After breakfast, Shuichi went next door to get his school bag, while the Akiyama sisters sat in the shop, waiting and digesting their food.

An couldn’t wait to pop the lollipop into her mouth, and the sweet taste immediately made her beam with joy.

Tsuki watched her, feeling a headache coming on. She was too mentally exhausted to care anymore. She also tore off the wrapper and, while licking her own lollipop, took the opportunity to flip through her notebook, checking for any oversights in the preparations for the upcoming school festival.

As she was eating, she noticed her mother staring at her. She couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Mrs. Akiyama propped her face in her hands on the counter, tilted her head, and blinked. "Nothing. I just feel that the way you eat a lollipop, Tsuki-chan, for some reason, feels a little familiar."

Tsuki’s eyelids twitched. "Mom, what nonsense are you talking about now? This isn’t the first time I’ve had a lollipop. What’s so strange about it feeling familiar?"

"No, it’s a different kind of feeling..." Mrs. Akiyama said with a reminiscent look on her face.

"Different?" An looked at her sister in confusion, then looked down at her own lollipop and took a lick.

Tsuki’s face turned slightly red. She cleared her throat. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mom. An-chan, it’s time to go."

Saying that, she stood up and grabbed her school bag.

An was even more confused. Her sister’s reaction seemed suspicious, but what could be so different about eating a lollipop?

I’ll ask Shuichi-kun about it in private later, She thought.

...

At school, before class started, Shuichi was once again snatched away by Sumire and taken to the corner of the hallway.

"You still haven’t given me an answer from yesterday," Sumire said, her eyes shifting slightly as she crossed her arms, as if wary of him trying something.

"Oh... you ran off so fast yesterday, sensei. I didn’t have time to answer. And you didn’t ask me on LINE afterward," Shuichi said with a shrug. "However, I’ve been keeping your matter in mind. I already asked Ichika-san last night, and she agreed to be a guest at your house this weekend."

"Oh, Kitagawa is coming over, so I have to... Huh?!! Really?!!"

Sumire’s eyes widened. She stood there in disbelief for a long time, then her hands started to tremble with excitement. She grabbed Shuichi’s shoulders and shook him vigorously. "You’re not lying to me? Is Kitagawa really coming to my place as a guest?"

Shuichi quickly grabbed her wrists. "Stop shaking, you’re making me dizzy. I already told you, as long as you’re willing to listen to me, I’ll definitely help you achieve your wish."

"Yes, yes, yes, it was my mistake to doubt you. Although you have a lot of mischievous ideas, Shuichi, you’re still a man of your word. I’ll remember this favor!"

Sumire was on the verge of tears. This was something she wouldn’t even dare to dream of. For so many years, Kitagawa had never once visited her home.

After the excitement came anxiety. She asked nervously, "Which day is she coming? What time? I need to prepare properly! Today is Thursday, tomorrow is Friday. Maybe I should just take these two days off and go home to clean and decorate. Right, I also need to buy more flowers. Kitagawa loves flowers and plants..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Shuichi was exasperated. "If you’re going to be like this, sensei, then the whole thing is off. I wouldn’t dare bring Ichika-san to your house."

"Huh?" Sumire froze. "Th-then what should I do? It’s Kitagawa’s first time at my place. I have to leave a good impression, right?"

"If you ask me, cosplaying as Rikka would leave a much better impression on Ichika-san than all that other miscellaneous preparation," Shuichi couldn’t help but retort.

"No way! My image in Kitagawa’s heart would be completely ruined!" Sumire strongly objected, even more vehemently than when she had cosplayed in front of him.

Shuichi rolled his eyes. "I’ve said it before. I can only help you fulfill your wish if you listen to me. Otherwise, we can just forget it, and all my previous efforts will have been for nothing."

"But... Rikka is just too embarrassing. Can’t we at least change it to a more mature character?" Sumire hesitated, her face filled with embarrassment.

Experience had shown that listening to Shuichi was at least more reliable than her own judgment, but this was just too weird. Wouldn’t it really scare Kitagawa away?

