Wakamo went to the Onmyoubu, and contrary to the story about her possibly not having a good time there, the teacher suggested accompanying her.
As far as I know, most of Wakamo’s official apologies and community service events were conducted by the Odyssey side, and the information about her transferring to the SRT Special Academy didn’t spread widely.
Unless you count the people active on the ETO side, the students from SRT, or Kaya and Rin from the Student Council, it’s safe to say it’s pretty much half classified information.
The prevalent speculation that the Reikubyō no Yū has temporarily ceased her activities stemmed from the possibility of problems arising when information spread about her being active as part of the SRT… It’s tied to whether people can trust the SRT or not, hence everyone thought it was unnecessary to dig it up.
That’s when the teacher brought up the idea of sharing Wakamo’s detailed situation with the Onmyoubu, which essentially functions as the de facto student council for the Hakgwiyaeng.
Upon reflection, it might not be entirely the fault of the Student Council President that such information hadn’t been conveyed to the Hakgwiyaeng, rather than another academy…
Anyway, Wakamo readily accepted that proposal.
“But can’t I just go without the mask? It’s not like I have a weird-looking face or anything. Yeah. If I was hiding a terrifying mug under the mask like the rumors say, that’d be one thing. But I look perfectly cute, right?”
“…Uh, thank you for the compliment. But exposing my bare face, especially in front of someone precious, is something I wouldn’t like…”
“Oh, okay…”
It’s not like the mask is blocking anything anyway, but I can’t help but imagine her blushing and glancing up from below. What on earth did I do to make Wakamo show such affection?
Honestly, if Wakamo had started sticking to me calling me ‘husband,’ I think I would have caved in pretty quickly. Unless I step forward and ask her to call me that, I doubt I’ll ever hear it.
…Thinking like this makes it a bit tempting.
No, wait, if I ask Nagisa, wouldn’t she do it at least once?
The problem is, if it’s Nagisa, she might just ask for the opposite.
Imagining calling Nagisa,
“Husband…”
makes me feel… strangely not bad…
“…Mika, what was that just now?”
“Huh? Teacher, why? Did I say something?”
“Mika-san, just now… you referred to me as husband…”
“Whoa—oh…?”
Oh, I see. So, I unconsciously let that slip out? That husband phrase?
And in front of the teacher, the very embodiment of an alpha male?
I’m dead.
“Um, uh, it’s a misunderstanding…? Yeah, what I meant was…”
Heueng.
Look at Nagisa’s eerie smile. If we were at Trinity, I wouldn’t be surprised if she whipped out a rolled cake from her inventory right about now with that killer intent wafting all around.
“Mika… not true, right?”
“No, really! It’s a total misunderstanding, Hina-chan. I was just thinking to myself a bit…”
“Just what were you thinking that would make such a random title pop up…? I’m kind of curious.”
“I’m too embarrassed to say. Yeah, so please don’t ask…”
“Oh my…”
Heueng…
Nagisa’s gaze is unsettling. It looks like she’s about to grab someone to show them the delightful taste of a bombardment from the artillery team, and that gaze is directed right at the teacher.
Well, considering the teacher is the only man here, it’s understandable.
“Mika… my face is burning with embarrassment. Can you please explain yourself quickly?”
“Ahh…”
Before I knew it, Nagisa’s cold eyes were staring at the teacher, starkly contrasting her earlier smiling face. Meanwhile, Hina, who was on the other side, shot the teacher a subtle glance filled with hostility.
Even so, saying this out loud feels a bit tricky. I mean, the moment I actually say it, I feel like all the remaining shreds of my masculinity will turn to ash and disappear…
But then again, it feels wrong to lie, so maybe I should just let the teacher slide for now.
“Um, hey, Teacher, maybe you should go take care of things with the Onmyoubu…? Yeah, it’s an urgent matter.”
“…You’ll explain it well, right?”
“Haha, I might at least try?”
“…Then, Shizuko. Please guide him.”
It seemed the teacher found this scenario pretty awkward too, as he immediately stood up and followed Shizuko out of the Baiyayang.
Honestly, I’d want to escape too if I were getting that look from Nagisa. Thankfully, she doesn’t really bite, but her threats are legitimately chilling.
Wakamo seemed genuinely disappointed to part ways with us… or rather, me. But after Nagisa whispered something to her, her expression suddenly lit up.
