Chapter 69
Takamine Mineo and Tojo Nozomi continued their conversation for over half an hour. Nozomi shared various interesting events that had happened in her life recently, her voice filled with a cheerful energy. Eventually, she had to say her goodbyes as she needed to make a call to a close friend, bringing their long chat to an end.
Mineo, who was currently sprawled out on the sofa, intended to set his phone aside and head for a bath. However, just as he was about to move, a notification popped up. It was a message from Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Mineo-sensei~, have you gone to rest yet?"
"Not yet. What's up?" Mineo replied.
"What do you mean 'what's up'? Am I not allowed to chat with Mineo-sensei unless there's some urgent business?"
On the other side of the screen, Utaha held her phone tightly, biting her lower lip with a hint of genuine irritation.
"I've been exhausted these past two days, and I've finally managed to get a moment of peace. I just wanted to talk to Mineo-sensei. If you don't want to talk to me, then just forget it!"
"Whoa, whoa, Utaha, don't get mad. How could I possibly not want to talk to you? I don't have many hobbies, you know; my only real hobby is chatting with beautiful girls... Just say what's on your mind. I can keep you company until morning if you want!"
"Hmm? What did Mineo-sensei just say? You only like chatting with beautiful girls?"
"Yeah. As a normal man, of course I enjoy talking to beautiful girls. But don't worry, I don't just talk to anyone. To catch my interest, the person would need to be at least half as beautiful as Utaha. But come to think of it, does someone like that even exist? I don't think they could be found..."
Initially, Utaha felt a bit displeased by Mineo's words, but she hadn't expected him to deliver a compliment in such an unpredictable way. Even though she knew he was just flattering and teasing her, she couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness in that moment.
Despite her heart fluttering, Utaha didn't let that feeling show in her text. Her slender fingers moved swiftly across the phone's keypad.
"Mineo-sensei really is an unfaithful man. Your words can't hide the fact that you want to build a harem!"
"Does Utaha understand me that well?"
"I feel like I understand Takamine Mineo-sensei quite well. Even the pen name you use has already completely revealed your true nature."
"Ah... I feel like such a failure. It turns out that even though I've hidden it so deeply, Utaha can still see my true self. Yes, you're right. I'm like something drifting in the darkness of the night..."
"Stop it... Mineo-sensei, I really don't want to hear you praise yourself anymore... Are you going to say that you're a firefly in the dark of night?"
"No. I was actually going to say that I am the night sky full of stars. The tiny light of a firefly isn't enough to describe my greatness. Don't you think my words make sense, Utaha?"
"Make sense? I don't feel any logic in your words at all; all I see are made-up excuses. I used to think you were just narcissistic, but I didn't expect it to reach this level. I'm starting to feel that choosing you as my teacher was a mistake."
"So, what you're saying is, Utaha regrets making me your teacher?"
"I don't regret it... Getting to know Mineo-sensei makes me feel happy..."
"Then it's settled! By the way, Utaha, you mentioned you just finally got some time to relax... Is the business with the book launch over?"
"Yes, the manuscript for the new book is also ready... Tomorrow I can finally rest in peace. It's just... there is one small regret in my heart that hasn't been fulfilled... I don't know if I'll be able to rest well tomorrow."
"A small regret? What kind of regret?"
"Does Mineo-sensei intend to help fulfill this regret of mine?"
"Nope. I just want to see if I can crush your spirit further so you feel even more regretful."
"....."
Leaning against her soft bed, Utaha felt a surge of annoyance after reading Mineo's message. However, almost immediately after, a small smile played on her lips.
"Mineo-sensei, you are an infuriating person. I really want to kick you!"
"Mineo-sensei, I suddenly feel like asking you out for a meal!"
"Asking me out? Does this mean it's a date?"
"Yes, Mineo-sensei can consider it a date!"
"Really? Utaha is voluntarily asking me on a date? My heart is actually beating a little fast right now!"
"Mineo-sensei, please don't get too excited yet. Before we go on a date, I have to make a phone call first."
"A call for what?"
"Because I'm afraid I'll end up hitting you too hard, and the medical staff won't have enough time to save Mineo-sensei's life..."
"..."
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