"Infirmary... Well, let's go then." Hiratsuka Shizuka easily carried Hoshimi on her back and strode toward the infirmary.
Iwanaga Kotoko, holding her reddish-brown cane, jogged to keep up with the fast-paced Hiratsuka.
"Sister, let's go to the infirmary too... I need to treat my sprain," Yukino said softly, avoiding eye contact.
"Okay." Haruno glanced at Hoshimi and agreed with a smile.
The four of them split into two groups and headed toward the infirmary.
Nearby, Yuigahama also wanted to follow, but she had only taken a few steps when a classmate ran into her.
"Yuigahama, there you are! I've finally found you. The dodgeball event is about to start, come with me quickly."
"Eh?!"
With that, the classmate pulled a bewildered Yuigahama toward the soccer field.
Yuigahama could only watch helplessly as Yukino moved further and further away until she was completely out of sight...
...
In the infirmary, Hiratsuka Shizuka gently placed Hoshimi on a bed and turned to the small figure of Iwanaga Kotoko beside her.
"What class are you in?" Hiratsuka asked.
"First year, class B, Iwanaga Kotoko."
"A first-year student?" Hiratsuka raised an eyebrow and continued, "Do you have any more matches?"
"No." To prevent Hiratsuka from asking more questions, Iwanaga Kotoko added, "I've been on leave, and I came to school today just to see Hoshimi. I don't need to attend the closing ceremony of the sports festival."
"I knew Hoshimi before, and we are quite close. So, Ms. Hiratsuka, you can entrust Hoshimi to me. I guarantee there won't be any problems."
"...Sigh~" Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed, seeing all her questions answered.
She turned to the other bed, where Yukino was treating her sprain, "Haruno, I have something to do, so I'll leave. Please keep an eye on things."
"Okay~ Leave it to me." Haruno, who was applying a cold compress to Yukino's sprained ankle, raised her left hand and made an "OK" gesture.
Hiratsuka Shizuka thought for a moment and reminded, "Haruno, don't do anything unnecessary."
"Don't worry, I won't."
"..."
Seeing Haruno's cheerful smile, Hiratsuka Shizuka was still somewhat uneasy, but she had to complete the work for the closing ceremony and couldn't stay in the infirmary any longer.
She sighed inwardly, patted Iwanaga Kotoko on the shoulder as a warning to be careful of the always mischievous Haruno.
"Don't worry, Hiratsuka-sensei, I'll be fine." Sitting by the bed, Iwanaga Kotoko waved her cane confidently.
"Alright then, I'm leaving." Hiratsuka Shizuka said no more and hurriedly left the infirmary.
"Clatter—"
With the door of the infirmary closed, the atmosphere became silent.
Iwanaga Kotoko sat by the bed, blinking as she watched the seemingly unconscious Hoshimi.
Yukino leaned against the bed, silently staring at Hoshimi and Iwanaga Kotoko.
Haruno, meanwhile, was smiling as she tended to her sister's ankle sprain, seemingly without any other thoughts.
"So, what's your name?"
After a long silence, Iwanaga Kotoko broke the quiet atmosphere.
She blinked and looked at Yukino, her strange purple eyes filled with curiosity.
"Yukinoshita Yukino. And you? What's your name?" Yukino replied, expressionless, as she met Kotoko's gaze.
"Eh? Didn't you hear it just now?" Iwanaga Kotoko covered her mouth in surprise.
"..." Yukino remained silent.
"In that case, let me introduce myself again." Iwanaga Kotoko stood in front of the bed, holding her cane in her left hand and placing her right hand on her chest. She bowed elegantly and introduced herself,
"My name is Iwanaga Kotoko. I am the Goddess of Wisdom for yokai and a shrine maiden who arbitrates and resolves their disputes."
"..." The Yukinoshita sisters were both stunned.
Haruno glanced at Iwanaga Kotoko, thinking she might have a case of chuunibyou, which would explain her odd attire.
Yukino frowned and tentatively asked, "Iwanaga Kotoko?"
"Yes~" Iwanaga Kotoko nodded with a smile. She held Hoshimi's left hand, interlacing their fingers, "Hoshimi's Iwanaga Kotoko."
Yukino's expression turned cold, "You know Hoshimi?"
"Of course." Iwanaga Kotoko, sitting by the bed, gently caressed Hoshimi's face and said softly, "Although I've not known Hoshimi for long, he has taught me many important things. For example..."
Iwanaga Kotoko glanced at Yukino, her eyes filled with a strange light, "For example... a woman's pleasure..."
Yukino's pupils shrank, looking at the shorter Kotoko in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Haruno's expression turned strange.
Originally, she had intended to take advantage of the situation, but it seemed unnecessary now.
The newly arrived Iwanaga Kotoko had already cooled the rapidly progressing relationship between Yukino and Hoshimi.
"....." Yukino stared at Kotoko for a long time before asking quietly, "How old are you?"
"A cup, same as you." Kotoko puffed out her chest, brimming with confidence.
Yukino was speechless for a moment, then asked, "I meant your age."
"Uh..." Kotoko blinked in embarrassment, "Fifteen..."
"When did you meet Hoshimi?" Yukino continued with a darkened expression.
"About a year ago."
"..." Yukino was silent for a moment, then looked at Haruno, "Sister, do you think we can call the police?"
"We probably can't. According to Japanese law, the minimum legal age is 13. A year ago, Ms. Iwanaga was 14, and Hoshimi is also a minor. Thus, both parties are minors, and it's up to their guardians to decide whether to press charges."
Haruno, somewhat familiar with the law, explained this to her sister thoughtfully.
"..." Yukino stared silently at Hoshimi, contemplating whether to exact some form of justice.
"Uh... did you misunderstand something?" Kotoko raised her hand, tilting her head in explanation, "My body is still completely pure."
"Then what did you mean earlier?" Yukino asked coldly.
"Emm... I think you should understand, Yukinoshita-san." Kotoko blinked at Yukino, as if hinting at something.
Yukino understood, but her cold gaze didn't waver. In fact, it seemed to grow even more frigid.
===
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