"Huh? Oh, yeah, I did play the drums back in college," Hiratsuka replied, looking surprised that Haruno would bring it up.
"Why? What's with the sudden question?" she asked with a puzzled expression.
"I started learning the guitar," Haruno said with a wink.
"You're not thinking of pulling me into a band, are you?" Hiratsuka chuckled.
"Why not?"
"You think I have nothing better to do?" Hiratsuka, one of the only two first-year literature teachers and also a student life advisor, sighed. "I'm really busy, you know. I don't have time to play in a band with you. If it were just for the school festival, maybe, but this year's festival is already over."
"Is that so?" Haruno's voice sounded a little disappointed, but there was a sly glint in her eyes. "Then at least give me an empty clubroom to practice my guitar. That should be fine, right?"
The short-haired girl put on a pitiful look, her voice turning soft and dramatic. "Shizuka, you already rejected me once, you wouldn't turn me down a second time, would you?"
"…So this was your real goal all along," Hiratsuka sighed, rubbing her temples as she realized she had been played. "Fine, come find me after school."
"Thanks, Shizuka-chan~ And don't forget to practice your drumming when you have free time!"
"I'll think about it once you find a bassist and a rhythm guitarist. Two people don't make a band." Hiratsuka waved her hand dismissively, clearly wanting her gone.
Haruno, having gotten what she wanted, smiled and left the office.
After she was gone, Hiratsuka pulled a pack of cigarettes from her coat pocket, lit one, and exhaled slowly. Before long, the office was filled with smoke.
It wasn't that she felt guilty about rejecting Haruno's band request, so she agreed to give her a clubroom instead.
It was because she sensed that something about Haruno had changed.
Not long after starting school, Yukinoshita Haruno had already shown her genius—top grades, athletic talent, and even perfect social skills. The school administration often said that they were lucky to have her. If she wanted, she could probably get into Tokyo University without much trouble.
But Hiratsuka Shizuka had noticed something others hadn't.
Despite her excellent grades, it was clear she didn't care about studying.
Despite being friendly with everyone, she always gave off a sense of distance.
Despite being good at everything, nothing seemed to truly interest her.
Her eyes carried a sense of detachment. Whether it was studying or socializing, it all felt like she was just going through the motions, completing tasks one by one.
Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't want her students to live like exhausted office workers during their vibrant youth. She wanted them to have energy, to truly experience life.
But now, things seemed a little different.
At the very least, Yukinoshita Haruno had taken an interest in the guitar. The detachment in her eyes had faded a little, which was a good sign.
It was just a clubroom—no big deal. There were plenty of empty classrooms in the special teaching building anyway.
Extinguishing the half-burned cigarette in the ashtray, Hiratsuka Shizuka got up from her desk and headed to the student council room.
She was going to find a suitable clubroom for Yukinoshita Haruno.
…
…
That was unexpected.
Hayashizaki's voice echoed in Yukinoshita Haruno's mind.
What was unexpected?
Walking down the hallway, Yukinoshita Haruno greeted a few passing classmates while responding in her head.
Even though she's younger by a few years, Hiratsuka Shizuka hasn't changed at all. She looks just like she did years later. And honestly, with her personality, she doesn't seem like someone who takes care of her skin. Guess she's just naturally good-looking.
You've met Shizuka before? Haruno asked curiously.
Didn't I already tell you? When I first appeared in Yukino's body, she was a second-year at Sobu High. Her literature teacher and student guidance counselor were both Hiratsuka Shizuka.
…That's not something I really care to remember.
As Hayashizaki spoke, he started to feel puzzled. So she's been a literature teacher and guidance counselor since way back then? With her skills, why hasn't she been promoted after all these years?
It's probably because she doesn't want to be. Yukinoshita Haruno speculated, and it seemed like she was spot on.
Hiratsuka Shizuka had no interest in climbing the ranks. She wanted to stay close to the students, watch them grow during their three years of youth, and guide them onto the right path. That was why she chose to be a teacher in the first place.
Every time she sent off a graduating class, she felt a special mix of accomplishment and sadness.
And because she was dedicated to her job, focused on teaching, and refused promotions just to stay in the classroom, the school had given her a private office.
By the way, was Shizuka still single when you saw her? The short-haired girl suddenly thought of something and asked in her mind.
Still single.
After that response, both of them fell silent for a moment. Then, at the same time, they burst into laughter.
The students in the hallway looked on, confused as Yukinoshita Haruno suddenly let out a small chuckle, which quickly turned into uncontrollable laughter.
Did something funny happen?
After the afternoon classes ended, Yukinoshita Haruno smiled and politely declined her friends' invitation to hang out. Slinging the black guitar case over her shoulder, she made her way to Hiratsuka Shizuka's office.
She knocked on the door.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
As soon as she opened the door, she was hit by a thick cloud of cigarette smoke. Coughing, she waved her hand in front of her nose and quickly backed out of the room.
"Ah, sorry about that," Hiratsuka Shizuka laughed awkwardly, turning off the air conditioner and opening the windows to air out the room.
After thinking for a moment, she simply grabbed a key from her desk, stood up, and walked out of the office.
"Come on, I'll take you to your clubroom."
Stopping in front of an empty classroom on the fourth floor of the special teaching building, Hiratsuka Shizuka casually tossed the key to Yukinoshita Haruno.
"This is it. It's in a quiet spot, so you won't have to worry about anyone bothering you."
"Got it. Thanks, Hiratsuka-sensei," Yukinoshita Haruno said as she caught the key.
"So now you're calling me 'sensei' again?" Hiratsuka Shizuka chuckled, shaking her head.
"You'll have to clean it yourself, though. I've got work to do, so I'll be heading back."
"Bye-bye, Shizuka-chan~"
A sweet voice called from behind. Hiratsuka Shizuka stumbled slightly, shrugged her shoulders, stuffed her hands into the pockets of her white coat, and walked away quickly.
After she left, a pair of eyes and a mouth appeared on Yukinoshita Haruno's face. "Well, this is..."
He stopped halfway through his sentence, then chuckled and shook his head.
Was this fate?
The clubroom Hiratsuka Shizuka picked for Yukinoshita Haruno would, four years later, become the Service Club's room.
...
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