( — )
Yukima Azuma rolled his eyes.
With all the girls here, it wasn't convenient for him to chase her away either.
He might as well pretend this woman didn't exist during the rest of the trip.
Watching the two whispering to each other
Kato Megumi became even more certain of her suspicions.
This scentwas the scent of a thieving cat!
These two definitely had something going on!
( )
...
Minato Ward, Shopping District.
The shopping district here wasn't as famous as Ginza.
However, many prestigious custom-order brands had stores here, while Ginza did not.
After all, Ginza was Tokyo's commercial hub
Mainly catering to tourists and the general public.
Though there were quite a few luxury brands
Most of them still sold high-end goods that ordinary people could afford.
Meanwhile, the shopping district in Minato Ward
Was mostly membership-based.
Eriri had a card here.
Haruno had one too.
If Yukino hadn't left home, she would probably have one as well.
But it didn't matterYukino had money now.
Shopping wasn't exactly a lighthearted recreational activity.
Usually, only women found enjoyment in it.
But when accompanying a group of Bishoujo
Yukima Azuma had a different kind of pleasure.
Watching the girls try on outfits of different styles
Was already a feast for him.
"Swipe the card."
Handing the black card to the staff, Yukima Azuma didn't even glance at the price.
"Sir, which outfit would you like to purchase?"
The female staff hesitated slightly.
After all, the girls had tried on quite a few outfits.
"All the ones they tried onbuy them all. Ship them to this address."
Like an arrogant Young Master who saw money as mere leaves
Yukima Azuma waved his hand, extravagantly beyond reason.
()_
Casually, he wrote down Yukima's home address for the staff.
Shopping at high-end stores like these had its perksno need to carry the bags yourself.
The female staff, whose eyes had turned into dollar signs, quickly grabbed the card and dashed off.
($ $ )
This was a massive order.
The commission alone might be enough to live on for months.
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
Kato Megumi leaned in close to Yukima Azuma, lowering her voice.
She originally wasn't very interested in trying on clothes
But Eriri had dragged her into trying on a few.
Now, she had finally slipped away while no one was paying much attention.
Kato Megumi had seen the prices of these clothes.
Even though, thanks to the profits from White Album, she was now a little rich young lady herself
The numbers on the price tags still made her feel a little dizzy.
Spending habits weren't something that could change overnight.
"Everyone looked great in the outfits they tried on, so we might as well buy them all."
"Besides, the clothes you all have triedI don't want anyone else to buy them."
( )_
Yukima Azuma said with a smile.
Kato Megumi blinked her brown eyes.
"Honestly, Azuma-san, aren't you being a little too possessive?"
"Am I?" Yukima Azuma wasn't self-aware at all.
Kato Megumi nodded.
Then, she suddenly changed the subject.
"What's with Haruno-san?"
Normally, Kato Megumi wasn't the type to casually call people by name.
But with two people in the house sharing the surname Yukinoshita
Calling them by their last name wouldn't differentiate who was who.
Yukima Azuma froze slightly at the question.
He wanted to change the topic...
But when his gaze met those captivating brown eyes
It became a little difficult to lie.
"There was a small conflict in the past."
(,,,,)
"Ex-girlfriend?" Kato Megumi guessed.
( )
She already knew that both Kasumigaoka-senpai and Eriri had been this boy's ex-girlfriends.
Though she felt that for someone as mature as Haruno, there wouldn't be anything in common with him
But with his charm
If it really was that kind of relationship, it wouldn't be too unbelievable.
Yukima Azuma choked for a moment and coughed awkwardly, then decisively shook his head.
"Cough cough No!"
Kato Megumi blinked in surprise.
Not?
That made it even stranger.
She didn't think Yukima Azuma would lie to her.
After all, this guy
Could even say outright that he wanted to start a harem.
Thinking about that
Kato Megumi lost interest in questioning further.
_()_/
"Azuma-san, you decide for yourself. I don't want to bother managing a light novel harem protagonist who's all over the place."
"But if Yukino-san finds out in the future, things definitely won't end well."
"When that time comes, my shoulder will be here if you need it."
With a soft hmpf, Kato Megumi ran off toward Eriri and the other girls.
Yukima Azuma stood there, feeling both amused and helpless.
Was Kato Megumi hoping he'd fall or hoping he wouldn't?
But still, Megumi had a point.
