From a rational perspective, it was not hard to guess the trigger for Hanako sending a message at this point in time.
Most likely, it was my unusual gaze after reviewing the test papers in the afternoon, and the attitude of only calling Azusa up for guidance, that tipped her off.
I had probably already realized the fact that she was deliberately failing…
And so, unable to suppress the romantic feelings that had long been stirred by my charm, she abandoned the tactic of deliberately teasing me to hold my attention, and instead chose to launch a direct offensive.
I could not help but sigh with emotion. In this duel of willpower and patience, it seemed that I was ultimately the one who emerged superior.
After all, my contacts list was filled with dozens of beautiful girls of all different styles. Across the entirety of Kivotos, there surely was not a second ultra handsome, gentle young man like me.
I did not deliberately leave Hanako on read, and replied at once.
Me: Same here. Please take care of me as well.
Hanako: Mm hmm~
Hanako: Also, there is something I would like to trouble you with, Sensei.
Hanako: There are a few questions I have not quite figured out, so I was hoping you could tutor me a bit or something like that.
Hanako: Do you have time, Sensei?
Me: Of course. Are you able to take photos right now?
The moment I sent the message, I suddenly frowned, realizing that my wording might be somewhat inappropriate.
Just as I was about to add an explanation, Hanako reacted before I could.
Hanako: Eh?
Hanako: Is this… you asking me for payment?
Hanako: Oh my~ I did not expect Sensei to be such a bold and straightforward type.
I really wanted to loudly reply that I wasn't that kind of person at all.
However, recalling the secret album on my phone, I could not help but feel guilty and hesitated for a few seconds.
It was after those brief seconds of silence.
Hanako: …Eh? So it really is?
Me: I'm not! Don't say nonsense!
Hanako: Hehe~ let us just treat it that way then~
Hanako: As for the questions... let us talk about them tomorrow when we meet~♡
Hanako: Let us keep it a secret from the others, ♡ and sneakily meet before tutoring begins~
…Why are there heart symbols!?
I immediately became alert, strongly suspecting that she was hinting at something, but unfortunately I had no evidence.
No matter how much our conversation stirred my emotions, Hanako did not send any further messages after that, let alone the selfie I had been hoping for.
While this left me feeling inexplicably empty, it also strengthened my earlier conclusion.
Urawa Hanako was absolutely a type I couldn't handle at my current level.
With even a slight misstep, I'd probably end up being toyed with in the palm of her hand.
She might not be a bad person, but she might be a bad woman.
That night, I fell asleep a little later than usual. Still, I woke up early the next day. After briefly dealing with some official matters, I headed out to fulfill my appointment with Hanako.
No matter what, as the advisor of the Make-Up Work Club, I carried the expectations of Nagisa and Mika. Even knowing full well that Hanako was eyeing me like prey and might be trying to pull a sneak attack under the pretense of tutoring, duty bound me to feign ignorance, accept it with tears in my eyes, and silently prepare myself to sacrifice my reputation.
Arriving earlier than our agreed time, I lowered my head and was just about to take out my phone to contact Hanako when a call reached me, slightly raised in volume but still clearly carrying a smile.
"Sensei~ I am over here~"
I followed the voice and froze on the spot.
At this time of year, the season was steadily moving toward summer, and the temperature was gradually rising.
Even in Trinity, where the climate was relatively cool and pleasant, walking unshaded beneath the increasingly intense sun still brought a sense that summer was approaching.
But even so, I could not understand what Hanako was doing at this moment.
There she was, the pink haired, green eyed girl who looked pure and gentle, sitting on the inner ledge of a white marble fountain, her back to the basin. She closed the book that had been open on her lap and looked at me with a smiling gaze.
Most importantly, she had taken off her snow white long socks and small leather shoes, and immersed her delicate, porcelain like feet into the pool, lightly stirring the clear water back and forth, sending ripples spreading outward.
My throat moved involuntarily, and I felt deep regret in my heart.
How could she be so lacking in public morality, wasting precious water resources like this?
At the very least, she should have told me first so I could bring some containers to collect the water…
Joking aside, seeing her in such a state upon meeting truly delivered quite a shock to me.
As I walked closer, Hanako showed me a captivating smile.
"Hello, Sensei. Thank you very much for coming."
I nodded slightly, forcing my gaze to stay on her stunning face as I asked in as calm a tone as possible,
"By the way, what exactly are you doing right now?"
"It's very cool here, and really comfortable~"
As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes and tilted her slender neck back, looking utterly content. "For me, it's like a special seat, hehe~"
In other words, Hanako often came here to emulate the sages of old and wash her feet in flowing water?
A bold idea crossed my mind.
"Since the opportunity is rare, Sensei, would you like to come over and join me?"
At that moment, Hanako extended an invitation, a strange light flickering in her emerald eyes. "Shall we take them off here… together?"
So she really was harboring ill intentions toward me.
Although this proposal seemed to have a certain degree of experimental viability, how could I, a gentleman, possibly agree?
The me who had just been seriously pondering the Trinity fountain water circulation system immediately rejected her righteously. "No thank you!"
Hanako, however, did not mind at all. She smiled softly and looked at me with a gaze that felt like she was murmuring to herself, her voice gentler than could be imagined.
"Exposing skin like this in broad daylight, do you not find it fun? It feels like… doing something you should not be doing."
There seemed to be other hidden meanings buried within her words, worthy of careful contemplation.
However, for the moment, I no longer had the leisure to think.
That was because the beautiful girl before me slightly lifted her legs and drew her wet feet out of the water. Bathed in the bright sunlight, they were dazzling beyond measure, leaving me completely unable to look away.
The sun also seemed to suddenly grow fiercer, making my mouth dry and my throat parched, and I could not help wanting something to drink.
However, I had heard that drinking cold water was bad for the stomach. Was there any water around here that happened to be around thirty six or seven degrees, and could also help me replenish a bit of salt?
Unfortunately, under my slightly disappointed gaze, Hanako quickly used a towel she had prepared in advance to dry off the water, then put on her shoes and socks, hopped down from the fountain, and walked toward me.
I hurriedly returned to a proper, upright expression.
After all, I could be considered quite experienced in life. There was no way I would be shaken by someone like Hanako.
"Hehe~"
The somewhat strange girl leaned close in front of me, smiling inscrutably.
"Sensei, do you not like taking things off?"