A successful counterattack!
Seeing Haruno Yukinoshita visibly flustered gave Kotomi Izumi a deep sense of satisfaction. With someone like Haruno—who had long since shed her "cheerful big sister" disguise to reveal her mischievous, cunning true self—there was nothing more satisfying than turning the tables and making her eat her words.
It wasn't anything personal, really. Just as Haruno enjoyed teasing Yukino and toying with Kotomi, Kotomi enjoyed seeing Haruno stumble a little.
Her counterattack had been quick, precise, and devastatingly effective. Haruno, who had been expecting a flustered and blushing Kotomi, never saw the "Not even a dog would believe that" coming.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're even more manipulative than I am?" Haruno said, feigning a pout.
"If we're talking about who's more cunning," Kotomi said with a shrug, "it's always one rival countering another. You think I'm more sly, but I know someone even worse—a noisy, never-silent little devil."
At the mention of Iroha Isshiki, Kotomi couldn't help the slight upward curve of her lips.
"Hey, hey, what's this? Did I just see you smile? You totally did!" Haruno teased. "You sounded like you were talking about someone very special to you. And from that description, it's definitely not my little sister. Tch—unbelievable. You already have Yukino, and if that's still not enough, you could always count me in too! You've got both of us, and yet you're still thinking about another woman?"
As she spoke, Haruno dramatically brushed the corner of her eyes as if wiping away nonexistent tears. Her expression was that of a heartbroken girl confronting a cheating lover—sorrowful, hurt, yet still hopelessly in love. As if, even knowing her girlfriend was a shameless flirt whispering sweet nothings to dozens of girls, she couldn't help but forgive her the moment she said, "I'll only love you from now on."
Kotomi held back a laugh. Good thing I didn't take a sip of soda just now, she thought, or I'd have spat it all over the floor after hearing that line.
When Haruno said earlier that Kotomi was more manipulative than she was, that had to be an act—playing dumb. Maybe not necessarily stronger, but definitely a worthy opponent.
"I just realized that you not becoming an actress is an absolute waste of talent," Kotomi said dryly.
"Flattery, flattery," Haruno replied with a smile. "But I've never considered pursuing acting. Too much pressure. Still, I do believe that no matter what you do, it's good to have at least a bit of acting skill. After all, most human communication is just a constant game of performance, isn't it?"
One moment ago, Haruno had looked genuinely heartbroken; the next, she was back to her usual self—calm, amused, and smug. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as if to say: Nice try, little one. You've got a long way to go before you can beat your big sister.
"So your strained relationship with Yukino," Kotomi said suddenly, "is that just another act too?"
Haruno's expression faltered for just a moment before she quickly composed herself. When she looked back at Kotomi, her smile was even deeper than before.
"Ms. Izumi," she said softly, "smart people know not only how to think—but also when to keep quiet."
Kotomi met her gaze and replied without hesitation, "Of course I understand that~ That's exactly why I'm asking you this right now. If I didn't know when to speak, I wouldn't be asking."
Then she gestured subtly for Haruno to look around. Compared to other parts of the school, this spot was relatively quiet. A few people passed by from time to time, but overall, it was calm.
Haruno glanced around and chuckled. "You know, Ms. Izumi, sometimes I feel like you're not a high school student at all. You're like an adult who's spent years maneuvering through society—flawless in every move. Honestly, it's kind of terrifying."
Reaching out with both hands, Haruno gently cupped Kotomi's face, her eyes softening.
"Ms. Izumi, you have a younger sister too, right? How do you think sisters should get along? Should they treat each other like senior and junior family members? Or… as rivals?"
"If you're seriously asking me that," Kotomi said with a sigh, "I'd only be able to give a polite, textbook answer. As for what I personally think… honestly, I don't really know."
"Oh? So even Ms. Izumi doesn't get along with her sister?"
"No, our relationship is actually really good."
Haruno Yukinoshita looked at Kotomi with slight confusion, unable to understand why, if their relationship was fine, Kotomi still couldn't answer from personal experience.
"Well, whatever. Let's change the subject. Want a drink?"
"Hmm? That's not your usual style of changing the topic, Ms. Izumi. Normally, you're much smoother about it."
