After that, Yukino followed Chisato to several more locations.
These included—but were not limited to—large department stores, the street committee office near Tsukiji in the central district, and a number of shop visits accompanied by relevant personnel.
There was no real difference from the earlier experience at the amusement park.
The whole series of visits they made this time could be described in game terms as being on EASY mode—completed effortlessly without breaking a sweat.
Yukino, who had been following beside Chisato the entire time, even felt that her presence hadn't made any difference at all.
Throughout the day, she hadn't played any significant role—Chisato had managed to secure all the sponsorships using his own connections and social skills.
As time passed and this awareness gradually became clearer, Yukino once again felt a sense of defeat she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Before this, the only person who frequently gave her this kind of feeling was one of the closest people in her life—her older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, who was more capable in every aspect.
Currently, Yukino and Chisato were inside a traditional Japanese restaurant along the roadside.
In a small, refined private room, the two of them knelt on tatami mats that gave off a faint scent of grass, discussing sponsorship details with the restaurant manager.
Back during the summer fireworks festival, many local businesses from this area had sponsored performances, so Chisato had prior contact with them.
Back then, he had been unfailingly polite to everyone, performing all the expected courtesies to perfection—a behavior that now seemed almost prophetic in hindsight.
Yukino looked at Chisato, who was confidently and naturally discussing various cooperation details with the restaurant owner, and for a brief moment, she saw her sister's image overlap with his.
Speaking of which, her sister had already begun, under the arrangement of their family, to gradually get involved in managing various family businesses.
Although she had never seen it firsthand, Yukino could imagine that the expression her sister wore when dealing with such matters was probably quite similar to Chisato's right now.
With complicated thoughts in her mind, Yukino quietly sat beside them, playing the role of support.
She politely greeted others upon entering and bowed to thank them when leaving.
She hadn't done much. It wasn't until she stepped out of the restaurant and felt the cool breeze brushing against her face that she finally realized it.
Today's itinerary—the request from the committee president—had been fully completed by the two of them in just a few short hours.
"All right, the restaurant owner generously gave us some discount coupons. He has branches in Shibuya and the central district of Ginza.
The coupons can be used at any of them without restrictions. These, along with the results of our earlier efforts, should be more than enough."
Chisato stretched and undid the button at his collar.
The small private room at the restaurant had been overly heated, making it somewhat stifling.
"Without us, this entire result is entirely thanks to your efforts alone, Suzumiya."
Yukino shook her head, not believing she had helped at all.
Chisato chuckled softly and didn't press the matter.
As for the restaurant owner, he was easy to talk to and didn't make any unreasonable demands.
He often advertised through major video platforms or by distributing flyers on the streets and occasionally issued discount coupons to attract new customers.
"All he wants is for us to post a promotional ad on the school's official social media account—that's pretty easy. I'll notify our student council president when we get back. As for the president's side…"
"I understand. It's getting late today, so I'll inform her tomorrow."
"Good. As for the amusement park, we'll need to hang up a banner promoting their venue during the event.
For that expense, let's have both student councils split the cost."
"Mm."
"Then there's the department store. They gave us some clothing with their advertisements printed on them.
We'll have to wear those during the sports festival while maintaining order. It's a bit inconvenient, but considering the prizes they gave us, it's still a fair deal."
"..."
Yukino cast a sidelong glance at Chisato.
More than just a fair deal.
Various home appliances, mini heaters for winter, robot vacuum cleaners, food processors, a limited-edition themed keyboard, and even two of the latest game consoles.
For sponsorship obtained by high school students, the total value of these prizes was quite extravagant.
And all of it was thanks to the efforts of the person beside her.
"It's already almost ten o'clock…"
The very person being admired, Chisato, completely unaware of it, glanced at his phone and casually sighed.
His stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.
The snacks and consolation items he had bought earlier at the store were quickly finished not long after he decided to act together with Yukino, since he thought they were annoying to carry and there weren't that many anyway.
Although the restaurant owner had enthusiastically offered to treat them, they both politely declined, only sipping a bit of the tea he served.
They didn't even touch the snacks.
So the reality was—he hadn't eaten anything since noon. Eight or nine hours of fasting naturally led to this result.
Yukino let out a soft laugh without trying to hide it.
Chisato gave a slight shrug.
"Let's go home."
"Mm."
The two began walking down the road toward home.
On the way, they passed by a convenience store. Yukino took the initiative to go in and stood at the counter looking at the warm food, then turned to glance at Chisato.
Realizing she was offering to treat him, Chisato didn't hold back and ordered several skewers of oden and two large meat buns.
Yukino only ordered a cup of coffee for herself.
"Aren't you going to eat something?"
"It's fine, I'm not that hungry."
Chisato didn't ask further.
The two sat at the long counter by the window, facing the glass looking outside.
Ten minutes later, they walked to the train station.
It was around the evening rush hour for office workers, so there were no empty seats on the train, but at least it wasn't too crowded.
Yukino held onto the strap beside Chisato. Now that everything had been mostly settled, the physical fatigue started to hit her more clearly.
Her legs felt a bit sore, and her body slightly weak.
The coffee from earlier hadn't helped much.
A bath and early rest once home would be best.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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