54. I Don’t Need Integrity Anymore

Pfft!

All the girls were immediately dumbfounded, their facial muscles twitching wildly.

If they weren't mistaken, this malicious childhood friend was about to expose more of Shizuka-sensei's embarrassing past.

"Your only relationship ended with you being scammed out of your money."

"Even your furniture was moved out by that so-called boyfriend."

Pfft, pfft, pfft!

The girls laughed even harder, nearly doubling over.

"Do the math, how many years apart are you and Yasha-neesan?"

"Shizuka, look at yourself now. You smoke, you drink, and you're an aging bachelorette."

"Every single one of your blind dates ends with you beating up the poor guy."

"I can already picture your lonely old age."

"Maybe I should just call you the Iron-Fist Spinster."

Under Akira Sawamura's relentless verbal assault, Shizuka Hiratsuka finally broke.

"Wah!"

Tears streamed down her face as she turned and fled, sobbing loudly.

Tonight, her social life had officially ended.

In the minds of Akira's childhood friends, the cool, reliable big-sister image of Shizuka-sensei had completely collapsed.

How did this brat even know so much about her past?

She had never told anyone, not even her parents!

"Akira, how do you know so much about Shizuka-sensei's black history?"

"One time, she dragged me out drinking. After getting drunk, she held onto me and cried, saying she would never get married."

"She even said that maybe she should just settle for me."

Everyone: ...

Shizuka-sensei, we completely misjudged you.

We never knew you had your eyes on our childhood friend!

"Otherwise, how else would I know?"

"Akira-kun, all Shizuka-sensei did was give you a little advice, and you went ahead and aired all her dirty laundry."

"Don't you think that was a bit excessive?"

Yukino Yukinoshita, smiling as always, spoke up in protest.

"This is called fighting poison with poison. Shizuka has been single for so long that she has no motivation to change."

"If I don't push her hard enough, how will she ever take action?"

"Or do you want Hiratsuka-san's parents to never get to hold their grandchildren?"

"Honestly, her parents must be regretting not having more kids."

Mrs. Hiratsuka nodded unconsciously. Akira was absolutely right.

Had she known her daughter would be such a disappointment, she would have had a few spares!

Too late to fix that now.

"Besides, what kind of relationship do Shizuka and I have?"

"We're practically sworn brothers, solid as iron."

"Why else would she confide in me after getting drunk instead of talking to you, her supposed best friend?"

Yukino's smile stiffened, and she started to harbor serious resentment toward Shizuka Hiratsuka.

"Shizuka wouldn't even care about something this small."

"By tomorrow, she'll have already moved on."

Everyone: ...

At this point, they were beyond words when it came to Akira and Shizuka's dynamic.

It was just like Sonoko Suzuki's relationship with Akira—pure chaos.

"Lately, I've been thinking… If Shizuka really can't find someone, maybe I should just give her a child."

"Let the kid take her surname, Hiratsuka."

Akira stroked his chin, his thoughts going wild.

He was truly a noble friend!

"Akira Sawamura, we would love to hear exactly how you plan on giving Shizuka-sensei a child."

The girls all crowded around him, their expressions full of suspicion.

"Obviously, she'd have to give birth to one herself."

"What else could I possibly mean?"

"It's not like I can bear children."

Pfft!

Both Sayuri Sawamura and Yumi Suou spat out their drinks simultaneously.

They were not ready to be grandmothers just yet!

"Akira, where is your dignity?"

"When I first returned from China, my integrity was intact."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have repeatedly rejected Uncle Tenma's matchmaking attempts."

"Right, Sena?"

"My dad must've had water in his brain back then."

Sena Kashiwazaki turned slightly red, pouting as she grumbled.

Tenma Kashiwazaki wished he could disappear.

His reputation had been utterly ruined by this brat constantly bringing it up.

"I really just wanted to be friends with you."

"There were no ulterior motives?"

Akira blinked, subtly implying something.

"Akira, you're so full of yourself!"

"Who falls in love at first sight?!"

"Besides, you're not my only friend anymore."

"Eriri and Erina are my friends too."

"Wait, what? A group of blonde tsunderes?"

Erina, Eriri, and Sena exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

So, they were all tsunderes?

The next second, all three girls exploded.

"WHO'S A TSUNDERE?!"

"Okay, okay, you guys are the most honest people I know."

"Now, where was I?"

"Right, when I first came back from China, I still had dignity."

"Uncle Tenma already confirmed that."

"But after meeting Leonora-nee…"

"I've decided… Integrity? Who needs it?"

"Integrity is useless!"

"I swear upon Tai'a—from this day forth, I shall abandon my dignity!"

Akira grabbed his sword and held it high.

Under the spotlight, his tall, elegant figure radiated solemn grandeur.

But his words made everyone feel like something was horribly off.

There were just too many things to roast here.

Everyone: ...

"Akira, your chuunibyou is acting up again."

"Waaah! Akira, you're so cool and handsome!"

"Using Tai'a for such a ridiculous vow—are you even worthy of it?"

"Tai'a is crying for your actions!"

"If word of this gets out, everyone will die laughing!"

This childhood friend was beyond salvation.

His antics were getting more absurd by the day.

READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD AT p @ treon. com/KyokaSuigetsu

(replace @ with a)