Enough, okay? Are you satisfied now? You almost made her cry.
Yukino spoke up to stop him.
Well, now that's something.
Hachiman glanced at Rumi's eyes, which glimmered with tears. "She really is made of water. That's fine, just don't take after your mother. She's made of snow."
"What did you say?" Yukino raised her voice, deeply displeased.
"Nothing. I was praising your fair skin. It's as white as snow."
"Is that so?"
Yukino looked at Hachiman, who was spouting nothing but sweet talk, and could only wear an exasperated expression.
"Of course! Do you even know whose wife she is?"
Hachiman spoke with extraordinary pride.
"Who's your wife?" Yukino shot back.
"Daughter, who do you say your mother is?"
Hachiman pinched Little Rumi's tiny nose.
Rumi said nothing. She merely narrowed her eyes in comfort and pointed toward Yukino.
"See? Even our daughter said it. You can't deny it now, can you?"
Hachiman looked at Yukino teasingly.
"No... You haven't..." Yukino grew somewhat embarrassed.
"Haven't what?" Hachiman asked, puzzled.
"You haven't proposed to me yet..." Yukino spoke in a small voice.
Pfft... Hachiman burst out laughing.
"What's the big deal? Want me to go buy a ring right now?" Hachiman looked at Yukino with a beaming smile.
"No. Even if you bought one, I wouldn't say yes. There's no sincerity at all."
Yukino pouted angrily.
"Hmm, I did forget about that."
Thinking this, Hachiman secretly made up his mind to give Yukino a surprise.
Little Rumi's New School
Masami Nakajima was a Japanese-language teacher at Chiba City's Takasu Elementary School. At twenty-six, she was popular with the students thanks to her sweet appearance, gentle personality, and soft voice. Her excellent teaching skills had also earned her an important assignment as the homeroom guidance teacher for Class 5-E.
Today was the first day of the new term at Takasu Elementary School. It should have been an ordinary day, but the arrival of three people caused a stir.
Masami Nakajima stared blankly at the three people before her, who all seemed to share the same air.
Um... may I ask if you're a family of three? Masami looked at Rumi and Yukino and noticed that their features were nearly ninety percent identical. The only differences were their eye colors and the shapes of their pupils.
Yukino's dark-blue eyes and catlike vertical pupils gave her an extraordinary air of nobility, while Rumi's eyes clearly took after Hachiman.
I suppose that's to be expected of a father and daughter. Even their mannerisms are so similar.
Masami studied Hachiman and Rumi as she thought this.
"You could say that."
Hachiman nodded with a smile.
"Then could you please sign here, and leave your names and contact information? That will make it easier for me to inform the two of you about your daughter."
Masami spoke politely, a gentle smile on her face.
"Of course. Sorry for the trouble."
Hachiman bowed to the teacher before him.
Hachiman Hikigaya? So she took her mother's surname? But that doesn't make sense either... Masami thought.
After Hachiman finished writing, he handed the pen to Yukino.
Yukino Yukinoshita? What's going on...? Wait, Yukinoshita? Masami was startled when she saw Yukino's name.
Is she from the Yukinoshita company...?
"Well then, we may be troubling you quite a bit from now on. Please forgive us."
Masami spoke courteously.
"That's what you're here for. Please take care of this child."
"Mm. Now, go to the administration office and pick up her books, then introduce her to the rest of the class."
"I'll go get the books, then. Yukino, you can chat with the teacher here."
Holding the form Masami had signed, Hachiman turned and walked outside.
"Rumi, come here and greet the teacher."
Yukino gently called over Rumi, who had been hesitating from the very beginning.
"Hello, Teacher Nakajima."
Rumi spoke coldly.
Are they really mother and daughter? Even their voices sound alike.
But something doesn't seem right.
Masami Nakajima, who had never even had a boyfriend, looked doubtfully at Yukino, who appeared far younger than herself.