What on earth did she say?
“Ahem. So, Mika-san?”
“…”
“Mika. I need an explanation.”
“I’m not really sure what you two are talking about. Uh, why are you acting this way?”
With the teacher gone, the group shrank back to just the three of us. But still, spilling the truth didn’t feel easy.
“I wonder what kind of funny thought crossed your mind to make that come out. You didn’t have some weird imagination about the teacher, did you…? Uh, um, no way… right?”
The issue was that Nagisa seemed to have no certainty about that. No matter what, if it crossed the line into affection over friendship with a man, I’d rather die.
No matter how much of a person the teacher is, it’s biologically impossible for me, hence Nagisa’s concern is unnecessary. But given the situation is what it is, it feels like I ought to provide some explanation.
“Uh, haha. That phrase… so saying ‘husband’ was… um.”
…Point is, if I call Nagisa that once, I’ll have to call Hina that too. It’s not like I could do it secretly when it’s just the two of us. Can my dignity handle this?
…I don’t know. Let it happen, I suppose. I don’t want to see these two feeling uneasy over something strange.
“…What would it feel like to call you two that… I was just imagining a bit, and it slipped out. Seriously, it’s nothing serious.”
“…Huh?”
“We, uh…?”
“Embarrassingly enough, making me say this myself is just cruel.”
“…”
Oh wow. They’re not even listening to me now. Just look at the corners of their mouths twitching. I can totally understand why the title ‘husband’ has such a strange allure to it.
“Mika-san…”
“Absolutely. No way. Not ever.”
“Mika, let’s just head back to the dorm.”
“…What about the festival?”
“That’s not exactly important right now.”
“I agree with Hina-san on this one. If you truly can’t manage it due to embarrassment, we’ll simply have to create a situation where you have no choice but to say it.”
Nagisa seems to be pretty determined about this. But honestly, how would I even set that up when I could barely last an hour trying to be serious?
“Um, after all, that title means husband, right? I think both of you need to get a grip on reality a bit…?”
“Mika-san, gender is not the issue right now. Just imagining your face after you called me that gives me goosebumps.”
“…Are you really not going to do it?”
“Hm.”
The moment I saw Hina’s half-pleading face, my resolve instantly crumbled into nothing. My eyes reflexively squeezed shut.
The carefully built dam broke in an instant.
“Uh… husbands…?”
Heuuh…
“…”
Once again, as the words left my mouth, I felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment that made me wish I could just die right there. But the moment I saw Nagisa clutching her heart and Hina progressively turning red, my thoughts shifted a bit.
If I can draw out such reactions, isn’t that worth it…?
But I absolutely cannot do it again. This is definitely not okay.
“This is a secret from Noa-chan and Haruna-chan. Seriously, if they find out about today, I won’t forgive you.”
“…”
Watching the two of them still fixating on that title left me feeling even more troubled.
What makes my feelings even more complicated is that I had a strong suspicion that if these girls asked for it again—let alone for the second time—I would agree far more readily than I should.
“Ha, Hua. Mika-san, it’s really hard to explain this feeling. I’ve never found you so lovable as I do right now.”
Heueng, really…? That makes me a bit happy.
“Yes, I’m being serious. In that sense, just one more time…”
“Ah, no. Once is enough.”
“…What do I have to do to hear it once more?”
Hina asked with an overly serious expression. Seeing her straight face reminded me too much of my usual self craving love, making it hard to resist the rising urge within me.
“I-I’ll think about it later. I might say it when I’m in the mood. Don’t go asking for it or I definitely won’t.”
“Is this really not working even with a request?”
Hina-pulled up close against me. She grabbed my hand and brought it to her mouth, showering kisses on my palm as smooch sounds echoed.
“H-Hina-chan, this is bad… Heu?”
This time, Nagisa moved over and took a look around before cupping my cheek and planting a deep kiss on me that, while not entwining tongues, expressed her feelings completely.
I felt like my head was going to explode from the overwhelming love pouring in from both sides. I was reminded once again that actions speak louder than words.
“Please, just call me that one more time, my love. Then… I won’t press for anything beyond that.”
Once the kiss broke, her sugary whispers left me realizing that I had no will left to refuse their request.
My relationship with the two shifted again at that moment.
And within me, I felt something shift, an unknown feeling…
