"Why should I bother with such pointless things? I can handle my own affairs." Yukinoshita Yukino's voice was cold, her mood visibly sour.
After all, she had been dragged into this situation against her will, and to make matters worse, that bastard actually had the nerve to say something so infuriating. How could she not care?
But what truly grated on her nerves was the fact that the one responsible for all of this was none other than the woman sitting across from her—her own teacher!
If she really wanted to intervene, fine. But did she really have to call her to a place like this? Just how thick was her skin?
"I knew you were unreliable, but I didn't expect you to be this outrageous."
"Hah? I was just a little late, why are you making it sound like I committed a crime..." Hiratsuka Shizuka muttered, feeling slightly guilty. As a teacher, she should've had more authority over her students, yet in front of Yukinoshita, she always felt like she was being scolded instead.
"That's not what I'm talking about..." Yukino sighed, pressing her fingers against her temple as if trying to will away a headache. She knew the woman in front of her was just playing dumb.
However, she couldn't be too direct, not with him still lurking behind the rock formation at the bath's edge.
There was no way she could say outright, "I'm troubled because of that idiot."
Wouldn't that just make it seem like she actually cared about him?
"Forget it... What exactly did you call me here to say?"
"Come on, you should've already figured that out."
"It's more than obvious... But regardless, you don't have to worry so much. As for my sister… you don't need to concern yourself with her request either. I understand the situation, and I can take care of myself."
"Well, it's not just because of Haruno," Hiratsuka sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "You're my student too. As a teacher, it's my duty to show at least some concern, y'know?"
She waved her hand lazily, before idly scratching at her chest. The ripples in the bath water spread outward, causing small waves to form.
The motion caught Yukinoshita's attention, and for a brief moment, she just stared at her teacher.
"...What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Hiratsuka raised an eyebrow, confused by Yukino's intense gaze. "Oi, don't look at me like that. I have all the morals a teacher should have, okay?"
"If that were true, you wouldn't have forced him into my Service Club in the first place."
"Ahem... Well, that's... I mean, he is a problem child! And that Hikigaya brat too! Besides, hasn't he turned out fine? He's not causing that much trouble, right?" Hiratsuka coughed awkwardly, attempting to justify her actions.
She knew full well that, in the end, she was partly responsible for all of this.
"Don't change the subject," Yukinoshita shot her a sharp glare, sensing the blatant evasion. "I'm sure you have something important to say."
The implication was clear—if this wasn't serious, she was done with this conversation.
Hiratsuka sighed dramatically, feigning hurt. "Man, I'm still your teacher, y'know? You don't have to dismiss me so coldly... Tch, don't actually leave."
She cleared her throat before getting to the main point. "I won't interfere in your personal matters, but about Haruno... If you're not going to see her, then at least go home for now."
She crossed her arms and gave Yukino a look of mild concern. "Honestly, I don't even know why you came to me about this. These are your family matters, not mine."
Yukinoshita Yukino remained silent for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she let out a slow sigh and nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your concern."
"Hah, I'm just the messenger here. You don't need to thank me." Hiratsuka waved off the gratitude nonchalantly. "Just do whatever you think is right… I mean, you are my student, after all."
Saying that, she stood up, stretching her arms with a satisfied groan. "Damn, this bath is nice. Feels just like an onsen. Even my back pain feels a little better now."
Yukino watched her silently. Just like that person...
In terms of intelligence, Yukinoshita Yukino and her sister Haruno were undoubtedly similar. But in personality? They couldn't be more different. If they didn't share the same surname and resemblance, it'd be hard to believe they were even related.
As their teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka understood them both well. She cared about them, that much was certain. But at the end of the day, she could only do so much.
Interfering beyond this would be stepping out of bounds—even for her.
Anyway...
"You—why did you suddenly stand up?! Sit down, quickly!" Yukinoshita's voice carried a rare note of panic. Her back stiffened as she resisted the urge to turn around, wary that someone might be peeping.
"Huh? I'm done soaking, so I was getting ready to leave..." Shizuka Hiratsuka tilted her head, puzzled by Yukinoshita's overreaction. Her eyes followed Yukinoshita's tense gaze, eventually settling on her own chest.
"...Ahem, well, I don't think you need to be so flustered. Your family has good genes, after all…" She smirked, stretching her arms as if to emphasize her point. She didn't mean to show off, but she never expected Yukinoshita to care so much about this sort of thing.
It's true, though—Yukino was already quite developed at that age…
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" Yukinoshita frowned, her mind taking a moment to process Hiratsuka's words. But once the meaning clicked, her face darkened considerably.
One after another… Is that really such an important thing? Can't people live just fine without them?!
"Please leave." Her voice was cold and clipped, signaling the end of the conversation.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." Hiratsuka waved a hand dismissively, chuckling to herself. Just as she thought—Yukinoshita still cared about these things.
"Well, I'll be heading out first. Don't soak for too long, or you'll miss your curfew."
"..."
As soon as Hiratsuka left, the bathhouse returned to its usual serene atmosphere. Steam curled lazily above the water, and the gentle sound of ripples filled the silence. After a long pause, Yukinoshita finally spoke again.
"She should be far enough now. You can come out."
"..."
No response.
Her brow furrowed slightly. Was that guy seriously making her wait? Did he expect her to personally go over and invite him?
With growing impatience, she moved toward the rock formation that had been shielding him—only to find that Natsukawa Kanade was already gone. There wasn't even a trace of him left behind.
"..."
Tch. That guy actually ran off?
For some reason, that irritated her even more than if he had stayed. Her grip on the towel tightened slightly as her expression soured.
I might have trouble sleeping again tonight.
—
Meanwhile, just outside the bathhouse, Natsukawa Kanade leaned against a wall, his breathing deliberately slow and controlled.
It wasn't that he was physically exhausted—after all, the distance was nothing. But the mental pressure? That was an entirely different story.
Holding his breath while sneaking out, making sure to move with absolute silence, ensuring not even the faintest rustle of fabric or splash of water betrayed his presence… The sheer tension was suffocating. It felt like playing in a high-stakes final match—one where a single mistake meant immediate death.
He shuddered at the thought. If someone had spotted him just now, he'd be labeled a "pervert who infiltrated the women's bath." No matter how innocent his circumstances, that kind of misunderstanding would be the end of him.
Just as he was regaining his composure, a teasing voice cut through the night air.
"Oh? If it isn't our student council president. Standing outside the teachers' bathhouse at this hour… Are you waiting for someone? Or perhaps… were you planning to sneak a peek?"
Natsukawa stiffened instantly.
"This joke isn't funny, Hiratsuka-sensei…" He turned to face her, maintaining a calm exterior, but inside, he was a mess of nerves.
Did she see me? Was I caught? How long has she been standing there?!
Hiratsuka crossed her arms, raising an amused brow. "Really? I think it's hilarious… Anyway, don't stay out too late. Remember to get back before curfew."
With that, the broad-minded teacher turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him standing there, still unsure if she had actually noticed anything.
"...Yes." He responded quietly, exhaling in relief.
Only now did it finally click why he had run into Yukinoshita in the first place.
It was all because of that damn front desk!
What kind of establishment was this?! Seriously, this place is a disaster waiting to happen!
**************
Attached is Yukinoshita Haruno