"Y-Y-Yukari, what did you just say?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice trembled so much she could barely string a sentence together.
She stared at her friend in disbelief, unable to process how this gentle, refined, Yamato Nadeshiko-like woman could say something so hurtful.
"Eh?"
Yukari blinked in confusion, then obediently repeated herself:
"I said, you shouldn't treat Aunt Mikiko like a normal parent just because she already has two kids. Her personality is actually quite childish. When it comes to dealing with people, maybe Hojou-kun is more… um…"
Her delicate brows knit together as she trailed off, troubled.
Speaking behind an elder's back was just too awkward for her—especially when that elder was Kyousuke's mother.
"I'm only telling you this because you said you wanted to invite the parents, Shizuka. But just so you know, if you say anything bad about Hojou-kun, Aunt Mikiko will get upset and completely blow up at you. In the end, Hojou-kun might even have to step in and save you."
"That's not what I meant…" Shizuka muttered.
"What?"
"Yukari, what you said just now wasn't even the worst part. You said before that Aunt Mikiko and I were equals. But now you're saying I'm her senior and have to put up with her?!"
The great Hiratsuka-sensei was finding it hard to accept how fast her "seniority level" had suddenly skyrocketed.
"Wait, aren't you the one who said that as a teacher, you and Aunt Mikiko were on the same level?" Yukari shot back.
"That's too underhanded! I didn't think you were this kind of person, Yukari. I thought this day wouldn't come so soon…"
Shizuka's hand trembled as she subconsciously reached into her pocket for a cigarette.
Whenever friends entered relationships with marriage in mind, casual chats at cafés would always turn into them defending or bragging about their partners.
In Shizuka's imagination, those scenes seemed so blissful—everyone moving toward happiness.
She'd even prepared lines in advance, borrowing from the comedy, martial arts, and hot-blooded manga she used to read:
'Ah, my boyfriend? Don't even get me started.'
'All he ever does is work, work, work.'
'If he didn't bring me late-night snacks even when he's working overtime, I would've dumped him ages ago.'
'Ah, my boyfriend's so annoying.'
'I just went out to buy cigarettes without telling him, and he freaked out—he even called my school and my family to check on me. He's so clingy, like a little kid.'
'Ah, my boyfriend…'
Those conversations wouldn't last long.
Since these were relationships heading toward marriage, naturally the next stage would quickly be:
'Ah, my husband? Don't even get me started.'
'Even though both of us are super busy, he insists on taking me camping every weekend…'
Shizuka once thought all that was still far, far away.
After all, she didn't even have a boyfriend—she didn't even have someone to flirt with.
But she'd miscalculated one thing: not everyone had her level of patience.
Yukari had already lost it.
This wasn't just defending her boyfriend anymore—she was actually defending his mom.
"Shizuka, this is a no-smoking area."
Yukari gently caught her friend's hand and pushed the cigarette box back into her pocket.
"…Fine. I've decided. I won't call the parents after all. Even though it's the shared responsibility of teachers and parents to educate students, as a teacher I can't just toss my problems onto them the moment something happens.
No—this time, I'll take responsibility and teach that brat myself! That's my duty as a teacher!"
Shizuka declared proudly after a deep breath.
Yukari tilted her head, sunlight glinting off her long lashes as her dark eyes sparkled with amusement.
Of course she knew the real reason—her friend was just too afraid to face Aunt Mikiko, that young, beautiful, happily married mother of two.
Still, letting Shizuka avoid this was for her own good.
Other parents might feel awkward if called to school, but Mikiko would probably be thrilled.
If she didn't get enough time to chat at school, she'd just invite Shizuka out for dinner, then snacks, then karaoke until dawn.
Of course, that only applied if the chat went well.
If Shizuka said something bad about Kyousuke, Mikiko who judged everything based purely on her personal sense of "justice"—wouldn't hesitate to throw hands.
So really…
"Which is why, Yukari—go get that brat and drag him to school. I'm giving him a counseling session this afternoon!" Shizuka said with fiery determination.
"Eh?"
Yukari froze for a second, then quickly shook her head.
"No way. Hojou-kun's still asleep!"
At that, Shizuka's jaw slowly rotated ninety degrees upward, then clunked to a stop.
Her brows furrowed like the kanji for "river" as she shot her friend a suspicious glare.
"Yukari… do you even realize what you're saying? As a teacher, how do you know your male student is still sleeping right now?
And another thing—a teacher stays up all night and still shows up at work, yet the student just snoozes at home? You think that's okay?"
"T-That's because…"
Yukari's pale cheeks flushed pink.
Of course she couldn't admit that, when she left that morning, she was the one who tucked Kyousuke back into bed, stroked his cheek, and whispered, 'You worked hard all night, Kyousuke-kun. Rest well, I'll handle the excuse note.'
