Chapter 418
Anyone could notice that since the teacher's problem arose, two people have started acting strangely: one is Sakaki Chika, and the other is the Student Council.
It seems that Sakaki Chika's problem has now been resolved.
But what kind of problem might the president be facing?
However, it seems they won't have the chance to find out in the short term.
Let's go back to yesterday.
During the day, Kazama Kiriori took a long leave of absence, and then, as night fell, she picked up Haihara from Takanashi and took her home.
Surprisingly, Haihara agreed very readily.
After packing their luggage, Kazama Kiriori took Haihara back to her home.
It was actually her and Haihara's home in the past.
As the key turned the lock, making a "click" sound, Haihara Lily Chou, standing behind Kazama Kiriori, looked into the room with a hint of curiosity.
"Which pairs should I wear?"
Haihara Lily Chou looked at the two pairs of slippers inside the room.
One is shaped like a plush dog.
The other one is a black cat.
"It's the same pair from before... the black ones."
Kazama Kiriori originally wanted to suggest that Haihara wear her old clothes.
However, she stopped at the right moment and did not offer any further explanation.
Haihara was already used to moving to unfamiliar homes, so this time she didn't waste any more of their time. She naturally put on her slippers and went inside.
Kazama Kiriori carried Haihara's suitcase inside as well.
After closing the door, the lights inside were not turned on.
After hearing the door close, Haihara heard the black-haired girl at the door say:
"My name is Kazama Kiriori."
It was from this point that Kazama Kiriori began to introduce herself.
Previously, Kazama Kiriori had indeed never done this before.
Haihara Lily Chou Haibara nodded:
My name is Haihara.
As usual, she did not introduce herself by name.
Compared to the previous times, Haihara clearly felt that this time, the room was unusually quiet.
The other person, named Kazama Kiriori, didn't seem to want to talk to me.
Perhaps it's just their personality.
After all, Kazama Kiriori seemed much more mature and composed than the others Haihara knew; she appeared to be the type who kept quiet most of the time.
"So for the next period of time, the teacher lived with me until Aunt Kougami and the others found a solution to the problem."
Kazama also refers to himself as "teacher".
Based on their previous interactions, she must have been Haihara's former student.
After that, the two didn't talk much. Kazama Kiriori went to prepare dinner. Although Haihara knew she was a boring person, she didn't expect the other person to be even less talkative than herself.
So, after settling her luggage, Haihara took a look at the room where she would be staying.
After she finished reading, she blinked.
One thing is quite obvious: this house must have been lived in for many years, because there are many places in the house that look like they were decorated over a long period of time.
For example, two mugs.
Inside the cabinet are many photos of Kazama Kiriori, including many of her giving speeches or standing on an award podium, but they are mostly solitary solo photos.
They all have a very down-to-earth feel to them.
Haihara stared at it for a while, almost unconsciously.
Well, how should I put it?
For some reason, she felt a sense of unease.
Because I always feel that there are places where things should be placed, but they seem to have been put away.
Several photos are missing from the wall where they were displayed.
However, thinking about these things is useless.
Even if she has any questions, she still has plenty of time; she can figure it out gradually.
At some point, Haihara realized that her current state was like being sick. When you're sick, no matter what you do or what emotions you have, you still feel completely lost and helpless.
Although she has gradually gotten used to it, and although she knows that this state will only be healthy and normal when it ends one day, when she is in it, in addition to confusion, there is also an expectation to see everything again after forgetting everything.
Kazama Kiriori not only looks mature, but she's also a great cook.
This was the first time Haihara had ever met a woman who was so good at cooking for her.
Even the food Mom cooks isn't as good as Kazama Kiriori's.
If asked to rate her cooking skills, Haihara herself could only describe it as terrible.
Even if you flatter them, Kuroki Yuka and Takanashi are not exactly talented in cooking.
But Haihara really loved the food that Kazama Kiriori made; it tasted exactly like her, to the point that one might suspect it was specially seasoned for her.
Seeing that Haihara was enjoying her meal, Kazama Kiriori seemed to finally relax a bit, revealing a smile that looked much like her usual self.
After finishing her meal, Kazama Kiriori efficiently started to clean up the dishes and wash them, when she noticed that Haihara Lily Chou was doing the same thing on the other side.
"I can do it."
Kazama said.
Haihara followed Kazama and silently placed the dishes on the sink.
