V4Ch3: Struggle in the Hot Water Part 1

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

[Himiyama PoV] *This happened in the past.

I opened the classroom door with trembling hands. What awaited wasn’t a welcome but rather disdain.

I knew it was coming. I was prepared. Maybe it’s a bit better that no insults are being hurled at me.

Hesitant to step in, my legs falter, but I can’t just stand still. I enter the classroom, keeping my head down, avoiding eye contact with the students. Their gazes make me tremble.

A colossal wave of malice surges. I, just a mere intern teacher, won’t be respected. Just a few days ago, there was warmth towards me, even some fondness from the students. Now it feels like a distant past. The ideals I held dear, the vision of my future, all shattered. I stand here on the podium, too ashamed to even be called a teacher.

I’m not needed by anyone, not desired by anyone. How can someone like me guide children? Instead, I might end up hurting them, cornering them, facing retribution.

There’s a vast difference in sensitivity between adults and children. Wounds inflicted on the heart last a lifetime. The wounds I’m feeling right now pale in comparison to what he must have gone through. I have no right to complain about this situation. That’s why standing here feels like punishment.

Escape isn’t an option. He never ran away. He faced it all, even if it meant turning everyone against him, just to prove his righteousness. What a resilient heart he had.

Without even being able to see the children’s expressions, I start writing on the blackboard.

I feel something hit my back. It’s the sensation of a fallen, finely shredded eraser.

My grip tightens on the chalk, and it snaps. It shatters, and white dust dances in the air.

My heart, like this chalk, easily breaks. He left without acknowledging the apology letter, without even glancing at me, and in that moment, I gave up on my dreams.

Such profound disappointment in myself for feeling so lost and shattered. I’m a ludicrous and pitiful woman. The worst kind of educator. Just a harmful adult, planting malice, leaving only hatred behind.

Laughter echoes. Whether it’s a hallucination or real, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just accept it willingly.

I can’t block my ears. But I couldn’t face it either.

[It’s all your fault. If only you weren’t here. I wish you had never come.]

[Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear. Disappear.]

[Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die.]

Is it a curse, no. This is the true wish of the students. Their genuine desire.

I bite my lip. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but I can’t hold back the overflowing tears.

If I turn around now, I’ll be killed. If that’s the price for forgiveness, if that’s what makes it easier, I find myself almost wanting to cling to that thought. It’s infuriating how cowardly I am. Those children I once loved are now terrified of me, and all I can do is tremble in fear.

“—Coward.”

The words stab through from behind. I didn’t mishear the voice. It’s him.

Blaming me, tarnishing my honor, taking away my place, trying to drag me into a swamp of malice.

No matter how much I’m resented, I can’t even make excuses. Not even his mother believed him.

I wonder, did he despair at that moment? The friendships he had built in this class, the bonds he had nurtured with his family, and the bonds he had formed with them, all were destroyed and crushed by me after only a week of meeting him.

How grave a sin that is, I can’t even begin to imagine.

“….Ah… Ah…”

Unable to bear it any longer, feeling like giving up everything, I turn around impulsively.

He was just looking at me. With those lifeless, transparent eyes.

Words fail me. I forget how to breathe, struggling even to inhale. I reach out, seeking salvation, and then I lose consciousness.

My sight fades to black. Static noises rush, and consciousness returns.

Right, this is the obstetrics department. My first childbirth. Extreme nervousness and excitement.

I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished. My baby, finally in my arms.

For ten months, I’ve been nothing but happy. Every day felt like an eternity. I never knew there could be such joyful and anticipated moments. Every day, changes in my body. My growing belly.

—The movements of life. Experiencing a miracle akin to a mystery, despite it being my own body.

“I… I’ve become a mother, haven’t I?”

Words naturally spill out. I’m enveloped in relief. Overwhelming emotions. I wasn’t flawed.

Instinct understands this feeling as motherhood. My chest twinges. The nourishment for the baby.

Wrapped in fulfillment and accomplishment, even after losing my dreams, hope still remains within me.

I’m urged by an impulse to hold this baby soon. There’s a phenomenon called imprinting where a chick regards the first being it sees as a parent; I want to be that person for my baby. Because it’s so dear to me. If I touch their existence, I should be able to give them all the affection and love more than anyone else in this world.

“Why… Is no one here…?”

