"You're a third-year student, Kasumigaoka Utaha, correct? I'm Kirisu Mafuyu, a first-year teacher."
Kirisu Mafuyu introduced herself with a hint of nervousness, quickly composing her expression to look more professional.
"Yukima Azuma, are you and Kasumigaoka Utaha living together off-campus?"
Normally, discovering this kind of student arrangement would've triggered an immediate and stern response from her. But now, standing in this awkward situation, she found it difficult to muster her usual outrage.
Still, the necessary questions had to be asked.
Just then, Kasumigaoka Utaha changed out of her shoes and calmly began to explain.
"I moved out during spring break for personal reasons. I chose this place through a real estate agent after considering the commute, soundproofing, and comfort."
"Kirisu-sensei, the truth is, there's nothing improper between me and Yukima. We're simply in a landlord-tenant relationship."
She remained unfazed. After all, both she and Yukima Azuma were top-performing students at Toyogasaki Academy—she, the pride of the third-year class; he, the star of the incoming freshmen.
The school had always been lenient with them.
While their living arrangement wasn't exactly innocent, technically, it could be explained away.
As expected, Kirisu Mafuyu's stern expression softened slightly upon hearing the explanation.
Still, it was a matter of two high school students living together…
Just as she was about to raise another objection, Yukima Azuma gently tugged on her sleeve.
She turned around, and he spoke quietly:
"Utaha-senpai was the first friend I made after moving to Tokyo."
That one sentence completely disarmed her.
In her mind, she imagined the boy—still practically a child—forced to leave home and start anew in Tokyo, alone.
No parents. No relatives. No friends.
And then, in the middle of all that, the first person to treat him kindly was Utaha-senpai.
Who could possibly object to that?
Could anyone even call themselves human if they tried?
Kirisu Mafuyu sighed and gave a silent nod.
As the evening fell, Yukima invited Kirisu Mafuyu to stay for dinner.
Later, she returned to her own rented room, mentally and emotionally drained.
Too much had happened today. It would take time to process.
She flopped onto her bed and pulled out her phone to transfer the next term's rent.
Just as she was about to type in her password, her finger paused.
Wait… if this apartment is being rented to a student, then there's no reason I can't move in as well, right?
If she moved into the same building—or better yet, the same complex—she could monitor the two of them.
Yes. That would be the responsible thing to do. Living together in high school is still inappropriate, even if it looks innocent on the surface.
That decided it. She nodded to herself, feeling clever.
What Kirisu Mafuyu failed to realize, however…
Was that ever since she heard Yukima Azuma's story, her stance toward him had subtly shifted.
Now, she hesitated to criticize him harshly.
Out of fear she might hurt his feelings, she found herself making excuses, becoming strangely lenient.
With this kind of attitude…
Forget monitoring them—if the two of them did something shameless right in front of her, all Yukima Azuma had to do was give her one soft, helpless look…
And she wouldn't be able to stop them at all.
Back at Yukima's home, Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him suspiciously.
"…What was that supposed to mean?"
She'd heard what he said to Kirisu Mafuyu. She just didn't get it.
Why did a teacher who seemed so strict and inflexible suddenly do a complete 180?
Yukima Azuma shrugged.
"I meant it literally. Utaha-senpai is the first friend I made in Tokyo. Also… my first love."
Utaha's lips curled upward.
She glanced at him sidelong. This guy was really getting good at saying sweet things.
Too good.
But he wasn't wrong.
Back then, when he first regained his memories and looked around, it felt like he'd been dropped into a foreign world.
Everyone had unfamiliar faces. He couldn't connect to anyone.
It felt like the protagonist of A Silent Voice, where the people around him had giant X's covering their faces.
And then, in a bookstore corner—
He saw her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha.
The only person he could "recognize."
So he walked straight toward her, without thinking.
"Still, who just walks up to a stranger and says, 'I love you, please marry me,' on the spot?" Utaha muttered, recalling their first meeting.
