"Please, please~"
Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped in front of Yuuki Asuna, pressed her palms together, and begged.
"Yuuki, this is your teacher's life's request—please! If you agree, I'll do anything."
Even though Shizuka often acted unreliable and loved slacking off, her read on students was surprisingly sharp.
It was obvious Asuna was the type who softened easily. If you tried to force her, you'd only trigger rebellion—but if you pleaded pitifully, she might genuinely agree.
As for Hōjō Yoru…
Just like back when she dealt with Yukinoshita Haruno, Shizuka was completely out of moves against this "Hōjō-kun."
"Being friends with Nishimiya-san is fine, but… that Yukinoshita girl and Tōma…"
Asuna was totally at a loss.
There were people like that in our class?
Honestly, remembering every classmate's name and matching it to their face on day one was hard unless you deliberately memorized it—let alone for the two who had zero interaction with anyone and were fully submerged in their own worlds.
Just hearing the names, Asuna had no idea who those two even were.
"Hm? You don't remember Tōma and Yukinoshita, but you know who Nishimiya Shōko is?"
Yoru saw the confusion and hesitation on Asuna's face—and before she could answer, he launched into a smooth combo.
"Why? Nishimiya-san doesn't really talk to others either, and she never spoke to you… Oh, I get it. She spoke to me, and you saw it back then, right?"
"St—stop being so full of yourself!"
Asuna's cheeks turned bright red. Mortified and angry, she stomped her foot.
"W-who was even looking your way then?! You narcissist!"
Anyone with eyes could tell she was trying way too hard to deny it.
Yoru had nailed it.
During the first period—when Shizuka let everyone chat freely—Asuna chatted with the girls near her seat, but her attention kept drifting toward Yoru. That was why she saw his exchange with Nishimiya Shōko… and remembered who Shōko was.
What she didn't expect was that this guy's deduction skills were that sharp.
Sure, a devil hunter should have some level of reasoning ability—but could he please use it on something normal?
Just then, Yoru suddenly smiled.
"With Yuuki's personality, being friends with Nishimiya Shōko is no problem. But if you try to approach Yukinoshita and Tōma… it feels like those two might start throwing hands on the spot. So I'll handle them. When I have time, I'll try to make contact with Tōma and Yukinoshita."
"Really?!"
Shizuka looked thrilled—then couldn't help frowning in confusion.
"I thought with your personality, once you saw through my plan, you'd refuse. Why are you agreeing now?"
Yoru answered as if it were obvious.
"If I'm doing it because you asked, I have zero interest. But if it's something I want to do, then it's… kind of fun."
Shizuka was about to complain that he was being rebellious for the sake of it—
When Yoru added, smiling, something that made her heart skip.
"Besides… the way you're wracking your brain, totally stuck, trying to figure out how to persuade me… is kinda cute."
Shizuka blinked. Then a clear blush spread across her face. To hide her embarrassment, she reflexively clenched her fist and punched toward Yoru's chest.
"Don't flirt with your teacher!"
Yoru casually dodged the Iron Fist—and still had the leisure to shake his head and lecture her gravely.
"Your mental defense is too low, and your physical attack power isn't high either. You're too weak, Shizuka."
"You—!"
Her face was burning red—hard to tell if it was shame or rage at the age jokes.
A girl—no, a single older woman—blushing is sweeter than any love confession.
Asuna was staring, completely dumbfounded.
Is this okay? Is this a normal student–teacher conversation?
Why did it feel like Yoru—the student—was totally in control, while Shizuka—the teacher—could only get flustered and toyed with?
Are you two… flirting right in front of me?
......
That night, 11:30 PM. At the entrance of a silent, pitch-dark park.
"Uh…"
Asuna, dressed in comfortable athletic clothes, shrank behind Yoru. Her hands instinctively clutched the back of his shirt as she stared at the quiet, blackened park ahead—her voice trembling.
"H-Hōjō-kun… tonight's hunting target… it's not… a ghost, is it?"
"Not."
Yoru answered instantly.
Asuna looked like she was about to cry. Trying to cover her fear, she pushed back:
"At a time like this, aren't you supposed to comfort me and say ghosts don't exist?"
Yoru sighed, sounding mildly helpless.
"But they do. How am I supposed to tell you they don't?"
"…Huh?"
Asuna's mind froze.
The reason was simple:
She was terrified of ghosts.
Her courage was actually strong—stronger than most people's, honestly borderline iron-willed—but she still feared spirits and the supernatural.
Or rather, for someone raised on elite education and orderly logic, she was afraid of things that felt illogical… things you couldn't reason with or counter through normal means.
Asuna shook her head, forcing herself to temporarily set aside the fear and shock, and asked carefully:
"Why are we here? And at this hour?"
"This park's a dating hotspot."
As Yoru led her inside, he explained.
"A lot of couples who don't have money for a hotel—or who just want something 'exciting'—come here. There are no cameras, and there are plenty of hidden wooded areas."
Asuna knew he wasn't that bored, but to ease her own tension, she still murmured:
"You're not bringing me here for a date. And you're not here to chase excitement… right?"
"Of course it's not a date. As for excitement… a little. But that's not the main point."
Yoru scanned the darkness on both sides—thick as fog, like something could burst out at any moment.
"This park… is a hunting ground for ghouls."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 90)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 95)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 80)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter70)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter70)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter50)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter60)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 20
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 20
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