Chapter 24: Chapter 21: Which Library Did the Protagonist Come Out Of?
"I'm a very kind-hearted person."
"I'm also willing to help my classmates."
Upon hearing this, Mikoto Tamamo's face lit up with joy, though quickly she masked her excitement,
Standing to the side, Chiba Shimizu watched the scene expressionlessly, her slender fingers idly stroking a book on the desk, as if pondering something,
"But..."
The boy suddenly showed a helpless expression,
"But right now, Haruka Yuzan is going to leave with me. Do any of you have objections?"
Suddenly, a familiar yet indifferent voice came from the doorway. Otome Yumeko walked in, her brown leather shoes tapping on the floor,
Long legs, a slender waist, the perfect curves and a beautiful face with a mocking expression, the classmates all couldn't help but make way for her,
The girl walked up to Haruka Yuzan, gently straightening his collar,
"I was waiting for you at the door just now, wondering why you hadn't come out, worried that something had happened."
Otome Yumeko spoke softly, then turned around, slid her arm through the boy's, and flashed a dangerously charming smile,
"May we leave now?"
Without waiting for Mikoto Tamamo to reply, Haruka Yuzan was already being pulled away by Miss Otome.
As soon as they stepped out, a chorus of envious howls erupted in the classroom,
"Ah! I'm so jealous! Otome likes Haruka!"
"Wasn't it said that Haruka Yuzan always refused her? To what point has their relationship developed?"
"This has got to be a light novel protagonist, right? Being so handsome is one thing, but with impeccable academic and athletic achievements, too? Seriously, which publishing house's protagonist has escaped into the real world?"
....
Hearing the noises coming from the classroom, the smile on Otome Yumeko's face grew even brighter, happier than a few percentage points rise in the Otome Family's stock.
Her grip on the boy's arm tightened as if she wished to cling onto Haruka entirely.
"This time it's all your classmates' doing, I didn't put them up to it...."
Haruka Yuzan couldn't help but sigh,
"They're all just a bunch of nosy people who love a spectacle."
"Everyone thinks so, I don't know what you're considering, or perhaps, in your heart..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Otome Yumeko, who had been sweet a moment ago, sent out a dangerous signal.
Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened their hold, crinkling the fabric of the boy's sleeve.
"That's definitely not the case. Mainly, I am someone who likes to progress things methodically..."
Haruka Yuzan spoke blandly, as if he were already accustomed to this.
"Where shall we go later?"
His attempt at changing the subject was clumsy, but unexpectedly effective,
"Hmm... I was thinking of having dinner with you tonight."
Hearing the boy's answer, Otome Yumeko's mood lifted once more.
"Aren't you supposed to go and make yourself known at the student council later?"
"Why bother with those good-for-nothings? Don't worry about them; I have already arranged everything for you."
"Is that... okay?"
"What, do you really want to do some work?"
"Not really....."
But in the end, he was unable to join the lady for dinner.
No sooner had the two of them sat down in the lounge than the busy Miss Otome was called away by a phone call.
At 5 p.m., while the day was still bright, Haruka Yuzan stood at the school gate, watching Otome Yumeko get into the extended Honda. The black sedan quickly disappeared from sight.
'Although I'd really like to take Haruka with me,' Yumeko had said, 'there's a gathering of the entire Kanto region's underworld soon, and if I bring Haruka without first greeting my father...'
She feared that Haruka would have to face a man's trial, and she could not bear to have someone she fancied suffer.
Before she left, she gave the boy a kiss and then went on her way.
"Get in shape and be prepared, it's something you'll have to face sooner or later."
Recalling what the young lady had said to him, Haruka Yuzan shrugged his shoulders, another day he could leave early.
But he did not plan to work part-time today,
Instead, he headed to the station, caught a train, and visited his good buddy Heisuke Yonchu's place.
The train swayed leisurely along,
The two little girls sitting diagonally opposite kept whispering to each other, and every now and then, they would glance back, accidentally locking eyes with the boy before shyly looking away.
A breeze lifted the lazy strands of the boy's hair. Haruka Yuzan didn't really pay attention to these little girls' thoughts,
Soon, the train arrived at the station. Haruka got off at Yotsuya Station and, with the help of his memory and phone maps, found the three-story house with "Heisuke Family" written on it.
After ringing the doorbell, the householders could see who it was through the camera,
and soon, the gate opened automatically.
Haruka Yuzan walked in, crossed the small courtyard, and saw a tall boy in pajamas standing at the door, arms wide open,
"Haruka, you're here!"
The boy was thrilled, rushing up to embrace his good buddy, but Haruka Yuzan refused,
"No way, don't infect me."
"Hehe," Heisuke chuckled, standing in place,
"I've been bored to death, all I can do is eat, sleep, and play games."
"You're living my dream life ahead of time! How vexing!"
The two entered the house, and since there was no one else at home, they didn't have to be too formal. Still, Haruka respectfully followed Heisuke back to his room.
"So, when are you going back to school?"
"Tomorrow's Saturday, I should be back to normal school next week..."
"Hey, Haruka, why don't you stay for dinner tonight? My aunt came over; I want you to meet her. She's really pretty!"
"Ah?" Haruka Yuzan was taken aback, Aunt?
How could I not know whether Mrs. Harada is pretty?
It would be really awkward to meet her later; does your aunt want to keep me as a gigolo!
He promptly shook his head, "Not today, I have plans tonight."
"Oh, okay..."
Feeling that Heisuke still seemed a bit off, Haruka Yuzan chatted for a bit before standing to leave.
After leaving Heisuke's home, he passed a small mall and decided to pick out an apron.
An apron for 600 yen, with a 2000 yen reward for gifting it to madam—definitely a profitable deal.
Thinking of his wish list, he couldn't help but wonder, was Onodera in a good mood at work today?
When he returned to the villa, it was just six o'clock. By that time, the evening sunset had already cast long shadows on the ground,
"I'm back!"
If there was someone at home, Haruka Yuzan would also call out.
Onodera was surprised to see the boy come back so early. Right now, madam was in the bathroom, washing their dirty clothes;
And because there was no one else home, she was only wearing a very small, tight tank top…
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone