Hiratsuka Shizuka immediately frowned.
"Don't call me Shizuka-sensei!"
"Okay, meow," Ishikawa Hikaru replied smoothly, skipping past the issue. "What do you need me for, meow?"
"Yesterday your mother called me," Hiratsuka Shizuka said, taking a sip from her thermos. "She told me she'll be living in Shanghai, China, for quite some time and asked me, as your teacher, to keep an eye on you."
"This means that if there's anything that needs to be communicated to your parents, I'll notify you directly. And for things like parent–teacher meetings, you won't have to attend."
"Thank you."
"But aren't you getting a bit too free-spirited now that your mother has left?" Hiratsuka frowned. "If your work is really that busy, just apply for leave. Why are you openly breaking school rules by bringing a laptop to school?"
"I only use it during breaks and lunch," Hikaru said innocently. "Besides, I'm not playing games or disturbing anyone. Please, Hiratsuka-sensei—make an exception."
Hiratsuka glared at him.
"Just don't cause trouble."
"Understood."
"And then there's the matter of the Service Club."
Hiratsuka placed the lid back on her thermos.
"I know Yukino's older sister, and Yukino is also my student. So I hope you'll take better care of Yukino in daily life."
"She's currently at odds with her family and has moved out. This matter involves both you and Hachiman Hikigaya."
"So… do you understand what I'm implying?"
"Eh—"
Hikaru dragged out the sound, sounding reluctant.
"I'm not really fond of Yukino's cat-like personality, you know. Couldn't you entrust this to Hachiman Hikigaya instead?"
"You are the best candidate."
Hiratsuka glanced at him.
"Hachiman Hikigaya is too lazy to take on such a task, and he already has plenty of problems of his own."
"Yuigahama is still growing."
"Yukinoshita, meanwhile, has clearly gone astray."
"Only you—aside from your terrible personality—don't have any serious issues. So naturally, it's better to entrust this task to you."
"…Alright."
After all, his mother had also asked him before leaving to take care of the people around him whenever possible.
Although it would be troublesome, and perhaps messy…
It might also become valuable writing material.
So he accepted.
"But I can't guarantee success," Hikaru said in advance. "There's a high chance I'll fail."
"The four of us only ended up together because of coincidence. Our personalities, families, and values are all different."
"If things go wrong and they become worse under my influence…"
"…then I'm not taking the blame."
"Then we'll just hope they improve once they enter university," Hiratsuka said calmly. "If they even plan to go to university."
"Shizuka-sensei, you're truly an irresponsible teacher."
Hikaru looked outraged.
"Not only are you refusing to handle the issue yourself, you're also refusing to take responsibility if it fails."
"Stop clowning around during serious discussions," Hiratsuka snapped. "And stop calling me Shizuka-sensei."
Hikaru skipped over the topic again.
"Hachiman's problem is actually easy to solve. If he makes more friends, he'll naturally return to normal."
"Yuigahama just needs to develop stronger personal opinions."
"The real problem is Yukinoshita."
"Her issues are deeply tied to her upbringing and family background."
"Fixing that won't be easy."
"Just do your best," Hiratsuka said after a moment. "That's also what Yukino's sister wanted me to tell you."
Hikaru immediately became serious.
"Does the Yukinoshita family have a tradition of spying?"
"I've barely known Yukinoshita for that long."
"When the car accident happened," Hiratsuka said calmly, lighting a cigarette, "Yukino's sister had already investigated you, Hachiman Hikigaya, and Yui Yuigahama."
She exhaled smoke slowly.
"In fact, your involvement in the Service Club was partly her idea."
"The club's activities—and the relationships between the four of you—don't only affect your futures."
"They also affect Yukino's relationship with her family."
"So Yukino's sister has placed considerable hope in you."
Hikaru blinked.
"…Can that hope be exchanged for actual money?"
"The Yukinoshita family is influential in Chiba," Hiratsuka said.
"They could at least ensure your novels are displayed in the most prominent places in bookstores across the prefecture."
"And if you satisfy me with your performance, I might also provide some assistance."
Hikaru immediately saluted.
"In that case—"
"Mission accepted!"
---
67. So, Will the Problem Child Conduct a Chiba Ecological Survey?
Ishikawa Hikaru had already completed more than half of Volume Seven.
Although he had only been writing for about a week, his inspiration had been overflowing over the weekend thanks to real-life material.
At this rate, the seventh volume could be finished—after editing and polishing—within a month.
Still, real life always had priority.
Hikaru believed that novels should decorate life, not replace it.
So after accepting Hiratsuka-sensei's request, he squeezed writing time into breaks and lunch periods.
That way he could handle real-life issues later.
When the dismissal bell rang that afternoon, Hikaru immediately stood up.
Without waiting for anyone to call him, he rushed to the Service Club room with his laptop.
He placed his backpack on the table, opened his computer, and began writing.
More precisely—
He began writing the outline for the next part of the story.
After typing a few hundred words, the door opened.
Yukino Yukinoshita entered, carrying her bag.
She glanced at him briefly, sat down, and took out a book.
Only after finishing his outline did Hikaru stretch and look around.
"Haven't Chef Yuigahama and Dead Fish-Eye Monster arrived yet?"
"They went to accompany Totsuka-kun's physical training," Yukino said casually while reading. "They won't be coming here."
"Training?"