After Kazama Kiriori started washing the dishes, Haihara didn't leave, but stood behind her.
Seeing that Kazama Kiriori was washing the dishes without any reaction, after a while, she casually spoke up:
"I heard you're a senior in high school and will be taking the college entrance exams soon. Is it alright if you take care of me?"
Haihara's voice and the sound of the faucet rinsing rang out at the same time.
The sound of the scouring didn't stop afterwards.
Because she couldn't quite figure out Kazama Kiriori's personality, Haihara Lily Chou wasn't sure if she should ask again.
Until the long-haired girl with her back to her answered:
"It's okay."
"Teachers are more important than anything else."
Haibara initially thought that the person who was somewhat indifferent to her was just saying something casually, leading Haihara to believe that the other person was talking about something else to get back at her, rather than actually hearing such serious words.
However, Haihara still couldn't understand. Even if it was really important, shouldn't Kazama Kiriori have other companions to help her?
The way things are now seems more like a sudden change has occurred.
But it's clear the other party won't bring it up now.
"But I'll still help with the housework. You need to study, right? Even Kuroki and the others let me do some housework normally."
Haihara felt that this matter could not be compromised.
Since they met, the two have been together, and they even had dinner together just now. The invisible pressure and anxiety on Kazama Kiriori seemed to have eased a little.
After waiting for a short while, Haihara Kazama Kiriori's expression softened considerably:
"That's true."
"Then let's start doing it your way, teacher, from tomorrow."
"But there's nothing to wash today, it'll be done soon, so don't worry."
It means that we should leave it to Kazama Kiriori for today.
This woman, who was two years older than Haihara, coaxed Haihara like a child, telling her to go back to the living room and watch TV.
Kazama Kiriori's preparations were quite thorough.
Not only were the beds and rooms made and tidied up in advance, but hot water was also available so you could take a shower anytime.
Left with no other option, Haihara sat back down on the sofa to see if anyone had sent her a text message during that time.
At that moment, the first thing she opened on her phone was a chat interface with someone whose contact was labeled "My Favorite Dog".
If nothing unexpected happens, the owner of this name should be Kazama Kiriori.
Because this person's social media profile contains photos of Kazama Kiriori.
However, in the past few months, even in the long chat history that Haihara Lily Chou herself couldn't finish looking through, it was basically all about how the other party cared about her and asked about her well-being. Many of the words were so sweet that they made people feel like they would get cavities.
Moreover, just like Takanashi, the other person called her "Mom" in a rather wicked way.
Thinking of this, Haihara shrank back on the sofa.
"Since you've sent me these messages..."
She murmured her thoughts very softly.
The girl's gaze quietly fell on Kazama Kiriori, who was washing dishes in the distance.
If you sent her those messages, why are you acting a bit cold now?
Or perhaps... she misunderstood something.
Chapter 178 Kazama and Haihara's Today
The following period was calmer than expected, and Haihara Lily Chou felt that she might adapt to life with Kazama Kiriori faster than she had imagined.
Their lives were neither as lively and carefree as when they were with Kuroki Yuka, nor as decadent as when they were with Takanashi.
She basically stays indoors, Kazama Kiriori takes care of Haihara like a mother or older sister.
Cooking, spending time with family, going out shopping, and then finding time to study on my own.
This sight reminded Haihara of her pet Little White.
It feels cool to the touch, slightly damp, and a little cold.
The voice was always very low.
This is completely different from how I interacted with other people before.
Speaking of which, if given the chance, she would like to take her pet snake home and care for it herself, but she really doesn't want to shamelessly bring it up with Kazama Kiriori right now.
For the time being, without disturbing Kazama Kiriori, Haihara Lily Chou wants to build a good relationship with Kazama Kiriori and learn more about her.
"Teacher Haihara."
Inside the living room, Haihara heard the other person calling her.
She turned her head and saw Kazama Kiriori looking at the exam questions, holding a peeled orange and handing it to her.
Haihara loves eating oranges.
However, I don't like very sour foods.
"Thank you, but you don't need to be so distracted by taking care of me while you're studying."
Haihara accepted the orange somewhat awkwardly.
She held the cool, peeled orange in her palm.
The orange's flesh is beautiful and smells wonderful. Haihara sometimes has a strange thought: being an orange would be a pretty good thing.
"This is relaxing for me."