Chapter 45: Shizuka Hiratsuka's promise

The next day.

Mai lazily leaned against Rei Ao's arm, her eyebrows twitching as she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Rei Ao smiling gently at her.

"Awake?"

"!"

Mai blushed deeply. Yesterday, jealousy had clouded her judgment, and she couldn't resist coming over. Things quickly spiraled out of control.

Luckily, Rei Ao had kept his promise and didn't take things too far.

Suddenly, Mai felt something odd.

She turned her head in shock: "Are you… a monster?"

Rei Ao chuckled.

"Can't blame me. You should blame yourself."

"Huh? Blame me?"

"Mm-hmm. Mai is too irresistible."

"It's still early. How about a little good-morning cuddle?"

"Wai—"

...

At school, in class.

"What's on your mind, Rei Ao?" Megumi Kato asked, noticing Rei Ao deep in thought.

"Kato, I've been thinking about something academic."

"Academic? So Rei Ao-kun is interested in learning, aside from… making trades?"

"Hm?"

Rei Ao looked up at Megumi. He had a feeling that her calm expression was hiding a deeper meaning, probably related to the trade he made the previous day.

But he shook his head and said, "Of course, this is a deep subject."

A "good-morning cuddle" could indeed be considered an academic topic—how to make the most out of the cuddle experience.

There's a lot of nuance to it.

The trick was to use leg strength in combination with specific areas to achieve the best experience.

Earlier that morning, Mai hadn't allowed things to go further, so he had to come up with ways to get closer to her. At least in the art of cuddling, he was already making progress.

Now, Mai was far from resistant—cuddling literature was something even she could enjoy for a lifetime.

Megumi didn't know what was on his mind. If she did, she would definitely give him a strange look.

Before long, class started.

Shizuka Hiratsuka walked up to the podium with large strides, holding a report card in her hand. Her gaze briefly swept over Rei Ao with a complicated expression.

She began, "The test results for our class are excellent this time…"

She didn't reveal the grades, only giving some general praise and keeping some anticipation alive. Around the midday break, the full grade rankings would be posted on the school notice board for everyone to see.

However, before starting her lecture, she specifically said to Rei Ao, "Rei Ao, please come to my office during the break."

…

During the break.

In the office, Rei Ao arrived on time.

Seeing him, Shizuka Hiratsuka rubbed her temples, looking troubled.

"Rei Ao, how do you feel about your performance on the test?"

Rei Ao replied confidently, "I should be ranked first, right?"

"First? Yes, that's correct."

Shizuka Hiratsuka smiled wryly. "But you scored a perfect score in all subjects."

A perfect score in every subject.

Do you realize what that means?!

Even Shizuka Hiratsuka was utterly shocked.

Rei Ao, sensing that Shizuka's words were loaded with more meaning, raised an eyebrow.

"Are you implying that I cheated, Sensei?"

Shizuka gave him a serious look.

"No, I don't think you're that kind of student. But some of the teachers are suspicious of your results."

"I've tried my best to defend you from their doubts, and I hope you understand."

"I do," Rei Ao said, understanding the situation.

He wasn't unreasonable. After all, his sudden jump from being outside the top 100 to achieving a perfect score in all subjects was rather unbelievable. Suspicion was natural.

"So, what's the plan to prove I didn't cheat?"

"..."

Shizuka looked at Rei Ao's mature demeanor and couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Aren't you going to ask any other questions?"

"Sensei, you don't think I'm the type to throw a tantrum, do you?"

Rei Ao shrugged.

"I understand you have your own challenges to deal with."

Shizuka felt touched that her student was so understanding.

She stood up and patted his shoulder, then took out a new set of test papers.

"This is a new exam."

"I, along with another teacher, will supervise you as you complete it."

"As long as you score 90% or higher, it will be enough to clear any doubts."

"I know this might seem a bit harsh, but…"

Before she could finish, Rei Ao raised his hand to stop her.

"Let's go with that plan."

"You're agreeing?"

Rei Ao grinned. "Of course."

"But, Sensei, do you remember the promise we made?"

"Uh…"

Shizuka suddenly remembered the verbal agreement they made when collecting the test papers.

She looked at Rei Ao cautiously.

"You're not planning anything inappropriate with your teacher, are you?"

It was meant to be a joke.

But Rei Ao nodded.

"That's right."

"???"

Shizuka was stunned.

~~~

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