"We trained on the tennis court at noon. Yuigahama said you disappeared with your laptop after waking from your nap."
She paused.
"However… perhaps because you weren't there, training went very smoothly today."
"…"
"So you're not going with them this afternoon?"
"I already prepared a training program for Totsuka-kun," Yukino replied calmly.
"As long as Hachiman and Yuigahama supervise him properly, his physical ability will improve."
"Only physical training?" Hikaru asked curiously. "No sparring?"
"No."
She glanced at him.
"The idea that intensive sparring can dramatically improve skill in a short time is unrealistic."
"However, stamina and endurance can be improved steadily."
"At least enough to keep him in good condition during matches."
"Fair point."
Hikaru nodded.
"Then why aren't you supervising them?"
"Because three supervisors are unnecessary," Yukino replied.
"If you're that concerned, you can go supervise them yourself."
"No interest."
Hikaru had no intention of interfering with Hachiman and Totsuka's interaction.
Yukino probably felt the same.
"This actually works out well," Hikaru said casually.
"It's rare to talk with you alone."
"I have nothing to discuss with you."
"I disagree."
Hikaru saved his file and opened a new document.
He titled it:
"The Chiba Cat King: Yukinoshita."
Then he began his "Chiba Ecological Survey."
"When your car hit Hachiman and me," he said casually, "I didn't demand compensation."
"I helped check Hachiman's injuries, told you not to move him, and reassured you and Yuigahama."
"…And?"
Yukino closed her book and frowned.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Hikaru smiled.
"Don't you think it's strange that the four of us ended up together again in the Service Club?"
"Did you really think my joke about Hiratsuka-sensei playing matchmaker between you and Hachiman was just humor?"
"Wasn't it?" Yukino replied.
"You caught me—partly."
"But when Yuigahama appeared, it confirmed something."
"The four of us were gathered here intentionally."
"By Hiratsuka-sensei," Yukino said calmly. "I had already guessed that."
"Did I say it was Hiratsuka-sensei?"
Yukino's expression changed slightly.
Then she fell silent.
"It seems you already have someone in mind," Hikaru said.
While speaking, he switched his keyboard to Chinese and typed notes:
[Yukino Yukinoshita's relationship with her sister is poor.]
[Her social behavior shows signs of clumsy imitation.]
[The person she imitates is likely her older sister.]
"I'm curious about the person you're thinking of," Hikaru said lightly.
"Would you introduce her to me?"
"No."
Yukino reopened her book.
"I was simply wondering whether you suffer from persecutory delusions."
Hikaru typed another line:
[Yukino becomes extremely stubborn whenever her sister is involved.]
---
68. So, Will the Problem Children Bicker?
Hikaru rarely recorded personal observations about people.
Doing so felt… somewhat creepy.
But since Hiratsuka had given him a main storyline quest, creating a guidebook seemed reasonable.
Using Chinese allowed him to compress more information into fewer characters.
In fact, for outlines, worldbuilding notes, and character biographies, Hikaru always wrote in Chinese.
In that sense, he was a rather old-fashioned writer.
During Japan's Edo period, people who mastered Chinese studies were often nobles, imperial relatives, or great scholars.
"Since you won't talk," Hikaru said casually while closing his laptop, "I'll find other ways to investigate your sister."
"You mentioned that you've known Hayama since childhood."
"So he probably knows quite a lot about her."
"From there, I'll find the information I want."
"You enjoy prying into other people's families?" Yukino asked coldly.
"If someone took that seriously, you could be sued for harassment."
"I'm just curious," Hikaru replied immediately.
"Besides, your family investigated me and Hachiman first."
"Technically, that's far more lawsuit-worthy."
Yukino remained silent.
"Goodbye then."
Hikaru stood up and swung his backpack over his shoulder.
Just as he turned—
Yukino spoke.
"My sister's name is Haruno Yukinoshita."
"She graduated from Sobu High School as an outstanding student."
"She currently studies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at a national university."
"She frequently accompanies our mother to social events."
"She has exceptional social skills."
"If nothing unexpected happens, she will inherit the Yukinoshita family."
"The future head of the Yukinoshita family, huh?"
"You could say that."
Hikaru sat back down with a smile.
"I prefer the way you're acting now compared to when we first met."
"Back then you felt like a clumsy imitation."
Yukino replied coldly:
"Does this count as harassment?"
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court."
"I'm not interested in you," Hikaru replied casually while typing.
"But your sister… now that's interesting."
"Someone calculating like her would make excellent character material."
"Her development, personality arc, even inner conflict—far more interesting than ordinary people."
"And?"
"Would you introduce me to her?"
"A conversation with her might give me valuable inspiration."
"No."
"What a shame."
Hikaru closed his laptop again and stood up.
"Although I'd like to give you some advice… our relationship isn't close enough."
He pointed to the book in Yukino's hands.
"By the way, I'm not a big fan of Murakami Haruki."
"He explores evil, justice, and life's meaning—but fills his novels with despair, death, and emptiness."
"I appreciate his black humor and historical awareness."
"But honestly…"
"…I don't think high school students should read those books."
"But you read them."
"I read them for work."
Hikaru waved casually as he walked out.
"Why do you read them?"
"Because you enjoy them?"
"Or because you think you can gain something from them?"
"You yourself said Osamu Dazai's writing influenced people so deeply that some even died with him."
"So reading works like that in high school…"
"…sooner or later, it'll mess with your head."