Chapter 099: Girlfriend? Yukinoshita's Shock, Haruno Arrives
Yui Yuigahama had heard that Lin Ye had confessed to Yukinoshita Yukino, but was rejected every time. Originally, when she saw Lin Ye in the Service Club and learned that he had become a member, she wondered if Lin Ye had launched a new offensive and gotten closer to Yukinoshita.
Especially yesterday, when the three of them agreed to meet at Chiba Mall to search for Sable, she noticed that Lin Ye, who had arrived first, had coffee with Yukinoshita. This scene further reinforced her thoughts about their relationship.
But now, seeing this beautiful, long-haired girl from another school appearing in the Service Club, Yui Yuigahama suddenly felt that she had overthought things.
Why would Lin Ye need to pursue Yukinoshita? With a high-value, well-proportioned, long-haired beauty like this, whose cold demeanor was strikingly similar to Yukinoshita's, how could Lin Ye possibly still be pursuing Yukinoshita?
"Lin-kun, who is she..."
After a while,
Yui Yuigahama snapped out of her inner shock, her words stuttering, as if she didn't know how to ask.
"Miyuki Kuroshima, my friend."
Lin Ye was also surprised. He had gone out intending to take Miyuki Kuroshima for a walk near the club building but happened to run into the arriving Yui Yuigahama.
"Hello!"
Miyuki Kuroshima is voice was soft and calm.
This was her usual style. She had always maintained this cold attitude towards those around her, a distant and unapproachable ice queen.
"Hello, hello! I'm Yui Yuigahama, a friend of Lin-kun."
Yui Yuigahama took an excited step forward, but seeing Miyuki Kuroshima take a step back, displaying her aloofness, made her instantly awkward.
"Sorry, Kuroshima isn't very good with strangers."
Lin Ye knew the biggest issue was that Miyuki Kuroshima was untouchable. If Yui Yuigahama were to come into contact with Kuroshima and discover her peculiarities, it would inevitably lead to a series of follow-up problems.
"It's fine, it's fine, I understand. I'm like that with strangers too, hahaha."
The pink-haired girl laughed twice, waving her hand to show that she didn't mind at all.
"Is Yukinoshita not here?"
She changed the subject,
"Yukinoshita-senpai took the day off today,"
"I see."
She sounded a bit disappointed,
"Did you come because you ran into some trouble again?"
"No, no, just, just..."
After fidgeting for a while, Yui Yuigahama spoke up, "I want to apply to join the Service Club."
She wanted to join this club because it seemed interesting, and with the most famous school beauty in Soubu High, she couldn't help but want to get closer to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"You'll have to ask Yukinoshita-senpai about that. As just a member, I don't have the authority to approve your joining. By the way, you can ask Hiratsuka-sensei. As the advisor, if she agrees to let you join, Yukinoshita-senpai probably won't refuse."
"R-really?"
"Really... hurry up! If you don't go soon, Hiratsuka-sensei might be heading home."
"Okay, okay, I'll go find Hiratsuka-sensei now. Goodbye, Lin-kun, Kuroshima-kun,"
Yui Yuigahama bid farewell and turned to jog out of the club building.
Under Miyuki Kuroshima is gaze, Lin Ye closed the Service Club's classroom door.
With less than two minutes left, there wasn't enough time to take Miyuki Kuroshima is for a walk around the area.
"Next time, I'll find a chance to show you around Soubu High."
"Mmm."
She nodded.
"That girl just now was very cute."
"Huh? Yes, quite a few boys have written her love letters."
"Including you?"
"No."
"Then who is Yukinoshita?"
She leaned back against the windowsill, her slender and graceful figure bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, her long black hair swaying in the breeze, creating an enchanting arc.
Even though she was untouchable, why was she still affected by her surroundings?
Lin Ye was curious about this question, but compared to the confusion it caused, he now only wanted to marvel at the stunning beauty of the girl before him.
How many boys at Kyoto Private Elite Academy must have gone crazy for her!