Scanning the room frantically, but there’s no one in the hospital room except me. No welcoming voices. Moreover, not a single family member, not even the spouse who should have eagerly awaited this moment, is here. I can’t even remember my spouse’s face.

The sterile white walls exacerbate my anxiety terribly. There was only loneliness there.

The door to the hospital room opens. A newborn held by a nurse.

I take the baby in my arms, feeling a flutter of excitement and nervousness.

“…Eh?”

It’s just a reddish-black lump. I can feel its heartbeat. It’s alive, but it’s like a… monster.

A failed creation born from a flawed product. Its eerie, squirming, and grotesque eyes recognize me.

“What… is this…? No, no, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Letting out an almost primal scream of agony, I lose consciousness once more.

---

“I had a nostalgic dream. It’s been a while since I’ve had one.”

I sit up in bed. My skin feels uncomfortable, drenched in sweat.

The recurring nightmares have always left a bitter aftertaste, deeply dampening my mood.

“The me in my dreams seems more normal… ironic, isn’t it?”

At least in the dream, I was able to marry and have children. That alone makes the dream version of me far more normal than my current state. I smile ironically.

That expression reflected in the mirror disgusted me. I didn’t want to see this face—whose judgment?

Oh right. The reason I haven’t been tormented by nightmares is because of the reunion with Yukito-kun.

Until then, I used to have recurring nightmares. They paralyzed me.

The career I aspired to, the dream of having a family through marriage, all lost.

“At this rate, I’ll just be a spinster stuck in a kid’s room, won’t I, Yukito-kun?”

A worn-out, lackluster woman. The passage of time inversely relates to its density. Spending a year filled with meaningful and fulfilling content makes it feel long, but idling away time makes it pass by in the blink of an eye.

It’s been years since I made any new memories. I clung onto faded recollections, living through them.

A societal dropout who experienced failure and kept stagnating. A living corpse.

“You, you… You must—”

I reach out to the reflection in the mirror. Misaki, you—myself, that is—asks the question.

You gave me the courage to stand up. I can’t keep living like this forever.

I take a shower to wash away the sweat, holding my trembling body, trying to wash away the fear.

“It’s okay to be happy, right? It’s the chance Yukito-kun gave me. It’ll be fine—”

I haven’t committed adultery, but it was Yukito-kun who said it. He was worried about me. He didn’t want me to be unhappy. He said it was okay for me to be happy. If that’s the case—

It’s forgiveness. It’s what I’ve been seeking more than anything, something I can only say to him, something only he can grant me.

The reason I’ve had this nightmare after such a long time is that it will be the last.

Revealing everything, I’ll walk through life on my own two feet once more. I’ll reclaim my future.

I dry my body with a towel, blow-dry my hair. From a box with a lock, I take out a faded letter. The letter I couldn’t deliver. I couldn’t throw it away. Not ever.

Suzuka Sensei’s face has become so calm and gentle, as if a burden has been lifted. She carried the same darkness as me. But she, after that, continued facing the children, standing up without running away. A very strong and admirable woman.

“I can’t mimic her determination or passion.”

Still, believing there’s something I can do, I’ll move forward.

“I don’t have to believe in myself. But I’ve decided to believe in his words only.”

—Towards the direction pointed by that hand.

---

[Yukito PoV]

I carefully fold the finished letter and return it into the envelope. The feelings penned down in the letter remained locked away, never to be opened.

For years and years, those feelings left unexpressed on that day hadn’t faded away. And within that prison of that moment, she—Himiyama-san—remained confined.

When Sanjoji-sensei mentioned it, I somehow realized. But I chose not to address it because Himiyama-san seemed to avoid it. If she was acting friendly because it was our first meeting, then that was fine by me.

Now that I think about it, there’s a faint resemblance. Memories long forgotten. Just one of the many mundane episodes from the past. But it haunted her like a curse. She regretted the depth of her own wrongdoing. While it was commonplace for me, it wasn’t for Himiyama-san.

“I’m sorry!”

I bow my head. That’s all I can do. The vast amount of time she wasted, the days devoted to her dreams, the hopes she harbored, the ideals she upheld—every bit of it was trampled by me. I twisted Himiyama-san’s future. There was no excuse I could offer.

