Shizuka Hiratsuka took a deep breath, calming her heart.
Kotomi Izumi was like an intoxicating poison—one that made people willingly let it seep into their blood and bones.
"After today ends, my resignation will be official. I wanted to take one last look at the scenery of Sobu High School." Shizuka's gaze drifted back to the window. Watching the lively bustle of the cultural festival below, her tone carried quiet emotion.
"When are you leaving?"
"After five this evening, probably. I've already packed up the office, except for a few small things. I'll finish boxing them up around one or two in the afternoon."
Shizuka smiled faintly. She had chosen to leave quietly, without any announcements or farewells. She didn't know how to face the students of Class 1-F once they found out she was resigning—and she hadn't told many colleagues either.
She was not good at goodbyes. Since that was the case, she wanted this one to be as quiet as possible.
"I meant, when are you leaving Japan? What date is your flight?"
At that, Kotomi Izumi laughed softly, though her voice trembled slightly.
"Remember how we planned to have dinner with your mom in November and pretend to be a couple? Looks like we don't need to do that anymore, huh? By next month, you'll probably already be in England."
As she said this, Kotomi felt a faint sting in her chest. She wasn't ready to part with Shizuka Hiratsuka just yet.
But before she could turn away to wipe the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, she heard Shizuka speak in a dazed tone:
"What date's my flight? I haven't bought the ticket yet."
"Eh?"
Kotomi's urge to cry vanished instantly, replaced by disbelief. She hadn't even bought the ticket yet? If Kotomi were in charge, she would've already booked the flight, arranged the hotel, and even chosen where to have the first meal after landing in England.
Seeing Kotomi's confused look, Shizuka scratched her cheek awkwardly and said with a sheepish smile:
"Actually, not only have I not bought the ticket, I haven't even gotten my passport yet. Hehehe~"
"Hah?!"
Kotomi's frustration replaced any trace of sadness. Did this woman have no sense of time at all?
Seeing Kotomi's exasperated face, Shizuka immediately tried to explain:
"Wait, from that look, you probably think I'm one of those totally disorganized adults with no sense of time, huh?"
Kotomi didn't hesitate—she nodded firmly.
"You're misunderstanding, Kotomi. Just because I resigned today doesn't mean I'm leaving for England right away. I'll still be in Japan until at least next August."
Kotomi froze for a moment before realizing—of course. The Royal College of Art's school year started in September. Since this year's already over, Shizuka wouldn't be leaving until next fall.
"So that means... the pretend-couple dinner is still on, huh?"
"November 6," Shizuka said seriously. "I'll pick you up at your house that day, and we'll go to Ginza for dinner."
Then she added with equal solemnity:
"I might not have told you before, but my mom's been earning pretty well lately. So when we order, don't be shy. Order as much as you like—just eat until you're full."
Originally, Kotomi had thought pretending to be Shizuka's girlfriend at dinner would be troublesome, but now that the plan was still happening, she couldn't help but feel secretly happy.
Still, she couldn't believe what Shizuka had just said.
"Eh? But... in Ginza? Are you sure it's okay if I don't hold back ordering there? Don't worry about me getting full. Worst case, you can just treat me to Burger King or McDonald's afterward. Ramen or fried rice would be fine too."
Kotomi had eaten in Ginza before. Most people's first impression of the place was that dining there was expensive—and they were right.
Even though Kotomi could easily afford it, she still made a habit of ordering modestly whenever she ate there. Not because she couldn't pay—she could eat three meals a day in Ginza if she wanted—but because... well, it just felt like the polite thing to do.
Still, Kotomi felt that spending so much money on a meal in Ginza just to get full wasn't really worth it.
Eating in Ginza wasn't about filling your stomach—it was about the atmosphere. The businesslike environment, the refined decor, the sense of luxury that came with every course.
It was the same with any high-end restaurant. The food might not taste extraordinarily unique or otherworldly—it was simply well-prepared and delicious. Not like in those gourmet anime where the dishes sparkle with golden light the moment they're served.
The reason for the high prices was simple—what you were really paying for was the restaurant's brand, the ambiance, and the service.
There was a certain French restaurant Kotomi visited regularly. The owner happened to be a friend of Kaneyoshi Izumi, so whenever Kotomi came by, the staff would always take extra care of her.
