"I don't have many choices. I don't have the extra time or energy to have more choices."
Haizaki knew that what he was about to say would sound to Yukino like provocation, mockery, and jealousy. But he was determined to tell her. He needed to stir Yukino's resentment.
"Yukinoshita-san, you're different from me. You have a good family background, beautiful looks, excellent grades. You don't need to worry about life's problems or fret over your future."
Yukino had no worries about food or clothing. Her material life was fully satisfied, so naturally she could pursue spiritual fulfillment. But most people in the world had to struggle for their own survival and that of their families.
Most students at Sobu High were also constrained by family circumstances—saving money or working part-time just to get what they wanted.
"Even if you make mistakes, you still have many choices. At worst, you can accept your family's arrangements, move forward step by step, and still have a life that most people envy."
At her core, Yukino was still a girl with pure ideas about society and the future, untouched by worldly concerns. Otherwise, she wouldn't harbor thoughts of changing the world.
"I'm different. If I fail once, I might not get a second chance. If I miss one opportunity, I might miss my whole life. I want to plan and prepare in advance for my long-term future."
Yukino stayed silent, her dark blue eyes suppressing intense emotions. Her hands clenched into fists under the desk, wanting to explode, wanting to deny Haizaki's words. But she knew everything he said was true.
"This is my problem, Yukinoshita-san. You don't need to worry. I can tell you seriously—I do admire you, I do have feelings for you as a man toward a woman. But I know my place. I won't do anything unnecessary."
"Please don't worry. If you mind, I can contact Yamada-sensei and change my seat."
He hadn't said this before, afraid it would spark Yukino's imagination. But now that he had laid everything bare, there was no need to hide anymore.
"I think this faint stirring I feel for you will eventually fade with time and distance. Maybe one day, I'll fall for another girl who moves my heart."
He already had.
He had already built a deep romantic relationship with the girl named Utaha. Even if, at this moment, Utaha had forgotten that important memory.
"Is that really what you think?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I think."
"Yusuke-kun, you're too self-righteous. Don't project the character you imagine onto me."
"Sorry. I apologize."
Yukino's heart burned with frustration. She gathered all her strength and threw a punch—but it was like hitting a sponge, completely ineffective.
"There's nothing for you to apologize for." Yukino spoke coldly.
"You want to change seats?"
"Only if you think it's necessary."
"There's no need."
"I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, Yukinoshita-san."
Haizaki lifted his cup, drained the now-cold water, and stood up.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Goodbye."
"You're the worst person I've ever met…"
As Haizaki opened the Service Club room door, he heard her cold voice from behind.
"I think so too…"
Haizaki stepped out and closed the door behind him.
That was fine. Matters with Yukino were temporarily concluded.
But then…
"Shizuka-sensei, when did you learn Yukino's eavesdropping skills?"
"Ha… hahaha…"
Shizuka laughed awkwardly, draped an arm over Haizaki's shoulder, and led him outside.
"Don't mind it, don't mind it. Didn't Yukinoshita eavesdrop on us in my office? This time I just switched roles and eavesdropped on you two outside her clubroom."
"I feel like I'm at a loss."
He was the only one who hadn't eavesdropped on anyone.
"Don't mind it, don't mind it. I'll take you out for something delicious to make it up to you…"
Haizaki guessed it was ramen. It could only be ramen.
"As long as it's not ramen, anything's fine!"
"Heh heh, I don't know where you got that idea, but let me tell you—this time I'm taking you for ramen. Delicious tonkotsu ramen…"
It was her unbeatable comfort food.
"That's too greasy."
"Are you eating or not…"
Shizuka asked with a smile.
"Of course I'll eat. Why wouldn't I? Sensei, you're treating me, so as a student I naturally have to eat."
"Good. That's the right attitude."
Shizuka looked pleased, patting Haizaki like he was being sensible.
But then a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
"Do you realize the impact of what you just said on Yukinoshita?"
"You didn't come in to stop me. That shows your attitude."
"Most people inevitably have pessimism and insecurity. What makes you different is that you think too much. You worry about this and that, and you give up before even acting. That… really isn't good."
In Shizuka's eyes, Haizaki had completely lost the impulse and vitality a young person should have.
