The Pain of an Inferior: A Blistering Love Comedy That Begins After a Broken Heart - Chapter 166

Chapter 166 – Formula Ninety-One

Today marks the start of A-10 Academy’s long awaited school cultural festival.

Even though it was still the first day, a slight issue had already arisen right from the start.

Mainly, the spacious school was filled to the brim with visitors hoping to see Uta Miyako and Kureha Shun.

The second day of the festival was exclusive only for A-10 students, so outsiders could only had the opportunity to visit the school on the first day. Still, Haruka and the others couldn’t help but observe the crowd with astonished looks on their faces.

According to the bulletin board, the number of visitors that came to the school festival had increased by over 400% compared to the previous year. Whether the data was accurate or not remained unclear. The only thing that could be confirmed is that the school’s large space, in contrast to the school’s student population, had finally seen some use, as it was able to accommodate the large number of visitors.

Haruka and Ria walked around the school hand in hand, making sure that they won’t get separated. His other lovers had already left earlier in order to participate in club activities or offer their assistance on other matters.

Both Yunika and Shinku were treated as eyesores in the classroom. However, it seems that they were able to maintain their amicable relationship within their clubs, which made Haruka feel relieved deep inside.

It was hard for Haruka to bear seeing the women he cared about being persecuted because of him. However, breaking up with them was not an option; he remained firm in committing to them for the rest of his life.

“Let’s drop by Sumireko-san’s place before we see other places.”

“Okay.”

Haruka and Ria momentarily released their held hands and then immediately intertwined their fingers together. The pair strolled around as they through the bustling crowd.

The visitors were captivated by Ria’s fluffy golden hair, as well as getting mesmerized by her beautiful face. A number of them couldn’t help but follow Ria with their eyes.

Both men and women alike were stunned as soon as they noticed Ria’s presence, as if they had seen something unbelievable.

Even though Ria’s citizen rank was visible, no one in the crowd was frowning or making a stern expression.

It was because Ria was simply stunning.

Holding hands with her beloved, Ria wore a cheerful and bright expression. Everyone was charmed.

As expected, Haruka also noticed that Ria had captured the attention of the crowd.

Feeling uncomfortable of the gazes of the unknown men around Ria, he reflexively increased his walking pace.

“Good grief. I hate crowded places like this.”

“It’s quite refreshing since there usually aren’t this many people around~”

Ria remained carefree, oblivious to Haruka’s plights.

Ria had never once participated in any school events throughout her life. She had reached the peak of her happiness, as she was able to spend such a time with her beloved.

She was all smiles, looking more happier and fluffier than usual. She had already reached such a state even though only thirty minutes had passed since the school festival had started.

The usually deserted school building that Sumireko’s club was located in is now crowded with visitors.

“Are you here, Sumireko-san~?”

In front of the Science club room that Sumireko belonged to were a couple of visitors with shady dispositions.

Among that stood out was a man in a trench coat wearing a plague mask, a person who looked more like an android than an actual one, a maid with a murderous glint in her eyes, and a gothic lolita woman who’s armed with knives all over her body.

The walls of several classrooms around the Science club room were lifted, creating a large gallery that showcased several equipments that Sumireko had developed.

“It’s not for sale.”

“Oh, come on… I’ll pay you 50 million yen…”

In front of the exhibit that resembled a huge cannon was Sumireko, who was clad in her usual white lab coat. She was being haggled by a man wearing mechanical goggles.

Sumireko took notice of Haruka and immediately walked over to him, signalling the end of her conversation with the man.

“Good morning, Sumireko-san.”

“Ah, Haruka. Good morning. Is Ise Ria with you?”

“She’s here.”

Sumireko looks over to Ria, the latter greeting back with a smile.

“There sure are a lot of people here.”

“Most of them are sabagesurvival game players.”

“I thought survival games would only use firearms.”

“It depends on the regulations.”

While there were firearms among the exhibits presented in the gallery, majority of them were machines of obscure shapes and sizes.

Demonstration videos were provided alongside the exhibits. There was a high mobility airborne weapon that would scatter beams and would change shape, mechanical tentacles that could be freely manipulated like Sumireko’s tail, an autonomous turret that would attack automatically, and various other things.

“Why didn’t you sell that item earlier?”

“I don’t sell my work.”

“And that’s why you’re always broke.”

A familliar voice interjected behind Haruka and Ria.

They turned around and saw Yuzurika, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“I have received the prize from winning a recent sabage.”

“Such winnings would only put a dent in your debt.”

“I turned in a profit.”

“Your debt is still in the negative though.”

“Zip it.”

Sumireko’s source of income was winning prizes from survival games.

She was hailed as an eccentric genius among the upperclassmen in the school. She possessed a status that matches her reputation.

However, no matter how skilled she was, she was not invincible. Since she couldn’t always win the prize money, she would inevitably find herself in debt.

Haruka couldn’t help but think that she should ease up on working on new equipments during the times that she couldn’t win any prizes. Still, that was considered a part of Sumireko’s charm.

“Ah?, that’s right. I already sent a message earlier, but I have a play to perform at around 2:30PM. Please come and see it.”

“I’m going. You didn’t have to come all the way here to remind me.”

“I was kinda anxious.”

“Don’t worry, Haru. I’ll bring her with me, even if I have to drag her there.”

Yuzurika grinned reassuringly as she smacked Sumireko’s mechanical arm.

“Alright. We have other places to go, so we’ll head out now.”

“Excuse me.”

Ria lightly bowed and followed Haruka as he walked away. Sumireko quickly stepped in.

She lightly embraced Haruka from behind and whispered in his ear.

“Break a leg on your performance.”

“Okay. Please come and watch.”

After hearing Haruka’s answer, Sumireko stepped away.

Noticing Ria and Yuzurika surprised faces, Sumireko awkwardly turned her head to the side, her face blushing to the tip of her ears.

Sumireko and Yuzurika stood side by side as they watched the two leaving.

“I don’t understand him.”

“Which part?”

“If it was me, I wouldn’t want my friends and family to see me perform.”

“Eh?, is that so? That boy was quite happy when he found out that Okaa-san would come and see his play.”

“I don’t get you siblings…”

Sumireko wondered if it was the difference between an outgoing person and herself, an introverted person.

She then recalled the time when she met Haruka for the first time six months ago. At the time, he was a bit gloomy. But now, Haruka was dazzling.

Before she knew it, she had formed a deep connection with such a person. The fact the Haruka came to see her was enough to make her realize how drawn she was to him.

“You look really lively right now.”

“Huh? I’m the same as usual, though.”

Called out by Yuzurika, Sumireko’s expression immediately returned into a deadpan state.

TL notes

Sabage