"..."
The truth about the world from Tatsuki's mouth only made Shizuka Hiratsuka's thoughts more tangled. She turned her head to study his profile.
"Tatsuki… are you a god?"
That radiant figure had carved an indelible image into her heart. If he were a god, then surely he would know what choice to make.
Tatsuki, guessing her thoughts, spread his hands helplessly. "Unfortunately, I'm not. Many people like to ask me this, but my answer is always the same—I am not a god."
He turned back toward her. "And I won't tell you what decision to make. I won't help you choose. But as for your memory, that choice is yours."
"..."
"Ha…"
Shizuka took in a long breath, the cool night wind filling her lungs.
"Tch, I didn't expect to hear such crazy things from you, kid."
Her gaze sharpened, then curved into a smile. "I've decided. I'm going to keep these memories. As a teacher, it's only right that I shoulder them alongside my student."
It was her responsibility as a teacher.
"..."
To shoulder them with her student… that was an answer even Tatsuki hadn't anticipated. Cool. Very cool.
He smiled. "Oh, right, Shizuka-sensei, there's one thing I forgot to tell you."
"What is it?" she blinked.
"You've been drugged. By that Vincek guy."
"Hah?"
The moment she tried to ask when, her body went soft and collapsed.
Tatsuki caught her.
In truth, she'd been under the influence for a while—the acrid stench on Vincek's body was one of his favorite concoctions, a drug that could knock someone out. That she had endured this long… even Tatsuki was impressed.
Looking down at the sleeping woman in his arms, he chuckled. "What a stubborn teacher."
He didn't dispel the drug. What Shizuka needed now was simply rest.
…
At the Yuigahama family—
"Phew…"
Yui's mother let out a long breath.
Faced with Tatsuki, his swift and decisive applause earlier had left her embarrassed. After some thought, she walked up to Yui's door and knocked softly.
"Yui, would you like some breakfast?" she called gently.
No answer for a long while.
Hesitant, she turned the knob. A wave of scent drifted out.
"..."
Suppressing her racing heartbeat, she saw Yui asleep, bundled in her blanket. Her clothes from yesterday—including her underwear—were strewn over the chair.
Her expression complicated, Yuigahama's mother tiptoed closer. Her daughter's sleeping face was exhausted, tinged with both tenderness and—strangely—envy.
Then her eyes fell on the trash bin, on the tissues covering a bag inside.
Relief washed over her. At least nothing she feared most had happened.
Carefully, she carried the trash out into the living room.
After a moment of hesitation, she opened the bag and sifted through the tissues. What she found made her eyelids twitch furiously.
The count matched exactly what she had bought.
Her mind spun, a faint dizziness overtaking her. By habit, she rubbed her forehead—forgetting that her fingers had just been sifting through the bag.
"..."
Her hand brushed her cheek… even her lips.
"!"
Right. Time to wash up.
…
Not long after, Yui stirred awake.
"Mom…"
Peeking out of her room with messy hair, clad only in underwear, she called softly.
"..."
No answer.
"Must be asleep already," she muttered with relief.
Touching her body, her face flushed scarlet as memories resurfaced. Shaking her head furiously, she resolved to shower instead of dwelling on it.
"Ahh…"
But pain shot through her the moment she moved.
Yui forced a smile. Why did I refuse when Tatsuki offered to ease the pain?
She could still recall the scene.
Tatsuki had gently brushed her hair aside, asking warmly, "Yui, do you want me to help with the pain?"
And she, eyes full of sentiment, had replied. "Tatsuki, I want to remember this precious moment."
Oh my god, what was I even saying?!
Hands covering her face, she inched toward the bathroom, every step wincing.
When she finally opened the bathroom door—
"!"
"?"
Two pairs of eyes—one big, one small—met in shock.
Yui froze. "Mom?!"
Her mother stiffened in horror. "Yui?!"
…
Elsewhere—
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, spilling warmth across a sleepy face. Shizuka Hiratsuka slowly blinked awake. Her body felt languid, limbs limp against the bed.
Her right hand was warm, almost too warm, like in her dream.
"You're awake."
The soft voice drifted in like spring breeze. A man's voice.
Strange room. Strange bed. A man. Sleeping.
Her eyes flew open wide—Tatsuki!
"How… how are you here?!"
Sitting by her bed, Tatsuki yawned. "Why can't it be me? By the way, can you let go of my hand? I need the bathroom."
"!"
Only then did she realize her fingers were interlocked with his. Flustered, she let go at once.
Tatsuki stood and headed for the bathroom.
Shizuka clutched her head, trying to recall.
Vincek. Ghouls. The drug. Then nothing.
Now… a hotel room?!
Her heart skipped. She yanked the covers back to check. Her red dress still pristine. Her underwear untouched.
"Phew…"
Relief washed through her. If anything had happened, her career would've been over.
"Sensei, you don't actually think I'd do anything, do you?"
Tatsuki's voice cut in, catching her mid-check.
"Cough, cough!" She coughed violently, forcing the subject away. "Where are we?"
"A hotel. I brought you here to rest. But after I set you down, you wouldn't let go of my hand—you were having nightmares. So I stayed by your side all night."
"Ah?"
That warmth in her dream—it had really been him.
Her chest fluttered, but she shoved it down. He's your student!
"Anyway, it's Monday. You'll be late. Your car's in the lot. Give me a ride?"
Her instinctive teacher-side snapped back. "You don't even have a license!"
Tatsuki rolled his eyes. "Please, I have superpowers."
"..."
She flushed but pressed, "You're still a student!"
"Which is why I asked for a ride."
"But I…" she glanced at her red dress. Going to class in this? No way.
"Small matter."
With a snap of his fingers, her outfit shifted into her usual blouse and lab coat.
"Hah?! Even this you can do?"
Touching the fabric, real and solid, she was stunned.
"Don't be so shocked. You're late."
"Oh, right."
"By the way, Sensei, that red dress was gorgeous. Very sexy."
"You brat! Watch your mouth."
"Can't even compliment you?"
"Get in the car."
"And if you ever run into that again, call me."
"Got it, got it."
The two bickered lightly on the way.
If one looked closely, though, beneath her hair, Shizuka's ears were bright red.
...
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