iria-san back down.
…Has everyone been talking about Ai this whole time, or am I just hallucinating?
”Alright! All-Star team, take the stage!”
This time, Kukuri-chan was the answerer, and Kanon was the actor.
Kanon gave a knowing smirk. Kukuri-chan nodded like she was handing her sword to a trusted warrior.
[Kanon-san, it’s all yours!]
Wait—can they do that!?
Kanon walked up to me and placed her hands gently on both sides of my face.
”Aqua… I like you,” she said softly.
”I like you too. Kanonooooooon!” I cried out, hugging her as I mashed the button like I was trying to win a prize.
Everyone stared like I just confessed during a wedding.
”That was fast.”
”Direct hit to the heart. No hesitation.”
”That’s the power of a main heroine.”
”If the bulletin boards saw that scene, half of them would pass out.”
”Wow… Kanon-sama really is built like a protagonist.”
For her reward, I leaned back just a bit, then gently placed my hands on Kanon’s cheeks.
”I like you too, Kanon,” I said, leaning in to kiss her lips without hesitation.
SMOOCH.
”GYAAAAAAAAAA!!” someone in the crowd shrieked.
”Wait, who screamed just now?! That wasn’t Hakuryuu-sensei, was it!?”
”Sensei, just give up already…”
”You seriously can’t beat Aqua-kun.”
I pulled away from Kanon, our lips parting gently.
”Aqua, you dummy…” she muttered, her voice wobbling. “I didn’t mean for it to go that far…”
Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, and she looked away, flustered and fidgeting.
Adorable.
Like, dangerously so.
But she wasn’t angry. Nope—if anything, that little smile was the smile of someone… very pleased.
Kanon, even your shy reactions are lethal. And thanks for marrying me—Yui.
”Ahem!” the host cleared their throat loudly. “Now then, let the second-year representatives begin!”
Looks like Ayana’s the answerer, and Claire-san’s the executor. Okay, okay… not too scary, right?
Except—Claire-san just gave Ayana a stiff nod and turned toward me.
[Let’s charge in too!!]
Claire’s eyes sparkled as she gave a huge thumbs-up.
…Why did that just give me goosebumps?
Claire-san started walking toward me with the calmness of a serial killer.
Still, she looked like her usual self. Maybe that odd behavior earlier was just festival burnout.
”Aqua-kun,” Claire said with a glimmer in her eye, “you’re the only one who understands me. Please… take all of me.”
Cold. Literal cold down my back. I smacked the button without even thinking.
What the hell was that?! Even when dodging bullets from terrorists, I never panicked this hard. That was too much.
”Well then,” Claire said sweetly, “how about another reward… something nice and gentle?”
”Y-Yeah, of course…” I replied, sweating a little.
Time for something with a classy mood. Maybe something out of a romance manga for grown-ups.
I stepped behind Claire, wrapping my arms softly around her waist. One hand over her eyes, the other pulling her close. Then, I leaned in and whispered near her ear.
”Claire-san, how is this?”
”It’s… perfect,” she whispered, letting out a little sigh. “After all, no one makes me feel like this but you, Aqua-kun… hnn!”
”HAKURYUU-SENSEI, NOOOO!!” someone screamed from the seats.
”Sensei’s down! She’s down!”
”Hang in there, Sensei!”
”Aqua-kun, please go cuddle her when you’re done!”
I let go of Claire with a sigh.
Well, that wrapped up round two. First-year team and all-star team had two clears. Second-years and teachers were sitting at one each.
Only one more to go until this wild game ends.
”Now then, onto the third question!” the host announced. “When you’re dating, there’s only one thing to do—go on a pretend date! Our question today is from Yukishiro Emily-san!”
Lucky draw goes to the all-star team: Kanon and Kukuri-chan.
Kanon stepped up confidently as answerer, her voice loud and clear.
[Let’s cuddle up on the couch and act super lovey-dovey! That’s how we win!!]
Kukuri-chan walked up with small, nervous steps, then sat carefully on the sofa next to me.
”Aqua-senpai… is it okay if I lean on you?” she asked quietly.
”Of course,” I said.
Kukuri-chan gently leaned against me.
Then—uh-oh. Her balance shifted. She tipped forward.
I caught her reflexively.
”Ah… ahh…”
Let me say this once: not on purpose.
But… yeah. My hand landed right on her chest.
Kukuri-chan’s whole body jolted. Her face turned red as her fingers trembled. Then, she pressed the button in shame.
”Kanon-san, I’m sorry…” she whispered.
Kanon let out a soft sigh. “It’s fine. Honestly… I’d probably press it too.”
She gently comforted Kukuri-chan, and seeing that, I pressed my own button with all due respect.
”Next up, Nemoto-sensei and Sugita-sensei!”
Sugita-sensei looked like she wanted to teleport out of there as she turned toward Neenee-sensei.
[Sugita-sensei, strip down and start a full sex ed lesson! It’s your duty as a teacher!!]
”LIKE HELL I CAN DO THAT!!!” she shrieked, slamming the button in half a second.
Wow, not even a second of hesitation.
A bit of a shame, really. But she looked so flustered and cute that I hit my own button again.
”Next up, second-year reps!”
Ayana looked at Claire like she was staring down her doom.
[Ayana-san, this is your moment! Go cowgirl!!]
”I ALREADY SAID NO!! Ughhhhh!!”
Ayana mashed her button like her life depended on it.
I gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder.
”Ayana, I’d be okay with facesitting too, you know.”
”Aqua, shut up! Idiot!!”
Her red face was so precious, I had no choice—I pressed my own button again.
”And finally, first-year team, you’re up!”
This time, Iria-san is answering, and Oto-san is executing.
With two clears already, this third win would lock it in.
[Sit close on the sofa and hold hands. Kanon-san does this all the time!]
”Hey!!” Kanon snapped from the sidelines.
Following the instruction, Oto-san quietly sat next to me. She reached out gently and touched my hand, just barely. The tiny space between our palms… somehow made my heart skip.
Then she held my hand.
[Now rest your head on Aqua-kun’s shoulder. Just like Kanon-san!!]
”AGAIN!?”
Oto-san leaned in and placed her head softly on my shoulder.
Ugh… we do this at home, sure, but when it’s part of a mission? My heart can’t take it.
[Now slowly turn to look at Aqua-kun… with a sweet expression. Like Kanon-san!!]
”Waaaah!” Kanon cried again, her hands flailing.
The usually cool-headed Oto-san tilted her head up and gave me the softest smile I’ve ever seen.
This was it. This was the moment. If I didn’t hit the button now, I’d lose my man card.
I slammed it without hesitation.
”Congratulations!!” the host shouted. “Chairperson, please reward the two first-year reps for winning round three!”
I scooped up Iria-san and Oto-san, one in each arm.
Normal people would never attempt a pose like this, but thanks to my training, I held them up like paperweights.
Iria and Oto exchanged bright, delighted smiles.
’Shirogane, if you wanna be popular with girls, then become the kind of man who can hold them—literally!’
Master… thank you. I’ve become that man.
One round left. Let’s enjoy this till the very end!
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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