"So, the autograph session is important, because it's the work senpai loves."
"If it weren't like that, I would have been crying and causing a scene, begging senpai to stay with me and not go anywhere."
Yukima Azuma pointed to the wound on his forehead.
"It really hurts!"
Upon hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha paused for a moment.
Since their separation, he had changed so much.
He had gone from not knowing how to cook to becoming a skilled chef.
His literary talent had advanced further.
His ability to "read the air" had reached a new level.
Even the skill he once lackedunderstanding the psychology of girlshe now mastered frighteningly well.
But there was one thing that hadn't changed.
That was the care and respect he always gave her.
Caring about everything about her.
Respecting everything she loved and chose.
This was why, back then, she couldn't help but fall for the young man with an appearance only somewhat "acceptable".
She had been enamored with him all this time.
She had once written works full of resentment after he left.
And she had once regained her ability to breathe life into characters upon meeting him again.
Kasumigaoka Utaha had long been in love with the man before her, a love that was beyond saving.
Because she didn't know how to refute Yukima Azuma, Kasumigaoka Utaha chose to deal with the situation in a very childish way.
She pressed her soft, red lips against the wound on Yukima Azuma's forehead.
She gently blew on it, just like adults do when taking care of children, saying innocently, "Blow away the pain."
But at that moment, Yukima Azuma could clearly hear his heart beating faster.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's smooth, white neck was right in front of his eyes, with her perfect collarbone clearly visible in his line of sight.
However, compared to the visual stimulation, his heart was shaking even more intensely.
Kasumigaoka Utaha, so proud, had come here to "blow" for him.
Just thinking about this was enough to make him feel like he was dreaming.
"Considering your ridiculous performance earlier, I've decided to reuse the old nickname: 'Kodoku-kun.'" (lonely-kun)
It was a teasing nickname that Kasumigaoka Utaha used to call Yukima Azuma when they were still in love.
The nickname had two layers of meaning.
The first meaning was related to the work that had brought them together, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World.
The protagonist in the story is someone whose consciousness is separated from reality and placed into a virtual world created by a computer.
This person believes himself to be the last survivor in the "End of the World" in reality.
The implication was of a self-satisfied fool.
The second meaning came from Yukima Azuma's gaze at the time, one always filled with loneliness.
As though he were completely lost in this world, living isolated.
No family bonds tied him down, nor friends or any illusory figures.
The implication was: If anyone calls you lonely, it means you're not truly lonely after all.
"Yes, Utaha-senpai."
Yukima Azuma replied gently with a smile.
Unable to bear Yukima Azuma smug expression, Kasumigaoka Utaha bit his lip once more.
Back when they were in love...
She had often been forced into kisses by Yukima Azuma.
During those humiliating times, now vengeance will be her!
...
It seemed to be a habit.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's fingers gently slid down.
Until they unexpectedly stopped at a point.
Because they were blocked.
Kasumigaoka Utaha paused for a moment, then immediately grinned mischievously.
"Azuma-kun, looks like the answer to that question from before has been revealed."
The corner of Yukima Azuma's mouth twitched slightly.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was referring to a question she had asked when she moved into the apartment.
It really didn't seem like something a high school boy would do. Could it be that ex-boyfriend-kun really had an unspeakable secret?
At that time, Yukima Azuma had just calmly looked back.
Making Kasumigaoka Utaha feel embarrassed and unwilling to admit it.
But in the current situation
Yukima Azuma couldn't maintain the same calm expression from before.
He could only say that Kasumigaoka Utaha had a very strong sense of vengeance.
The type of person who keeps track of every debt in a small notebook.
And when it's time to argue, brings it all up.
Luckily, once Kasumigaoka Utaha resolves her old debts, she never brings them up again.
Moreover, with her speed of revenge, her little notebook no longer has many debts left to uncover.
"So, how about it? Beg me, and I'll help Azuma-kun solve the troubles of a high school boy."
Kasumigaoka Utaha whispered in Yukima Azuma's ear.
Her breath brushed against his earlobe.
The destructive power was terrifying.
"How about using your hands? Or would using your feet be better? That's right, the tights from the other day, Azuma-kun really didn't use them, did he?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha once again carried out her revenge.
