Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume2 The Fifth Question

In order to decide what kind of activity the class should do, can all students please assist in this survey.

‘How do you decide on a female attendant when you run a teahouse?’

‘(1) Cuteness (2) leadership ability (3) mobility (4) others ( )’

Also, please choose an alternative candidate for this role.

Tsuchiya Kouta’s answer:

‘“(1) Cuteness” Candidate… Himeji Mizuki and Shimada Minami.’

Teacher’s comments:

‘You really can’t decide between them, right?’

Yoshii Akihisa’s answer:

‘“(1) Cuteness” Candidate…Himeji Mizuki Hideyoshi Kinoshita Shimada Minami’

Teacher’s comments:

‘Sensei is somewhat wondering what’s with the blood traces on the paper.’

Sakamoto Yuuji’s answer:

‘“(4) Others (Marriage partner)” Candidate… Kirishima Shouko.’

Teacher’s comments:

‘Why is your paper brought here by Kirishima-san of class A?’

“So we won the third battle without a fight?”

“Yup, the opponent forfeited due to food poisoning.”

We frantically rushed towards the arena for the third battle. After arriving at the scene, what was waiting for us is the unexpected result of the opponent forfeiting. This food poisoning, don’t tell me…? I hope they weren’t customers who stepped on a landmine here in our shop.

“Then, if you don’t mind, can you guys help us to rebuild our business here?”

An apologetic Hideyoshi asks with a gloomy look. This isn’t Hideyoshi’s fault anyway.

“You’re right. In order to gain back some of the lost customers, we must introduce something that can make a lot of impact.”

The classroom is still empty. Though we have stopped the source of those negative comments, we can’t stop the bad rumours that have spread around. Like Yuuji said, if we don’t coming up with something big, the customers aren’t going to come back.

“Uuu, then what should we do…?”

Hideyoshi looks around the entire classroom. Though I have looked around the classroom at least once, I can’t think of anything special that we can do.

“Yuuji, do you have an idea?”

“Leave it to me. Though it’s overly simplistic to use a Chinese teahouse and this kind of thing to attract customers, it should be very effective.”

After that, Yuuji pulls out and aquamarine and white cheongsam [1] that has really beautiful embroidery on it. Hideyoshi comments,

“Eh. Though I feel that the skirt is a bit short, this would definitely make a large impact. If you’re going to use this for publicity—”

It’ll definitely have a large impact if Himeji-san and Hideyoshi are to wear it. Though we’re being lazy, it isn’t a bad tactic.

“Ah. We’ll make—Akihisa wear this.”

The impact is too great now.

“Wait…! Please spare me! Wearing a cheongsam after wearing a maid costume, everyone will think that I’m a real homosexual!”

For a happy school life, I certainly hope to have no more bad rumours about me. Even if I’m a normal student, I’m being even more famous for the wrong reasons.

“I’m just joking. This is for Hideyoshi, Himeji and Shimada to wear.”

“Ah, that’s it? What a relief~”

So it was a joke. Thank goodness.

“Aren’t you joking when you’re asking me to wear this?”

Hideyoshi sighs as he picks up the cheongsam.

Hideyoshi, what nonsense are you talking about? Even if we’re joking about making Minami wear this, we’re really saying this from the bottom of our hearts when we’re asking you to wear this.

“We’re back~! Ah, Aki took off the maid outfit.”

“Ah…that’s too bad. It was really cute.”

“Hazuki want to see onii-chan wear it one more time.”

At this moment, the three girls came back. They continue to say such selfish words without caring about other people’s feelings. Is my reputation going to worsen because of that incident…

“Ah ha ha. What a pity, the world isn’t so naïve to let people see others in cosplay, you know?”

I reveal a wicked smile to them. Since you people have seen me in a maid outfit, let me see you people in cheongsam.

“That’s the situation. Himeji and Shimada, please help in increasing our earnings.”

In order not to allow the prey to escape, I wave a cheongsam at them as I block their escape route. This is because at least Minami has an intention to run away.

“You, you two. Why are your expressions so terrifying…?”

“I can feel an ominous aura…”

Our two prey reveal a slight terrified attitude. However, what’s regretful is that they have nowhere to go.

“Go, Akihisa!”

“OK! Hehehe, be obedient and wear this cheongsam—IT HURTS! I’M SORRY! I GOT TOO COCKY!!”

“You’re so weak…”

The parts that were hit, abdomen, face and thigh, all hurt. Why is Minami’s attack power stronger than me, a boy?

“Why are you mentioning this out of a sudden? I remembered that you said that we don’t have to wear it.”

As expected, Minami reveals an unwilling expression.

“This is for the publicity of the shop, and to satisfy Akihisa’s personal taste. Akihisa likes cheongsams, right?”

I was suddenly pulled into Yuuji’s conversation. Though I do like them, it’s a bit embarrassing to let people know of this personal interest. It just so happened to be mentioned so coincidentally.

“I—love them!”

“You really don’t know how to say a lie.”

Eh? Looks like I said something wrong.

“Ca, can’t be helped. For the sake of the shop, I’ll just do this even if I don’t want to.”

“You, you’re right! It’s for business!”

Himeji-san and Shimada both pick up the clothes.

“Onii-chan, what about Hazuki?”

“Eh? Hazuki want to help as well?”

“Help…? Ah, ngh! I want to help, so give Hazuki one as well!”

Such an obedient kid, nobody can tell that she’s Minami’s little sister.

“Sorry, though I understand your intentions, there’s nothing that Hazuki can we—”

“…!!(Ch ch ch ch)”

“Mu, Muttsulini! Why are you sewing clothes quickly here? And up till now, you’re weren’t here in the first place!”