“Stop, Yukito-kun. I’m the one who should apologize. I thought things could remain like this. I believed that if I could get along with you without realizing, I’d be content. But I can’t move forward like this…”

Himiyama-san bows deeply. A hazy memory. That day, I didn’t accept the letter she extended to me.

There wasn’t any significant reason. I didn’t care about the contents of the letter, and it wouldn’t change anything. After all, she was leaving the school. I had no interest whatsoever.

But it was different. The letter held Himiyama-san’s feelings. Either way, it didn’t matter. Like a judge delivering a verdict, whether to forgive or to condemn was my choice, but what was needed was an answer.

However, I put it on hold without even accepting it. I plunged it into uncertainty.

If I had accepted it, Himiyama-san’s future would undoubtedly have changed. By discarding that, I was nothing more than a DV jerk, binding Himiyama-san to the past.

“If I had accepted it, Himiyama-san. You would have fulfilled your dream and by now, you’d have become a teacher, right?”

“That’s not true! At that time, I was ultimately destined to fail in some other way. The gap between reality and ideals couldn’t be bridged, and I hurt someone. Unfortunately, it ended up being you, Yukito-kun. I, in my immaturity, wasn’t qualified to teach children.”

“However, if you hadn’t met me, this wouldn’t have happened…”

“I’m glad I could meet you again. I consider it more fortunate than anything else. …This is the future I chose. So please don’t say that. There’s no need for you, Yukito-kun, to worry.”

“…Is that so?”

“I’m truly sorry. I couldn’t believe in you at that time. If I had been more certain, surely no one would have been hurt. So, let’s put an end to this gloomy talk here!”

Himiyama-san tries to change the mood by behaving cheerfully.

The connection we had in the past. I had doubts about Himiyama-san’s excessively high favorability from the start, but the reason was never something to rejoice about.

However, Himiyama-san is trying to overcome it. There was a respectable adult there.

I was called by Himiyama-san to a rental meeting room. I was summoned because she wanted to practice before working as a tutoring instructor.

“What should I do?”

“The class content is for elementary school students, so it might be boring for you, Yukito-kun, but I’d like you to play the role of a student.”

“That attitude, it’s nostalgic.”

“It’s a bit sentimental, isn’t it? I couldn’t let go… I’m sure there was regret. But I felt like I wanted to start over from here again.”

While saying that, I could see Himiyama-san’s hand trembling slightly as she stood in front of the whiteboard. Fear or nervousness. It could be both. Himiyama-san is trying to regain her composure in front of me, the cause of that situation, in the same naive suit she wore that day.

If that’s the case, what I can do is… Thinking that way, trying to ease the tension, dispel the fear, I joked around as usual.

“Looks like you’re bursting at the seams, huh?”

Assertive to the point of almost bursting. If there was a teacher like this, the PTA would be furious.

“Ufufufu. Do you mean to say I’ve gained weight? I guess it can’t be helped. It’s been a long time. My figure has changed, and yet, I’m forcing myself to wear this. Just for today.”

“I don’t know where to look.”

“Ara ara, you’re a troubled student, huh? Shall we begin then?”

The atmosphere lightens up, and I silently attend Himiyama-san’s class. It’s a simple basic content, but occasional reviews like this can be enjoyable. Moreover, due to changes in the curriculum, there are many interesting topics. As I concentrate, I notice an indescribable expression on Himiyama-san’s face.

“Hey, Yukito-kun.”

“Yes?”

“It’s wonderful to have such a serious student, but when you’re too serious and quiet, it makes me anxious. And being too smooth doesn’t help with practice either.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

It’s a natural thought. Not everyone is reserved. As she’ll be dealing with different types of students, there might be some with troublesome personalities. This isn’t helpful for Himiyama-san’s practice. What’s necessary here is acting ability.

“I understand. Then let me try something. Student skit: ‘Annoying Student.'”

“Why are you suddenly talking about comedy?”

“Yeah yeah! Sensei, do you have a boyfriend? Single now? Wanna grab some tea? Oh, do people not say that anymore? Guehehe. Tell me your three sizes! Guehehe.”

“The quick change in character is impressive.”

“Seriously, what’s the point of studying? You won’t ever use factoring once you’re out in the world. I wanna be a rapper in the future. Check it out!”

“You’re really annoying, Yukito-kun.”

“YO! YO!”

