Finally, the day of the school festival’s opening arrived. The handsome student council president, Seno Mochi, and the beautiful vice president, Ori Taka Kaishi, gave speeches. As the school’s representatives, they also served as its top visual attractions.

Since the festival would last several days, class performances were saved as the grand finale for the last day. With nothing urgent now, I decided to browse around.

I had to admit, the students were incredibly energetic. Everyone showed off their best talents. Stalls of all sizes filled the grounds, offering everything from snacks and barbecue to themed exhibitions. After all, the festival was meant for relaxation.

Chi Ling had set up a small glass crafts stall. Mostly girls visited it, though occasionally guys trying to chat up would linger nearby.

I’d temporarily shaken off Rika and the others, but bumping into them was inevitable in such a small academy. “Target spotted,” a voice chirped from close by. It was the playful Rika Dojima. Damn—I’d only just relaxed before being found. How unlucky.

Since Rika was there, Nana was too. Yutang was nowhere in sight; it made no sense for a grown man to follow me all day. “Senior, you’re so sneaky—running off alone and ignoring us!” Rika pounced. I flicked her forehead. “It’s that mouth of yours I can’t stand.” I still hadn’t settled her past tricks.

But now that we’d met, chasing them away was pointless. Foodie Rika had eaten her way through nearly every stall. “Aren’t you stuffed?” I asked. She declared solemnly, “Desserts go to a separate stomach. Are you a cow or something?”

Passing Chi Ling’s stall, Rika and Nana were drawn in. “Wow, Chi Ling’s glass beads are gorgeous!” Chi Ling smiled. “I rushed these—they’re not perfect.” “No way, they’re beautiful!” Rika picked up a cream-colored bead with a dreamy look. Hey, hey—you’re not mistaking it for candy, are you?

Chi Ling noticed Nana’s phone charm. “Oh, Linjian-san uses hers as a charm too? What a coincidence—I do as well.” She pulled out her rainbow bead. Light particles seemed to spill from it, infused with time. “Cold Creek begged me ages to make this for you.” Nana blushed slightly. Rika couldn’t stay quiet. “Wow, senior’s so biased! No gift for me? Is this your token of affection?” I tapped her shoulder. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Rika pouted. “I don’t care—I want one too!” She gave me puppy-dog eyes. Sighing, I took her cream bead and pulled out a Timeflower. Unprepared, this temporary effect granted only one minute of Time Stasis. Not as strong as Nana’s Time Reversal, but enough to protect her once.

“Here.” I handed her the glowing bead. Her face lit up. “Thanks, senior! You’re the best! Chi Ling-san, how much?” Chi Ling smiled. “It’s a gift for Yutang-san.” Rika beamed. “Thank you so much!”

“Um…” A陌生 voice came from behind. I turned to see a girl who’d just bought a bead. “Sorry… could you add that light to mine too? I’ll pay!” Nearby girls instantly stared.

In the end, I enhanced all of Chi Ling’s beads. By the last ones, they held no power—just pretty light. Chi Ling promised exchanges for plain beads. Her stock sold out before dawn.

After days of festival fun, class performances finally began. Rika dragged me backstage an hour early to a prep room. Everyone was rehearsing frantically. She pulled out a black shirt plastered with “SCATTER COINS” in bold letters. Hey, hey—what’s this mean? “Wear this when it’s your turn, senior. It’ll be epic!” I glared. “No way. This is humiliating.” I refused flatly.

Rika’s smile vanished. “Don’t force my ultimate move.” I shrugged. What could she do? She yanked her uniform tie loose, exposing her collar—and a hint of beige bra. “If you won’t wear it, I’ll tell everyone you molested me.” Typical Rika. I smirked. “Shout all you want. I’ll just Time Reversal you after.” She puffed her cheeks. “Pervert! Erasing evidence after bad deeds? Fine—I’ll take off my skirt!” “Whoa, overkill.” I muttered it, but a tiny thrill flickered inside. Damn, what’s wrong with me?

Rika’s hand gripped her skirt hem. “I’m really doing it?” She slowly tugged downward. “Ah—what are you two doing?” Nana stood at the door, face crimson. “Did I… interrupt?”

…The scene was pure awkwardness. Rika lunged into Nana’s arms. “Sorry, Nana!” She buried her face against Nana’s chest, fake-sobbing. I sighed. “Nana, if I say she tried stripping herself, would you believe me?” Nana just blushed deeper. Rika wailed louder. “Senior wanted it—I gave it willingly! Don’t blame him. I’m fine being used when needed and tossed aside after. Please, Nana—don’t blame senior!” Her tears were so convincing I almost bought it. Yeah, right. “Fine. I’ll wear the damn shirt.” Arguing would only make me look guilty—everyone assumes guys bully girls. But how could she say such embarrassing things?!

Rika’s mood flipped instantly. She flashed a victory sign. Even Nana covered her mouth, giggling like she’d known the whole plan. Your acting’s so good—why not join Hollywood?

My turn finally came. The “SCATTER COINS” shirt actually matched my usual style. Gotta admit—Rika had studied my tastes well.

I was already cringing, but the crowd chanting “Scatter coins! Scatter coins!” made it worse. If I find who coined this nickname, I swear I’ll make them regret it.

“Um, I’m Cold Creek. Just a casual demo today.” Shoving down my discomfort, I just wanted to finish fast.

On stage sat glass, stone, and steel plates—clearly for testing. I pulled out a 10-yuan coin. It always vanished after use, so I’d only brought one. I’d wanted to swap it, but Rika insisted: no coin, no “scattering.” You’re the scatterer, your whole family is.

“Time Acceleration!” *Whoosh—crash!* The coin pierced the glass, vanishing. Piercing glass took under 10x speed; stone needed ~100x. It bored a clean hole. The steel plate, mere centimeters thick but far harder, required 1000x. This time, the coin didn’t slice through cleanly—it deformed wildly after punching through. Show over.

Earlier, Rika had threatened an “extra act”: scattering coins at students, then freezing them mid-air with Time Stasis for shock value.

*Heh heh heh.* I slipped into my old sinister grin—the one I used against K. “Time for a little gift. I’ve got spare coins… just for you.”

Gasps erupted. “Is he really ‘scattering coins’? People’ll die!” “J-Joking, right?” Others watched eagerly. “Time Acceleration!” I flung the coins—truly “scattering” them. Ugh.

The coins scared the crowd—but froze mid-air before anyone reacted. Then they rained down. Whether they scrambled for them didn’t matter. Finally, I could ditch this shameful shirt.