No title

By the campfire, a group of people gathered.

Yukino delicately nibbled on a roasted rabbit leg.

The meat was cooked to perfection, incredibly tender and juicy.

Delicious.

Everyone in Yukino's circle had received a rabbit and was happily munching away. They were already full from the curry, but the aroma of the grilled meat was irresistible.

Hayama and his friends had left. After all, they weren't close enough to just barge in and freeload.

And Hayama knew that Yukino and Hachiman weren't particularly fond of them. He didn't want to make things awkward for Yui and Saika either.

"This is so good! I don't think I can look at cute bunnies the same way again," Yui said, her mouth full of meat.

"Yes, Sukuna-sensei's grilling skills are amazing," Saika added with a polite smile.

"Hey, my grilling skills are top-notch too!" Hiratsuka declared, skewering a rabbit leg and placing it on the grill.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were slightly unfocused from the alcohol, her usual sharpness replaced by a playful charm.

Hiratsuka, who usually dressed in a more masculine style, was surprisingly alluring at this moment. That is, until she cracked open another beer can with one hand, clinked it against Sukuna's can, and proceeded to chug it down while flipping the rabbit meat.

"Ahh!"

If she sat still and quiet, she was a picture of mature elegance. But the moment she spoke or moved, her "ojisan" vibe would shatter the illusion.

She was a true "static beauty."

Empty beer cans littered the ground around their stools.

"Ugh, you wouldn't believe how annoying the principal at our school is! Just because I'm the life guidance teacher, he keeps pushing all sorts of work onto me, making me work overtime..."

Hiratsuka, slightly drunk, was venting to Sukuna about her work woes, just like a typical office worker complaining about their boss at an izakaya after work.

Normally, even if Hiratsuka enjoyed drinking, she wouldn't get this drunk in front of her students. She would probably stop after one can, and even if she wanted more, Yukino would stop her.

But her drinking buddy was Sukuna.

And so, they continued drinking, can after can. Hiratsuka's face grew redder, and her words became increasingly uninhibited, as she vented about her work, her life, and her string of failed blind dates.

Yui wanted to stop her, but seeing that Yukino, who was closer to Sukuna , didn't seem to mind, she held her tongue.

"All bosses are like that," Sukuna chimed in cheerfully. Although he had been drinking just as much as Hiratsuka, his cheeks were only flushed with a healthy pink, and he didn't seem the least bit drunk.

Earlier, he had signaled Hachiman to start recording with his phone, just in case.

Clearly, Hiratsuka was still talking about herself, which meant she wasn't truly drunk yet.

Otherwise, she would have started grilling me about the arranged marriage by now.

"Why don't you seem to relate at all? Is your job that easy?" Hiratsuka asked, looking at Sukuna's relaxed smile.

"It is quite easy," Sukuna nodded.

"Your boss doesn't push extra work on you?"

"They wouldn't dare."

"Tch, lucky you." Hiratsuka clicked her tongue enviously. "So, what subject do you teach?"

"A bit of everything," Sukuna replied.

"Is that even allowed?" She blinked in surprise. She had never met a teacher who taught everything.

Sukuna chuckled. "I'm quite multi-talented."

"Wow, impressive. Which university did you graduate from?"

He casually mentioned the university he attended in his past life.

Hiratsuka searched her memory but couldn't recall a university with that name in Japan. After Sukuna reminded her, she finally realized, "I forgot, your name doesn't sound Japanese."

Yukino looked at Sukuna , her eyes flickering.

"I'm full." She wiped her mouth and hands with a napkin, then got up to leave. "Sukuna-kun, don't drink too much. It's not a good influence on the kids."

Her underlying message was: Don't tease her too much.

Knowing Sukuna well, Yukino could tell from his smirk that he was planning something. She had also noticed him signaling Hachiman to record.

I don't know why he's targeting Hiratsuka-sensei, but I clearly can't stop him.

Well, Sukuna-kun knows his limits. He won't do anything too outrageous. I just wonder why he's trying to get Hiratsuka-sensei drunk. They don't even know each other that well.

It's probably fine. He'll explain it to me later.

"W-we're full too! Thank you for the food!"

As soon as Yukino left, Yui, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, quickly dragged Saika away, signaling Hachiman to leave as well.

The atmosphere between adults is too scary!

"You're welcome."

Hachiman wanted to cry. He wasn't playing on his phone; he was working for Sukuna-sama!

And you think I don't want to leave?!

He was probably the most eager to escape among the students.