I’ve turned into an annoying elementary school kid. The world is harsh. Sometimes you might encounter troublesome students. If you can’t handle situations like this, it’ll be worrisome in the future.

“Fufu…Fufufu. Right. If you really want to know about me, maybe today’s a special day for health and physical education class. The theme is the female body. Fufufufufufufufufu.”

“Huh?”

“If you’d asked, I’d have told you anytime.”

“No, hold on a second. What?”

“Well then, let’s have a secret private lesson.”

“It was a trap!”

Yukito’s intelligence seemed to increase ▲

Yukito’s stamina seemed to decrease ▼

Yukito’s trajectory seemed to increase ▲

“What’s a trajectory!”

“Do you know what this is?”

“N-no touching!”

Yukito’s motivation plummeted ▼

This is hell. There’s no room for carelessness here.

I secretly learned various things during health and physical education. I can’t say what, but it was impressive…

“I’m getting worried in a different way now.”

“Don’t worry, Yukito-kun. The students at the institute are elementary school kids. It’s too early for health and physical education.”

Whispered softly in my ear, ‘It’s just for you.’ No sense of relief there.

“By the way, when will you start teaching?”

“In three days. It’s a small private institute, but it’s got a good reputation.”

Three days… I thought of peeking in out of concern, but unfortunately, that day clashes with a family trip.

“I wanted to celebrate Himiyama-san’s debut, but I have plans that day. I’m sorry. Let’s have a grand party once it’s done. A party.”

Now that I think about it, I’ve been heavily reliant on Himiyama-san. Always treated to cakes and fruits, and even their family entertains me. It feels awkward to keep receiving. How about celebrating the start of their job?

“…Just for a little while, like this. I don’t want you to see my face right now.”

Gently embraced from behind. Whether it’s sweat or tears, I can feel it against my back.

I don’t know how much resolve Himiyama-san had when making that decision. I never understand others. But just having someone by your side, comforting you, is something I know brings relief. Because that’s how it was for me.

“Will you celebrate?”

“Yes.”

“Will you grant my request?”

“Yes, if I can.”

“—Kiss me?”

“Endurance kisses are a bit… That’s too much breathlessness…”

“If it’s not an endurance kiss?”

“It’s uncharted territory.”

“Shall we experience it together?”

“If I answer this, does it lead to a different route?”

The door slammed open. In walked Sanjoji-Sensei.

“Misaki-san, long time no see. —Wait, what on earth are you two doing!?”

“Secret private lesson. Guehehehe.”

“This is completely inappropriate!”

After that, Sanjoji-Sensei lectured us severely, but it seems Himiyama-san and Sanjoji-Sensei have become close friends now. I heard she came to support Himiyama-san’s return as a tutoring instructor. Sanjoji-Sensei will join us in celebrating the job commencement.

Come to think of it, not just Himiyama-san, but I caused immense trouble for Sanjoji-Sensei as well.

And that’s not all. I always seem to cause trouble for those around me.

—It’s almost as if my existence brings about misfortune.

---

“I’ve had enough of this simple game. Let’s stop.”

I uninstalled the smartphone app game I was playing to kill time. I couldn’t keep doing this. Seriously, a game about collecting regional heroines from all over the country?

“Another ‘Kanhen’ again? I’m done.”

“Kanhen” is a common mistake in game difficulty adjustments. On the surface, it seems like a valid argument, as creators want players to thoroughly enjoy what they’ve made. However, in reality, it often turns out to be an unjustifiable or excessive element that imposes unnecessary stress and hassle. As a result, it becomes an unpopular pattern of failure. The prevalence of such troublesome adjustments is quite problematic. Simple is better, isn’t it?

I casually put away my smartphone in my pocket. When I looked up, an incredibly beautiful older sister was glaring at me with a bitter expression. That’s a 45-degree glare right there.

Hii! She’s trying to shoot me dead with her eye power.

“Why aren’t you touching?”

“I’d appreciate it if you could explain a bit more…”

“We’re here already?”

“Come on, let’s go?”

Mom urged me to get off, and my sister put her feet, which had been on my lap, back on the floor.

We were on a train. A bullet train. It’s so fast!

Today is the long-awaited exciting family trip.

Mom and my sister sat side by side in the four-seat row, facing me. And next to me was our luggage. That’s fine, but for some reason, as soon as the train started moving, my sister, sitting directly in front of me, took off her shoes and put her feet on my lap.

