Haru and Yukino left without further obstruction this time.
The woman stood frozen, watching their backs disappear into the distance before whipping around to glare at her bodyguard, who still looked shaken.
"What the hell were you doing?! How could you let a high schooler scare you like that?"
The bodyguard forced a bitter smile.
"I... I don't even know how to explain it."
As a trained professional, he was painfully aware of how terrifying Haru's punch had been. That sheer speed and force—if the kid had actually hit him, he wouldn't have even had time to react. His nose would have been shattered before he knew it.
"Let's go back. I'll talk to Mrs. Yukinoshita again. There's no way she's really planning to burn all bridges with us!"
The woman ranted for a bit in frustration before getting back into the car with her bodyguard.
Two peaceful days passed after that.
Every day, Haru made sure to check in with Yukino, just in case the Hisada family had tried to bother her again.
"Mrs.Hisada probably won't come after me or my sister again," Yukino replied calmly. "She should understand by now that if she wants to solve her family's problems, she'll have to get my mother involved."
She still didn't ask for details, only stating the situation as it was.
But Haru was always cautious—he didn't fully relax just yet.
He decided to pay a friendly visit to Hisada Keisuke in the hospital that evening.
That afternoon, during the break after first period, Haru found himself in a heated discussion with a few classmates who had previously helped out in the Photography Club.
Their voices were hushed, but their expressions were anything but serious.
They were talking about eroge.
What had started as a private conversation between Haru and his close friends, Furakawa and three others—avid "industry insiders"—had somehow been overheard. That single slip had unearthed a surprising revelation: there were far more "enthusiasts" in class than expected.
Some argued that older games were better, full of nostalgia and gripping storylines.
Others countered that modern games were superior—their refined graphics alone put older titles to shame.
Then, a boy with neatly parted hair chimed in with a calm, knowing tone:
"It's never about the land being barren. It's about whether the ox can endure. No matter how hard you plow, a dry field will only ever become a rice paddy at best."
Silence.
Everyone stared at him in awe.
So this was the true master among them.
Meanwhile, Haru was lost in thought.
Wait… my situation seems different.
This ox isn't even close to exhaustion. In fact, it only grows stronger with every battle.
After school, Haru had just stepped out of the classroom when he ran into Utaha.
"You're heading to the club too? Perfect, let's go together," she said casually.
Haru smirked. "Not busy anymore?"
"For now," Utaha sighed dramatically, pretending to be exhausted.
"Then you should take the chance to rest properly."
"I expected you to say something like, 'Want me to make you a schedule?' or 'How about I give you a massage?'"
Haru raised an eyebrow. "Wait, how do you know I can massage?"
"Huh? Wait, you actually can?"
Utaha blinked in genuine surprise—she'd only been joking.
Haru straightened up and declared proudly, "I am Tokyo's Massage King."
The last time he'd told Yukino, he had modestly claimed to be "Tokyo's Number One Massage Expert."
But now that his [auto-aim] skill had improved significantly, he saw no need to hold back.
After all, when he massaged Yukino last time, he barely used any force… yet she still had to change her underwear afterward.
Utaha chuckled. "Alright then, if you have time, how about giving me a massage?"
"Sure, but you should mentally prepare yourself." Haru's tone was serious.
"For a massage?" Utaha looked skeptical.
"Yes. My techniques pack quite a punch. I'm worried you won't be able to handle it."
"Pfft. You're getting better at saying dumb things."
Utaha scoffed, utterly unconvinced.
A massage that required mental preparation?
What, was he going to make her cry or something?
She prided herself on her vast knowledge and intellect. She had studied a little bit of everything—including massage techniques.
Haru claiming that she couldn't handle it? Nonsense.
If anything, she was more concerned about whether he could handle her.
After all, my body is… quite something.
When the time comes, I'll take the lead. Let's see if you're the one who breaks first.
Utaha's face grew slightly warm as she imagined Haru struggling to keep up. She couldn't help but giggle.
Haru shot her a puzzled glance.
Before he could ask, their path was suddenly blocked.
