At first, Haru thought Shizuka was just coming over to thank him again, since she seemed quite moved earlier.
But up close, her expression didn't look like someone offering thanks—it looked more like she had something on her mind.
When he asked, Shizuka quickly adjusted her expression, her smile returning to its usual warm and natural state. "It's nothing, I just wanted to thank you."
Haru tilted his eyes. "We've known each other for quite a while. How come you're still being so evasive with me?"
Shizuka was momentarily caught off guard, then shook her head with an amused smile. "That sounds weird, like we're the same age and you're not the junior."
"Same age? Not a junior? I see—so this time, I'm your colleague." Haru nodded.
Shizuka laughed and pointed a finger at the air in front of him. "You're being disrespectful again, Amamiya."
"Because school's over now," Haru said seriously. "Titles only matter during work."
Shizuka paused for a moment. She didn't fully understand the nuance of his words, but it made sense.
Haru's casual interruption relaxed her, and the tension in her face eased.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Haru asked, watching her carefully.
Shizuka glanced back at the school. Yukino and the others were still busy discussing things, so they hadn't come over yet.
There were only a few students passing by now that club activities had ended, occasionally glancing at Haru before looking away.
Even though Haru was well-known at school, without any recent gossip, the students weren't paying much attention. And besides, he was with Shizuka, not Yukino or Utaha. A teacher casually chatting with a student at the gate wasn't worth noting.
"You… how do you see Utaha?" Shizuka lowered her voice, clearing her throat.
Haru's expression didn't change. "Have you joined the school news club? Why are you suddenly taking an interest in the school's top senpai?"
Shizuka shot him an annoyed look. "I'm talking seriously. Don't derail me."
"How else would I answer? Of course, I observe with my eyes, and after school, I keep observing."
"…You really are shameless."
Shizuka exhaled, realizing she wasn't going to get any useful information. She decided to speak openly. "On Utaha's birthday, I felt something was… off. But I thought I might be imagining things."
Haru replied obligingly, "You're probably overthinking it."
"Don't interrupt."
"Okay."
Seeing him quiet, Shizuka continued in a low voice, "I've been spending time in the photography club lately, getting closer to Utaha. I've noticed her attitude toward you might not be like how she treats a normal friend."
Your instincts are correct. She's my bunny-senpai, equipped with decisive battle gear, decisive lingerie, and all sorts of 'treasures.'
Haru murmured inwardly, then said aloud: "I see. Looks like your gossip itch is acting up. Should I call Yukino over to help you with your gossip?"
"Why would you call her?" Shizuka's tone lacked strength.
She knew Yukino too well. If Yukino heard this kind of topic, she'd probably turn and leave without a word—or remark mildly, "Gossiping about juniors now, are you a reporter, Hiratsuka-sensei?"
Even imagining that made Shizuka blush.
Haru said calmly, "You want someone to gossip with, but I'm not interested. So I can only find someone to support you."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly under her coat. She didn't speak, just stared at him directly—her gaze clearly saying: You really know how to find a supporter!
Haru's constant interruptions completely quelled her desire to resolve her curiosity. Seeing him so composed, she muttered to herself that she had probably imagined it.
So she let go of the question and changed the topic. "That skincare product you brought earlier is extremely valuable. I suggest you don't let it get out. I've mentioned this to Yukino and the others as well."
"Thanks, I will." Haru smiled. Though Shizuka was older and unmarried, her heart was truly meticulous and gentle. She seemed aware of the skincare's immense commercial value, and worried Haru might run into trouble if word got out—hence her advice.
After Shizuka left, Haru waited a while, and Yukino and the others arrived.
Since Megumi was present, he didn't recount the conversation with Shizuka, keeping it to himself.
Utaha was preparing for a script shoot, and Megumi hadn't gone home either—she called her family to say she'd be busy at a classmate's house.
After the call, Utaha curiously asked, "Your parents really let you go out alone?"
"Senpai, isn't it the same for you?" Megumi replied.
"I've done some things—like last year's short film—so my parents saw it and were supportive. Now they know I have another project, and they fully back me."
"I'm the same," Megumi said softly.
On the way home, the girls continued talking about the skincare, while Haru split his attention, occasionally inserting a word or two, but mostly reflecting on the day.
As he had anticipated, Shizuka wasn't originally included in the "skincare recipients" plan. But he had run into her returning from the classroom, and noticed that she had been helping continuously—handling the orange cat's ad, the photoshoot, hardly taking a break.
From her perspective, it was a responsible adult looking after juniors. But from Haru's group's perspective, it showed reliability and gentleness.
In Haru's mind, Shizuka was simply a trustworthy friend—never a senior.
They shared interests—reading shonen manga, discussing tokusatsu—and had even privately discussed the viral topic of "Haruhi Suzumiya's seiyuu beating up Kamen Rider."
Though their discussions were not serious, they shared a bond.
At home, Haru received a message from Hayakawa and the others, inviting him out to eat and visit a shop for newly released figurines.
Haru almost refused but realized he hadn't spent time with his friends in a while, so he agreed.
He informed Yukino and the others. Yukino told him to go ahead; Megumi agreed as well.
Only Utaha made a small request: "Can you make us dinner?"
Haru had no objection, but before he could reply, Yukino reminded her, "Senpai, even though I also enjoy his cooking, according to the schedule, we need to control our diet."
Utaha said lightly, "I've never skimped on exercise."
Yukino almost retorted, but noticed Utaha's gaze—she wasn't talking about ordinary exercise, but rather… bed exercise.
"Leave dinner to me. As long as you stick to my scientific training plan, you don't need to worry about weight gain." Haru intervened in time.
Given his current cooking skill, even a nutritious meal would be top-tier delicious.
When Haru went into the kitchen, Utaha took the chance while Megumi went to the bathroom to whisper to Yukino.
"You thought I just habitually make lewd jokes?"
"Isn't that true?" Yukino asked coldly. If Haru hadn't stopped her in time, she would have launched a verbal counterattack.
Utaha smiled faintly. "When Megumi is around, I rarely bring it up."
Yukino reacted quickly, thinking, "Has she been doing something recently?"
Her impression of Megumi was complex. After playing games with Utaha, some of her habits and awareness had subtly changed.
Simply put: anything is either zero times or countless times.
"She hasn't done anything, but I noticed a change in her," Utaha said, lowering her voice, her tone betraying surprise. "If she hears me talk about lewd things, what do you think her reaction would be?"
"Apparently, she shows no reaction," Yukino answered.
Utaha leaned against the sofa, looking at the ceiling. "Yes… she should be like that, but recently, when I casually mentioned these topics in the club, I noticed her zoning out. More precisely, she not only zoned out, but once when our eyes met… she blushed. Her expression was well-controlled, but the subtle shame was unmistakable."
Because she herself had shown the same expression while wriggling in front of Yukino…
"Really?"
This time, Yukino understood. She had no doubts; under normal circumstances, Megumi's observation skills matched her own.
After a few seconds of thought, Yukino said in a strange tone, "So… Megumi has… secretly grown up?"
She was referring to watching paid movies.
Utaha's face suddenly flushed, teasingly. "Could it be that… she overheard what we did last time…?"
"Enough! You can stop talking!" Yukino cut her off sharply.
The feeling was just… too strange!
The very thought that Megumi might have—at some point, eavesdropped and been stirred to act in ways best left undescribed—made Yukino feel… uneasy.
For a moment, a curious, testing thought crossed her mind.
~~~~~~~~~~
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