Haruto looked at the message on his phone in surprise. Nino actually took the initiative to text him?
After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Don't worry, I'm back home."
Not only that, he also took a walk around the oddity area and spent a little time at Mafuyu's place!
Nino typed a response: "Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not worried about you. If you don't go home, the girls on the street will be in danger!"
"Kuromori, you actually pinched a girl's waist so casually, you pervert!"
Haruto's expression darkened slightly: "Enough already. If you have something to say, say it. If not, turn off your phone and go to sleep!"
"So it's fine for you to pinch someone, but I can't pinch you? Do you know that's a typical double standard?"
Nino sent an extremely fierce image. Then she typed: "Don't turn off your phone, I have something to discuss with you."
Haruto responded briefly and straight to the point: "Say it!"
Nino gritted her teeth—what a pitiful virgin guy! A super cute girl was chatting with him, yet he was still impatient!
"Don't tell anyone what happened today, not even Itsuki. In return, I'll keep the doujinshi purchase a secret."
Haruto wasn't one to talk too much, so Nino promised not to tell anyone about buying doujinshi to avoid trouble.
After all, it wouldn't matter even if Nino did tell.
What's wrong with a guy at his age being curious about doujinshi?
Isn't it normal?
Haruto replied, "Sure, I understand."
"Nino, what are you doing?"
Miku's voice suddenly sounded, and Nino was startled. She immediately put down her phone, feeling a bit guilty. She pretended to be calm and said, "It's nothing. I'm just chatting with a friend. What is it, Miku?"
Don't feel guilty!
She only approached Haruto for something and didn't do anything else.
That's all!
Miku blinked and said suspiciously, "Nino's expression just now was very strange. Could it be that you were chatting with a guy?"
"A guy?"
Ichika turned her head and curiously asked, "Does Nino have a guy she likes?"
"Nino actually ran away; that's outrageous!"
Yotsuba put down her pen and came over with curiosity written all over her face. "Who's the guy Nino likes? Tell us quickly."
Itsuki said in surprise, "Nino is dating? When did that happen?"
Nino clenched her phone and said angrily, "You heard wrong! I'm not dating any guy!"
Nino glared at Miku: "Miku!"
Miku looked away: "Because Nino has never shown that expression before."
That expression?
Nino's heart raced, and she pretended to be calm and said, "Miku, you're mistaken. I was just chatting with a friend."
"Alright, I'm going to take a bath, I'm not telling you anything more."
Ichika chuckled and said, "If you meet a guy you like, you should be more proactive, Nino."
Nino: "😐"
The night was silent.
❀❀❀
Thursday.
Haruto opened the curtains, and the sky outside the window was dark again.
Taking out his phone, he checked the time.
It was 7 AM.
At the same time, Haruto noticed a text message sent by Sora: "I'm heading out, hurry up, I haven't had breakfast yet."
Haruto sighed, got dressed, took a shower, and left the apartment.
Passing by the next door, he listened for any sounds.
The room was silent, clearly indicating that Mafuyu had already left.
Many people envy teachers for their long holidays and light workloads, but in reality, the teaching profession isn't easy.
Most schools require professional attire all year round.
Even stockings, despite the heat in summer, must be worn, and shoes are only allowed to be high heels, with the dress code being strict.
Standing in class takes almost an hour.
If there are consecutive classes, the teacher might not have a chance to sit and rest all morning.
After getting home at the end of the day, the teacher has to prepare lesson plans for the next day, and so on.
It can be said to be quite challenging.
Of course, this is still easier compared to programmers who constantly face sudden death incidents!
As the assistant principal of Sobu High School, Mafuyu clearly had more to handle and would be busier.
Unlike Hiratsuka, who had plenty of free time throughout the day, whether shopping or going on blind dates at cafés. Occasionally, she would go to an izakaya for drinks, stroll through alleys searching for good food, or go for a walk and work out at the gym.
When Haruto reached the bridge, he saw Sora holding her school bag with both hands, standing quietly in the morning breeze.
"You're so slow."
Sora said with a hint of dissatisfaction, then tugged at Haruto's clothes: "Let's go have breakfast."
"Mm."
After breakfast, they arrived at Sobu High School.
Not long after Haruto sat down, his phone suddenly vibrated.
It was actually a call from Yukino?
Haruto thought for a moment and decided to answer the call. If nothing serious was happening, Yukino wouldn't call him.
After answering, he heard Yukino's heavy voice: "Kuromori-kun, Nishimiya-san is missing…"
Some time later, at the Service Club.
When Haruto opened the door and entered, he could feel that the atmosphere in the service department was somewhat heavy.
Even though it had only been a few days, it was clear that Shouko had successfully formed friendships with Yukino and Yuigahama.
Now that Shouko had suddenly gone missing, of course, people would be worried.
"Kuromori-kun…"
Yuigahama looked at him with a sad expression, her face no longer as bright and cheerful as before.
Haruto sat down and asked, "What happened?"
Whenever something significant happens, someone must remain calm. Panic will only make people lose their composure.
When faced with a problem, what they should do is actually calm down, think through all possibilities, and then begin to solve the problem.
Yukino bit her lip, her face turning pale as she clenched her hands, blaming herself: "This morning, Nishimiya Yuzuru discovered that Nishimiya-san was missing and her phone couldn't be reached. It's very likely…"
Ran away from home?
No way!
If it were a runaway, Yukino wouldn't be so helpless.
This must be something more serious.
Haruto thought of the sadness in Shouko's eyes when they first met.
He had always known that behind her smile, there was actually deep sorrow hidden within.
This is why he had taken the initiative to help Shouko.
Because he felt that if he didn't do something, it could lead to irreparable consequences.
Yukino looked at Haruto, an anxious expression on her face for the first time: "Kuromori-kun, what should we do? If we can't find Nishimiya-san…"
"NO."
Interrupting Yukino's words, Haruto interlocked his fingers and calmly said, "Before anything is confirmed, it's best to avoid making random guesses."
Because that will only make them more confused and anxious, and it won't help at all.
Haruto stood up: "Let's go!"
After a pause, he looked at Yukino and Yuigahama and said, "If we don't find her, you probably won't be able to focus on class, right?"