Chapter 144: The Drunken Shizuka Hiratsuka
Meeting too late.
This was the conclusion drawn by Shizuka Hiratsuka after drinking and exchanging with Lin Qi.
Easy-going personality, no prejudice towards her free-spirited actions, shared views on many things, and capable of drinking extensively.
If she had met Lin Qi as a drinking buddy earlier, what would have been the point of Yukinoshita Yono?
In short, she believed that this companion, Lin Qi, could be counted on!
However, once she had this thought, a lot of things became more difficult to do. After all, there was a risk of offending Lin Qi.
But the goal of observing Lin Qi’s character had indeed been achieved.
Although she may not be great at picking men, she was always accurate in selecting friends.
The remaining thing was to ask Lin Qi if he was chosen as Yukinoshita Snow Nori’s marriage partner by the Yukinoshita family.
After much consideration, even though it was hard to say, she decided to address it.
“Lin Qi, have you already entered into a marriage agreement with Yukinoshita?” Shizuka Hiratsuka asked.
“Huh?” Lin Qi raised his eyebrows, neither denying nor confirming.
“There’s no other meaning to it, I’m just asking.” Seeing Lin Qi’s lack of response, she quickly waved her hand.
“Are you trying to marry me?” Suddenly, Lin Qi turned the question around.
“Huh? No, of course not, why would you think… huh?”
After the sudden, extreme leap in Lin Qi’s question, Shizuka first assumed he was joking, but then, it seemed like he might be serious. Midway through her reply, she stopped herself.
Wait… could it be?
He wouldn’t mind her masculine behavior, we share similar values, both teachers, can drink together, and帅气 handsome.
Is this real?
Her cheeks, already flushed, now turned a deeper red. The grown-up single woman who was drunk suddenly showed a hint of bashfulness, and her voice turned awkward, “Truly, truly possible? Would you marry me?”
For that split second, a youthful purity shone from her.
Pfft…!
Did I just hear stifled laughter?
Lin Qi turned his head, making an effort to keep his expression.
Okay, that should be enough, Yuigahama could laugh about this for days; pushing further would be too much.
He turned back, seriously responding to Shizuka, “My relationship with Yukinoshita is just a normal teacher-student bond, there’s no such marriage agreement. You misunderstood.”
“Oh? Oh, okay, well, that’s good.” A glimmer of hope flashed through Shizuka’s eyes, “Does that mean you could marry me?”
“You’re really drunk.” Lin Qi shook his head and laughed, then called Yukinoshita Snow Nori via phone.
“Bring your teacher home. She’s drunk.”
“I’m not drunk!”
Lin Qi’s voice mixed with Shizuka’s rebuttal, Yukinoshita Snow Nori asked, “Was it recorded?”
“It was, very interesting stuff, I’ll send it to your sister later.”
“So that sister of yours told you to do this?” Realizing her sister Yukinoshita Yono and how she interacts with her teacher, Snow Nori instantly sighed in exasperation, “Don’t let her get away with it or she’ll take advantage.”
“Jealousy?” teased Lin Qi’s voice from the mobile.
“I just don’t want to be the one they torment together,” Snow Nori hummed lightly.
“Don’t worry, everything will come to its place.”
“…I’ll hang up then.”
When Yukinoshita Nori arrived and found Shizuka sprawled asleep on the dining table, while Lin Qi finished cleaning up the mess from camping and was playing on his phone.
Unless something’s happened, this must be a message to her sister.
“What do you want to know?” Lin Qi smirked a little.
“Isn’t it something trivial?”
Seeing his expression, Snow Nori realized asking would not yield easy answers. So turning away, she scooped up the sleeping Shizuka and prepared to take her to rest.
“It doesn’t matter much, just a series of misunderstandings, led her to think you’re forced into an engagement with me because of family reasons.”
Lin Qi’s casual remark drifted through the black-haired girl’s ears.
“That’s boring.”
Snow Nori paused in her stride, then continued, carrying Shizuka effortlessly.
Leaving behind, a slender profile, only slightly evident by the vibrant ears peeking out of her hair.
…
Lunch was made by students themselves, but today only. Dinner tonight and breakfast and lunch tomorrow are arranged by the summer camp organizers.
After dinner, kids were taken to watch a movie outside.
High schoolers stayed at the dinner table at Hayama Hayato’s request.
“Where’s Teacher Hiratsuka? Didn’t she come to dinner?” Looking around, Hayato couldn’t find Shizuka Hiratsuka.
“She’s passed out, resting in her room,” Snow Nori responded. “I’ll bring her dinner when she wakes up.”
“Oh, so that’s it.” Hayato nodded, understanding, then added, “I’ll continue then.”
“I noticed a girl being isolated and wanted to help her today, so I made everyone stay to brainstorm ways to help her make friends again.”
“So, you’re really thoughtful!” Ayaka praised him with a cool gesture.
“That girl, named Tsurumi Rumi, it’s sad, helping her is good too,” Yumiko agreed.
“Really? What a thing!” Yui was surprised, looking toward Yukinoshita and Hachiman; seeing their knowing faces, she panicked, “You all noticed as well?”
Today, Snow Nori spent most of her time with Lin Qi; feeling excluded, Yui ended up staying with Ayaka and Komachi, missing the important detail.
Perhaps it’s due to my carelessness?
Luckily, only three others noticed, including Lin Qi but didn’t appear here.
According to him, he went back home, planning to return the next morning.
When Hayato brought this issue forward, everyone sank into a quiet, tense atmosphere until a clear voice broke in.
“Not necessary,” Snow Nori said coldly.
“The volunteering activity is part of the Service Club’s stay, so we’ll take charge of the situation with Rumi Tsurumi, no need for your concern, Hayama.”
“And even if you tried to interfere, you wouldn’t succeed anyway.”
At these words, Yumiko angrily slammed the table, “Hey! What’s wrong with talking like this, Snow Nori?”
Shizuka’s calm tone was the fuse, sparking tension amongst them.
…
After School: Become a Curse User
