Early the next morning, pure white sunlight shone into the room, and the chirping of birds could be heard outside.
Today is the fourth day of off-campus teaching, and it is also the day when off-campus teaching ends.
The students who packed their luggage got on the bus one after another.
In comparison, because some students' parents chose to drive their own cars to pick them up, the number of people taking the bus was much smaller.
After confirming the number of people, one bus scheduled to go to Tokyo was also cancelled.
Even under such circumstances, the class allocation on each bus is no longer single.
Take the car that Yusuke Kato is riding in, for example. It contains students from Class A, Class E, and Class F.
The teachers riding with them were Masaru Nakamura and Kanoko Hasumi.
Except for him and Kato's team, let's not forget about Class F, where Eiri is located.
When they learned about this, the other students in Class A and Class E were very happy, and many students secretly clenched their fists and cheered in low voices.
Just as Nakamura Masaru is popular among girls on campus, the gentle and kind Hasumi Kanoko is equally popular among boys.
Today's Hasumi Kanoko's dressing style is very gentle, giving her the feeling of a delicate new wife.
The ends of her tied up brown hair are slightly curled, and two locks of hair hang lightly in front of her face.
She wore an Off-White long skirt with a slit in the back, a simple white top, and a thin aqua blue sweater jacket. The exquisite black four-leaf clover pendant made her skin tone particularly fair.
Generally speaking, a teacher gives people the impression that she is a teacher and does not make people think too much. However, she exudes an unconventional atmosphere that makes people follow her beauty unconsciously.
The girls couldn't help but whisper and discuss.
"Hey, what's going on? Hasumi-sensei feels even more beautiful than usual!"
"I understand! And it gives people a completely different feeling!"
"Did you have a boyfriend?"
"Hey, but are there any teachers in our school who are a good match?"
"Is it possible that you are dating Mr. Nakamura?"
"Hey~~ I don't want that kind of thing. Although those two people are indeed a good match...but I still don't want it!"
In comparison, the behavior of the boys was much simpler, they just looked at each other secretly, intentionally or unintentionally.
Occasionally, when friends take the opportunity to tease them, they will yell and fight together, as if they are trying to hide their embarrassment in this way.
The lively atmosphere was actually joyful, as if it was continuing the off-campus teaching time that was coming to an end.
On the way back, Kato Yusuke did not change seats with Kako, and the other party sat with Megumi with peace of mind.
As he walked towards the back row, the conversation of two boys from Class A also reached his ears unintentionally.
"When I returned from a pleasant field trip, I was accompanied not by the stern Director Yamashiro, but by the beautiful female teacher character. It's really amazing! Right? Tonya."
"...The other party is a three-dimensional woman and in her late twenties? Kihiko."
"But isn't it common in bishoujo games? This kind of scene where you can spend a sweet time with the female teacher character."
"Although it's not like there are no such works, and there are a few names popping up in my head right now, but——!"
An Yilun also said righteously: "Only a few of those works are pure love works in which the teacher plays the heroine, and most of the others are in a subtle classification that is not suitable for high school students to play.
Therefore, you guys must have played a work that was banned under the 18th Eighteenth Ban? That already violates the ethical review standards, right?"
The boy named Kihiko, who seemed to be his friend, waved his hand nonchalantly and said:
"You are still the same in this regard, and you still have a mental obsession with some meaningless things. But let's not talk about that first, Lunya, don't you like the attributes of a teacher?"
"Wherever it goes, teacher, older sister, younger sister, childhood sweetheart, senior, junior, lively type, silent type, mysterious type, violent type, any one of them is great, right?"
"Yes...yes?"
"But I have made a principle...that I don't let myself fall in love with a heroine that I can't capture. Think about it, no matter how much you like the other person, but you can never express your feelings to the love, it would be too uncomfortable, right?"
"...I feel even more uncomfortable after hearing what you just said. So Hasumi-sensei is not in your strike zone?"
"Hmm... to be honest, the threshold for being able to successfully plant a flag with Kano-chan is too high from all aspects, but it's not that there's nothing worth looking forward to."
"What, that means you are not completely incapable of being attracted to three-dimensional women."
The two of them were joking playfully, and the surroundings exuded a repellent otaku atmosphere.
Kato Yusuke glanced at them expressionlessly, then went to the empty last row and sat down.