If Yukino found out about Haruno
With Yukino's personality, she would definitely be furious.
On the other side
"Sis!" Yukino bit her red lips lightly.
Annoyed, she stared straight at her older sister.
Meanwhile, Haruno grinned while holding a revealing backless sweater in her hands.
"Listen to me, this is an enhancement for your charm."
"A girl's weaponsit'd be a shame not to use them."
"If you want to hold onto a guy's heart, this is a must-have."
"Yukino-chan, you have to work hard, or it'll be really hard to become the main wife."
()
Yukino wavered slightly at those words.
Not because of the so-called weapons of a girl
But because of the part about holding onto his heart.
Her gaze unconsciously fell on the seductive backless sweater.
But she quickly realized something was off.
"Main wife? What are you even talking about? Stop saying nonsense."
Hearing this, Haruno simply smiled nonchalantly.
These ideas couldn't be changed with just a few words.
But they could slowly take root over time.
It was a little mischievous, sure.
But if it meant her little sister had to struggle a bit
In the end, wouldn't everyone be happy?
Haruno's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the three young girls in the distancealong with the mature female teacher.
Now, she could understand Yukima Azuma.
If she were a guy instead
With girls like these around, she definitely wouldn't be able to let go of a single one.
Not even talking about beauty and appearanceeach of them was a stunning beauty at first glance.
More importantly, after spending time with them
They were all genuinely wonderful people.
Letting them slip away would be far too much of a waste.
...
Kirisu Mafuyu, after trying on two outfits, didn't pick up any more.
Trying on clothes was too exhausting.
She had changed so much that her movements had become clumsy.
Stepping out of the fitting room, she walked over to Yukima Azuma.
Kirisu Mafuyu planned to just stand there with him and wait for the girls to finish.
"Kirisu-sensei, that was rough on you."
Yukima Azuma, seeing through Kirisu Mafuyu's thoughts, teased her with a grin:
"You're such a troublesome student."
Kirisu Mafuyu reached out and pinched his cheek lightly.
( )(,,><,,)
She had a feeling that
The dignity of a teacher had completely disappeared.
Now, this troublesome student was just being cheeky in front of her.
As they talked, Kirisu Mafuyu's gaze swept across the nearby area.
Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure.
Seeing Kirisu Mafuyu freeze, Yukima Azuma followed her gaze.
Chapter 223: Hiratsuka Shizuka and Kirisu Mafuyu
Yukima Azuma followed Kirisu Mafuyu's gaze forward.
Not far ahead on the street, a familiar figure appeared.
"Oh, that's Hiratsuka-sensei."
Hearing that, Kirisu Mafuyu looked at Yukima Azuma in surprise.
"Eh? You know Shizuka-chan?"
Yukima Azuma blinked.
Shizuka-chan?
That was quite an intimate way to address her.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
It wasn't strange for Kirisu Mafuyu to know Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Both were teachers at top-three prestigious schools.
During breaks, they might have attended teacher training sessions together.
Nodding, Yukima Azuma explained:
"Hiratsuka-sensei is my homeroom teacher at Shuchiin right now."
Hearing that, Kirisu Mafuyu had a look of realization.
But right after, a sly smile appeared on the mature female teacher's face.
Seeing that smile, Yukima Azuma immediately had a bad feeling.
Kirisu Mafuyu waved toward Hiratsuka Shizuka and called out loudly:
"Shizuka-chan!"
( )
Hiratsuka Shizuka had already been walking in this direction.
Hearing Kirisu Mafuyu call her name, she quickened her steps.
Today, she was in casual clothing, without her usual white lab coat.
Without the white lab coat, Hiratsuka Shizuka's mature and dignified aura stood out even more in the bustling street.
The level of attention she drew while walking outside was certainly not low.
"Mafuyu, what are you doing here? And you're Yukima-kun?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka greeted Kirisu Mafuyu with a smile, then her gaze landed on Yukima Azuma.
She recognized him.
Hiratsuka Shizuka was momentarily stunned.
Wasn't this the new transfer student in her class?
The kid who had barely attended for a few days before taking an extended leave.
"Umu, this kid is the super troublesome student I kept complaining to you about before."
( )
Kirisu Mafuyu grinned mischievously and even patted Yukima Azuma on the shoulder.
"I just didn't expect that after transferring to Shuchiin, he'd end up in your class."