Thankfully, Hojou Kyousuke had been clear-headed enough to realize letting Yukino Yukari—his teacher call in sick for him would land her in trouble.
He'd stopped her and written his own excuse.
If Shizuka—half-asleep, sandwich in hand, about to faceplant on her desk had overheard Yukari making that phone call?
She probably would've gone completely ballistic.
Truly, Hiratsuka Shizuka was blessed to be surrounded by students and colleagues who cared so much about her mental well-being.
"…Because, Shizuka, you said it yourself. Hojou-kun was messing around all last night. Of course he'd be exhausted today!" Yukari scrambled to defend herself.
"It's already twelve-thirty in the afternoon! At his age, how can he still be asleep?! When I was his age, I'd stay out fighting all night, show up with my head wrapped in bandages, and still come to class the next morning!"
"No way, Shizuka, you and Hojou-kun aren't the same."
"That's right—he has people who care about him. Me? I might as well be dead."
"Don't say that about yourself, Shizuka…"
"..."
In the end, cheeks burning, Yukino Yukari shoved open the art clubroom door and fled, while behind her Shizuka followed with the smug grin of someone who'd just pulled a masterstroke.
"Geez, Shizuka! It's because you're so immature that you can't find a boyfriend!"
Yukari spat out the cruelest line of her entire life.
"What's the problem? I hug you and cry all the time too, don't I? Just because this time I hugged you over Hojou Kyousuke, now you're embarrassed?"
With a smug look, Hiratsuka Shizuka closed the door behind her and locked it with a click.
"Ugh! If I hadn't agreed, you'd basically be a criminal right now!" Yukari spat out, her face flushed red.
"Only kids care about right or wrong. Adults only care about results. Yukari, you've still got a long way to go."
Uttering embarrassing, chuunibyou lines with a perfectly straight face, Shizuka stepped closer, urging her friend to hurry up and call Hojou.
"I know, I know. Just go back to your office and catch up on sleep already. At this rate, even if Hojou-kun comes, you'll probably fall asleep in the middle of talking to him," Yukari grumbled, shoving the troublesome woman away.
There was no way she could let Kyousuke hear Shizuka's voice on the phone.
Waking him up required the gentlest tone to soothe his morning grumpiness.
If Shizuka's rough voice got mixed in, it would ruin everything.
"Tch…"
Shizuka clicked her tongue, trying to cover her disappointment with disdain.
She trudged back toward the main building, barely keeping her eyes open.
Honestly, she felt like she was floating while walking.
If she didn't get some sleep soon, she'd probably end up qualified to attend some "God Organization's" mixer—and who knows, maybe even meet Kenshiro there.
Meanwhile, as Yukari dialed Kyousuke's number, there were others in school also hoping he would show up today.
For example, the black-haired girl sitting at Desk #30—the very last seat in the classroom, farthest from the front door.
A glossy black bento box sat on her desk, filled with a vibrant and luxurious lunch.
The lid, placed neatly beside it, was engraved with the image of a white cat's upper body.
The carving was exquisite—each strand of fur etched in perfect detail.
Just looking at it, one could almost imagine the silky softness under their fingertips.
Its amber-yellow slit pupils gleamed as though the cat was gazing straight at the box's owner.
It was such a beautiful, elegant cat that it felt like, at any moment, it would let out a dainty little meow—
"Meow meow meowww~~"
And sure enough, a cat's voice rang out!
So it really was a talking bento box!
The craftsmanship was incredible—no wonder Yukinoshita's lunchbox looked so high-class.
If it even had sound effects, then this was the perfect excuse to strike up a conversation. With that, she could finally become friends with Yukinoshita!
Why was she so confident?
Because her family just happened to run one of the top ten bento box companies in Japan, of course!
With curiosity and excitement bubbling on her face, Tsuruno Kiyoko turned around.
She thought she'd see Yukinoshita's stunningly beautiful face, those cool bluish-gray eyes glancing at her in silent question.
But to her surprise—Yukinoshita hadn't even noticed her.
Instead, she was still… still…
…What?!
Kiyoko's eyes flew wide.
That sweet, delicate cat voice—wasn't coming from the box at all!
The black-haired girl sat perfectly straight in her chair, ignoring the lavish dishes inside her bento.
All of her attention was fixed instead on the engraved white cat on the lid.
Her long, pale fingers gently stroked the cat's carved head, whiskers, and body.
A soft smile curved her lips, and as her sakura-pink mouth opened, she let out one adorable cat sound after another.
"Fufu nyaa" —a purr, as if mimicking a cat's contented rumble.
"Meow meowww meow~" —a needy mewl, as if begging to be petted.
Kiyoko swore she had never seen Yukinoshita Yukino wear such a tender expression before.
The black-haired beauty was so focused, it was as though the entire world had shrunk to just her and that white cat.
Almost as if she herself had become a cat.
'Too cute. Way, way too cute!'
