Chabashira-sensei's Rooftop Conversation

Sae Chabashira paused mid-drag on her cigarette, staring at Tsukishima. After a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled:

"As expected of someone who can unite Class D. You've already noticed Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, haven't you?"

Tsukishima's smile remained fixed on his face: "Ayanokouji-kun is indeed quite special."

Chabashira nodded: "In that case, you should already have your next move figured out."

"I've already stated my plan for what comes next. Whether you believe it is your business. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back—the next class is about to start."

"Heh. We're not enemies. Go on back."

Tsukishima nodded, turned, and walked toward the rooftop exit. But as he rounded the corner, he came face to face with Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, whose expression was utterly blank.

"Tsukishima-kun, do you have time later?"

"I don't."

The two brushed past each other.

Skip class time with F.../

After school, Tsukishima received a message from Horikita Manabu containing the guidelines and regulations for club–shop collaborations. Without even glancing at it, he forwarded it to Yamada, the Manga Club president.

[Yamada]: Got it! I'll finish the proposal as soon as possible!

[Tsukishima]: Keep it up!

[Yamada]: Tsukishima, I dug up info on the Sweet Talk boss lady! Her real name is Yoko Nakano. She used to be an idol for a while, her ex-boyfriend was her manager. She's 32, single, never married, Libra. Her social media follows a lot of clean-cut young guys like you. So go for it, Tsukishima! Show the boss lady your charm!

[Tsukishima]: ...

Walking down the street toward the dessert shop.

Tsukishima stared at the message from Yamada, the corner of his mouth twitching: "What the hell..."

He had a thousand complaints bottled up inside, but no idea where to start.

Inside Sweet Talk Dessert Shop.

The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the glass windows.

The shop was filled with the aroma of cream and black tea.

Tsukishima skillfully changed into his own cat-devil apron, walked into the back kitchen, and began practicing crepe-making and the tiramisu he'd just learned yesterday.

Boss Lady Yoko Nakano watched his movements, offering gentle guidance.

After one mistake, she helped him clean up while asking with a puzzled tone: "Did something happen today? You seem distracted."

The corner of Tsukishima's mouth twitched: "Boss Lady, when you negotiate the collaboration with the Manga Club, you absolutely have to screw them over!"

The boss lady paused, then covered her mouth with a laugh: "What did they do to you? Don't tell me they wanted you to seduce me? Some kind of under-the-table deal?"

She suddenly gave Tsukishima's butt a light slap, raising an eyebrow: "If it's you, Tsukishima-kun, it's not entirely out of the question~"

Tsukishima's body stiffened. He opened his mouth: "Sis, messing with me is illegal... I'm still a minor..."

The boss lady covered her mouth and burst out laughing: "Hahaha, Tsukishima-kun, Tsukishima-kun, you're so cute, haha!!"

Tsukishima's face flushed red. He was at a loss—mainly because this young body was way too easily stirred up, hormones flooding in at every provocation. Well, let's not get into that.

The boss lady finally stopped laughing and patted his shoulder: "Alright, alright, clean up quickly. The students will be here soon. Don't worry, I'll definitely get some payback for my cute little Tsukishima."

Tsukishima rubbed his face, pulling his gaze away from the boss lady's well-proportioned figure.

She didn't mind his stare. Instead, she leaned in slightly, tilted her face up, and breathed a warm puff of air right by his ear, making his body involuntarily shiver.

She whispered with a smile: "Little Tsukishima~ Time to get to work~"

After saying that, she went off to prepare with a grin still on her face.

Tsukishima covered his face: "Damn! She's got me wrapped around her finger!"

He took two deep breaths, barely suppressing the restlessness in his chest, and finally used his iron will to control his lower half.

He put on a robot-like smile, walked out of the back kitchen, and moved through the customers, skillfully taking orders and serving dishes.

At 8 PM, the dessert shop quieted down.

The boss lady clapped her hands: "Alright, good work today. Little Tsukishima can clock out now."

Tsukishima took off his apron and rolled his slightly stiff neck.

Suddenly, two soft, dough-like lumps pressed against his back. A pair of hands rested on his shoulders, gently kneading: "Good work~ Little Tsukishima. This is your reward. Hoo~"

A warm, moist breeze brushed past his ear. Tsukishima couldn't help but flinch. He jerked forward two steps and turned around.

The boss lady's mischievous grin was still on her face: "Little Tsukishima, your reactions are just adorable, haha~"

Tsukishima pressed his lips together and started to fight back: "Sis, if you're really that pent up, you could get some toys or something. Messing with me is actually illegal!"

The boss lady covered her mouth and looked at him: "Ehh~ Little Tsukishima actually knows about toys? What a naughty kid~"

Tsukishima rolled his eyes: "Boss Lady, I'm heading back."

The boss lady put on a fake hurt expression: "Ehh!! And you were just calling me 'sis' a second ago. See you tomorrow~ Little Tsukishima. Make sure you think of me~"

Back in the dormitory.

Tsukishima sat in his chair, his mind still lingering on that soft sensation.

Damn! I wasn't this lecherous in my past life!

He grabbed a towel and walked into the bathroom, rinsing off to cool his rising heat.

Knock knock knock! Knock knock knock!

He'd just turned off the shower when he heard the urgent knocking.

"Stop knocking, hold on, I'm showering!"

Tsukishima shouted, then grumbled as he dried himself, "Who's that, in the middle of the night, don't they sleep!"

Pulling on his clothes, he opened the door to find Horikita and her Back Spirit, Ayanokouji.

Ayanokouji wore that same deadpan expression, his face like it was rented, unwilling to move an inch.

Horikita was as cold as ever, like someone owed her money: "Why did you have Hirata invite me as an advisor? What's your goal?"

Tsukishima let them in, drying his hair with a towel as he said, "If you want to do it, do it. If not, forget it. As for my goal, what's it to you?"

Horikita's face grew even colder. In a fantasy novel, she'd probably be radiating frost by now: "Hmph! Are you trying to control me through this method, to threaten my brother?"

Tsukishima rolled his eyes: "I don't have that kind of free time. Threaten the Student Council President? You dare say it, I don't dare listen. Do you think the Student Council President is some cheap cabbage? Do you think this school's Student Council President is that easy to threaten?"

"If your head's messed up, go get it treated. Your brother doesn't need your protection. Sort out your own problems first."

Ayanokouji felt the need to ease the atmosphere. He glanced at the unfinished drawing of a little demon on the table, his tone flat: "Is this Kushida?"

Tsukishima looked at Ayanokouji: "Yeah, I'm planning to draw a Succubus based on her image. After coloring, I'll make it into a poster and sell it to Yamauchi. Any problem?"

Ayanokouji didn't respond, calmly shifting his gaze away.

A flicker of disgust crossed Horikita's face, but she quickly realized this might be an opportunity: "You said you're selling it to Yamauchi? Hah, before that, Kushida should find out about this first, shouldn't she?"