"Can't you say?"
Noticing Lin Ye's reluctance, Miyuki Kuroshima brushed her hair aside, her gaze shifting back to the scenery outside the window.
Unlike the gray and black skies of Elite Academy, this sunset-painted sky was a beautiful sight she hadn't seen in a long, long time.
"She's my classmate and the current president of the club I joined."
Lin Ye answered.
"Clubs, they're nice."
She had joined a club before, but the ensuing swarm of suitors disrupted the club's normal activities, leading her to quit and leave school immediately after classes.
It could be said that she had never truly experienced high school club activities.
"Next time, introduce her to me."
"Uh..."
"Just kidding."
She moved lightly, turning her back to Lin Ye, leaving behind a beautiful and alluring silhouette.
The next second,
Her figure disappeared from the spot, and the sunlight outside the window directly fell on the floor of the Service Club classroom.
Lin Ye scratched his cheek, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Why does it feel like an ex-girlfriend meeting a current girlfriend?"
He shook his head, trying to dispel that thought.
Yukinoshita wasn't his current girlfriend, and Miyuki Kuroshima wasn't his ex-girlfriend.
But if they really met, it felt like they might end up fighting, and Yukinoshita definitely wouldn't stand a chance.
So, it was better to avoid that.
Lin Ye silently made a decision.
Knock knock knock...
Knock knock knock...
There was a series of knocks on the Service Club door.
"Come in."
Just as Lin Ye was about to say, "Service Club President Yukinoshita is absent today," he realized the person entering was Yui Yuigahama.
"Yuigahama-san, you're back. Is Hiratsuka-sensei not there?"
"I..."
The pink-haired girl looked serious, but when she didn't see the long-haired beauty, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She couldn't help but ask.
"Where's Kuroshima-san?"
"She went back."
"Ah!"
She went back, but aren't you going with her?
Yui Yuigahama was full of questions, but she didn't voice them.
"Lin-kun, I found out something from Hiratsuka-sensei."
"What is it? Did Hiratsuka-sensei not approve your joining the Service Club?"
"No, Hiratsuka-sensei agreed, but the final decision depends on Yukinoshita-san."
"Then..."
Tap tap tap...
The pink-haired girl stepped forward with heavy footsteps, standing in front of Lin Ye. At this moment, she seemed less timid than usual, with a hint of determination and anger, as if Lin Ye had done something to wrong her.
"What's wrong?"
"Yesterday, yesterday..."
Yui Yuigahama clenched her fists, feeling both frustrated and anxious. A faint mist appeared in her eyes, as if she was on the verge of tears.
"Lin-kun and Yukinoshita-san arrived at Chiba Mall first and started looking for Sable. You even encountered a wild dog attack. Such a serious thing happened, but why, why didn't you tell me? Weren't we supposed to be partners who would meet up and search together? Is it because... I'm not a member of the Service Club, so... so..."
Exclusion.
Yui Yuigahama felt excluded by Lin Ye and Yukinoshita Yukino. She had wanted to integrate into this group, to become a part of it.
But yesterday's reality hit her hard, making her realize how unnecessary her thoughts were.
This group didn't need her. She was superfluous.
"Yuigahama-san, don't overthink it."
"I, I'm not overthinking it."
You're definitely overthinking it. You're about to cry—that's not overthinking?
"Yukinoshita and I arrived first, so we started searching. We didn't tell you because we didn't want you to worry. After all, we really did encounter a wild dog attack, and you tend to overthink things."
"I, I don't."
"Oh? Do you really believe that yourself?"
Seeing Lin Ye point at her face, Yui Yuigahama lowered her head, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
She really had overthought it.
"Since you're not overthinking it, that's good. Our Service Club has also completed your request. I hope you're satisfied, Yuigahama-san."
"I am satisfied, but it would've been even better if you hadn't hidden it from me."
She emphasized.
Now she understood that Lin Ye and Yukinoshita had kept it from her to avoid unnecessary worry, but she still felt unhappy.
