Something was wrong. So very wrong
Masao watched Yukinoshita's usual icy demeanor thaw, her expression softening into one of pure delight.
A faint blush colored her cheeks, which was charming enough, but it was her eyes that betrayed the true depth of her lapse. 'Were those… hearts beginning to sparkle in her eyes?'
'Get a hold of yourself, Yukinoshita!' he screamed internally. 'That look is strictly reserved for when you're with…'
Ahem. Masao quickly stopped his train of thought.
He needed to say something, to break this bizarre spell, but his mind was blank. What could he even say?
"Yukinoshita, unhand Jahy! The one who should be feeding her is me!" Or perhaps the more direct, "Jahy, scram! I should be the one being fed!"
He'd already experienced the simple joy of feeding Jahy before. But the prospect of being fed by Yukinoshita Yukino? That was uncharted territory,
And even if he spoke up the most he'd get for his trouble was an icy glare.
—
After Yukinoshita offered Jahy a few more sardines, the door slid open, heralding the return of Hiratsuka Shizuka. She strode in, her arms laden with bulging shopping bags.
She carried two takeout boxes of the cafeteria's famous pork cutlet rice, plus a generous assortment of snacks and drinks that she'd gotten from the convenient store.
The sight of this fresh culinary bounty was too much for Jahy to resist. Without a second thought, she abandoned the sardines and flung herself toward Hiratsuka, a traitorous little missile of hunger.
Yukinoshita's entire being seemed to deflate. A visible wave of dejection washed over her, casting a gray, gloomy aura around her slumped form.
Witnessing Jahy's merciless abandonment, Masao failed to stifle a snort of laughter.
Instantly, Yukinoshita's head snapped up, her eyes sharpening into twin blades aimed directly at him.
"Masao-kun," she said, her voice dangerously calm. "Do you have nothing better to do?"
"Uh… well… I suppose my schedule is relatively clear," he stammered, the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck. He really should have kept quiet.
"Heh."
A single, cold laugh escaped her lips. She shook her head slowly, adopting an air of world-weary resignation.
"Naturally. That is the essence of Masao-kun's existence, isn't it? Your duties are simple: follow instructions and focus on your weight loss. My burdens, however, are far more complex and numerous…"
It was impressive, really. Her ability to deploy a pre-programmed, sharp-tongued retort was a model of efficiency.
In a single breath, she had seized back the high ground.
Having vented her irritation, her mood visibly improved, the gloomy aura dissipating as she returned to her usual composed self.
She calmly placed the remaining sardines back into her own lunchbox and resumed eating her meal.
Hiratsuka had brought back the cafeteria's signature pork cutlet rice, and it was as delicious as promised. Jahy was devouring hers with gusto.
As they ate, the conversation meandered. Hiratsuka turned to Masao, her curiosity piqued.
"So, how come Jahy has time to visit you? Shouldn't she be in school?"
The education system here was no joke. Elementary school attendance wasn't a suggestion; it was the law, complete with child safety alarms and serious consequences for negligent guardians.
"Her enrollment paperwork is still being processed," Masao explained.
Hiratsuka nodded in understanding.
"I see. Well, that's good. Let me know if you hit any snags. I am a teacher, after all. I can help."
Yukinoshita hesitated, her lips parting slightly before she closed them again.
She didn't offer her help. Her father was a prefectural assemblyman (a politician); her family had enough pull in Chiba to get Jahy into any school she wanted. But that would mean going back to that house and facing that oppressive atmosphere.
The thought alone was suffocating.
It's not a major issue, she reasoned. It will likely be resolved easily, especially with Hiratsuka-sensei's assistance.
'If it truly comes down to it, I'll…' She glanced at Jahy. If she would just let her stroke those adorable ears, she might just be able to summon the courage to confront her mother.
"Thank you, Sensei," Masao said. "But it shouldn't be a problem. The current policies are pretty supportive. The process is pretty straightforward."
"I suppose you're right," Hiratsuka conceded, before letting out a long, weary sigh. "Ah… this darn declining birth rate just keeps getting worse. I heard several elementary schools are projected to close this year."
If she'd had a cold beer and a plate of peanuts in front of her, she might have launched into a full-blown seminar on the nation's demographic crisis.
But her momentum was shattered before it even began.
"If we are discussing the root causes of the declining birth rate," Yukinoshita interjected coolly, "surely you must bear a portion of the responsibility, Hiratsuka-sensei?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "…"
The good ship Hiratsuka was instantly torpedoed and sent to the bottom of the sea.
She thumped a fist on the table, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
"How is this my fault?! I've been on more matchmaking dates than I can count! They've all been disasters! There are no good men left in the world…" She launched into a familiar tirade, culminating in a final, defiant declaration. "So, whatever! I'm not having kids!"
Masao blinked, bewildered by the sudden pivot.
One moment they were discussing a serious societal issue, and the next, the conclusion was a personal vow of childlessness. The logical thread had been severed.
He shot a look at Yukinoshita. 'You broke her. You deal with the consequences.'
For once, Yukinoshita had the decency to look slightly abashed, avoiding his gaze.
She hadn't anticipated her casual barb striking such a deep nerve. She was still too young to fully grasp the destructive power words like "marriage" and "childbirth" held over a single woman.
Just then, Jahy, having polished off her entire meal, looked up with bright, curious eyes. "Hey, hey! What's this 'declining birth rate' thing?"
She'd been listening this whole time, and it sounded very important.
Hearing the question, the despondent Hiratsuka mustered the energy to explain.
"The 'declining birth rate' means that fewer and fewer people are having babies, so the number of children being born keeps getting smaller."
"Oh, I see," Jahy said, nodding with an air of mock-seriousness. It certainly sounded like a big problem.
But Jahy wasn't worried. She wasn't even human; the reproductive habits of humanity were none of her concern.
"Ah, forget it! It's not a problem we can solve by talking around this table," Hiratsuka said, waving a dismissive hand. She was done with the whole topic.
Masao and Yukinoshita nodded in vigorous, relieved unison. 'Yes, please, let's drop it.'
Who knew what further depths of despair Hiratsuka would plunge into if they continued.
Hiratsuka turned her attention to Jahy, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw the empty lunch box.
"You finished all that, Jahy? That's a grown man's portion! You've got quite the appetite!"
Puffed up with pride, Jahy placed her hands on her hips. "But of course! My stomach is a bottomless pit! I could easily finish another portion!"
Hiratsuka, with her bold, straightforward personality, had found a kindred spirit in the unapologetically gluttonous Jahy.
She genuinely enjoyed the girl's company.
"Well, you'll have to come out with me sometime, then. I know all the best spots for good food."
"Lots… of delicious food?" Jahy's eyes shimmered, stars practically visible in their depths.
It was a truth she had to concede: the culinary offerings of the human world far surpassed the dismal fare of the Demon Realm.
She swallowed a mouthful of saliva, struggling to maintain her composure.
"Very well. I shall grant you the honor of my company," she declared, pointing a finger at Hiratsuka. "But… you're paying."
Jahy had no intention of repeating the traumatic experience of being apprehended by the police for dine-and-dashing.
As for spending her own meager allowance? The concept was absurd. Why spend her own precious funds when someone else was willing to foot the bill? It was far better to hoard her wealth.
Her allowance was pitifully scarce, and she needed to save it for a real emergency.
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