Chapter 343

She glanced at the Christmas tree.

"Is Teacher Haihara's sign on it?"

Her brand?

Haihara had never imagined that a teacher would have to wear a label, and to be honest, she didn't really have any wishes or desired gifts.

Even if someone sees it, Santa Claus won't make your wish come true.

So she shook her head.

"What's wrong?"

"I want my sign to hang next to Teacher Haihara's."

Sakaki Chika said shyly.

Haihara glanced subconsciously at the colored card in Sakaki Chika's hand, without carefully reading the words written on it.

However, she noticed that it was decorated with many small flower patterns, which were quite cute.

After thinking for a moment, she reached out and gently pinched the lottery card:

"I'll keep this one for now, and I'll hang it up together later."

A look of joy appeared on Sakaki Chika's face.

Thank you, teacher.

Haihara noticed that, compared to Takanashi and Kirishima Ai, who initially seemed a bit down, Chika's mental state appeared quite normal at the moment.

She's just like usual, still quite cute.

She put away Sakaki Chika's nameplate, glanced around to make sure no one else was watching, and then took two steps toward Sakaki Chika.

"... teacher?"

Sakaki Chika was somewhat surprised by her teacher's sudden approach.

However, before she could react, Teacher Haihara had already raised her arms and gently hugged the bewildered Sakaki Chika.

Sakaki Chika stood there somewhat frozen, her bright eyes blinking rapidly.

This is to eliminate cumbersome and unnecessary procedures.

At the end of the lesson, Haihara hugged Sakaki Chika and smiled, saying:

And also, Merry Christmas!

Chapter 118 The Genius Magician Tachibana Aeruru

Christmas Eve is also called Christmas Eve.

Haihara wasn't quite sure what she did that night, but it didn't really matter to her.

For most people, holidays of this nature are either for taking time off or for dating.

Haihara is the latter today.

Tonight, she treated her idol to Christmas Eve dinner, and they had a very successful date.

The fact that a popular teenage idol could experience a romantic candlelight date that would make a young girl's heart flutter would certainly satisfy Haihara's vanity as an older woman.

So much so that when the date ended, the young girl was reluctant to leave and didn't want it to end like that.

When Haihara finished paying the bill and walked out of the restaurant, she saw that it was snowing heavily again outside. The streetlights illuminated the swirling snowflakes on the brightly lit streets, creating dappled patterns that made her feel very comfortable.

However, she discovered that her idol was no longer there.

She looked around in confusion, wondering if her idol was too short for her to see, but that was clearly not the case.

Then, not far away, the figure of a girl holding an umbrella appeared in the snowy night.

That pretty, youthful girl exuded a captivating charm unlike anything she'd seen before. Holding a large umbrella that could shelter two people, she walked slowly toward Haihara.

As she approached Haihara, she raised her arm, trying to shield her with the Haihara as well, and she succeeded.

This petite princess was now taking care of the woman like a prince.

"Teacher Haihara, this umbrella is for you."

She smiled sweetly.

In snowy weather, it doesn't really matter whether you use an umbrella or not, at least that 'Haihara thinks.

However, Sakaki Chika thinks it's romantic to hold an umbrella on a snowy day.

Moreover, the umbrella given to Teacher Haihara was newly bought by her, and its color and pattern are very beautiful.

After giving the umbrella to Haihara, Sakaki Chika took out another one for herself.

Just as she was about to open it, she discovered that an umbrella was already high above her head.

She turned her head and saw the woman holding an umbrella for her.

"Your hotel is nearby, right? I'll give you a ride."

Simple words and simple actions, yet they made Sakaki Chika's heart start pounding.

She blinked, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Then, the girl leaned against Haihara and gently hugged the woman's arm.

--Actually, it's because Haihara's car was parked downstairs at the hotel.

With nothing else to do along the way, Haihara started chatting with her idol.

The two of them didn't have much to talk about.

Most of the topics were brought up by Sakaki Chika.

For some reason, Sakaki Chika brought up an interesting topic.

"Speaking of which, teacher..."

"Um."

The air felt cool when I breathed it in.

The girl's voice was clearer than ever because it was so close.

Although Haihara was looking ahead, she knew that her idol was watching her and smiling.

I love your smile.

The other person suddenly said "I like you" very directly, but it wasn't a direct statement of liking.

This time there was no stuttering or hesitation.

Haihara didn't even react for a moment. She paused briefly, then followed Sakaki Chika's steps again, heading towards the brightly lit luxury hotel in the distance.

"Where?"

Haihara asked casually.

Then, Sakaki Chika seemed a little embarrassed. She lowered her head and began to explain:

"The teacher rarely smiles, but when she does, she's very beautiful..."

If I remember correctly, Sakaki Chika mentioned this before.

She likes other people's smiles.

It was because of this dream that she loved being an idol and devoted herself to it with great passion.

It's not just because of past nightmares and shadows.

Such flattery made Haihara a little embarrassed.

She's actually quite easily flattered.

After a while, she heard Sakaki Chika suddenly ask again:

"Teacher, have you been unhappy lately?"

At that moment, Haihara stopped in her tracks.

She looked at Sakaki Chika with a puzzled expression.

She never imagined she would hear such a question from her childhood idol.

"... Why do you think that?"

Haihara felt that she should always look the same, with no noticeable changes.

Do I, in the eyes of others, ever appear to be truly happy?

"A young girl's intuition."

Surprisingly, the young idol made some witty remarks.

Haihara was speechless.

Soon after, she nodded to herself.

"Hmm... well, maybe a little."

This involves some unspeakable difficulties.

She didn't want to tell anyone why.

The two continued walking and strolling in the snow under their umbrellas, gradually approaching the hotel where Sakaki Chika was staying.

Haihara no further explanation and remained silent.

After a moment of silence, Sakaki Chika continued chatting with Haihara:

"My grandma used to tell me that when I felt like crying, I should just laugh. That way, everything would get better and I would feel better again."

This little girl often says "My grandma said," which sometimes makes people chuckle.

Haihara that this time, she would say something to comfort herself again.

However, she heard the other person say this.

"But... I think that's probably not entirely true."

Sakaki Chika slowly lowered her head.

"There are times when we don't want to laugh, and laughing makes us even sadder. Sometimes things don't get better just because we laugh..."

Just as she wanted to confide her innermost thoughts to Haihara, the girl rejected the beliefs she once held in her life.

During that painful time, Sakaki Chika relied on these beliefs to support herself.

But now she has realized that it wasn't entirely correct.

Upon hearing these words, Haihara suddenly realized that the seemingly naive and clumsy girl in front of her had also undergone a subtle change without her noticing.

Whether it's Problem Child, a minor idol, or anyone else she knows.

They are all growing up.

Or rather... growing up.

Haihara slowly came to a stop, her umbrella tilting slightly. A barely perceptible, faint hint of loss appeared on her pale, serene profile.

Although his expression remained quiet and indifferent, it was somehow different.

She sighed softly, seemingly feeling helpless:

"What would you do if I said I really felt very sad?"

Since smiling doesn't help when you're sad, what should she do?

The snow fell thick and fast, draping the city in a magnificent silver veil in the dead of night.

Sakaki Chika suddenly walked up to Haihara, put her hands behind her back, and looked at her with a cute face, as if she were a little rabbit looking at her with concern.

The hair on the top of her head stood on end.

"Teacher, may I cast Magic to make you laugh?"

As the most skilled Magic Magician in Maple Plain City, Sakaki Chika is adept at using her magical and beautiful Magic to bring smiles to the faces of those who are sad.

Of course, she will also use her Magic to make Teacher Haihara laugh again.