Chapter 44: Haruhi, You Must Really Love Taking Photos, Don't You?

Ten minutes earlier.

“Can I get my reward in advance?”

Hearing Haruhi Harano’s words, Kaori Yasukawa was momentarily taken aback, looking at him with some surprise.

“I mean, what is the reward, Sensei? Could you show me first?” Haruhi repeated himself, but this time his voice carried a hint of hesitation and uncertainty.

It really was too abrupt—he hadn’t been able to resist the temptation. Ah, Haruhi!

But then Kaori Yasukawa suddenly pressed her lips into a smile, leaning back with her entire body, hands braced on the ground. Her long, fair legs crossed one over the other, and her toes, painted black, gleamed in the dim sunlight.

“What kind of reward do you want from your teacher?” she asked softly, her small foot slowly sliding toward Haruhi’s thigh.

Her toes climbed his pant leg like steps—once, twice.

Haruhi swallowed, his throat suddenly parched.

“I don’t know—whatever you think best, Sensei.”

He grinned, showing his teeth. If not for the scene, he’d be nothing more than a sunny, healthy young man.

“Naughty boy.”

Suddenly, Sensei withdrew her foot, and under Haruhi’s curious gaze, removed her black-framed glasses, tossing her hair. Without her glasses, Kaori Yasukawa seemed like the girl next door; her foxlike eyes now fully revealed, with a few strokes of pink eyeliner at the corners, made her look utterly irresistible.

“What you get depends on your performance,” Kaori Yasukawa said with a smile. “I have everything here. What you can get depends on you.”

She even licked her rosy lips after speaking.

Feeling the teasing in the air, for some reason, Haruhi’s mind drifted to Mirone Kiyosuzu, alone at home.

What was the golden-haired beauty doing right now? Was she behaving herself, watching TV and waiting for him to return? Was she missing him?

The feeling grew stronger. He knew it was inappropriate to break the moment, but the image of Lady Kiyosuzu sleeping in his arms every night, like a daughter in peaceful slumber, wouldn’t leave his mind.

He brought up his system and checked Mirone Kiyosuzu’s current status: [Angry, upset!]

Haruhi nearly froze in surprise, quickly speaking up to interrupt.

“Sensei Yasukawa, just a moment, please.”

He stood up, pulled out his phone, and sent Mirone Kiyosuzu a brief message to assure her everything was fine. Only after seeing her status return to normal did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Only then did he remember another beautiful woman was waiting for him right here. He cursed himself inwardly—how could he mess up at a time like this? Kaori Yasukawa must think he was awfully dull now…

She might just send him packing on the spot—at the peak of such perfect atmosphere, his mind wandered to another woman?

It was a little too much, even disrespectful to Kaori Yasukawa.

“Sensei…”

Just as Haruhi tried to explain or perhaps apologize, Kaori Yasukawa pressed a finger to her lips, silencing him.

“I understand, Haruhi. You don’t have to say a word—I understand everything.”

What? You understand what?

Now it was Haruhi’s turn to be completely bewildered. Did Kaori Yasukawa really understand his situation? Was she fine with him talking to other women at this moment? Or even thinking of them?

Had society become so open-minded? Did that mean if he persuaded one more woman…

Wait, who was the young one here? Why did he feel like such an old fossil, unable to adapt?

“As long as you understand, Sensei…” Haruhi scratched his head.

“Of course I do, Haruhi. Everyone has their own preferences. Society is so inclusive now. I believe every fondness deserves respect—including yours, of course, and mine. So, don’t be shy or hesitant; be bold and true to yourself. That’s a lesson from the real world I want to teach you.”

“Sensei, you’re amazing. It’s rare to meet someone like you these days!”

Though it all sounded a bit odd, Haruhi felt she was speaking directly to him.

He hadn’t expected Kaori Yasukawa to be so open-minded. No wonder she was such a model teacher!

His hopes and dreams felt truly alive! Haruhi was touched.

He was so moved that he hugged Kaori Yasukawa tightly, their bodies pressed close, her softness like tofu against him. He was nearly in tears.

Kaori Yasukawa gently patted his broad shoulder, offering this long-repressed young man a warm harbor—an anchor to lean on.

“So, Haruhi, you have a special interest in taking photos and recording videos, don’t you? As long as you don’t show my pictures or videos to anyone else, I can go along with it.”

“Mmm, Sensei, you’re so—wait, what?!”

Haruhi, who had been deeply touched, suddenly froze and looked at her in disbelief. His arms relaxed their hold.

Kaori Yasukawa pulled away slightly, her hand gently caressing his Adam’s apple, her expression one of total understanding as she repeated herself.

“I get it, Haruhi. You like taking pictures and recording videos, right? As long as you study hard, it’s all fine. Don’t let it weigh on your mind…”

Yes, she thought Haruhi had stood up and pulled out his phone to surreptitiously snap her photo or film a video…

Just as the world is, so are the eyes that view it. (We, the righteous, see only the positive and the good.)

Haruhi finally understood, their gazes meeting—he was exasperated and helpless.

You don’t get it at all!

After all that, here he was, so moved, and this is what she thought of him?

Photos? Videos? What would he do with those—sneak them under his covers at night for a private viewing?

…

Meanwhile, Mirone Kiyosuzu was lounging on the sofa, her fair little legs swinging happily in the air.

She kept checking her phone to make sure she hadn’t misread it. Yes—Haruhi Harano had missed his train.

Well, of course—she was so beautiful, that idiot would be eager to fly back home to see her.

Missing the train—how pitiful!

She glanced at her crystal-clear, white feet. That idiot really liked them.

Yes, she decided—when he came home, she’d graciously comfort him.

After all, she was just that kindhearted.