After tutoring ended, Hanako said she needed to return to the dorms to prepare something, so I waited alone near the school gate.
...And wondered what exactly she meant by "prepare." It should be something proper, right?
Based on what I know of Hanako now, and the ambiguous yet balanced relationship between us, I do not think she would tease me too excessively.
But what if?
Her personality is truly hard to grasp. Her behavior seems absurd on the surface yet always hides some deeper intent, constantly bringing me unexpected surprises... or shocks.
Or perhaps the moment I started worrying, just because of Hanako's suggestive words, that she might be planning to tease me again, she had already succeeded in teasing me.
After what felt like an especially long wait, filled with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation, Hanako finally came briskly into view from the distance.
"Sensei, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go~"
I looked her over. She appeared exactly the same as before, and I could not hide a trace of disappointment.
Sensing the change in my expression, Hanako's lips curved upward as she feigned surprise.
"My, why do you look so disappointed, Sensei? Could it be... you were hoping I would change into a swimsuit to go out?"
I walked right into that one.
"Of course not," I denied immediately. "I just thought when you said you were going back to prepare, you meant you were going to dress up specially to amaze me."
Hearing that, her smile deepened. "But how can you be so certain that I didn't carefully dress up?"
Under my puzzled gaze, the girl, clearly wearing the same standard sailor uniform as usual, leisurely spun once in place.
Then she asked, "Did you notice anything?"
I was still wondering whether she had put on some subtle makeup when she suddenly stepped closer, rose onto her tiptoes, and whispered softly by my ear.
"Is it possible that I am actually wearing a swimsuit underneath?"
My gaze sharpened instantly, my thoughts racing.
When Hanako turned just now, the hem of her skirt lifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of pale skin. That meant she was not wearing a one piece swimsuit underneath.
But what if she was not wearing a one piece right now?
If that were the case, in terms of style, it would not be much different from underwear... but it would still be a swimsuit.
Just imagining it made my blood heat up. Even knowing I probably would not get a clear answer, I still wanted to press her for one.
But at that moment, Hanako lightly stepped back several paces, wearing a sweet smile.
"Alright, no time to waste. Let's head out quickly~"
With that, she turned around and walked toward the school exit, not even giving me the chance to ask.
...She was teasing me, right?
After being thoroughly cooled down, I steadied myself and followed her, still suspicious.
"By the way, where are we going?"
"Ah, sorry, I haven't told you yet. We are going to the nearby shopping center."
She paused, then added as if clarifying, "It's a properly operating place, and there are lots of people."
I raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why are you telling me that? I never thought you would take me somewhere strange."
"Is that so? That's a relief. I was worried you might still hold a grudge over what happened before."
Hearing that, she seemed to let out a small sigh of relief.
I, however, felt a bit uncomfortable. "...Isn't that already in the past? There is no need to bring it up again."
I thought that given our current relationship, we should tacitly ignore the previous conflict. But she didn't seem to think so.
"Is that how you see it?" Hanako shook her head lightly. "Even though I teased you so excessively and said such terrible things. I didn't expect that you would truly understand and tolerate my willfulness. Whenever I think about what I did to you, I feel deeply uneasy..."
I see. So that is how it is.
After all, Hanako has a delicate and sensitive side too. We clashed before because we rashly tested each other's boundaries. Now that we have reconciled and she has developed feelings for me, It's only natural that she would become overly concerned about how I see her.
I have experience with this. Hoshino went through a similar phase. I'm very familiar with how to handle it.
I immediately patted my chest and assured her, "Don't worry. You're so pretty. How could I bear to blame you?"
I thought it was just a harmless little joke, but Hanako suddenly fell silent.
Maybe my straightforward compliment made her shy. Nothing strange about that.
After quite a while, she spoke as if she had not heard what I said at all.
"In any case, to include my apology to you and to make up, at least a little, for the crack in our relationship, could I trouble you to accompany me this time and help me pick out a gift for you?"
I let out a small sound. "I appreciate the thought, but there is no need for a gift."
Even though my response was ordinary and appropriate, Hanako still showed a bitter smile.
"I see... I thought that if it were just a pair of socks, it would not burden you too much... It really does take more than ten times the effort to restore lost trust. Perhaps... It's already too late."
At that, she stopped walking. Her expression turned sorrowful and regretful.
"Even though it started as a joke, I did end up causing you trouble, and I even lashed out without reflecting... It's all my fault. Relying on your tolerance, I did those bad things. It would be only natural for you to dislike me... I am sorry, Sensei."
Then she turned her face away and said softly, "Well then, see you next time..."
Watching her suddenly say all that and prepare to leave, I hurriedly stopped her.
"Wait. Didn't I say It's fine?"
"Then why are you unwilling to accept even my insignificant apology?"
"Fine, I will accept it, alright!"
"Sigh. You sound so reluctant. As expected..."
"I actually really want your gift, so please act normal."
Of course, I know Hanako is most likely playing hard to get again. Unfortunately, I happen to fall for that tactic.
As long as it does not go beyond what truly makes me uncomfortable, I can treat it as a kind of flirtation and enjoy it. Hanako has probably already realized that.
Sure enough, she smiled with the satisfaction of victory.
"As expected, Sensei is so gentle. Hehe~ Then let's hurry."
Deep down, I calmly accepted my defeat. Yet instead of feeling frustrated, I found myself even more excited.
What kind of move will Hanako use next?
With a pleasant mood, I headed to the shopping center with her.