After a quick wash-up, Hoshimiya Yuu got dressed and headed out for work.
Although the System was activated, it couldn't earn him money yet.
Besides, this current job was something he had worked hard for over twenty years to get. Such a desirable position needed to be taken seriously.
By the time he arrived at Teitan High School, classes had already started, but since Hoshimiya Yuu didn't have any lessons today, being a little late didn't matter.
Once he became a veteran teacher, he could simply skip coming in when he didn't have class.
For now, when he wasn't teaching, Hoshimiya Yuu also had to moonlight as the school nurse.
The duties of a Health Teacher and a School Nurse were similar, and at many schools, one teacher covered both roles.
Teitan High School was more proper and had a dedicated school nurse, but the previous one had resigned, and a replacement hadn't been hired yet.
Currently, this duty was rotated among him and the two Health and P.E. teachers for the first and third years.
Putting on a white coat, he read the newspaper and sipped tea in the infirmary, easily whiling away two class periods.
The school nurse job was very relaxed, mostly idle, with the occasional need to treat minor scrapes and sprains for members of sports clubs.
Just as Hoshimiya Yuu thought the entire morning would pass leisurely, two familiar faces arrived at the infirmary.
"Excuse us."
The infirmary door opened, and Suzuki Sonoko walked in, supporting a slightly haggard Mouri Ran.
Seeing Hoshimiya Yuu in the white coat, the two girls were momentarily stunned.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, what are you doing here?"
"A new school nurse hasn't been hired yet, so I'm on duty today."
Pushing his chair aside, Hoshimiya Yuu stood up, drew the curtain around the examination bed, and signaled for Sonoko to bring Ran over to rest.
Once Ran was settled, Hoshimiya Yuu finally asked, "Mouri-san, what's wrong? You look awful."
"It's nothing, Mr. Hoshimiya. I just need some rest," Mouri Ran said weakly.
"Oh, Ran, what's there to be embarrassed about? You just didn't sleep well!"
Suzuki Sonoko, watching her friend, immediately revealed the truth. "The final round of the High School Girls Karate Tournament is coming up, and Ran was so nervous she had insomnia last night. She barely slept a wink."
"And she still woke up extra early today."
Sonoko complained angrily, "Since you're like this, your dad could have just made you something quick to eat in the morning. And that Kudou guy, why bother waking him up?"
"Never mind your dad, just look at that Kudou guy."
Suzuki Sonoko grumbled, "You're in this state, and he hasn't even shown an ounce of concern. All morning he's been buried in Sherlock Holmes or Arthur Conan Doyle. Now that he's heard about a case, he just ditched class early. Why do you bother with that deduction maniac?"
Ran knew Sonoko was worried about her and offered a weak, apologetic smile.
Seeing this, even Sonoko, despite her irritation, could only fume quietly.
She knew Ran's nature; she couldn't ignore the people around her. She could only conclude that Kudou Shinichi and Mouri Kogoro were utterly hopeless.
Hoshimiya Yuu listened quietly nearby, gathering the necessary information.
"When is the final match?" he asked.
"Today is Friday, and the final is on Saturday."
Suzuki Sonoko puffed out her cheeks. "Ran was planning to celebrate getting the championship by going on a date with that Kudou guy at the newly opened Tropical Land on Sunday, but then that Kudou guy…"
"Sonoko, it's not a date…"
Ran looked slightly embarrassed. "It was just a celebration. I invited you too, but you said you couldn't make it."
As a rich heiress, Suzuki Sonoko had some engagements she simply couldn't turn down.
She had to attend a certain banquet this Sunday, otherwise, she definitely would have gone with them.
The three of them had grown up together, and she was the clearest on the situation between Kudou Shinichi and Ran.
They probably liked each other and were in the "more than friends, less than lovers" stage.
The kind where they hadn't even held hands.
Despite knowing this, Suzuki Sonoko had long felt that Kudou Shinichi wasn't good enough for Ran.
"If you go into the competition in this state… then there won't be any celebration on Sunday."
Hoshimiya Yuu chuckled lightly, interrupting the two girls' argument.
"Because you will definitely lose."
Ran's expression darkened.
Seeing her look so downcast, Suzuki Sonoko immediately comforted her, "It's okay, Ran. Just get some good rest tonight, and you'll definitely be back in top form tomorrow."
Mouri Ran struggled to pull her lips into a smile. "Thank you, Sonoko, but…"
Her opponent tomorrow was very strong. She had lost to the same person last year.
Let alone being this weak, even in the best physical condition, she wasn't certain she could win.
"What should we do, what should we do…"
Sonoko was even more anxious than Ran now.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, is there anything you can do to help Ran?"
"Sonoko, don't put Mr. Hoshimiya on the spot," Ran whispered. "I've tried everything I can think of. I'm so tired, but I just can't fall asleep."
Suzuki Sonoko knew she was grasping at straws in her desperation, but she couldn't think of anyone else who could help.
Calming down, Sonoko turned to Hoshimiya Yuu to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hoshimiya…"
"Wait a moment." Hoshimiya Yuu raised a hand to stop the girl and said slowly, "Perhaps I truly do have a way."
"Really?" Suzuki Sonoko looked at Hoshimiya Yuu in surprise.
Ran also looked over with hopeful eyes. Tomorrow's match was very important to her.
If possible, she definitely wanted to face it in her best condition.
"I'm quite interested in Chinese culture and once read about an acupressure technique in Chinese medicine that can effectively aid sleep."
"Mr. Hoshimiya knows traditional Chinese acupressure massage?"
Sonoko, standing beside them, asked in astonishment.
"Yes, I know a little."
Hoshimiya Yuu smiled faintly and looked down at Ran.
"Would you like to try?"
Before Ran could speak, Sonoko jumped in. "Ran, you should try it. Massage is genuinely effective. My family hires a masseur, and the relaxation is really great."
"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Hoshimiya," Ran said, feeling a little self-conscious.
With her agreement, Hoshimiya Yuu picked up Ran's right hand and began pressing acupuncture points according to the techniques he had learned while working part-time at a massage parlor.
After finishing the right hand, he moved to the left.
The moment he touched Ran's hand, the effect of Peaceful Sleep began to work.
After massaging both hands, Ran did feel a little sleepy, but it wasn't enough to fully fall asleep.
Just her hands isn't enough...
Peaceful Sleep was only a White-quality talent after all, and its limitations were considerable.
So, Hoshimiya Yuu placed both of his hands on Ran's head, gently pressing his thumbs onto her temples.
"Relax…"
Hoshimiya Yuu's voice was soft, pretending to massage her head, but in reality, increasing the contact to allow the effect of Peaceful Sleep to be more fully released.
His technique was decent. It wasn't up to par with a professional masseur, but it was top-tier amateur level.
At least Suzuki Sonoko, standing nearby, didn't notice anything amiss.
As time slowly passed, just as Hoshimiya Yuu's contact reached the limit where continuing would mean moving below the neck, he finally succeeded in helping Ran fall asleep.
Right before Suzuki Sonoko's eyes, Ran's breathing gradually became steady and deep, and her beautiful, amethyst-like eyes slowly closed.
Looking at Ran's peaceful, tranquil sleeping face, as if she had returned to her mother's warm embrace, Suzuki Sonoko couldn't help but exclaim, "Mr. Hoshimiya, you are absolutely amazing…"