Chapter 183 - 183: Shizuka's Guess Was Right

Words : 1692 Updated : Oct 12th, 2025

Haru was the last to enter the room. While Shizuka's bewildered expression was amusing, there was something else that caught his attention. "Since I went out to buy those snacks, you've been holding Senpai down like this the whole time?" He figured Utaha deserved a new title: "Most Endured Restraint." Megumi kindly explained from the side, "Not exactly. Shortly after you left, Yukino did release Utaha, but since they couldn't come to an agreement, she ended up pinning her down again." Haru was a bit stunned this time, staring incredulously at the frustrated Utaha. "Seriously? You provoked Yukino again?" "I just complained a little," Utaha said through gritted teeth, her eyes flashing with a mix of embarrassment and anger. Even she knew how humiliating it was to be completely locked down by Yukino again without any chance to fight back. Yukino, meanwhile, remained calm and collected. "I barely put any effort in, and Senpai was already down." "Yukinoshita!" Utaha's cheeks flushed deeper as she snapped back with a sarcastic retort. Shizuka seemed to understand the situation and couldn't help but laugh. "You all seem really close. I never had friends I could mess around with like this back when I was your age." "Close?" Haru gave her a puzzled look. Yukino frowned. "Hiratsuka-sensei, I think you might be misunderstanding something." Though pinned down, Utaha wasn't about to back down. "Yukinoshita and I aren't exactly close, if you want to put it that way." The three of them looked at each other, but Shizuka just smiled calmly, even a little nostalgic. "Traveling together and still managing to have fun like this? That's exactly what good friends do." The more she talked, the more nostalgic she got. "Back in my day, I used to mess around with my friends like this too—except I always won." Yukino suddenly found it all a bit boring. Comparing herself to someone's youthful memories and being forced to admit she was close to Utaha? It felt off. So she finally let go, put on her shoes, and got off the bed. Utaha turned around, sitting back under the blanket still warm from Yukino's body heat, trying to cover her rumpled skirt to avoid any embarrassing exposure. She had been thinking about getting revenge, but now, after hearing Shizuka's words, her feelings were mixed. She recalled her bold plan for a "sister alliance." While she still disliked Yukino and had no desire to be close friends, if Yukino agreed to team up against Haru, she might actually be willing. After all, the frustration of not being able to win over someone you like is a huge blow for proud girls like them. With Shizuka's company, Haru and the others didn't play any more games or cards. Instead, they all went outside to sit down. The room was warm, and Shizuka quickly took off her thick coat after only a short while. She was wearing a black fitted sweater underneath, plain without any patterns or special design—but it instantly caught the eyes of the three girls. Sensei has such a big chest! And such a tiny waist! (x3) Yukino suddenly realized that her sister's good friend had always had a rather mature, curvy figure. That kind of fullness combined with the elegance of a mature woman, paired with her beautiful face—Yukino could confidently say it was incredibly impactful on men. She glanced sideways at Haru, who was tapping away at his phone screen. Curious, Yukino leaned closer and saw he was drawing cards in a game. "So this is the 'pay-to-win' mobile game you were talking about?" Yukino asked after thinking for a moment. "No, it's just a simple card game. I only bought the monthly subscription," Haru defended. He rarely played pay-to-win mobile games. For the few anime-themed games he liked, he would only support with a monthly membership. His main gaming battlefield was on the computer. Yukino felt relieved he wasn't distracted by Sensei's figure. In a good mood, she took the initiative to invite her: "Sensei, did you come alone? Would you like to join us tonight?" "I came with some colleagues, two female teachers you know, but as for joining you all…" Shizuka's eyes suddenly sparkled as she locked onto Haru. "I checked earlier—there's a shop next door that rents out grills, and they have ingredients for barbecue too." The four immediately caught her meaning. "So you've been eyeing his cooking skills, huh?" Utaha glanced at Haru playing on his phone and couldn't help but smile. At school, she'd heard some rumors about Shizuka—apparently, she was nearing thirty. One would expect someone at that age to be mature and steady, but she was now showing a surprisingly playful, childish side. Shizuka openly admitted, "The last time Haru cooked, he left a deep impression on me. Since we ran into him today, if he's