Long-term and Forward-thinking

Oddly enough, each classmate Kotomi encountered today seemed compelled to ask, "Are you feeling alright, Kotomi?" Even friends like Yui, Yukino, and Mashiro asked. While she was honest with them about her condition, Kotomi offered simpler explanations to those she wasn't close with, casually brushing it off as "just not feeling well."

She certainly wasn't about to let the whole class know she was dealing with her period.

Despite the discomfort, there was one unexpected benefit. Teachers, noticing her pale face, could tell she wasn't feeling well—even if they didn't know why. And for a high-achieving student, teachers tended to show a bit of extra consideration, especially when that student was someone like Kotomi, whose grades were practically off the charts.

Consequently, not a single teacher called on Kotomi to answer questions in class today.

Riiinggg—

Finally, the long-anticipated end-of-day bell rang, signaling freedom. Many students had already spent much of their last period mentally mapping out their weekend plans.

Naturally, someone as forward-thinking as Kotomi had long finished planning her weekend by Monday morning.

Eat, drink, play, relax.

Four simple words that perfectly encapsulated her upcoming weekend.

"Tomorrow we get to go to the aquarium together, Kotomi! I can't wait," Megumi said with a gentle smile as she packed her bag.

Hearing this, Mashiro remarked enviously, "So lucky. I want to spend the weekend with Kotomi too."

"I'm not that into aquariums, but I'd love to go to a seafood restaurant with Kotomi!" Yui chimed in.

"Seafood? Now that's a great idea!" Kotomi's eyes lit up, and her stomach growled with sudden hunger as she thought of spicy octopus yakisoba.

Curses! If it weren't for today's surprise arrival, she'd be ready for spicy octopus tonight!

"The aquarium we're going to has a seafood restaurant," Megumi replied. "It's even a buffet, so if you're craving seafood, let's plan on lunch there tomorrow."

"Yes! Let's do that!" Kotomi said, nodding enthusiastically.

Though Kotomi enjoyed aquariums, something about the ocean seemed to call to her, or maybe it was just an innate love for marine life.

Still, in the face of a seafood buffet, even the aquarium's appeal waned a little.

Megumi, noticing Kotomi's glimmer of excitement, was relieved that the Aqua Park aquarium in Shinagawa happened to have a seafood restaurant.

"A weekend visit to the aquarium sounds wonderful. Maybe we could all go together sometime?" Yukino proposed tentatively.

For Yukino, who rarely reached out to others, suggesting a weekend outing was a promising change. Kotomi had initially been unsure how best to help soften Yukino's icy demeanor, per Haruno's request.

It seemed now that just a bit of friendly conversation was enough to help melt Yukino's icy exterior over time. Whether it would fully melt, Kotomi didn't mind either way. In fact, she rather liked it.

After all, there's something admirable about being an ice queen~

Kotomi chuckled to herself, wondering what side of Yukino she'd see next.

"Kotomi, you might want to wipe your mouth," Yukino teased.

Realizing her mouth was beginning to water, Kotomi quickly wiped her chin. "Sure, Yukino. If you want to go out this weekend and I'm free, I'd love to come."

"Th-thank you…"

Although Yukino's voice held her usual calmness, a hint of gratitude, happiness, and anticipation made her tone lighter than usual.

"Oh! I'd love to hang out with you, Yukino!" Yui exclaimed, raising her hand enthusiastically.

Were it not for her plans to look after Yui's little sister tomorrow, she'd likely have suggested they hang out somewhere.

"Count me in too," Megumi said with a smile.

"I'll join as well. Going out with everyone sounds like fun," Mashiro added.

"So then, about the manga convention in October—do you have time for that, Mashiro?" Yukino asked, suddenly recalling their plans. Yukino herself wasn't too interested in conventions, but she had promised to bring Yui to Dengeki's event after hearing Yui's excitement. Haruno had even agreed to give them a tour of the Dengeki Bunko offices.

"You mean the Dengeki convention in October? If that's the one, I'll join too," Mashiro agreed.

"Yes, it is! So, the four of us will go together. Oh, by the way, Mashiro, are you familiar with the Dengeki convention?" Yukino asked, a bit surprised.

Mashiro nodded. "I saw an ad for it on Twitter. Besides, isn't Dengeki the only one holding a convention in October?"

"True enough."

"Are you coming too, Kotomi?" Mashiro turned to ask.

Kotomi shook her head, the same answer she'd given before. "I'd like to go with you all, but I'll be busy that day, so maybe next time."

As for anime conventions, Kotomi wasn't that interested. She'd only gone once in her previous life out of curiosity, but she'd found it a bit dull afterward. Unless someone invited her and offered to cover her ticket, she wasn't eager to return.

But that could also be due to her prior experiences. In her previous life, the conventions she'd attended were smaller local events with not much to see or do.

Besides, back then, she'd been too shy to even approach the good cosplayers for a picture.

"That's too bad… I wanted to see Kotomi cosplay," Mashiro said with a sigh of disappointment.

"I'd never! Even if I went, there's no way I'd cosplay. So just drop it!" Kotomi quickly dismissed the idea before Mashiro could daydream any further.

Just as she was about to leave and start enjoying her hard-earned weekend, Shizuka Hiratsuka called out to her.

"Kotomi, can you spare a moment?"

Kotomi turned to look at Shizuka, curious about the request. After mentally scrolling through every student-teacher doujin she'd ever seen, she gave a nod and replied, "Sure."