"You can go settle the score with Yukinoshita-senpai. It has nothing to do with me."
"Lin-kun, you're so sly."
Yui Yuigahama finally showed a small smile.
"Alright, it's about time. The president isn't here, so the Service Club will end early today. I'm going back."
"Are you going to visit Yukinoshita-san?"
The pink-haired girl stared at Lin Ye with curiosity.
"I'm going back to my apartment to rest."
"Oh..."
She sounded disappointed, as if she really wanted to visit Yukinoshita Yukino.
"I don't know where she lives."
"I do. I got the address from Hiratsuka-sensei."
Lin Ye understood. This girl wanted him to accompany her to visit Yukinoshita Yukino.
But he knew that Yukinoshita Yukino would least want to see him.
"I won't go. Yuigahama-san, you can go by yourself."
"But if I go alone, Yukinoshita-san might not see me."
If I go with you, she definitely won't see you.
Lin Ye reassured her, "She will. Don't let Yukinoshita's cold exterior fool you. She's actually very kind. If you go visit her, she'll definitely be willing to see you. I guarantee it."
With Lin Ye's assurance and encouragement, Yui Yuigahama decided to go alone. Before parting ways at the school gate, she once again extended an invitation to Lin Ye.
"Lin-kun, won't you come with me? I, I'm still a bit worried."
The pink-haired girl was still anxious, her heart uneasy.
"You can do it. Good luck."
In the end, Lin Ye didn't agree. Yui Yuigahama reluctantly accepted and bid farewell to Lin Ye before leaving.
Lin Ye watched the gradually setting orange-red sun and headed towards his apartment.
Today,
He decided to walk back to the apartment.
...
Arriving at the entrance of the luxurious high-rise apartment, Yui Yuigahama felt even more pressure.
She dialed Yukinoshita Yukino's number. The beep beep sound felt unusually long.
"Hello?"
"It's me, Yui Yuigahama, Yukinoshita-san."
"Yuigahama-san, is there something you need?"
She had received a text from Lin Ye, saying that Sable had been found, and the request was complete.
"I, I wanted to visit you. Because of my situation, you ended up getting scared."
Yui Yuigahama's tone was full of apology. Yukinoshita Yukino immediately thought that Lin Ye had told her about the wild dog attack yesterday.
There was no need to mention that.
"I'm fine. There's no need to specially visit me. I appreciate your concern."
"I'm already at the entrance of your apartment building."
Yukinoshita Yukino fell silent.
How did Yui Yuigahama find this place? Did Lin Ye tell her? But how did Lin Ye know her address?
"Come up. Sixteenth floor."
Soon,
The entrance door automatically opened. Yui Yuigahama quickly entered and took the elevator to the sixteenth floor.
Yukinoshita Yukino estimated the time and opened the apartment door, standing at the entrance to welcome her guest.
"Wait..."
"Is Lin Ye coming too?"
That was highly possible!
Just then, the elevator door opened. Yukinoshita was startled and instinctively turned to run back.
"Yukinoshita...san?"
Yui Yuigahama was confused. Why did Yukinoshita-san look so scared?
Was it her imagination?
"It's nothing. This way."
Not seeing Lin Ye, Yukinoshita Yukino breathed a sigh of relief.
That guy didn't come.
When they reached the living room, Yukinoshita Yukino poured a cup of tea for Yui Yuigahama, who was sitting on the sofa, and prepared some cookies and apples.
"Thank you."
Yui Yuigahama thanked her and gently blew on the tea.
After a while, she took the initiative to ask about Yukinoshita's condition.
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry."
"Mhm, I was really scared when I heard about it from Hiratsuka-sensei."
Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned, realizing she had misunderstood Lin Ye.
"What else did Hiratsuka-sensei say?"
"She said that such an important thing happened, but you and Lin-kun didn't tell her immediately, completely disregarding her as the advisor."
Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but imagine the scene of an angry and frustrated Hiratsuka-sensei. Although the teacher complained, she was still worried about her safety.
"We just didn't want you to worry."
"..."
Yui Yuigahama hesitated but ultimately held back.
"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san and Lin-kun, for your help. If it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't have found Sable."
"It was you and Lin Ye who found him. I had nothing to do with it. The person you should thank the most is Lin Ye."
"I've already thanked him, I thanked him yesterday."
Yui Yuigahama clenched her fists, psyching herself up. "Yukinoshita-san, I, I want to join the Service Club. I want to become a member of the Service Club."
"Reason."
"It's interesting."
"Rejected."
"Wah!"
Yui Yuigahama immediately let out a whimper.
"W-why are you rejecting me?"
"The Service Club I founded is meant to extend a helping hand to those in need. I won't allow anyone to join if they don't have a clear purpose."
This was the club's principle, its core mission, and something that could never be compromised.
"I, I also want to help others. Just like how Yukinoshita-san and Lin-kun helped me find my lost Sable, I want to help other students in school who are facing difficulties. So, so..."
Her face was full of pleading, and she almost wanted to throw herself at Yukinoshita and act cute to gain her approval.
"Please, please agree to my application to join the club."
"Please, Yukinoshita-san, I'm serious."
Silence lasted for five seconds.
Yukinoshita Yukino spoke softly, "Write up your application and hand it to me later."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm! Yukinoshita-san, you really are as kind as Lin-kun said!"
"What did he say about me?"
"That you're cold on the outside but warm on the inside, very kind."
But Yui Yuigahama immediately felt a chill emanating from the cold girl across from her.
"Um, did I say something wrong?"
"No, it's not your fault."
Even now, whenever she thought of Lin Ye, her emotions became complicated, and she didn't know how to face him.
"Ah, right, I almost forgot to mention. When I went to the Service Club today, besides seeing Lin-kun, guess who else I saw?"
Yui Yuigahama got excited, eager to share this surprising discovery with Yukinoshita.
"Hiratsuka-sensei?"
"No, I think it might be Lin-kun's girlfriend!"
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression changed. Her deep blue eyes flickered with shock.
Girlfriend? That guy has a girlfriend?
How? How did he suddenly get a girlfriend? And he even brought her to the Service Club? What was he trying to do? Show off? Provoke her? Hint that her body meant nothing to him?
It was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Yukinoshita Yukino's heart was filled with an inexplicable restlessness.
"Who?"
"Miyuki Kuroshima."
Who? Is there a student by that name at Soubu High?
"She's not from our school, but that girl is so pretty! She has the same style as Yukinoshita-san—long black hair, a cold demeanor. At first glance, I almost thought she was you, Yukinoshita-san. But she's taller and more... well-endowed than you..."
As she spoke,
Yui Yuigahama realized something was wrong, and her voice gradually became as soft as a mosquito's hum. She instinctively gulped.
She had said the wrong thing!
"I'm sorry, Yukinoshita-san, I, I shouldn't have commented on a girl's figure like that. I'm really, really sorry."
Yui Yuigahama repeatedly apologized, even standing up and bowing to express her regret.
But seeing Yukinoshita Yukino still cold-faced, Yui Yuigahama felt like she was about to cry from anxiety.
Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze dropped to the trembling, bouncing "buns" in front of her, and her mood worsened.
She wasn't angry about Yui Yuigahama's comment. She was angry that the guy had deliberately brought a girl to the Service Club, probably to "mock" her.
"I have such a well-endowed girlfriend. Your flat body holds no attraction for me, Yukinoshita. Don't flatter yourself. Don't think your body has any charm. I don't even want to look at it."
Yukinoshita Yukino's mind was racing with these thoughts.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
"I didn't even go to school today. Why would he specifically bring his girlfriend to the Service Club to mock me?"
This was the only question she couldn't figure out.
Yukinoshita Yukino decided to temporarily put this issue aside.
"Yukinoshita-san, um... I..."
"It's fine. I don't care at all."
