"You're both here—perfect. As thanks for your help, your supervisor is taking you out to dinner after school."
Kiyono Rin lowered the book in her hands, turned her body slightly, and looked at Koizumi Aina."No need. I agreed to help because it was for the club's activities, not entirely to help you personally."
"But you did help me, didn't you? That's enough reason. Come on, Kiyono-san, give your supervisor a chance. A supervisor who owes a student a favor is terrible—it makes me feel guilty, like I'm exploiting you all."
Watanabe Tetsu felt that Koizumi Aina wasn't just being polite—she truly meant it.The girl who could see through every lie let out a helpless sigh and nodded her agreement.
Koizumi Aina smiled, satisfied."Six o'clock. Meet here. I'll drive you both."
"You both?"Watanabe Tetsu quickly interjected,"Sensei, I have something to do tonight."
He wanted to go scout the location early and map out potential escape routes.
"Something to do? Watanabe, you're not working overtime at your part-time job, are you?"Koizumi Aina eyed him suspiciously.
"How could that be? I'm a model student who follows school rules."
"Then what is it? You don't even have time for dinner with your supervisor?"
"Kiyono-san lent me an English classic—it's difficult, so I want to finish it this weekend and return it as soon as possible."
Koizumi Aina looked at Kiyono Rin."Is that true?"
Kiyono Rin crossed her arms, her beautiful, aloof face curving into a wicked smile—as if kicking someone already in a pit.
"He's mixing truths and lies again, talking nonsense. Koizumi-sensei, I suggest you stop liking this liar."
Koizumi Aina leaned toward Watanabe Tetsu."Watanabe, how dare you lie to your supervisor?"
"You're too close, sensei. Please step back a little."
She grabbed him by the ear, her almond-shaped eyes glaring."Trying to change the subject?!"
"That hurts, sensei…"
"Six o'clock. Wait for me here. Understand?"
"…Understood."
She released him. Seeing him rubbing his ear dramatically, she couldn't help laughing."Stop acting. I didn't even use any strength."
"My ears are just sensitive."
"…What are you saying?! How does someone your age know such strange things?!"Her ears turned red as she tried desperately to maintain her air of authority.
"What strange things? I meant my ears have low defense—they hurt easily. Sensei, what were you thinking?"
"…Nothing."Koizumi Aina spun around and hurried out of the clubroom.
With no choice left, Watanabe Tetsu stayed until dismissal.At six, he and Kiyono Rin entered Koizumi Aina's car, heading out for dinner.
The restaurant was a pretty decent yakiniku place.Because Koizumi Aina had reserved in advance, even during peak dining hours they didn't have to wait.
"I got two A's in just five days—no, three days technically! And I barely studied each day!"
"Super-super-super countryside! I can't believe people even live in a place like that!"
"No cafés? Hilarious! Just how poor is his family?"
"I bet he can only afford discounted supermarket bento!"
As soon as the three sat in their private room, familiar voices sounded from next door.
Kiyono Rin's eyes turned icy. She gave the direction of the voices a cold glance, then let out a mocking, quiet laugh.She assumed the posture of a human-behavior researcher observing specimens—staring at Watanabe Tetsu to see how he would react.
"…Is that Tamamo-san?"Koizumi Aina's expression tightened as she stood up.
Watanabe Tetsu quickly pulled her back."Sensei, if you go now, you'll embarrass Tamamo-san in front of everyone."
"But—"
Watanabe Tetsu smiled calmly as he reasoned with her."Sensei, I really don't mind. Let them laugh if they want—it won't bother me, and it won't affect my studies. Besides, Tamamo-san finally got double A's. Let her enjoy her moment. At worst, you can just have her answer more questions in class later as punishment."
Koizumi Aina stared at him closely.Seeing the natural smile on his face—no forced expression at all—her expression softened.
She reached out and gently rubbed his hair in a caring gesture."You make your supervisor proud."
Being patted on the head by a beautiful woman in her twenties made Watanabe Tetsu frown.
"You'll mess up my hair."
"Ahaha~" Koizumi Aina laughed triumphantly as she sat back down."Oh right, Watanabe, I've always wanted to ask—do you style your hair like that on purpose?"
"Of course. It's very expensive."
Watanabe Tetsu's hair looked so naturally messy that it was hard to tell whether it was styled like that or just uncombed after waking up.
"Really?"
"I, Watanabe, never lie."
"That sentence already sounds like a lie."
Watanabe corrected her,"Call it a joke."
Koizumi Aina nodded."It is pretty funny."