Inside, Kiyoko screamed like a fangirl, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
I can't take it anymore…!
I want to pet her head, just like she's petting that cat! Her glossy black hair must be a hundred times softer than that carved lid…!
She looks completely absorbed.
She probably wouldn't even notice, right? Just one touch!
If I pet her head while she's meowing like a cat, it would be the perfect match!
Genius, Kiyoko. Absolute genius!
With that brilliant logic, the girl slowly raised her hand, heart racing, and reached for Yukinoshita Yukino's elegant head.
Her hand shook with excitement, her breath quickening.
She was almost there—almost!
Soon she would be the only person in the world bold enough to touch Yukinoshita's head!
But she didn't realize—the soft meowing had already stopped.
One more centimeter—
"What exactly do you think you're doing, Tsuruno-san?"
The cold yet beautiful voice sliced through the air.
'Whoosh!'
The guilty hand shot back like a spring.
"Nothing at all!" she blurted instantly.
Standing ramrod straight, Kiyoko fixed her gaze on the storage lockers at the back of the classroom, as if she'd seen the face of God.
"When you speak to someone, isn't it basic courtesy to at least look them in the eye?"
The voice was even colder now, enough to raise goosebumps across Kiyoko's thighs.
Ahh… if only I could become friends with Yukinoshita-san. To be scolded mercilessly by her every day—what a blissful life that would be~
"Yes, ma'am!"
Although she thought that, Tsuruno still immediately responded with a loud, disciplined voice, lowering her head nervously to look at Yukinoshita Yukino.
"If you're going to insist on talking while standing—"
"Yes! I'll sit down right away!"
Like a little scout cadet, Tsuruno plopped down onto her chair, placing her hands neatly on her knees.
"So… what exactly were you trying to do just now? Were you planning to put your hand on my head?"
Yukino frowned, her expression a mix of suspicion and confusion as she regarded this classmate—someone at once familiar and unfamiliar.
Familiar, because her student number was 29.
That meant she always stood directly in front of Yukino for attendance and activities.
Unfamiliar, because aside from passing test papers forward and backward, they had barely exchanged a single word.
"…Yes! I wanted to pet Yukinoshita-san's head!" Tsuruno answered honestly.
Life is just like making a bento box: no matter how gorgeous it looks on the outside, if it collapses inside, it's still a failure!
A truly good bento must be solid inside and out.
That's why honesty was a proud family motto passed down through generations of the Tsuruno household.
"You wanted to… pet my head? Why?"
Yukino's brows knitted even tighter at that.
"Because I just know your hair must feel a hundred times softer than that white cat!" Tsuruno blurted out without thinking.
"…What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Yukino's voice grew sharp, a clear sign of irritation.
Ahh~~ as expected, Yukinoshita-san is mad at me.
Grandpa… maybe honesty only works in good situations.
When you mess up, it's better to just lie through your teeth.
Although, if you lie sincerely, doesn't that still count as honesty?
Tsuruno wailed inwardly, convinced she'd ruined her one and only chance to become friends with Yukino.
Heartbroken, she prepared herself to drop to her knees in a dramatic apology.
Still… to be scolded harshly by Yukinoshita-san? That's kind of a reward in itself, isn't it?
That thought alone perked her up. She shuffled her polished black shoes, ready to kneel—
When suddenly, that cool voice rang out again.
"Although I am very cute, there's no way my hair feels better to touch than a cat's."
Her tone was firm, her pale blue-gray eyes sparkling with absolute seriousness.
"…Huh?" Tsuruno's jaw dropped, completely dazed.
Perhaps enraged by such stupidity, Yukino suddenly grabbed Tsuruno's hands—pressing her left hand against the carved white cat on the bento lid, and her right hand firmly atop her own head.
The sudden move left Tsuruno's brain short-circuiting.
Her fingers twitched instinctively, giving both a light squeeze.
"Well? What do you think?"
That cool voice carried a hint of pride as Yukino asked:
"See? The cat feels better, doesn't it?"
"A-ah… ! Cats are the best! Long live cats!" Tsuruno cried, utterly overwhelmed.
Thank you, white cat carved into this lid.
Thank you for giving me the chance to touch Yukinoshita-san's silky, fluffy head.
Her sleek black hair was just as perfect as I imagined…
"Good. Since you've realized that much, I'll overlook your little attempt to touch my head earlier."
Yukino, seemingly satisfied, gently removed the hand that still lingered stubbornly atop her hair.
"I-I don't think I really got to feel it properly just now. Could I… gulp… could I maybe touch it just one more time?"
Tsuruno's voice trembled as she spoke, and at the word "touch," she couldn't help but swallow audibly.
A-ahhh… even Yukinoshita-san being this cluelessly serious is too cute!
She may be smart, but she's kind of dense, right? Which means… I might just be able to trick her into letting me do it again!
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