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25. So, Will the Problem Child Sincerely Apologize to Others?
Ishikawa Hikaru's casual compliment—
Even Ebina Hina hesitated for a moment, startled and slightly embarrassed.
"Teacher Ishikawa… do you always talk to girls like that?"
"Is there something wrong with it?"
"If you keep praising a girl's appearance and qualities," Ebina said as they walked through the school gate together, "she might misunderstand and think you're interested in her. Girls like hearing nice things."
"Isn't that true for everyone? I like hearing nice things about myself too."
"But boys and girls are different," Ebina replied with a smile. "Girls tend to think more delicately. If you're too nice to them, they might misunderstand your intentions."
"Eh? But you wouldn't misunderstand, right?" Hikaru said casually. "After all, you show your fujoshi side so enthusiastically in front of everyone that you barely care about your image. It's hard for me to imagine someone like that falling for a boy."
Ebina suddenly stopped walking.
Hikaru stopped as well and looked at her in confusion.
"…Did I say something wrong? If I offended you, I can apologize."
"Teacher Ishikawa…"
Ebina sighed softly.
"The 'ability to judge people' you were talking about earlier… I think I understand it now."
Hikaru thought carefully.
If this were Hachiman, Yukinoshita, or Yuigahama—or if they were surrounded by a group of people—he could easily brush it off with a joke.
But right now it was just the two of them, walking to school.
Those words really shouldn't have been said.
They had only been careless remarks.
After all, unless someone truly liked a fujoshi, most boys would instinctively keep their distance.
It was similar to a boy shouting in class, "I love pure white thighs!"—he'd immediately lose his romantic prospects for the next year, or even all three years of high school.
And if Ebina truly liked a boy, she would probably hide her fujoshi tendencies around him.
But since she never hid it in class, it suggested there wasn't anyone she particularly cared about.
That was why he had casually said what he said earlier.
But judging by her reaction—
So that's how it is.
"I'm sorry, meow. Please forgive me, meow."
Hikaru clasped his hands and apologized sincerely.
"When I finish the next volume of my novel, I'll write a standalone BL short story just for you as an apology."
Ebina was silent for a moment before sighing helplessly.
"Teacher Ishikawa… isn't that a bit too cunning? Using a bribe like that on a fujoshi…"
"Is that not allowed?"
"How could I possibly refuse something like that?" Ebina laughed softly. "But please don't tell anyone else what you said earlier. And it's better if you keep your opinions about people to yourself. Especially don't say those things directly to the person involved."
"I'm not sure I understand," Hikaru scratched his head. "Are you saying I shouldn't compliment your good qualities?"
"It's fine occasionally," Ebina replied with a smile as they walked down the hallway together. "But doing it too often feels a bit frivolous."
Then she changed the subject.
"By the way, Teacher Ishikawa, which faction do you like most in Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"
"Shu Han," Hikaru answered immediately.
"Most boys prefer Zhao Yun, right?"
"The White Horse, Silver Spear Zhao Zilong is certainly handsome," Hikaru nodded. "But I like Liu Bei."
"Really? That's surprising," Ebina said. "A lot of people say Liu Bei is a hypocrite."
"I find it hard to believe Zhuge Liang wouldn't see through a hypocrite," Hikaru explained calmly. "And yet he devoted his life to fulfilling Liu Bei's dying wish to restore the Han dynasty."
"Liu Bei once said, 'Do not neglect small good deeds, and do not commit small evils.'"
"That means you shouldn't ignore a good act just because it's small, and you shouldn't commit evil just because it's insignificant."
"So it's difficult for me to believe someone who said that—and who inspired loyalty like Guan Yu traveling a thousand miles alone—was truly a hypocrite."
"That's incredible insight!" Ebina's eyes sparkled. "Teacher Ishikawa is really knowledgeable."
"Eh—"
Hikaru sighed.
"I'm ranked last in the entire Sobu High School."
"Being knowledgeable doesn't just mean grades," Ebina replied. "If that were true, the word 'bookworm' wouldn't exist."
As she said this, they entered Class F together.
After Hikaru sat down, Ebina remained behind his seat, continuing their conversation enthusiastically.
"Even if boys like Romance of the Three Kingdoms, most of them admire generals like Zhao Yun, Lü Bu, or Guan Yu. Their knowledge usually comes from Koei's Dynasty Warriors."
"It's rare—almost impossible—to meet someone our age who understands the characters and history the way you do."
Hikaru grumbled.
"There are definitely people like that in high school. You just haven't met them."
"But I've only met you," Ebina replied.
"That sounds like I'm special to you," Hikaru said seriously. "You might make me misunderstand and think you like me."
