Utaha had wanted just to hear a bit of gossip for writing inspiration, but she never imagined an ultimate, taboo-laced drama about "family ethics" and so on. She had no idea how to comfort this friend.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Cough, so did your friend catch them in the act or something?"
Eriri: "Hmph, apparently her mom told her first thing in the morning."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: ""
Oh, wow. They're not even hiding it from her?
She felt Rei Aouh, the friend's boyfriendwas stepping into some insanely perverted territory. The chat group had had such precedent after all.
Eriri: "Utaha, in your opinion, what should my friend do?"
""
Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyelids twitched. Eriri even changed how she addressed hercalling her "Utaha"like they were buddies. She's basically treating Utaha like a confidante. Utaha wasn't thrilled. This was a huge emotional burden!
~~~
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Chapter 220: The Hopeless Geniuses
Under the great pressure of being entrusted with this problem, Kasumigaoka couldn't help but ask:
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "How is your friend's relationship with her mother?"
Eriri: "They get along great. Her mother also really respects her personal interests. They're extremely close."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Andwhat does your friend herself think?"
Eriri: "Uh Sheshe feels very conflicted."
Eriri: "On one side, there's her dear mother; on the other, her beloved boyfriend."
Eriri: "Obviously, each one alone is a blessing. But togetherit's just so weird."
Eriri: "She has no idea how she's supposed to face them now."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "I really don't have a solution for that, apart from advising your friend to calm down and follow her own heart. At least your friend and her mother aren't related by blood."
"!!!"
Having said that line, Kasumigaoka felt somewhat regretful.
Her statement more or less carried a hint of guidance.
But, unfortunately, the chat group had no "recall message" option.
And sure enough, it worked like a lightbulb moment for the other side.
Eriri's eyes lit up: "Rightthey aren't blood-related, are they?"
All of a sudden, all her conflict and confusion vanished, as though she'd reached enlightenment in a flash.
Eriri: "Thank you, UtahaI get it now!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "???"
Wait, what exactly did you figure out?!
Kasumigaoka Utaha felt that her casual remark sounded just like something Rei Ao might say.
"Tch"
Given the situation:
"Not my problem anymore. Anyway, this isn't my fault."
Moreover:
"I guess Rei Ao-kun at least owes me a 'thank you,' huh?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha imagined Rei Ao soon enjoying himself in a position of having an arm around each side, and felt annoyed, grinding her teeth.
"Tch, a pervert's a pervert."
Meanwhile, in the homeroom teacher's office for Year 3, Class 1:
Kirisu Mafuyu stood with arms folded, her stern gaze fixed on the two girls in front of her: one with blue hair, one with chestnut-brown hair.
"Furuhashi Fumino, Ogata RizuI've said all I can. Now tell me your decisions~."
Kirisu Mafuyu's frosty tone caused both girls to tremble.
They both hung their heads in silence.
Kirisu Mafuyu wasn't bullying them; rather, she was trying to advise them about their futures. In her view, these two were "talented but problematic" students in her class.
Furuhashi Fumino
Outstanding looks:
Large, light-brown eyes
A tear mole under her left eye
Fair skin
A radiant smile
Long, waist-length blue hair
She was beautiful and also a top genius in the liberal arts.
She had a perfect score in modern Japanese, classical literature, and Chinese classics, an overwhelming mastery. Called "The Sleeping Beauty of the Literary Forest."
But she was the type of genius who excelled at only one arealiberal arts. In exchange, she was terrible at the sciences. Indeed, she'd never even passed a science test.
As long as she exploited her strong point in liberal arts, she'd be set on a stable, successful path.
But Mafuyu's headache was that Fumino's ambition was to get into a science university, wishing to work in astronomy in the futureinsisting on that dream.
She was extremely persistent.
Ogata Rizu
She was basically the opposite of Fumino. She had short orange-reddish hair, blue pupils, wore red oval-framed glasses, and a red bow hair clip by her left temple.
Compared to Fumino's delicate face, Rizu's features were a bit plainer, but she had something Fumino couldn't matcha certain bra size.
Fumino's figure wasunremarkable; even an A-cup might be in danger.
Rizu boasted an astonishing G-cup!
Just like that eye-catching bust, her math/science ability was impressive. She consistently topped the year in math, physics, and other science subjectshence she was called the "clockwork Thumbelina" or "the girl who can craft anything."
