Locking In With My Life System

[Ding!]

[Exclusive Quests Updated!]

⸢Exclusive Quests

› Alright, Mr. Management Sim.

└ Optimize the fundraiser – [0.5 LP]

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Aiden’s lips quirked.

Now he didn’t even need to use the ⸢FAQ⸥ function to ascertain that his system definitely had access to his memories.

Which was why,

’You’re never beating the allegations. Never.’ he inwardly remarked as he dismissed the panel.

By now, the gang was moving over to one of the games at the park.

Aiden on the other hand had split off, casually walking up to meet with Megan and Damian instead.

”So... who’s late?” he asked of the student council secretary who turned to face him.

”Oh, Aiden. Hi,” Megan greeted despite her growing frustration.

”It’s the session musicians Mrs. Delacroix hired. They were supposed to arrive two hours ago,” she then explained.

”What’s more annoying, is that they’re also supposed to perform at the homecoming dance tomorrow, but she can’t even manage to get across to them. How’re we supposed to trust them with that if we can’t even trust them with this?” Damian on the other hand added, his eyes glancing over to his wristwatch.

”Ah, I see.” Aiden let out in understanding.

Silverlake High’s PTA and student committee had a habit of hiring session musicians, usually from within the community over the years to set the atmosphere for the fundraisers.

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t even be having this issue since they had a group of trusted session musicians to select from.

The only reason they probably had to hire a new bunch, was if all the other ones they knew had already been booked prior to today. At least that was the natural conclusion Aiden came to.

That said,

”They most definitely won’t be available for the homecoming dance, but if it’s just for the fundraisers, why not have my buddies perform?” Aiden casually offered, his head tilted slightly.

”Oh, and don’t worry. They have a lot of G-rated songs in their back pockets.” he added for good measure.

To that, Megan and Damian blinked a couple times.

Then they looked to each other, only to palm their foreheads a moment after.

How did they not think of that?!

In fact, even if Aiden hadn’t said that last part, they could’ve just asked them to perform a couple amongst many popular songs that were much the same.

”Happens to the best of us,” Aiden chuckled a bit as he left while waving them goodbye;

”I’ll go inform them.”

”Wait, you’re not performing with them?” Damian curiously asked.

”Nope. I’ve gotta keep the event satisfaction high and prevent a couple students from tapping out.” Aiden audibly remarked as he kept walking, a relaxed air to his whole demeanor.

Considering more parents and alumni were starting to trickle in faster, it was only a matter of time before everything became too much for the current volunteers and committee members to handle.

As for Megan and Damian, they looked to each other once again, unsure of what to make of his words.

A moment after Damian hijacked two freshmen to help him bring over the musical instruments from the theatre nearby, while Megan followed after Aiden, clearly concerned by his words.

By then, the youth had located the gang whom were currently gearing to play the beanbag toss.

”Guys, your time has come,” he slung an arm over Clyde and Benjamin’s shoulder while looking to Larry.

Naturally, all five’s expression shifted to curiosity, Casper and Theo even looking at each other briefly and shrugging slightly.

”The student committee’s having a bit of a situation and would like you to substitute for their unresponsive session musicians. G-rated songs, please.” he expatiated, a light grin on his features.

No sooner had he said that, he left the now clearly excited trio, to which Casper immediately said;

”[Young Love], boys! Perform it!”

Following that was a light chuckle from Theo, a favorable ’Yes!’ from Benjamin and clear ’No’s!’ from Clyde and Larry as they moved to the center of the park.

Not bothering to hear where the conversation would go, Aiden simply made his way over to the service station the volunteers and student committee were trooping back and forth from.

”Okay... that’s bad,” Megan whom had caught up to him realized what he’d meant when she saw the frantic to and fro from the volunteers.

Even their teachers whom were helping them to restock the snacks and drinks were looking notably tired and frustrated as the stream of orders constantly seemed to roll in.

”Yep,” Aiden replied as he picked up one of the committee brassards from the sideboard and slipped it onto his arms, his movements a bit too relaxed.

As Megan watched him with growing curiosity, it didn’t take long before she asked;

”You’ve decided to join the committee?”

”Not sure,” Aiden replied to which he then began walking away, a thin smile on his lips.

”Then why’d you wear it?!” she called out after him.

”Figured I’d help fix a few bottlenecks!” Aiden replied as he twirled around, a confident smile on his lips.

No sooner had he said that, his gaze began studying the most clogged area from afar.

A moment after, Aiden reached the alumni and parent-centric region of the park.

Simultaneously letting out a deep breath upon arrival, his entire demeanor shifted from relaxed to professional, a perpetually cordial smile slipping onto his visage.

Immediately, he began ordering;

”Okay everyone, quick adjustments!” Aiden clapped twice, his voice neither loud nor commanding.

Yet, it drew the attention of the nearest volunteers whom were clearly running on empty tanks.

At the same time, parents, teachers, staffs, his buddies, his peers and practically half the people at the fundraiser looked in his direction, a mixture of confusion and curiosity on their features.

