After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Ayakoji Chiyoko turned around and unapologetically made a disgusted face at Kiryu Hina.

The latter wasn't much better, her face filled with contempt.

Such a fire-and-water-like atmosphere upon meeting was something Kagura Hikaru had seen countless times up till now, to the point he had grown accustomed to it and sighed deeply in despair.

These half-sisters, both stubborn in the same way, just couldn't communicate properly.

"Really, I can't let my guard down. I can't believe that just a few minutes out of my sight, you're flirting with men again."

Kiryu Hina, with a faint smile, looked at her old rival with eyes sharp as poison darts.

Ayakoji Chiyoko's face darkened, and she retorted sarcastically, "Oh? You're paying so much attention to me. Could it be that you like me?"

"Ha? What a joke! Is there anything likeable about you?"

"Perhaps."

Ayakoji Chiyoko replied humbly, but her body arrogantly puffed out her chest, showcasing her clearly superior frontal armor compared to Kiryu Hina.

"Let me tell you a joke," but Kiryu Hina continued unflinchingly, "There was a girl with a good figure, plenty of flesh. But the man she liked didn't like plump women. Isn't that just tragic?"

Ayakoji Chiyoko glanced at Kagura Hikaru, gritted her teeth, and couldn't refute.

Kiryu Hina pressed her advantage, "Let me tell you another joke. There's a plump woman not only unloved for her excess flesh but also ruined her father's work, causing her older sister to be chased by entertainment reporters every day without peace. Yet despite doing so much, she still failed. Funny, isn't it?"

Ayakoji Chiyoko replied irritably, "It was clearly you who acted first, deliberately causing trouble for the Student Council and the Disciplinary Committee, exposing my private matters on the school forum, and even stealing the exhibit items sent by Tsukinomori Girls' Academy...Do you know how serious this is! The principal had to come scold me amidst his busy schedule!"

"This is the result of your own doing, and even if we hadn't done that, you were planning to make a move on me anyway!"

The two stood outside the restroom in the restaurant, lowering their voices as they argued, sarcastically pointing out each other's faults.

Listening to their argument, Kagura Hikaru then found out about Ayakoji Chiyoko's recent disastrous actions, and how Kiryu Hina and her actions amplified the discord between Ugao High and Tsukinomori.

The President of Tsukinomori, Sakata Asahi, who stood on their side, should be very clear about the true nature of this 'exhibit theft incident.'

However, her thoughts did not necessarily represent those of other students at Tsukinomori Girls' Academy.

In the eyes of Tsukinomori students, especially those from the cultural clubs whose works were stolen, the exhibits were lost due to poor management by Yuqiu High School.

Others weren't fools either. The custodian from Ugao High, responsible for driving the exhibits, stopped to use the restroom mid-journey for over ten minutes, resulting in the exhibits locked in the vehicle being lost—already a huge red flag.

Why exactly did he choose that time to use the restroom? And how did the criminal unlock the truck door?

To outsiders, it seemed highly likely that the Ugao High custodian had embezzled the exhibits.

But those items were not particularly valuable, so it didn't make sense logically for the custodian to steal student exhibits; the items were later found and returned undamaged to Tsukinomori Girls' Academy, finally resolving the matter.

However, the impact of the theft incident was still spreading.

The once good relationship between the two schools now had a crack in trust.

Kagura Hikaru learned that just a few days ago, Ayakoji Chiyoko personally led members of the Student Council to visit Tsukinomori Girls' Academy to apologize, which barely stopped the hostility towards Ugao High from within Tsukinomori.

Yet the fissure had already formed, and without a decisive event, it would be difficult for them to return to their previous relationship.

This was undoubtedly very regrettable.

For the management of both schools, it was also a humiliating accident.

It seemed Ayakoji Chiyoko had made the utmost effort, but the results were unsatisfactory. In such times, one had to rely on the help of others, which she clearly could not voice out due to her pride.

So, why not have him offer his help?

"Let me help," Kagura Hikaru said. "After all, the reason Kiryu Hina and others did this also involves me. I'll think of a way to ease relations with Tsukinomori."

"Eh? Can you?" Ayakoji Chiyoko exclaimed, surprised.

Kiryu Hina glared at him, her tone soft, "Little brother, you don't need to think this way. After all, we're 'under the same roof' as 'one family,' and we will resolve this matter ourselves, okay?"

Every word was laced with thorns, still trying to provoke Ayakoji Chiyoko.

Kagura Hikaru frowned, "Hina, don't be like this. This is no longer just a private matter among the three of us."

"No, she's right. You don't have to take on this responsibility."

"There's no need to be polite at times like this, you should try to let go of your pride, Chiyoko."

"...I know."

Ayakoji Chiyoko struggled, biting her lip, "I need your help, Kagura, please help me... Please, Onii-chan."

Kagura Hikaru: "..."

Kiryu Hina: "..."

They stared at Ayakoji Chiyoko in shock as if they were looking at an alien.

It's about letting go of your pride, not your shame!

Chiyoko's face turned bright red from their stares, and she ducked her head like a turtle and rushed into the ladies' room, refusing to come out.

".....Pfft."
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Kiryu Hina stared at the restroom door, covering her mouth to hold back her laughter.

But obviously, it was not effective.

"...I'm going back first," Kagura Hikaru tapped her forehead, seeing that Kiryu Hina was still standing there, staring at her, "Don't wait here, she won't come out if you're standing here."

"Eh~ it's quite amusing."

"Stop bullying her, she is your sister after all."

"It's exactly because she's my sister that it's fun."

"..."

"Alright, alright, I'll come with you, stop giving me that look."

Kagura Hikaru turned around and headed back to the restaurant.

Following behind, Kiryu Hina wanted to secretly hold his hand, but hesitated halfway and withdrew it.

Forget it, it wouldn't look good if their stepmother and father saw them like this.

After sitting for five minutes, Ayakoji Chiyoko finally came back, her face expressionless, stiff like a statue.

Kiryu Hina whispered mockingly whether she had a big session in there, and got a sharp kick under the table from the former, shutting her up.

Their little antics were, of course, fully known to Xiaosong Lisha and Kiryu Masaki, but they simply watched with indulgent smiles.

To the adults, it probably just looked like two little girls messing around.

But how dark the real situation was, only those in the know were aware.

Kagura Hikaru pretended not to see, sipping his coffee and pondering how to help Ugao High's Student Council.

To build good relations, you have to cater to their interests, and that's the most basic principle.

Since the target to please was a girls' school, he couldn't offer gifts that were too tacky, as it would be seen as lacking taste.

Meaning, what he needed was something elegant and culturally significant.

An art piece?

He should start thinking in that direction.

To capture the liking of the majority of the girls' school students, the art piece must match the general aesthetic of modern high school girls.

Also, since it represented Ugao High's gift to Tsukinomori, the content obviously had to be highly relevant to Tsukinomori, otherwise they wouldn't accept it.

It'd be best if it was something the school could show off, making it hard to refuse.

If it had the potential to be spread, that would be even better.

Elegant, appealing, related to Tsukinomori Girls' Academy, show-offable, spreadable...

Kagura Hikaru probably had an idea now.