Whether it's in the classroom or on the bus, he prefers such secluded locations.
After confirming that everyone was present, the bus started to move slowly.
Just when he took out the digital screen from his schoolbag and was about to catch up on the progress of the comic manuscript.
Along with a wisp of misty fragrant wind, a petite figure suddenly sat down next to him.
"……morning."
"Morning, do you need me for anything?"
"ha?"
Ying Lili looked over with an expression of "What are you talking about?"
"Otherwise, there's no need to sit here specially. Aren't there a lot of empty seats around?"
"I like it here, don't you?"
"oh."
A few seconds passed.
"You brought this, the digital screen." Yinglili said as if she had nothing to say.
Kato Yusuke hummed, his eyes swept across the many empty seats around him, and explained:
"…After all, I have to draw the original manuscript. There are too many things to do in the past two days, and the progress is a little behind."
"Progress? Are you preparing for Winter COMI's work?"
"Not really."
Looking at Yinglili who was looking at her with a puzzled expression, he realized that he hadn't told her about the comics yet.
And considering the relationship between the two of them, there is actually nothing to hide.
So he pondered for a moment, and then continued: "Something happened. I probably won't be able to draw fanzines for a while. What I'm drawing now is the original manuscript of "Chainsaw Man"."
"So that's it... eh——?"
Delayed for one second.
"Wait a minute, what did you just say——!?"
As if she had been shocked, Yinglili stood up from her seat involuntarily and screamed.
The clear voice attracted the attention of many people. Kato Yusuke looked around and frowned:
"I will tell you slowly, so please calm down and sit down. It's too conspicuous now."
After being reminded by him, Yinglili realized the situation she was in, and her whole face turned red instantly, so she hurriedly sat down on her seat, and at the same time glared at him with anger.
"It's all your fault for causing me such embarrassment. Please explain it to me!" - His blue eyes were full of anger.
Kato Yusuke gave her a calm look and said calmly:
"Are you too surprised? After all, this is how I make money and pay back your family's money. Is there anything wrong?"
"From beginning to end - it's wrong! You never said anything like that!"
"I didn't mean to hide it from you. It's just that things happened one after another during this period, and we rarely had the opportunity to be alone together. That's why this situation was caused by a combination of circumstances. Can you understand?
"
"Whose fault do you think it is? Isn't it all your fault?" Ying Lili said angrily, telling the truth without mercy.
This is indeed the case. If it were not for Kato Yusuke's relationship, including herself, they would not have experienced so many troubles.
Therefore, although Ying Lili's words were harsh, they did not mean to vent her resentment.
As for whether it was dissatisfaction with his bad behavior a while ago, or dissatisfaction with him for having few opportunities to get along with her, only the person involved knows.
"Sorry, I know this, but I didn't expect you to be so surprised by me drawing comics."
Faced with the girl's condemnation, Kato Yusuke did not stand to argue and expressed his apology frankly.
"Here's the problem! You've always been doing these things quietly. Not only did you suddenly say you don't want to draw doujinshi anymore, but now you have become a serial cartoonist inexplicably, and you are also the author of "Chainsaw Man".
Are you going ashore?"
"It's not a matter of whether to go ashore or not. It's basically just a matter of livelihood. The reasons are more complicated. I can tell you what you want to hear."
"Speak now!"
Seeing that Eiri was so impatient, he didn't say anything more, so he briefly explained the conflict with Akane Benisaka and why he couldn't draw a notebook.
"That's basically it. Later, because of Shiyu-senpai's relationship, I signed a contract with the Immortal River Comics Department."
"Actually...actually..."
The girl's body trembled slightly, and her twin ponytails also trembled, as if she was restraining something.
"Really?"
"Trash, scum, liar, go to hell! You kept it secret from me for so long, it's too much!" Ying Lili said in one breath, looking even more angry than before.
Kato Yusuke frowned slightly at this, feeling a little confused about her state.
"...It's my fault that I didn't tell you this matter in time, but you don't need to be so angry. At least the matter has been resolved."
"That's what makes people so angry! Why do you want to hide it from me??"
"No, I told you everything. I just didn't have the right opportunity to tell you before. I didn't mean to hide it from you subjectively."
