pjbooks Chapter 399 Economics Research Association
Chapter 399 Economics Research Association
(Thanks to "拥蓝桉已遇释槐" for the amazing certification! Two chapters today~)
The entrance ceremony for Gakushuin University was much simpler than Satsuki had imagined.
The president and several faculty representatives delivered speeches in turn, introducing the school's history and things to note in university life to the new students. Each faculty also distributed materials related to courses, course selection, and student life.
By the time the last faculty member announced that the day's schedule was over and the new students could leave on their own, it was already past 2 p.m.
The atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed.
The freshmen, who had been sitting quietly in their seats, all stood up. Some were looking for classmates they had just met, while others were carrying thick stacks of documents to find their parents who were waiting outside. Satsuki and her two companions left the venue with the crowd, and as soon as they stepped onto the campus path outside, the surrounding noise quickly rose.
Both sides of the road were already occupied by various clubs.
Some people set up tables and posted photos of past activities on display boards; others carried large stacks of flyers and warmly greeted new students; and several sports clubs even moved their equipment to the roadside to demonstrate how exciting their department's activities were through actual performances.
Further afield, some people were even standing on wooden crates holding up signs, trying to make their club's name stand out from the crowd in front of them.
"It's already two o'clock."
Reiko raised her hand and glanced at her watch.
They only had a simple breakfast before leaving home in the morning, and stayed at the venue all afternoon. Now they finally have time to arrange their own time.
What are we having for lunch?
"Yes, what do you want to eat?"
Ayako subconsciously followed up with a comment.
Reiko turned to look at her.
"Ayako, you can't answer a question with just one question, you know?"
She raised her hand, as if to tap Ayako's head again, just like she had done that morning.
However, Ayako was prepared this time.
Reiko had just raised her hand when she dodged to the side and quickly hid next to Satsuki.
"Stop! Show some decorum, you are a subject!"
Ayako grabbed Satsuki's arm and peeked half her head out from behind her.
"Are you planning to rebel on your very first day of school?"
Reiko's movements froze in mid-air, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.
"When did I become your subject?"
"Of course it's not mine."
Ayako said matter-of-factly.
"We are all subjects of Her Majesty the Queen."
Satsuki did not participate in the argument between the two.
Her attention had already fallen on the community booths on both sides of the road.
The number of students at Gakushuin far exceeds that of Seiwa Academy, and the variety of clubs is so vast that it's impossible to take them all in at a glance.
Some booths were set up very formally, with activity instructions and past publications neatly arranged on the tables; while some clubs seemed completely unprepared, relying on a few energetic senior students to go around soliciting people with flyers.
"Would you like to join a club?"
Satsuki raised her hand and pointed to a stall not far away.
"Clubs?"
Upon hearing Satsuki speak, Ayako temporarily released her arm and looked in the direction Satsuki pointed.
The display board closest to them had "ESS" written in very neat English letters, and below it were several photos of English speech contests and exchange activities with foreign students.
"English Studies Association?"
Ayako glanced at it carefully for a few moments, but quickly lost interest.
"Looks so serious."
Further ahead is the debate department.
The student in charge of recruitment is standing in front of a table introducing the inter-school debate results from the previous semester to several new students. Behind him, a display board lists several social issues.
Ayako didn't even come close.
"Debate Club... Just hearing the name makes me feel tired."
"They're writing about debate, not manual labor."
Reiko said.
"That's even more tiring, having to constantly think about how to speak."
Ayako answered seriously.
"I don't usually have to think before I speak."
"That's something I can tell from that."
Reiko nodded.
Just as Ayako was about to protest, Reiko pointed to the other side of the road.
"There seems to be a ski club there."
"ski?"
Ayako's attention was immediately drawn to it.
"Where? Where?"
"The sign also says to go surfing in the summer."
Ayako looked in the direction Reiko pointed.
That club's booth was almost the liveliest in the neighborhood. A dozen or so tanned upperclassmen surrounded the table; most of the boys were wearing short sleeves, and the girls' hair had been tanned a slightly lighter color by the sun.
The strongest boy was holding up a huge wooden sign with both hands.
The sign was ridiculously large, with goggles and swimming rings used during last year's ski training camp hanging around its edges; it was easily visible even from behind the crowd.
As Ayako gazed at the overly enthusiastic group of upperclassmen, the anticipation on her face slowly faded.
"Well……"
She moved closer to Reiko.
"That seems a bit too unrestrained."
"Who got so excited about surfing just now?"
"I'm just looking around."
Ayako casually withdrew her gaze, then turned to look at Satsuki, who had first brought up the topic.
"Where is Saionji-kun?"
Are there any clubs you're interested in?
"Hmm... I wouldn't say I'm particularly interested."
Satsuki's gaze passed over the crowd ahead and landed on the other side of the road.
"I just think the things that club has been researching lately are quite interesting."
Reiko and Ayako both looked in the direction she was looking.
It was a small stall.
On the table were several past issues of the club's journal and a stack of newly printed booklets. The display board behind it was covered with newspaper clippings, photos, and hand-drawn charts, much more densely packed than most other clubs in the area.
The wooden sign at the front has a striking title written in bold black characters.
External Economies and Odaiba Development – Was Seibu Really Saved?
Below the title is a subtitle in a slightly smaller font.
In the basic cooperation between Saionji and Seibu, who gained more benefits?
Ayako first looked at the signboard, then at the words "Economics Research Department" written below, before slowly shifting her gaze to Satsuki's face.
"this……"
She moved closer to Satsuki and deliberately lowered her voice.
"Saionji-kun, wasn't this collaboration initiated by you?"
"Why would someone be interested in something like this, which is like playing house?"
Ayako crossed her arms and glanced at the title on the display board again.
"Who else benefited more? I heard Chairman Tsutsumi is almost in tears—ugh!"
Before she could finish speaking, Reiko had already covered her mouth with her hand.
Ayako blinked.
Only then did she slowly turn her head to look at Satsuki, who was standing on the other side.
Satsuki had already put on that perfectly standard smile.
Her lips curved into a smile, and her eyes were slightly narrowed. She looked gentle, but there was little human warmth in her smile.
Ayako immediately realized the danger.
"Haha..."
She quickly pulled Reiko's hand down.
"What I was saying was that I heard the relationship between Chairman Tsutsumi and the Seibu board of directors has improved a lot."
Ayako struggled to organize her thoughts.
"In the past, those directors probably wouldn't have dared to speak to him, but now that everyone is working together to overcome difficulties, the group is definitely much more united, and so on..."
After hearing her attempt to salvage the situation, Reiko raised her hand to her forehead.
"Saionji-kun, I'm so sorry."
"Ayako often speaks without thinking."
"Reiko!"
Did I say something wrong?
After the two of them made a scene, Satsuki's inorganic smile couldn't be maintained any longer.
She reached out and tapped Ayako on the head in an annoyed manner.
"Why are you making me sound like some kind of villainous rich girl?"
"it hurts."
Ayako covered her head and looked at her with a wronged expression.
"When Reiko was tapping you just now, you said it didn't hurt."
"Saionji-kun hit harder."
"Then I'll be gentler next time."
Satsuki said casually, and then started walking forward again.
She didn't approach the economics research department's booth, but just glanced back at the sign.
"Like I said, I was just a little curious."
"Besides, I can't be perfect in every aspect."
Satsuki looked at the organized newspaper clippings on the display board, her tone calm.
"Listening to more external analyses, regardless of whether they are right or wrong, is always beneficial."