Even the Teacher Wasn't Normal

Even so, Ichinose Honami felt as though her heart had been coated in honey.

She needed this recognition very badly.

It could soothe the wounds in her heart.

Unfortunately, Shi Cheng could not keep saying such things.

They were only friends.

"Shi Cheng, we're here." Ichinose Honami did her best to appear relaxed.

Under normal circumstances,

she would definitely have asked him

whether he wanted to stop by her study group.

After struggling fiercely with herself, Ichinose Honami finally said it.

"Shi Cheng, would you like to come sit at my place?"

Once the difficult words had left her mouth, it felt as though a huge boulder had fallen from Ichinose Honami's heart.

However, her delicate face flushed crimson because of it.

If she brought Shi Cheng over now,

she would not need to explain anything.

Everyone would be able to imagine why she had arrived late.

It was far too embarrassing!

"Let's not. I don't know them that well. We can arrange it another time." Shi Cheng shook his head, not pushing her too hard.

Some things had to be taken slowly.

"Okay, then." Unsure whether she felt relieved or regretful, Ichinose Honami nodded gently.

Only then did she notice the latter half of what he had said.

Her already flushed cheeks grew even redder.

Shi Cheng lightly patted her delicate cheek. "What are you thinking about? I'm leaving first. You should head over too—don't keep them waiting too long."

After Shi Cheng had gone far away,

Ichinose Honami stamped her foot resentfully.

Did Shi Cheng think she was easy to bully? How awful.

She puffed out her cheeks, watching until Shi Cheng disappeared from sight.

Then Ichinose Honami's smile bloomed again as she headed in the other direction.

"We're not doing it today?" Seeing that the table held nothing but textbooks, Shi Cheng was somewhat surprised.

"Mm." Shiina Hiyori nodded her little head firmly.

The exams were coming up soon.

How could she be so selfish?

Considering Shi Cheng's pride, Shiina Hiyori phrased it another way. "I'm a little worried I won't pass the midterms, so I want to study properly during this period."

As she spoke, she raised her eyes questioningly.

"Shi Cheng, is that okay?"

"I have no problem with it." Shi Cheng made a gesture.

He had been tired of listening to stories lately anyway and had long wanted a change of pace.

"Then let's begin." Since she did not know Shi Cheng's exact level, Shiina Hiyori decided to start with the simplest review material.

Not long afterward, Shiina Hiyori noticed Shi Cheng's slightly furrowed brow and cautiously asked, "Is there a problem?"

She felt she had explained everything in great detail.

Could Shi Cheng really not understand even this?

That would be terrible.

"There's no problem with the questions." Shi Cheng stared intently at the section circled in the textbook.

He turned to confirm, "Shiina, are you sure this is the part we're reviewing?"

"Mm, what's wrong?" Hearing that it was not her problem, Shiina Hiyori breathed a sigh of relief.

Shi Cheng's expression darkened as he took Shiina Hiyori's side.

He had long thought Chabashira Sae was not a good woman.

He had not expected her to be irresponsible in this regard as well.

What was she trying to do?

If she did not want to be a proper teacher, she should get out early and make room for someone capable and responsible.

Shi Cheng was a little angry.

Though it did not affect him much,

it was still infuriating.

With a teacher like this, how could their great cause fail?

"It's nothing. Let's continue—I understand now." Shi Cheng smiled lightly.

"Mm." Shiina Hiyori showed a hint of smugness. She had not expected to have a talent for teaching.

Shiina Hiyori did not move on. Instead, she repeated it once more to help deepen his impression.

Only then did she proceed to the next question.

Studying passed even faster than listening to stories.

Shi Cheng felt he had not spent much time with Shiina Hiyori at all.

Yet the golden dusk of sunset had already broken into their world.

Knowing it was time to part, Shi Cheng felt somewhat regretful.

Shiina Hiyori also felt she had not had enough.

Experiencing the joy of being a teacher for the first time, she was a little excited.

The storytelling had been going on for quite some time.

So she was very interested in this new experience.

Shiina Hiyori gazed softly and fixedly at Shi Cheng.

She seemed unwilling to let him leave just like that.

"What is it? Does Shiina want to invite me to your dorm to continue?" Shi Cheng teased.

Shiina Hiyori's fair, tender face reddened.

For that instant, she truly felt tempted.

But if she did that, would she not be far too forward?

Would Shi Cheng look down on her from then on?

All sorts of thoughts flashed through her mind.

In the end, Shiina Hiyori made up her mind.

Because she thought of private tutoring.

That way, there would not be any problem at all.

"Mm. Do you want to come, Shi Cheng? It'll be a good chance for you to try my cooking."

To keep the courage she had painstakingly gathered from sinking away, Shiina Hiyori threw out bait he could not refuse.

Though it was a little unfair,

she was a girl, after all.

Her pride was rather fragile.

"Of course. Please, I absolutely have to try it." Not expecting it to really work, Shi Cheng immediately agreed with sparkling eyes.

His quick response was satisfying, but it somehow felt strange.

Shiina Hiyori raised an eyebrow slightly.

Could she be the passive one instead?

Shaking her head, Shiina Hiyori decided not to overthink it.

After putting away the textbooks on the table, Shiina Hiyori smoothed her skirt. "Shi Cheng, let's go."

The journey was not long.

Following Shiina Hiyori, Shi Cheng arrived at the Girls' Dormitory once again.

Though he was already familiar with it, he still could not help admiring the room's layout.

"Oh! It has such a scholarly atmosphere. I had guessed as much, but seeing is believing."

Shiina Hiyori walked smilingly into the kitchen and tied on an apron. "What did you think it would be like, Shi Cheng? Messy?"

"Of course not." Shi Cheng looked at her with a strong desire to survive. "I just don't want to hear that you mistook salt for sugar later."

"I would never make that kind of mistake!" Shiina Hiyori protested cutely.

She was not that foolish.

"Then I'm relieved." Shi Cheng let out a breath and looked her over. "Shiina, you look truly charming right now. I wonder who will get to benefit from it in the future."

There was no one here except you!

Shiina Hiyori nearly blurted it out.

Fortunately, she covered her little mouth in time.

She shot Shi Cheng a glare, her face red as she pretended not to have heard him.

"Shi Cheng, sit for a while first. I'll be done here soon."

"Don't worry, I won't secretly check under your bed for anything strange."

Shi Cheng patted his chest in assurance.

Shiina Hiyori felt somewhat frustrated.

Shouldn't she have been the one to say that?

How had Shi Cheng struck first instead?

It made Shiina Hiyori, who had wanted to get even with him later, feel rather troubled.

How could Shi Cheng be like this?

She wanted to put sugar in this meal. Hmph!

Though filled with resentment, Shiina Hiyori still honestly prepared the food.

After all, she was a good girl.

She could not do something as cruel as deliberately tormenting someone.

"Smells amazing!"

Before long, a sumptuous dinner appeared on the table.

Though it looked simple, it smelled wonderful.

"I'm glad you like it." Having displayed the few dishes she knew how to make, Shiina Hiyori brought over two bowls of rice and handed him the fuller one.

"Let's eat."

Shi Cheng planned to finish early and get to the important business.