Chapter 29 He's digging another hole. I heard my merchandise sells the best?
On Friday evening, after seeing off the last group of guests, Tennis Doujinsha quietly closed the door.
"Alright, let's begin the LUMIERA new product planning meeting," Risa announced, hands on her hips.
After receiving the collaboration invitation from Concept Store, the four discussed naming the brand. After searching through many names, they finally agreed to use "LUMIERA".
In the activity room, Yuzuki had already prepared a projector, and a PowerPoint presentation related to the topic was displayed on a laptop.
Risa stood in front of the whiteboard, a laser pointer pointing to Concept Store's letter of intent for cooperation: "After discussion, we have decided to accept the brand licensing cooperation model. 7% of sales revenue, plus a monthly new product design fee."
Yuzuki clapped her hands excitedly: "That way we won't have to worry about production and sales anymore."
"But there's a condition."
Risa's laser pointer stopped at the additional terms of the contract: "The market price demanded by the other party must be 300% higher than our original price."
The activity room immediately fell silent.
Chika's pen, which was writing, paused: "This...isn't this ripping off tourists?"
“On the contrary.” Risa pressed the page-turning button, and a market analysis chart appeared on the projector. “Concept Store’s customer base consists of mid-to-high-end consumers who are willing to pay a premium for design.”
She pointed to several curves, saying, "In this price range, a moderate price increase can actually enhance the perceived value of the product among the target customer group."
Yuzuki nodded thoughtfully: "Just like the pricing strategy for luxury goods..."
Asuka: "But with this pricing strategy, won't we lose student customers? Or will it provoke public outrage?"
"I've also considered this issue."
Risa smiled, and the screen switched to the new product planning page:
"So we kept the campus-limited series, using basic models to maintain the student market, and the high-end line to target customers who are willing to pay for design."
The design sketches shown in the images primarily depict school-limited series merchandise related to the tennis club. This includes everyday items such as canvas bags, notebooks, pens, badges, holographic cards, keychains, and hair accessories.
The high-end line features a series of unique jewelry designs: a tennis racket brooch inlaid with diamonds, a silk choker inspired by the headband of the Son of God, and a gradient glass bracelet inspired by the eye colors of tennis team members.
Yuzuki's eyes lit up, and she excitedly grabbed Risa's hand: "My God, these designs are absolutely amazing. Risa-chan, you must be the ancient Greek god of business opportunities!"
"Although the production and sales process has become easier after the collaboration, we actually need to put more effort into the design."
She looked up and glanced around the club activity room, her gaze settling on her close friends. "I believe that as long as our team works together, we can definitely make the LUMIERA brand better and better."
As soon as she finished speaking, the three of them reached out their hands in understanding, palms overlapping.
"Tennis Fan Club——"
The girls' clear voices echoed in the activity room.
"We must let LUMIERA's light shine even further."
-
As the club's planning meeting ended, dusk had already fallen.
Risa, carrying a heavy bag of documents, said goodbye to her friends at the school gate and headed home.
As she turned the corner, she suddenly stopped in her tracks—
The handsome young man leaned against the cherry blossom tree, twirling the "hidden" photocard between his fingers.
Risa's fingers tightened, and her heart skipped a beat.
(This guy... could he be here to collect image rights fees?!)
"Matsuno-kun~"
Yukimura looked up and smiled slightly, waving a small card with his chibi image printed on it.
"I heard my merchandise..." he smiled warmly, "...sells the best?"
(Help! This smile is more terrifying than extinguishing the five senses.)
Pear, the unscrupulous merchandise seller, tactically took a half step back: "Yukimura-kun is... waiting for someone?"
After asking the question, he wanted to bite his tongue and commit suicide.
Doesn't this just admit to having a guilty conscience?!
To make matters worse, that absurd dream from a few days ago suddenly flashed back into my mind.
"Hmm." Yukimura slowly walked towards her.
The faint floral scent emanating from him, mingled with the early summer evening breeze, wafted towards me.
Risa unconsciously lowered her eyelashes, her gaze falling on his hands hanging at his sides, his slender, beautiful fingers with distinct knuckles.
