Chapter 52: Seiryo Miryu VS Yukiko Okata (Please Keep Reading)

Today, the wind in Tokyo seemed especially boisterous. Strands of golden sunlight pierced through the thick clouds, casting a gentle warmth over this cold and desolate season. But this bit of sunshine only brought a touch of comfort; it wasn't enough to truly dispel the chill.

"Ms. Yasugawa, where did you buy your succulents?" Asami Matsushita sat beside Kaori Yasugawa, sprawled across the office desk, idly poking at the two pots of tiny succulents with her finger.

"From the flower shop next to my apartment building," Kaori Yasugawa replied, her head bent over her notebook as she wrote.

"Ah? Then after work today, shall we go home together? Looks like it's on the way," Asami said.

"Sure~"

The two chatted away, while Haruhi Harano stood nearby, his gaze fixed in boredom on the little succulents. Their tender green leaves swayed gently as he stared, lost in thought.

As soon as class ended, Kaori Yasugawa had called him over, asking Haruhi to take out the homework assigned during the tutoring session two days ago. She then began grading it on the spot while Haruhi waited by her side, glancing idly out the window.

Kaori's desk was near the window, and from there, one could look down and see the cherry trees behind the school building. At first glance, there were only a few students below—nothing of note. Looking again, he noticed two girls facing each other. Wasn't that the famous confession spot? Why were two girls meeting face to face there?

Could it be? Was there a budding yuri romance at their school?

With a gossiping curiosity, he looked once more. The two figures below seemed familiar. Were they people he actually knew? That made things even more exciting! He sifted through his mental list of acquaintances.

That golden-haired girl had a fantastic figure, though the distance made it hard to be sure. The other had her hair in a bun and looked adorably petite...

Haruhi nearly choked on his own blood. Was there even a need to guess? He only knew a handful of girls: a blonde beauty and a cute bun-haired little one. Who else could it be?

Could someone explain to him how, after he was gone for just three minutes, Miroku Kiyosuzu and Yuriko Ogata ended up together—behind the school building, no less! Did he let something slip?

Were those two about to fight? No, if Miroku found out he'd met Yuriko Ogata in private, wouldn't that be dangerous for him?

He quickly checked their status.

[Yuriko Ogata: Nervous (weak) from talking with Miroku Kiyosuzu; Embarrassed (strong) from being asked if she likes Haruhi Harano; Afraid (strong) from arranging to meet Miroku Kiyosuzu...]

Reading the second status, Haruhi immediately understood what those two unrelated girls were doing down there. Were they holding a trial for him?!

[Miroku Kiyosuzu current status: Annoyed (strong) because of Yuriko Ogata's words; Speechless (weak) at being mistaken for bullying Haruhi Harano; Irritated (strong) that Haruhi Harano received a breakfast cake...]

Kiyosuzu's mood wasn't great at all!

But Haruhi wasn't afraid. After all, he truly had nothing going on with Yuriko Ogata. They'd barely even spoken.

At most, he was just "curious" about the author of that love letter and had gone to take a look. That couldn't be a capital offense, could it?

"Harano, what are you looking at?" Kaori Yasugawa tilted her head in curiosity.

"Ms. Yasugawa, hypothetically speaking, can a somewhat handsome playboy escape a tragic fate?" Haruhi asked with mock seriousness.

"Playboys should all die! Unless they're really handsome!" Asami Matsushita jumped in before Kaori could answer, grinning as she made a scissor gesture, pretending to cut.

She was the new home economics teacher for Haruhi's class, only two years out of college. Her great personality made her get along well with the students—sometimes she felt more like a friend.

"Ms. Matsushita, how ruthless," Haruhi feigned fear, stepping back two paces.

"Hahaha! But Harano here definitely isn't a playboy!" Asami laughed, sprawled over the desk.

"Of course not," Haruhi replied shamelessly, though his eyes instinctively darted back outside.

Kaori Yasugawa said nothing, giving Haruhi a meaningful glance.

Maybe? Perhaps? Probably...

…

"So, do you like Haruhi Harano?" Miroku Kiyosuzu asked coldly, expressionless.