She set her bag down and turned to Megumi. "I might be a little while."

"That's okay, I'll wait for you by the school gate," Megumi said, unbothered.

After the other students had left the classroom, Shizuka closed the front and back doors. Clearing her throat, she prepared herself to speak earnestly as a teacher.

"Kotomi, I called you here because I wanted to—hey! Kotomi! Why are you taking off your jacket?!"

Kotomi was halfway through taking off her jacket when Shizuka called out, stopping her mid-motion. Confused, Kotomi looked up and asked, "Shizuka-sensei, didn't you want me to stay back for… something like that?"

When Shizuka had asked Kotomi to stay, her mind had instantly wandered to countless student-teacher scenarios from a certain type of manga, creating an idea in her head that now seemed remarkably plausible.

In fact, she was already picturing Shizuka giving her a "close and personal" type of tutoring—a thought that actually felt like a win-win for Kotomi.

Realizing the implication of Kotomi's question, Shizuka almost choked, her face flushing in both shock and indignation. How on earth did Kotomi start seeing her this way? She could feel her blood pressure spiking.

Struggling to keep herself from scolding Kotomi, Shizuka managed a tight smile. "You're seriously overthinking things! There's no way I'd be interested in a little brat like you! Good grief, I'm barely in my twenties and already this close to having a stroke!"

And how did she even understand what Kotomi meant? Well, she'd developed quite the habit of unwinding each night by reading manga, especially from certain genres. Ever since meeting Kotomi, she had noticed her interests skewing toward certain themes… themes that happened to involve student-teacher scenarios.

Yet, it's not like she could admit aloud that she might… fancy Kotomi in some way.

"Actually, I just wanted to tell you I'm on my period today," Kotomi said casually.

"Ah, so you've been visited by Aunt Flo's 'spirited greeting' this month, huh? Well, I guessed as much since you looked worn out all day. Now put your jacket back on before you catch a chill and end up with cramps all night," Shizuka reminded her.

Only after Kotomi put her jacket back on did Shizuka proceed. "Actually, Kotomi, I kept you back because I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?" Kotomi asked curiously.

"Well, although I'm delighted you want to stay in Class F, I'm genuinely curious as to why you would turn down a transfer to Class A. Honestly, A-class offers some top-tier resources, and I'd imagine any top student would be keen to go there," Shizuka said thoughtfully.

At Sobu High School, each class had different levels of resources, with the higher-ranked classes receiving the best materials. So, while she was pleased Kotomi wanted to stay, Shizuka couldn't help but wonder what might have made her turn down the offer.

Seeing that this was what had been on Shizuka mind, Kotomi smiled slightly. She hadn't expected the class transfer issue to still linger. Shizuka-sensei was really too endearing.

With a small laugh, Kotomi began, "Actually, my reason for rejecting Yachiyo-sensei's offer is pretty simple. So simple, in fact, that people may not even believe it."

"Oh?" Shizuka's curiosity piqued, and she promised, "Don't worry, no matter how simple or silly your reason is, I won't laugh."

"Then maybe stop smirking so much," Kotomi teased.

"Oh, sorry. If I told you I just remembered a funny joke, would you believe me?"

"Not really."

"Fine, I'll behave. Go on," Shizuka said, managing to control her amusement.

"It's simple: I didn't want to go to Class A because they allow only five absences per term. That might work for other students, but I need a bit more flexibility. I mean, if I could, I'd want a permanent hall pass to skip whenever I need," Kotomi explained.

"You'd actually say something like that to me, your teacher? I must have a reputation as the 'fun' one," Shizuka chuckled before pressing, "Is that really your reason?"

Other students were fighting to get into Class A, while Kotomi had outright rejected it. Knowing this reason would have floored Yachiyo-sensei on the spot.

"Absolutely. Isn't that reason enough? I'm a girl who values her freedom. Sure, I'll come to school, but sometimes I'll need to take time off for my work," Kotomi answered.

"Work? Aren't you only sixteen?" Shizuka raised a brow, surprised.

Kotomi grinned. "It started as a hobby but turned into a job. So in the future, I may need extended leave now and then. I hope you'll understand, Shizuka-sensei~"

This was less of a request and more like an exchange of favors. Shizuka wanted Kotomi to stay in Class F throughout high school, while Kotomi was angling for a more relaxed attendance policy.

After mulling it over, Shizuka smiled and replied, "Alright, I see now. It's about the freedom, huh?"

"Mostly, yes," Kotomi said, scratching her head with a sheepish smile.

"If I said 'no,' you'd be on your way to Class A in no time, wouldn't you? But I want you to stay in Class F. Fine. As long as you don't skip too often, I'll make sure your absence requests get approved—even if you ask for a week or two off," Shizuka relented.

"Deal. In return, I'll stay in Class F all the way to graduation," Kotomi declared happily.

With a wry smile, Shizuka ruffled her snowy-white hair. "But weren't you planning to get into a prestigious art school on a scholarship? Either way, I'm not letting you transfer. You're staying in Class F until you're officially admitted!"

"Deal, Shizuka-sensei. You're the best!" Kotomi said with a laugh, shaking her hand.

In one swoop, Kotomi had secured herself a comfortable arrangement. She could hardly contain her smile.

As she picked up her bag to finally head out, Shizuka looked at Kotomi's retreating figure and, almost without thinking, called out, "Kotomi, are you free on November 6th?"