Since Hachiman could use this method to relieve the stress of her club members, he should also be able to alleviate the worries of Rihoko Sakurai.
After all, the dead cannot be revived. Rihoko Sakurai is still so young and should pull herself together to live her life well.
"Um... I, I also want to receive guidance from Manager Hikigaya," Rihoko Sakurai looked at Tsukahara Hibiki's concerned gaze and felt a bit strange. However, thinking of her father at home, she bit her lower lip and slowly nodded, expressing her desire to receive guidance to improve her grades.
Her mother had passed away suddenly, and even after the funeral, her father remained in front of the family altar for days, indifferent to the outside world.
Now, her father's personality had drastically changed. He no longer went to work, staying home all day drinking, as if he had lost all meaning in life.
She had done everything she could, repeating words of comfort to her father countless times, but he wouldn't listen at all.
She truly didn't know how to help her father regain his spirit. The only way she could think of to encourage him was through swimming, which she was relatively good at.
When she was younger, both her father and mother had loved watching her swim, believing she had a natural talent and could become a swimmer in the future.
She wondered if earning a spot as a regular member of the women's competitive swimming team, competing in national tournaments, or even achieving a good ranking could rekindle her father's memories and help him recover.
"Ahem, I'll definitely help you improve your performance, but my methods might not be something you'd accept. Regular training would be more suitable," Hachiman glanced at Tsukahara Hibiki, who had fooled two naive girls, and spoke up somewhat helplessly.
Tsukahara Hibiki was being a bit shady here. Tachibana Mikari was one thing, she had come onto him willingly, but Nanasaki Ai and Rihoko Sakurai clearly had no idea what this so-called "guidance" entailed.
He was here to help, not to deceive. Tricking innocent girls was out of the question.
"Don't reject them, Hachiman! I'm not forcing them to accept your guidance. At worst, we can have them watch a few movies to gain some theoretical experience first," Tsukahara Hibiki hadn't expected Hachiman to accept the pessimistic Uenohara Ayano and the timid Hayase Saki but reject the seemingly more mature Nanasaki Ai and Rihoko Sakurai. She quickly pulled Hachiman aside and whispered.
She wouldn't force anyone either, but since they were actively seeking guidance, wasn't this the perfect opportunity? Why reject them?
"I'll still refuse. I don't have a hobby of being an actor," Hachiman rolled his eyes. Playing together as a group and being watched while playing were two entirely different scenarios.
Rather than forcing things and making everyone awkward, it was better to refuse outright and find a more suitable opportunity later.
"Manager Hikigaya, I truly hope to receive your guidance!", Rihoko Sakurai, thinking that her and Nanasaki Ai's hesitant attitudes had displeased Hachiman, quickly bowed deeply, pleading sincerely.
["Ding~"]
["Character Quest Triggered, After-School Guidance for the Girl."]
["Rihoko Sakurai has suffered a family tragedy. Her mother passed away suddenly, and her father's personality has drastically changed, drowning himself in alcohol every day."]
["Not knowing what to do, Rihoko Sakurai hopes to awaken her father by achieving excellent results in the national swimming competition. However, she remains uncertain whether her efforts will succeed."]
"...Guidance isn't something that ends in just one or two sessions. I suggest you wait until I've guided others, understand the specifics, and then make your decision," However, Uenohara Ayano was a first-year like them, and their skills were similar, leading to fierce competition. Combined with Uenohara's tendency to overthink things negatively, it was possible she wouldn't share details about the guidance.
They'd have to approach Vice-Captain Hayase Saki, whose introverted personality made her more approachable. As someone so skilled, she likely wouldn't fear their improvement enough to withhold Manager Hikigaya's guidance... right?
"I'll go check on them too. Tachibana, you behave today. Either accept Manager Hikigaya's guidance properly or give up your spot to someone else," Tsukahara Hibiki, uneasy about how Nanasaki Ai and Rihoko Sakurai would interact with Hayase Saki, glared at Tachibana Mikari and issued a stern warning before leaving.
Hayase Saki had already gone to the Service Club before. Who knew if she'd refuse to help just to keep Hachiman to herself? If things went south, Tsukahara might have to come clean herself.
After all, she'd also need Hachiman's help to relieve her own training stress later. Nanasaki Ai and Rihoko Sakurai weren't troublemakers like Tachibana Mikari. Sacrificing a bit of her dignity as captain wasn't a big deal.
"Hehe, don't worry. I'm not like those clueless girls, Nanasaki and Rihoko. I'll accept whatever consequences come my way," Tachibana Mikari paid no mind to Tsukahara Hibiki's threats. With a mischievous grin, she took Tsukahara's place, pulling Hachiman toward the restroom.
The captain was all bark and no bite. If she didn't take this opportunity, who else would?
Nanasaki and Rihoko had been rejected, while Uenohara and Hayase had already received guidance.
Among the remaining members, the only one left competing for a regular spot was Vice-Captain Orizuka Momoka.
But Vice-Captain Orizuka was even colder than Captain Tsukahara, imposing stricter training demands. She was infamous in the swimming club for her dislike of boys.
With the captain gone, she was the only one left to receive Manager Hikigaya's guidance alone.
"Are you sure you can accept any outcome? Once the guidance starts, if you want to stop, you'll have to beg me," Hachiman, watching the enthusiastic blonde gyaru Tachibana Mikari turn to lock the door, suddenly embraced her from behind and whispered in her ear.
Truthfully, while the restroom was exciting, the environment wasn't ideal.
However, earlier, when Iris had played with him here, she had cleaned the place up. Now, with his gradually improving cleaning magic, he could create a clean and safe guidance environment.
