Even so.
Honestly, I felt that even without a smoke bomb… hmm… was it called the Technique of Thick Smoke Rolling From All Directions? Izuna could have just swaggered off openly and no one would have stopped her anyway.
Once the smoke had fully cleared, Mimori, who had been waiting the whole time for me and Izuna to finish talking, finally walked over. She greeted me with a gentle nod, then looked me over with concern.
"Sensei, are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. How about you all?"
Mimori showed a graceful smile. "I should say everything went unprecedentedly well. And that's thanks to your direction. We were always struggling against the delinquents from Street Mouryo, but simply having you with us changed everything."
I modestly waved a hand. "Not at all. I only did a few small things. What really made the difference was your effort."
"Hehe. Save those compliments until everyone is here."
I originally thought Mimori would ask about my connection with Izuna, but she didn't.
That trust she showed made me unexpectedly moved. Then, somewhat impolitely, my mind wandered to someone else...
Same pink hair, yet the difference between one student and another is truly enormous.
But Mimori, it's fine if you ask, you know?
There's nothing unspeakable between me and Izuna.
Everyone else saw our interaction with their own eyes. Even if they're willing to trust me and no one voices any suspicion, I ought to explain things honestly.
It's just… if I'm the one to bring it up, it feels like I'm hastily defending myself because I think my cute student doesn't trust me. It's an awkward feeling.
So… if the ever-considerate Mimori, who is the very picture of a Yamato Nadeshiko, could notice my dilemma and just straightforwardly ask me what my relationship with Izuna is, that would actually help me a lot.
These were the thoughts in my head as I looked at Mimori's serene, gentle, breathtakingly beautiful face. Her clear eyes held no sign of the reaction I hoped to see.
After a moment.
"Sensei…" Mimori shyly averted her gaze, her pale cheeks tinged pink. "Is there… something on my face?"
…Did I overthink this? Maybe the rumor was just a rumor, and Mimori really couldn't read minds?
I shook my head, speaking honestly. "Sorry. I was just captivated by your beauty and stared without thinking. Please excuse my rudeness."
"Eh? Is… is that so? Hmm…"
Even after she regained her composure, a trace of shyness lingered in her expression. "Even if it's just an adult's joke, I'll take it as a compliment."
Her calm yet elegant response might seem plain compared to more dramatic reactions, but savoring it a bit, it carried its own kind of charm.
It made me think that this really is how Mimori should be.
She'll absolutely become a wonderful, gentle wife someday.
And I wasn't joking. Even if part of me was observing Mimori's reaction, I genuinely found her charm heart-stirring.
…So does Mimori really not know how to read minds?
I still wasn't completely convinced. But if she truly did read my thoughts just now and still showed no change of expression, then her emotional discipline was simply extraordinary.
"Speaking of which," I looked toward the girl standing in the middle of the road, leaning on her shield and already snoring, "Is Tsubaki really okay like that?"
Whatever conflict might have taken place in the shadows, publicly Mimori and I were still having a normal conversation.
Mimori smiled. "Please don't worry. That's normal. Sensei already knows this…"
I knew Tsubaki could sleep, yes. I just didn't know she could sleep this much.
In fact, Tsubaki's ability in that regard constantly refreshed my understanding of the heights her training had reached.
"Ah, Kaede and the other girl are back."
Mimori spotted the two approaching from the far end of the street. Then she looked back at me and said softly, "Sensei, shall we join them?"
That was fast.
I couldn't help feeling disappointed at how short my moment alone with Mimori had been.
Judging from all this, the mind-reading rumor was probably just that. Otherwise, how could Mimori remain so calm?
Then again, perhaps a true Yamato Nadeshiko could handle things to this degree.
Either way, the test had gone far enough. Continuing to overthink it was pointless.
For now, I'd bury the question deep in my heart.
Thinking this, I nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
The pink-haired Yamato Nadeshiko tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling quietly as she turned gracefully toward where Tsubaki stood.
I followed her for a few steps before calling out, "Right, Mimori."
She paused and turned back with a curious look. "Hm? What is it?"
Dear wife? Can you hear me?
I thought this silently while meeting Mimori's gaze.
"…Sensei? Is something wrong?" she asked with a touch of hesitation. Her bright, pale blue eyes seemed to reflect me perfectly.
"Don't move."
In truth, whether you can read minds or not, it doesn't matter.
"Eh?"
I reached out to her pink hair and plucked a petal from between the strands, holding it out for her to see.
"Look. Isn't it pretty?"
It's the same color as you. But you are far more beautiful.
Mimori pressed her lips together lightly. "…Thank you."
"No need to thank me. It's what I should do."
Because one day, I'll marry you, help you fulfill your dream, and bring you happiness.
"Um…"
"What is it?" I asked, smiling.
So if you really can read my thoughts, why not treat my probing and your composure as a little, unspoken game between us?
"No, it's nothing," Mimori replied calmly. "Let's go."
"Sorry, sorry. I held us up."
And, by the way, I also want to marry other people. You don't mind, right? If you don't object clearly, I'll take it as agreement.
In that moment, maybe it was just my imagination, but Mimori's expression seemed a little more strained than before. Then again, looking closely, there was no real sign of it.
She stepped back, gave me what felt like a deep glance, then quietly turned away and continued forward.
I followed her unhurriedly, feeling rather pleased.
If Mimori really can read minds, then this round goes to me.
And if she can't… then no one knows what I was thinking anyway.
Either way, in the end, the truth behind the rumor about Mimori remained an unsolved mystery.