As a teacher, she actually hoped Haizaki would have more impulsiveness.
Failure wasn't such a big deal. In the future, it might even become a memory worth cherishing.
"I think it's fine as it is."
"Young people should do young people's things. Youth should look like youth. If you like Yukinoshita, pursue her. Even if you fail, it's fine."
She couldn't help but persuade him again.
"In the end, someone will walk alongside Yukinoshita. If you don't try, how will you know it isn't you? Longer-term matters should be thought about in the longer-term future, shouldn't they?"
"That would be irresponsible to both me and her."
"I told you, don't overthink it. Honestly."
Responsibility was good, but Haizaki's sense of responsibility felt troublesome to Shizuka.
She thought back to all the students she had taught. Only Yukinoshita Haruno's twisted personality could compare to Haizaki's.
Too realistic—though not necessarily a bad thing. But school wasn't society. If he didn't embrace youth while in school, then once he entered society, he really wouldn't have the chance.
She didn't want Haizaki to regret never having a single romantic youth in high school.
"Yukinoshita is human too. She might meet a boy who moves her heart. What will you do then?"
"I'll deal with it when the time comes."
"You brat…"
She wanted to smack him, but in the end she gave up. Haizaki was far more difficult than she had expected.
"If it were me, I'd definitely fight for her. You don't even dare pursue her, yet you claim you like her?"
"Liking her doesn't mean I have to do anything. If Sensei feels moved…" Haizaki smiled and said, "Go for it, Sensei. I'll support you from behind."
"You're infuriating. I'm done with you…"
Annoyed, Shizuka stormed off quickly.
Haizaki followed, but then a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Senpai, I didn't expect to run into you. Sorry, but I accidentally overheard something incredible just now."
She blinked innocently, smiling as she looked at Haizaki.
This… bitch.
Haizaki couldn't help but curse inwardly.
After the unexpected encounter with Yukino, another surprise appeared with Iroha. Was today his unlucky day?
"Senpai, you should hurry! Hiratsuka-sensei is waiting for you, you can't keep her waiting. We'll have time later to connect and discuss things properly."
"Heh heh…"
She walked away with light steps.
Haizaki understood that Iroha's sudden appearance was mainly to make it impossible for him to deny his feelings for Yukino.
This woman… impressive.
…
April 8th, Monday. Haizaki went to school as usual.
"Good morning, Yusuke-kun."
Passing by Yukino's seat, Haizaki unexpectedly heard her greet him first.
He froze.
He hadn't imagined Yukino would take the initiative to greet him.
Did she not care about what happened last Friday?
No, Yukino definitely cared about what happened after school last Friday—that was why she greeted him today.
Haizaki already felt the piercing stares of his classmates. They were filled with curiosity, doubt, and jealousy.
The boys of Class J, pressured by the girls of Class J, could only treat Yukino with cold indifference. But deep down, they still longed for this flower on the high peak.
Now, seeing the sudden change in Yukino and Haizaki's relationship, they instinctively directed hostility and unwillingness toward Haizaki.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san."
This was probably Yukino's way of retaliating.
…
After school, the bell rang, and the students of Class J left in groups.
Haizaki had the habit of waiting until everyone else left before leaving himself. In the end, only he and Yukino remained in the classroom.
Haizaki was about to stand up and leave, but unexpectedly, Yukino stood up first.
"Let's go."
Her cold voice rang out.
Haizaki suddenly realized it was Yukino speaking. He instinctively looked in her direction, scanning the room to see if anyone else was present.
"You mean me?"
Had Yukino just spoken to him? Did he have an appointment with her? No, he didn't.
"Yes."
"Go where?"
"The Service Club."
Why did she say such an unreasonable request in such a matter-of-fact tone?
"Yukinoshita-san, I have no reason to go to the Service Club, and…"
"This noon I accepted Hiratsuka-sensei's request to correct your twisted personality. Starting now, it's Service Club activity time. As the person involved, you need to come with me to the clubroom."
I curse that old woman to remain forever unmarried, a leftover spinster. Haizaki thought viciously to himself.
