Should I confess to Shiori-san?

I must have fallen asleep while working on these assignments.

When I woke up, there was a blanket covering me. Glancing at the clock, I was shocked—it was already 5 PM. My eyes wandered to Shiori-san, fast asleep on my bed.

So, she's the one who covered me... Thanks, Shiori-san.

Should I wake her up? No, she's sleeping like a log. Better to let her rest. Besides, if she wakes up, she might pester me into playing games again. I'll just get back to finishing these assignments quietly.

My phone buzzed, breaking my focus.

A message? Who could it be?

It was from Aunt Marika.

"The hell is this, Haru? Is she your girlfriend??"

I scrolled down to find a screenshot of a conversation between her and... Shiori-san?

"Who are you to my Haru? Why do you have him on your friend list, you damn idol?"

Shiori-san!! What are you doing?!

I typed back quickly.

"So... sorry, Aunt Marika. Please ignore her. And no, she's not my girlfriend."

Yet.

"Well, I wasn't planning on getting involved with her in the first place, but… she killed me in-game."

"Also, don't call me Aunt—it makes me sound like a middle-aged woman."

"Sigh… she killed you? Skill issue. Not my fault."

"Damn you! I'm your aunt, Haru! And now you're taking her side? She is your girlfriend, isn't she?"

But she just told me not to call her aunt

Aunt Marika's inconsistency was exhausting.

"No, she's not. And it's just a game—she beat you fair and square. That's still a skill issue."

"Fine, fine. But that girl has some nerve, confronting an idol like me..."

"By the way, what did you tell her when she asked why we're friends on SFO?"

"I told her I'm someone important to you and close to your mom~."

Auntie, you're only making things worse!

"Anyways, how's Miyako-nee-san? Is she okay?"

"She's been lively again. I think she's doing fine now."

"Thanks for looking out for my sister, Haru. Want your Marika-nee-san to buy you something as thanks?"

"No, but could you clarify to Tria-san that you're my aunt?"

"How about this: 'Sorry for making you jealous, Tria-chan. I'm Haru's aunt and the one who bought his PC~.'"

"No, please. That makes it sound... weird."

I sighed and set my phone down. Turning back to Shiori-san, I debated waking her up. But instead, curiosity got the better of me.

I sat down beside her. Her sleeping face was so peaceful.

Sigh... "Shiori-san, you shouldn't let your guard down like this in a boy's room..."

Before I could process what I was saying, her eyes opened, and she grabbed my arm.

"Don't worry," she said with a mischievous smile, "I'll only do this in your room."

She was awake!

Before I could react, she pushed me down on the bed and pinned my arms.

"You won't get away, Haru-kun~," she teased.

"Shiori-san, even if you're older, I'm still stronger than you."

"Oh? Didn't study physics, did you?"

"What?"

"The force applied by humans is affected by mass. Since my mass is greater, and gravity is on my side, you can't escape."

To think science could explain... this.

"Liar," she said, her tone suddenly annoyed. "You told me I was the only one you played with."

"Shiori-san, believe me, she's my aunt. Look at my LINE messages if you want proof."

I hesitated. Should I say it now? Should I confess?

"Besides, I..."

"Besides what?"

I swallowed hard. "I li—"

Before I could finish, the door burst open.

"Shiori," my mom said, holding a photo album, "I just found Haru's baby pictures. Oh, sorry. Please continue."

Mom!!!

At least Shiori-san calmed down.

She let me go and we sat on the bed.

I showed her my messages with Aunt Marika, and she seemed to believe me.

"So, Haru," Shiori-san said with a knowing smile, "earlier, you were going to say something, right?"

"N-no, it's nothing!"

Thanks, Mom. Now I can't confess.

"Well," Shiori-san began hesitantly, "I have something to tell you."

"Huh? What is it?"

She was blushing, her hands fidgeting nervously.

"I... like... to play SFO now, with you."

Ah, I thought she was going to confess.

Not that I was expecting it or anything...

"But Shiori-san," I said, "you gave us so many assignments. I don't have time to play games now."

"Eh? That's too many? I thought it was still a light workload."

"Light?! It's impossible to finish in one day!"

"Sigh... okay, fine. I'll help you with your assignments."

"Wait, really? But you're the one who assigned them..."

"I'll help you, not as a teacher, but as your... wife."

"What?!"

"You're so cute when you blush, Haru~," she teased. "Besides, aren't we technically husband and wife?"

"In-game only!"

She giggled, and somehow, I couldn't refuse her help.

We worked until 7 PM before heading to dinner. Shiori-san helped my mom cook again.

Sigh... Maybe if I'd confessed earlier, she'd be my girlfriend by now. But...

What if she rejected me? Would our relationship stay the same?

Shiori's POV

"Mom, can I help you again?"

"Ara, what a sweet girl. Of course, I'd love the help. We're making chicken soup tonight."

"Then I'll chop the vegetables."

Sigh... If I'd confessed to Haru-kun, would he be my boyfriend now?

Focus, Shiori! You'll cut your fingers like this!

"By the way, Shiori," Mom teased, "did you confess?"

"M-Mom! N-no, not yet. I just can't."

Mom's POV

Ara, I thought she'd confessed already. After all, she pinned down my son earlier...

Sigh... My son likes her, so she shouldn't worry so much.

"Shiori," I said, "just tell him how you feel. My son isn't that complicated."

"But Mom... if I prioritize my feelings over his future, wouldn't that be selfish of me? I'd be a failure—not just as a teacher, but as someone who loves him."

"Ara, why would you think that?"

"Teacher-student relationships are forbidden, and if we started dating, it could cause problems for Haru. It might even affect his studies."

Sigh... These two... Pressing me with their love problems.

Well, I'm a programmer, not a love expert. Let them solve this on their own.