She sighed, but there was warmth in her eyes.
"I had no choice," Yukima replied. "It was the only way I could think of to get Senpai's attention."
The next day.
"Thank you so much, Yukima-san!"
Kita Ikuyo bowed as she handed her bass guitar to Yukima Azuma.
He took it and handed her half the repair cost.
Later that day, Yukima arranged a meeting so that Bocchi could finally meet the others.
"I'm staying here tonight. Still got work to do," Eriri mumbled, her face planted on the desk.
It was obvious she hadn't gotten much sleep.
Between drawing illustrations for White Album and her own manga under the name Kashiwagi Eri, she was working nonstop to finish everything before summer Comiket.
Luckily, Yukima Azuma had helped her out with part of the manuscript, or she'd be in even worse shape.
That morning, she slept straight through class.
Kirisu Mafuyu had stared at her with terrifying eyes, but Yukima Azuma kept his hands pressed together, silently begging for mercy.
Somehow, Eriri made it through the morning.
After school, Kirisu Mafuyu called both of them over—but it wasn't about Eriri's sleeping.
"The student council's taken over the multimedia room for the summer festival," she explained.
"All the club rooms are full. So… for now, your club doesn't have a room."
Eriri blinked.
She almost complained—until she realized.
Wasn't this actually a great opportunity?
She turned to Yukima.
"How about I talk to the principal? Maybe make a donation or two?" he suggested.
Before he could finish, Kirisu Mafuyu reached out, aiming to pinch his ear.
"You little—! Solve your problems like a student! Money isn't a solution to everything!"
Yukima dodged, grinning.
"But isn't money meant to make life easier for yourself and others?"
Kirisu rolled her eyes.
This rich brat… no, this problematic student!
Eriri cut in, smiling.
"In that case, we'll just have to use somewhere else."
Grabbing Yukima by the sleeve, she led him away.
Back in the classroom, she said cheerfully:
"Looks like the next club meeting's happening at your house."
Yukima nodded.
Since only Eriri and Utaha were in the club—and Utaha already lived there—it should be fine.
Eriri gave a satisfied grin.
Based on their work progress, the next meeting would be Friday after school.
That Friday.
"Megumi, do you have time?"
"Yes."
"Then come with me?"
"Yes, I will."
After their brief exchange, they walked together toward Kita Ikuyo.
Kita Ikuyo watched them, noticing something… strange.
Their chemistry was too natural. Like an old married couple, able to communicate with glances and soft words.
She shook her head, brushing the thought away.
Today, Yukima Azuma had come to help her out of a tight spot.
Their meeting place was under the signpost in Shimokitazawa.
When the three arrived, they spotted a shadowy figure crouching nearby, glancing around nervously.
"Isn't that one of Yukima-san's friends?" Kita asked, puzzled.
Despite the odd behavior, her tone wasn't judgmental—just curious.
Given how Yukima always seemed surrounded by stylish, confident girls, this skittish person didn't seem to fit.
Kato Megumi also eyed the figure curiously.
Yukima said nothing. He simply walked over and gently patted the girl's head of pink hair.
Startled, Bocchi flinched—but relaxed when she saw who it was.
"Azuma… Azuma-kun!"
Though she still stammered, her tone had improved. She was more confident than before.
"It's been a while, Bocchi."
"H-huh? But didn't we just meet last Saturday?"
"True. But you know the saying—'a day apart feels like three seasons apart.'"
"Ah… I see. I-I understand."
As they chatted, Megumi and Kita walked closer.
Bocchi panicked and ducked behind Yukima, clinging to his shirt hem, peeking out nervously.
Ahh! Beautiful high school girls! Are they mad? Are they here to scold me for standing too close to Azuma-kun?
Are they going to say, "Hey, weird girl, back off from the handsome guy"?
Once again, Gotoh Hitori's brain was spiraling into dramatic disaster mode.