Clearly, he had taken off the tights.
In the end, all he did was cover her with a blanket?
You aren't human!
Yukima Azuma was speechless.
All that could be said was, as expected of Kasumigaoka-senpai.
A master of showing maturity, her "driving" skills were extremely proficient.
The wheel ruthlessly ran over Yukima Azuma's face.
...
Machida Sonoko stood waiting not far outside the office, for about an hour.
Finally, the two of them came out.
But Machida Sonoko understood.
After all, they were high school students, chatting for a while was normal.
But!
"Kasumi Utaha-sensei, where are your tights?"
Machida Sonoko asked with suspicion.
Kasumigaoka Utaha turned away, casually wiping the corner of her mouth discreetly.
"When I was sitting at the desk earlier, they got caught on a nail in the corner of the desk and tore, so I threw them away."
Although this explanation was quite reasonable.
Machida Sonoko still felt deep suspicion!
Chapter 70: Hello, Ms. Yukinoshita Yukino
"You're asking for leave again! Don't you care about anyone? Do you even look like a student anymore?"
"What's the excuse this time? Tell me! It really pisses me off!"
The voice on the other end was Kirisu Mafuyu, scolding in anger.
Just recently, Yukima Azuma had sent a message requesting a leave of absence via Line.
It hadn't been long since school started.
Yukima Azuma's time off had already exceeded the time spent in school.
Although Yukima Azuma was a genius who didn't need to worry about anything, Kirisu Mafuyu could no longer hold back.
So, that morning, Kirisu Mafuyu directly called Yukima Azuma.
"Kirisu-sensei, I'm taking a sick day."
Yukima Azuma weakly spoke.
There was silence on the other end for a moment.
Then, Kirisu Mafuyu's tone clearly softened.
"Are you really sick? If you're lying, I'll be really mad."
"Honestly, I'll just scold you a little, but I'll still let you have the day off."
When Yukima Azuma heard Kirisu Mafuyu softer tone, she couldn't help but smile lightly.
"I'm really injured, how could I lie to Kirisu-sensei?"
"Yesterday, I attended a senior book signing event, and there was a little accident."
"Although I just applied some simple bandages yesterday, it's better to go to the hospital for a check-up."
The sound of phone keys clicking could be heard.
It was clear that Kirisu Mafuyu was searching for information.
Fujikawa Publishing had spent a lot of money building their reputation.
The accident at the book signing didn't turn into a scandal.
In fact, it became an opportunity for The Metronome in Love to become famous.
So, after Yukima Azuma agreed, Fujikawa Publishing released the surveillance footage from the store.
This news was still hot on search engines and was receiving a lot of attention.
Kirisu Mafuyu quickly found the related article.
And saw the accident that Yukima Azuma had mentioned.
"Do you... need help? I can take the day off to go with you to the hospital."
At first, Kirisu Mafuyu clearly wanted to scold Yukima Azuma a few more words.
Like, why do something so dangerous?
But after a brief pause, she didn't say it.
Instead, concern for Yukima Azuma surfaced.
Despite the unexpected situation, Yukima Azuma's actions, though a little dangerous, were very sensible.
She also knew Kasumigaoka Utaha, a student at Toyosaki.
Without Yukima Azuma, Kasumigaoka's life would likely have faced serious problems.
Therefore, despite her frustrations, she couldn't bring herself to scold.
But she still couldn't help feeling uneasy about her student.
Thus, she asked Yukima Azuma if she needed help.
"Kirisu-sensei really is a good teacher."
Yukima Azuma responded, not quite on point.
Hearing that, Kirisu Mafuyu on the other end of the phone couldn't help but subconsciously lower her head.
Then she realized that she was talking on the phone.
Even if her expression didn't match the image of a teacher, she didn't have to worry about being seen.
What teacher would be shy about being praised by a student like that!
"Hey, you troublesome student!"
Kirisu Mafuyu tried to make her voice sound colder.
"Kirisu-sensei, I'm fine, after all, I'm a professional," Yukima Azuma hurriedly replied seriously.
Hearing this, Kirisu Mafuyu couldn't help but huff.
"Professional, huh? You're still a student!"
At this point, she paused slightly.
