Coincidentally, Haruto was too lazy to do these things, and Yotsuba seemed like a very considerate and gentle girl at first glance.
Without hesitation, he said seriously, "I'll leave it to you, Yotsuba, please take responsibility for Rikka!"
Yotsuba crouched down with her head in her hands, crying sorrowfully, "I don't want to listen... Kuromori-san is bullying me."
"Right, I just bothered you."
Haruto didn't blush at all. He had long known that Yotsuba had a soft personality and found it hard to refuse others.
For Yotsuba's future, and to prevent her from being deceived by scoundrels, Haruto had to take responsibility!
First, start by intimidating Yotsuba!
Who made her so easy to bully!
Hearing Haruto's words, Yotsuba stared at him with wide eyes and actually admitted he was bullying her straight away.
Thick-skinned!
She hesitated and said, "But, I can't do it..."
Seeing her hesitation, Haruto suddenly thought of a question: "Yotsuba, aren't you scared?"
"Of course I'm scared, but with Kuromori-san here, everything will be fine!"
"..."
Haruto looked at her in surprise. It seemed that Yotsuba wasn't scared at all, but rather curious?
Last night felt the same, didn't it?
Isn't it said that girls are afraid of ghosts?
Yotsuba lightly tapped her finger and said hesitantly, "But there's nothing I can do about a ghost."
"Easy."
Haruto didn't exactly know what his ability was. Nonetheless, it was probably an idealistic ability.
This included temporarily giving special abilities to others. Haruto glanced at Rikka, who looked hopeful, walked over to Yotsuba, and said, "Yotsuba, lift your head."
"Huh? Like this?"
Yotsuba looked up curiously.
Their eyes met.
The girl's blue eyes were as pure as a clear afternoon sky, truly beautiful.
Haruto's expression remained calm, and he reached out, placing his hand on the girl's forehead. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and said, "Done."
Yotsuba blinked and unconsciously said, "That was so fast, I didn't even feel anything."
Haruto raised an eyebrow and said softly, "Sorry, please don't 'drive'."
"Drive?"
Yotsuba looked blankly, "I'm not driving!"
"Yotsuba, your face is red."
Yotsuba turned her head as if nothing had happened and said, "It's all because it's too hot."
'You obviously understand!'
Haruto remained silent and wisely changed the subject.
"This is Rikka."
Yotsuba carefully looked at her, then was a little surprised.
It was a small girl with a transparent body. She looked like an ordinary child, not as scary as in movies and TV shows.
Her shy and fragile appearance was actually quite cute.
Yotsuba sighed in relief, "So ghosts look like this. I thought they'd be like in the movies and TV."
Haruto said calmly, "You're overthinking it. Everything in movies and TV is just human imagination. Don't scare yourself."
Fear comes from the unknown, so most female ghosts in movies and TV cover their faces with long hair, letting the audience's imagination run wild... resulting in scaring themselves!
"That's true."
Yotsuba patted her chest and said confidently, "Leave it to me now, Kuromori-san!"
"I'll definitely help Rikka find her mother."
"Alright, please help her."
Haruto glanced at the time and said, "We don't have enough time. Let's help Rikka after school this afternoon."
"Oh."
Yotsuba said goodbye to Rikka, agreeing to come back in the afternoon, and then left with Haruto.
❀❀❀
One minute before the school bell rang, Itsuki, who had rushed into class just in time, breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close, I almost got late again."
Haruto glanced at her and noticed a gloomy figure staring at him with great enthusiasm.
But that was all.
❀❀❀
Lunchtime.
Haruto waited until nearly everyone had left, then stood up and slowly walked toward the cafeteria.
As he passed the next classroom, a gloomy, indifferent girl wearing headphones emerged.
"Reckless Kuromori."
Haruto's mouth twitched slightly, and he said expressionlessly, "Sorry, I don't know that person."
'I've only just seen your legs. And now you call me "reckless Kuromori" right after we met?'
Miku walked beside Haruto, lagging a little behind, and glanced at him, "You're that person."
Haruto sighed softly and said quietly, "You're right, I'm reckless. So..."
*BAAM*
A classic kabedon pose formed.
Miku was stunned for a moment, then her face suddenly flushed. She turned her head away. Unconsciously, she grabbed the headphones hanging on her chest and said in a trembling voice, "W-What are you doing?"
Haruto looked serious and said, "Miku, please give me your contact information. Don't refuse."
"No way."
Miku glared at him, embarrassed. The other party suddenly did something like this and actually wanted her contact information.
"Really? Then don't blame me."
Haruto spoke in a low voice.
Seeing him slowly lean closer, Miku opened her eyes slightly, and her pounding heartbeat made her feel dizzy.
Was Haruto really going to...
NO!
NO!
Seeing him getting closer and closer, Miku shut her eyes in a panic, her breath quickening.
Haruto: "😐"
'Shouldn't you be pushing me away right about now? What are you doing closing your eyes?'
The girl's cheeks were flushed, as hot as a furnace, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her moist cherry-colored lips moving. Haruto's throat went dry, and he couldn't look away.
His heartbeat accelerated.
NO!
'Women only affect how fast I draw my sword!'
Haruto suddenly pulled back, took a deep breath, and coughed, "I'm going to the cafeteria first."
With that, he hurried away.
Miku opened her eyes and felt slightly relieved.
She bit her lip silently and raised her hand to place it over her heart.
Her heartbeat was fast.
It seemed like it would jump out of her throat any second.
Miku raised her hand to cover her flushed face.
"Almost..."
Miku knew well that Haruto had almost kissed her, and her eyes burned, clearly showing that she had wanted it too.
But in the end, Haruto had held back.
This was the first time Miku had faced such a situation since she was a child. Haruto's body temperature had been as hot as a stove, making her whole body feel feverish and dizzy.
Miku pursed her lips, embarrassment and annoyance flickering in her eyes: "Reckless Kuromori!"
"Guilty! Seppuku!"
❀❀❀
Meanwhile, Haruto arrived at the cafeteria and found a quiet corner with his food tray.
As his eyes moved, he noticed Miku walking into the cafeteria.
Their eyes met, and Miku silently looked away.