Am I a chopstick rest?

She’s an archangel. My contributions are never enough. Not a footrest, but a foot stool, silently ignoring it, even though I felt somehow dissatisfied.

“I put them there because I thought you’d want to touch.”

“How do you perceive me?”

“Fufu, Yuri, you know, is shy.”

“I’ve never heard such a story at school.”

“It’s just for you.”

My mom, who was laughing cheerfully, let me in on the secret.

Unexpectedly, a new fact was revealed. Foolishly, I asked my sister.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Indeed.”

“Why do you assume I want to touch?”

“Ha?”

“I wanted to rub, you know!”

“Just be honest with yourself.”

“Yes.”

“You two, stop fooling around and get off quickly.”

Pushed by my mom, I was helpless against the archangel’s noble heart, beyond my reach.

After passing through the ticket gate, it was a snowy area.

Well, not exactly—it was sunny as a typical summer day, but the fresh air and the unfamiliar scenery painted an entirely different experience from my usual life.

“I feel the atmosphere as soon as we left the station.”

“How much further from here?”

My mom and sister were chatting back and forth.

This time, it’s a two-night, three-day hot spring trip. Since my mom unexpectedly got a long vacation, we decided to plan various things to make the most of it. Personally, I’ve got a lot on my plate to do.

Although staying at Ryokan is exciting, for now, it’s about relaxing in the hot springs and relieving the usual stress. I want my mom to refresh herself.

While observing from a distance, I spotted the typical luridly colored soft-serve ice cream that’s often found in tourist spots and promptly went to buy it. I should buy three, one for each of us.

The station area was bustling with crowds, understandable since it was the summer vacation period.

I glimpsed other travelers similar to us, and there was an overflowing liveliness all around.

As I returned near my mom and sister, somehow they formed a group of 2. Two cool-looking university students were chatting with them in a friendly manner.

Is that… perhaps they’re trying to hit on them? In this short time, it’s impressive…

Both my mom and sister are beautiful. When they stand together, they look like a pair of beautiful sisters. Come to think of it, these encounters during trips might be the essence of traveling. Considering my mom is single, she might unexpectedly find a good partner. I’ve never been on a family trip before, so I wouldn’t know, but my mom and sister seem quite experienced in this regard.

Should I not interfere? You never know where a fateful encounter might be waiting.

As I pondered while licking the soft-serve ice cream, my mom had a polite smile on her face, but my sister seemed openly displeased. Fumu.

“I bought them.”

“Where were you, Yukito?”

“I went to buy these. Here you go.”

I handed out the soft-serve ice creams I held in both hands. I had already finished mine.

“Wait, are you her boyfriend?”

Two college-like guys suddenly intervened and were surprised.

“Her chopstick rests.”

“—Eh, what…?”

“Yes, boyfriend. It’s none of your business. Let’s go, Yukito.”

“Sorry, but kids like you aren’t my type.”

“Hey, wait a minute!”

My mom and sister pushed me to walk.

Being squeezed on both sides made me feel like I was being escorted. Even dissected UMA might have felt like this.

“We were worried about where you went.”

“You always disappear as soon as we look away.”

“I saw this soft-serve ice cream that looked bad for your body and impulsively bought it.”

I bought it with the usual touristy tension, but it didn’t taste so good. Too bad.

“It’s you, Yukito. If we dragged this on, it would’ve caused a scene.”

“I’m glad those two are fine. I don’t want our family trip to be ruined.”

“You’re acting like I’m going to do something.”

“Don’t do anything dangerous, okay?”

My mom looked worried, and my sister appeared bewildered. They seemed to have nailed down a point. I’m not trusted at all.

Well, even I wouldn’t just suddenly cause a scene like that!

Honestly, I’m a bit too used to handling these kinds of troubles smoothly, so I can’t really explain myself.

“I’m reflecting on it.”

“People who don’t reflect on it say that.”

“Well, well. Let’s enjoy ourselves!”

After waiting a few minutes at the bus stop, the bus arrives.

True to its reputation as a tourist spot, the buses come frequently here.

As I glance out of the bus window, the suburban scenery seems somewhat uniform. Rows of large stores like electronics shops, shopping malls, and drugstores pass by periodically. It’s like a glimpse into the shadow of a car-centric society. Shopping districts seem destined to decline.