"You two? Together?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka frowned at the sight of them walking side by side.
Haru replied smoothly, "Utaha-senpai and I were just discussing a highly professional academic topic. It's too advanced for you, Hiratsuka-sensei."
"Oh?" Hiratsuka crossed her arms, tilting her chin up. "Is that so? Then explain it to me."
"Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"Quit stalling and spit it out."
Haru smirked. "We were discussing the energy absorption of sand walls and their effect on blast waves."
"…Huh?"
Hiratsuka blinked in confusion.
The topic sounded so technical, so dense, that she wasn't entirely sure if he was messing with her.
She turned to Utaha for confirmation.
As a top student and a model pupil in the teachers' eyes, surely Utaha would tell the truth.
But what Hiratsuka didn't know was that this black-stockings senpai had long been conquered by this cunning pig.
So when Utaha noticed Hiratsuka's questioning gaze, she simply smiled politely and nodded. "That's correct."
Hiratsuka: "…"
Haru put on a "concerned" expression.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, your confused face says more than words ever could."
Utaha maintained her gentle smile. "He's right."
Hiratsuka: Something about this feels off.
She wasn't about to let these two brats make a fool of her. She was still their teacher!
No way was she going to let Haru spread rumors about her being clueless—especially not to Yukino.
So, keeping her cool, she challenged him.
"I still think you're messing with me."
Haru gestured toward Utaha. "She's the top student in the entire grade."
Hiratsuka immediately changed tactics, avoiding that point.
"Fine," she said, acting unimpressed. "Then just explain that 'sand wall' thing to me."
"It's sand wall energy absorption," Haru corrected, earning himself a glare.
He chuckled and quickly searched his memory. Thanks to his [Steel Body], his brain functions had been significantly enhanced. He easily recalled a research paper he'd once read out of boredom.
"We were talking about how, under the impact of a blast wave, a sand wall disperses rapidly, converting explosion energy into particle motion and friction. This absorption effect helps protect structures from the shockwave's destructive force."
Hiratsuka was stunned.
Then Utaha, still smiling, smoothly added,
"According to the reports I've read, a sand wall can reduce peak overpressure by up to six times. The extended duration of the blast wave weakens its impact, lowering external structural strain by 30% and reducing acceleration peak values on end caps by 50%. This clearly demonstrates its effectiveness in shockwave absorption."
Hiratsuka's eyes widened.
Wait… Is there another expert?
Even Haru was slightly surprised.
Utaha glanced at him with a knowing smile.
"I just happened to read that report too. How was my performance?"
Haru gave her a thumbs-up.
"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."
Hiratsuka Shizuka crossed her arms and nodded repeatedly.
"So, Sensei, you stopped us just to ask about this?"
Haru knew she was just putting on an act, but he decided to throw her a bone so she wouldn't lose too much face.
At least this kid knows how to give me a way out.
Hiratsuka gave him an approving smile.
"The principal wants to see you."
"Ah, so that's why you came looking for me. Shall we head over now?"
"Sounds good."
The two quickly made their decision.
Utaha spoke up as well.
"Can I come along?"
Hiratsuka waved a hand dismissively.
"Of course. The teachers all think highly of you, and the principal has praised you several times."
Hearing that, Utaha subconsciously straightened her posture and shot a smug glance at Haru.
Her eyes practically asked: Impressive, aren't I?
Meanwhile, Haru's gaze had landed on her lips. They looked particularly glossy today.
She must've put on lip balm.
After all, Utaha had already proven through her actions that she was quite passionate when it came to the "kissing"
The three of them arrived at the principal's office.
Inside, the principal was playing shogi with an older man, whose temples had already started turning gray.
"You're here?"
The principal looked up upon hearing them enter.
Hiratsuka smiled.
"Should we let him take over now?"
The principal turned to the older man across from him.
"What do you think?"
Haru and Utaha exchanged confused glances.
Take over for what?
The older man looked over as well.
"So this is the student you were bragging about? The one who's supposedly amazing at shogi?"
The principal's expression turned smug.
