Next Target, 400PS!
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Most people find that knowing too much only brings trouble.
That's probably why Sakiko Togawa stayed quiet back then.
"Anyway, I can't tell you right now, but you'll definitely find out eventually!"
"Is that so?" Mutsumi Wakaba looked down and stayed silent.
After spending a little more time there, Soyo Nagasaki finally left. As former bandmates, Soyo often visited when she had free time, not just to ask about Sakiko.
"I'm heading out, Mutsumi!"
"Okay."
As Soyo walked away, Mutsumi kept her usual blank expression. She was used to hiding her feelings.
"Soyo... she's really happy."
Even though she didn't show much emotion, Mutsumi was very good at sensing how others felt. She could tell that Soyo's happiness was real.
As a friend, Mutsumi wanted the best for her. Still, while Soyo was happy, Mutsumi didn't feel happy at all. She also had no idea what Sakiko's secret was.
'Have I been left behind?'
It made Mutsumi feel left out. Everyone else seemed to know, and she was the only one who didn't. Didn't that mean she was being pushed aside?
Thinking about it made Mutsumi's mood sink. She might not have noticed, but as she grew more upset, a dark, cloud-like shape started to form behind her, as if something bad was brewing.
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The afternoon bell rang, just like it always does.
Right then, Kai received a text from Sakiko: [I have a surprise for you tonight!]
A surprise?
Kai looked at the message, a little surprised. He'd had "surprises" from the other girls before, and he enjoyed them. But Sakiko didn't seem like the type to do something like that.
Kai didn't think too much about it. He hadn't gone home the night before, and if he skipped tonight too, it would seem like he was ignoring Sakiko.
Kai was about to stop by the Service Club before heading out when Shizuka Hiratsuka suddenly found him.
"HOLD ON A SECOND!"
"Hmm?" Kai stopped, surprised to see the teacher coming his way. He grinned and teased her, "Don't tell me you're already craving it? If I remember right, your office is pretty soundproof..."
He didn't mind spending some time with Shizuka before going home.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed??" Shizuka hissed, cutting him off.
She quickly looked around the hallway, worried someone might have heard. But Shizuka forgot how scary her reputation was. Whenever the "Iron Fist" teacher walked by, most students stayed far away.
"Phew..." She sighed in relief when she saw no one was around. "You can't just say things like that! Aren't you worried people will start rumors??"
Shizuka didn't really care. She only took the teaching job to pass the time. As the heiress of the Hiratsuka Yakuza group, she didn't need to work at all—her family's money would last for generations.
"Do I look like I care?" Kai shrugged, looking at her without any concern. If she didn't care, why should he?
"..." Shizuka was speechless for a moment. She realized she was worrying for no reason. Kai was a Jujutsu Sorcerer, after all. Even if he got expelled, he'd still be fine.
"Never mind! That's not why I'm here. I actually need you for something else."
"Too bad. I was actually curious what it'd be like in your office."
"..." Shizuka glared at him, clearly annoyed.
After a moment of hesitation, she muttered, "I have things to do today. Let's do it tomorrow instead..."
Part of her didn't want to turn him down. She'd never say it, but she was a little curious too. It sounded exciting.
She hadn't had a boyfriend in over twenty years. Now that she finally had someone, she wanted to make up for all the time and experiences she'd missed.
"..." Kai didn't say a word. He just looked at her with a knowing, teasing smirk. Right on cue.
"Alright, let's get down to business!" Shizuka's face turned red as she tried to ignore his teasing look.
"Okay, go ahead." Kai knew when to stop teasing. He shrugged and waited for her to speak.
"Hayama and his group called in sick again. I'm going to do some home visits to check on them, and you're coming with me."
Most teachers would just call or ask a student to drop off notes. They wouldn't visit in person.
But Shizuka was different. Even with her tough reputation, she was a dedicated and responsible teacher.
"Is that all?" Kai wasn't surprised, but he lost interest. "Can't you go by yourself? Why drag me into it?"
Did he look like he had too much free time? Well, maybe he did... But she didn't need to bother him for something this trivial.
"Because I'm scared, obviously!" Shizuka didn't try to hide it from him.
"Scared?" What did she have to be scared of? With her "Iron Fist" reputation, who would dare mess with her?
"I'm not scared of people," Shizuka said, rolling her eyes at his expression.
"...You think a Cursed Spirit is involved?" Kai caught on right away. She thought Hayama and the others might have run into a curse.
"It's just a guess. When I called them, their stories didn't add up. They're healthy, but they have no energy. Even walking is exhausting for them, and they feel totally drained."
"They even went to the hospital, but the doctors found nothing wrong." If it were anyone but Hayato Hayama, Shizuka would have thought they were faking to skip school. But Hayama's honesty and perfect attendance made her believe him.
If a Cursed Spirit was really involved, it was way beyond her. Bringing Kai along was the safest choice.
"Fine." With her asking like that, Kai couldn't say no. He nodded.
However, he quickly pulled out his phone and texted Sakiko, letting her know he'd be late, but he was definitely coming over.
"Tsk, tsk! Texting your girlfriend again?" Shizuka teased as he put his phone away.
"What, are you jealous?" Kai replied with a smirk.
"Jealous? As long as you keep me happy, I don't care what else you do." As long as she got her share, Shizuka didn't mind.
She understood that a guy like Kai would never settle for just one woman. Still, she was happy with his "abilities," and that was enough. Like Sonoko Machida always said, life is about enjoying the moment.
"Don't worry, I'll make it up to you tomorrow!"
"Pfft!" Kai's words made her think of all sorts of things. She pretended to be annoyed but hurried to keep up with him.
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Meanwhile, after receiving Kai's text, Sakiko replied with a sweet [Okay].
She could already guess what was keeping him busy.
At least he promised to come over tonight, even if he'd be late. For Sakiko, that was enough.
"Ding-dong!" Just then, the doorbell rang. Soyo Nagasaki was outside, unable to wait any longer.
"Sakiko!" Soyo saw her and broke into a huge, happy smile. After so long, she finally got to be close to Sakiko again.
"Come on in," Sakiko said, stepping aside to let her in.
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