Yui Yuigahama wanted to cry. She could tell Yukinoshita cared; otherwise, her tone wouldn't have been like that.
"Anyway, I'm sorry. Girls still have time to develop at this age. I, I actually haven't developed much either..."
She looked down at her own "buns" and realized her words didn't have much persuasiveness. She gave an even more awkward smile.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood up and picked up the teapot to refill Yui Yuigahama's cup.
Splash splash...
The cup was filled to the brim.
"Hand me your application next week. I plan to continue taking time off to rest at home tomorrow."
She decided not to go to school for the rest of the week.
"Okay, I'll write it tomorrow and give it to you next week, President."
Yui Yuigahama looked forward to her future club activities.
"Um, can club members make requests?"
"Yes."
"Then, I, I want to... learn how to make cookies."
"Sure, I'll teach you next week."
She hoped everything would be back to normal by next week.
Yukinoshita Yukino silently wished for this.
...
...
Chiba Elementary School,
Kyou Fujibayashi finished her work for the day but stayed in the office to continue preparing lesson materials.
It was her fourth day on the job.
Everything at Chiba Elementary School was normal.
On the first day, a student named "Rumi Tsurumi" had "kindly" "warned" her. For the first two days, Kyou Fujibayashi had been on edge, afraid she might encounter something supernatural.
But three days had passed,
and everything was normal.
The small Chiba Elementary School showed no signs of anything unusual.
However...
"Elementary school teachers really do leave early. The pressure is definitely the lowest here. Being an elementary school teacher is the best."
Kyou Fujibayashi stretched, her purple hair swaying as she moved.
"In half an hour, I'll head to the supermarket, buy some groceries, and prepare dinner. By the time I get home, Ryou will probably be back too. Perfect."
She praised herself for the well-organized schedule.
Knock knock...
Suddenly,
a faint knocking sound echoed.
Kyou Fujibayashi put down her pen. After listening carefully, she confirmed she wasn't hearing things and got up to investigate outside the office.
"Huh..."
She saw a Chiba Elementary student in a black uniform, facing away, using a small wooden hammer to knock on something.
"Hey, kid, why haven't you gone home yet? It's getting late."
Whoosh...
The child dropped the hammer and dashed into the nearest classroom.
Kyou Fujibayashi: ???
Was the kid afraid of being scolded by her?
"I'm not the kind of teacher who likes to yell at kids. Is there really a need to be so scared of me?"
Kyou Fujibayashi muttered to herself as she followed the child into the classroom.
"But why is this classroom so dark?"
She reached for the light switch.
Click, click... No matter how many times she flipped it, the lights wouldn't turn on.
"Even the lights are broken?"
Kyou Fujibayashi felt a headache coming on.
"Kid, come out. I won't scold you. It's late, you should go home. Your parents will worry."
She took a step forward.
Bang! The door behind her slammed shut.
Kyou Fujibayashi froze, then tried to open the door, but it was firmly locked.
"What's going on?"
"Why won't it open?"
A bad thought crept into her mind. The warning from Rumi Tsurumi three days ago kept replaying in her head.
Could it... could it be... that there really is something supernatural here? And it's... that elementary school student.
"Teacher..."
"Play with me."
A faint voice came from behind.
"Play with me, play with me."
...
Gulp...
Gulp...
Kyou Fujibayashi couldn't help but swallow hard, her body trembling slightly. She didn't dare to turn around.
"Um... I'm scared of the dark. Let's go outside and play... okay?"
Click... The classroom lights turned on, but they emitted a cold, bluish glow that sent chills down Kyou Fujibayashi is spine.
She was even more terrified now.
Dictionary,
where's my dictionary?
I didn't bring it! It's on the desk in the office!
Kyou Fujibayashi regretted not believing the little girl's warning earlier.
"Play a game... if you don't play... you can't leave."
Kyou Fujibayashi turned around shakily, mustering all her courage to look in the direction of the voice. The moment her eyes met the source, her pupils contracted.
