'So, Ms. Hiratsuka, why exactly are you here?'
When Sen Getsusa walked into the room she spotted that carefree woman—white blouse, black skirt, hugging a teacup as she sat on the tatami, blissfully inhaling the rising steam.
'little Yuesha is my student too; is it wrong for a teacher to visit her pupil? I'm a teacher, you know.'
Hiratsuka Shizuka put on a straight face, striking a pompous teacherly pose and nodding a greeting to Aria.
After ushering the two girls to sit, Aria began explaining to Sen Getsusa, 'Miss Hiratsuka came to brief me. That day, there was something about the Matsutani-kai—'
'An apology,' Hiratsuka cut in, setting down her cup, her expression grave. 'I'm deeply ashamed about what happened at the orphanage.'
Aria waved it off. 'You've already apologized, Ms. Hiratsuka. Speaking of which, you're also Tsukisa's teacher—I'll be counting on you to watch over her from now on.'
With a bow, Aria dipped forward; across from her, Hiratsuka bowed in return.
'And this is...?' Hiratsuka turned her head to find Yuno Gasai's pale-pink eyes fixed on her with burning curiosity.
'Yuno Gasai. I go by Yuno Gasai, Miss Hiratsuka—I'll be in your care once term starts.'
In a black one-piece dress, Yuno greeted her unhurriedly and accepted the teacup Aria offered.
Hiratsuka, unfamiliar with Yuno, opened her mouth in bewilderment, but the girl simply turned to Aria and ignored her.
'Good afternoon.' Yuno sat ramrod-straight, hands on her knees, and addressed Aria: 'Grandma Ailiya, good afternoon. I'm Yuno Gasai. Thank you for looking after Tsukisa all this time.'
Her words rang sincere and strong; the small hands on her knees clenched the fabric of her skirt.
Aria lifted her teacup, blew on it unhurriedly, then narrowed her eyes to study Yuno—each woman's reflection filling the other's pupils.
For a moment the room fell silent.
Under the table Hiratsuka poked Sen Getsusa's thigh with a finger, eyes asking a question.
'What's the story with this kid?'
'Just a friend staying over—she's a really good person.'
'Why does this feel like meeting the parents? You're sure there's nothing between you two?'
Hiratsuka's silent lips were full of bitter envy—How long have I dreamed of a scene like this?
That day I'd wear an off-shoulder dress, line my eyes, coat my lashes, spray on a hint of perfume, and sit before my partner's family.
His relatives would look at me with approving eyes while he quietly produced a small box.
Inside would lie a diamond ring.
I'd stand up in surprise, tears of joy welling.
With me trembling in delight he'd kneel, gaze up, and say: 'Marry me.'
'Yes! A thousand times yes!' My voice would crack with happiness.
Applause would erupt around us as we embraced.
And then... then my delusion would be cured.
Sigh... (.o_o).
—Sen Getsusa paid no heed to Hiratsuka's fantasy, but the woman beside her wouldn't stop.
Excitedly she kept jabbing Sen Getsusa's curvy thigh; perhaps unable to see under the table, that finger crept farther and farther back.
Sen Getsusa frowned at Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Her silent lips read: 'You're a bit young to propose, but look at me... too late for regrets—marry early, girls. Oh, and where's your ring?'
Sen Getsusa:...Apart from reading manga and daydreaming all day, you really don't have anything else to do, do you?
'What marriage and rings? That's my friend who's staying at my place. What on earth is Miss Hiratsuka thinking?'
Sen Getsusa mouthed back: 'Also, is Miss Hiratsuka really that desperate to get married?'
'She's not your girlfriend? Then what's with this super serious atmosphere? It's making me a bit cold.'
Hiratsuka Shizuka ignored the topic of 'wanting to get married' from Sen Getsusa's mouth and signaled for her to ease the tension.
The atmosphere, of course, didn't need two women communicating through thoughts to ease it. Before long, Grandma Ailiya and Yuno Gasai, the two women, began chatting casually as if no one else were there, completely excluding Sen Getsusa and Hiratsuka Shizuka from their conversation.
"Oh dear, I'm already old and won't live much longer. Yuno, I'm leaving her to you."
While speaking and smiling, a hint of seriousness was hidden in the old woman's eyes: "You must protect your treasure well."
"Of course," Yuno Gasai replied firmly.
Aria was quite satisfied; despite meeting for the first time and having a huge age gap, the two women instantly felt a sense of mutual understanding.
Perhaps it was because they were protecting the same thing.
Across from them, Sen Getsusa and Hiratsuka Shizuka were completely baffled, not knowing what kind of riddles the two were speaking in.
"So, Miss Hiratsuka, besides that matter, is there anything else for your visit this time?"
"I'm terribly sorry, but we agreed a few days ago that the moving company would come today."
After finishing her entrustment to Yuno Gasai, Aria began dealing with Hiratsuka Shizuka again—the old woman really didn't want this woman to have any further connection with the orphanage's affairs.
"Moving?" Hiratsuka Shizuka's visit happened to coincide with the orphanage's final day.
"Please let me help! Also, didn't Haruno say anytime was fine? There's no need to be in such a rush, right?"
Sen Getsusa understood that this older, marriage-obsessed teacher beside her had no idea what her best friend's true character was like. The so-called 'no rush' was certainly not a lack of urgency.
Even if that thug was dismissed and no Yakuza from the 'Matsutani-kai' came to cause trouble—who knew if another underworld organization would be put in charge of this matter tomorrow or the day after?
That woman from the Yukinoshita Family would definitely be capable of doing such a thing.
When that time came, Sen Getsusa, who had endured time and again, would truly have to kill someone.
However... thinking of slaughter, the girl suddenly realized she felt no guilt or abnormality—as if she were a seasoned hunter, weathered by the elements and often traversing the forests: when facing living things, the first thing her eyes landed on was always the spot with the highest fatality rate.
Taking down the weapon from her back, nocking an arrow, and aiming for the prey's eyes.
Using arrows to pierce through their skulls and brains.
Then picking them up, taking them home, and skillfully using a small knife to make a cut, skinning and gutting them.
What difference was there between humans and other creatures?
'Of course there's a difference, I'm human too. Sen Getsusa, what are you thinking?' The girl laughed in spite of herself, shaking the stray thoughts out of her head. Her eyes focused as she spoke to Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was looking at her pitifully.
"It's because we don't want to trouble Ms. Hiratsuka and Miss Yukinoshita anymore, so we've already arranged for a moving company."
The girl refused gently: "This is our last day here. I, and Grandma Ailiya, want to spend some time with the children."
"Is that alright?"
Sen Getsusa hinted very clearly to the other party.
Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded understandingly and didn't say anything more.
To the side, Yuno Gasai put down her cup, stood up, and looked down at Hiratsuka Shizuka from above: "I'll see you out, Miss... Hiratsuka."
---------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 30 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon.
patreon.com/TLScarlet
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!