"How did you know my purpose for coming here?"
"You really had such a thought! For me to go to China with you, what identity would I use? Idiot."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's slightly surprised voice, Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but blush and spit. Looking at his handsome face, her mind suddenly recalled what he had said to her shortly after they first met.
"Of course, as a girlfriend! Ms. Shizuka should still be single, right? You've never been in love since you were little, you always meet terrible people on blind dates, and you don't have any close male friends in your daily life. It's quite surprising to hear it put that way."
"You're asking for a beating!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora expose her shortcomings without any reservation, Hiratsuka Shizuka's face flushed. She then lifted her foot and kicked him directly, a strange look appearing in her eyes, and her mouth pouted.
At the same time, a wave of helplessness rose in her heart. She wanted to refute him, but there was truly no basis for it. Precisely because everything he said was true, she felt annoyed.
Furthermore, as she got older, her subsequent blind dates became increasingly bizarre, and their ages reached thirty and above. All in all, she kept going in circles and never found a suitable one.
"Hey, I'm serious. I know Ms. Shizuka listened outside the bathroom several times, and I often found you secretly watching me during meals. That should be true, right?"
"What?! The bathroom was just a coincidence! And looking at you was just a coincidence too! It's all a misunderstanding!"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Hiratsuka Shizuka's cheeks quickly turned red, and her mind recalled the time they had spent together recently.
Because Hoshino Sora was the focus of the girls, whether it was eating, bathing, or doing anything, he was often not very well-behaved, frequently doing things that made people shy.
As the dorm manager of this building, she naturally took all of this in. Coupled with what he had said to her earlier, she naturally had a strange feeling for him.
However, if he didn't confess, she couldn't possibly shamelessly go to him, even though she couldn't find a boyfriend, it didn't mean she liked to throw herself at someone, especially someone who had many girlfriends.
That's right, although this world allowed harems, she still had some reservations about it in her heart, which was why she was single until now. Otherwise, with her looks and charm, finding a boyfriend would be effortless!
Well, the main reason was that she was too 'manly.' Modern men didn't particularly like her type; they preferred delicate, dependent women, which was why she couldn't find a suitable partner.
That day, hearing Hoshino Sora's 'confession,' she was truly touched. But being touched was one thing, and accepting it was another. Moreover, he was more than ten years younger than her...
In other words, when she was solving equations, he had just been born. Such a large age gap was also one of the reasons she hesitated; she felt a strange sense of guilt about making a move on him.
"Really? I don't believe it."
Her thoughts were many, but in reality, only about a second had passed. As a seasoned veteran in romance, Hoshino Sora naturally saw that Hiratsuka Shizuka was interested in him, but found it difficult to initiate due to the large age gap.
And because he had too many girls around him and was constantly immersed in a gentle embrace, he truly lacked opportunities to be alone with Hiratsuka Shizuka. So, if she didn't confess, it was also difficult for him to make a move on her.
But now it was different. It was summer vacation, and he had returned to Totsuki for some reason. Hiratsuka Shizuka, as the dorm manager of Yōbi Dormitory, usually stayed there during the summer vacation, only occasionally leaving for blind dates. So, he came over to create an opportunity for the two of them.
"Although I have many girls around me and I'm somewhat fickle, as a man, I'm pretty good physically, and I treat my wife quite well. If you can become my girlfriend, I'll definitely treat you as well as I treat them.
To be honest, the first time I saw you, perhaps it was lust at first sight, but you have a mature charm that is very attractive to me. It's just because of the age gap that I was afraid you wouldn't be happy, so I didn't dare to say anything.
But now I'm leaving, and if I don't say it now, I'll completely lose the chance. I really can't bear to see Ms. Shizuka get taken by other men. After all, I've seen everything there is to see, both what I should and shouldn't have. After much thought, I came to find you."
Since the other party didn't dare to confess, then he would! Anyway, he was about to leave this place, so even if he was rejected this time, he wouldn't feel awkward if they didn't meet again in the future.
Of course, the more important reason was that if he didn't confess now, he would definitely regret it later. He truly liked Hiratsuka Shizuka, this valiant female teacher!
"What do you like about me?"
"I like everything about you—your strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and personality—because they all make you the unique person you are. Of course, your maturity is also very attractive to me."