"Just like you've taken off your 'cheerful big sister' mask in front of me, I'm choosing to be more honest too. If there's a topic I don't want to continue, I won't bother trying to find a tactful way out of it."
"Nice. I like that kind of honesty," Haruno said with a grin. "Does this mean we're now close confidants~?"
"Close confidants? With you?" Kotomi gave her a quick once-over and smirked. "Heh, I'll pass."
"Oh, come on. Am I not qualified to be your confidant?"
"Nope. Thanks anyway. So, what drink do you want?"
"What, so you don't want me as your friend—does that mean you'd rather have me as your girlfriend? Wow, so that's what you were after all along! You hid it so well, but now your true intentions are showing~!" Haruno said excitedly, like she'd just discovered a new continent. Then she added, "I'll have a chestnut milk tea, please."
"...Buy it yourself."
"Eh? Don't go, Ms. Izumi! I'll treat you to a drink—how about Coca-Cola? You love cola, right? Wait, why are you walking faster?! Ms. Izumi, wait for me!"
At the corner of the first-floor staircase, Haruno finally caught up to Kotomi and grabbed her by the hand.
Just moments ago, she'd been acting like a heartbroken girl scolding her unfaithful lover. But now, as she chased after Kotomi, she looked and sounded like a desperate lover calling out, "Kotomi! Kotomi! How could I live without you?!" trying to win back a lost romance.
Kotomi truly thought it was a waste of talent that Haruno hadn't become an actress.
"I still say you should be an actress," Kotomi said dryly.
"Flattery, flattery~" Haruno chuckled. "I admit I do have the talent for it, but I've never been interested in acting."
See? In just a blink, her entire expression had changed again. Even a professionally trained actor would've been impressed by how fast she could switch faces.
Kotomi was about to reply when her gaze suddenly fell on someone approaching from a distance—Shizuka Hiratsuka. Her expression looked unusually grim.
Perhaps sensing Kotomi's stare, Shizuka instinctively looked up—and her eyes immediately met Kotomi's… as well as the sight of Haruno Yukinoshita standing beside her, still holding Kotomi's hand.
Today, as always, Shizuka Hiratsuka wore long pants. Her black hair was left loose behind her back, her shirt was not perfectly smooth but neat enough, and over it, as usual, she wore a white lab coat. It was exactly the same outfit she always wore—no difference at all.
Kotomi had thought that since today was the first day of the culture festival, maybe Shizuka would dress differently—perhaps even wear a skirt.
Kotomi had always wanted to see Shizuka in a skirt and often teased her, saying, "Ah~ Shizuka-sensei, when will you wear a skirt for me to see? You can't possibly go three whole years until I graduate without ever showing me, right? That would be such a tragic regret of my high school life."
Every time Kotomi said that, Shizuka would pinch her cheek and reply, "You're only in your first year of high school. How are you already thinking about graduating three years from now? Other students at least wait until Monday to start dreaming about Friday's break. The worst of them think about the next holiday on the very first day of school. But you? You're already planning three years ahead after just three months of high school."
Shizuka would talk for quite a while, but her real goal was simply to steer Kotomi away from the idea of wanting to see her in a skirt.
Still, that never stopped Kotomi. If anything, her curiosity only grew stronger. Whenever she had the chance, she'd sneak up to Shizuka and whisper in her ear, "Shizuka-chan, when will you wear a skirt for me~?"
On a normal day, Kotomi probably would've done that now too—asking why Shizuka wasn't wearing a skirt and adding, "Shizuka-chan, I really want to see you in one~."
But at the moment, she couldn't. Her hand was still being held tightly by Haruno Yukinoshita, who showed no sign of letting go. Kotomi couldn't exactly pull away without making a scene. She felt helpless—Fine, hold my hand if you must. When it's just the two of us, I don't even mind if you hug me. But at least let go now! Shizuka-chan is coming this way!
Kotomi was already imagining herself pretending to be an innocent girl being harassed by an evil older woman—pitifully begging Shizuka for help once she arrived.
If Shizuka saw that, she'd definitely act on impulse, rush in to defend Kotomi, and smack the "evil big sister" Haruno away with a single slap.
Although… Kotomi remembered Haruno had mentioned earlier that she'd studied aikido.