Their confit de canard, puff pastry onion soup, veal blanquette, foie gras, minced beef gratin with mashed potatoes, Bordeaux lamprey, and caramel soufflé cheesecake with cream were all dishes Kotomi ordered without fail each time.
Everything tasted exquisite. From appetizers to main course, dessert to drinks—every item suited her taste perfectly.
Because the owner was Kaneyoshi's friend, he would always remind the chef to increase the portion sizes whenever Kotomi visited. Even her juice was upgraded to a large glass.
Otherwise, with the usual delicate French portions, Kotomi would never be full.
Of course, one of the main reasons she liked going there wasn't just the food.
It was because all the waitresses were stunningly beautiful—and they all wore black stockings as part of their uniform.
So whenever Kotomi dined there alone, she was never bored waiting for her food, because her eyes never left the waitresses for even a second.
Incidentally, Kotomi had the contact information of every attractive waitress in that restaurant—half from her own flirting, and half from the waitresses giving it to her voluntarily.
Whenever she went alone, before her food arrived, she would often act cute and coquettish, asking one of the older waitresses to feed her a bite.
Faced with Kotomi's sweetness, none of them could resist. They would instantly melt under the power of her charm.
But back to the main point—when dining with important clients, or on meaningful occasions with family or a loved one, it was natural to want a restaurant that offered not only good food but also the right atmosphere.
That atmosphere—the high-end restaurant provided it.
And, of course, that atmosphere came with a price tag, often including an additional service fee.
Many of the restaurants in Ginza were exactly like that.
That was why Kotomi felt a little embarrassed about ordering too much.
But Shizuka Hiratsuka, on the other hand, didn't seem to care at all about her mother's wallet. She encouraged Kotomi to order as much as she needed to be full.
There's no way Shizuka doesn't know how much I can eat, Kotomi thought. She's eaten with me before—she's already seen my slightly large appetite.
Seeing Kotomi hesitate, Shizuka wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leaning close with a conspiratorial smile.
"Don't worry. My mom's been making a lot lately—she's bragged about it on the phone several times already. She's super proud. So when the time comes, make sure you eat plenty, and pick the expensive dishes."
"Haha... I just hope your mom doesn't get angry when she sees how many pricey dishes I've ordered and decide to hit me."
"Relax, my mom's not that petty. And if she does try to hit you, I'll protect you. I've been getting smacked around by her since I was a kid—my defense stats are high enough to cover you," Shizuka said confidently.
Kotomi let out a small laugh. Joking about it was fine now, but when the day came, she definitely wouldn't order that many expensive dishes.
After all, she still wanted to leave a good impression on Shizuka's parents.
Perhaps because she'd just learned that Shizuka Hiratsuka wouldn't be leaving so soon, Kotomi Izumi suddenly felt a weight lift off her chest. Her smile gradually returned.
"So what are you going to do after resigning? You still have until next August before heading to England."
Kotomi asked with a teasing grin, half-expecting Shizuka to say something like: 'I want to spend the time with you, Kotomi. Who knows, maybe after pretending to be a couple for that long, we'll end up truly falling in love?'
"Stay at home and get some proper rest. Catch up on all the manga I haven't had time to read. Oh—and I want to order my favorite pizza and snacks, maybe a bowl of ramen, then watch the One Piece movies!"
Shizuka answered cheerfully, listing her simple but sincere plans without a hint of hesitation.
Kotomi blinked, then tugged the corner of her mouth into an incredulous smile. "I really can't expect too much from you, can I, you hopelessly straight-laced woman? Staying home and reading manga? Hah. Just marry your manga already."
After that sharp comment, Kotomi turned on her heel and walked away in an annoyed huff.
Shizuka stood there, momentarily dumbfounded. Did I say something wrong? Kotomi had asked what she planned to do, hadn't she?
Watching Kotomi's pouting back as she left, Shizuka stayed frozen in confusion, still trying to figure out what she'd said wrong—and what on earth "hopeless straight-laced woman" was supposed to mean.
"Women really are mysterious creatures… Little Kotomi's thoughts are impossible to read... Wait, I'm a woman too."
Sighing helplessly, Shizuka reached into her pocket for a cigarette—only to remember her pack was empty.
...
Still sulking, Kotomi went to the maid café and ordered fried shrimp omurice with a Pepsi.
When Akira Hiyama saw Kotomi walk in, she greeted her quickly, then hurried off toward the staff storage room—which also doubled as a small break room.