"He's not just good at shogi. His karate is top-tier too. I'll even go so far as to say that, even compared to university-level competitors, he's a total monster."
Now Haru and Utaha understood.
The principal just wanted to show off.
Utaha was full of curiosity and surprise.
She had no idea Haru and the principal were this familiar with each other.
"That's quite the exaggeration," the older man chuckled. "No matter how talented he is, he's still just a high school student."
The principal immediately turned to Haru.
"Am I exaggerating?"
Haru initially wanted to be humble, but the principal was already giving him a look.
The kind that roughly translated to: You'd better act like a damn genius today.
Haru almost laughed.
"Well… you're not wrong. I am pretty strong."
"And he's a shogi expert too," the principal added.
The older man sighed, shaking his head with a smile.
"Alright, Amamiya-kun, was it? I'm the principal of Azabu Middle School. Let's have a match."
Haru finally understood.
So that's why the principal was so eager to show off—he must've been losing, so he dragged Hiratsuka to find help.
After he sat down, Utaha and Hiratsuka immediately gathered around to spectate.
The principal, meanwhile, just sat back with a grin, ready to enjoy the show.
"You want me to go easy on you?" the older man asked, half-jokingly.
Haru smirked.
"How about you wait until I win a few games first?"
The older man blinked in surprise.
The principal burst into laughter.
"Yes! That's the attitude! Keep going, give me more of this!"
Utaha and Hiratsuka exchanged glances, both suppressing their amusement.
Haru was doing a fantastic job boosting the principal's ego.
The older man, however, didn't seem too bothered.
Once the game started, he made his opening moves aggressively, his shogi style sharp and highly offensive.
But unlike last time, Haru played at a steady, methodical pace, calculating every move carefully.
He wasn't blindly bragging just now—he had his reasons.
He'd spent years getting absolutely wrecked by Yukino in shogi.
During his visits to her house, even her parents had joined in, watching and giving him pointers.
After training under the "Three Shogi Masters of the Yukinoshita Household" for so long, his skills were naturally far above casual players.
That said, because he only played against Yukino, he had no real gauge of how strong he was compared to the outside world.
The battle raged on, with the older man attacking fiercely while Haru calmly plotted his counters.
Seventeen minutes in, the outcome was decided.
"...Again."
The older man seemed to have gotten interested now.
But before he could start another round, the principal laughed.
"Again? No way. He still has club activities! Amamiya isn't just in the karate club—he's also the president of the photography club. He doesn't have time to play endless matches with some old man!"
Then, the principal shot Haru a meaningful look.
Haru understood immediately and stood up.
"You're just gonna leave after winning? Isn't that a little unfair?" the older man chuckled, shaking his head.
The principal pretended not to hear him and waved Haru and Utaha off.
"Alright, off you go!"
Haru rolled his eyes.
"So basically, I'm just your tool, huh?"
The principal just smirked and said nothing.
As they walked out of the principal's office, Hiratsuka clapped Haru on the shoulder.
"Didn't know you were this good."
"It's not me who's impressive—it's Yukino." Haru shook his head. "She's the one who trained me."
"Oh, that makes sense. That girl is ridiculously talented." Hiratsuka nodded thoughtfully. "I should drop by your photography club sometime."
With that, she turned and left.
After walking alongside Haru for a while, Utaha suddenly spoke up.
"Would you practice shogi with me sometime?"
Haru glanced at her with a grin.
"Feeling competitive?"
Utaha smiled softly.
"I don't need to beat her… but I'd rather not lose too badly."
Meanwhile, back at the Photography Club…
Kato Megumi had just finished asking Yukino for some advice when she casually asked:
"Did Amamiya-kun and Utaha-senpai get held up by something?"
"Perhaps."
Yukino responded indifferently.
Kato simply nodded and returned to taking notes.
Yukino, on the other hand, remained calm as she flipped through her study materials.
Her composure was that of a commander, completely unfazed.
Just how far have Utaha-senpai and that guy gone? Can she even handle him… physically?
For once, Yukino's thoughts took an uncharacteristically indecent turn.
A moment later, she regained her usual composure.