Yukino's reasoning was solid. The Service Club had accepted a request, so she was acting on it—correcting Haizaki.
Haizaki never believed his mind or spirit had any real problems. Or rather, it was precisely because he recognized his own psychological issues that, in his original world, he chose to maintain the routine of a normal high school student.
Ordinary school, ordinary study—using the surrounding environment to ensure his mental and physical health.
His current problems were far from needing psychological counseling or correction. Besides, Yukino herself wasn't a professional.
"Are you serious?"
"Do you think I'm not serious?" Yukino countered.
From the moment she accepted Hiratsuka-sensei's request, she would give her all until it was completed.
"Yukinoshita-san, I know you're serious. But you should also understand—I won't go. I don't want to accept your psychological counseling."
"You think your mind has no problems?"
He really couldn't deny it.
Noticing Haizaki's hesitation, Yukino immediately spoke, "You're aware of it yourself, so agree. With my help, I believe you'll regain normal thoughts. Your twisted personality—I'll correct it."
"Sorry, but there's no need to trouble you, Yukinoshita-san. And… you can't help me."
"I can…"
"You can't. I have very important things to accomplish. You can't help me."
This made Yukino frown. She knew Haizaki wasn't talking about pursuing her.
"If it's about studies, as the top student in the grade, I can help."
Yukino had gotten some information about Haizaki from Shizuka.
Haizaki's goal at Sobu High was Tokyo University. She thought that by using study exchanges as a medium, she could subtly change his twisted personality.
Haizaki shook his head.
In his previous life, maybe he would have agreed.
After all, academically, he really couldn't beat Yukino. Though in Japanese history… well, Haizaki had always just filled in answers blindly.
Haizaki stood, straightened his chair, and walked toward the door.
"The Service Club's first request will not fail."
Behind him came the girl's cold yet determined voice.
"This is a request doomed to fail…" Haizaki stopped and replied.
"If you don't try, how can you know it's doomed?"
Without even the minimum effort, how could anyone assume something was impossible?
"What I want… you can't give."
Yukino's expression changed. She knew what Haizaki wanted. But she couldn't give it. Nor did she want to sacrifice herself just to correct Haizaki.
"Then how about this—I'll submit a request to the Service Club, asking you not to insist on correcting my personality. How about that?"
"I refuse to accept your request."
This feeling of Haizaki deliberately keeping his distance made Yukino very uncomfortable.
She was feared, disliked, and thus avoided and distanced. But Haizaki's reason for distancing himself was because being too close to her would make him suffer.
That reason made her irritated, even angry.
"That's really unfortunate. I thought Yukinoshita-san was the kind of person who enjoyed helping others."
Haizaki spoke with regret, stepping toward the classroom door.
But just as he reached it, he heard her cold voice behind him.
"You don't even have the courage to pursue me."
There was always a sense that she wanted Haizaki to pursue her. But Yukino knew she was only stating a fact.
It was only because Haizaki's feelings were directed at her that such an illusion arose.
"Yes, I don't. Well then, goodbye, Yukinoshita-san."
Haizaki waved his hand and left the classroom.
Yukino stood rooted in place. After Haizaki disappeared from sight, she clenched her teeth and remained standing for thirty seconds.
Her expression grew colder. Beneath her delicate features, she suppressed a storm of icy wind.
She felt Haizaki was the most difficult person she had ever encountered in her life.
"This will never end. I will correct your twisted personality."
Haizaki's resolute attitude only strengthened Yukino's determination.
Precisely because his personality was twisted to the point of being troublesome—even making her want to give up—she was instead provoked into competitiveness, deciding to guide Haizaki onto the "right" path.
But when she thought about Haizaki's situation…
To correct him, she had to establish contact with him. And to establish contact, one side had to take the initiative.
Since Haizaki wouldn't take the initiative, only she could.
But for her to take the initiative? That made the usually cold Yukino extremely uncomfortable.
In the end, she sighed and made her decision.
There are gains and losses. If she stubbornly clung to her own habits and refused to change, then she might as well give up on correcting Haizaki's personality altogether.
This was all for the sake of completing Hiratsuka-sensei's request. That was what she told herself.
…
-----
Gimme your stones or you'll get these fists.
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