章 12: Seducing Secrets in the Lounge

Mashima-sensei let out a low, exasperated sigh, his steel-gray eyes never leaving Aiden. His presence radiated strict authority, like a commander surveying his troops. "Hoshinomiya, this isn't the time for your games. This student—"

"—is just a curious little first-year," Hoshinomiya interrupted, her tone breezy and dripping with charm. She turned toward Aiden, her mischievous smile lighting up her face. "Isn't that right, Takahashi-kun?"

Aiden tilted his head slightly, his smirk morphing into something almost innocent. "Curious? That's my middle name."

Hoshinomiya chuckled, her laughter warm and melodic. "See, Mashima-kun? Harmless. Besides, aren't the teachers supposed to be at the assembly too? Maybe you're the one in the wrong place."

Aiden couldn't help the grin that tugged at the corners of his lips. The unexpected lifeline was appreciated, but his mind was already working overtime. Her casual mention of the assembly timing was a nugget of valuable information. Filing it away for later, he made a mental note to thank her properly—assuming he didn't end up on some detention roster before the day was out.

Mashima-sensei's sharp gaze narrowed. His patience was visibly wearing thin. "Don't think for a second that you're off the hook. Your name and class, student."

Aiden snapped to attention with exaggerated sharpness, raising a mock salute. "Takahashi Aiden, Class 1-D, Sir!"

Hoshinomiya burst into a fit of stifled laughter, covering her mouth to muffle the sound. Mashima, however, remained stone-faced, his piercing eyes scanning Aiden from head to toe.

"Ridiculous," Mashima muttered under his breath before turning on his heel. As he strode toward the door, he added, almost too low to hear, "What a waste."

Aiden watched him leave, his grin unwavering, though his mind quietly noted the parting remark. What a waste? What's that supposed to mean?

The door clicked shut, leaving Aiden alone with Hoshinomiya-sensei.

She immediately sauntered over to the coffee cup on the desk, lifting it with an exaggerated flourish. "Well, that was entertaining," she said, sipping delicately. "So, you're the infamous barista of the teacher's lounge?"

Aiden gave her a mock bow, his tone matching her playful energy. "My deepest apologies, sensei. I tarnished your reputation by mistaking you for someone else."

Hoshinomiya tried—and failed—to suppress her laughter. "Oh, no, no, Takahashi-kun, you're forgiven. But only if you promise never to make such a grievous error again~."

Aiden straightened up, placing a hand over his heart with mock solemnity. "Of course, sensei. It would help immensely, though, if you could point out your favorite spot in the lounge. You know, to prevent any further embarrassments."

Hoshinomiya's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh? And why would you need to know that, hmm?"

Aiden leaned casually against the desk, swirling the cup of coffee he had picked up earlier. "Well, it's only proper. I wouldn't want to accidentally sit where another teacher might have… ahem… staked their claim. Besides, it'd be a shame if someone dared to challenge your reputation as the lounge's resident barista. Wouldn't want to upset the balance of power."

Hoshinomiya chuckled, clearly entertained by his sharp wit. "Oh? So you're asking me for the seating chart of the teacher's lounge now? My, my, Takahashi-kun, you're full of surprises."

Her tone carried that unmistakable mix of amusement and suspicion, the kind that only someone as sharp and intuitive as her could manage. After all, there were rules against teachers divulging anything that could tilt the balance of the school's carefully orchestrated system.

Aiden took another sip of the coffee, letting its warmth spread through him. His grin widened, a playful glint in his electric-blue eyes. "Purely to avoid future misunderstandings, sensei. No one wants to accidentally encroach on hallowed grounds. It's all about respect."

"Oh, stop," Hoshinomiya said, though her grin suggested she was thoroughly enjoying his flattery. "You really are a handful, aren't you? Always so quick with the words. So, tell me—what brought you to our humble domain? Surely not just to compliment my coffee-making skills."

Aiden leaned back slightly, his posture as casual as his tone. "I was looking for Chabashira-sensei. She left the classroom in such a hurry, I didn't even get the chance to say, 'Ma'am.' Thought I'd catch her before the assembly."

