244: Closure to Isshiki’s Problem

"So, you just nodded in agreement?"

On Monday, after the morning class ended, Eriri, who had arranged to meet Utaha on the school rooftop, read the letter that Utaha had handed her. 

She listened patiently as Utaha recounted the events of the previous night. Incredible.

She really didn't expect so many things to happen after the phone call last night.

It was just one night!

Utaha closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, trying to adjust her breathing.

"Please speak more softly. Unlike you, I didn't sleep well last night, and now my head is pounding."

After a pause, she sighed and continued, 

"So what if I didn't nod in agreement? Chisato already stated that he wants a more equal and independent relationship." 

"This is a natural approach from any perspective. Given the circumstances last night, how could I shake my head and refuse?"

"Even if it's hard to refuse in person, you shouldn't have nodded in agreement right then and there." 

"If you genuinely couldn't think of a way to refuse, you could have simply withheld your answer for the time being and discussed it with me today before making a decision."

To be honest, considering Eriri's understanding of Utaha, it was surprising that she hadn't thought of something so straightforward, but that's exactly what happened.

"...My mind was very confused at that moment. I'm sorry."

Uncharacteristically, Utaha didn't argue, instead showing vulnerability and even apologizing.

This left Eriri feeling more perplexed. 

She had a lot of complaints pent up inside her, but now she couldn't voice them at all. The sensation of something stuck in her throat made her a little irritable.

She felt like a dog that had been cooped up at home for too long, pacing anxiously on the rooftop.

Utaha wasn't too surprised. 

She was in the same state as Eriri when she rested in the guest room last night, tossing and turning on the bed until about four o'clock in the morning before finally succumbing to sleep.

Neither of them spoke as they walked from the rooftop to a nearby bench in the center and sat down.

Today was cloudy, with a cool breeze that somewhat helped calm their nerves.

Rubbing her eyebrows, Eriri took a shallow breath.

"Okay, that's enough. Nothing you say can change what has already happened."

Utaha silently raised her head to look at the sky. Normally, she would have complained about such seemingly reproachful words.

But now, she simply didn't have the energy to argue with Eriri.

In her personal assessment of last night, she felt she had done her best.

"All in all, there are three issues we need to address now."

Seeing Utaha nodding slightly, Eriri gathered her thoughts and continued speaking.

"The first is Kazusa; the second is the girl Chisato mentioned, whose name we don't yet know; and the last is Chisato wanting to move out of the apartment we rented."

"...The first two issues can be set aside for now. The most important thing is that worrying is pointless." 

"It would be unwise to make a decision without understanding the situation. Therefore, the top priority is the last issue that needs to be resolved as soon as possible."

Eriri looked at Utaha, who had provided an insightful response, with an expression that conveyed, "You're not completely hopeless."

Utaha shot her an annoyed look.

"What are Chisato's plans for today?"

"He said he would ask for leave from the shop where he works and look for a new place to live after school."

"No matter what, we can't let Chisato move out. That's for sure. We have to keep him on our side; we absolutely can't go back now."

"I would also like to do that. Do you have any good ideas?"

"By understanding Chisato's needs and our own, we can find a balanced point that works for both of us."

Eriri answered firmly. Now that Utaha was feeling unreliable, Eriri was the one who had to take the lead.

"I can probably understand Chisato's inner thoughts. From an objective standpoint, it's a good thing that he doesn't want to rely on us for his livelihood." 

"In that case, he wants an equal relationship and can face us confidently, so we only need to help him achieve this without him moving out."

"..."

Utaha didn't need to think too hard. Just by hearing Eriri's words, she could understand what she planned to do.

She suddenly felt lazy and thought it would be a good choice to leave all the troublesome matters to others and simply enjoy the results.

At least this way, she wouldn't have to deal with the terrible headache and that damn feeling of powerlessness she felt now.

Utaha took out her mobile phone.

"I understand. I've made an appointment to meet Chisato at the apartment after school. We need to talk to him in person, right?"

"Yes."

Eriri nodded in agreement.

She wasn't like Utaha, who relaxed a little after resolving the current issue.

After all, the two girls who had suddenly appeared were the most troublesome and difficult problems to tackle.

What a headache. There were far more things to consider than just what had been mentioned.

…

Sobu High School, Service Club.

"So, did you find anything?"

Hiratsuka, who followed her usual style of barging in without knocking, pulled up a chair and sat in front of Yukino, who looked half helpless and half annoyed.

"Teacher, it's basic etiquette to knock before entering someone's house."

After closing the book, Yukino sat up straight and answered her client's question.

"Unfortunately, I did not discover anything unusual about Isshiki. During this time, I contacted and observed her and concluded that she is no different from ordinary high school students."

"Yeah... it's strange; it shouldn't be."

Hiratsuka slightly pressed her toes against the ground while leaning back, leaving her two front feet suspended in the air. 

She relied only on the back two feet of the chair to maintain her balance.

Logically, this was childish behavior that a teacher should not display. However, Hiratsuka felt no sense of incongruity in such a posture.

Perhaps it was related to her straightforward and forthright personality.

Yukino's gaze shifted from the carefree adult in front of her to the scenery outside the window.

"Teacher, do you think my judgment is wrong?"

"It's not good to speculate on other people's thoughts without authorization. I never said anything like that from the beginning."

Hiratsuka returned to her seated position for a moment, then helplessly spread her hands and shook her head.

"Since you say so, Yukinoshita, then perhaps I am just worrying too much, and Isshiki probably just had a very vivid nightmare."

She sighed lightly and quickly stood up, without any more hesitation.

"Then as we discussed before, since Isshiki is fine, there's no need to continue investigating. The monthly exam is next week, and I hope my commission doesn't affect your studies."

In response, Yukino merely teased her hair and laughed lightly.

Indeed, for her, studying was as simple as eating and drinking. She almost never cared about her grades.

Because without exception, they were always number one.

"No matter how confident you are, you still can't take it lightly."

As a teacher, Hiratsuka offered her advice.

"That won't happen. I always try my best."

Hearing this, Yukino showed a confident smile.

She still chose not to mention that Iroha seemed infatuated with the new neighbor who moved next door to her.

After all, that could be considered a girl's privacy, and it had nothing to do with Hiratsuka-sensei's request.

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(7/22)

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