“…Don’t underestimate my sense of smell.”

What the heck. It was a cool line, yet it doesn’t feel cool at all.

“Then we’ll change into it after the third battle.”

Himeji-san looks at the watch to check the time. That’s right; Himeji-san and Minami have to go for their match.

“No, I hope that both of you can change into it right now.”

“Eh?”

Yuuji’s voice and the duo’s surprised cry synchronised in a harmonious manner.

“It’s for publicity. From the third battle of the summoning tournament onwards, all battles will be shown to the public. It’s rare to have so many people gathering, and there’s no loss in trying to publicise ourselves.”

“You mean you want us to wear this, this thing to the summoning tournament…”

“This is really too humiliating…”

Both of them look troubled as they hold onto the cheongsam. In front of the media and the crowds swarming in, to run out like this is rather humiliating. However, this is to prevent Himeji-san from transferring schools, so I really hope that they’ll agree.

“Please agree to this!”

After saying this, I bow my head. This isn’t for Himeji-san, but for me, since I do not want Himeji-san to transfer school. Basically, this is a completely selfish request from me, thus, I would bow my head down.

“Akihisa…you really-- like cheongsams, huh…”

I don’t dare to deny this fact.

“Don’t tell me, that Yoshii-kun knew about my plight—”

“Can’t be helped. For the class facilities, we’ll help out. Right, Mizuki?”

Minami interrupts Himeji-san’s thoughts with an appropriate reply.

“Ah, yes, yes! This is just a minor thing!”

Himeji-san replies with a rejuvenated tone.

Come to think of it, I did hear quite a nice info. If this is considered a trivial thing, then I’ll continue to request Himeji-san to do similar things in the future.

If the information that Himeji-san and Minami are of class F, it’ll have the two benefits of promoting the teahouse and showcasing class F’s ability. It’s rather effective.

“OK, leave it to us! Mizuki, let’s go.”

“Alright.”

The two girls walk out of the classroom with the cheongsam in hand. There should be no problem if we’re to leave it to them, right?

“…Finished.”

“Wa, this onii-chan is amazing!”

Hazuki’s cheongsam was completed in godspeed fashion.

There’s nothing impossible for a Muttsulini that has impure intentions. Though I already knew that, I didn’t know that he even has little students covered. This guy is really enigmatic.

“Oh, then I’m changing now.”

“WA, WAIT A SECOND, HIDEYOSHI! YOU’RE CHANGING HERE!? YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IN THE GIRLS’ BATHROOM!!!”

To an innocent teenage like me, and to a delusional Muttsulini, this scene is too inciting.

“…Recently, I’ve been thinking that Akihisa is viewing me as a girl.”

“You’re thinking too much, Hideyoshi is Hideyoshi.”

“Mn, just like Yuuji said. Hideyoshi’s gender is ‘Hideyoshi’, neither a male nor a female.”

“…I don’t mean that.”

Eh? Am I mistaken?

“Hai, ay…”

“…!!(*Dripping sounds*)”

“Ha, Hazuki! You can’t change here as well! Muttsulini will die due to blood loss!”

Though he has lost quite a lot of blood, Muttsulini still looks like he’s extremely happy as he presses against his nose.

“We’re back—”

“We’re back~”

Oh, that must be Himeji-san and Minami. We’re saved!

“Just nice. I’m sorry, I know you girls are tired, but can you please help out outside?”

After both of them went for their match, we brought Hideyoshi and Hazuki, who have changed into the cheongsams, around the school. Though I felt that the initial effect wasn’t great, but slowly, the number of customers start to increase—about the time when Himeji-san’s match was over. Most of the seats are filled up, so it seems that we are very successful.

“Good, it’s back to how it was.”

“Great.”

“The number of female customers have also increased. Looks like everyone’s talking about how good our food is.”

Because I was unlucky to get a bad one, I don’t know our good our food is, but from everyone’s reaction, the teahouse seem to be doing well. I have a feeling that the reason why the number of customers have increased is because of the cheongsams.

“Then, can you two help out by being attendants?”

“No problem.”

“OK.”

Both of them sway their cheongsams as they head off to get some menus and a pen. With this, the number of customers should increase.

“Can I order something from you?”

“Ah, yes. May I know what you want?”

Just as I’m basking in the silhouette of those two, the customer nearby called me. In order not to be disrespectful, I immediately whipped out the menu and pen.

“I want some traditional Oolong tea and some sesame balls.”

“Got it. So, let me repeat the order. You asked for traditional Oolong tea and sesame balls, right?”

After writing the order down, I lift my head towards the customer to confirm the order…eh? Isn’t this the head of teaching staff, Takehara-sensei? He came here again.

“Thank you very much. We’ll serve your food soon, so please wait.”

“I got something else to ask, may I?”

“Go ahead.”

Takehara-sensei asked me as I was heading towards the kitchen. In response, I turned back.

“I heard that there’s a student called Yoshii Akihisa here. May I know who he is?”

“Eh? I’m Yoshii Akihisa…”

I’m surprised that he’s looking for me without any forewarning. What is the head of teaching staff looking for me for?

“Oh, I see. You’re Yoshii-kun? (laughs)”

“Head of Staff. I feel that it’s weird to laugh when you mentioned my name.”

“Ah, I’m really sorry. But I can’t just call Yoshii-kun, a student, ‘idiot’.”

“Em, excuse me, may I know what do the teachers in the staff room call me?”

Why is the term ‘idiot’ always associated with me?