Chapter 188 - 188: The Most Embarrassing Moment in Hiratsuka Shizuka's Life

Words : 1688 Updated : Oct 14th, 2025

After spending an entire morning carrying shopping bags for four women, Haru finally decided to go on strike. In other words, he snuck off to stroll around a nearby park. Thanks to his dutiful performance as the designated bag carrier—and a rather satisfying "Thinker" pose earlier that morning—Yukino generously allowed him a brief reprieve. Though their pack mule was gone, the girls were still in high spirits. After all, most women seemed to be born with a passion for shopping. Even Yukino, who usually preferred to stay home, was gradually drawn in by the allure of beautifully designed clothes and accessories under Hiratsuka-sensei's enthusiastic guidance. Utaha, on the other hand, mostly browsed without buying. She clearly enjoyed the process of choosing items more than the joy of actually paying for them. That made her and Yukino a perfect match for conversation—though their "conversations" often veered into arguments. By now, that dynamic had become a tradition between them, something they both seemed to almost enjoy. "Yukinoshita, don't you think that nightgown from earlier was gorgeous? The style, the deep tone… it's definitely worth buying." "So you're into bold and sexy styles? That's new. I've learned something today." "Huh? It's just a nightgown! You wear it at home, not for others. Why would that even matter?" "Are you sure it's just for yourself?" Yukino added weight to her words. Utaha averted her eyes, avoiding direct contact. "Well, I liked it. If you're interested, I can buy you one too." "Thanks, but I'll pass," Yukino replied flatly. Their exchange didn't escape Shizuka, who was pretending to look at clothes nearby while secretly eavesdropping. If she had met them for the first time today, she might've just chalked it up to youthful energy. But after what she'd witnessed last night—and remembering Yukino's casual threat about "watching the recording"—her thoughts went to strange places. Unable to resist, she interjected, "So your relationship's reached the stage where you buy each other nightgowns?" Yukino remained expressionless, too bored to answer something so childish. Utaha, however, smiled politely. "Well, I can't speak for Yukino, but I do know we're… very familiar with each other." She turned to Yukino with a playful glint. "Right, Yukinoshita?" Yukino met her gaze squarely. "I'm suddenly thinking… should we watch the recording again tonight?" Utaha's face twitched, but she kept her composure. "Sure, just the two of us." The message behind her words was clear: I'm not backing down. Let's settle this. Yukino smirked. "I'm starting to admire your courage. In Haru's words—you've got a pretty thick skull." Utaha's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Well, I don't plan on losing forever. With enough trial and error, I'll eventually have you pinned down." Yukino dropped the smile and replied coolly, "Then I'll be waiting." Shizuka, standing beside them, was stunned. Wait a minute… What the hell were they talking about? Lacy nightgowns? Pinning each other down? Was this conversation really suitable for public consumption? Her brain felt like it was overheating. Yet the two girls went back to shopping like nothing happened. Trying to regain her composure, Hiratsuka forced a smile. "You two really do have a great relationship." This time, neither of them bothered to explain. Walking behind them, Shizuka tried to sound casual. "I was just thinking… even though your personalities are different, you two actually have a lot in common." "Similarities?" they said in unison. They turned around at the same time, exchanging quick glances. Yukino's gaze was filled with disdain. Utaha's, defiance. "Yeah, you're both excellent students, well-known on campus, and during the photography club filming, I saw Utaha frequently consulting with you." Utaha quickly explained, "That's because everyone else was busy, and Yukino was the director. I had no choice but to talk to her." "Exactly!" Shizuka pressed on. "Doesn't that prove you two get along really well?" Something about her tone was off—but she was trying hard to act like the understanding adult. Utaha opened her mouth to refute it but couldn't find the words. Then Yukino chimed in, "It's true we talked often back then, but Hiratsuka-sensei's conclusion is flawed. Talking doesn't mean emotional closeness. Just like how several girls in Haru's class ask him for help, but he's not close with any of them." "I get it, I get it," Shizuka said with a strained smile. Now both girls were visibly suspicious. They were sharp enough to notice something odd about Hiratsuka's forced empathy and sudden barrage of comments. "What are you really trying to say?" Utaha asked bluntly. Yukino narrowed her eyes. "Haha, nothing serious. I was just making conversation—okay, okay, stop glaring at me like that." Shizuka tried to dodge, but the two sharp-eyed girls weren't letting her off the hook. After hesitating for a moment and choosing her words carefully, she said gently, "I was your age once too. And during adolescence, it's normal