"W-What are you doing!"
Mafuyu looked at the scene on the living room sofa in disbelief, feeling her vision go dark.
Had her teaching failed?
Was Haruto still falling?
Shouko unaware of anything, simply lifted her flushed face and stared at Haruto without blinking.
Because Haruto had helped her so much. He was the one who saved her and gave her hope for the future.
Shouko wished Haruto would understand her feelings, rather than think he could be dismissed.
Haruto noticed his hand pressing on Shouko's chest.
Then he raised his left hand: "Mafuyu-chan, please listen to my explanation."
Mafuyu took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and said, "Let go of your hand, now!"
Haruto withdrew his hand, coughed dryly, and said, "Shouko, Mafuyu-chan is here."
"!!!"
Shouko unconsciously looked toward the door, and under Mafuyu's gaze, she couldn't help but shiver, holding her head and trembling, looking very pitiful and helpless!
Mafuyu: "😐"
Bedroom.
After hearing the explanation, Mafuyu sighed in relief and stared at Haruto: "She's really pitiful, don't let me catch you bothering her again."
"I didn't."
Haruto denied ever bullying anyone. Even if he did, it would only be seen as self-defense.
Mafuyu twirled her hair near her ear, turned sideways, and said, "Go, don't keep Shouko waiting too long."
As he approached, Mafuyu panicked and unconsciously stepped back. Then she leaned against the door.
Haruto thought for a moment, reached out his hand, and landed it on the door.
Mafuyu froze, and her face suddenly turned red.
She felt embarrassed and angry, gritting her teeth and glaring: "What are you trying to do, move aside!"
Haruto said nothing, after all, he already understood Mafuyu's character. She appeared cold and intimidating, but in truth, it was just a facade!
His eyes locked on her face, noting how beautiful she was, with flawless skin.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly out of nervousness, casting a fine shadow. The clear eyes beneath them were filled with embarrassment and anger, even glistening with unshed tears.
So beautiful.
After a moment, Haruto's gaze moved downward.
Mafuyu quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, glaring at him with fury in her eyes: "I'm angry!"
Haruto remained calm: "You forgot, I haven't given you the buff yet."
"No need."
Applying the buff was clearly just an excuse to bully her!
Forget last time, she certainly couldn't let him take advantage of her now!
Haruto spoke firmly: "Mafuyu-chan, it's just a serious buff. You don't want Shouko to keep learning poorly and feel inferior, right?"
Mafuyu: "😐"
Was he really using something like this to threaten her?
Insult!
Mafuyu hesitated, knowing Shouko's situation, and she couldn't deny her concern.
But applying a buff or something like that sounded unreliable!
Seeing Mafuyu's hesitation, Haruto continued: "It's just a buff. Don't worry, your forehead will be fine."
Just the forehead? Well, if it's only the forehead, that should be okay.
Due to her embarrassment, Mafuyu felt a little dizzy and couldn't discern the trap in his words for a moment.
Then...
Five minutes later, Haruto walked out of the bedroom with his mouth shut, his expression subtle and deflated.
"Kuromori-kun, are you okay?"
Shouko quickly walked toward Haruto, looking at him nervously and anxiously. As she spoke, she also glanced worriedly at the bedroom door, which was now closed.
For most good children, teachers were formidable figures.
Shouko was a good child, so naturally, she was a little afraid of Mafuyu, especially after witnessing the Ice Queen aura she had just displayed.
"Mhm, I'm fine. I accidentally bit my tongue while I was talking."
Haruto raised his hand and said: "Don't worry, Mafuyu-chan isn't that scary. Besides, Mafuyu-chan is planning her lesson now and will be out soon."
In reality, Mafuyu was too embarrassed to come out just yet.
Of course, Haruto wouldn't say that.
Just as Mafuyu had worried about him, he naturally couldn't be selfish and only think about his own satisfaction without considering Mafuyu.
He might tease, but he wouldn't let anyone underestimate Mafuyu.
He would naturally pay extra attention to things that needed care.
Shouko nodded slightly and gestured with her hands: "Rest assured, Kuromori-kun, I'll definitely work hard."
Haruto didn't say much. Some things that seemed easy for others, even just words, were incredibly difficult for some.
Humans couldn't empathize with one another, let alone fully understand someone else's feelings. So naturally, it was impossible for him to use ordinary methods in Shouko's situation.
If there were a better way and he didn't use it, wouldn't that be foolish?
Haruto said, "Shouko, give me your hand."
"?"
Shouko blinked, a touch of pink appearing on her face, and she carefully extended her hand.
Haruto took Shouko's hand, thought for a moment, and explained: "For now, I can temporarily give you normal hearing, but this ability requires physical contact."
Shouko was different from Itsuki. Itsuki had a good personality, so there was no psychological burden to teasing her.
But not Shouko.
This girl was too sensitive and fragile inside, and Haruto always felt that if he wasn't careful, she would be deeply hurt.
"..."
Shouko blinked. Even though she didn't fully understand the ability or contact the other person mentioned, she felt something strong.
Plus, his hand was warm and comfortable.
Shouko unconsciously lowered her head. Her fingers were slender and delicate. The nails on each finger were neatly trimmed with no dirt. Plus, the nail beds were pink and shiny.
It was different from boys who always had long, unhygienic nails.
As Shouko thought this, suddenly, more sounds began to fill the world that had once been silent.