Chapter 40: Three’s Company

‘What does “In front of the Student Council President, all mahjong should be Xiao Huan’s winning tile” even mean? Translated, that’s just “I say she won, so she won, even if she didn’t.” Isn’t that too domineering? Does she think she’s some kind of underworld boss?’

“Xiao Huan, let’s go.”

Ju Zhenli took Qin Huan’s hand, turned, and walked toward the door, her golden side braid swaying gently with the movement.

“Wait!”

Suzuka finally snapped out of it and stood up from her chair.

Her burgundy silk shirt loosened slightly with the movement, revealing more pale skin.

“President Ju, you can’t just leave like this. Our Mahjong Club’s activities were properly approved…”

“Properly approved?”

Ju Zhenli stopped walking but didn’t turn around.

She only glanced over her shoulder at Suzuka.

“I recall the Mahjong Club’s approval documents stated that the club’s purpose is ‘to promote friendly communication among students through the medium of mahjong.’ Is that correct?”

“Yes…”

“Using undressing as a penalty and forcing a student to wear a bunny girl outfit as a mascot girl—is that the Mahjong Club’s understanding of ‘friendly communication’?”

Suzuka opened her mouth to argue but found that none of her points could hold up.

“The Student Council does not interfere with clubs’ normal activities.”

Ju Zhenli turned around to face the three Mahjong Club upperclassmen, her tone still cool.

“But if someone uses the guise of club activities to bully or harass students…”

She paused, her gaze settling on Suzuka.

“I will recommend that the school reevaluate the necessity of the Mahjong Club’s existence.”

“President Ju, are you threatening us?”

“This is a notice.”

Suzuka was silent for a moment, then put back on her lazy, gentle smile.

“Fine, then about Guchuan Xing’s clothes…”

Before Suzuka could finish, Guchuan Xing interrupted.

“No need. Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to follow the agreement…”

Guchuan Xing tried to look dejected as she stood up, using her pale fingers to lift her clothes from the chair.

A pitiful curl tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Huanzi, you go on ahead. Big sister is already a prisoner of the Mahjong Club. The rest of my life will be spent as a mascot girl in the clubroom, wearing a shameful bunny girl outfit while people passing by point and say, ‘Look, that’s the Instrumental Music Club president who lost mahjong and ended up naked.'”

“Senpai, your acting is too over-the-top.”

Qin Huan’s face was expressionless.

She really didn’t want to give Guchuan Xing any good reaction.

This person was just too cringy.

“Huanzi, you’re so heartless! Big sister is this pitiful, and you still suspect I’m faking it!”

Guchuan Xing wiped away tears that weren’t actually there, then quickly put her clothes back on.

Qin Huan sighed.

“Elder Sister Zhenli, let’s go.”

Ju Zhenli gave a soft affirmation, then took Qin Huan’s hand and walked out of the Mahjong Club’s activity room.

“Huanzi! Where are you going? Wait for big sister!”

Guchuan Xing’s voice chased after them.

Qin Huan pretended not to hear.

After leaving the clubroom, it was nearly noon.

The flow of people on the main street of the Cultural Festival was denser than in the morning.

Various booths were crowded with people, and the air was a mix of the soy sauce fragrance of fried noodles, the sweet-savory smell of takoyaki, and a caramel scent drifting from somewhere.

“Xiao Huan.”

Ju Zhenli turned her head.

“It’s almost noon. What do you want to eat?”

Qin Huan tilted her head to look around and spotted the pink-and-white striped tent again.

Two cute girls in black-and-white maid outfits with cat-ear headbands stood at the entrance.

One of them was holding a giant plush cat.

Beside the tent stood a small blackboard with colorful chalk writing: 【Maid Cafe · Mysterious Mini Dishes · Please enjoy, Master ♡】

“Elder Sister Zhenli, let’s try the maid cafe!”

Qin Huan looked up, her eyes sparkling.