In her dream, those hands gripped her wrists tightly, as if burning her skin, causing her to unconsciously curl her fingertips.
"Let's go," he suddenly said.
"Huh?" Risa didn't react for a moment.
“Aka was worried that you would walk alone at night, so he specifically asked me to do this.”
He tilted his head slightly, his hair swaying gently in the night breeze.
"He originally wanted to wait for you to go home together, but I heard he has to hand in three assignments tonight..."
(Akaya, you're such a sweetheart! You're so thoughtful! (*ω*))
(But... could you choose someone else next time?)
(Please, the Son of God? That's terrifying... I'm under so much pressure QAQ.)
"It must be heavy, right? Let me help you." Yukimura reached out and took her handbag.
“…Thank you.” Risa let go of his hand, not bothering to be polite.
This bag is really heavy! Extremely heavy!
Moreover, the straps are very thin and extremely tight on the hands.
The night breeze swept between the two.
"I heard that the merchandise designed by Matsuno is selling quite well."
Risa was quietly moving her numb fingers when she heard this and paused.
(Could it be... that he really is here to collect image rights fees?!)
"Haha...it's all thanks to everyone," she chuckled dryly, changing the subject, "It's barely enough to earn a little pocket money..."
"Really? Akaya was just showing off his new sneakers and racket in the group chat not long ago, saying they were gifts from his sister."
"...That idiot with the seaweed hair! He just loves to show off."
"Bunta even secretly asked me if I could help him get a special custom-made one?"
"puff--"
Risa couldn't help but chuckle. "That greedy little pig, it wouldn't want a strawberry cake design, would it?"
Yukimura took a half-step closer unintentionally, and their shadows overlapped under the streetlight.
"The most interesting one is Yaji, he said..."
"Um?"
"Little seaweed, does your Risa-nee need another little brother?" Yukimura imitated the white fox's usual teasing tone, but laughed out loud after saying it.
"A cunning fox? Forget it." Risa pouted. "I have cute little seaweed, that's enough for me."
“And Yagyu…” Yukimura continued.
“How come even gentlemen…” Risa subconsciously tried to finish the sentence, but stopped halfway through.
She stopped and turned to look at the boy standing under the streetlight.
Under the warm yellow light, those purplish-blue eyes appeared even more profound.
"W-What's wrong?" She felt inexplicably flustered.
“Matsuno-kun seems to…” Yukimura tilted his head slightly, his hair swaying gently in the wind, “to know everyone in the tennis club very well.”
"Really?" Risa unconsciously clenched her fists.
“He knows even their nicknames and preferences perfectly.” He took a step forward, and the distance between them suddenly shortened. “But you’re clearly not that familiar with them…”
"..."
Risa then realized that she had unknowingly fallen into a carefully woven conversational trap from the moment she started talking.
“That…it’s Akaya!” she exclaimed, quick-wittedly.
"That child kept talking about the things concerning the seniors in my ear, and over time..."
"I think so too." Yukimura smiled slightly.
He continued walking forward, and Risa secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The two walked quietly for a while.
"I heard..." he leaned closer, "that my chibi-style keychain is already selling for 5000 yen at Hyotei?"
"Huh?!" Risa suddenly looked up, her nose barely brushing against Yukimura's jawline.
Yukimura smiled: "Yanagi's data is never wrong."
"Damn it!" Risa's back teeth ground together. "An 800 yen keychain being resold for 5000 yen?! These middlemen should line up to drink dry juice, then drink willow juice, and finally experience the iron fist of Vice-Captain Sanada!"
If she had known it would be this popular, she should have stocked up on more goods. She could have acted as both a retailer and a scalper, making a fortune.
"Pfft—"
Yukimura suddenly burst out laughing.
It wasn't the usual perfect, polite smile, but a bright smile that radiated from the depths of her eyes. Her eyes and brows relaxed, like a spring breeze caressing the surface of the Kanagawa Sea.
Risa was so stunned that she even forgot to blink.
It turns out that a beautiful woman's smile can truly be captivating. May the cherry blossoms bloom early, and may spring return to the earth.