"So! Let me tell you! Do you think I can't compare to Akane Kurisaka?"
"Hmm...? Which aspect are you referring to for comparison...?"
"...!"
Yinglili couldn't help but be speechless for a while.
If you think about it carefully, whether it is in terms of painting skills, works, reputation in the industry, or status, the gap between the two sides is about the same as that between an adult and an elementary school student.
The only thing that can be compared is probably family background.
Although there are rumors that Akane Benisaka is also an eldest lady from a well-off family, but compared with her diplomat family, she is obviously still inferior.
However, as an author, comparing family backgrounds is a disgraceful act of cheating.
Moreover, the money Akane Kurisaka has earned over the years has long exceeded the level of ordinary rich people.
In such a comparison, even Ying Lili felt that she would lose completely.
Even so, there are some things that cannot be compromised!
"——Anyway!"
She clenched her fists tightly and said through gritted teeth in a firm tone: "Don't hide it from me in the future. Even if you face Akane Benisaka, as the president, I will protect you!"
"..."
Kato Yusuke couldn't help being dumbfounded and speechless for a moment.
"protect you."
This sentence reached my ears clearly and entered my heart, as if it lightly touched something.
He slowly raised his gaze.
What caught his eye was a young girl with her eyes raised and a face full of determination.
As a creator who has been immersed in the otaku field for longer than him, Eiri must be very aware of what the name Akane Kurisaka means in the industry.
However, even under such a premise, after knowing that he was threatened, he still said that he would protect him and forced himself to show a confrontational attitude with Akane Akane.
Kato Yusuke was a little touched and a little relieved, and then said warmly:
"Thank you, but don't be so nervous. Like I said, the matter has been resolved."
Yinglili stretched out a finger, pointed at him with her fingertip, so close that she almost poked his face, and said:
"Then you promise me that if you encounter something like this in the future, you will tell me and be the first to tell me!"
"...This one doesn't have to be the first one, right? But I will try my best."
"Then, come and pull the hook."
"Hook?"
"Um!"
The slender index finger retracted and was replaced by a more delicate little finger.
"..."
Kato Yusuke thought for a moment, then stretched out the little finger of his right hand and made a promise with the tender little finger in front of him.
"Is this good?"
"It's just temporary. If you dare to lie to others, I will never forgive you!" Yinglili warned in a serious tone, but this style did not suit her at all.
Kato Yusuke couldn't help but smile when he saw this. He raised the hand that pulled the hook, gently touched the little head next to him, and replied "I know."
Because of this action, Ying Lili raised her eyebrows in dissatisfaction, but remained silent. Then she lowered her head slightly and leaned a little closer to him.
"...?"
Kato Yusuke stopped moving his hands, feeling a little puzzled by this.
Judging from Yinglili's current behavior, it seemed to be asking him to touch her for a while, but she was a little unsure, leaving him unsure for a moment and in a dilemma.
In silence.
I don't know if I guessed what he was thinking, but an indistinct muttering suddenly sounded.
"...touch it for a while longer."
‘Is that really what you mean?’ Kato Yusuke thought to himself, and started stroking the furry little head again.
The touch from your hands is soft and silky, and when your fingertips pass through your hair, you can seem to hear a subtle rustling sound.
As he touched it, he couldn't help but think of Xiao Hei at home.
I always feel that it feels much more comfortable to touch than Xiao Hei.
Yinglili didn't say anything, she just lowered her head silently and let his warm palms rub her head, as if she was enjoying it very much.
'It's just like a cat.' He thought a little wildly, and then said: "I didn't expect you to be quite coquettish."
"...I'm pulling!"
The small hand gently pinched a small piece of flesh on his side, sending out a strong signal of displeasure.
The corner of Kato Yusuke's mouth twitched slightly, and he said speechlessly: "Didn't you act like you were drawing a clear line just now? Are you going to use this method to close the distance so soon?"
".........Say, this is just an encouragement to you."
"encourage?"
"...Well, I'm sorry that I couldn't help you when you needed it." Ying Lili murmured in a low voice, feeling a little depressed.
"..."
The movements of Kato Yusuke's hands were stagnant again, and then he recovered immediately.
"...That's not your fault, and thank you."
"……Fool."
While the bus was driving, the two of them maintained this posture and touched their heads like this for a short period of time.