Watanabe Tetsu hadn't eaten yakiniku in a while, so he ate in a slightly rough—no, a more heroic—manner.Koizumi Aina ate a few bites.Only Kiyono Rin nibbled on vegetables like a rabbit.No—calling it a caterpillar would be less flattering.
"What are you staring at?"Kiyono Rin noticed his gaze and put down her salad fork.
"Nothing."
"You must be angry. You put in so much effort for Tamamo Konomi—predicting exam questions, building her confidence…"
"No, I'm not angry at all. What I did had nothing to do with Tamamo-san personally. I don't care what she thinks of me. I did all of that entirely for Koizumi-sensei."
"Watanabe…"Koizumi Aina didn't know what to say.
The mockery faded from Kiyono Rin's face. She watched Tetsu seriously for a moment, then as if remembering something, resumed eating her salad.
"You're very interesting to observe."
"Kiyono-san, can I ask you a question?"
"I may not answer."
"That's your choice."Tetsu paused."With your personality and the way you speak… you don't have any friends, do you?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Koizumi Aina scolded sharply,"Watanabe!"
Her eyes immediately shifted to Kiyono Rin with an apologetic softness.
Kiyono Rin set down her fork for the second time."You're right. I don't have friends. Well? Satisfied?"
"Kiyono-san…"Koizumi Aina looked heartbroken, motherly concern filling her gaze.Then she shot Watanabe Tetsu a look that clearly told him to apologize.
Watanabe Tetsu reflected.He was at fault—Not for fighting back, but for choosing the wrong method.
As a "Tokyo hunk," attacking a girl verbally was immature.What he should do… was score first place in the whole school.
"I'm sorry," he said."I think the reason you don't have friends isn't because you can't find them, but because you refuse to settle. You value friendship more than most people. In that sense, I'm not as strong as you."
Koizumi Aina let out a relieved breath.A sudden spark lit in her eyes.
"Why don't you two just become friends?"
"Huh?"Watanabe Tetsu and Kiyono Rin both stared at her in shock.
"Watanabe is smart, disciplined, hardworking. And from the whole Tamamo situation, you can see he has a good heart. Kiyono-san, you said yourself he's valuable to observe!"
"Sensei…"
"Watanabe, be quiet."
"…"
Watanabe stuffed a sauce-covered piece of grilled beef tongue into his mouth.
Kiyono Rin glanced at his barbaric chewing."I admit, as far as humans go, he's an ideal and excellent specimen."
"Then—"
"But, sensei, friendship isn't based on that alone. My condition is simple: someone who absolutely does not lie. He clearly does."
Koizumi Aina was speechless for a moment before trying again."Fine, lovers shouldn't lie, but can't you be less strict with friends?"
"No."Kiyono Rin rejected instantly."I never lie, so I have the right to expect the same. And I don't force others to do so—this is just my own standard."
"But Watanabe really is a good kid! You're both so smart—you'd definitely have tons to talk about!"
Her voice was enthusiastic, but the argument was weak—more like she was talking just to fill the silence.
Watanabe Tetsu felt miserable.
What is this atmosphere? A matchmaking meeting?Or is she trying to sell a low-demand investment package called Watanabe Tetsu?
Maybe Kiyono Rin sensed his discomfort—she smirked mischievously.
"You're right. If Watanabe-kun claims he isn't human, then I can consider being friends with him. My condition is: absolutely no lying. Non-humans don't fall under that requirement."
"You're joking, right?" Watanabe asked.
"Oh?"Kiyono Rin crossed her arms, resting one hand beneath her chin."Didn't Koizumi-sensei say you're very smart? Why is your memory so bad? I told you the first day we met—I never lie."
"Jokes don't count as lying."
Kiyono ignored him."Sensei, you see now—our values are too different. We can't be friends."
Koizumi Aina looked between them and smiled."No, I think you two will definitely become friends. Maybe even comrades—something deeper than friendship."
Watanabe corrected her,"Sensei, my goal is to become a civil servant. I'm not interested in joining the Self-Defense Forces."
"I mean life comrades!"Koizumi Aina angrily messed up his hair again.
After dinner, Koizumi Aina drove Kiyono Rin home.Watanabe Tetsu, being a boy, had to walk alone at night.
When he reached home, he changed out of his school uniform and into the multi-pocketed clothes his mother had bought him.
The clothes were good quality—other than the light color, they were practically untouched.Since they were originally bought oversized, they now fit him well.
He checked his gear again:Stun gun, alarm device—everything functional.He placed them into his pockets.The alloy steel telescopic baton he secured to his waistband separately.
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