"High school boys are simple creatures! A beautiful girl only needs to say a few nice words or show a little kindness—and we immediately start overthinking!"
"Pfft—"
Ebina burst into laughter and quickly covered her mouth.
At that moment, several students in the classroom exchanged glances after noticing the conversation between the two of them.
Yui Yuigahama quietly leaned toward Miura Yumiko.
"Yumiko… are Ishikawa-kun and Hina really that close?"
"Y-Yeah…?"
---
26. So, Will the Problem Child's Soul Be Bound by Gravity?
Ishikawa Hikaru slept through the entire morning until Hayama finally shook him awake.
"Hey."
"Ah—"
Hikaru yawned.
"Is it lunchtime already?"
"That's why I woke you," Hayama said with a smile. "You can't sleep from morning until dismissal. If you don't eat, you'll wake up starving."
"That's true."
Hikaru checked the time on his phone.
"Hypothetically speaking—if I sprint out of school, run to the Italian restaurant nearby, eat a full meal, and sprint back—could I make it to my seat before Hiratsuka-sensei's Japanese class starts?"
"…Impossible."
"Seriously? Damn it," Hikaru muttered. "Then I guess I'll just skip class."
"Hiratsuka-sensei will be very unhappy if you do that," Hayama said. "Is that okay?"
"It's fine!"
Hikaru suddenly stood up.
"All I have to do is make Hiratsuka-sensei skip class with me!"
"Eh? What do you mean—"
"If possible, I'll treat her to lunch. She drives us there. Even if we're late, she'll be an accomplice!"
"Goodbye!"
Hikaru immediately ran toward the teachers' office while dialing Hiratsuka Shizuka's number.
A moment later, she answered.
"Ishikawa? What do you want?"
"I'll treat you to lunch during break—but you have to drive me there and back."
"Deal," Hiratsuka replied instantly. "Wait at the school gate."
"Got it!"
Hikaru ran downstairs, changed his shoes, and sprinted to the gate.
Hiratsuka-sensei was already leaning against a red SUV.
"Let's go!"
Their movements were perfectly synchronized.
She jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine.
Hikaru slid into the passenger seat, buckled his seatbelt while catching his breath, and the car immediately sped away.
After calming down, Hikaru ran his hand across the dashboard.
"Toyota Land Cruiser LC200? Hiratsuka-sensei is that wealthy?"
She looked surprised.
"You actually recognize it?"
"As a light novel author, you need a little knowledge about everything," Hikaru replied. "Especially if you might need to write about what kind of car a rich character drives someday."
"But this is impressive. That car costs at least four million yen(2.5 million dollars). Not something an ordinary teacher could afford."
"Haha! See how capable I am?"
"But with your looks, family background, and money, it's strange you still aren't married," Hikaru continued thoughtfully. "You're beautiful and well-off. The only problems are that your personality is too carefree, your combat power suggests possible domestic violence, and you smoke—which means you might die of lung cancer anytime. But that might actually be an advantage, because then your husband could inherit—"
"Ishikawa."
"Are you trying to get thrown out of the car?"
"…Sorry."
Hikaru immediately backed down.
Shizuka sighed.
"How's the novel going?"
"I'm in the middle of intense writing!"
"The truth?"
"…After finishing the second chapter last night I hit writer's block, so I went to sleep and came to school looking for inspiration."
He stared out the window dramatically.
"But my mom thought I'd skip school again today, so she didn't make me lunch. Which means I must rely on the great Hiratsuka-sensei to avoid starving to death—"
"Stop calling me Hiratsuka-sensei like that!"
"In any case," Hikaru said quickly, "what are we eating?"
"Houraiken Ramen."
"Never heard of it!"
"It's great," she said proudly. "Light, clear broth. Very refreshing."
"Is that so!"
"That's why I brought you here."
She parked the car.
"But if a girl goes to a ramen shop alone, don't people stare?"
Shizuka went silent.
Then she buried her face in the steering wheel.
"I'm already used to those looks! I'm a working adult now! I can ignore them and eat ramen!"
"Impressive!" Hikaru shouted. "As expected of Hiratsuka-sensei! Such a strong heart!"
"Waaaah—"
"Hurry up!" Hikaru said, jumping out of the car.
"It took ten minutes to get here and ten minutes back. That leaves fifteen minutes to eat! If you keep crying, we won't even have time!"
"You evil brat!"
Shizuka grabbed the keys and chased after him.
"Stop!"
Hikaru raised his hand.
"You're a teacher! Don't you know running in the parking lot is dangerous?!"
"You think that'll save you?"
She caught up and smacked him on the head.
"Watch what you say next time!"