Chapter 3 – Caught

It was the start of a new week. When I arrived at school, I saw that Yukimori had arrived before me—unusual.

Because of that, a crowd had formed around her desk, making it impossible to approach. Was this a new kind of bullying?

I stood frozen, not knowing what to do, when my eyes met Yukimori’s.

The smile she gave me was clearly different from the one she gave everyone else—a smile blooming like a flower. Stop it. Don’t look at me like that with that face.

“Good morning, Hatase-kun.”

“G-Good morning, Yukimori.”

“Oh, before I forget… Here, I’m returning this.”

“Huh?”

What Yukimori handed me was a handkerchief in a clear plastic bag. My handkerchief.

Ah, crap. I must have left it at her house. But if she hands it over *here* like this…!

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“Hey, why does Yukimori-san have Hatase’s handkerchief?”

“Don’t ask me!”

“That makes no sense!”

See?! Now everyone’s staring at me! All eyes are on me!

“Hatase-kun dropped it when he was leaving. I noticed, but he left in a rush before I could return it, so I kept it at my house. I’ve already washed it, so don’t worry.”

“O-oh, I see. Thanks. I thought I’d lost it, so this helps a lot.”

Saved… It looks like Yukimori covered for me, and everyone’s curiosity faded. Their eyes went back to her instead of me.

I should take it quickly before anyone brings it up again.

I took the handkerchief from Yukimori’s hand. And then… huh? There was something on the back—looked like a letter?

I glanced over at Yukimori.

She was already back to chatting with everyone, no longer looking my way.

I slipped the handkerchief into my pocket and left the classroom.

Once I reached a quiet spot, I took it back out and flipped it over.

Thank you for the wonderful evening.

I’ll prepare something special next time, so look forward to it. —S.Y.

S.Y. Shizuku Yukimori. The handwriting was hers too.

But… something special next time? What’s that supposed to mean?

When it comes to “special,” I’m always the one receiving it. Yukimori thinks she’s the one giving, but she’s wrong. I’m the one who gets things from her.

And now she’s planning to give me something even more special? What the hell is she thinking?

…No point in overthinking it. I should head back to class.

I shoved the handkerchief and the note into my pocket and turned around—

—only to find a girl standing there.

Golden blond hair tied into a side ponytail and sharp, confident eyes.

She had that “sexy,” extroverted, gyaru vibe. A strikingly beautiful girl.

She was a classmate, I think. Her name was…

“Asuka Toudo, right?”

“…You remembered? Even though it’s only been half a month since the second year started.”

“Well, half a month’s enough to learn my classmates’ names and faces.”

Well, maybe just the faces.

Todo had always stood out, even back in first year. That’s the only reason I remembered her name.

It’s not because she’s flashy or a gyaru or anything.

She’s the kind of beauty people whisper about when she walks by. Not on Yukimori’s level, but she’s the type that’s popular with the wild crowd. And… her breasts are huge.

Kazuki had said something like, “Todo’s pretty great, huh…” once. Wasn’t he on team Yukimori though?

“So, what’s up? You need something?”

“It’s not a big deal, but… that handkerchief. That was a lie, right?”

“A… lie?”

Bullseye.

But I tried to keep a straight face and kill any reaction… at least, I thought I did.

My voice was clearly shaking. Damn, I’m too obvious.

But Todo either didn’t notice my nerves or was focused on something else. She fidgeted with her fingers and said, “Umm…”

“I actually saw it. You, getting out of Yukimori-san’s car in your school uniform. Saturday at noon. Her car stands out—really fancy and hard to miss.”

Damn. She saw that?!

I thought we were safe in that quiet residential area. Guess not.

“When Yukimori-san gave you the handkerchief, she lied and said she picked it up. But that’s not true, right? You probably left it at her house, didn’t you?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. Must’ve been someone else.”

The only thing I could do was play dumb.

If I admitted it, who knows what kind of consequences there’d be?

I mean, I’d be fine, but if anything happened to Yukimori… I couldn’t forgive myself.

So I just had to keep denying it. That was the only way.

“Oh, I took a picture. So you can’t really deny it.”

Yep. Checkmate.

The photo on Todo’s phone was clearly me, in profile, stepping out of a sleek black luxury car—the same one that picks Yukimori up at the school gates.

“Th-that’s, well…”

“…I’m not planning to use this photo for anything bad. I just want to hear the truth from you.”

Like hell I can say anything. Our relationship is way too complicated.

But if I stay silent, she might start spreading rumors…

“…She’s just my employer. Every Friday night to Saturday morning, I work at her house. That’s all.”

Not a lie. But I didn’t have to go into detail about what the work involved.

Maybe Todo realized she couldn’t push further, because she just stared at me.

“…I see. Got it. Sorry for asking something weird.”

“No, it’s fine. Anyone can get the wrong idea.”

“Later then.”

Todo left without looking back.

…Better let Yukimori know, just in case.

> Inori: Just a heads-up. Todo’s getting suspicious about us.

> Employer: …I see. That explains it. Thank you.

Fast reply, as always.

I’m always amazed. Surrounded by people like that, yet she replies instantly. And what does “that explains it” even mean?

> Employer: I’m in the restroom right now, so it’s fine. Don’t worry about the earlier part of my message.

Did she read my mind or what!?

Well, in that case—wait, another message?

“Gahh!?”

T-this picture…!

She had her blouse completely unbuttoned, revealing pale skin and a black bra. She was lifting her chest from below and giving me a teasing, provocative smile.

This was the seductive Yukimori who only showed herself to me.

And she sent that from the school restroom… as a selfie. What the hell is she thinking?

> Employer: As long as you remember that I’m your employer, that’s all that matters.

…Seriously, what is she thinking?

I let out a quiet sigh, put away my phone, and headed back to the classroom.

And yes, for the record, I made sure to save that photo carefully.