Tatsuki couldn't help but chuckle — this was classic tsundere denial. Dealing with people who said one thing but meant another was his specialty. His lips curved into a mischievous grin.
If you say I'm a jerk… then I'll show you exactly what kind of jerk I can be.
"Huh? You're acting weird, Chika."
The moment he activated his spatial ability, he noticed Chika had already been worked up far earlier.
Well then, if that's the case, don't blame me for not holding back.
After sitting stiff in his chair all afternoon, his back sore and waist aching, Tatsuki stood and stretched, straightening up to stand tall and upright. Sitting too long is bad for the body — stand, sit, move a little, keep circulation flowing.
"Eek!"
Chika's body suddenly trembled, and she collapsed onto the sofa.
"Chika, what's wrong?"
Kaguya, startled, turned quickly and saw Chika trembling, her face flushed red, breathing hot and shallow as though about to cry. Her body twisted restlessly against the sofa. For all her usual sharp tongue — calling Chika "the cancer of Earth" or even "a sow" in her heart — Kaguya truly did consider Chika one of her dearest friends. Her worry was real.
Feigning seriousness, Tatsuki reached out and brushed her forehead. "I checked her condition. Nothing serious. She just needs a bit of rest."
Kaguya nodded instantly. She trusted his word — after all, Tatsuki was a superpowered man who kept getting stronger.
"Come on, Kaguya, let's finish up the paperwork."
He returned to his seat, pen scratching over documents. Kaguya, glancing once at Chika's watery eyes, forced herself to focus, immersing completely into work. She didn't notice what Tatsuki's hands were doing behind the president's desk… or Chika's increasingly fierce reactions on the sofa.
…
"Did Chika… fall asleep?"
When the student council tasks were finished, Kaguya rose and stretched her fingers, then turned — only to see Chika slumped on the sofa, fast asleep, sweat glistening along her forehead.
Tatsuki walked over, dabbed the sweat away with a tissue, and put on a composed look.
"She's fine now, just exhausted. I'll take her to the infirmary to rest."
And without waiting for an answer, he scooped Chika into his arms and left — Kaguya's envious eyes following them out the door.
…
The infirmary was empty. The beds were neatly made, not a soul in sight.
As soon as he set her down, Chika stirred and cracked her eyes open. She hadn't been asleep at all — just pretending. Her face flushed scarlet, she stared straight at him, both shy and indignant.
Tatsuki pinched her nose lightly. "Why're you staring at me like that? Don't tell me… you want to be teased again?"
"!!!"
Chika's hands snapped down to press her skirt, almost shouting. "I–I don't want that!"
"Chika-chan, are we considered a couple now?" he asked, curiosity glinting in his eyes. She'd already crossed the line — he might as well hear it directly.
Her fingers fidgeted, her voice as soft as cotton. "Y-Yes… we are. But… but you can't tell Kaguya-san!"
Tatsuki stroked his chin in thought. "If we hide it from Kaguya, doesn't that mean we can't tell anyone else either? Otherwise she'll find out eventually."
"Then… then we just don't tell anyone! Nobody at all!"
Tatsuki let out a helpless laugh. "So this is a secret affair? A hidden relationship?" He truly couldn't understand. Kaguya already knew about his other girlfriends. Why keep this under wraps?
But Chika was sharper than she looked. As a politician's daughter, her observational skills were keen. She had already noticed how close Kaguya and Tatsuki were — just one trigger away from crossing the line. So Chika wanted to keep things hidden, at least until Kaguya took that step.
For Tatsuki, it was nothing. Keeping secrets was easy.
He sat at the edge of the bed and pulled the blushing Chika into his arms. "So… are you comfortable in those clothes right now?" he teased.
Chika's body shivered. Not comfortable at all!
"Here, let me change you into something new."
With a snap of his fingers, a fresh set of white lingerie materialized. Naturally, he insisted on changing her personally.
