Student Guidance Office.
After sending off the last student, Hiratsuka Shizuka stretched with a tired groan.
Her already-strained shirt groaned in protest. The buttons trembled, threads barely holding.
"Finally off the clock..."
She let out a long sigh, rubbing her sore shoulders and neck.
As the Japanese teacher for the second-year students, the homeroom teacher for Class 2-A, and the overall student guidance counselor… and this being the start of the school year, Shizuka's workload was already maxed out.
"Better head back to the office first…"
As she passed through the academic building, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure emerging from the girls' bathroom.
"Was that… Kuzeha Yuu?"
"He seriously just walked out of the girls' restroom?"
Her brows furrowed.
A teacher's instincts told her this needed to be addressed. Immediately.
Just as she was about to call him out, a red-faced girl followed behind Kuzeha Yuu, a strangely satisfied expression on her face.
Shizuka froze.
Her mind went completely blank.
Then it spun into overdrive like a hurricane.
Seeing Kuzeha Yuu heading her way, she quickly ducked into a nearby alcove.
With her experience as a guidance counselor, she knew—this was not the time to confront both of them. She had to isolate and interrogate one at a time.
She took a deep breath and sent Kuzeha Yuu a message.
Five minutes later.
Faculty Office.
Shizuka sat with a serious expression, staring sternly at the boy seated across from her.
She had been Kuzeha Yuu's homeroom teacher in his first year, so she knew this kid well.
Grew up in an orphanage. Still just a teenager, but already raising and caring for the younger kids. Yet even with all that, he still ranked in the top ten of the year.
Despite how infuriating their conversations could be at times, his maturity often made her feel like she was speaking with a peer.
"I saw everything earlier."
"Spill it—when did it start?!"
Classic interrogation line—textbook intimidation.
Kuzeha Yuu blinked.
And immediately realized what she was implying.
"Sensei, don't tell me you think we were doing something… romantic in the bathroom?"
Shizuka didn't flinch, pressing forward.
"I get it—you're at that age, full of hormones and all, but if you ever have questions about that sort of thing… you can come to me—"
Kuzeha Yuu squinted, feeling like this conversation was about to turn into a scene from a spicy doujin.
So he cut her off.
"Sensei, why is it that someone who's never been in a relationship is so quick to imagine such things?"
"Shizuka, you're almost thirty. Maybe it's time to get realistic."
His tone was light, but the emotional damage was maximum.
Shizuka's eyes went black.
She almost collapsed on the spot. Her chest heaved in frustration, and one of her shirt buttons gave up its will to live—
Pop!
It flew off, only to be deftly caught by Kuzeha Yuu, who noticed it was still warm.
He glanced down—
Right into the snowy valley of doom.
"Sensei, I really am full of youthful vigor, you know."
Realizing his line of sight, Shizuka blushed and snatched the button from his hand.
"Give me that!"
She tugged her blouse shut, cheeks slightly red, her emotions swinging wildly in mere seconds.
But the little exchange helped her cool down a bit.
"…So what were you doing in the bathroom with Yotsuya from the neighboring class?"
"Exorcism."
"You know the urban legend about Hanako-san in the bathroom?"
Oh, she'd heard of it. Even saw the video.
"So she was Hanako and you were the exorcist?"
Shizuka crossed her arms and smirked, which only emphasized her already impressive figure.
"No, this girl played Hanako."
Kuzeha Yuu waved his hand and summoned the JK ghost spirit.
Shizuka's mouth fell open slightly.
"…It's real?"
She mumbled in shock.
Kuzeha Yuu dismissed the spirit and continued calmly.
"You know how it is these days. Any random kid might awaken some strange supernatural power…"
Seeing it firsthand, Shizuka no longer doubted him.
After all, there were already cases of teens suddenly manifesting powers. The government had even established a school dedicated to protecting such individuals.
"Kuzeha-kun… since you've awakened a special ability, maybe you should consider transferring to—"
"No thanks, Sensei. I like it here at Sobu High."
Shizuka stared at him for a moment, then sighed.
"Fine. It's your choice…"
"…But I'm twenty-seven, you brat! You said thirty?!"
Kuzeha Yuu glanced at her balled-up fist.
Time to retreat.
Outside Sobu High's front gates.
Under the cherry blossom tree stood a beautiful silhouette.
Elegant posture, a soft yet flawless face, and a dangerously balanced figure—pure and mature all in one.
Simply standing there made the blooming sakura lose their color.
"Yep… no doubt about it. My Sakura-chan is the best thing in the world."
Shizuka-sensei may be cute, but she ranks behind Sakura!
Hearing his words, the girl blushed lightly.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and softly said—
"You said the same thing to Sora last time, didn't you?"
"Uh…"
The two walked side by side, not noticing the twin-tailed girl behind the gate, staring at Sakura's back.
Her blue eyes trembled slightly.
"…Sakura…"