Hearing that, Hiratsuka Shizuka paused for a moment before chuckling.
"Oh, so it's you."
Yukima Azuma's lips twitched slightly.
He had no idea what complaints Kirisu-sensei had been making about him
"You two seem pretty close?"
At those words, both women nodded in unison.
Hiratsuka Shizuka explained:
"Umu, Mafuyu and I were classmates from middle school to high school and even through university."
"We graduated together and took the teacher certification exam at the same time."
"It's just that when we got assigned, I went to Shuchiin while she went to Toyogasaki."
Yukima Azuma nodded.
So, they weren't just close colleaguesthey were childhood friends from their school days.
While he was still processing that information, Hiratsuka Shizukanow fully aware that Yukima Azuma was the troublesome student Kirisu Mafuyu often mentioneddropped the usual strict demeanor she maintained at Shuchiin.
She casually threw an arm around Yukima Azuma's shoulder, revealing her straightforward and carefree nature.
"Hey kid, let me tell you somethingsince the beginning of the year, Mafuyu hasn't stopped talking about you."
"From this year onward, whenever she talks to me, she can't go more than three sentences without bringing you up."
"You sure know how to give your sensei a headache, hehe."
()
Kirisu Mafuyu's face immediately turned red.
(>/////<)
The way she said that it almost sounded like she was a lovestruck maiden.
She pulled Hiratsuka Shizuka away, glared at her, and said:
"At first, I was a little worried about him, but now it's finehe's in your class."
"If he doesn't listen, just beat him up. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
('-')
Yukima Azuma: !
No need for that!
This is Iron Fist Hiratsuka Shizuka we're talking about!
Hiratsuka Shizuka laughed and nodded.
"Got it, you can leave him to me."
"Kirisu-sensei" Yukima Azuma looked at her with a pitiful expression. "How could you be so heartless?"
(ЇЇ)
Kirisu Mafuyu turned her face away.
Who told this troublesome student to have a habit of rebelling against his teachers?
Of course, she was just joking.
Hiratsuka Shizuka was, after all, an upright teacher. She would never actually lay a hand on her students.
"It's rare to have a break. Want to sit somewhere for a bit?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka asked.
Though she didn't specify where, Yukima Azuma immediately guessedwithout a doubt, she was suggesting going drinking at an izakaya.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Kirisu Mafuyu's wrist and pulled her behind him.
(*)( _ )
Given Kirisu Mafuyu's drinking capacity and her history of getting drunk, it was best not to let her step into an izakaya at all.
Blocked by Yukima Azuma, Kirisu Mafuyu froze for a moment.
Why did it feel like she was the younger one here?
Being shielded by a handsome young man, cutting off all temptations from a bad influence.
It was a bit strange
But this feeling was actually quite nice.
Hiding behind Yukima Azuma, Kirisu Mafuyu smiled apologetically.
"Let's skip this time. I'm out shopping for winter supplies with some students."
"Sneaking off in the middle of it makes me feel a little guilty."
( )
Hiratsuka Shizuka clicked her tongue.
That expression on her friend's face
It really didn't look like a teacher-student relationship at all.
Instead, it felt more like a mature onee-san x younger kouhai dynamic
A relationship where the mature onee-san was actually the weaker one, while the younger kouhai took control.
Shaking her head, Hiratsuka Shizuka said:
"Got it. Have fun, you two."
Teacher-student romance was taboo
Especially in prestigious schools like the Big Three.
If discovered, it would surely lead to disaster.
But Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't want to say too much.
After all, this was her close friend.
However, just as she was about to turn and leave
"Hiratsuka-sensei, this is for you."
Yukima Azuma called her back, pulling a card from his wallet and handing it to her.
Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at it with some confusion.
It was a VIP membership card for a well-known restaurant in Shibuya.
"What's this for?"
She asked.
"If Hiratsuka-sensei ever wants a good meal, you can visit this restaurant."
"The VIP card comes with a private room. The atmosphere is excellent."
"Even if you just want to relax after eating, no one will disturb you."
"Plus, using this card offers a significant discount."
Yukima Azuma explained.
This restaurant was owned by Laplace Corporation.
After being acquired by Laplace, it was mainly used for business negotiations.
This VIP card was Yukima Azuma's personal card.
The private rooms were decorated to suit his taste.
