Hayakawa Haku explained a few times, then watched Inoue walk away, still looking thoughtful, and sighed deeply, shaking his head in frustration.
It looks like stopping it will be difficult. It's a real video, after all. I just hope the rumors don't get too out of hand.
Thinking this, Hayakawa Haku walked toward the dorms with a stiff face.
However…
"Hayakawa-kun, I heard you've been dating Furuhashi-kun since you started school?"
"Hayakawa, are you already living with the Literature Princess from Class A?"
"Haku! You're actually dating Ogata-kun and Furuhashi-kun at the same time?! I misjudged you!"
"Hayakawa, as your teacher, let me remind you: you need to pay a little attention to your personal conduct. Marriage is too early for a student your age."
"..."
Why is this happening…?
Hayakawa Haku stood in a corner with an expressionless face, watching yet another person he had just seen off.
He knew that rumors would definitely get exaggerated, but there had to be a limit! In the short ten-minute walk back to the dorm, he had been questioned three or four times by people he passed, and even a teacher came to ask him. And what they were saying… well, the first two were guessable, but what were the last two? Dating simultaneously? Marriage?!
Do you people even know the legal marriage age in Japan?
Hayakawa Haku quietly looked up, feeling utterly drained.
He was already being forced into marriage. He couldn't imagine what would happen next.
"Hayakawa Haku!!"
A girl in a white lab coat with brown twin tails suddenly leaped out like an NPC monster in a field. Her blood-red eyes, as ferocious as if staring at a mortal enemy, were fixed on Hayakawa Haku. She spoke in a tone that sounded like she wanted to bite Hayakawa to pieces. "Ri- Ogata Rizu, when did she get pregnant?!"
Hayakawa Haku: "..."
Am I finally being forced into pregnancy? Things are moving fast.
"Excuse me." Hayakawa Haku expressionlessly bypassed Sekijou Sawako and quickly left.
"Answer my question, you bastard!" Sekijou Sawako was stunned for a moment, then immediately yelled, "You need to take responsibility for Ogata Rizu!"
I respectfully decline.
"Phew…" Hayakawa Haku, after much hardship, finally arrived at his dorm room door and couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
That short ten-minute walk was more tiring than a full day of studying in the library. Why do I have to suffer like this?
I just want to… step on everyone else.
Guh-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga~
Thinking this, a strangely excited blush appeared on Hayakawa's face. He quickly reached out to open the door, but suddenly everything went black as a pair of hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who I am~" A disguised female voice came from behind him, accompanied by a subtle feeling of pressure at his back.
"Yotsuba." Hayakawa Haku said calmly, his tone as flat as if he were watching a farce.
"Eh-eh-eh?" The girl behind him immediately released her hands and stepped forward in surprise. Yotsuba's cute face appeared in front of Hayakawa.
"Why did you recognize me right away?" Nakano Yotsuba looked at Hayakawa in shock. "Was I seen when I came over quietly?"
"No." Hayakawa Haku replied expressionlessly, then asked, "Do you need something?"
Because of the constant harassment on the way, he wasn't in the mood to maintain his gentle persona and just wanted to go back to his room to study and relieve stress.
"Haha, my dorm room is on the third floor. I just saw Hayakawa-kun when I came up, so I came over." Hayakawa's unenthusiastic tone didn't seem to bother Yotsuba. She scratched her head and gave a carefree laugh, then looked at Hayakawa and lowered her head. "I heard a rumor that you, Hayakawa-kun, are dating Fumino…"
"Is it true?" Yotsuba subtly raised her eyes and looked at Hayakawa, whispering.
"Sigh, you heard that rumor too? Seriously, how widely is this going to spread?" Hayakawa Haku shook his head helplessly, then explained, "It's just a misunderstanding. Don't believe what others say. Furuhashi and I are just in a normal student-teacher relationship. The most important thing right now is studying."
"I see, so that's it! It's a misunderstanding!" Nakano Yotsuba's eyes instantly brightened slightly. She smiled and said, "Then I'll tell my friends about this. I'll do my best to keep this misunderstanding from spreading further."
"That's a huge help." Hayakawa Haku's expression softened. "Thank you, Yotsuba."
"It's no problem, no problem. I have to tell you something, Hayakawa-kun," Nakano Yotsuba first nodded with a smile, then whispered with a slightly strange expression, "When I first heard people say you were dating Fumino, I felt a little uneasy…"
Hayakawa Haku was surprised. "Why?"
"How should I put it…" Yotsuba scratched her head and whispered, "I felt like two of my friends were together. Although I would definitely wish you well, I felt a little lonely, like I had suddenly lost a friend."
"..." Hayakawa Haku: "Oh."
When did I become your friend?
"But now that I know it's a misunderstanding, it's fine," Nakano Yotsuba cheered up, flashing a cheerful smile. "I'll definitely work hard to help both Hayakawa-kun and Fumino get rid of the rumors."
"I truly thank you, Yotsuba." Hayakawa Haku was genuinely touched this time. He looked at Yotsuba in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Would you like to come inside my room for a moment?"
Just being polite.
That's what Hayakawa thought. It's like when an acquaintance unexpectedly shows up at your door, the host always offers a simple courtesy.
"Come inside my house for a bit, have a cup of tea."
And then the friend waves a refusal.
"Thank you, next time."
Such common social courtesy is seen everywhere in daily life.
Since Yotsuba had helped him, Hayakawa Haku felt he should offer the courtesy, and then Yotsuba would refuse, and everything would be natural.
However…
"Eh~" Nakano Yotsuba was surprised. She hesitated, whispering, "I should probably…"
"Yay!" A cheerful voice suddenly came from the side. "I'll come too."
"Uh…" Hayakawa Haku looked over in confusion and saw a delicate face exactly like Yotsuba's, except with shorter hair and a more relaxed and mature demeanor. He couldn't see any other difference.
"Ichika?" Nakano Yotsuba's eyes widened in surprise at the girl who had suddenly appeared. "What are you doing here? Didn't you go back to your room already?"
"I was worried about you, and came looking for you when you didn't return for a while," Nakano Ichika looked at Yotsuba, teasing her with a slight curl of her lips. "I didn't expect you to be chatting with a boy. I underestimated you, Yotsuba."
"No…" Nakano Yotsuba instantly blushed, waving her hands, trying to explain, but Ichika completely ignored her.
"Hello, Hayakawa-kun. I'm Yotsuba's older sister, Nakano Ichika," Nakano Ichika greeted Hayakawa. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hello, I'm Hayakawa Haku." Hayakawa said expressionlessly. "Hello, Nakano-san."
"Just call me Ichika." Nakano Ichika covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, then said with an expectant look, "I feel a bit awkward asking, but may Yotsuba and I come in for tea? I'd like to get to know Hayakawa-kun too."
Hayakawa Haku: "…Please come in."