Chapter 56: Hina Tachibana's Request
As the end of the school day approached, Yui grew increasingly nervous.
She kept glancing over at Shunsuke, but whenever someone noticed her looking, she would quickly turn away like a startled hamster.
If it weren't for his Stand, Shunsuke might not have even noticed her fidgety behavior.
Shunsuke found himself at a loss with Yui's hamster-like antics. Yuigahama, aren't you supposed to be a dog-like girl? When did you turn into a little mouse?
Besides, just because it's the end of the school day doesn't mean we're heading straight to your place.
There's still plenty of time before the scheduled meetup at six. Is there really a need to get this excited so early?
Someone else who noticed Yui's unusual behavior was the seemingly invisible Kato Megumi.
Due to her lack of presence, even if Megumi stared directly at someone, that person wouldn't feel her gaze or be on guard. They'd be completely unaware that their every move was being observed.
Yui was no exception. Normally, Megumi was very attentive in class and never took advantage of her low presence to slack off.
However, with Yui turning her head so frequently and then panicking as she turned back, it was hard not to notice.
Even so, Megumi didn't say a word; she simply observed with an oddly curious look in her eyes.
....
After school, as Shunsuke was about to head to the Service Club, he noticed Hina Tachibana waving at him.
"Tachibana-sensei, do you need something?"
Being a teacher, it wasn't appropriate to ignore her, so Shunsuke stopped and acknowledged her call.
"Fujii-kun, you're planning to join the Service Club, right?" Hina smiled, leaning in with a cheerful, big-sister vibe.
Shunsuke nodded. "Yes, that's what I'm thinking."
"However, according to the rules, a student can only join one club. Since you're already a member of the Classical Literature Club, joining the Service Club would be against the regulations. As the club advisor, I can't just turn a blind eye to that," she said, tapping her finger playfully against her lips, pretending to be troubled.
Shunsuke could tell she was merely putting on a cute act while eyeing him with interest.
Still, she wasn't making up the rule, so Shunsuke decided to play along. "Tachibana-sensei, please make an exception for me. I'm asking for your help."
"Alright, alright," Hina playfully stuck out her tongue with a cute smile. "If Fujii-kun helps me with a little favor, maybe I'll just pretend I didn't see anything."
"What kind of favor?"
Having been a working adult in his previous life, Shunsuke didn't agree immediately and instead questioned her request.
If it was a simple task, he could help, but if it was too much, he wasn't desperate enough to comply.
After all, as a top student, he had certain privileges at school.
"It's nothing big. I just want to ask if you could tutor my little sister after school every day. Don't worry, I won't let you do it for free! Considering your skills, Fujii-sensei, I'll pay you triple the standard rate!"
"Tutoring?"
Shunsuke furrowed his brows.
He found tutoring to be quite bothersome.
Before diving into his writing career, he had done some tutoring, but it was time-consuming and low-paying—not the kind of job suited for someone with his unique talents. So, he quickly gave it up.
Now, it wasn't the money that bothered him; it was his time.
He needed to earn 3,000 points within six months.
While it seemed like he had plenty of time, dedicating his after-school hours to teaching Hina's sister and possibly even Hina herself didn't seem worth it.
Seeing his reluctance, Hina dropped her playful tone and instead bowed deeply with her hands clasped together, pleading, "Please, this is my one and only lifetime request!"
"Is your 'lifetime request' really that cheap?!" Shunsuke couldn't help but retort.
We're not even that close, are we? And for something as minor as tutoring? Is this how women in Japan view a 'lifetime request'?
"Please!" Hina continued, not giving up.
"Isn't this something you could ask Uesugi instead?"
"No, it has to be you, Fujii-kun! Please, I'm begging you!"
Hina maintained her 90-degree bow but lifted her face slightly to look at him, her hands clasped together on top of her head.
It was a gesture that showed sincerity without being overly aggressive, making her seem endearingly cute.
"...Alright," Shunsuke finally sighed, deciding to compromise. "I won't accept any payment, but I won't be doing this for long, nor will I come every day. The schedule will be based on my availability."
"I knew it, Fujii-kun! You really are a helpful and kind-hearted person. Mua!" Hina even blew him a kiss in excitement.
Shunsuke's face twisted in disgust.
Isn't my image supposed to be that of a lone, neutral figure? I thought most people saw me as the cool, aloof type. Since when did I become a 'helpful good boy'?
Watching Shunsuke's expression of distaste, yet still looking as handsome as ever, Hina could hardly contain her glee. Her hands, clasped behind her back, formed little fists as if she could burst into a happy dance right then and there.
------Fujii-kun is tall, handsome, excels in academics, and is athletic. Even better, he doesn't have a girlfriend right now. Such a perfect boy... even Rui would have a hard time not falling for him!
------If Rui truly falls in love with someone, she should be able to understand my feelings. The love you feel for someone can't be suppressed.
------And even if it doesn't work out romantically, having a top student like Fujii tutor Rui would still be a win-win. No matter how I look at it, I can't lose!
Hina's mind was racing with her own little schemes. Whether or not Shunsuke could win over Rui and indirectly resolve the problems between the Tachibana sisters, Hina was confident that she wouldn't be the one to lose out.
Her mental calculations were practically audible as she plotted.
------Rui, you better make an effort! A perfect boy like him... If I were younger, I might've fallen for him too. You can't let this opportunity slip away!
Recently, Rui had discovered her secret meetings with a former teacher she used to date, demanding she break it off immediately.
Rui was constantly checking up on her, refusing to let Hina pursue her happiness and even threatening to tell their mother.
This made Hina feel utterly exasperated. Adults' matters... how could a child understand?
And she even wants to tell Mom! Mom raised the two of us on her own and is finally on the verge of finding her own happiness. I can't let something like this burden her again. Rui is being way too unreasonable!
Watching Hina as she alternated between smiling and frowning, Shunsuke had no idea what she was thinking. It's just tutoring... is it really that big of a deal?
Without dwelling on it further, Shunsuke turned to leave. He still needed to head to the Service Club to get the key. But before he could go far, Hina called out to him again.
"Hehehe, Fujii-kun, are you heading to pick up the key? I already got it from Yukinoshita earlier. Here you go."
With a mischievous grin, like a little girl pulling a successful prank, Hina placed the key in Shunsuke's hand.
"I wouldn't block you from joining the Service Club just because you didn't agree to help. I'm not that kind of mean teacher."
Looking down at the key in his hand, Shunsuke had only one thought:
Hina Tachibana, you totally played me!
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