It was a little boy with bruises on his face, bulging eyes, and a pale complexion streaked with bloodshot veins. The back of his hand also bore bruises of varying depths.
Her heart raced faster, and cold sweat broke out on her back. She wanted to leave, to get out of there immediately.
"Ugh..."
Kyou Fujibayashi clenched her teeth, the slight pain from biting her lip helping her regain some rationality and suppress her fear.
"What... what game?"
"Let's play..."
"How about a book-throwing game?"
Kyou Fujibayashi suddenly interrupted.
She realized she couldn't let the ghost choose the game. She had to pick something she had an advantage in.
"Throwing books... the teacher will get mad."
The boy immediately lowered his head.
"I am the teacher, and I say it's fine. We'll play the book-throwing game. No one will scold you. If anyone does, I'll protect you."
The little boy slowly raised his head.
"Really?"
"Really."
Kyou Fujibayashi nodded vigorously.
"Then we'll listen to the teacher. Let's play the book-throwing game."
The rules were simple:
From a distance of ten meters, throw a book onto the podium.
It was a game that required both skill and luck.
But Kyou Fujibayashi was confident.
Even without her dictionary, she was sure she could throw a book onto the desk.
"Let's begin!"
The two stood ten meters apart and took turns throwing books.
The little boy went first.
Swish!
A book flew in a parabolic arc and landed steadily on the desk.
"Ah, ah, ah! It landed! One hit!"
The little boy danced around in excitement.
Kyou Fujibayashi felt her hands trembling.
You're definitely cheating, right?
"Whew..."
Deep breaths.
Deep breaths.
Kyou Fujibayashi gripped a textbook and threw it toward the podium.
Under her watchful gaze, the book landed on the desk, with a small part hanging over the edge, but it remained steady.
"Teacher, you're so lucky."
Kyou Fujibayashi sighed in relief.
Two more throws to go.
The little boy threw again, and without a doubt, his book landed perfectly on the desk again.
Even in the same spot.
If this wasn't cheating, Kyou Fujibayashi would eat her hat.
But... even if she knew he was cheating, what could she do? All she could do was continue the game and try to win.
With a nervous heart, Kyou Fujibayashi threw her book again. This time, it landed squarely in the center of the podium.
Now that she was familiar with the weight of the book, the distance, and the force needed, she was getting better.
"I can do this."
With her self-encouragement, the little boy's third book also landed on the desk.
No mistakes at all.
The little boy had three perfect throws. How could anyone beat him?
Kyou Fujibayashi screamed internally.
"Teacher, I hit again! It's a tie... we have to keep playing..."
It's over, it's over. Kyou Fujibayashi felt like she might never leave.
I'm sorry, Ryou. Big sister might not make it back.
Kyou Fujibayashi gripped her book and threw it.
Thud...
The book flew through the air and, by sheer luck, knocked one of the little boy's books off the desk.
It was the boy's book.
"So amazing..."
"Teacher... you're amazing."
"This is the first time I've met a teacher who can beat me at a game."
The little boy became even more excited, jumping around in joy.
Kyou Fujibayashi let out a long sigh of relief.
Success.
This was the only way she could think of to beat the little boy. But if he hadn't accepted it, she wouldn't have known what to do.
Click...
The classroom door opened.
"Teacher, let's play again tomorrow."
No, I don't want to play anymore.
Who knows what game we'll play next time?
But refusing? Kyou Fujibayashi didn't dare.
"Um... it depends on whether I have time."
"Teacher will definitely have time. Tomorrow is Friday, not the weekend. You'll have time. Or... I can come to your house to play!"
"No... let's just play in the classroom."
The thought of the little boy showing up at her house and scaring her parents and sister Ryou made Kyou Fujibayashi is face pale. She felt sick.
Her family must not be affected.
Besides,
Kyou Fujibayashi felt that the little boy, despite being a ghost and looking terrifying, at least followed the rules. He hadn't done anything harmful.