willing to do the barbecue, I'll buy a couple of beers. Just thinking about it feels comforting." Yukino reminded her, "We're all underage—we can't drink with you." Shizuka laughed it off. "I know, that's why I'm planning to drink alone." Haru had just finished drawing cards and looked up. "You said you had colleagues, right? Why do you want to hog all the food now?" Shizuka smiled slightly. "Your cooking is so good that even someone like me won't forget it after just one meal. If they get won over by your cooking too, and want more later, won't that put you in a tough spot?" Haru was momentarily surprised, then laughed and nodded. "Makes sense. You're very considerate." "So, you're agreeing to help with the barbecue?" "We'll see tonight. It's still early." "All right, it's settled then!" Haru didn't refuse, so Shizuka knew she'd won halfway. Eating the barbecue of a great chef in this cold season, paired with some beer—just the thought made her feel warm inside. Feeling great, she stood up to leave and politely offered the space back to the young people. But before stepping out, she put on her coat and asked, "You only booked one room?" "Two—103 and 104," Yukino answered. Shizuka nodded and stepped outside to check the door number: room 103. She guessed that room 103 belonged to Haru, while the three girls shared the other. From her understanding, Haru and Yukino were a pair, and the other two girls were members of the photography club. Normally, girls wouldn't casually visit a boy's room unless they were extremely close. Likewise, girls wouldn't invite boys into their shared room, especially since it was three girls living together. Shizuka figured Yukino's personality would definitely not allow Haru to intrude into the girls' room. "Well then, I'll join them at the hot springs tonight," she decided in her heart. Since room 103 was Haru's, she would go to 104. … After Shizuka left, Utaha finally relaxed her posture, leaning back lazily with her long legs stretched out. Her tight thermal leggings perfectly outlined the curves of her legs. Yukino sipped tea slowly, her thoughts drifting to the orange tabby cat waiting at home. Megumi was busy reviewing saved videos of the Hooded Hero on her phone, including the latest ones recently uploaded by fans. "What's the plan for this afternoon?" Haru asked when everyone fell silent. "Tea inside the house." "I want to explore nearby." "I'm fine with anything." The three girls gave different answers. Utaha smiled at Yukino. "So you're a homebody?" Yukino remained calm. "On such a cold day, staying inside is the most comfortable." "I know, but we're on a trip. What's the point if we don't go out a bit?" "No one said you have to travel all over. Staying in one place and enjoying the scenery is also a good choice." "You're right, but I can use that same argument against you—so I'm right," Utaha insisted, ready to argue again. Yukino put down her cup and shot a cold glance at her, the air turning sharp. "The wise overcome error to find truth. Only fools cling to their mistakes." Utaha rested her hand on her chin and chuckled. "That's from the French poet Luquet? I happen to be familiar with his work. I like this line better: 'Life can never be lived twice, but many can't even live it once well.'" Haru interrupted from the side, "Can we talk about something easier to understand?" Both beauties glared at him in unison. "We've been clear enough. If you still don't get it, then you have to look for the problem with yourself." Haru pulled out the classic comeback: "Even if I have a problem, don't you have some responsibility too?" Yukino and Utaha frowned together, both feeling that was a problematic argument. Haru kept going: "Even if it's not your fault, isn't Megumi, who's watching, partly to blame?" Megumi slowly typed a question mark. Yukino couldn't take it anymore. Coldly, she said, "Stop with these stupid rebuttals. Hearing this makes me lose any desire to explain to an idiot." Utaha nodded with a smile. "I agree with Yukino this time. That kind of comeback is just brainless." Haru didn't mind at all—he was only trying to stop the two beauties from fighting. Megumi pointed at him. "So by your logic, you're responsible too." Seeing Yukino and Utaha both with dark lines over their heads, he laughed out loud. "Right, right. Everyone here is responsible." Then he reached out his hand to Megumi for a high-five. Megumi put down her phone and picked up the tea on the table, handing it to him. Haru blinked. Megumi said evenly, "I think the same as Yukino and Utaha—your comments are dumb." Utaha laughed until she bent over, her chest shaking. Yukino smiled slightly. For the first time, she thought Megumi had her own cute side.

Chapter 183 - 183: Shizuka's Guess Was Right

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