Chabashira-sensei's Rooftop Conversation

Sae Chabashira paused mid-cigarette and stared at Tsukishima. After a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled.

"You really are capable of bringing Class D together. You've already noticed Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, haven't you?"

Tsukishima kept smiling. "Ayanokoji really is special."

Chabashira nodded. "In that case, I suppose you've already thought through your next move."

"I've already told you my plans. Whether you believe me is up to you. If there's nothing else, I'll head back. The next class is about to start."

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

Tsukishima nodded and turned toward the rooftop exit, but when he rounded the corner, he saw Kiyotaka Ayanokouji standing there expressionlessly.

"Do you have time, Tsukishima?"

"No."

They passed each other.

Press F to skip class time.../

After school, Tsukishima received a list of guidelines and rules for club-business partnerships from Horikita Manabu. He didn't even look at it, just forwarded it to Yamada, the head of the Manga Club.

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

[Tsukishima]: Good luck!

[Yamada]: Tsukishima, I got some info on the Boss Lady at Sweet Words! Her real name is Yoko Nakano. She used to be an idol for a while, and her ex-boyfriend was her manager. She's 32 this year, single and unmarried, a Libra, and she follows a lot of clean-cut boys like you on social media. So, good luck, Tsukishima! Show the Boss Lady your charms!

[Tsukishima]: ...

On his way to the Dessert Shop.

Reading the message from Yamada, Tsukishima's mouth twitched. "You've got to be kidding me..."

He had a thousand things to say, but didn't know where to start.

Inside Sweet Talk Dessert Shop.

The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the glass windows,

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

Tsukishima deftly put on his little cat-and-devil apron, went into the kitchen, and started practicing making crepes and the tiramisu he'd just learned to make yesterday.

The Boss Lady, Yoko Nakano, watched him work and offered gentle guidance.

After he made a mistake, the Boss Lady helped him clean up and asked in puzzlement, "Did something happen today? Why are you so distracted?"

Tsukishima's mouth twitched. "Boss Lady, when you negotiate with the Manga Club, you've got to make them pay!"

The Boss Lady blinked, then smiled behind her lips. "What did they do to you? Don't tell me they want you to seduce me? Some kind of casting couch?"

Suddenly, the Boss Lady gave Tsukishima's butt a light slap and arched an eyebrow. "If it's you, Tsukishima, I might just be okay with it~"

Tsukishima stiffened and opened his mouth. "Sis, messing with me is illegal... I'm underage..."

The Boss Lady covered her mouth and laughed. "Hahaha! Tsukishima, Tsukishima, you're so cute! Hahaha!"

Tsukishima blushed. He was at a bit of a loss. It was mainly that this young body was just too restless, and the surge of hormones wasn't helping. Ah, better not talk about it.

Once the Boss Lady had laughed enough, she patted his shoulder. "All right, all right. Hurry up and clean things up. The students will be here soon. Don't worry, I'll help my cute little Tsukishima get even later."

Tsukishima rubbed his face, pulling his gaze away from the Boss Lady's lovely figure.

The Boss Lady didn't mind his gaze. Instead, she leaned forward slightly and tipped her face up, breathing a warm puff of air beside his ear. Tsukishima's body shivered involuntarily.

She chuckled. "Little Tsukishima~ Time to get to work~"

Then she left with a smile to get things ready.

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

He took a couple of deep breaths, barely suppressing his restlessness, and finally managed to control his little head through sheer force of will.

With a robot-like smile on his face, he left the kitchen and weaved among the customers, taking orders and serving dishes with practiced ease.

At eight that evening, the Dessert Shop grew quiet.

The Boss Lady clapped her hands. "All right, thanks for all your hard work today. You can clock out now, little Tsukishima."

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

Suddenly, two soft, dough-like mounds pressed against his back. A pair of hands settled on his shoulders and gently kneaded them. "You worked hard~ Little Tsukishima, here's your reward. Hoo~"

A warm, damp breath brushed his ear. Tsukishima shivered involuntarily, then jerked away and took two steps forward before turning around.

The Boss Lady still had the triumphant smile of someone who'd successfully played a prank. "Little Tsukishima, your reaction is so cute, haha~"

Tsukishima pursed his lips and struck back. "Sis, if you're that pent up, you can get yourself some toys or something. Messing with me is really illegal!"

The Boss Lady covered her mouth and looked at Tsukishima. "Oh~ Little Tsukishima even knows about toys? What a naughty boy~"

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

The Boss Lady pretended to look heartbroken. "What?! You were just calling me Sis! See you tomorrow, little Tsukishima. Remember to miss me~"

Back in his dorm room.

Tsukishima sat in his chair, still thinking about that soft feeling.

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

He took a towel into the bathroom and rinsed off to cool himself down.

Knock, knock! Knock, knock!

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

"Stop knocking! Hold on, I'm taking a shower!"

Tsukishima shouted, then grumbled as he dried himself. "Who is it, knocking in the middle of the night? Don't you sleep?"

After getting dressed, he opened the door. It was Horikita and her Back Spirit, Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji still looked as lifeless as ever, his face as immobile as if he'd rented it.

Horikita was as cold as ever, as if someone owed her money. "Why did you ask Hirata to invite me to be an adviser? What are you planning?"

Tsukishima let the two of them into his room. Drying his hair with a towel, he said, "Do it if you want to. If you don't, then don't. And what I'm planning is none of your business."

Horikita's expression grew even colder. In a fantasy novel, she'd probably be radiating icy air by now. "Hmph! You're planning to use this to control me and threaten my brother, aren't you?"

Tsukishima rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for that. Threatening the Student Council president? I wouldn't even dare listen to you say it. What do you think the Student Council president is, a head of cabbage? Do you think it's that easy to threaten the Student Council president at this school?"

"If there's something wrong with your head, go get it treated. Your brother doesn't need you to protect him. Get your own affairs in order first."

Ayanokoji felt he should try to ease the tension. He glanced at the unfinished drawing of a little devil on the table and asked in a flat voice, "Is that Kushida?"

Tsukishima looked at Ayanokoji. "Yeah. I'm planning to draw her as a succubus. Once I color it, I'll turn it into a poster and sell it to Yamauchi. Got a problem with that?"

Ayanokoji didn't answer. He calmly shifted his gaze away.

Disgust flickered across Horikita's face, but she immediately realized this might be an opportunity. "You said you're going to sell it to Yamauchi? Heh. In that case, Kushida should hear about it first, shouldn't she?"