After Shido cooked something for the both of them for breakfast, the two started eating together, but Hiratsuka was still in a bit of daze after what Shido said.
"Ugh… I can't believe a teacher like me actually went after a high school student."
Seeing her becoming like this, Shido could only sigh as he thought that her feelings began conflicting with her morals as a teacher. But he didn't want their relationship to end so...
"How cruel! After everything we've done, are you really going to end our relationship just like that?" Shido said, forcing a bitter smile, a trace of helpless sadness flickering in his eyes.
When Hiratsuka heard his words, she panicked since she was afraid Shido will misunderstand her. After all, while she was in still in disbelief knowing that her boyfriend was still a High School student, she didn't want Shido to go away. In fact, she realized she had already begun to develop feelings for him.
Yes, Hiratsuka had already fallen for Shido.
"No! It's not like that! I just… I just thought I might be too old for you, since the gap between our ages is so large." Hiratsuka grew agitated as she stood up, but after a moment, she slowly sat back down, lowering her head as she continued.
"So it was that, huh?" Shido who acted sad made his expression normal again and smiled at Hiratsuka and let out a small chuckle, knowing her true feelings and the tension between them.
"What do you mean 'just that'? Age is a big deal for women!" Hiratsuka snapped, her emotions flaring as Shido casually brushed off her concerns about her age with a laugh.
Age is after all important to women, especially her who was nearing her 30s yet still single and never have a boyfriend. And now that she became together with Shido, Hiratsuka can finally let go of that worries and even calm her mother that was constantly nagging her to already get married.
However, the problem was, Shido was just a High School student. If he was a college student then Hiratsuka wouldn't think much, but knowing that Shido was a high school student made her speechless and in disbelief.
But that doesn't mean that her feelings change just because of that. Instead, it was Hiratsuka who was worried that if their relationship was known into the public then Shido's future might be ruined. And also, she was also concerned and worried about being compared by Shido to other girls who was younger and beautiful than her.
Still, as Hiratsuka revealed her true feelings and concerns, Shido finally sighed. To him, this woman was kind, just a little foolish at times. There was no way he'd cut off their relationship over something like that.
"But… but… I'm tomboyish, sloppy, violent… and a woman who spends her time reading manga. Because of that, men don't even look my way." Hiratsuka confessed with a bothered expression.
"How cute," Shido smirked as he watched Hiratsuka grumble.
"W-What?!" she snapped, instantly agitated again.
Seeing her reaction, Shido calmly reassured her. "I don't care about any of that."
"…" Hiratsuka.
"Even if you're a tomboyish, sloppy, violent woman who loves reading shounen manga."
"Oi!" Hiratsuka was speechless when Shido said all of her sore spots, but as Shido continued, her expression softened, her eyes glimmering with something warmer than before.
"But still, it is because of that, that I have fallen in love Hiratsuka Shizuka."
"...Shido." Hiratsuka's face lit up in a mix of embarrassment and happiness, her cheeks faintly pink.
"And as for those men that ignored you," Shido added with a smirk, "you don't need to think much about them since they only have lousy taste and didn't know how charming you are."
Shido said that as he look at Hiratsuka's eyes gently telling her that she doesn't have anything to worry. "Still, I have to thank them."
"Thank them?" Hiratsuka tilted her head slightly, confusion flickering across her face.
"Well," Shido continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "if they had actually approached you, then we wouldn't be together." As he spoke, he placed his hand gently over hers, his firm yet careful grip wrapping around her soft, delicate fingers as if he didn't want to let go.
"Even if we just met each other, my feelings for you are real."
"Shido…" Hiratsuka whispered, her voice unsteady. She was deeply touched, a warm happiness welling up inside her at his sincerity. Her chest tightened in a way she hadn't felt in years, and almost instinctively, she tightened her grip on his hands as well, holding onto him with just as much strength and emotion.
"Anyway, let's keep our relationship as is for now."
"Un."
"By the way, you have to work today, right?"
"Yes, even though I am too lazy to go outside, because of certain someone made me so tired last night." Hiratsuka stretched her body that was still sore due to last nights activity.
"Can you blame me for that? You were just too cute last night, so I couldn't control myself." Shido simply smiled and said innocently.
"Pervert!"
Now that they had cleared up her worries and misunderstandings, the air between them felt warmer, more comfortable. They naturally leaned closer to one another, as if a wall that once stood between them had finally crumbled.
"By the way, call me Shizuka from now on, okay?"
"Alright, Shizuka."
"Mn, Shido."
...
After eating breakfast, Shido stayed for a while more in Hiratsuka's apartment before deciding to go back. Hiratsuka was reluctant for Shido to go but she had not choice while compromise when Shido leaned in and sealed her lips with a gentle kiss.
Of course, Shido told her his address and that she could come anytime which made her happy. But her happiness suddenly turned into that of a frown when Shido said that he was living with two girls.
As Shido walked out of the apartment building, he looked up and spotted Hiratsuka on her balcony, already dressed in her usual attire. When he raised his hand to wave at her, Hiratsuka's lips curved into a smile as she lifted her own hand to wave back.
She watched as Shido turned and continued walking down the street until his figure finally disappeared from view. Still, she was already missing his presence beside her, but knowing she couldn't keep him with her all the time, she could only let out a long, wistful sigh.
Since Shido was already gone, Hiratsuka also turned and wanted to go inside her apartment but her legs suddenly turned weak forcing her to grab onto the balcony railing for support. The unexpected weakness in her body made her blush furiously, and couldn't help but blame Shido for being so intense.
"Dammit, it's all that guy's fault!"
In the end she could only bit her lower lip while walking with staggering feet towards her apartment.
On the other hand, when Shido turned into a corner which was a secluded area, he then take out his motorcycle. While it would be much faster to just use teleportation, Shido thought to enjoy the morning breeze and also look around if there was something interesting on the streets.
After putting on a helmet, he started driving back to his own apartment. On the way, Shido bought breakfast since he knew Frieren might still be sleeping and Rumia may be cleaning the apartment. In just a little more than ten minutes, Shido arrived below the apartment building, parking his motorcycle in the parking space.
Removing his helmet, Shido chose to take the stairs instead of the elevator. As he made his way up, he happened to bump into Fujimiya Amane, who was just on her way to school.
"Good morning, Fujimiya-san." Shido greeted.
"Ah, good morning, Shido-san." Amane looked a little surprised to run into him, but he returned the greeting politely, keeping a respectful distance as he adjusted the strap of his schoolbag.
"On your way to school?"
"Yes, I usually go around this time."
Shido gave a small nod. "Alright, take care."
"You too," Amane replied with a faint smile before continuing down the stairs.
Shido look at the leaving Amane before he also continued walking. Still, he had to say, while Amane was plain looking and a bit dull, Shido knew that he wasn't bad, just someone who preferred to keep his distance from those around him.
But Shido set those thoughts aside as he reached his apartment door. Pushing it open, he stepped inside and said.
"I'm back."