Without waiting, the youth pointed at the first two volunteers nearest to him and said;

”You two, stop running orders. I’ll handle that.”

”Instead, walk the queues and ask every student waiting what they’re ordering before they reach the front. Burgers, hotdogs, drinks, baked goods, keep it simple.”

”Jot and highlight it on a little note if it’d make things easier on your memory, then relay it to the sellers so they know what they’re working with in advance,”

”That way they can inform you if they’re running out, and you guys subsequently to those on queue so they can plan ahead and not linger at the front any longer than is necessary.”

Without missing a beat, he pointed to another pair;

”Ladies. You’re now on drinks and nothing else. One of you restocks the coolers before they go empty and the other hands them over the moment someone asks,”

”Oh, and get some sugar into your system immediately. You’re already tired enough as is, and we wouldn’t want you fainting on us.” he added.

Then to one junior in particular amidst them who looked to have been idly lingering for the fear of not disrupting the previous flow, he said;

”You be the runner. The moment any stand starts running low, tell the service station before they run out. That way we can preemptively prepare and relay it to the parents.”

For a moment, all five were glued to their spot, as was practically most people at the fundraiser as they watched the coal-haired youth list out one command after the other with pin-point explanations as to why.

Then their senses suddenly snapped and they immediately hurried off to do as they were told.

As for the rest of the students and volunteers who looked like they had a lot of fuel in the tank left, Aiden began strategically directing them to the most clogged regions.

No sooner had he done that, he walked over to the nearest table with the least snacks and drinks, and asked;

”Messieurs, Mademoiselles. Lovely evening we’re having, don’t you think? What would like to have?”

Startled by the sudden yet genuine hospitality at their table, especially considering they’d been constantly calling over since but to no avail, they all immediately began to request;

”Can I get three brownies and a bottle of water? Oh, and two cinnamon rolls for the kids.” one of the mums asked with a gesture of her fingers.

”I’ll take two chocolate chip cookies and a blueberry muffin.” one of the alumni asked, a light smile on her features.

”Red velvet cake, please. That’s all.” one of the fathers at the table also requested.

”Alright. A minute, please.” Aiden immediately went off to the service station.

As he did, one confused parent called out;

”Excuse me! Where’s the raffle booth?”

”Blue canopy, straight ahead and to your right, sir!” Aiden answered before immediately calling to his buddies whom were looking at him in a mix of awe and surprise;

”Casper. Theo. Please grab a cardboard and draw a giant arrow and word ’raffle’ on it. Big enough for everyone to see. Slap it onto the closest banner to the raffle booth for easy navigation!”

”Got it, Captain!” Casper saluted with a grin, he and Theo walking off to do as instructed, an acknowledging smile on their lips.

”Hi-Fi Radio, quit with the choice paralysis and perform [Young Love] right now!” he immediately turned his attention to the trio, a hint of amusement in his tone.

”Oh, come on!” Larry and Clyde begrudgingly let out to which Benjamin victoriously pumped his fists into the air!

To it, Aiden simply laughed as he arrived at the service station, flashed Megan a grin, picked up the orders, branched at the ladies in charge of drinks and went right back to the parents and alumni at the table. All in less than two minutes.

Having arrived at the venue literally a couple minutes ago, Principal Walters watched on from afar with a small nod, a genuinely impressed expression on his features as he inwardly remarked;

’Reorganizing half the workflow within a few minutes... I can see why they want him on the committee.’

As for Clarissa and Daisy whom had been seated near each other alongside their usual clique of girls, the queen bee couldn’t help but bury her head into her palms, a deep blush forming on her cheeks;

”This is gonna be hard. This is gonna be so hard for me! Why in tarnation did it have to be him?!”

To that, Daisy simply pat her back in understanding... one that had Lizzie’s eyes narrowing from the bench just opposite them as Kevin whom was seated next to her on the table remarked while watching Aiden;

”Wow... that’s just... wow...”

As for Megan, her pupils had long dilated as the lines started moving faster, the volunteers looked less stressed, the teachers less frustrated and the parents happier.

”The hell is this man...” she incredulously muttered.

”Beats me. He’s growing so fast, I don’t even know what to make of it.” Richard casually said, startling the lady who jolted to the side as the man kept speaking.

”Hi. Richard North. Aiden’s father.” the handsomely-rugged middle-aged man introduced himself, a proud fatherly smile on his lips and his hands tucked in his pockets.

Naturally, Megan’s eyes widened again.

”I was supposed to prank him by pretending I wouldn’t make it, but I’m the one who’s clearly stunned here.” Richard expatiated, only for Aiden to spot him from afar, his olive-green irises constricting and his smile widening by the second.

Clearly, he was glad to see his old man whom was equally waving at him at the moment.

Then, as if a lightbulb sparked to life atop his head, the youth’s features brightened, Then, he suddenly checked his wristwatch.

Immediately after, a devious smile touched his lips, one that evidently caught not only Richard, but Megan off-guard.

”Um... why is he looking at me like that?” the man warily asked of no one in particular as Aiden began to walk over, the grin only widening by the second.