บท 272: [272] Adorably Clueless Saki

Chapter 272: Adorably Clueless Saki

"Needs for tuition aren't just for Taishi; it's also for you, Kawasaki-san."

Hearing this, Saki couldn't hold back her surprise. Then, suddenly realizing something, she crossed her arms, a hint of wariness in her tone.

"How could you know? Are you secretly following me?"

Yukino nodded seriously on the side, "Yes, if it's him, he could indeed do such a thing."

Not only that, even Yui looked a bit skeptical.

"Could it be, Hikki, you really..."

In her eyes, Saki was undoubtedly beautiful, with a model-like tall figure that attracted a lot of attention. It wouldn't be surprising if Hachiman found her appealing.

Seeing their reactions, Hachiman was exasperated. "Of course not. What kind of image do you guys have of me?"

"I just deduced it based on existing clues."

"Are you really that capable, Hikki?" Yui still seemed unconvinced.

This time, Hachiman couldn't help himself and tapped Yui's forehead.

"Do you think everyone is as clueless as you, silly Yui?"

"Stinky Hikki, always bullying me."

Rubbing her forehead, Yui pouted, and Yukino consoled her while giving Hachiman a stern glare.

Seeing this, Hachiman smirked and continued, "You know, we are in a prestigious high school. By the time we reach our second year, many of us are already contemplating the question of further education. If you aim to continue your studies, attending extracurricular tutoring is indispensable."

"I believe Kawasaki-san here is one of those aiming for higher education, am I right?"

With that, he glanced at Saki, who sighed and nodded.

"Yes, you're right. I do want to go to college."

"But even if your aim is to earn money for tutoring fees, there's no need to work so late," Yukino questioned, expressing her doubt.

"Indeed, if it's just for tutoring fees, there's no need to push yourself so hard," Hachiman agreed.

Upon hearing Yukino's doubt, Hachiman nodded.

"But Kawasaki-san is not only working for tutoring fees; she also wants to earn money for future university expenses."

"As I know, Kawasaki-san comes from a large family, so she's striving not to burden her parents unnecessarily. Her hard work is for covering both university tuition and living expenses."

"I'm not mistaken, right, Kawasaki-san?" Hachiman wore a confident smile.

Why was he so sure? Well, being a transmigrant had its perks; he knew the original plot inside out.

"Is that true, Kawasaki-san?"

After hearing Hachiman's words, the kind-hearted Yui couldn't help feeling sympathy, and even Yukino's gaze softened.

Observing the situation, Saki sighed, revealing her sense of helplessness.

"Yes, that's correct. I do want to go to college, but I don't want to burden my parents and Taishi. Hence, I must earn my own money for college tuition and living expenses."

"So... now that you know the situation, are you still going to stop me?"

After comprehending the reasons, both Yukino and Yui remained silent. It was her personal aspiration, and they couldn't hinder it.

However, at this moment, Hachiman chuckled.

"I believe, Kawasaki-san, your priorities might be a bit misplaced."

"What do you mean?" Saki furrowed her brow.

"I've heard from Sensei that your grades have slipped quite a bit lately," Hachiman didn't directly answer her but posed another question.

"That's true, but I'll adjust," the girl responded dismissively.

Seeing her like this, Hachiman sighed.

"So, that's why I say your priorities are a bit off. Going to college not only requires money but also good grades. If your grades are good enough, universities often offer substantial scholarships to attract you. With that money, you can cover your tuition. Moreover, Sobu High is a prestigious school, and there are usually spots for recommended admissions every year. If you can secure one, you can attend without paying tuition."

From his conversations with Shizuka, Hachiman knew that while the girl's original grades were not top-notch, she ranked within the top fifty for her age group. With some effort, breaking into the top twenty wasn't impossible.

And now, due to her part-time job, the girl's grades have plummeted drastically, falling well beyond the top hundred.

It's quite a distortion of priorities when working affects academic performance.

"Huh? Scholarships... recommended admissions..."

After hearing Hachiman's words, Saki appeared somewhat clueless.

"It seems like you really didn't know." Seeing her like this, Hachiman shook his head with a bit of amusement.

A shy blush appeared on the girl's face because she indeed hadn't heard of these two things that Hachiman mentioned. Due to her parents' busy work schedules, she took care of many household matters as the older sister and had limited knowledge of such matters, coupled with her focus on studies.

However, she harbored some doubts now, unsure if Hachiman was trying to deceive her.

Hachiman, aware of her skepticism, smiled.

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Shizu-sensei tomorrow, and you'll understand everything. As long as you perform well in your studies, you won't need to worry about tuition. That's why I said your priorities are reversed when your job starts affecting your learning."

Though finding his addressing Sensei as "Shizu" a bit odd, the girl nodded.

"I understand. Tomorrow, I'll inquire with Hiratsuka-sensei. If what you say is true, I'll resign from this job and focus on my studies."

Seeing her agree, Yukino and Yui both wore smiles.

"That's great, Kawasaki-san. I believe you'll definitely secure the scholarship," Yui encouraged.

"Thank you, I just wonder how much the scholarship will be," Saki expressed gratitude but still harbored some concerns.

Hachiman shrugged, "Even if the scholarship isn't enough, it's not a problem. I can lend you some money first, and you can pay me back once you start working. Don't worry; it's interest-free."

Most problems that money can solve aren't considered problems at all.

While money isn't everything, it certainly resolves the majority of issues.

"How much can you lend me?" Seeing his generous offer, the girl hesitated a bit because, after all, he was just a classmate.

"Don't worry; three to five million should be fine," Hachiman shrugged.

"Really? Thank you." Upon hearing Hachiman's words, Saki quickly expressed her gratitude. However, a moment later, she became cautious again.

"You're not trying to manipulate me with this, right? Forget it; I won't succumb to money!"

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A/N:

Tomorrow, this arc will conclude, and the highly anticipated one that everyone has been waiting for will begin. I understand that characters like Saeko may be overlooked, but rest assured, each of them has a dedicated route. That's the only thing I can do, guys.