"Partner?"
"What partner?"
"What's Shichen-sensei whispering to the Princess about now…?"
"Damn! The Princess's face is so red—did Shichen-sensei flirt with her?"
"She looks so shy…"
"Quiet!" Shichen-senseichen snapped, authority on full display as he cut off the gawking students.
On instinct, most of them yanked their eyes away and stared at their desks. A few still peeked: Nagisa curious, Kanon smiling, Avrora displeased, Kaguya unreadable.
"S-Sensei…" Himeragi Yukina clutched at his sleeve, too embarrassed to face the class.
"Honestly—you had to say it that loud?" Shichen teased.
"W-well… only because you said something weird."
"What's weird?"
"P-partner…"
"And what's the problem?"
"O-of course it's a problem. I'm not your partner…"
"But you're my monitor, aren't you? I don't have a partner, so I can only ask you to fill in."
"Eh? S-so that's it." Yukina finally glanced up, relieved… and a little conflicted. "So Sensei doesn't have a partner."
"Obviously. Which is why I need a stand-in."
"I see…"
"Don't want to? Then I'll ask Avrora and the others. Or Natsuki."
"Huh? W-why them?"
"They're suitable. The guy's a vampire; I can't bring a regular civilian. And you seem unwilling."
"I—I'm not unwilling!"
"Yeah?"
"Yes. Since he's got his eye on you, you need someone who can handle danger."
"Natsuki could, and everyone already knows about me and Avrora."
"Mm… true, but you did just say you'd take me," Yukina muttered, head down, lips pressed tight—just a little sulky.
"Heh—kidding. Of course I'm taking you," Shichen said, ruffling her hair.
"Eh?"
She looked up, eyes bright—then realized and flushed again.
"As I should. In this situation I have to keep monitoring you—what if something happens?"
"Heh—so that's a yes?"
"Mm… Monitoring you is my job. I'll stick with you… but…"
"What's wrong—second thoughts?"
"No. I just remembered… I don't have a dress I can wear to the party," she said, biting her lip.
"Ha—that's all? Sounds like you really do want to go with me."
"I do not! I'm just… doing my job," she huffed, blushing.
"Sure, sure—let's call it that," he said, squeezing her soft cheeks.
"Sensei, stop—people are watching."
"So it's fine if no one's watching?"
"Still not okay!"
"Brutal…"
"What are you even lamenting? Be serious—and come with me after class to buy a dress."
"Why do I have to go?"
"Because I need to stay with you and monitor you… and I'm going as your companion. You should take responsibility," she said with a playful smile.
"No need. Someone's providing your dress," Shichen replied, mysterious.
"Huh?"
…
After school, Shichen took Avrora and the others to buy groceries for dinner, then headed home.
Aiba Asagi couldn't walk back with him; different route—unless she invited herself over for dinner. Not a Friday, so flimsy pretext.
At the apartment, before they even reached the door, Yukina understood what he meant: a package sat at her doorstep.
"This package…?" she looked at Shichen.
"Check the sender and you'll know. Avrora, take the groceries in first."
"Shichen, what are you planning to do alone with Yukina?" Avrora asked.
"What could I do? Why so paranoid lately?" He flicked her forehead.
"Mm… because you two have been oddly close," Avrora pouted. "We haven't even slept together recently, you haven't checked my, um, development, and the protection fee…"
"Sensei?" Yukina cut in, face cool. "What does 'protection fee' mean?"
"What do you think it means?"
"It doesn't sound… proper. And 'sleeping together,' 'development checkups'—Sensei, you are doing something bad!"
"It's not 'bad,' and you know their situation. I'm just checking on them properly—don't get the wrong idea."
"Really?" She clearly didn't buy it.
"Why are you policing me so hard? Go on—open the box," he said, mussing her hair.
"I am your monitor…" she grumbled, but started unboxing.
A flat rectangular carton. The sender's name stood out.
"'Lion King Agency'… Why would they send me something? Was this because of what you said at school?" she asked.
"Probably," Shichen nodded.
"How do you know? And why would they send a dress?" Yukina frowned.
The Lion King Agency was a special-ops body set up to counter large-scale magical disasters and terror threats. They'd assigned Yukina to monitor Shichen because his existence was considered a national risk. Why would they send a dress to help her accompany him? How did they know she'd be his "partner"? And how did he know it would arrive?
She stared at him, serious. It felt like there was a lot she didn't understand.
"Why are you staring at me?" Shichen chuckled. He had no intention of explaining the Agency's real plan. (Glorified marriage bureau, really.)
"Sensei…" Yukina bit her lip, then let it go.
"It's fine. Trust us," he said, pinching her cheek.
"…Okay." She exhaled and committed, tearing the seal.
Inside lay a glossy, finely folded piece of fabric—clearly high quality. Yukina couldn't help lifting it by the corners. Shichen, meanwhile, noticed a packing slip tucked in the carton's corner and picked it up.
"Sensei," Yukina gasped.
"Hm?" He looked over—and his eyes lit up.
In Yukina's hands hung a light, airy lotus-leaf dress, delicate as art. As she lifted it fully, the rest tumbled out with a rustle—an adorable camisole with built-in cups and a set of silk lingerie.
"Sensei!" Yukina yelped, scrambling to scoop them up and cover them.
"What's there to hide?" Shichen laughed.
"Do not look!" she glared, cheeks blazing.
"Alright, alright."
"Um… what's that in your hand?"
"Oh—this." He held it up.
"The invoice… Hm. It says: 'custom party ensemble, height 156 cm, B76(C60)-W55-H78, Ms. Himeragi Yukina, paid in full…'"
"Eh? What—wait! Don't—!" She lunged for it, but he flipped it out of reach.
He swept an amused glance over her—lingering, unhelpfully, at her chest. "So that's how it is."
"Mm…" Yukina hugged the dress to her front, face scarlet, hair trembling on her shoulders as she ducked her head under his gaze.
"Sensei… don't stare…"
"Heh—Yukina, looks like you've got more going on than I thought. A C, huh? I'm impressed."
"…!" She snapped her head up and glared, mortified. "Sensei! Give me the slip!"
"What's there to be embarrassed about? Here—you can have it. I've already memorized it," he said, handing it over.
"Sensei! Stop being a creep!" She snatched the slip and stuffed it away.
"How's that 'creepy'? It's not like I wrote it…"
"Mm…"