But like Fumino, Rizu was a "one-area genius." She had no competence in liberal arts. The scary part: even basic reading comprehension forced her to rely on math-based thinking. How could that possibly work?
Though her science aptitude was out of this world, her ambition was the opposite of Fumino'sshe wanted a liberal arts university to study psychology in college.
Crucially, both of them were extremely stubborn. They tried so many times to improve their weaknesses, without success. As their homeroom teacher, Kirisu Mafuyu had repeatedly warned them. Because in her mind, a person's talent is their treasure, which must be used wisely. Seeing them waste such rare gifts made her feel personally offended, as though they were throwing away what she herself had always longed for.
For these and other reasons, after seeing all their repeated failures, Kirisu Mafuyu decided to give them "one last chance." After that, she intended to inform the school leadership and their families, who also wouldn't want their talents wasted.
Furuhashi Fumino clenched a fist. She was resolved to go to a science university and pursue astronomy, because of her mom, or perhaps her dream.
"I refuse. I just want to move forward for the sake of my dreamI don't care about 'talent!'"
She bit her lip, gazing defiantly into Mafuyu's eyes.
"I refuse as well!"
Ogata Rizu stuck to her plan.
Kirisu Mafuyu paused, then said gravely:
"You two still won't give in? Your grades can't reach your ideal level in such a short time."
"Then if you can't even get into a decent college, what will you do?"
This was the fatal question. With their extreme lopsidedness, it was nearly impossible to jump to a passing grade in just over a week. They'd tried countless times.
""
It shook their confidence.
"There's really no way at all?"
Fumino murmured in frustration. Suddenly, she recalled somethingsomeone in their grade had soared to the top, with perfect marks in every subject, practically overnight.
She looked up abruptly:
"Mafuyu-sensei, do you know the student Rei Ao?!"
Ogata Rizu, hearing that name, also reacted. She adjusted her glasses:
"You mean the one who shot to first place in the grade all of a sudden?"
"Yes!"
Fumino's eyes glowed:
"If he can do it, then maybe we can too!"
"Right!"
Rizu joined her excitement, regaining hope.
"Rei Ao"
Kirisu Mafuyu sank into thought. She never imagined that her problem students would bring up a miracle she herself had witnessed, effectively slapping her in the face with it.
"Mafuyu-sensei, we want to learn from Rei Ao-san!!!"
"Mm, mm!!!"
Both of them gazed at her with bright, fervent eyes. She'd been about to scold that Rei Ao was totally different from them, but swallowed her words. Pressing her lips together, she decided:
"Fine. I'll give you one last chance."
~~~
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Chapter 221: Rejected, Shokuhou Misaki
Rei Ao had no idea what decision Eriri might have made.
But he believed Kaori could calm Eriri down.
For now, he had his own matters to attend to.
He was currently in Hiratsuka Shizuka's office.
The entire recess had been taken up; he hadn't even had a chance to get cozy with his "little girlfriend."
"Shizuka-sensei, you asked for me?"
In private, he could call Shizuka anything he liked, or have her call him "Daddy" when they were playing aroundno problem.
But at the moment, Kirisu Mafuyu was also in the room, so of course he'd mind his tone.
Indeed, Hiratsuka Shizuka asked him here about something that involved Kirisu Mafuyu.
Hearing Rei Ao forgoing any affectionate address, Shizuka quietly sighed in reliefespecially with this strict teacher Kirisu Mafuyu present.
She explained to Rei Ao:
"Actually, Mafuyu-sensei here has a request for you."
So that's it.
"Mafuyu-sensei?"
Rei Ao looked at her.
Kirisu Mafuyu wore a completely different air of authority compared to at home, speaking formally:
"Yes, Rei Ao-kun. I have two students who would like to learn from you"
She then briefed Rei Ao on her two "problem" students.
Shizuka was surprised:
"They're still persisting with that?"
So she was also aware of Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu's situation.
"Yes, and it's giving me a real headache,"
Mafuyu admitted, perplexed.
"They both have extraordinary gifts, yet each insists on taking the path in which she has no talent. I just don't get what they're thinking."
"Those two, huh"
Rei Ao responded:
"Well, I don't see any problem with pursuing their dreams. People like that deserve respect."
"Huh?"