"Bunny Girl Senpai is fine too," Shuichi said casually.

"That’s even more embarrassing, and it requires props..." Sumire shook her head repeatedly.

"Saber?"

"Too chuuni."

"You’re really hard to please, sensei," Shuichi said irritably.

Seeing his impatience, Sumire quickly cupped his face, gave him a quick kiss, and then pleaded sweetly, "Can you think of something else for me, Shuichi-kun?"

Shuichi was a little surprised. It seemed this female sensei still had a lot of untapped potential. Look at how proactive she was being.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered the first cosplay photo he received of her as Yor Forger. "Then... Yor. That should be fine, right?"

"The casual outfit with the red sweater and black pantyhose?" Sumire asked tentatively.

Shuichi immediately shook his head. "Of course not. The black formal dress with the high-heeled leather boots, the one that exposes her shoulders and the zettai ryouiki on her thighs. The one for combat that increases attack speed."

"That cosplay actually uses hollowed-out gel stockings, which are quite difficult to wear... and it’s also a bit chuuni, isn’t it?" Sumire was still hesitant.

Shuichi said irritably, "Aren’t you, a sensei who’s obsessed with cosplay, already chuuni? You pretend to be proper every day, treating Ichika-san with a fake persona. Why do you still delude yourself into thinking she’ll have a frank conversation with you?!"

Sumire was rendered speechless. She lowered her head guiltily. It was true. She wasn’t even willing to show her true self to Kitagawa, so what right did she have to ask Kitagawa to be close to her?

"Alright, fine, I understand. I’ll cosplay as Yor when the time comes..."

"That’s more like it. I’ll inform you of the specific time in advance. You don’t need to prepare too much. Just a simple cleaning of your house will be enough."

Shuichi said, shaking his head as he turned to go back to the classroom.

"Um, today... Do I not have to pay the price?" Sumire suddenly reached out, grabbed his sleeve, and asked weakly.

Shuichi turned and stared at her for a while, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

"Are you being this proactive today, sensei?"

Sumire’s cheeks flushed. She turned her head away, her gaze evasive as she said, "I’m just afraid you’ll go back on your word later. It’s better to be proactive. Like you said before, since it’s already like this, if my attitude is a little better and more positive, you’ll be more dedicated, won’t you?"

"Is that really all?" Shuichi looked at her playfully.

Sumire’s two straight, slender legs fidgeted restlessly, and her face grew even redder.

"Of course that’s all. But if you absolutely must hear those things to be willing to help me, then I can say them..."

"What things, specifically?" Shuichi studied her expression with great interest.

Sumire stammered, "K-kissing feels good..."

"Anything else?"

"Peeping is interesting..."

"Anything else?"

"...Being touched feels... pretty good too..."

"This is how you should be, sensei. Don’t run away from your true self. Letting go of those burdens will actually make you feel much more relaxed." Shuichi reached out and pinched her sharp chin.

Sumire froze, unable to move, but her mouth was still stubborn. "Don’t go too far! I’m only saying what you want to hear because I want your help! It’s not what I really think at all!"

"Such a stubborn mouth is actually quite fun to kiss," Shuichi chuckled, pinning her against the wall and lowering his head to kiss her.

The warmth on her lips instantly made Sumire’s heart pound faster. She felt her mind go fuzzy, and the figure in front of her began to blur.

This feeling... she had been dreaming about it recently, and every time she woke up, she would feel an exceptionally strong sense of emptiness.

The more she dreamed of it, the stronger the craving became.

She felt it was a terrible thing, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

"Alright, that’s enough for now. I have to get back to class," Shuichi said, pulling back after a brief taste, without any lingering attachment.

Being left hanging like this made Sumire feel even worse. "Is that all?"

"Don’t worry. Although I didn’t collect much of a price, I’ll still do my best to help you, sensei," Shuichi said, a playful look in his eyes as he noticed the hint of unfulfillment in hers.

"Oh, that’s good then," Sumire said, trying her best to look relieved.

"However... I have another mission for you at lunchtime today," Shuichi said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"What?" Sumire’s heart trembled, and she suddenly felt a strange sense of excitement.

