"Why are you looking at me like that…?" Shiina Chizuru asked, not understanding.
Hayashimura An wanted to speak, then stopped, then wanted to speak again.
In the end, all his words turned into a single, faint sigh.
"Alas."
Not knowing how to fish was destined to lead to a relatively failed life.
He looked at Teacher Tsukino, who was idling by, then looked at Shiina Chizuru.
"Let's go."
According to his estimation, as long as he hadn't completely fallen out with Hachisuka Hidemichi, the latter would handle the issues with Oshika Masaru and Tamura.
The tools were in place.
For now, he didn't need to worry.
He took the umbrella from Shiina Chizuru's hand.
Besides,
Hayashimura An hadn't finished his "besides" when he heard Teacher Teacher Tsukino speak:
"Um, it's still not very safe. I'll see you two home today."
As a people's teacher, he was dedicated and responsible.
Shiina Chizuru's eyes lit up.
Being able to go home with Teacher Teacher Tsukino was something she had always dreamed of!
But Hayashimura An carried his fishing rod and didn't look back.
He raised the long-handled umbrella in his hand and waved it:
"Thank you, but no need."
Teacher Tsukino somewhat understood Hayato's tough guy nature, so he didn't insist.
He looked at Shiina Chizuru, who remained rooted to the spot. "Then Shiina?"
After all, she was his student; it was necessary to protect her.
Hayashimura An's decisive refusal made Shiina Chizuru pause.
Upon hearing Teacher Teacher Tsukino's words, she immediately fell into hesitation.
Her ruby eyes blinked as she looked at Teacher Teacher Tsukino's kind face for a while.
"Hm?" Teacher Teacher Tsukino tilted his head and smiled.
Then she looked at Hayashimura An again; his thin back was already almost disappearing around the corner of the corridor.
She finally made up her mind.
"G-goodbye, I'll go back with him…"
With that, Shiina Chizuru lifted her legs and jogged towards Hayashimura An.
D-darn it, the long-sought opportunity to go home with Teacher Teacher Tsukino… was abandoned by herself just like that.
But this wasn't Shiina Chizuru's initiative; she was forced.
She thought, if she chose to go with the teacher here, Mr. Hayashi would definitely get angry.
If he got angry—he, he still had leverage.
How could she do something against him?
Watching the girl catch up to the boy's pace, Teacher Tsukino, who was left behind, froze for a moment, then smiled knowingly.
And then he walked on his own.
"You, you wait."
Shiina Chizuru's legs, in proportion to her height, were not short.
But that was because she was originally short.
Hayashimura An leisurely took one step, and she had to take one and a half steps to catch up.
"Huh? What's up?" Hayashimura An turned his head and asked.
Asking the obvious, Shiina Chizuru pouted. What could she be doing chasing after him?
Annoying.
Threatening her, yet showing such an indifferent expression of "I have nothing to do with you."
"W-what do you want me to do today?" Shiina Chizuru asked softly.
"Hm… nothing for now," Hayashimura An said.
This made Shiina Chizuru widen her eyes. "Why would there be nothing?"
He hadn't given her any instructions for two whole days, seemingly allowing her to return to her original life.
This was originally a good thing, but Shiina Chizuru… always felt a little uncomfortable all over.
It must be because she was afraid he was brewing something big, a feeling of unease due to being prepared for danger.
Shiina Chizuru told herself.
No sooner had her almost accusatory words faded than Hayashimura An's hand reached out.
"Ugh." Shiina Chizuru quickly closed her eyes.
Where was he going to touch? * *?
Was he trying to play a guessing game?
How distasteful, she knew he was definitely holding back to tease her.
But after a while, there was no special sensation on her head.
Instead, there was a cool, gentle touch on her head, like a caress.
"You did well, you did well… Shiina."
"Huh?" Shiina Chizuru blinked in confusion.
But Hayashimura An didn't speak; instead, he continued to stroke her head even more gently, as if encouraging her.
Secret Technique: The Art of Smiling and Stroking a Dog's Head.
In fact, the reason Hayashimura An appeared late was mainly because he was on standby.
He didn't just happen to appear when Shiina Chizuru wanted to jump out the window; he deliberately chose that moment to make his entrance.
In other words, he had observed the entire process of this incident.
Hayashimura An saw all of Shiina Chizuru's resistance this time.
Compared to her previous image as a pathetic doormat, this time, although she didn't succeed in striking those scoundrels.
At least internally, she had developed a strong sense of resistance.
Congratulations, congratulations.
She finally made a change.
Shiina Chizuru's head lowered slightly.
She seemed to be enjoying the caress so much that she momentarily lost her words, her pretty face already covered in a vibrant red.
Like the setting sun.
Beautiful and cute.
"…Why are you blushing, teapot?" Hayashimura An said, after he withdrew his hand.
Shiina Chizuru finally seemed to react, lowering her head to dodge, then nimbly leaping backward, as if out of embarrassment, she cried out:
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