"Ah?!" Yuriko Ogata froze, her face instantly flushing. Exposed, her mind went blank.

"N-no..." She waved her hands frantically, at a loss for words. Wisps of imaginary steam seemed to rise from her head as her mental CPU overloaded.

Seeing Yuriko's reaction, Miroku frowned, suspicion in her eyes, though her face remained impassive. "If you don't like Haruhi Harano, I'll throw him in the trash can later."

"Why—why?! Can you not throw him away?" Yuriko panicked.

"If that's not okay... then throw me instead!" As soon as she said this, Yuriko seemed to have used up all her courage, looking utterly pitiful.

"Throw you?" Miroku stepped forward. "Are you sure?"

Yuriko shut her eyes tight and nodded with all her might.

Miroku's delicate face twisted into a dark scowl. Now she was almost certain—the damn Harano, when had he managed to charm another girl? He was always in her sight!

That bastard!

Fuming, she stalked closer, her black-stockinged legs closing the distance.

Sensing the tension, Yuriko shrank back, then took a deep breath to ask her final question. "K-Kiyosuzu, why do you always bully Haruhi? Do you like him?!"

Having said that, she braced herself for being tossed in the trash.

"Ah?" Miroku shrieked, her legs halting. A faint blush crept over her lovely face, disbelief in her eyes.

She'd hidden her feelings so well—how had she been exposed?

Nonsense! When had she ever liked that Harano idiot? Why would she? She was just... temporarily living at his place, forced by circumstance, yes, forced!

Though admittedly, he was a pretty decent guy...

"No way! Say that again and I'll throw you in the trash!" Miroku, no longer cold and intimidating, averted her eyes, cheeks burning, waving her hands frantically in embarrassment.

She looked just like Yuriko moments before.

Luckily, Mai Hanai and Kanae Terashima were far enough away to only see Miroku's back. If they witnessed this, their jaws would drop.

Still, the two of them were curious.

"Terashima, what do you think Miroku is talking to Yuriko Ogata about? She seems... flustered," Mai Hanai asked, scratching her head as she watched that graceful silhouette.

"So many strange things have happened lately," Kanae Terashima sighed, just as confused.

They couldn't see Miroku's face, but they could see Yuriko's—why did she look so shy, and why bring Miroku here for a secret chat?

Could it be...

Terashima and Hanai exchanged glances, each reading the other's thoughts.

Things were taking an unexpected turn.

"R-really?" Yuriko opened her eyes, uncertain, seeing Miroku glancing around nervously.

"What's wrong with you? Why would someone as excellent as me like that idiot? What a joke!" Miroku fanned her face, trying to cool off and regain her composure. Yuriko's question had thrown her completely off balance.

What was that?! How could anyone just ask such a thing—if she liked Harano? Impossible!

Upon hearing this, Yuriko let out a soft sigh, visibly relieved. She closed her eyes once more.

"Then throw me in the trash. But after you do, you can't throw Harano in too!"

Her voice still trembled, but she seemed to have let go of a weight.

So Miroku didn't like Harano—good. The rest didn't matter.

Seeing Yuriko like this, Miroku lost the urge to continue. Pouting, she stomped her foot, turned, and left.

She'd only meant to scare Yuriko a little, hoping she'd stay away from Haruhi Harano. But now, all she wanted was to see that idiot and kick him in the gut.

He just couldn't give her a moment's peace—infuriating!

Up in the school building, having watched the scene by the cherry trees, Haruhi Harano finally relaxed. At least they hadn't started fighting.

But what on earth did those two talk about? He was dying to know!

He glanced at the system panel again.

[Yuriko Ogata current status: Happy (strong) for possibly helping Haruhi; Worried (weak) that being thrown in the trash and stinking will make Haruhi dislike her; Joyful (strong) at losing a rival...]

[Miroku Kiyosuzu current status: Strongly embarrassed for having her secret exposed...]

Waiting online for answers! What exactly did they discuss to make their emotions flip so dramatically?

Maybe... maybe they weren't criticizing him after all?