Though Kojima Kana's last line had sounded like a question, her steps didn't slow. She walked straight to the bathtub before stopping—then blushed hard and looked away, unable to meet Shirase's eyes.
"Move over a bit. I'm getting in too," she said shyly.
Shirase didn't move. "So that's what Kana-nee was planning all along?"
"What plan? Don't talk nonsense."
At his teasing, Kana seemed to trigger some kind of "Courage Buff." She suddenly perked up, lifted one leg decisively into the tub, and sat down beside him. Then, pushing at his back lightly, she whined, "Hurry up and move already!"
Shirase blinked. "...Why does that sound so weird coming from you?"
With a helpless sigh, he shifted forward a little to make space. "I don't remember ever saying I needed help washing my back."
"But maybe you secretly thought about it," Kana said with a bashful little giggle.
Shirase looked at her, half amused, half exasperated. "Kana-nee, incredible—you've learned how to shift the blame."
"It's called a preemptive strike! And don't throw around weird phrases—you're supposed to be a top student."
"I think my phrasing was pretty accurate."
"If I say it's inaccurate, it's inaccurate."
"How tyrannical."
Leaning lazily against the tub, Shirase waited. When she didn't move for a while, he finally said, "Didn't someone say they were going to wash my back? Why so quiet now?"
It was just a light tease, but when Kana lifted her head and their eyes met, she froze, lowering her gaze at once as if shocked by static. Her cheeks flared into a soft, rosy pink, delicate as spring blossoms.
Seeing her reaction, Shirase asked gently, "Kana-nee, what exactly are you hiding from me? Care to tell me now?"
"I already told you, I'm not hiding anything, it's just…"
Kana took a deep breath, as though gathering courage. Then, clutching the towel tightly, she turned toward him, her face still red.
"You remember, right? I told you before—if you had any questions, you could come to me."
Shirase frowned slightly. "I remember. But what does that have to do with—"
Wait.
He remembered.
Back then, she'd specifically said "any questions related to adolescence."
...So this was what tonight was about?
He stared blankly at her flushed face. Seeing his expression, Kana puffed up her chest, trying to act composed. "That's right. It's exactly what you're thinking. I believe it's my duty to teach you."
"You're serious?" Shirase said, his tone mixed with disbelief. "If this is a joke, let's just stop here."
"I'm not joking. I've thought it all through," Kana said, chest puffed proudly.
Shirase was speechless. You're bright red and can't even make eye contact—what exactly are you so proud of?
Sensing his thoughts, Kana cleared her throat, trying to sound authoritative. "Anyway, that's settled. You're not allowed to run away—sit still."
"Can I lie down instead?"
"No."
"How about doing a handstand? I'm good at those."
"You seriously want to do a handstand in the bathtub?"
"…"
...
At 10:30 p.m., Shirase lay flat on his bed, eyes lifeless and fixed on the ceiling—mind anywhere but there.
Kana had indeed washed his back with gentle care, something he honestly appreciated.
But as for her so-called "educational guidance," that had completely wiped him out.
Maybe she'd noticed how tense he was, because instead of stopping, the beautiful teacher had only gotten more enthusiastic.
To sum it up:
How turbulent. How magnificent.
After tossing around aimless thoughts for a while, Shirase gave up on sleep altogether. He sat up and activated [Fixed Hosting] mode to study.
Since he'd lost a few points on the last English quiz, he couldn't afford another slip.
While he was absorbed in review, Kana walked past his door. She hesitated, almost knocking—but the memory of their bathroom scene made her blush this time.
"He's probably asleep already. I shouldn't disturb him," she murmured, cheeks glowing pink under the soft light.
In her room, she dove under the blankets, still flushed.
"He won't overthink it, right? I was just… teaching him. Yeah, that's all."
Trying to reassure herself, Kana giggled under the covers. If anyone had been nearby, they might've caught her whispering softly, "Well… my figure is pretty nice, after all. Hehe…"
...
The next morning, Shirase woke up early as usual.
While he made breakfast, he glanced at the quiet living room. No movement from Kana's side—she'd probably gone to bed late. Even he hadn't fallen asleep until after 1:30 a.m.
Ten minutes later, Kana finally emerged. At the dining table, everything seemed normal—except she avoided his eyes.
But since Shirase acted completely unfazed, she gradually relaxed, shaking off most of her embarrassment.
That was until, right after breakfast, Shirase stood up and tossed out casually:
"Your dark circles are cute, by the way."
Kana's face went bright red.
I knew it! This brat just can't resist teasing me!
...
Later, at school, Shirase greeted Hayama Hayato, whose face still bore faint bruises. Seeing Hayama's calm smile—clearly his family hadn't noticed—Shirase felt relieved.
After second period, he was quietly studying in [Fixed Hosting] mode when a faint floral scent reached him.
He immediately exited hosting mode and looked up.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood beside his desk.
The whole class froze—no one had expected these two to talk, let alone stand side by side.
"I'll wait for you after school," Yukino said coolly.
Her calm words rippled through the classroom like a shockwave.
Wait—was that… an invitation to a date?
That's what everyone wondered.
Shirase, though, looked more curious than anything. "Sure. But you already finished the investigation this fast?"
He honestly hadn't expected her to work that quickly.
Yukino's tone stayed even. "It wasn't that difficult."
What she didn't mention was that, unwilling to lose to her sister's efficiency, she'd stayed up late into the night gathering every online article about that high school's soccer club—contacting reporters herself, verifying every detail one by one.
Despite the huge workload, she'd done all of it alone.
---
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