Shuichi rubbed her delicate earlobe and whispered in her ear, "Go to the nurse’s office early for your lunch break today, and pretend to be asleep there..."

After speaking, he casually slapped her butt and swaggered away.

"I knew this guy wouldn’t be satisfied so easily. He’s full of nothing but mischievous ideas," Sumire said, covering her butt in embarrassment, gently rubbing and then squeezing it.

Is the texture really that bad?

...

The first class was physics. An listened to the sensei inattentively. She couldn’t figure out what had happened this morning. Although she didn’t understand, she sensed something was up.

Otherwise, why would her sister have such a strong reaction to her getting a lollipop? And why did her mom say the way her sister ate lollipops seemed different?

An, who usually sat bolt upright and never dared to let her mind wander, couldn’t resist her curiosity. Itching to know, she bravely and secretly took out her phone and sent a message to Shuichi.

[Is there something special about lollipops, Shuichi-kun?]

Shuichi almost misread the message when he received it, thinking it was Tsuki getting lonely and trying to tease him again. But it was the little fool?

This made him look up at An in the front row. Coincidentally, she looked back at him with a straight face, secretly blinking twice. She looked ridiculously cute.

[Why are you suddenly asking about this?]

An clutched her phone tightly, carefully keeping an eye on the sensei. Her cute, delicate fingers tapped lightly on the screen as she briefly explained what had happened in the morning.

After reading it, Shuichi finally understood. Good grief, Mrs. Akiyama probably saw through it at a glance, didn’t she? The way the student council president eats a lollipop is clearly experienced.

[It’s better for the class president not to know about this. Otherwise, your sister will bite my head off.] Shuichi shook his head. It wasn’t just Tsuki; Sayuki would also give him a stern lecture.

[You’re bullying me just like my mean sister and my silly mom, Shuichi-kun. You always say I’m still little, but I’m all grown up now. Why can’t I know?]

[...] Shuichi was speechless. You asked for this. I was already trying so hard to hold back.

[Come to the rooftop early at lunchtime. Before your sister gets there, I’ll tell you what the difference is. But you’re not allowed to tell anyone, understand?]

[Okay, okay, okay! You’re the best, Shuichi-kun~]

An was happy. She obediently put away her phone. Although her face was still tense, it wasn’t hard to see the joy in her eyes.

And not far from her, Ako, who hadn’t been paying attention to the lecture at all and had been looking around the whole time, secretly shared her discovery in their little group chat of three.

Ako: [Big news! The prim and proper class president was secretly playing on her phone in class, and she looked super happy!]

Risa: [What’s so strange about that...]

Ako: [But she just looked back in Chiba-kun’s direction! And then she was secretly giggling at her phone!]

Risa: [Ah... even someone like the class president can’t escape it? Has she finally fallen into the love-struck brain trap?]

Ako: [Is there anyone more love-struck than you?]

Rina: [Chiba-kun seemed very reliable in the news before. It’s no wonder the class president is actively pursuing him.]

Risa: [Yeah... it’s a shame I didn’t realize it sooner. Chiba-kun is not only handsome, but also mature. He’s also super low-key and not at all like the other immature boys our age who deliberately show off in front of girls. They just look silly.]

Ako: [What’s the use of sighing all day? If you’re really interested in Chiba-kun, why don’t you go and compete with the class president?]

Risa: [How am I supposed to compete with the class president?!]

Ako: [I see it now. you’re just a coward. You talk a big game, but when it’s time for action, you back down. You dress up so carefully every day, are you just waiting for a handsome guy to come to you? you’ll be waiting until you’re old and gray.]

Risa: [You... who said I’m a coward?!]

Ako: [What? Are you going to confess?]

Risa: [I...]

Rina: [Alright, Ako, stop pressuring her. Isn’t this too hard for Risa?]

Risa: [Rina, you think I’m a coward too?]

Rina: [...I’m trying to help you.]

Risa: [Fine, just you wait. I’ll go confess after class, alright?!]

Rina: [Ah, you really don’t have to force yourself. Wouldn’t it be awful if you failed?]

