After chatting for a while in the faculty office, Shichen and Himeragi Yukina were joined by Avrora, Akatsuki Nagisa, and the others. With thirteen more in the room, it suddenly felt crowded.
"Huh? Yukina, what are you doing here?" Nagisa asked as soon as she saw her.
"Nagisa, I had something to ask Shichen-sensei."
"I see…" Nagisa blinked, not entirely convinced as she looked between the two seated across from each other. Could Asagi-senpai have been right—was Yukina going to become a rival?
Shichen-sensei was handsome, mature, gentle, and incredibly capable. It wouldn't be strange if Yukina liked him.
"Shichen~" Enatos came over smiling and plopped herself onto his lap. She wiggled to find a comfortable position, leaned back against his chest, and guided his hand lightly around her waist.
"Enatos! What are you doing?!" Avrora marched over, glaring.
"Sitting on Shichen's lap," Enatos replied with a grin.
"Move!"
"Why?"
"Y-you'll make Shichen uncomfortable."
"Really? Shichen, you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said evenly. He usually stayed out of their spats—after all, they were always about him.
"You hear that? He says it's fine," Enatos laughed, shifting again.
Avrora ground her teeth. "Get down!"
"Get down? What, do you want a turn?" Enatos teased.
"I—I didn't say that…" Avrora's expression wavered.
"Hehe~ how about we share?"
"I don't—"
"Do you?" Enatos slid aside as if to make space.
"Mm…" Avrora hesitated.
"Hurry, or Kaguya will beat you to it."
"You're right!" Avrora reacted and sat on Shichen's other knee.
"Here, you can have one of his hands," Enatos said, letting him support them both.
"J-just to be clear, I'm only sitting here so Kaguya won't," Avrora declared, trying to look stern—though her flushed cheeks and bright eyes gave her away.
"Sure, sure," Enatos said, letting it drop.
"Why do you two argue every day?" Shichen sighed.
"Because Enatos always starts it," Avrora shot back.
"As if you don't enjoy it," Enatos said.
"I—I don't!" Avrora protested, not very convincingly.
"You two…" Shichen shook his head, helpless.
"Shichen-sensei, you look pretty pleased to me," Yukina muttered.
"Do I?"
"You know you do," she said, shooting him a look.
"Ahem—Nagisa, didn't Kanon come with you?" Shichen asked, neatly changing the subject. Prote and the others weren't competing; some had already found spots and started on coursework.
"Ah—oh, Kanon had something to do and headed back first."
"Something to do…?"
At this hour, Shichen remembered a certain situation was likely unfolding. He hadn't been able to talk Kanon out of it—she was too kind and trusted her foster father too much. Dragging her away would only harden her attitude, and it would keep the man from exposing himself. As much as that man claimed it was "for her own good," Shichen refused to accept it.
If he wanted Kanon to see the truth—and yes, to win her trust completely—he had to let things play out a little. But he was ready to step in the moment anything crossed the line.
"Sensei, something wrong?"
"It's nothing." He smiled and shook his head. "Anyone want a drink? There's a fridge—ice water and ice cream, too."
"I want ice cream! Chocolate!" Avrora said immediately.
"Strawberry for me," Kaguya called.
"Original is fine," said Enatos.
"Shichen, we'd like milk," Prote and Deutera chimed in.
"Milk? In the mood for it today?"
"Mm. We didn't get much earlier, and it was warm—we want it cold," Prote said with a playful blink.
"…What? You already had some?" Avrora asked, not getting the hint.
"Yep. Shichen made it for us—though we helped a little," Prote said, still teasing.
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind, Avrora," Prote laughed.
"Grr…"
"Ahem, got it—chilled milk. Nagisa, Yukina, what about you two? Ice cream or a drink?"
"Juice is fine," said Nagisa.
"Same," said Yukina.
"Alright… you two, hop down."
"Ehh? Hold us like this~ we're not heavy," Enatos said, looping her arms around his neck.
"She's right. You can carry us, can't you?" Avrora added, hugging his shoulder.
"Please, you don't weigh anything." Shichen stood smoothly with both of them, supporting their waists as he headed to the fridge.
Yukina frowned, watching closely. It didn't feel like he was reacting to a dare—it felt like he'd intended to carry them anyway.
"So nice…" Nagisa murmured, a little envious.
"…Nagisa, do you really like Shichen-sensei?" Yukina asked, catching that look.
"Hehe~ Busted?" Nagisa didn't deny it.
"It's pretty obvious."
"He's so handsome and kind—and he's saved me twice."
"Saved you twice?"
"Mm. A few years ago, the hospital couldn't do anything, and Shichen-sensei helped me."
"A few years ago—so before college?"
"Yeah."
"…Why did Shichen-sensei save you?" Yukina pressed.
"Eh? He came with my brother to visit me and decided to try."
"When he saw you, did he make any kind of face? Like… 'target acquired' or something?"
"'Target acquired'? Haha—what's that supposed to mean?"
"What if—"
"What are you two whispering about?" Shichen appeared behind Yukina and tapped her lightly on the head, half exasperated.
"Mm…" Yukina looked a little embarrassed—she'd pushed too far.
"Is your misunderstanding of me really that deep?" He handed her a juice, helpless.
"Not at all," she said, calm again as she took it.
"Hope so…" Shichen shook his head and passed drinks around.
They stayed until the academy's late classes let out, then Shichen left with them and later headed home with Minamiya Natsuki.
At dinner, Yukina showed up of her own accord.
"Back again, kid?" Natsuki said, sipping tea.
"Um… sorry to intrude, Minamiya-sensei," Yukina bowed.
"No need for that. Just say why you're here."
"You know Shichen-sensei's identity, so I won't hide it: I'm here to monitor him."
"Monitor, huh? You didn't sound this determined yesterday."
"Today I confirmed what kind of person he is—so I need to keep an eye on him," Yukina said earnestly.
"Keep an eye on him? Fine. I'll leave that to you," Natsuki nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Hey, hey—why are you two talking like I'm about to commit a crime?" Shichen protested.
"Who knows," Natsuki said.
"Mm, I have to watch Shichen-sensei," Yukina added.
"Since when did you two get so chummy?" Shichen asked, surprised.
"Eat your dinner," Natsuki said.
Afterward, Shichen planned to take Avrora and the others out for ice cream.
"Natsuki, want to come with us?"
"Not tonight," she replied, unmoving with her black tea.
"Why not? Not going to shadow me?"
"Not needed today."
"Huh?"
Shichen blinked and glanced at Yukina.
"Sensei, you're going out? I'll come too," Yukina said.
"…We're just going to the convenience store for ice cream."
"Doesn't matter. I need to be with you."
"You're a bit rigid, aren't you?"
"I just don't feel at ease otherwise."
"And what exactly do you think I'm going to do? Avrora and the others are coming."
"All the more reason to follow."
"…"
~~~
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