SWNOVELXO Chapter 97: How About a Lottery?
The two walked out of the campus.
Tenya was about to hail a taxi when Saki called out to him. "Wait, what are you going to do?"
"Take a taxi." Tenya said matter-of-factly.
After all, the procurement funds given by the school included transportation costs.
"That's too extravagant..." Saki pursed her lips.
The cost of this taxi ride is almost enough for her family of five's living expenses.
Tenya's eyes moved, and he instantly understood what she meant.
He said, "Alright then, let's follow the country's initiative for low-carbon travel."
"We'll split the saved transportation costs half and half."
Tenya first raised the moral banner of environmental protection, then changed the subject.
Although he wasn't short on money himself, he knew the other party was very short on money.
Saki said with widened eyes, "Embezzling... aren't you being a bit too blatant?"
Although she also wanted to take the money, she didn't have the guts to do it.
Tenya spoke eloquently, "This transportation fee was originally to be spent by the school. What's wrong with us saving it through our own ability?"
His goal was to persuade the other party to take the money with a clear conscience.
"But..."
Saki hesitated for a moment.
"Don't worry, I'll take responsibility if anything happens." Tenya patted his chest and voluntarily took on the responsibility.
"..."
Saki looked at him with a deep gaze, and immediately stopped insisting.
Tenya asked strangely, "The bus stop is over there. Where are you going?"
"Since it's low-carbon travel, why not reduce it to zero?!"
Saki strode towards the school's bicycle shed. Her light blue high ponytail swayed back and forth, showing she was in a good mood.
"You're really thrifty."
Tenya smiled wryly, shrugged his shoulders, and followed.
"Get on."
"Are you sure you want to give me a ride?"
"Can you ride a bicycle then?"
"Just a little..."
Tenya's expression was a bit unnatural.
He had only ridden a bicycle in his elementary school days.
"Then get on, stop talking so much nonsense!" Saki raised her chin and urged him impatiently.
"Alright."
Seeing this, Tenya didn't decline and sat on the back seat.
Looking at the slender, long, and delicate waist in front of him, he felt an urge to wrap his arms around it.
Saki suddenly turned her head and warned sternly, "I'm warning you!"
"Don't think about taking advantage of me!"
"What a pity." Tenya showed a regretful expression on his face.
"You are, really...!"
Saki looked speechless.
He clearly had an ambiguous relationship with so many girls, yet he was still looking at others.
"No choice, who made me a benevolent man?" Tenya shrugged.
Hearing his response, Saki was speechless for a moment and stopped talking.
She pedaled hard with her tough legs. Developed from long-term exercise, her legs were very well-proportioned, without an ounce of excess fat.
"Tsk!"
Noticing Tenya's unrestrained gaze on her legs, Saki slightly blushed. She turned her head, and glared at him fiercely.
Tenya gave a thumbs up and praised, "Your legs are a little bit better looking than Yumiko's."
Saki snorted, "Who told you to compare?!"
"Hmph!"
But upon hearing the phrase "better than Yumiko," the corner of her lips curved upwards.
See!
This is a woman!
Tenya smiled without speaking.
Saki was a hardworking girl. Throughout the twenty-minute ride, she pedaled the entire way without a single break.
Although she was drenched in sweat....
They arrived at their destination, the clothing wholesale market.
Tenya proactively bought two cups of milk tea.
Saki frowned and said, "Procurement funds shouldn't include this, right?"
Tenya said, "My private wallet. I'm treating you. Consider it payment for the ride."
Hearing this, Saki felt it made sense, so she stopped refusing and accepted the milk tea.
As you know, Starbucks is very popular, even among Japanese folks.
Saki was also somewhat interested too, but she couldn't bear to spend the money to buy it herself.
She glanced at the price tag on the cup, q whopping 800 yen.
"What?!"
"This cup of milk tea actually costs 800 yen?"
Saki couldn't help but widen her eyes.
"It's fine, it's all from my scholarship." Tenya explained earnestly.
"Should I punch you?"
Saki's fists hardened.
...
"Slurp~"
Saki drank the milk tea with relish.
Freshly cut seasonal mango, blended with a green tea base, topped with a layer of cheese, it was mellow and delicious upon entry.
"How is it? Doesn't it taste pretty good?" Tenya chuckled.
Humans are gregarious creatures. The brand effect brings not just the taste of the milk tea, but also emotional value.
"Hmph~"
"It's alright."
Saki pretended not to care.
She thought to herself, 'This big brand is really different!'
The two walked around the shops while drinking milk tea.
Saki went to the vegetable market to buy groceries every day after school, so she had rich bargaining experience.
Soon, she secured the list of clothing and props needed for procurement at a favorable price.
However, Saki did not intend to pocket the saved funds.
This was a matter of principle!
The two carried large and small bags of supplies, preparing to leave the wholesale market.
They just happened to pass by a lottery ticket shop selling scratch-offs.
"What, are you interested in this kind of thing?" Saki said with disdain.
Although she was poor, she never believed in things like her chances of winning the lottery.
"I don't believe in lottery either." Tenya spoke the truth.
But he believed in the skill: God of Wealth!
Tenya said with a smile, "However, since it's a rare date, maybe we'll be favored by the Goddess of Fate."
"Let's each put in 20 yen."
The opportunity had been given, it just depended on whether the other party could seize it!
"Who's on a date with you?"
"Shameless!"
Saki first glared at him, then took out a 20 yen coin from her pocket.
She pinched the coin with her fingernail, then reluctantly handed it to Tenya.
"Here."
"Just consider it accompanying you in your daydream."
***
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