Ako: [That’s not how you should look at it. If you never take that step, you’ll never know if you can succeed.]

Rina: [That’s true... Ako can occasionally say something sensible.]

Ako: [Are you looking down on me?]

Rina: [...]

...

After the first physics class ended, Shuichi stretched and then focused on his phone, sending his usual greetings to Fumika and Sayuki. Otherwise, they would get busy after ten o’clock.

Risa mustered her courage and stood up from her seat. With the encouragement and prodding of her two friends, she walked stiffly towards Shuichi.

And then...

She walked past him, made a circle, and returned to her seat.

"He’s busy chatting. It wouldn’t be right to disturb him. I’ll do it next class."

Ako and Rina exchanged a glance and said nothing.

After the second class, Shuichi went to the bathroom. Risa used this as an excuse not to disturb him.

After the third class, literature, ended, Risa really wanted to find another excuse, but under the "we’re waiting for your explanation" gazes of her two friends, she finally gave in to her impulse.

"Chiba-kun!" She stood up and called out to Shuichi, who was following Sumire out of the classroom.

Sumire turned to look, then said in a low voice, "What a bastard. Isn’t it enough? Now you’re messing with another little girl..."

"You’re wronging me, sensei. I don’t even really know her name. It’s probably about something else," Shuichi said with a shrug.

"Why are you explaining to me? I’d be happy if you tormented me less. I’m heading back to the office," Sumire said, then hurried away.

It wasn’t that she felt jealous, but... she did feel a strange sense of disappointment.

She had thought something would definitely happen during the break between classes.

Watching Sumire leave, Shuichi turned to the girl who had followed him into the hallway. "Can I help you, miss?"

Risa was quite good-looking and knew how to dress, though of course, her looks couldn’t compare to the Akiyama sisters. She was probably on par with the discipline committee member.

"Um... yes, there is something. Is it a good time, Chiba-kun?"

Risa stammered. Noticing the curious glances from those around them, her face rapidly flushed. She instantly realized this was a bad idea. This was not the right place at all. She should have chosen the rooftop or behind the school building.

But a glimpse of her two friends’ heads stacked on top of each other at the doorway, and the thought of being laughed at, made her resolve harden and her gaze become firm.

"It’s fine. So, what is it?" Shuichi was also a little curious.

"It’s just... um..." Risa panicked. She wasn’t prepared at all. She had acted on a whim and now had no idea what to say. "Your hairstyle a while ago was really cool, Chiba-kun. I was wondering if you could tell me where you got it done?"

After saying it, Risa felt both regret and relief.

"Oh, that. I probably can’t help you with that. A friend of mine did it for me, and they don’t plan on going into hairdressing for now."

Shuichi’s expression was a bit strange. This girl could blush this much just from asking about a barbershop? Was she really that shy?

"Oh, I see. Well then, thanks for your time, Chiba-kun," Risa said. She didn’t care about the answer; she just wanted to escape back to her seat.

"Wait a minute," Shuichi suddenly called out to her.

"Huh?" Risa froze.

"Sorry, miss... what was your name again?"

"..."

The corner of Risa’s mouth twitched. Seeing her two wicked friends at the door already covering their mouths and trying to hold back their laughter, she could only endure the embarrassment and reply in a small voice:

"Mizutani... Risa."

"So it’s Mizutani-san. Sorry, I haven’t been very social before, so I’m not very familiar with my classmates."

Shuichi studied her profile and noticed that her features were actually quite delicate. If this was genetic...

Every classmate was a precious connection. They couldn’t be underestimated. An and Uchida were good examples.

"N-no, it’s fine. If there’s nothing else, Chiba-kun, can I go back now?" Risa felt like she had suffered enough social death for one day.

At least only her two rotten friends knew what was really going on.

"Um, this might be a bit forward, but would it be okay if we exchanged LINE numbers?" Shuichi asked with a sincere look on his face.

"???" Risa turned her head in a daze, looking at his fresh, clean smile, and was momentarily captivated.

Chiba-kun... he really... is this considerate?

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