"Why would you… ask that?" A muscle twitched at Shichen's brow as he looked at Himeragi Yukina.
"Shichen-sensei, this question matters to me. It affects what I'll say next—and how I get along with you."
"…You're serious?"
"Of course." Yukina nodded, face solemn.
"In that case… I'll be frank. I'm not into lolis," Shichen replied righteously.
"Really?" Yukina clearly didn't believe him.
"Really." He nodded, dead serious.
"If you say so, Sensei… then I'll take it that way."
"What do you mean 'take it that way'? I'm telling the truth."
"Mhm, sure." Yukina nodded perfunctorily.
Seeing that, Shichen figured she wouldn't believe him no matter what, so he changed the subject.
"…So what exactly did you figure out? Do you really know why you were sent here?"
"Mm. I understand very well now."
"And the reason is?"
"The exact reason isn't important anymore. I just know I'm definitely the right person to monitor you, Sensei."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Yukina didn't answer his question. Instead she said, "Shichen-sensei, since you don't mind being monitored, I'll be straightforward from now on. I'll keep a good eye on you to prevent you from doing anything outrageous."
"Outrageous? I'm a Teacher—a man of impeccable character. I don't do bad things."
"That's not a given. With the way you are, trouble will come find you. And since your interests are so… particular, I can't let you go astray."
"Hm? What 'particular' interests?" Shichen couldn't help asking.
"Don't worry about it. If you don't want to admit it, I won't say it outright. It's embarrassing to acknowledge anyway. But I'll be watching you constantly so you don't make mistakes."
Yukina's sudden resolve threw Shichen off, and what she said was hard to accept.
How could he possibly make a "mistake"?
What mistake would he even make?
Was this misunderstanding getting a bit too deep?
"Yukina, listen—"
"Sensei, lunch break is almost over. I'm heading back. After school, we'll go home together."
She cut him off, then left the way she'd come.
By the window again.
This time she was extra cautious climbing out, as if terrified he'd see something. As she slipped outside, she still shot him a flustered, annoyed glare over her shoulder.
"Mine… really are all the same—it's not yesterday's pair… And Sensei, you can't keep staring under my skirt!"
With that admonition, cheeks burning, Yukina left.
Shichen sat there, brow twitching, at a loss for words.
Had he been a bit too gentle? Why wasn't she afraid of him anymore?
Should he act a little more authoritative?
But in this world, facing the very girls he'd once liked through a screen, he just couldn't bring himself to make them fear him.
This was fine too; at least they could interact normally from here on.
That afternoon he had P.E. with Prote's class. Prote, Deutera, and Hektos were in the same section.
In the gym, after the class rep finished roll and the headcount was confirmed, Shichen let them have free activity time—as relaxed as P.E. gets.
Not that you could blame him; Itogami Island was sweltering, and P.E. didn't need much "teaching"—just getting students to move a bit.
Deutera and Hektos went off to their favorite activities, while Prote stayed by Shichen's side, massaging his shoulders.
"Prote, not joining Deutera and the others?" he asked, eyes closed, enjoying her small hands at work.
"It's fine. I'm with them most of the time anyway," Prote replied with a smile.
"Fair enough…"
"Shichen, is the pressure okay?"
"Mm, feels great."
"…Where would we even go?" Shichen was a little tempted.
"Isn't the equipment room perfect?"
"There are people around."
"Then we can sneak off later," Prote whispered.
"You little fox."
"Hehe~ It's your fault—you haven't given me a checkup in ages," Prote murmured, eyes lowered, playing cute.
"You really are something."
He had no idea where she learned this.
"Aww~ I just didn't know what I was doing that time~"
Prote looped her arms around his neck and coaxed, "I won't mess up this time. I'm not who I was before."
"Oh? Forgotten how you couldn't stop coughing that day?" he tilted his head at her.
"Mm, I slipped up~" she pouted. "And if I can't handle it, I'll just call Deutera and the others to help. They'd definitely be willing."
…Shichen failed to refuse Prote's proposal.
When class ended, Prote and the other two left the equipment room together—of course they did.
School let out early. While Shichen was still spacing out in the office, Yukina came straight to find him—alone, not with Avrora and the others.
"Shichen-sensei, I'm here."
"Yukina? What brings you?" He snapped out of it.
"Already forgot? I said I'd be monitoring you nonstop," Yukina said as she dragged Sasasaki Misaki's chair over and sat down opposite him.
There was no one else in the office—just Shichen.
It was the P.E. office, after all; the others had signed off early.
"I didn't forget. So it's after school already."
"Didn't you hear the bell? What were you doing, Sensei?" Yukina set down her instrument case, curious.
"Nothing much—just zoning out."
He glanced at the case. "So inside there… is that the weapon meant to deal with me?"
"Eh? How did you know, Sensei?"
"I'm not stupid. Like the Lion King Agency would send you to tail me empty-handed."
"Um…" Yukina suddenly felt a bit guilty.
"Heh~ Not that it would do you any good against me," Shichen said casually.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Yukina stared blankly.
"I'm the Fifth Primogenitor—the one that shouldn't exist. A mere weapon isn't taking me down."
"How can that be… Then I…?" She looked lost—she believed him all too easily.
If she didn't even have a fallback, how was she supposed to carry out surveillance?
If Shichen decided to do something, she couldn't possibly stop him.
"Relax. Weapon or no weapon, it's the same. And you trust my word that much? What if I'm lying?"
"No… You've no reason to lie to me, Sensei," Yukina said, shaking her head.
"So earnest? Looks like I'll need to teach you a bit about dealing with people."
"What do you mean?"
"Anyway, don't worry. Just keep watching me. I don't want your Agency mistaking me for some terrorist."
"Sensei…" Yukina looked at him, eyes wavering.
"Moved? Think I'm a great guy?"
"No. I just think you've got ulterior motives," she answered, face blank.
"You're getting bolder with me by the minute."
"Isn't that what you wanted, Sensei?" Yukina smiled faintly.