"It's fine, you can go too," Sukuna said with a wave of his hand. He took his phone from Hachiman and, after checking that it was still recording, placed it on his lap.

"O-okay, then I'll be going. Thank you for the food."

Relieved, Hachiman scurried off with Yui, Saika, and Komachi.

With the students gone, Hiratsuka focused on the rabbit leg she had grilled.

Sukuna munched on his grilled snake meat.

It should be about time…

After finishing the rabbit leg, Hiratsuka reached for another beer, but the bag was empty.

"Ahem..." She cleared her throat, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke.

"Sukuna , are you and Yukinoshita..." 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Meeting you was a stroke of luck… or perhaps, a stroke of fate."

That was Hiratsuka's conclusion after drinking and chatting with Sukuna .

He was easygoing, didn't mind her tomboyish behavior, shared her views on many things, and could hold his liquor.

If I had met Sukuna sooner, who would need Haruno?

She decided that Sukuna was a friend worth keeping!

But now that she had that thought, some things became harder to do, as they might offend him.

However, she had already achieved her goal of assessing his character.

She might have terrible taste in men, but her judgment of friends was impeccable.

Now, all that remained was to ask if he was Yukino's arranged fiancé.

After much hesitation, she finally spoke.

"Sukuna, are you and Yukinoshita engaged?"

"Hmm?" Sukuna raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.

"Just curious, that's all," Hiratsuka quickly added.

"You want to marry me?" Sukuna suddenly asked.

"Huh? No, of course not! Why would you think—"

Hiratsuka's eyes widened as she realized something.

Wait a minute... This could work!

He didn't mind her tomboyish behavior, shared her views, was also a teacher, could drink with her, and was undeniably handsome.

Could it be…?

Her already flushed cheeks turned even redder. "I-is that… Are you willing to marry me?"

For a moment, she looked almost girlishly innocent.

Pfft…!

Did I just hear someone trying not to laugh?

Sukuna turned away, struggling to keep a straight face.

Okay, that's enough. This should give Haruno enough to laugh about. Any more would be overkill.

He turned back to Hiratsuka, his expression serious. "Yukino and I are just friends. You've misunderstood."

"Oh, is that so? That's great." A glimmer of hope flickered in Hiratsuka's eyes. "Then can you marry me?"

"You're really drunk." Sukuna chuckled and called Yukino.

"Come get your teacher, she's drunk."

"I'm not drunk!"

Sukuna's voice mixed with Hiratsuka's protests.

"It's over?" Yukino asked.

"Yep, got some interesting footage. I'll send it to your sister later."

"So it was my sister who put you up to this." Yukino sighed. "Don't indulge her too much."

"What's wrong? Jealous?" Sukuna teased.

"I just don't want to be the target of your pranks."

"Don't worry, your turn will come."

"...I'm hanging up."

When Yukino arrived, Hiratsuka was already asleep, and Sukuna had cleaned up, now playing on his phone.

He's probably texting my sister.

"Want to know what we were talking about?" Sukuna smirked.

"It's probably nothing important."

Seeing his expression, Yukino knew it was pointless to ask. She picked up the sleeping Hiratsuka and carried her away.

"It's not a big deal, really. Just a series of misunderstandings that led her to believe you were forced into an arranged marriage with me," Sukuna explained casually.

"How boring."

Yukino paused, then continued walking, her ears unusually red.

...

Although the students had cooked lunch themselves, dinner and the following day's meals would be provided.

After dinner, the elementary school students went to watch a movie.

The high school students stayed behind at Hayama's request.

"Where's Hiratsuka-sensei?" Hayama asked.

"She's drunk and resting," Yukino replied.

"Oh, I see." Hayama nodded, then continued. "So, as I was saying..."

"Today, I noticed a girl being ostracized. I want to help her."

"That's so kind of you, Hayato!" Tobe exclaimed.

"Yeah," Yumiko agreed.

"Eh? Really?" Yui was surprised, then turned to Yukino and Hachiman. "Did everyone notice?"

Was I too focused on having fun?

Well, at least it wasn't just me.

As Hayama explained the situation, the atmosphere turned somber.

Until Yukino spoke up.

"No need."

"This will be handled by the Service Club."

"Besides, even if you say you want to help, you can't actually do it, can you?"

"Hey! Yukinoshita, how can you say that?!" Yumiko slammed her hand on the table.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey! Yukinoshita, do you even know how to talk to people?!"

Yumiko, ever protective of Hayama, slammed her hand on the table and glared at Yukino.

"Was there something wrong with what I said?" Yukino asked calmly.