But after a while, the scenery starts to change, unveiling its unique patterns.

“We’ve arrived.”

My mom murmurs softly.

In front of us stands an old-fashioned yet stunning inn.

The surroundings are filled with a quaintness that feels somewhat out of time.

After getting off the bus, we walked through the charming hot spring town for a few minutes.

And there we were, finally arriving at our destination—the ‘Kaihara Inn’.

“Look, Yuri. It’s lovely, isn’t it?”

“And the room even has an open-air bath.”

Hmm, it’s quite a breathtaking view. The scent of tatami is delightful.

Upon reaching the assigned room, we promptly set down our luggage and explored the spacious interior. The Japanese-style room, accommodating up to six people, boasts ten and six-mat rooms, coupled with the luxury of having an outdoor bath.

“We’ve got an amazing room. And it wasn’t even that expensive.”

“Oh, really? Is there a specific reason for that?”

My sister shoots me an inquiring look.

I understand. I, Yukito Kokonoe, do my homework on everything.

Apparently, the ‘Kaihara Inn’ has redirected its focus to cater more to foreign tourists, anticipating an increase in inbound demand. A significant number of staff members can speak foreign languages. Throughout the inn, there are numerous signs in English and other foreign languages. Even the bathing etiquette in the hot spring is written in English.

While it exudes the old-fashioned charm of traditional hot springs, the inn feels surprisingly global. Such an odd imbalance has its allure. However, for Japanese customers, a hot spring filled with foreign language might seem lacking in ambiance and emotion.

Yet, with the current halt in international travel, they have no choice but to pivot toward domestic customers. However, after catering to the international market for so long, a sudden change in approach seems challenging, and they’re struggling with it. That sums up the lengthy explanation.

“That’s quite something.”

“Well, the room is fantastic, and the hot spring is faultless, right?”

“Indeed. It might slightly spoil the atmosphere, but let’s not mind and just relax.”

We sit on the cushions, taking a moment to breathe. Sipping tea slowly.

“The public bath is great, but the room’s bath is also quite spacious and looks like we could all fit. Don’t you think so?”

For some reason, Mom winks, but I’m unable to grasp her true intentions, I just respond neutrally. Maybe she plans to bathe with my sister?

“Yeah, probably.”

They must be looking forward to the bath; women really do love baths.

Leisurely checking the effects, it seems hot springs are effective not only for relieving fatigue and warming up but also for neuralgia, muscle pain, and insomnia. Hot springs are incredible.

“Shall we take a commemorative photo first?”

My sister takes out her smartphone. Carrying a DSLR would be too heavy for a trip. It would just be a burden, and its utility would be limited.

“I’ll teach you a pose that’s trending among high school girls lately.”

“You’re acting just like a typical high school girl, Yuri-san…”

“Ha? I’m mad now. If you keep that attitude, I won’t go easy on you.”

Following Yuri’s instructions, I strike various poses.

“Then, from behind, hold me close to you as if you were hugging me, and grab my br*ast with one hand. The other hand goes here …… and you don’t run away. Then you smile your vile smile.”

“What’s with this outfit? I have a feeling it’s unethical!”

“What’s that? It’s a pose like the cover of an *rotic doujinshi magazine that’s all the rage among high school girls these days.”

“It’s a sign of a serious breach in public morals!”

The reason is that I am against the wall and I can’t run away. The position of the hand is especially bad!

“Well then, take a picture, mother.”

“I didn’t know that pose was so popular among young girls. Maybe I’ll have my picture taken too.”

Mom, who has no doubts whatsoever. How pure is she …… But be careful of scams and such, okay?

“I don’t know, more and more people are confessing to me again lately, and I think I should destroy their brains.”

“Absolutely, it’s strictly confidential.”

“I wonder if I should wreck some brains, considering there’s been an increase in confessions lately.”

“Absolutely, it’s strictly confidential.”

I wonder if Mizuguchi-Senpai, who was determined to confess again, is doing well?

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want others to see me like this?”

“I’m fine with that. Yes.”

Yuri’s in such a good mood. I’ll protect Senpai’s mind!

“Okay, it’s my turn next? I’ll show off to my subordinates.”

“Let’s not.”

In the end, we also took photos with Mom. I wonder if she intends to destroy her subordinate’s mind too…