"Well then, after class, I'll visit you to check on you. Send me your address."
This time, Yukima Azuma was a bit stunned.
Kirisu Mafuyu was going to visit he house?
Yukima Azuma thought for a moment before replying.
As a result, Kirisu Mafuyu noticed Yukima Azuma's silence.
"What's wrong? Do you have a problem? You don't want me to visit?"
"No, I'll send you the address, I'm really looking forward to your visit, Kirisu-sensei."
Yukima Azuma could only agree.
After hanging up the phone, Yukima Azuma opened the hallway door.
It seemed that the bandage on he forehead couldn't be removed today.
In fact, the injury hadn't been serious for a long time.
The real reason he asked for leave today was to go to an interview.
No, to be more precise, it was a recruitment session.
"How could I lie to Kirisu-sensei?"
The interview with Yukinoshita Yukino was scheduled for today.
Yukima Azuma set off and headed to the coffee shop where they had arranged to meet.
...
Yukinoshita Yukino had woken up very early.
She washed her face, applied makeup.
Wore a fitted white shirt and a black skirt.
She chose black stockings for her legs.
She had to fully prepare for the interview today.
This was her last chance to live freely.
Standing in front of the mirror in her cheap rented room.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at the dark circles under her eyes, feeling utterly helpless.
She was born beautiful.
Even without skincare, her skin remained soft and enviable.
But no matter how good the genetics, there are limits.
The tough times, the poor living environment, inadequate nutrition, and the worries in her heart.
Eventually left small marks on her beautiful face.
If this life of poverty ended here.
In just three days, her condition would quickly recover.
But if it continued like this.
It might cause permanent damage that could never be restored.
She patted her cheek.
She pushed all the other thoughts out of her mind.
Yukinoshita Yukino grabbed her handbag and stepped out of the rented room.
Under the morning sunlight, she still walked with her back straight and her head held high.
At least, until today, she was still Yukinoshita Yukino, the one who always pursued freedom for herself!
...
At the coffee shop.
Yukinoshita Yukino had arrived early.
She sat in a secluded spot.
Her mind was wandering.
Suddenly, doubts arose.
Why did the other party choose a coffee shop like this for the interview?
It wasn't a small company or a small workshop.
Laplace Corporation was a company with a registered capital of over 1.5 billion yen.
No matter how crowded the company was, they surely must have a dedicated room for interviews.
A scam?
No, the recruitment software verification process was quite strict.
So, what was going on?
Yukinoshita Yukino thought of another possibility.
The company's staff, due to her appearance, had developed dirty and vile thoughts.
They wanted to take advantage of their position to carry out "unspoken rules" with her.
This wasn't Yukinoshita Yukino being arrogant or overthinking.
She had really encountered such situations in her job search.
The other party had once asked her to meet at a restaurant for couples, subtly implying that she would have to accept the "unspoken rules" if she agreed to the job.
Yukinoshita Yukino slapped the person across the face and angrily walked away.
Of course, that interview had been a complete failure.
Thinking about all this, Yukinoshita Yukino's mood plummeted.
She had thought this was the last hope she had grasped, but in the end, it was just a meaningless illusion.
The feeling of falling down to that level made one feel like going mad.
Just as Yukinoshita Yukino was sinking into her despair,
"Hello, are you Yukinoshita Yukino-san?"
Hearing the question, Yukinoshita Yukino looked up.
She saw a handsome young man, as refreshing as a cool breeze.
He had a well-balanced face, particularly his eyes and eyebrows, which were so striking that one couldn't take their eyes off him, sharp like a sword, bright like a star.
Although he had a bandage on his forehead, slightly affecting his overall appearance, it gave him a different kind of charm.
The simple white shirt he wore looked incredibly attractive on him, almost like a hot item.
Just by looking at him, one might think he was frequently bothered by talent scouts from entertainment companies...
Even though Yukinoshita Yukino herself was an extraordinary beauty.
And she wasn't one to be swayed by looks.
She couldn't help but be momentarily stunned when she saw the young man.
After regaining her composure, Yukinoshita Yukino calmly asked:
"That's me, may I ask what's the matter?"
When the young man heard Yukinoshita Yukino confirm, he smiled.
His smile felt like a gentle breeze passing through.
