First Day of Class, Looking for Fun

"Gyakukai-kun really is amazing. That speech yesterday morning surprised even me, hmm... and you're so handsome too. If I were ten years younger..."

In the nurse's office, Chie Hoshinomiya started rambling to herself the moment she saw the two of them.

Completely ignoring the girl standing to the side—Yusoku Gyakukai's official fiancée—who looked exhausted yet whose face was growing darker by the second.

If not for Tomie's good upbringing, she would've already been cursing out this bitch who dared to harbor improper thoughts about her fiancé right in front of her.

Old woman. Dead woman. Bitch!

"Alright, Hoshinomiya-sensei, I'm not really interested in women in their thirties. Can you please—"

While calming Tomie down, he looked at the troublemaker across from him and directly cut her off.

After all, he came to the nurse's office this early for a reason, not to chat with Hoshinomiya.

Thirties... middle-aged woman... not really interested.

When those words hit, the face that had been chattering away on the chair, occasionally breaking into a smile, instantly stiffened.

Hoshinomiya's mind was filled with those three phrases. Both hands hidden beneath her white coat were clenched into tight fists.

Veins on her temples began to throb visibly. She still looked gentle on the surface, but the air was punctuated by the grinding sound of teeth.

"Ara, criticizing a lady's age in front of her isn't good behavior. Besides—"

Hoshinomiya paused, turned around, and fumbled with something in the cabinet beside her.

Soon she turned back. Her eyes were smiling, but why did the air around them suddenly feel colder?

"Take a look. My staff ID clearly says I'm twenty-nine. I haven't reached my thirties yet, so please don't lump me in with the old and haggard. You~ heard~ me~?"

By now, anyone could see this troublemaker was angry. Normally, he wouldn't give her any face.

He'd probably say something like: Wow, how annoying. What's the difference between twenty-nine and thirty?

But right now, he was here to ask Hoshinomiya for a favor. Beggars couldn't be choosers.

Yuki Gyakukai solemnly took the staff ID with both hands, performed a little show of looking at the photo on it, then at Hoshinomiya.

When she noticed him looking, Hoshinomiya deliberately puffed out her chest and brushed at her slightly messy hair to make it less disheveled.

"Wow! No matter how I look at it, Hoshinomiya-sensei radiates the unique charm of an adult woman. And how do you keep your skin so smooth and delicate, like a young girl's?"

"That's an exaggeration, but I love hearing it. If you can talk, talk more."

After some simple flattery, remembering that class started in half an hour, Yuki Gyakukai finally stated the real purpose of his visit.

He looked straight at Hoshinomiya sitting nearby, while his right hand held Tomie's small hand:

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, based on my speculation yesterday, the school probably wouldn't allow students to skip class, right? That's not what good students do."

"How troublesome. I can't answer that question."

Hoshinomiya pretended to be troubled, rubbing her temple, but she knowingly pursed her lips and directed their attention to the surveillance camera in the nurse's office.

"Understood. Tomie is sick now, so I want you to approve a leave slip for her to rest at home for the morning. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"If a student is sick, taking leave is unavoidable. So I'll allow it."

The teacher... hinted too obviously. But with Hoshinomiya, the school nurse, as cover, they'd have much more freedom at school from now on.

So, setting aside Chie Hoshinomiya's image as a drunkard and troublemaker, her usefulness was still considerable.

Once the discussion was settled, Hoshinomiya immediately started signing the leave slip. The reason, of course, was sick leave.

Leaving the nurse's office, only Yuki Gyakukai and Tomie remained, walking quietly back to the dormitory.

Though Tomie's walking posture was a bit odd.

"Why did you have to talk so much with that old woman?" Tomie glared at him fiercely.

"Because I need you, Tomie."

"What does that have to do with me? Am I just a tool for you to flirt with others?!"

Feeling the small hand constantly twisting at his waist, Yuki Gyakukai helplessly ruffled Tomie's hair.

"How could that be? It's because you were being stubborn last night. If you don't take care of your health, and I don't have you by my side, I'd be really sad."

The sudden confession caught Tomie off guard.

The hand twisting at his waist instantly let go like it had been shocked, and both hands fidgeted nervously in front of her, twisting over and over.

But because her head was lowered, her hair covering her face, he couldn't see her cute little expression.

Finally, they reached the dormitory door.

"I'll see you off here. I still have things to do later. Rest well, got it?"

"I'm... I'm not a child. But... I understand... Safe travels."

Watching that tall figure walk away, Tomie finally stopped being shy and lifted her head, her face flushed bright red, the color spreading all the way to her ears.

"Gyakukai-kun, good morning."

"Ah~, Himeno-san, so you're the one sitting next to Tomie. But good morning."

The seat next to Tomie was empty. On the right sat Himeno Yuki in her school uniform, quietly in her place, her long purple hair tied into twin tails with strands of blue woven through them.

A gentle breeze blew, stirring the pages of a book and lightly brushing the hair at her forehead.

She looked every bit the model student—except for her eyes, which seemed a bit vacant.

"Good morning, Yuki! By the way, why isn't Tomie here? Class is about to start."

Ichinose, sitting in front of Tomie's seat, greeted him with boundless energy, though a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes when she mentioned Tomie.

Following that, the purple-haired girl sitting in front of Yuki Gyakukai—Tomie's number one follower, Amikura Asako—also voiced her question.

"She's not feeling well, so I got her leave. But while we still have some time, let me clarify: as long as you report to the teacher or get permission, it won't affect your score in school."

"Even though the special exam is important, I still want to ask—is Tomie okay?"

"Right, Tomie's health comes first."

"So what's going on with Tomie Hanyu? It's not serious, is it?"

"..."

What good kids. What a harmonious class.

"Don't worry. She just didn't get enough rest last night. She'll be back for afternoon class."

Hearing that Tomie Hanyu was fine, the tense expressions on everyone's faces eased.

"Good to hear. But why didn't you get her the whole day off? If she didn't rest well, she should rest more."

"Exactly. You're a terrible fiancé."

"That's right, that's right."

"..."

Damn. This class has completely turned into Tomie's domain.

Soon, the first class of the morning ended. From what he observed, everyone was focused—no one was sneaking glances at their phones or zoning out.

So, time to find some fun.