"I see."
Yukinoshita Yukino gave a slight nod, her gaze unintentionally brushing past Hiratsuka Shizuka's dumbstruck expression. "Hiratsuka-sensei's thoughts are completely written on her face—so clear that just one look is enough to thoroughly understand them."
Shirase also observed Hiratsuka Shizuka. "I think that's a good thing. At least, Hiratsuka-sensei's openness allows others to feel sincerity."
Yukinoshita furrowed her brows slightly. "Why do I get the feeling you're indirectly calling her stupid and easy to read?"
"I didn't say that," Shirase swiftly denied. "Besides, in my eyes, Hiratsuka-sensei is a teacher deserving respect, because Kana-nee once mentioned to me that she's a good person."
"Kana-nee? You mean Kojima-sensei?"
"Yep."
"Hold on!" Realizing the conversation was drifting further away, Hiratsuka Shizuka finally had to interject.
She glared at the two with a profoundly complicated expression. "You two were discussing studying—how did the topic suddenly shift onto me?"
Shirase thought for a moment, then explained: "Probably because Hiratsuka-sensei herself is very eye-catching, and right now you're sitting right beside us. Even if we tried to ignore you, it'd be extremely difficult."
Yukinoshita Yukino gave a half-smile. "Let me summarize for him: Hiratsuka-sensei, the melon-eating gossip lover, is simply too wicked."
Hiratsuka: "…"
Seriously, are you two really strangers?
Hiratsuka Shizuka rubbed her forehead, speechless.
She had merely wanted some gossip and to fulfill her responsibility towards these youngsters, so why had she suddenly drawn all their fire?
If they weren't lying, could it be as manga claimed—that Stand users inevitably attract each other?
At this moment, Yukinoshita Yukino retracted her gaze and turned to the server delivering the ramen. "If Shirase-kun truly intends to become number one, then please surpass Hayama Hayato first."
"Why not surpass both of you at the same time?" Shirase countered.
"Your courage is commendable. I'll be watching closely, then." Yukinoshita ended the conversation without further debate.
As a proud and confident girl, the reason she was even speaking with Shirase today was because she had indeed paid attention to him at school.
After she quieted down, the sharpness she displayed earlier faded—but that pride of hers didn't diminish even a bit.
A delicate, porcelain-like face, eyes bright as autumn waters, a dainty, straight nose, lips moist and soft, and silky smooth hair cascading gently—all clearly expressed her pride.
With her slender and graceful figure, once someone noticed those slim and beautiful legs, they could immediately guess how elegantly and lightly she would move.
"Have the two of you become friends already?" Hiratsuka Shizuka seemed unwilling to let the topic rest and tried creating another chance to talk.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, rather than worrying about this, you might consider something more meaningful," Yukinoshita replied calmly.
Hiratsuka smiled nonchalantly. "Aside from this, what could possibly be more meaningful?"
Shirase suddenly drew a blade: "Hiratsuka-sensei, do you have a boyfriend?"
Hiratsuka choked instantly.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Shirase in astonishment—such a sharp blade.
With this single strike, he severed Hiratsuka Shizuka's attempt to ignite the fires of gossip, thoroughly cutting through her momentum.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, who'd faced defeat after defeat at matchmaking events, felt her smile vanish at a visible speed.
Shirase acted as if he hadn't noticed, muttering to himself, "Kana-nee, who's your colleague, also doesn't have a boyfriend. Though she privately mentioned that if she could find one, her life might be completely different."
"I-is that so?" Hiratsuka awkwardly laughed it off. "Eat ramen, let's stop talking."
Although she feigned embarrassment and frustration outwardly, inside, Hiratsuka Shizuka still felt rather pleased.
At the very least, she now knew Shirase and Yukinoshita Yukino could converse normally. The former hadn't been scared off by the latter's aura of keeping strangers at arm's length, and Yukinoshita clearly had paid attention to Shirase as well.
If these two truly became friends, Hiratsuka's satisfaction as a teacher would be greatly enhanced.
Because she wasn't particularly familiar with Kojima Kana, she naturally assumed Shirase Haruto, like Yukinoshita Yukino, was a kid at school without friends and with some personality issues.
The three didn't continue talking and began enjoying their ramen quietly.
From the corner of his eye, Shirase noticed Yukinoshita's faint look of resignation as she held her chopsticks. He quickly deduced she'd probably been dragged here by Hiratsuka. Otherwise, given the genius girl's personality, she likely would have headed straight home after school.
"I'll head out first," Shirase announced after finishing, going off to pay.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled and asked Yukinoshita Yukino, "What do you think of him?"
Yukinoshita replied neutrally, "About what I expected. He isn't the 'aloof loner' everyone claims at school. Instead, he'll respond whenever spoken to, though his enthusiasm is clearly lacking if he isn't close with the person speaking… Overall, he's an interesting person."
Hiratsuka's smile widened. "So, you've taken an interest in him?"
Yukinoshita cast her a look mingled with confusion and exasperation.
Hiratsuka laughed. "Don't give me that look. I just think if the two of you become friends, it'd be beneficial to you both."
Yukinoshita Yukino knew the other party was concerned about her. But after a second of silence, she replied coolly, "I'm not interested in these matters."
"But I am."
Hiratsuka suddenly stood up.
Under Yukinoshita Yukino's startled gaze, she swiftly stepped forward, blocking Shirase's path as he was about to leave. "Do you have plans tonight?"
Shirase asked suspiciously, "Reading or exercising. Does Hiratsuka-sensei have something in mind?"
Hiratsuka smiled. "Seems your lifestyle isn't so different from Yukino's. Since I'm also free today, how about I take both of you out shopping?"
"Please allow me to refuse." ×2
Shirase and Yukinoshita Yukino spoke simultaneously. The two glanced at each other briefly, then calmly averted their gazes.
Hiratsuka Shizuka laughed even more cheerfully. "See? Look how perfectly in sync you are."
Shirase remained unmoved. "My evening hours are extremely precious."
Hiratsuka was baffled. "What do you mean?"
Shirase raised his phone, pointing to the time displayed. "I mean, if you want me to carry your bags as a tool-man, it'll cost extra."
Hiratsuka burst into laughter. "Tool-man sounds interesting. So, you're trying to take this opportunity to earn some money?"
"You could put it that way."
"You sure have guts." Hiratsuka reached out, gently pinching Shirase's cheek, her smile containing a faintly dangerous glint. "Then, what if I really paid you and made you carry our bags until midnight?"
Shirase calmly stepped back, freeing himself from Hiratsuka's warm, delicate fingers. After pondering, he responded, "Staying overnight costs extra."
Hiratsuka: "…"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "?"
The two women, one older, one younger, stared at him.
This distinction—one older, one younger—applied not just to age, but also figure.
Hiratsuka Shizuka had excellent looks and a curvy figure. Compared to Yukinoshita Yukino, the difference was…
Flat in front, flat behind; tiny and plain—laughably restrained.
Tall in height, generous bust; yet single till now—completely lost.
"I'm leaving first."
Dropping that line, Shirase turned and briskly left.
Hiratsuka Shizuka stood there blankly for a long moment before turning to the girl behind her in confusion. "What did he mean by that just now?"
Yukinoshita didn't reply, merely stood up and walked over beside her. Quietly, she spoke, "It seems my earlier statement—that he's an interesting person—requires some revision."
"Revise it how?"
"Shirase-kun is a weirdo."
"Haha, aren't you the same?"
"…"
Watching Hiratsuka Shizuka laugh with a complete lack of ladylike elegance, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly felt a headache coming on.
She should've never believed Hiratsuka-sensei and agreed to accompany her to eat ramen tonight!