For now, he was still within the realm of safety.
Leaving the classroom and feeling the warm rays of the setting sun, Kyou Fujibayashi had never felt so comforted and warmed by sunlight.
"Home, home..."
Kyou Fujibayashi walked with slightly shaky steps, quickly making her way out of Chiba Elementary School.
She saw a long-haired elementary school girl standing outside the school gate, her backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Rumi Tsurumi..."
It was that little girl again.
"Teacher, do you believe me now?"
"..."
For some reason, Kyou Fujibayashi felt like she was being mocked. But looking at the girl's calm expression, she thought she might be overcomplicating things.
"Rumi, you must know something, right?"
Kyou Fujibayashi crouched down in front of Rumi Tsurumi, speaking as gently as possible.
"I don't know."
"Teacher wants to solve this problem. I need your help. Can you tell me what you know... please?"
Rumi Tsurumi was stunned, surprised by the teacher's confidence and determination.
All the previous teachers had quit and run away as fast as they could after experiencing the supernatural. None of them had tried to solve the problem like this teacher.
"Even adults can't solve it."
"Huh?"
Rumi Tsurumi told her what had happened half a month ago.
Kyou Fujibayashi immediately thought those people must have been from some official organization. If even professionals couldn't solve it and just left it alone...
Or did they think the threat wasn't significant enough and decided to leave it for now?
This was too much!
"If it's so dangerous, why are there still other teachers continuing to teach?"
She couldn't understand.
"The teachers who ran away... were all visited."
Kyou Fujibayashi: ???
"But the teachers who stayed and continued teaching... at least their lives weren't in danger, and their families weren't affected much."
"Then the teachers who quit..."
Rumi Tsurumi shook her head.
"It seems like newly hired teachers who quit and leave aren't affected. At least, I haven't heard of any of them being visited or scared. Or maybe they died, and I just don't know."
How terrifying!
This could kill people!
"What about you students..."
"He doesn't target us students."
So he only goes after the teachers?
Generally speaking, if the boy had resentment, some of it should be directed at his classmates, right?
Recalling the bruises on the boy's hands and face, she wondered if he had been abused during his lifetime, and if the abuser happened to be a teacher. That might explain why he specifically targeted teachers.
But the boy hadn't killed any teachers. If he truly held such resentment, why wouldn't he kill them? Why just play games?
Kyou Fujibayashi couldn't figure it out.
"Teacher, just quit."
"I promised him I'd play games with him again tomorrow."
Rumi Tsurumi thought Kyou Fujibayashi was insane. How could she dare to face that eerie little boy again?
"Good luck, teacher."
This was the bravest teacher she had ever met, but she also knew that further persuasion would be pointless.
Rumi Tsurumi left.
Kyou Fujibayashi didn't chase after her to ask more questions. Instead, she walked home, lost in thought.
At the dinner table,
her younger sister, Ryou Fujibayashi, noticed her sister's unusual state and asked with concern,
"Big sister, did something happen at school today?"
"No, there was a kid who wanted to play a game with me. I won, and he challenged me to play again tomorrow. He seems determined to beat me, so I'm thinking about what kind of game we should play."
"Is that so? Big sister, you're really suited to be a teacher. You get along so well with the kids."
"Haha, Ryou, you're also perfect to be a nurse. Gentle Nurse Ryou Fujibayashi, hehe, it sounds great. But you have to make sure to rest well and not overwork yourself."
"I know, big sister. Don't worry, my health will always come first."
Ryou Fujibayashi assured her sister.
Tomorrow was Friday, but unfortunately, Lin-kun already had plans. Ryou Fujibayashi sighed.
...
Friday afternoon, the 19th,
Soubu High let out half an hour early.
Outside the school gates, a beautiful woman with shoulder-length black hair stood waiting, as if expecting someone.
Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes narrowed when she saw her.
Why is Haruno here at Soubu High? What is she planning? Could it be because of her sister's situation? Is she here to see Lin Ye?