"Well, just think of it as helping everyone in this town!" Sui said with a slight smile.
"Yes, if you're the one handling it, Sui, there shouldn't be any issues!"
"Exactly, Sui, you're incredible! We believe in you!"
Everyone's eyes lit up with hope as they placed their faith in Sui.
"Will it be dangerous?" Masako asked, stroking her cheek, a little worried about Sui's safety.
"It'll be fine. It's not like they'll tie us up and kill us if they refuse!" Sōma laughed.
Masako agreed. At worst, the hotel management would just say no.
However, it was unlikely that such a large hotel would take a few students seriously.
After lunch, Sui and the others made their way to the hotel.
The hotel looked very luxurious, and the interior was equally magnificent.
"Wow, this place feels as grand as the Totsuki Hotel. I wonder how much it cost to build this," Sōma said, looking around in awe.
"I didn't know this place existed," Megumi added, equally surprised. She recalled that there had been no such hotel a year ago, but judging by the bustling lobby, it was clearly popular now.
"It seems to have become a well-known tourist attraction," Masako observed. "While this hotel has brought more guests to our town, they've monopolized the seafood supply, making it difficult for the local inns and restaurants to operate."
Just then, a group of people walked through the hall.
"Miss Ann, thanks to the early promotion, our hotel's occupancy rate has surpassed 50% within less than two months of opening. It's expected to reach over 80% soon. At this rate, it will be as popular as the Totsuki Resort," a middle-aged man in a suit, who looked like a manager, was explaining to a beautiful young woman with long, dark green hair.
"Hey, aren't you that... person?" Sōma suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the girl in surprise.
"Hmm?"
The girl, struggling to hold a stack of books, stopped and turned around. When she saw Sōma, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Who are you?"
"Haha, so you do remember me," Sōma laughed, sounding a bit triumphant.
"Who are you?" Ann asked again, frowning deeper.
"Miss Ann, do you know this boy?" the manager beside her asked.
"No, I don't. Let's go," An said, shaking her head dismissively, clearly having forgotten Sōma.
"Hello, long time no see," Sui greeted with a smile. He hadn't expected to see Ann here. It seemed the financial backer behind this hotel was WGO.
"It's you! What are you doing here?" Ann was stunned for a moment when she recognized Sui. Her expression quickly turned hostile.
She would never forget this guy who had interfered with her plans!
Sōma felt a little dejected. Why did she remember Sui but completely forget about him?
"Am I that unremarkable?" he muttered helplessly.
Yoshino and Ryoko glanced at him and nodded seriously.
"Ah, I'm just here because this is a classmate's hometown, and I've been staying for a few days," Sui explained with a smile.
"Hey, if Sui is acquainted with this girl who seems to be in charge, then things should be easier to handle," joked one of the uncles from Megumi's family.
"Who knows him? I still remember all the outrageous things he did to me! To be precise, he's more of an enemy!" Ann retorted indignantly. As she grew more agitated, the books in her hands started to wobble, and she quickly steadied them.
"Something outrageous? An enemy?" Everyone was stunned, their expressions turning a bit odd.
Seeing her reaction, it didn't seem like they were enemies. It looked more like she was an ex-girlfriend.
"Ah, I see! So you're Sui's ex-girlfriend? That explains a lot!" an uncle exclaimed as if he had an epiphany.
"Sui, it seems you were quite the romantic before meeting Megumi," another teased.
"Yes, indeed."
The others joined in, laughing.
Sui was left speechless, and Ann's face turned bright red with anger and embarrassment. She gritted her teeth and shouted, "Who's this guy's ex-girlfriend?! If there's nothing else, I'm leaving!"
With that, she stormed off, clutching the books in her hands furiously.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Sui called after her.
"What now?" An stopped impatiently, poking her head out from behind the pile of books, struggling to keep them balanced.
"Um, we actually came here to ask for your help with something," Sui explained.
"Oh? Help?" An's expression changed to one of interest, and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
"Yes, this hotel is owned by the WGO, right? They've monopolized the seafood market here, driving up prices, and it's causing a lot of trouble for the local residents and restaurant owners," Sui said. "We were hoping you could talk to them about selling seafood at a reasonable price."
"Is that so?" Ann turned to the manager beside her.
She was only here to inspect the newly built hotel and wasn't aware of the specific operations.
"Well, that's true," the manager admitted after a moment's hesitation. "The hotel has just opened, and we're struggling with cash flow in the early stages. To cover the losses, we had to raise the price of seafood."
"You heard him, right? Lowering the price is out of the question!" Ann stuck her tongue out at Sui, looking like a mischievous child showing off.
Everyone was speechless.
"Hey, Sui, you'd better persuade your ex-girlfriend. Otherwise, no one will be able to afford seafood anymore," an uncle said to Sui.
"What ex-girlfriend? I heard that!" Ann shouted angrily, then lifted her head defiantly and huffed, "I was thinking of helping, but now, no way!"
Sui was left speechless.
"She wasn't planning to help in the first place, was she?" Yoshino complained.
"So, what do you think? Will you help us?" Sui asked, rubbing his forehead, feeling a headache coming.