"Tch, I'm not like Nanasaki and the others. Of course, I know the consequences. But Manager Hikigaya, you're really something, rejecting them repeatedly. Are you waiting for them to beg you?", Tachibana Mikari didn't notice Hachiman's subtle movements, only feeling comfortable pressed against him. As he hugged her from behind, she turned her head and experimentally kissed his cheek, her fair, moistened face flushing red.
Though she spoke boldly and confidently, this was her first time doing something like this.
But her personality had always been daring. Now, imagining she was stealing a handsome guy from Minami and the others, an indescribable excitement overshadowed her maidenly shyness.
"Huh? What do you mean? I just advised them to understand the situation before coming to me," Hachiman blinked, looking at Tachibana Mikari in confusion.
"Everyone's training performance has improved noticeably under your guidance. If those two don't want to fall behind, they'll have no choice but to beg you to let them join the guidance, right? Hehe, don't worry, I won't expose you. Hayase and I are seniors. We can even help you 'train' them later," Tachibana Mikari wore an expression of understanding, grinning playfully at Hachiman.
She'd give him a little sweetness first, believing he'd become addicted to the women's swimming club and ignore Minami and the others.
"...Is that so? Then, Mikari, are you doing this because you like me, or do you just have a masochistic streak?", Hachiman was utterly speechless. He hadn't expected Tachibana Mikari to interpret things this way.
He wasn't forcing anyone to do anything, merely helping others improve their performance, yet somehow, he was still being blamed.
"Hehe, of course, it's because I fell in love with you at first sight. I'm not doing this just to improve my performance. But since it's a bonus, I won't pass it up," Tachibana Mikari knew when to stop. Instead of dwelling on Nanasaki and the others, she shifted her focus to launching her own offensive against Hachiman.
'Hiss! He really does seem quite capable...'
'No wonder the captain wanted to keep Manager Hikigaya all to herself.'
"Love at first sight... Actually, I know you don't get along with Yuina and the others," Seeing Tachibana Mikari still putting on an act, Hachiman raised an eyebrow and called her out directly.
"Wait! You know?", Tachibana Mikari's heart skipped a beat. She quickly let go of Yuina's little Hachiman and backed away, sensing danger.
But she had just locked the door herself, trapping herself inside with no quick escape.
"Of course I know. Minami and Rin asked me to teach you a lesson. Yuina and the other two couldn't handle me together. Do you think you're stronger than all three of them?", Hachiman watched as the previously smug gyaru Tachibana Mikari gaped in shock. Step by step, he closed the distance, reaching out to brush aside her damp, golden hair, which clung to her fair, fragrant shoulders.
"All three couldn't handle you... I was just joking earlier. Don't take it seriously. There's just a bit of a misunderstanding between me and Minami's group," Seeing that Hachiman didn't seem to be bluffing, Tachibana Mikari, who had originally planned to take Hachiman down single-handedly, swallowed hard, struggling to maintain her smile.
Had she truly underestimated Hachiman's capabilities?
Had Yuina and the others really failed to overpower him despite outnumbering him three to one?
Hachiman had rejected Nanasaki Ai and Rihoko Sakurai without hesitation, following her into the restroom so readily... Had he been waiting for this moment all along?
Hachiman hadn't expected Tachibana Mikari to back down so easily.
Even if this blonde gyaru was the type to act tough but turn into a kitten when faced with someone stronger, why had she believed him so quickly just from his words? Normally, she should've kept up her bravado until she truly couldn't take it anymore, crying and admitting her mistakes.
However, after thoroughly "guiding" the blonde gyaru Tachibana Mikari in Love Live mode, Hachiman, observing her reactions closely, finally understood why she had surrendered so quickly.
Turns out, while Tachibana Mikari had never personally experienced it, she had heard from other gyaru about the average guy's capabilities.
Logically, without firsthand experience, she should've doubted Hachiman's claim that Yuina and the others couldn't handle him. But remembering how much Yuina's group adored Hachiman, constantly bragging about how handsome and amazing he was in their chats, she realized it might actually be true.
Otherwise, why would Captain Tsukahara recruit Hachiman into the women's swimming club?
Otherwise, why would Captain Tsukahara drag Hachiman into the restroom during club activities...?
Especially when considering that Uenohara Ayano and Hayase Saki had likely been completely subdued by Hachiman, she began to regret her decision. Instead of showing off to Yuina's group by conquering Hachiman, she feared she might end up humiliated in front of them after being thoroughly defeated by him.
"So, Mikari, are you admitting defeat now?", Hachiman sat on the pristine white toilet lid, holding the blushing, breathless Tachibana Mikari in his arms. With one hand, he gently massaged her toned, slender legs, firm from constant training, easing the tension in her thighs.
With the other, he used cleaning magic, his fingertips gliding over her smooth, fair back, leaving both their bodies fresh and comfortable.
By now, practical magic like cleaning spells had become second nature to him. Invisibility magic, which required more focus, was less polished due to his reliance on Love Live mode. He'd have to consult Iris for further guidance tonight.
"...W-Wait, let me catch my breath first...", Tachibana Mikari tried to muster her strength and stand, but the moment she attempted to rise, her legs trembled violently, forcing her back down onto the seat. Gasping heavily, she struggled to speak.
In her current state, forget about continuing after a short break, she probably couldn't even run away if she tried.
Was this "guidance" so effective because Uenohara Ayano and the others had been utterly worn out...?
Tachibana Mikari had to admit Hachiman was indeed impressive. Holding her for so long without showing any signs of fatigue, but wasn't this kind of exercise just for stress relief?
Was Hachiman holding back because of Minami's group?
Or had everyone lied to her, and there was no special guidance method to begin with?
"You should just surrender. Yuina and the others begged for mercy, let alone you alone now. I've already figured out your relationship with Minami's group. There's no real conflict, just mutual dislike. There's no need to push yourself like this."
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