Morning!
As expected, Kuzeha was woken up by Yuki acting as his personal alarm clock.
"Good morning! My dearest big bro!"
The first thing Kuzeha saw when he opened his eyes was Yuki's mischievous little face.
"Big bro, you really are at that vigorous age—so much energy in the morning!"
The girl shifted slightly, revealing her soft, fair waist.
Resigned, Kuzeha reached out and scratched her.
"Big bro is so cute~ But you don't think I'm still at the age where I'm ticklish, do you…"
Before she could finish her taunt, Yuki's body suddenly trembled slightly, and she let out an involuntary soft moan.
Taking the opportunity, Kuzeha got up.
"Yuki, your big bro here knows all your weak spots!"
Hearing that, Yuki sat on the bed like a duck, but her body felt oddly limp, as if the earlier jolt had drained all her energy.
She stared at her own waist in disbelief, biting her lip. Her body felt unfamiliar.
It was just a little scratch from Kuzeha, and yet it had felt like…
She took a deep breath, her flushed cheeks gradually returning to normal, then followed Kuzeha into the bathroom.
Just as he was about to start washing up, Yuki squeezed in front of him.
"Here, take this!"
Kuzeha looked down at the toothbrush she handed him, a question mark practically appearing on his forehead.
"What do you want me to do with this?"
"Brush my teeth, of course!"
Her innocent-looking face flashed with a sly glint.
"I just watched an anime where the brother and sister played this new kind of 'toothbrush play!'"
"It's such a normal thing, but it looked so... comfortable."
"They said something about how the mouth is technically inside the body, so using soft bristles to stimulate it feels good or whatever…"
Kuzeha looked at her, exasperated.
"And you believed that?"
Yuki blinked her big eyes.
"Precisely because I don't believe it, I want to test it out!"
She shoved the toothbrush into his hand, her half-lidded eyes like a scheming fox.
"You could ask Kanao or the others to help you test it, though."
"No way! The only one I'll allow is Onii-chan!"
With that, she closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly.
Since she insisted so seriously, Kuzeha decided to give her a proper lesson.
Holding her head gently with one hand, he got to work.
The moment the toothpaste and bristles touched her teeth, he could see her long eyelashes trembling ever so slightly.
"Mm…"
Her brows furrowed.
Kuzeha knew full well—having someone else brush your teeth couldn't possibly feel good.
It was awkward for both parties. That was just the reality.
And he was sure Yuki knew it too.
This was just a little sibling game she wanted to play under the pretense of 'experimentation.'
As a doting older brother, of course he'd go along with her.
So Kuzeha adjusted her sensory perception.
In an instant, the discomfort turned into a subtle, pleasurable feeling.
Yuki's eyes snapped open.
Her pale gray pupils looked like rippling water—hazy and dreamy.
Her cheeks turned visibly red.
Usually, Yuki was either a graceful young lady or a mischievous little devil.
This expression—he was seeing it for the first time.
It was… way too cute.
Kuzeha was briefly stunned.
Knock knock~
"Kuzeha-kun, breakfast is ready…"
Sakura's voice came from outside, snapping him back to reality.
He quickly stopped what he was doing.
Yuki, now leaning weakly against the sink cabinet, was panting slightly.
Kuzeha cleared his throat.
"Alright, let's go eat. We've got school after all…"
Then he heard Yuki grumbling regretfully under her breath.
"If I'd used this trick last night, I could've taken him down in one go!"
Kuzeha was speechless.
This girl really didn't hold back in front of him.
Although, if last night had played out this way, then…
"Big bro, thanks to you I have to take a bath first thing in the morning."
"If I'm late, it's your fault!"
Yuki said sweetly before slowly returning to her room.
As she shut the door, she slumped softly behind it and slid to the floor.
Looking at herself in the mirror—she saw a version of her she'd never seen before: dreamy, dazed.
"Big bro actually made me this sensitive…"
Her voice was low, the emotions swirling inside her nearly bursting out.
...
Sobu High.
Yuki leaned in next to Kuzeha's ear.
"Big bro, from now on, you're not allowed to play toothbrush play with any other little sisters!"
Though she said it softly, every word was crystal clear to Sakura standing nearby.
"Toothbrush play?"
"What's that?"
Sakura tilted her head curiously.
"Nothing."
Kuzeha smacked Yuki lightly on the head, watching her skip away.
Second-Year Class A.