“I saw their sign says they have mysterious mini dishes. I want to know what they are!”

Ju Zhenli’s brows furrowed slightly as if seriously considering the proposal.

The scene from this morning, when those girls had whispered about them as they passed the maid cafe, was still fresh in her mind.

If they went in as customers now…

“Okay.”

Ju Zhenli nodded.

The two walked along the main road toward the maid cafe tent.

After a short distance, Ju Zhenli suddenly stopped.

“Come out.”

Qin Huan was startled and followed Ju Zhenli’s gaze to look back.

Guchuan Xing was hiding behind a ginkgo tree.

The trunk concealed half her body, but her signature light red long curly hair stuck out from both sides of the trunk.

Seeing that she had been found, Guchuan Xing simply stepped out and brushed off the ginkgo leaves.

“What a coincidence. Isn’t this Huanzi and President Ju?”

“Senpai, your stalking skills are way too unprofessional.”

Qin Huan couldn’t help but criticize.

“Next time, remember to tie your hair up.”

“Next time for sure, next time for sure.”

Guchuan Xing grinned as she walked up to the two, hands on her hips, and declared with utter confidence.

“Big sister wants to eat too.”

Ju Zhenli turned her head to glance at Qin Huan, her eyes saying, “Are you sure you want to bring her along?”

Qin Huan shook her head, signaling she absolutely did not want to.

But Guchuan Xing had already squeezed in between the two, naturally taking her place on Qin Huan’s other side.

Ju Zhenli sighed but was helpless.

After all, Guchuan Xing was still useful for now.

The maid cafe’s tent was much larger than Qin Huan had imagined.

The pink-and-white striped canvas looked especially bright in the sunlight.

A string of wind chimes hung at the entrance, letting out a crisp jingle whenever someone lifted the flap and went in.

The maid responsible for welcoming guests was the same one who had recognized Ju Zhenli earlier.

She was now holding a menu and flashing a well-trained kawaii smile at the passing students.

Her eyes quickly caught sight of the three approaching.

“President-sama!”

The maid’s eyes lit up.

She hugged the menu and jogged to the tent entrance, pushing open the flap and shouting inside.

“The President is here! Highest level service!”

A small commotion came from inside the tent.

Ju Zhenli’s expression didn’t change, but her steps paused ever so slightly.

“President-sama, please come in!”

The maid performed an exaggerated single-handed bow, a ninety-degree bow.

Then she lifted her head and noticed Guchuan Xing beside them.

“…And this is?”

“I’m the head of the Instrumental Music Club, third-year Guchuan Xing.”

For once, Guchuan Xing was serious.

The three were led by the maid to a table for four near the back.

The inside of the tent was even more thoughtfully decorated than the outside.

Each table had a pink-and-white checkered tablecloth, with a light blue balloon tied to the corner.

A catchy anime theme song played from a speaker in the corner.

Qin Huan had already started humming it in her head after hearing it once.

“Please wait a moment, masters. I’ll go get the menus!”

The maid placed three glasses of sparkling ice water on the table and hurried to the back kitchen.

Ju Zhenli took her glass, her long fingers gently tracing the condensation on the surface.

Guchuan Xing sat across from them, chin resting on her hand, her gaze bouncing back and forth between Ju Zhenli and Qin Huan.

“You two have such a good relationship.”

Guchuan Xing poked at the ice cubes in her glass with a straw.

“How’s living together?”

“Good.”

Ju Zhenli answered succinctly.

“Does Huanzi kick the covers at night?”

“No.”

“Does she talk in her sleep?”

“Occasionally.”

“Does she have morning grumpiness?”

“A little.”

Qin Huan sat beside them, watching the back-and-forth conversation without even a chance to interject.

“Um, I’m going to the restroom.”

Feeling the need to briefly escape the awkward atmosphere, Qin Huan stood up and walked toward the restroom at the back of the tent.