“Matsuno-kun,” Yukimura wiped away the tears of laughter, “the way you’re gritting your teeth makes it look like you’re regretting not being a scalper.”
“No way!” Risa retorted, her neck stiff with conviction. “This is a strong condemnation of actions that disrupt market order.”
After saying that, he looked away nervously.
“Speaking of which, I have some things here that might interest you.” Yukimura pulled a brown paper bag from his bag, the opening slightly ajar.
Risa stared at the stack of photos in the paper bag—Kirihara's profile as he slept soundly on his desk, Sanada's slightly furrowed brows as he read, and Niou's sly wink as he played with his braids!
“Exclusive Collector’s Edition,” Yukimura said, shaking the paper bag. The bag made a rustling sound that was incredibly enticing.
"It's not even in Liu's database."
Risa's eyes lit up like a cat finding a can of food, but she also pricked up her ears warily: "What are the terms? You're not going to suddenly have a change of heart, are you?"
"50% commission."
"...Why don't you just rob it?"
"Then... a friend's price, 30%?"
"Twenty percent! That's my bottom line! Plus exclusive authorization!"
"make a deal."
"Huh?"
Risa stood frozen in place. She looked at the boy's arched eyebrows and was certain that she had heard the sound of a demon flapping its wings.
A cool evening breeze swept by.
Oh no, it seems I've fallen into this cunning logic trap again.
"Speaking of which, Matsuno-kun, is there anywhere you'd like to go tomorrow?"
"Hmm?" Risa looked up, falling into the misty purple haze in his eyes.
"You mean... a date?"
Yukimura's eyelashes trembled slightly.
The starry river flowing in her eyes suddenly rippled with tiny waves.
"I don't have any particular ideas for the time being." Risa tapped her chin lightly with her fingertips.
She suddenly remembered an illustration she had seen in her past life—
Under a sky so blue it was almost transparent, the boy lay among a field of sunflowers.
Sunlight filtered through his slender fingers, turning into flowing golden sand that fell upon his delicate face. Amidst the surging waves of flowers, the hem of his shirt fluttered gently in the wind.
He was like an angel who had strayed into the human world, ready to transform into a gentle breeze and disappear into the blue sky at any moment.
"If... I could meet Yukimura-kun in such a sea of flowers..."
She gazed at the swaying shadows of the trees in the distance, her voice as soft as a sigh, "That scene... it must be so beautiful..."
The night wind suddenly stopped.
Risa belatedly covered her mouth, and when she looked up blankly, she saw the reflection of the starry sky in the other person's suddenly widened eyes, and... her own face gradually turning red.
"No...that..."
She gestured awkwardly, "I... I mean... the golden kind like sunflowers..."
“Yes, I know,” Yukimura said in a deep voice.
He turned to face her, the tip of his leather shoe touching hers, and nodded slightly.
"Then it's settled, Matsuno-kun."
His gentle voice was filled with a joyful laugh, like honey mixed into cool spring water.
"I'll pick you up at 8:30 tomorrow morning."
A gentle early summer breeze swept across the street, causing the wisps of hair on his forehead to sway slightly. A few strands playfully brushed against his brows, trembling lightly before his smiling eyes.
The starlight in those eyes was more dazzling than the Milky Way overhead.
Risa looked up, staring blankly, her breathing becoming shallow and still.
(Oh no...)
(This distance is too dangerous...)
What's with that gentle tone and that irresistibly tender gaze?!
Thump, thump—
My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, making my eardrums ache.
Calm down, Comrade Risa!
Standing in front of you is a genuine high school student!
Do you remember how to write the words "minor"? What about moral boundaries?
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Author's Note: As usual, thank you to all the lovely readers who left comments, messages, and donations! You're all beautiful, kind, and have such lovely voices! [heart emoji]
Special thanks to 74993146 and Yun Hanxi for throwing this for me. Thank you both so much! →_→
Chunjiang has nothing to repay you with, so while I'm working hard to write good articles, I wish everyone good health and great wealth! [rainbow fart]
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