Kirisu Mafuyu frowned at him, staring into his eyes:
"But don't you think it's a shame to waste such talents?"
"It is a shame." Rei Ao shrugged.
"But respect and regret aren't contradictory. It can be a shame, yet still worthy of respect.
Also, it's their life, not ours. They're the ones who have to take responsibility for their own choices."
He wasn't wrong at all.
"But I'm their teacher,"
Mafuyu said through clenched teeth:
"I don't want them to waste that talent."
"Then what's your purpose in calling me over? Wasn't it about them wanting to learn from me?"
""
At a loss for words, Mafuyu sighed inwardly.
She actually did admire the girls' unwavering dedication to their dreams, so she still wanted to give them a chanceeven if the odds were slim.
"Rei Ao, how do you see this request?"
No matter the case, this chance depended on his willingness. She was aware of that.
"You mean have me teach them, or help them with study methods?"
"Right. Since your own drastic academic jump is plain for everyone to see, they see you as their last resort."
"I see"
Rei Ao stroked his chin and gave his reply:
"But I refuse."
Having him teach or tutor?
Too boring.
Not just boring it'd be a total waste of time.
He couldn't devote his precious free time to those two alone.
He would rather spend that time with anyone else, wouldn't he?
Forget it; even throwing a party in the "Kabaneri" world or going to "Akame"'s world to lounge around as Emperor enjoying the haremboth were far more appealing.
He was a man who enjoyed women, but there were many ways to pursue that. Teaching them was not on his list.
"I see"
Mafuyu wasn't too surprised.
She'd come prepared for a rejection.
Rei Ao had no shortage of money, nor was he wanting for a girlfriend or anything elsewhy would he bother with the hassle of tutoring?
Letting out a slow breath, even though she was disappointed, Mafuyu still expressed her thanks:
"I'll let them know your answer. Sorry to have troubled you."
"It's no trouble. I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Mafuyu-sensei."
They exchanged a few polite words and left in turn.
Not long after,
Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu got word of the outcome from Kirisu Mafuyu.
Both left, heads hanging in dejection.
Mafuyu said helplessly:
"So that's that. I hope you'll think carefully about my advice, and talk with your families. Time is running short."
Academy City
Tokiwadai Middle School Cafeteria.
Being a prestigious girls' school for the wealthy, the cafeteria was quite lavishfitting for these young ladies' status.
Misaka Mikoto arrived alone today. She didn't line up for food; she scanned the entire hall sharply, searching for someone.
Finally, her gaze locked onto a single person.
A honey-blonde-haired girl with a slender waist, long limbs, and a figure too developed for a middle schooler.
Mikoto marched toward her, only to be blocked halfway by an expressionless-eyed student.
"Please do not approach any further."
The girl raised a hand, preventing Mikoto from getting closer to the heavily guarded target.
"Tch!"
Mikoto clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Shokuhou Misaki, do you love controlling people that much?"
The honey-blonde girl, presumably Shokuhou Misaki, paused her elegant meal. She lifted her head, her large golden eyes shimmering with a starry pattern, and smiled slyly at Mikoto:
"Can't be helpedmy ability is what it is. Also, I'd rather not have some random violent savage looming over me while I eat."
A "random violent savage"?!
A cross popped on Mikoto's temple. Fuming at being verbally skewered, she glared back:
"Not only do you speak with a nasty tone, you love pulling weird stunts. That stuff in my head was that your doing?!"
"Huh?"
Shokuhou Misaki blinked.
Something in her head?
That left her puzzled.
"What are you even talking about?"
With a raised brow, she strongly suspected Mikoto was making trouble out of nothing.
Mikoto insisted:
"You really don't know?"
"No idea what sickness you have. Don't bother me."
Misaki had no interest in dragging this outshe still had a meal to finish. Seeing Mikoto remain unmoving, Misaki showed her displeasure by taking a remote from her purse and pressing a button toward Mikoto.
ZzzBzzz!!!
A blue electric arc flickered at Mikoto's forehead; she felt a sudden headache.
"Tch, your ability is honestly revolting."
Shokuhou Misaki clicked her tongue as well, evidently displeased. She had tried to activate her "Mental Out" on Mikoto by pressing the remote, but her power was completely neutralized. Just now, it had been blocked by Mikoto's electromagnetic barrier.
~~~
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