"Tch, you..." Yumiko clicked her tongue. "We're all here to have fun, why do you have to be so mean? I don't even like you, but I'm trying to be patient because it's a trip!"

Seeing the tension escalating, Yui quickly intervened. "Okay, okay, Yumiko, calm down!"

"I see." Yukino chuckled. "I'm surprised you have such a good impression of me. I actually hate you."

"Yukino, you too!"

"Anyway, you don't need to do anything unnecessary. Just enjoy your trip." With that, Yukino got up and left, not bothering to discuss it further.

Hachiman, ever loyal to his club president, followed suit, taking Komachi with him.

"W-wait, Yukino!" Yui was flustered.

Torn between her friends from class and her clubmates, she hesitated, then gave Yumiko an apologetic smile and chased after Yukino. "Yukino, wait for me!"

Hachiman glanced at Yui. "Is it really okay to just leave them like that?"

"Eh? Um... I'm sure Yumiko won't mind," Yui said hesitantly.

"I don't know about Miura, but I do know that Yukinoshita-buchou wouldn't mind if you stayed there," Hachiman said, looking at Yukino's retreating figure.

"That's not the point..." Yui waved her hands, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "This… this is more important."

"Uh..."

As Hachiman was processing her words, he felt a nudge in his side. He turned to see Komachi smirking at him.

"What?"

"Nothing, just reminding you to seize the opportunity, onii-chan."

Komachi giggled, effectively making both Hachiman and Yui blush, then ran off to join Yukino.

"Yukino-nee-san, how are you going to help that Tsurumi Rumi girl?"

"I've already talked to her. The rest is up to her. We just need to monitor the situation," Yukino replied.

"Eh?! Already?!" Yui exclaimed.

Yukino already solved the problem while I was having fun?!

A wave of guilt washed over her.

...

"Hahaha, I was just hoping to see Shizuka's embarrassed reaction, but Sukuna-kun really went all out! Shizuka must be mortified."

Haruno Yukinoshita, having finished her classes for the day, was lounging on her sofa, watching the video Sukuna had sent her.

Her laughter shook her entire body, and her slipper fell off.

"I have to show this to Shizuka."

She started plotting, eager to see Shizuka's reaction to the video.

Thud.

A faint sound came from the balcony.

Haruno waved without looking up. "Good evening, Sukuna-kun."

"Evening."

Sukuna casually greeted her and headed straight for the wine cabinet, opening a bottle of Romanée-Conti they had started last time.

"You're really just here for the alcohol, huh?"

Haruno said playfully, watching him pour himself a glass.

"Didn't I already give you a return gift?" He poured another glass for Haruno and sat down on the single-seat sofa.

She had already sat up properly, adjusting her skirt.

"You did, and I can't wait to tease Shizuka with it." Haruno picked up her glass and took a sip after clinking it against Sukuna's.

"By the way, Chiba Village is quite far from Tokyo, isn't it? You were there this morning, and now you're here. Did you come by car after sending me the message?"

"No, I flew over after dinner," Sukuna replied.

"Flew over? Do you have wings or something?" Haruno asked curiously.

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Want to grab some late-night snacks?"

His implication was clear: I'll take you flying.

Haruno, understanding his meaning, immediately agreed. "Yes, yes! Let me change!"

Unsure what Sukuna meant by "flying," Haruno didn't wear a dress this time, opting for a simple shirt and jeans, topped with a light beige vest.

"Do I look good?"

She twirled in front of him, smiling.

"You look good in anything," Sukuna replied instinctively, without looking up.

"You're not even looking at me." She giggled.

Sukuna looked up and studied her properly. "So? Are you captivated by your onee-san?"

"According to my ID, I'm a year older than you," Sukuna said.

"Eh? Really? But you look so young, like you're the same age as Yukino," Haruno said, surprised.

"You look young too." Sukuna sighed. "Trying to subtly compliment yourself, huh?"

"So, what's your real age?" she asked with a grin.

"Technically, a thousand years old, I guess," Sukuna said.

If the time I spent as a cursed object counts as being alive… But I only have the memories from that time. Strictly speaking, it's not like I actually lived that long.

Haruno was surprised but didn't show it. "And actually?"

"23."

After all, he was 23 when he got hit by the truck in his past life.

"So you also don't like being called old?" Haruno teased.

Sukuna shrugged. "Let's go."

Haruno followed him to the balcony, curious to see how he would fly. Suddenly, she felt an arm wrap around her waist, pulling her close.

"Eh?"

Before she could react, Sukuna jumped from the balcony, carrying her.