There, sitting lazily in a chair, scrolling on her phone, was Ruriya Hojo.
Akira poked her lightly. "Stop slacking off and get moving."
"Mmm... Senpai, you're overworking your employees. I've only been on break for five minutes. I made six servings of fried rice this morning—my arms are dead," Ruriya mumbled tiredly.
"Please, I'm doing you a favor. Your little crush Kotomi just walked in. She ordered fried shrimp omurice and a Pepsi. She even looked around and asked me in a quiet voice, 'Is Ruriya not here today?' Tsk, tsk, tsk. You know what that means, right? She's got you on her mind—wait, huh? Where did you go?"
Akira stopped mid-sentence, glancing around—only to find the seat empty. Ruriya Hojo had vanished in the blink of an eye.
Akira turned toward the café floor and, sure enough, there she was—Ruriya, already sitting across from Kotomi, chatting and laughing as if she'd teleported there.
"I mean, I get it—seeing your crush show up would make anyone excited—but this is a bit too much, don't you think? How did she even get there so fast? Instant transmission?" Akira muttered, half exasperated, half amused. Watching them together, she couldn't suppress the warm, teasing smile curling on her lips.
"Akira, I brought the mustard you asked for... huh? What are you doing hiding behind the door?" came a cool voice.
Usa Saion had just entered the room from the other side, carrying a cardboard box.
"Oh, thank you! I'll take it to the kitchen in a bit."
"It's fine. It's not heavy. I'll get back to work then."
"Alright, alright~ Oh, and Usa—don't forget to smile a little more, okay?"
"...Don't bother me." Usa's tone was as cold as ever.
As she walked toward the door, Usa's eyes happened to fall on Kotomi and Ruriya sitting together in the distance. For an instant, her calm expression twisted—displeasure flashing across her face as her brows furrowed.
"Akira, don't tell me you were spying on that woman and Ruriya just now?"
"Honestly, Usa, you know Kotomi Izumi's name. Calling her 'that woman' is a bit rude, don't you think? And yes, I was watching her and Ruriya just now. Don't you think they look good together? Ruriya's been secretly in love with Kotomi for ages. I just wonder if Kotomi's noticed her feelings yet."
"Good together?!" Usa Saion's voice suddenly rose, startling Akira Hiyama enough to make her flinch. Thankfully, the storage room door was closed, so the noise didn't carry out. "All I see is something disgusting. What's so good about that? A girl falling for another girl... that's the most disgusting thing in the world! Are they sick in the head or just mentally broken?"
"Usa, even if you don't understand it, you shouldn't say things like that…" Akira said weakly. "Everyone has the right to choose who they love. I think what matters most in love is mutual affection, not gender."
Akira's tone softened, but her stance was clear. Even so, her confidence faltered slightly under Usa's cold intensity.
"If that's what you believe, then fine. Keep watching them if you want. I'd rather look at a pile of rotten meat than see those two sitting together. I'm leaving. I'll come back when Kotomi's gone."
Usa's words were sharp, and with that, she turned and walked out, leaving Akira standing there alone and uncertain.
Out in the café, Kotomi Izumi's ear twitched slightly. She'd caught the tail end of Usa's voice—someone named Usa Saion clearly had a problem with her.
Kotomi smiled faintly, unbothered. Compared to that girl's disgust, she was far more concerned about whether her fried shrimp omurice would taste good—and when it would be ready.
"Kotomi, the short break starts tomorrow. How are you planning to spend the next few days? I'll be going to my grandparents' place with my parents tomorrow, but I'll be back the day after. Do you have time then? I was thinking... maybe we could go see a movie together. There's a new one coming out with really good reviews."
Ruriya Hojo's cheeks turned slightly pink as she extended the invitation, her heart beating faster and faster as she spoke.
Kotomi took a sip of her coffee—extra sweet, with plenty of milk and cream—and replied apologetically:
"I'd love to go with you, Ruriya, but I'll be heading to Kyoto during the break. Sorry~ Let's go to the movies next time instead, okay?"
"O-oh, I see... A trip to Kyoto, huh? That sounds nice. When you get there, take some pretty pictures and send them to me, okay? And if you can't sleep at night in the hotel, you can call me. Tell me about all the places you went that day."
"Mm-hmm, no problem."
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