Her daughter is already this old, yet she's still so young and beautiful. She really is a rich wife. She must take excellent care of herself.
"Teacher, please take good care of her. This child isn't very pleasant by nature."
Yukino wore a flawless smile, just like her sister.
"It's my duty."
Masami responded politely.
Was she spoiled growing up? Of all the troublesome children, why did one have to end up in my class? I'm really unlucky.
She grumbled inwardly.
"Rumi, put your books away."
Hachiman knocked on the door and walked in, handing the books in his arms to Rumi.
After Rumi packed all the books away and put her backpack back on, Hachiman took Yukino's hand and prepared to leave.
"Teacher, we'll be going now."
"Wait."
Masami called out to stop them.
"Is there something else?" Yukino asked in confusion.
"It's like this: today is only for registration. There won't be any classes, so once Tsurumi-san has been introduced, she can leave."
Masami explained.
"I see. Then sorry for the trouble."
Hachiman nodded and stood beside Rumi with Yukino.
Seeing the two of them return, Rumi, who had panicked, settled down again.
"I'll take you to the classroom, then."
As Masami spoke, she stood up. Her graceful figure was fully revealed beneath her staff uniform.
"This outfit looks pretty good. How about you wear it for me when we get home?" Hachiman whispered into Yukino's ear.
"You lecher. All you think about is this sort of thing."
Yukino pinched Hachiman in annoyance.
Seeing that Yukino had not objected, Hachiman knew he would once again have a feast for his eyes. Humming a little tune, he proudly walked along while holding Little Rumi's hand.
When they reached the classroom door, a noisy din came from inside. Masami smiled awkwardly at Hachiman and Yukino, signaling for them to give her a moment before entering the classroom.
The students immediately turned into obedient little angels when they saw the teacher enter, sitting quietly in their seats.
Masami nodded in satisfaction and slowly spoke in her soft voice. "Today, just like usual, we'll turn in our homework first, then distribute the books. After that, you can all go home."
When the students below showed no reaction, Masami did not mind and continued. "However, before that, there's one more thing we need to do."
At this, the elementary school students could not hold back and began asking questions curiously.
"All right, everyone, quiet down."
Once the students had quieted down again, Masami continued. "Today~ we're welcoming a new classmate."
As she spoke, Masami gestured for Rumi to enter from the doorway. Rumi hesitated for a moment, but then slowly walked inside.
"This classmate will be studying with us from now on. Please introduce yourself."
Masami looked at Rumi warmly.
Rumi looked at Hachiman and Yukino outside the door as they encouraged her, then gritted her teeth.
"My name is Rumi Tsurumi. It's nice to meet you all."
Rumi wrote her name on the blackboard, then bowed to her classmates.
Seeing Rumi's impeccable manners, Masami nodded inwardly. As expected of a child from a prominent family.
The instant Rumi finished introducing herself, the classroom erupted.
"She's really pretty."
"Yeah, and her voice is so nice, too."
"But why does she feel so cold?"
"Maybe she's just shy. Once we get to know her, she won't be like that anymore."
Hachiman listened to the praise his daughter was receiving in the classroom and laughed sincerely.
Heh, do you even know whose daughter she is?
Hachiman thought smugly.
"What's with that expression? You look happier than if you'd eaten honey."
Yukino could not help teasing Hachiman when she saw his expression.
"Wouldn't you be happy if your daughter were being praised?" Hachiman countered.
Yukino curled her lip disdainfully.
"How does it feel?"
Hachiman held Rumi in his arms and asked what she thought.
"It's nothing special. They're all complete idiots."
Little Rumi spoke with tsundere-like pride.
"Hahaha, all right, all right. You're the smartest."
Hachiman happily scratched Little Rumi's little nose.
"But when you enter a new environment, you have to get along with other people. Even if you don't want to curry favor with them, you can't respond coldly when they come to be your friends."
Hachiman lectured her.
"Your mother and I went to so much trouble to get you transferred here."
Before you continue