…
It had only been a few minutes in the infirmary. By the time Tatsuki returned to class, it was just in time for the lesson.
Sliding into his seat, he immediately drew the attention of Megumi. She poked his shoulder.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Tatsuki, you look… refreshed." She tilted her head innocently. "Just like that time on the rooftop… after you were done."
His eyelid twitched. Her observation skills were terrifying. She was right, of course — he did feel refreshed. Those "few minutes" in the infirmary had been anything but simple. Accidents happened when clothes were changed by hand.
He licked his lips unconsciously, remembering the taste. Chika had been like a soft, juicy peach — his first time tasting her lips and tongue. Not bad at all. Perhaps the others should be given a try too… like Megumi.
"Tatsuki, your eyes are full of desire."
He smirked. "And whose fault is that, Megumi? You're just too tempting."
Her lips curled faintly, then she gestured toward the left. "Yui's watching you. Did you… do this to her too?"
He followed her gaze. Sure enough, Yui was staring at him, clutching her stomach with a flushed face. When their eyes met, she squeaked, turned red, and quickly looked away.
"Didn't I say I'd heal you right after? Why suffer like this?"
"Time Stop."
The classroom froze mid-motion, voices vanishing into silence.
Yumiko gasped. "He… stopped time?!"
Yukino stayed calm. She'd already experienced this power before.
"What are you doing, Tatsuki?" Megumi asked.
"Just checking on Yui."
He walked over to her desk. Yui blinked, confused by the frozen world, but quickly realized only the two of them were moving.
He crouched, pressing a warm hand to her abdomen. "Still hurting?"
Her cheeks turned crimson, and she nodded faintly.
"I told you… but you wouldn't listen. Now you're paying for it."
"It's not my fault! It's because… you were too strong!" she whispered, her voice so shy it melted.
The meaning was obvious. Everyone could understand without words.
He brushed her cheek with a kiss, then channeled golden light into her body. Warmth spread, and the pain faded instantly.
Yui's eyes glistened with gratitude. On impulse, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
Watching, Yumiko's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Yui — the timid, people-pleasing girl — had already climbed this high? Romance really did change a person.
Even Yukino's expression shifted. The girl who always called her "Yukinon" had also fallen…
When the healing ended, Yui pulled away, her face burning. She whispered softly, "I'm sorry…"
"Hm? Sorry for what?"
"Because… because of my mom…" she stammered, refusing to explain further, and pushed him back toward his seat.
Tatsuki frowned slightly but let it go.
Time resumed. The class continued as though nothing had happened.
But Yui's heart was in turmoil. She remembered last night — walking in on her mother alone, whispering fantasies of Tatsuki. Her mother had apologized, begging forgiveness, promising it would never happen again. Yui couldn't bring herself to blame her. After all, her father had died early. Her mother had sacrificed everything to raise her alone, losing her own happiness in the process.
Now, after what had just happened with Tatsuki, Yui understood. These desires were natural. She couldn't resent her mother… yet she also couldn't bear to tell Tatsuki the truth.
…
Megumi, ever observant, leaned in. "Tatsuki, today a girl came to the clubroom."
"A request for investigation?"
He was surprised. Their Paranormal Research Club had only received one case so far — Yui's.
Megumi shook her head. "Not a request. She seemed to be… investigating you."
Tatsuki's eyes narrowed. Investigating him? His recent actions were flawless — no satellite, no human could track him. But his weaker days in the past? Maybe those had drawn attention.
"Who is she?"
"Her name is Ai Hayasaka. Dressed like a gal, but from what I observed, that look's just a disguise. Should we keep an eye on her?"
Tatsuki instantly understood. Hayasaka… Kaguya's all-purpose maid.
So she was investigating because she noticed changes in Kaguya? That made sense.
"It's fine. Don't worry about her."
Megumi gave him a long look. "So… you already know her?"
"Yeah," he said simply. "She's from the Shinomiya family. Nothing to be concerned about."
Megumi nodded. "Got it."
...
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