It might not be a fair thought, but Kotomi couldn't help being curious—if Shizuka and Haruno actually fought, who would win?
As Shizuka approached, she called out, "Kotomi, you're not with Yui and the others? And…"
Her expression changed the moment she noticed Kotomi's hand being held by Haruno. The normally calm teacher's eyes turned sharp, and without hesitation, she reached out as if to pull Kotomi to her side.
And Haruno? Anyone else would've let go by now. But not her. She stubbornly refused to release Kotomi's hand, her grip firm and possessive. "Scheming" didn't even begin to describe her—this was obsession laced with mischief.
To an outsider, it might've looked exactly like a love triangle showdown: Haruno Yukinoshita and Shizuka Hiratsuka, both in love with the same sinful woman, Kotomi Izumi. Shizuka, upon witnessing Haruno holding Kotomi's hand, had stepped in—and now the air was thick with tension, like the calm before a lovers' quarrel.
Standing between them, Kotomi felt immense pressure, half-expecting one of them to demand, Between the two of us, who do you love more?!
If that really happened, Kotomi had already thought up her answer: she'd put her left arm around Haruno, her right around Shizuka, and declare proudly—
"I'm sincere toward both of you. Heaven and earth can bear witness—you're both the women I love most. We share an intimate bond, and I'm deeply moved by how much you cherish me. But please, don't ever ask me to choose between you again. For your own good, the two of you should both marry me. And when we have children someday, they'll all take my surname!"
Perfect.
Although Kotomi Izumi only dared to think these things in her head, she was deeply impressed by her own cleverness. She didn't really want a day to come when she'd have to say such words out loud—but if it ever did happen, if one day the girls she loved were to ask her, "Between the two of us, who do you really like?" or even "Between all of us, who do you love the most?", Kotomi believed she'd be ready to answer confidently.
At the very least, she was satisfied with the response she had come up with. Because choosing one person meant giving up on another—and Kotomi didn't want that. Why should she have to choose at all? If she truly had to make a choice, then she'd simply choose to marry them all.
As for whether the girls she loved would actually be happy hearing that answer…
Kotomi wasn't sure.
Probably… satisfied… right?
Her gaze returned to Shizuka Hiratsuka and Haruno Yukinoshita.
Shizuka was pulling on Kotomi's arm, trying to bring her to her side, scolding her at the same time:
"Kotomi, what did we talk about during the school's safety lecture? 'When approached by strangers, maintain caution and keep your distance.' I remember you were the one who read that line aloud, weren't you?"
Haruno, on the other hand, was smiling sweetly, her hands resting lightly on Kotomi's shoulders. Despite her expression seeming friendly, her tone carried a subtle challenge.
"Tsk tsk tsk, now that's not very fair. We've known each other since childhood, haven't we? We used to play together all the time—and technically, you're even older than me~ Saying things like that in front of Kotomi is really hurtful, you know?"
"I'm just doing my duty to make sure Kotomi stays safe," Shizuka replied firmly.
"Oh? So you're her bodyguard now? Not bad, Kotomi! Having Shizuka as your personal protector sounds pretty impressive. Got any openings? I'd like to sign up too—I want to be your personal bodyguard!" Haruno said teasingly before turning her grin toward Shizuka. "By the way, Shizuka, did I somehow offend you? We usually get along fine, don't we? You even gave me my culture festival ticket. So why do you look like you've been chewing gunpowder today?"
"If I hadn't seen you holding Kotomi's hand, I'd still be treating you nicely. Now let go of her!"
"Oh my, are you jealous?" Haruno gasped dramatically. "Careful now—I'm warning you, the age gap between you and Kotomi is way too big. I can't approve this marriage! I was actually planning to set Kotomi up with Yukino, but if you try to steal her away, don't blame me for turning against my dear friend."
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Shizuka snapped, her face turning red.
"Ah, there it is!" Haruno exclaimed gleefully. "See that, Ms. Izumi? Shizuka's weakness—she can't lie! Whenever she says something untrue, it shows on her face immediately. Of course, maybe she's just gotten thinner-skinned with age. I still remember when we were kids, she once lied to me using a fake name. Her face didn't even twitch back then! I believed that fake name for years—until just two weeks ago, when I finally learned what her real name* was."
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