After some inquiries, Shizuka Hiratsuka finally understood the situation between Tanaka Masao and Yukinoshita Yukino.
They had come by chance and issued a weight-loss commission.
Everything seemed reasonable, so Shizuka Hiratsuka didn't doubt it.
However, this weight-loss commission would take a long time.
Shizuka Hiratsuka pinched her chin, glancing back and forth between Tanaka Masao and Yukinoshita Yukino.
[It could take half a year, maybe even a full year, to lose weight.
The two have been together for so long that their feelings will inevitably deepen.
And although Tanaka doesn't look good now, he could be a hidden gem, becoming handsome after losing weight.
It seems natural for them to end up together.
A commission helps Tanaka lose weight and also solves Yukinoshita's loneliness.
Even further, it directly resolves a major life event for both of them.
It should be something to be grateful for, so why do I feel so uneasy?]
The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable Shizuka Hiratsuka felt as she watched Yukinoshita Yukino supervising Tanaka Masao's training.
At that moment, the Service Club seemed to Shizuka Hiratsuka to be filled with the sour scent of love.
She couldn't help but imagine the scene in the Service Club one year later.
[Yukinoshita Yukino and Tanaka Masao, handsome after losing weight, are in the Service Club.
When I walk in, Yukinoshita gives me a glare and says something disgusting:
"Ms. Hiratsuka, could you please not interfere with our world for two?"]
Jealousy can make a person unrecognizable, and Shizuka Hiratsuka realized she couldn't accept such a scene.
But for a while, she didn't come up with any good ideas.
You can't stop others from dating just because of jealousy—it would make you look petty.
After sitting in the Service Club for a while, Shizuka Hiratsuka realized that training someone to lose weight actually seemed quite interesting.
So she spoke to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Hey, Yukinoshita, let me train Tanaka for fun too."
Tanaka Masao, nearly exhausted, complained immediately.
"Hey, Ms. Hiratsuka, I'm not a toy."
"That's right, Ms. Hiratsuka," Yukinoshita Yukino echoed.
"We're doing club activities. Please don't disturb us."
"Hey, what do you mean by disturbing your club activities?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka was unconvinced. "After all, I'm the instructor of the Service Club. I have the right to participate in club activities."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded in acknowledgment.
"You're right to say that."
Yukinoshita Yukino was a reasonable person. Shizuka Hiratsuka made a legitimate request, and she couldn't refuse.
"Okay then."
Tanaka Masao looked at the two who had reached an agreement and pointed at himself anxiously.
"Hey, you haven't asked me for my opinion yet."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "You can refuse."
Shizuka Hiratsuka: "You can refuse." (Rubbing her hands together.)
The same words, spoken by different people, had completely different implications.
Tanaka Masao subconsciously shrank his neck. Shizuka's reputation for cuteness was well known.
"Then Ms. Hiratsuka, you have to be gentle with me."
Tanaka Masao shrank his neck, weak all over from just finishing exercise. His tone was soft and timid, giving a shy impression.
But with the image of a 200-pound otaku, such behavior seemed a bit off-putting.
Shizuka Hiratsuka shuddered, showing some disgust.
"Don't make it so gross."
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't say anything to Tanaka Masao, but addressed Shizuka Hiratsuka.
"Ms. Hiratsuka, you have to be serious."
…
Tanaka Masao's short rest was over.
Next, he would face Shizuka Hiratsuka in full force.
"It keeps coming… no one can stand this," Tanaka Masao muttered quietly.
"What are you mumbling about? Come here quickly."
Shizuka Hiratsuka urged him.
"I'm telling you, doing only strength training will just create stiff muscles. That's not good.
You have to move and use all your muscles, so you can be flexible and coordinated in the future.
Come, I'll teach you how to punch."
Shizuka Hiratsuka demonstrated boxing movements.
Seeing this, Tanaka Masao imitated her and raised his arms.
"Yes, that's it! Now punch out like this."
Before Tanaka Masao could react, Shizuka Hiratsuka's fist struck him.
[It's over.]
Tanaka Masao instinctively closed his eyes, bracing for intense pain.
Then, he felt a wave of movement in his stomach.
And then… nothing else.
Tanaka Masao opened his eyes, saw the fist hitting his stomach, felt only a barely noticeable sting, and asked instinctively:
"Teacher Hiratsuka, didn't you eat?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka, seeming slightly angry, wore a kind smile while radiating an intimidating aura.
She admitted that since it was her first time hitting Tanaka Masao, she had held back—but she couldn't be questioned for not eating.
"Catch it!"
Shizuka Hiratsuka withdrew her right foot and hit Tanaka Masao's stomach with her right fist.
With a muffled sound, the fat on Tanaka Masao's stomach shook violently.
The punch was strong, and Tanaka Masao did feel the pain, but…
It didn't seem to have any effect.
Why was that? Tanaka Masao thought for a moment and quickly realized.
His previous incarnation had suffered long-term school bullying.
Unlike Yukinoshita Yukino's cold exclusion, the previous incarnation had been physically beaten many times.
Those bullies weren't gentle like Shizuka Hiratsuka. Even if they struck in anger, they couldn't control their strength and often caused injury.
They had no sense of measure, especially in junior high.
They were growing and strong, but fortunately, the original owner had a lot of body fat, which allowed him to endure.
Though the fat wasn't strong, it could resist and absorb blows.
Thinking of this, Tanaka Masao sighed helplessly.
[Alas, this may be a blessing in disguise. But if possible, the original owner would rather not have such a resilient body.]
Having figured everything out, Tanaka Masao decided to save Shizuka Hiratsuka some face.
He suddenly stepped back, knelt on the ground, covered his stomach with both hands, and looked extremely pained.
"AhahI'm in so much pain!"
…
The room fell into a strange silence.
Tanaka Masao had just paused for two and a half seconds after recalling something.
Now he stepped back and covered his stomach, as if with a slight delay.
Moreover, his full-throated wailing didn't sound like real pain.