Chapter 183

If Touma Yoko were to evaluate her current abilities, she might even be considered superior to Touma Kazusa.

This has nothing to do with technical skill, but rather with the emotions inherent in the music.

Two years ago, Touma Kazusa's performance was devoid of emotion and focused solely on technique, which led Touma Yoko to believe she had reached her limit and abandon the idea of taking her to Vienna, wanting her to be an ordinary girl instead.

Unlike composers, since the goal is to become performers, if the audience cannot feel at home, be moved to tears, or be deeply excited, they cannot enter that door.

If we only consider this one piece of music, Sakurakoji Talent estimates that he probably won't be able to surpass her talent in his entire life.

Chapter 232 As expected, he's never gotten along with handsome men in his entire life.

Wednesday, April 9th.

Today, Sakurakoji Talent still doesn't want to go to class, and of course, she doesn't want to go to work either.

After listening to Okura Rumin's amazing performance last night, he was in a daze. After patiently letting her play it five or six more times, he finally succeeded in being kicked out by her.

It seems he's the only one who doesn't find it troublesome.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that her performance from the first time onwards was increasingly enveloped by a layer of misty atmosphere.

Before he could even figure out what it was, she kicked him out, saying he still had to practice later.

He returned to the top floor, but no longer saw Aoyama Nanami. He was the only one left in the huge floor.

But the lingering excitement in his heart had not yet dissipated, so he took the opportunity to make an appointment with someone for today's activities.

Chiba Prefecture Chiba City Prefecture, Soubu High School, Class 2-F.

In Mandarin class,

Unlike the usual hushed silence, the students below were slightly restless today, exchanging glances and conveying their emotions through their expressions and eyes.

"What's the matter?" one of them gestured with his eyes.

'Something's definitely going on,' the other person nodded in certainty.

'And it's definitely a good thing!'

'Certainly!'

'...'

Such emotional exchanges continued to spread throughout the classroom of Class 2-F.

Even Hikigaya Hachiman, who always preferred to protect himself, enjoy solitude, and observe from the shadows, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat at the strange atmosphere.

What's going on? This strange atmosphere... Classes are still in session, aren't they?

Tsk, it's not like it's the start of a school trip. You guys are like swarming mice smelling syrup, why are you all so excited?

However, he could understand their feelings. He shifted his gaze from the side of the classroom to the podium—where the culprits who had caused all this were located.

"Hmph~ Hmph~ Hmph hmph hmph~~~"

Wearing a white lab coat that reached her calves over a black business suit, Hiratsuka Shizuka hummed the theme song of a fighting anime while scribbles ancient Chinese interpretations on the blackboard with chalk.

That's the reason.

She, who is usually stern and unsmiling in class, and even harshly reprimands students for sleeping or dozing off (literally), was surprisingly showing immense joy today, which was enough to surprise the students.

"Now, turn to..." Hiratsuka Shizuka turned around, holding the textbook.

"Teacher!"

"Hmm? It's Miura. What's up?"

The person who suddenly raised her hand and spoke up was Miura Yumiko. As the Queen of the Normie group, she was the first to stand up out of curiosity.

The students around her cast admiring and grateful glances at her. Even Hikigaya Hachiman, who was resting his chin on his hand in the first row, couldn't help but think to himself that this blonde bitch was sometimes quite useful.

It wasn't that he wasn't curious, but he felt he hadn't yet reached the point where he could ask Hiratsuka Shizuka in front of the whole class.

Even in private, he had to be mentally prepared to take a hit from the Fist of the North Star.

In his mind, only the aloof Queen in the clubroom could speak so freely and without regard for the atmosphere around her.

No, if it were that woman, she would probably frown in displeasure immediately, then lecture Hiratsuka Shizuka, and finally make her apologize in front of the students... How terrifying, they're not even from the same species anymore.

Compared to packs of wolves, isn't she more like a dragon soaring through the sky?

And her type should be Poison (Tongue) + Ice, huh? So she really is from the Pokémon world? Her name is Rayquaza, right?

"Teacher, did something happy happen to you today? Tell us!" Miura Yumiko urged playfully.

"Huh? Was it that obvious?" Hiratsuka Shizuka chuckled and scratched her head, seemingly completely unaware of her own behavior just now.

The people below stared speechlessly at her handsome yet cute face, unsure of what to say.

Normally, she would have already firmly stopped Miura, saying that unrelated matters were not allowed in class, and that he should go to her office after class for some life advice—and then let it go, right?

"Huh? Really?! What is it?!" Miura Yumiko's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned forward, showing off her nice figure, to ask.

Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze lingered on her chest for a second before shifting to Hiratsuka Shizuka.

No, he wasn't peeking; his gaze was just momentarily drawn to the area... Really?

Hiratsuka Shizuka was in a fairly good mood, didn't lecture her. Perhaps she also wanted to share this somewhat special feeling with someone—even if it was a student.

Otherwise, it couldn't be those senior teachers in the office who are old enough to be her teachers, could it?

"It's nothing, just that an acquaintance will be coming over later," she waved her hand, pretending not to care.

"An acquaintance? Male or female? Could it be her boyfriend!?"

"What?!" Hiratsuka Shizuka took a step back, instinctively shocked by the rather provocative word. After recovering, she coughed lightly:

"What boyfriend? How old are you? Why are you thinking about all this nonsense all the time? Focus your energy on your studies, that's what students are supposed to do!"

"No, I think it's perfectly normal for high school sophomores to date, like the teacher... No! Nothing at all!"

After being given a death stare by Hiratsuka Shizuka, Miura Yumiko quickly fell silent.

"Teacher, what kind of person was he?"

Just in time, another Normie character in the class, Hayama Hayato, took over the conversation, rescuing her from Hiratsuka Shizuka's intimidation.

Hiratsuka Shizuka glanced at him, but didn't press the matter, sighing as she replied, "He's a high school boy about your age."

"Huh? It really is a boy?!"

"What?! It's a guy!"

In the classroom of Class 2-F, two completely different answers emerged, and the reasons were quite obvious.

"Seriously, what are you guys expecting?" Hiratsuka Shizuka knew exactly what they were thinking and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

While she strongly agrees that young people should create more of their youthful experiences, focusing all their attention on romance isn't a good idea, is it?

No, but... completely ignoring it like that guy doesn't seem like that will work either.

Thinking about Sakurakoji Talent's situation, she had an even bigger headache. Not to mention that he wasn't under her command, even if he were with her, she didn't know how to educate him and get his rebellious personality and life back on track.

That goes beyond what can be described as "slightly distorted," she glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman, who was quietly watching the show.

Ultimately, she had no idea how to describe him.

He is both mysterious and capable. Although he doesn't intentionally hide himself like Yukino Shita Hiyori, his true nature remains elusive.

If Yukino Shita Hiyori is the kind of person who subtly reveals a persona, then that guy is nothing but a mirage.

It's a feeling that something is clearly right in front of you, yet somehow unattainable.

If one cannot even grasp what kind of existence something is, then there is no way to judge whether what he is doing is good or bad, or whether it needs to be corrected.

Education, in essence, can only take place when one clearly understands that they are superior to the other.

Is she above that guy now? Don't be ridiculous.

Let alone surpass him, even truly touching him would probably take quite a while...

The difference between them wasn't just age; there were much more complicated things involved.

Thinking of this, she subconsciously reached into her pocket, then stopped. Tsk, it's all that guy's fault; now she wants a cigarette.

She withdrew her arm, patted the podium, and stopped the increasingly noisy atmosphere. "Quiet!"

"Anyway, if you're lucky, you should be able to see him today. Hmph, just wait and see."

After saying that, a cruel smile appeared on her face.

Whether it's good or bad for them, it's bound to be very interesting, right?

"Hey~ Could it be that the other person is super~ handsome?"

"Ah~ Very handsome~" Hiratsuka Shizuka said teasingly, her eyes narrowed.

"Wow!" A group of girls exclaimed softly, laughing and teasing each other.

Pshaw! Just because someone might be handsome, they get all horny regardless of time or place? A bunch of bitches!

As expected, girls are just creatures who are only interested in handsome guys and engage in dirty dealings with them—that is, my enemy!

Hikigaya Hachiman clicked his tongue in disdain.

Seriously, just how handsome is that guy, even Teacher Hiratsuka has declared him so handsome!

"Really?!" the brown-haired Habe Sho exclaimed. "Is he even more handsome than Hayato?!"

"Uh..." Hayama Hayato chuckled wryly.

"Hehe, what kind of thing is it..." Hiratsuka Shizuka suppressed her increasingly upturned lips and stopped answering.

"Alright, I will not answer any more questions. Let's continue the lesson!"

"Eh~~~~"

"Hey, you guys! Turn the book over..."

"..."

Seeing that the show was over, Hikigaya Hachiman also looked away. Rather than the boring class (which he figured wouldn't be a problem, right?), he secretly glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka, thankfully without her noticing.

Ahem, compared to the not-so-interesting course (I changed it, you know?), he was more concerned about the person Hiratsuka Shizuka mentioned.

What kind of person is he...? Why am I even thinking about this? It's none of my business anyway!

Handsome and beautiful people are all living the Normie and celebrating youth. All Normie, go explode!

Ah no, if you ask me how I feel about myself, I think I'm somewhat handsome, but that doesn't mean I'm the same kind of person as them.

Ultimately, it's not that I'm isolated and can't integrate into their group, but rather that I made my own choices... Ugh~ This is too troublesome! What am I even thinking?!

He irritably rubbed the hair on his head.

"Hachiman, you seem to have a problem with my course? Come to my office after class and let's have a good talk!"

"..."

Meeting Hiratsuka Shizuka's cold (cruel) gaze devoid of any smile, he gave up and leaned back in his chair.

Sure enough, he's never gotten along with handsome men in his life...

Chapter 233 We've finally arrived in Chiba!

Five minutes before the end of the last class in the morning, Sakurakoji Talent arrived at the school gate.

He had arrived in Chiba two hours earlier, but there was no need for him to go inside and wait for Hiratsuka Shizuka to finish class under the strange looks of everyone.

So he first took a long walk around Chiba City, enjoying the local customs and culture.

Although this is a prefecture adjacent to Tokyo, only 30 kilometers Tokyo, the two places have quite different landscapes.

Simply put—in his eyes, this place is just an old, run-down county town (AUV~ The Tokyo boss has come down for an inspection).

The city's buildings have a distinctly vintage feel, and in many places, there are an abundance of concrete utility poles that obscure the sky. Many of the city's subway lines run right up against buildings and residential areas—sleeping here at night must be incredibly uncomfortable for anyone unaccustomed to that.

It scared me to death! Luckily, I live in the skies above Tokyo, so the noise below doesn't bother me—though the wind can be a bit annoying sometimes. It seems things in life don't always go as planned.

Therefore, he decided to go back and stay at the Sakura Mansion tonight.