Facing Hiratsuka Shizuka's sudden question, Hoshino Sora pondered for a moment, then slowly gave his standard answer. He liked her, mostly drawn by her charm.
There was also a psychological aspect, a feeling that she should belong to him, as a man's possessiveness subtly worked its magic.
"It seems you don't even know why you like me. You're giving such vague answers. It's more likely possessiveness, isn't it? Because all the girls in the dormitory have become your girlfriends and are willing to do anything with you, so you feel I shouldn't be an exception."
"Uh..."
Slightly rising, looking into Hoshino Sora's eyes, Hiratsuka Shizuka directly spoke her thoughts. She could see affection in his eyes, but not much, and it wasn't a fervent love.
"Yes, after all, he's a young boy, handsome, exceptionally skilled in his profession, and so popular with girls. It's normal for him to have such thoughts. If I were ten years younger and didn't understand love deeply, I probably would have fallen for you."
Noticing a slight change in Hoshino Sora's expression, Hiratsuka Shizuka lay back on the beach chair. The feeling of the sun on her body was truly comfortable, especially since she had just gotten out of the water.
"You're right, a large part of it is indeed due to possessiveness. After coming to Totsuki, my mind kept dwelling on you, filled with excitement and anticipation. Now it seems desire drove me here."
Hearing Hiratsuka Shizuka's words, Hoshino Sora's heart stirred. Stung by her hitting the nail on the head, he didn't argue but smiled bitterly. With her insight, he realized she was indeed right.
He wasn't an idiot. As the saying goes, 'the bystander sees more of the game.' But after being pointed out, Hoshino Sora also saw his true feelings. He didn't like Hiratsuka Shizuka as much as he had imagined.
It was more a possessiveness towards the original anime character, and a sense of dependence developed from spending time together, a feeling of not wanting to lose her.
"I'm sorry, thinking about it carefully, I am indeed a bit selfish, but my feelings for you are serious. While not particularly fervent, they are absolutely very enduring."
Taking a deep breath, Hoshino Sora spoke with utmost sincerity. If she truly couldn't find a boyfriend, then he would absolutely be a very suitable choice!
At least he could do what her future boyfriend could, and do it better. Plus, he was in great shape and could give Hiratsuka Shizuka the best experience. Aside from a little less love, he had almost no flaws.
"Don't worry, I'm not rejecting you. To be honest, you're the first person to confess to me. No matter what, I'll give you a chance. As long as you can satisfy me, it's not impossible for me to become your girlfriend. Feelings are something that can be cultivated."
Seeing Hoshino Sora's frank admission, Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but think highly of him. She had expected him to be embarrassed and angry after being so directly called out.
After all, he was a famous genius at Totsuki, who had never faced any setbacks in his career or relationships. Naturally, he would find failure harder to accept than ordinary people. After saying those words, she had been prepared to see him break down.
She just hadn't expected Hoshino Sora to be more patient than she imagined. No wonder he could overcome all others and become the BLUE Champion. With this kind of temperament, he was destined for greatness.
Since that was the case, she would give him a chance.
Hiratsuka Shizuka also knew her current situation; she couldn't find a suitable boyfriend, simply couldn't. Since that was the case, she might as well let Hoshino Sora benefit. She didn't particularly dislike this man in front of her.
Aside from the fact that he had too many girls around him, which annoyed her, he had almost no flaws from head to toe. Moreover, his emotions were stable; he still continued to confess to her even after she had spoken to him like that.
This thick skin might even be one of his strengths.
"Really?!" Hoshino Sora said in surprise.
"Don't get too happy too soon. Although it's an annoying fact that I'm this old and no man wants me, I'm not a casual woman. I've always maintained a 'rather be single than settle' attitude when it comes to a partner."
Hiratsuka Shizuka said seriously and sternly. She was very eager for a man and really wanted to get married, but she wasn't a woman who would settle for just anyone. On the contrary, she had very high standards for her partner.
"I know, but precisely because of that, I have the chance to have such a wonderful Ms. Shizuka!"
"Don't get handsy! I haven't agreed to date you yet!"
Seeing Hoshino Sora suddenly reach out and grab her foot in the pool, Hiratsuka Shizuka blushed and kicked, but couldn't shake him off. She spoke with a hint of annoyance.
She hadn't even agreed to him yet, only said she'd give him a chance, and this guy was already getting handsy with her. If she actually agreed, who knew how he'd "process" her!
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