Upon entering the classroom, Kuzeha instinctively looked toward Yukinoshita Yukino.
The moment their eyes met, Yukino jerked as if electrocuted and quickly looked away.
Then, as if trying to cover it up, she calmly turned her gaze back.
Only, her fair skin seemed to flush with a faint pink.
Kuzeha smiled faintly.
If Yukino wanted to pretend, he'd play along.
But the next game they'd play definitely wouldn't be as simple as last night's.
...
"I heard there's a super pretty new teacher!"
"Really? A new hire?"
"Not exactly. She used to be our year's head teacher. Took a break for health reasons and now she's back!"
"Is she really that pretty?"
"Here, check the school website!"
At that moment, Sobu High's homepage displayed a formal announcement welcoming back teacher Nakano Rena.
Along with it was a stunning ID photo.
Students were amazed.
"Uh-oh, Hiratsuka-sensei might lose her title as the school's prettiest!"
"I still think Hiratsuka-sensei is prettier!"
"No way, look at that red hair and those looks—she's clearly got the edge!"
"Don't get too excited. My brother was in her class. Even now, whenever I shout 'Stand up!', he reflexively jumps to his feet."
"She's that strict?"
"For real. I'm in Class C—we just had her class. I'm already straightened out."
"Don't even get me started. I made one snarky comment, and now I'm still whistling…"
"I declare, Hiratsuka-sensei is still the best!"
...
Noon.
While the students were still talking about how strict Nakano-sensei was, Yuki and Sakura were sitting with Kuzeha at a restaurant near the school.
Across from them were two beautiful teachers in office attire.
"Kuzeha-kun, I didn't get to thank you properly last time. This is just a small gesture."
Nakano Rena spoke softly.
Her long red hair was tied in a high ponytail, revealing a graceful swan neck. Her makeup-free face had the classic elegance of a traditional beauty. She wore a gray office uniform that made her look sharp and refined.
Truly, a stunning teacher.
Her only flaw was a slight paleness to her complexion.
Yuki and Sakura were a little confused.
They knew Kuzeha was close with Hiratsuka-sensei—but what was up with this new teacher?
And more than her rumored strictness, her attitude toward Kuzeha didn't seem like a teacher addressing a student.
It felt more like talking to a peer.
"I'm already satisfied with the reward Nakano-sensei gave me."
Kuzeha replied.
Compared to ten billion yen, what was one meal?
Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't take the polite small talk anymore and chimed in.
"You two will still be teacher and student from now on, so there's plenty of time to build a good relationship!"
"Let's eat. I'm starving!"
She waved everyone to dig in.
After the meal, Hiratsuka and Nakano headed back to school—Nakano had a lot to take care of.
That's when Yuki and Sakura finally pieced things together.
"Big bro, you saved Nakano-sensei's life?"
Yuki summarized what she'd picked up from their meal conversation.
Kuzeha nodded and explained the spirit-purging event involving Nakano Rena.
He didn't think there was any need to keep it secret.
"Ten billion yen…"
"Spirit purging?!"
Yuki's eyes sparkled—not at the money, but at the mention of spirits.
"Big bro, I think I've got evil spirits in me too… help me purge them—ow!"
Kuzeha flicked her forehead without mercy.
"I brought you two here to make some connections."
"From now on, if anything happens at school, go straight to Nakano-sensei."
Sakura nodded obediently.
Yuki froze, then suddenly sighed dramatically.
"Looks like Sobu High is turning into big bro's harem…"
Kuzeha was about to smack her again when she changed tune.
"If you're making a harem, I want to be the main wife—ow!"
...
Afternoon.
Class 2-A!
Thanks to Nakano Rena asserting her authority in class that morning, even students seeing her for the first time were perfectly well-behaved.
She'd already earned the nickname "Iron Queen."
Except Kuzeha.
Just as he pulled out his phone, he saw a message.
"Kuzeha-san, Ayumi has a high fever. Do you have time to take her home and let her rest for a few days?"
Ayumi has a fever?
Kuzeha's eyes narrowed, and he stood up instantly.
All eyes turned toward him.
"Nakano-sensei, I have something urgent. May I be excused?"
As the class braced for the Iron Queen's wrath, Nakano Rena simply smiled gently at him.
"Take care on the way."
That breathtaking smile stunned the whole room.
So much for the rumors...
Read 30 chapters ahead on: patre on.com/Bored_Mortal