Hoshinomiya laughed, a melodic sound that filled the room. "Oh, I can already imagine her storming off. That's so her—always in such a rush, like the world might end if she's a minute late."

She leaned forward then, her arms resting on the desk as she tilted closer to Aiden in one fluid, deliberate motion. Her light brown hair fell forward, brushing against her shoulders, and her posture exuded casual confidence, but there was something more in her eyes—an unmistakable glimmer of playful intensity. As she leaned further, her body brushed against the edge of the desk, her presence closing the gap between them like a predator circling prey.

Aiden caught the shift immediately, his sharp electric-blue eyes noting her movements with an unreadable expression. His smirk never faltered, though his mind worked quickly to assess the situation.

"So, Takahashi-kun," Hoshinomiya purred, her voice dropping an octave. Her tone was silkier now, each word laced with teasing allure. "Why not forget about Chabashira? She's a bit… rigid, don't you think? Stifling, even."

Her arms slid just slightly closer, her body angling so that her chest was nearly level with his seated position, her proximity undeniable. "Why don't you help your beloved senseieiii~? I could use someone like you."

Aiden raised an eyebrow, his smirk unwavering as he leaned back slightly, deliberately putting more space between them—though his tone remained light and teasing. "Oh, are you inviting me to the dark side, sensei? If you've got cookies, I might consider it."

Hoshinomiya chuckled warmly, the sound wrapping around them like a velvet ribbon. "Cookies, coffee, and so much more~," she cooed, her voice dripping with playful mischief. "I'd say my side has quite a lot to offer. Don't you think?"

Tilting his head, Aiden softened his smirk into a feigned look of mock sadness, the kind that was just convincing enough to disarm but not reveal his hand. "Ah, but sensei, there's just one small issue. We can't even change our classes. That's what we've been told, after all."

Hoshinomiya's lips curved into a sly smile, leaning even closer, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh, Takahashi-kun, who said anything about changing classes?"

The way she said it, with her eyes gleaming mischievously, sent a ripple of tension through the air. Aiden caught the undertone immediately, his mind working to dissect her words.

"Huh, sensei? Isn't that obvious? Otherwise, how can I help you? If I stay in my class, Chabashira-sensei will never let me assist you, and I'll lose such a golden opportunity." His grin widened, the mischief in his tone mirroring her own, as he turned her teasing back on her.

Hoshinomiya tilted her head slightly, her light brown hair cascading over her shoulder as she regarded him with a raised brow. "Oh my, you are sharp, aren't you, Takahashi-kun? But," she added, her smile not faltering as she straightened up slightly, "I'm afraid I can't say anything about that."

"So, you're under a gag order, sensei?" Aiden asked casually, his smirk turning sharper.

Her expression froze for a split second—so brief it might have been imperceptible to anyone else. But Aiden caught it. The way her eyes narrowed, the faint furrow of her brow before she masked it with a wide, almost predatory smile.

"Takahashi-kun," she said sweetly, though her tone carried an edge of warning

Aiden, unfazed, leaned forward slightly, as if genuinely curious. "Are the upperclassmen also under the same gag order, sensei?"

The air between them shifted, the playful banter now layered with tension. Hoshinomiya's piercing gaze met his, her smile thinning just slightly. But before she could respond—

"What's going on here?"

Chabashira's voice cut through the room like a blade, cold and clipped.

Hoshinomiya straightened instantly, her playful demeanor returning as she turned to face the other teacher. "Oh, nothing to worry about, Sae-chan. Takahashi-kun and I were just… chatting."

Chabashira's arms crossed over her chest, her icy gaze shifting from Hoshinomiya to Aiden. "Takahashi. Assembly. Now."

Aiden tipped his red cap with a smirk, rising from his seat smoothly. "Yes, ma'am." He turned to Hoshinomiya with a grin, his tone light as he added, "Thanks for the coffee, Hoshinomiya-sensei. It was… enlightening."

Hoshinomiya chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with amusement as she watched him leave. "You're welcome, Takahashi-kun. Don't be a stranger."

As Aiden slipped out the door, Hoshinomiya's laughter followed him, light and melodic. "Oh, Sae-chan, you really should loosen up. Your students are delightful when you let them breathe." Chabashira didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the door as it closed behind him.