Why Are You Competing with Me for the Senior?

Shimaura Hitomi's tone carried a hint of timidity, as if such a question was an offense to Kiyoharu.

"It's just that I'm feeling a bit unwell today, but it's nothing serious," Kiyoharu said casually, then flipped open his lesson plan and entered work mode.

Feeling unwell... combined with his surprisingly early bedtime yesterday...

Imagining the possibilities, Shimaura Hitomi couldn't help but steer her thoughts in a strange direction, her cheeks flushing a shy crimson as she thought.

Senpai truly loves Airi very much.

Even though the Young Lady used to be almost severely allergic to any man, now she's making her fiancé work too hard at night.

With her thoughts in a whirl, a shadow fell over Shimaura Hitomi's eyes.

"Why, why him?"

The question buried deep in her heart, one she had tirelessly pondered countless times, resurfaced in Shimaura Hitomi's mind.

She knew that whatever the Young Lady set her sights on, it rightfully belonged to the radiant Young Lady.

In comparison, Shimaura Hitomi was just an ordinary girl, a shut-in devoted to her science studies; even with all her effort, she wouldn't be able to compete.

It was precisely because of this that Shimaura Hitomi felt such resentment. Why did Chihaya Airi and she have to fall for the same man? With so many men in Tokyo, why did she have to snatch Kiyoharu, the man Shimaura Hitomi fell in love with at first sight?

However, Kiyoharu was also special to Airi. From the perspective of a best friend, she should be happy to see Kiyoharu and Airi living happily.

The emotional tug-of-war in her mind deepened the cracks in Shimaura Hitomi's heart.

She had to do something to mend this rift, otherwise, if it broke, Shimaura Hitomi felt she would go mad.

Since the Young Lady asked me to keep an eye on Senpai, sneaking a taste of Senpai occasionally wouldn't be so bad, right?

Just a little stolen bite, no one would know, and no one would get hurt.

"Senpai, there are a few problems I'm unsure how to explain to the students. Could you help me take a look?"

Kiyoharu turned his head and saw Shimaura Hitomi standing beside him, holding her lesson plan book.

She hugged the lesson plan book to her chest with her arms, pressing her ample bosom into a particularly shapely curve.

Her sincere and timid demeanor made it hard to refuse.

"Sit down. I'll help you design the explanation approach." Kiyoharu moved a stool over to let Shimaura Hitomi sit.

Airi had once asked Kiyoharu to help Shimaura Hitomi a bit at school, saying the girl was too soft-natured and would easily be bullied in the workplace.

Of course, even without the Young Lady's request, Kiyoharu would still look out for her, as she was a junior from high school and they had worked together in the same club.

While constantly on guard against the threat of the yandere girl, Kiyoharu still maintained normal interpersonal relationships. And how could a simple, harmless girl like Shimaura Hitomi be associated with a kitchen knife!

Most likely, like Chihaya Airi, she was a non-target character in the original story.

This was Kiyoharu's personal guess. He had asked the system for its opinion, but the system replied that its level was too low to determine if the other party had yandere potential.

What a useless system!

The two of them began to focus intently on discussing the problems.

While Kiyoharu taught mathematics, his foundation in other sciences was also deep. Not only Shimaura Hitomi, but other teachers he knew would also come to him for advice on difficult problems.

Shimaura Hitomi jotted down Kiyoharu's ideas, but she seemed a bit tired, occasionally zoning out and swaying. Her overly full curves inadvertently brushed against Kiyoharu's arm, sending a tantalizing sensation through him, though she herself was completely unaware.

Her slightly chubby, round face also drew closer to Kiyoharu, and he could feel her sweet breath.

Kiyoharu politely ignored these occurrences.

Speaking of which, according to the system's task description, Shimaura Hitomi was on a diet, which was why she was so weak during lunch breaks.

To be honest, Kiyoharu didn't think Shimaura Hitomi needed to lose weight. Her figure was definitely within the range of a normal, healthy woman, even tending towards thin overall. It was just that her key areas were quite voluptuous, and being short made her appear a bit plump.

What was that saying again? Small branches bear abundant fruit...

It seemed that according to female aesthetics, they preferred overly slender figures. But in Kiyoharu's eyes, Shimaura Hitomi's charm lay in her fuller figure!

She basically didn't dress up at all, which made her look unfashionable. To change her image, she should start with her wardrobe, not dieting.

Excessive dieting was detrimental to health.

"I haven't seen Teacher Shimaura eating much during lunch breaks lately. Are you on a diet?"

"Eh?" Startled by Kiyoharu's sudden question, Shimaura Hitomi became flustered. "How should I say it... um, you could say I'm trying, tentatively..."

The reason for dieting was to wear pretty dresses when summer arrived. But the popular styles on the market made her look like she was pregnant, so she needed to be a bit thinner to wear them well.

"Teacher Shimaura teaches three classes and has homeroom duties. It's best not to diet, as it can reduce your brainpower and affect your work."

"Mhm, mhm, Senpai is right, I..."

"I have a piece of jam toast here." Kiyoharu took out a piece of bread from his drawer and handed it to Shimaura Hitomi. "Eat it quickly, or you won't have the energy for class this afternoon."

Seeing Kiyoharu's serious expression, Shimaura Hitomi didn't dare to delay. She tore open the packaging and took small bites.

Senpai is so thoughtful, he actually noticed I'm dieting.

Senpai's advice is also reasonable. It's true that I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with work lately. Sob, I really am too selfish. I don't consider things as thoroughly as Senpai.

Seeing this, Kiyoharu was quite satisfied. Dealing with someone like Shimaura Hitomi required appealing to her values. After all, girls always had their reasons for dieting, and she would only listen to advice if it was replaced by a more important reason.

See, she was eating so happily.

After filling her stomach, Shimaura Hitomi patted her small belly, and suddenly felt a bit anxious. She couldn't help but ask in a small voice, "Senpai, do you think my figure is... um, well, when I wear clothes in the summer, it doesn't look good..."

"Not at all, you look great. You should have more confidence, Shimaura Hitomi!"

"..."

Shimaura Hitomi wasn't sure if Kiyoharu was just trying to cheer her up or if he genuinely thought that.

In any case, she was in a good mood now. After eating, she felt a bit sleepy again, her mind hazy.

Just then, a familiar sensation struck Kiyoharu's consciousness. As he lost control of his body, the world around him suddenly froze.

Here it comes, Time Stop!

Within a minute, Kitahara Ayano's figure appeared beside the desk.

She glanced at Shimaura Hitomi with surprise and muttered to herself, "Airi's little follower... It seems she's still got her eyes on Kiyoharu-kun, pfft~"

What the hell is "got her eyes on him"?!

If you like being a thief, don't drag others into it. You're just judging others by your own low standards!

"Never mind, let's get down to business first. Hmm... Kiyoharu-kun, engrossed in his work, is very charming. It seems he really loves being a teacher, unlike those vulgar commoners out there who endure workplace filth purely for money."

So wrong!

After all, being a stay-at-home son-in-law was detrimental to the Chihaya Family's reputation. Kiyoharu had no choice but to choose the job that was least burdensome for him, to at least appear not like a complete good-for-nothing. It was part of his "Chihaya Airi's Fiancé Roleplay," allowing him to sustainably earn money from the chaebol.

Essentially, it was still for the money.

To think Kitahara Ayano had such a high opinion of him, it was absolutely ridiculous!