Facing my question, Yuzu hesitated for a moment before answering timidly:
"That's because... if I hide inside, other people won't find me. Because if I just stay in the club room normally, people come looking for me all the time..."
I felt a private sense of doubt. Could it be that even now, there are still some fierce delinquents coming around to cause trouble for Yuzu?
Otherwise, what stranger would go out of their way to visit a remote place like the Game Development Department, which has almost no business dealings with other clubs, specifically to find a shut-in girl like Yuzu who even attends classes via online lessons while hiding in the school building?
Even if it were someone she knew who had business with her, they should know her situation and be more considerate of her feelings!
"Especially Yuuka-senpai from Seminar!" At this point, Yuzu showed a look of dread and caution as if she were playing a horror game. "She often forces me to attend the presidents' meetings with a terrifying expression... I can't help but want to run away the moment I see her..."
Oh, so it was Yuuka. That makes sense then.
I intended to say a few words in Yuuka's defense, but after thinking about it, I decided to let it go.
The poor Seminar treasurer is clearly doing her duty with the utmost responsibility, yet she always invites this or that kind of misunderstanding.
Why doesn't anyone understand Yuuka's position or sympathize with her difficulties?
"But... but... inside here, no one will find me."
Yuzu unconsciously revealed a look of relief: "Only when I am in here, this locker is my tiny healing space. Hehehe..."
"I see." I nodded. "However, if you stay in here all the time, don't you feel that the air doesn't circulate and it becomes hard to breathe? Besides, this size is far too narrow."
"No, it is quite the opposite. I feel the size fits my body perfectly, and it makes me feel at ease. Also, since it is so hot today, the metal walls of the locker are cool and comfortable. Leaning my body tightly against the locker wall and listening to the sounds coming from outside... I even want to stay inside forever..."
Hearing Yuzu say this, I nodded thoughtfully, gaining some insight.
In other words, because of Yuzu's past experiences, this storage locker has unknowingly become a symbol of her heart's barrier.
If I want the girl in front of me to truly step out from the shadows of her past, the first step must involve a gentler method.
For example...
"Then can I come in and join you?" I asked politely.
I would try to use a physical method to break through Yuzu's defenses and enter her heart.
"W-What!?"
Yuzu was startled, rendered helpless by my abrupt request: "B-But this locker can only hold one person...!? O-Of course, there isn't an official limit written on the locker... but wouldn't two people be too crowded?"
It is exactly because I need to squeeze in a little that I can maintain my physical and mental health!
It can't be helped, even when facing a trustworthy adult like me...
No, it is precisely because I am an incredibly reliable, handsome, and healing-type young male teacher that Yuzu, who already has feelings for me, would become even more shy, and thus more resistant to me proactively entering her little locker.
It is not that she doesn't want to, it is just Yuzu's personality. To trace it back to the source, the fault lies in the fact that my appearance and character are too excellent, giving me the misfortune of being born with a fate that attracts female trouble.
Touching my cheek, I smiled at Yuzu:
"But, if it's a bit more crowded, might you feel even more at ease?"
Yuzu was skeptical, but finally said reluctantly: "Um... i-if Sensei insists..."
What kind of talk is that! What does she mean by that!
I am kindly helping you overcome your psychological barriers, yet you actually think I am here to take advantage of you!
Even if that were true, there are so many students who want to be taken advantage of that they would have to wait in line!
Though I was stung into anger, the smile on my face became even more bright and sunny as I stepped directly into the deepest part of the locker.
"W-Wait! Sensei, please don't force your way in!"
Yuzu, who had not yet finished her mental preparation, leaned back against the locker wall with a dull thud. Before she could even process the pain, she hurriedly called for me to stop.
However, having already reached this point, how could I possibly stop so easily?
I grabbed the locker door and squeezed my body inside bit by bit. Compared to my body, the locker was already narrow and low; even when empty, one had to stoop and bend to enter. Since Yuzu was already inside, entering seemed even more difficult.
Nevertheless, it was worth a try.
I concentrated my efforts toward my goal. The body heat transferred from having to be pressed tightly together, the sweet and moist breath blowing against my skin, and the panicked expression on that beautiful face where I could see the trembling of fine hairs from such a close distance—all of it gave me endless motivation—
Today! I am going to forcibly enter Yuzu's safe haven! I will leave an indelible mark of myself in her heart forever!
"Ugh... as I thought, this won't work!"
Yuzu finally couldn't bear the stimulation any longer and reached out to push me out of the locker.
Based on physical stats alone, the current me could never defeat any student.
However, the key to deciding the outcome of a battle has never been a comparison of data on paper. Otherwise, the strongest individual in Millennium right now wouldn't be Neru, but Arisu.
Aside from basic constitution, factors such as the amount of combat experience, the stability of one's mindset, and compatibility with the environment...
All of these factors influence the final result without exception.
Although for various reasons I rarely have a chance to use it.
I happen to possess the SRT-style CQC, mastered from the SRT ace Yukino, which has been tempered to the pinnacle of modern martial arts!
The moment I sensed Yuzu's intention, I made a decisive move. Before her hand could land on my shoulder, I made a brilliant response—
I brought my mouth close to the girl's ear and blew a soft breath of air.
"Eek!"
Startled, Yuzu withdrew her hands like she had been shocked by electricity and covered her bright red ears.
Now!
Finally bringing my other foot into the locker, I pulled the door and shut it quickly.
I naturally wrapped my arm around the slender waist beneath Yuzu's oversized school uniform, pulling our already extremely close distance even tighter. I let out a light chuckle and whispered as if our ears were pressed together:
"How is it? Now that we're like this, do you feel more at ease?"
Yuzu didn't reply, she just subconsciously squeezed her legs together, clamping down.
...Oops, it seems it really is a bit too crowded in here.
My expression froze. I wanted to reach down and adjust things a bit, but I found it completely impossible to move.
"Wu... wuu..."
In the darkness, Yuzu's crying face wasn't very clear, but her pitiful tone was more distinct:
"Sensei... can you go out first..."
"...That, Yuzu."
I forced a smile and said: "It seems I'm stuck."
"...Eh?"