ShoujoDirector

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  To everyone’s surprise, it was Dionysius from Css 1 who stood up for her!

  The reason? Dionysius had casually remarked, “If it’s just a rumor, let’s not spread it.” When Hera overheard this, she interpreted it as him defending her!

  Moved beyond words, Hera wasted no time in broadcasting this act of galntry, emphasizing Dionysius’s sense of justice and kindness. It reaffirmed her belief that she hadn’t misjudged him. While others mocked her with the nickname “Fart King/Queen” and spread gossip, Dionysius retained his composure and grace.

  Such a good man, she thought. If she could, she would marry him on the spot! She wouldn’t even care about a dowry and would bring plenty of gifts herself. What man could refuse such an offer?

  Unfortunately, Hera’s clownish behavior only made her more unpopur among the girls. But since she was a day student and didn’t live in the dormitories, she avoided the pain of being completely ostracized by her peers.

  It must be said, when someone is thick-skinned, no matter how embarrassing their actions, they remain unfazed by the judgment of others. Such a person becomes invincible in their own way.

  Ironically, this worked to Hera’s advantage.

  Hera’s unpopurity among the girls didn’t extend to the boys. Despite her average looks, she knew how to dress stylishly and carried herself with boldness, often engaging in pyful physical interactions. Paired with the aura of being a “rich girl,” she managed to catch the attention of several boys.

  After a recent seat change, she now sat in front of Kenny, the sports committee member of Css 3. This arrangement had been decided by their homeroom teacher, Emmanuel.

  Kenny, despite being a teenager, had the demeanor of a sleazy middle-aged man. His average height and above-average grades made Emmanuel believe he looked mature and was well-suited for the role of sports committee member. In reality, Kenny wasn’t particurly athletic, but no one had ever said the role required star-level athleticism.

  The position of sports committee member typically involved minimal responsibility outside of gym css, like leading warm-ups. Otherwise, it was a marginal role, simir to that of the arts committee member.

  Kenny and Hera got along well. They often flirted during breaks, and even after Hera was dubbed the “Laughing Fart King,” Kenny didn’t seem to mind. On the contrary, he showed her even more concern.

  However, his gestures failed to win Hera over. Nothing he did could compare to that one sentence Dionysius had said.

  Kenny believed he had won over the “rich girl” Hera. To him, Dionysius—the “school prince”—was like a distant celebrity, merely an idol that Hera admired. He didn’t take it seriously.

  After all, what boy would feel threatened by his crush idolizing a public figure?

  Hera, on the other hand, thought Kenny’s attention was only natural. She believed she had “tamed” him, just as she had with a boy named Samuel El Diseanios in middle school. With such “followers” around, she felt emboldened to bully others.

  With the school sports meet approaching and the sports committee member firmly in her pocket, Hera’s scheming mind kicked into overdrive.

  She hadn’t forgotten her grudge against Xanthia. In css, however, Xanthia was always protected by Luciel, so Hera hadn’t found a good opportunity to act.

  The sports meet presented the perfect chance. The most grueling event was undoubtedly the long-distance run.

  For boys, it wasn’t as much of an issue. Those who enjoyed sports could endure the challenge, gritting their teeth and finishing the race. Finding a male participant willing to represent the css was never difficult.

  But for girls, running 3000 meters was a mental and physical ordeal. Few volunteered. Those who did often gave up halfway through, walking to the finish line and receiving comfort from their cssmates for their bravery.

  Traditionally, each css had to send at least one participant for the 3000-meter run. Opting out wasn’t an option.

  Hera envisioned Xanthia’s frail figure struggling on the track and ughed sinisterly. The 3000-meter run was perfect! She was convinced Xanthia would fail halfway, embarrass herself, and bring shame to the css.

  This wasn’t just about humiliation. The real satisfaction would come if Xanthia’s body became so strained that she fell ill afterward.

  Hera couldn’t wait to see it happen.

  To execute her pn, she spent significant time convincing Kenny, the sports committee member, to help her. She believed her efforts would pay off.

  What Hera didn’t realize was that, at the same time, Xanthia’s Malicious Notebook lit up with a red excmation mark.

  Xanthia quietly read the entry in her Malicious Notebook, thinking, Is that all?

  She had already pnned to sign up for the 3000 meters herself. Hera’s “conspiracy” only made things more convenient. Xanthia decided to py along, appearing as though she had been “forced” into the event.

  Hera would think she had succeeded, only to discover she had become an unwitting accomplice. Her actions would provide Xanthia with ample opportunities to accumute pain points.

  Xanthia couldn’t help but find Hera amusing. The Malicious Notebook was proving to be incredibly useful. Not only could it detect malice, but it also allowed her to identify and exploit the best “tools” for earning pain points. Volunteers like Hera were a gift.

  With Hera’s help, Xanthia didn’t need to expin her desire to participate in the 3000 meters. Otherwise, Luciel, ever concerned about her health, might have tried to stop her.

  Expining her real motive—to upgrade her abilities—would have been far too troublesome. Hera had saved her the effort.

  Soon, the lighthearted atmosphere in the cssroom was interrupted as their homeroom teacher, Emmanuel, entered. His stern expression silenced the chatter. He spotted Sunny holding a ball and barked, “Sunny! Today’s activity css is for cleaning. Where do you think you’re going?”

  The spirited “Soccer Boy” instantly defted. Even if he sneaked out, he wouldn’t find anyone to py with, as all csses were scheduled for a campus-wide cleanup.

  Reluctantly, Sunny put his “soccer baby” away and returned to his seat.

  Emmanuel began assigning tasks. Some students cleaned windows, others swept and mopped the floors, and a few worked on the flower beds outside. A campus-wide cleanup wasn’t just about the cssroom.

  Everyone tidied their desks, pcing chairs on top to clear the floor for mopping.

  Xanthia was assigned to sweep the fourth group’s floor—an easy task. She took it seriously, driven by her system task to earn a maid outfit.

  She cleaned diligently, even taking care of the areas in front of the podium and at the back of the cssroom. Her enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed, inspiring others to work harder.

  After finishing her task, Xanthia helped her cssmates, ensuring a spotless cssroom.

  Boys with mops, including css monitor Ryan and Troy, noticed the difference. “It’s easier to mop today,” Troy said. “Xanthia’s sweeping was so thorough.”

  Ryan nodded. He hadn’t realized Xanthia had such a strong sense of collective honor. She was truly likable.

  Meanwhile, Dematero, cleaning windows, occasionally gnced at Xanthia. Her energy reassured him.

  After the cleanup, Emmanuel announced, “Now I’ll reveal the participants for the school sports meet. Ryan, please read the list.”

  Ryan stepped forward. Among the names for the 3000-meter girls’ run was Xanthia, who had arranged for herself to appear as though she had been “forced” into the event.