Chapter 144: Haruno’s Thoughts

After lunch, Haru continued accompanying Haruno as they strolled through the city.

They passed a shopping mall, and he noticed her glancing inside several times. Thinking she might want to go in again, he said, "No way, Haruno-san, you wanna shop again?"

If she planned to spend another hour browsing, he might as well head to the nearby arcade and wait.

"What's with that face?" Haruno chuckled at his tone, her white teeth flashing. "Relax. I'm done shopping. I still need to take you to my University later"

Then she added, "I just remembered something my mom said. Not long ago, someone tried to rob the gold store in there."

"Oh right, I saw that on the news too. Didn't they already catch the guy?"

"Yeah, they did. I was just taking a look."

While they chatted, Haru couldn't help noticing Haruno's lips—they looked glossier and more vibrant than before.

He quickly realized she must've reapplied her makeup when she went to the restroom after lunch.

Not surprising. Haruno was always put-together, meticulous about her image. Out of everyone he knew, she probably cared the most about appearances.

But once that thought crossed his mind, he remembered the lipstick mark that had been on his neck days ago.

He had been paying close attention lately, and Utaha hadn't shown a hint of suspicion. Whether chatting in the clubroom or talking outside school, she acted completely normal.

That alone was impressive. Her acting and mental resilience had seriously leveled up. No slip-ups even after all this time.

After a while, Haruno tugged him into a car, and they actually did head to University.

It wasn't class time yet, but Haruno still gave him a little campus tour, occasionally waving or responding to greetings from students passing by.

"Boyfriend? Oh no, he's my little sister's boyfriend."

"Handsome? Of course he is. My sister's got great taste—learned from the best: me."

Haruno handled the gossip and nosy questions like a seasoned actress. Haru simply played along.

When they reached a classroom, it was already half full. At the front stood a gray-haired male teacher giving a lecture.

Must be a popular one if he could draw this many students during break.

Haru followed Haruno to the back row and sat down. After listening for a moment, he realized the teacher was lecturing in French.

Totally above his level.

Haruno clearly knew that too. She leaned in and began whispering explanations into his ear.

Her scent instantly surrounded him—shampoo, perfume, a mix of sweet and soft that tangled around his senses like a spiderweb.

And ever since his physical condition had improved, his senses were sharper. That delicate fragrance felt more intense now.

He had to clear his head just to focus on what she was saying.

Of course, the teacher noticed. Switching languages with a sly smile, he said, "I've got no problem with students bringing their boyfriends to class—but maybe keep your voices down a bit, yeah?"

The room erupted in soft laughter.

Haru straightened up like nothing had happened.

Haruno smiled and nodded politely. "Got it, sir."

She didn't bother explaining he was actually her sister's boyfriend. Wrong time, wrong place. Trying to explain now would just come off as suspicious and defensive.

She wasn't a fan of that.

Haru could tell the students' gazes shifted to him after that. More curiosity, more attention.

With someone like Haruno, it wasn't surprising she'd have admirers all over campus.

Within ten seconds, Haru was sure at least three jealous stares were burning holes in his face.

She's totally using me as a shield, huh.

But he didn't mind. It wasn't a big deal.

With Haruno helping interpret, he eventually realized the lecture was on Pride and Prejudice, delivered entirely in French.

A while later, the teacher scanned the room with a warm gaze that stopped right on Haruno and Haru. "Miss Yukinoshita, would your boyfriend mind reading a passage for us?"

All eyes locked onto them.

Before Haruno could respond, Haru stood up with a sigh. "Sorry, I don't speak French."

The teacher was kind. "No problem. Just read it in any language you're comfortable with."

Haruno's eyes lit up. She gently tapped Haru's hand and mouthed the words: Spanish.

She knew he'd studied it with Yukino.

That look on your face—are you just here to stir things up?

He had a hunch she just wanted to watch the show.

As for whether it was to see him shine onstage?

…He wasn't so sure.

"How about I write it out instead?"

He didn't like reading aloud in front of crowds.

The teacher nodded, still smiling. Haru didn't borrow a book from anyone. Instead, he gave Haruno a look that said: Happy now?

Her smile bloomed like a flower.

Under a room full of curious gazes, Haru walked to the blackboard and picked up a piece of chalk.

His calm, direct manner of doing things made even the teacher pause.

Everyone looked at the board, blinking.

"That's Spanish," Haruno said, her grin sly like a fox that'd just raided the henhouse. Her eyes sparkled with pride. "I'll help with the translation."

"I'd appreciate that," the teacher replied with surprise.

Haru had acted so fast that even he hadn't seen it coming.

What's more, the teacher didn't actually know Spanish himself.

While Haru kept writing on the board, Haruno began translating:"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us."

Listening to her smooth, clear voice, Haru kept writing—but his mind was spinning.

So I was wrong?

Haruno was genuinely helping him stand out?

But why?

He paused for a moment, started a new line, and wrote:

"It is not others who deceive us—it is often our own vanity. Women always assume that when a man compliments them… there must be something more behind it."

Haruno's voice faltered for just a second during the translation.

Haru didn't miss it.

Yup. She does want me in the spotlight.

Now what kind of game are you playing, Haruno-san?

After finishing the lines that had left a lasting mark on his memory, Haru set the chalk down. He gave a small nod to the stunned teacher, then quietly returned to his seat.

The way people looked at him had clearly changed. The gazes that once burned with jealousy were now laced with something else—complicated, uncertain emotions.

Haru didn't pay them any attention. Instead, he casually glanced at Haruno—and froze.

She was resting her face in her hands, gazing at him with a radiant smile.

A smile that bloomed like fireworks.

Her eyes practically sparkled like melted sugar.

He immediately grew suspicious. She was definitely plotting something again. Best to play it safe—stay still and let the chaos pass.

The two of them only stayed for a single class.

Just to be cautious—and to stop Haruno from dragging him into any more trouble—he suggested they leave early.

"I'm coming with you," she said without hesitation.

"You're skipping the rest of your classes?"

"They're not that important anyway."

That one line shut down every counterargument Haru had prepared.

They walked along the sidewalk outside the school. Haruno watched the stream of pedestrians pass by, seemingly unaware of Haru's sideways glance full of suspicion.

Then, as if speaking to the wind, she murmured,"You know, I've always wondered—Yukino tries so hard to catch up to you. So what does she feel when you outshine her right in front of her?"

He gave her a blank look. "Seriously? That's what this is about?"

"Isn't that reason enough?"

She turned toward him, and the breeze caught her short hair, tossing the thin bangs across her forehead and sending strands fluttering around her cheeks. With the gentle wind and the subtle smile blooming on her lips, there was something inexplicably beautiful about her in that moment.

Haru couldn't help but think—right now, Haruno really looked like a girl.

But beneath that charming smile... what was she really thinking?