to be curious about new experiences and more open-minded than adults." Yukino and Utaha looked even more confused. Shizuka continued in a tender tone, "Kasumigaoka, you've always been outstanding. It's understandable that you wouldn't be interested in boys your age. That's perfectly normal." Utaha blinked. Why was she being complimented out of nowhere? Hiratsuka gave a soft smile and lowered her voice. "I've seen situations like this before. So Utaha, you don't have to feel anxious. And Yukinoshita, please don't let it drive a wedge between you two." "Sensei!" Yukino raised her voice, a cold look on her face. She thought she might've guessed what this was about—but wanted confirmation. "Just say what you're really thinking. No need to dance around it." "...Alright." Shizuka took a deep breath and turned to Utaha with a kind smile."It's not that strange to develop feelings for a girl like Yukinoshita. But… girls liking girls isn't really ideal. And you two really shouldn't be watching those kinds of videos together at night…" Utaha: "???" Yukino slapped her forehead. "I knew it." She crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "How did you even come to that conclusion?" Utaha finally caught on, her elegant face full of disbelief. "Wait—hold on a second! You thought I was in love with Yukinoshita?!" Seeing their stunned reactions, Hiratsuka blinked in confusion. "Wait… you mean you're not?" Now both Yukino and Utaha shared the exact same expression—utter disbelief. They turned to each other, faces mirroring the same dumbfounded horror. After a long silence, Yukino let out a deep sigh. "This is absurd." Utaha looked like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Of all the crazy misunderstandings that could happen—why did this one have to happen to her? She rubbed her temples, looking helpless. "Hiratsuka-sensei, when exactly did you start showing symptoms like this?" Shizuka blinked in confusion, looking unusually innocent. "Symptoms? What do you mean?" Utaha replied with a complicated expression. "Delusions." Hiratsuka clutched her chest like she'd just been stabbed. Yukino followed up with a perfectly timed strike. "Whether it's my parents or Haru's, they both know excellent psychologists. If you need help, I'd be happy to make arrangements." Shizuka's hand trembled where it rested over her heart. Utaha landed the final blow. "And if you're too embarrassed to go alone, I can accompany you." Hiratsuka staggered back step by step, at a total loss for words. Judging by their reactions, she could now say with certainty—She'd completely misjudged the situation. Nothing could be more awkward. Especially since she had agonized over it earlier, finally deciding to deliver a kind and gentle "senior's guidance" to let them know that this kind of relationship wasn't really appropriate. Now, thinking back on it, she just wanted to crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment. No, even worse—dig out a three-bedroom apartment-sized hole and live in it forever. Utaha looked at the rapidly reddening face of Hiratsuka-sensei, her eyes filled with pure mortification, and finally let out a long sigh. Just as she was preparing to unleash another verbal strike, Yukino frowned and spoke. "That's enough. If you hadn't kept provoking things—offering me sexy nightgowns out of nowhere—none of this would've happened." Utaha raised an eyebrow."Are you picking a fight, Yukinoshita? How is this my fault?" "I'm just stating facts." "Oh really? Well then, aside from the sexy nightgown comment, let's not forget Hiratsuka-sensei specifically mentioned the 'recording.' That part's clearly on you." "We watched the recording together. Responsibility should be shared equally." "You've got to be kidding. If you hadn't tackled me and pinned me down just to force me to watch it, you think I'd have sat through it willingly?" "…" Watching the two beautiful girls bicker back and forth, Shizuka could only bury her face in her hands, absolutely mortified. This… was beyond humiliating. Possibly the most shameful moment in her entire life. Worse than yesterday—even worse than when Amamiya accidentally saw her completely naked. Most frustrating of all… if these two kept going at it like this, she had no idea how to stop them. Amamiya… save me! Flushed with embarrassment, Hiratsuka turned around, intending to message Haru for help—Only to suddenly realize… someone was missing. Wait. Where's Megumi Kato? When did she leave? Shizuka was completely baffled. Meanwhile— Haru was over at the park, experimenting with the fitness equipment. He'd used these kinds of setups before, but now that his body had essentially become "superhuman," he found himself pulling off advanced tricks that even trained athletes might struggle with. Lost in the joy of feeling himself grow stronger, he barely noticed the small crowd of kids that had gathered around, watching him with wide-eyed admiration. Just then, a familiar voice called out behind him. "Showing off for the kids again?" It was Megumi Kato.

Chapter 188 - 188: The Most Embarrassing Moment in Hiratsuka Shizuka's Life

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