As the savior, I only want to play single-player games.

But what kind of logic is that? Just because she's a good person, does that mean she has to be dragged down?

Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fists, wondering if her punch could shatter Tendo Kagura's skull. She wanted to see what was going on in this bastard student's head.

"I'm sorry," Kagura Tendo suddenly said.

Hiratsuka Shizuka froze, staring at Tendo Kagura. He sat upright, with Suzuka lying in his arms. His face was already handsome, inheriting 80% of his mother's looks, while the other 20% was his own unique charm. He had no feminine features and had always had a cold and aloof demeanor, keeping people at arm's length.

But now? His expression was gloomy, his once-smooth skin had lost its luster and appeared extremely dull, his bright and clear eyes were filled with weariness, as if they had been clouded by dust, and he seemed to have suffered a great setback. His gloomy and depressed temperament was heartbreaking.

Moreover, his voice became very hoarse, like finely rubbed sand, giving it a unique texture.

"Suzuka is still young, and I can't find anyone else I can trust..."

Upon hearing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka subconsciously asked, "Where's Yoko?"

“She’s always on the go, traveling to different places for work and business trips, so Suzuka can’t be entrusted to her.” Kagura Tendo didn’t actually have any complaints about Yoko, and even if she were to entrust Suzuka to her, she wouldn’t refuse.

However, Suzuka's situation is special; she needs someone to accompany her for a long time and provide careful guidance, filling in the gaps in her life over a long period. After much thought, he still felt that Hiratsuka Shizuka was the best choice.

At the very least, she understands and cares about the feelings and psychology of minors.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Chapter Four: Have You Returned?

"Please forgive me if I have caused you any trouble." Kagura Tendo spoke sincerely, bowing slightly to express her apology.

Now that he's back alive, there's no need to trouble Hiratsuka Shizuka.

Having said all that, Hiratsuka Shizuka felt too embarrassed to blame Tendo Kagura.

She felt that Tendo Kagura was really slick, able to bow his head, admit his mistakes, and be sincere. He thought things through carefully before doing anything, which was the style of an independent and self-reliant adult.

She suddenly felt a sense of unease; this was no high school student at all.

"Does Ye Zi know?"

Tendou Kagura shook her head slightly. Ye Zi knew nothing about this. After entering society, she had almost no contact with her family. She only sent some money back home every month. She lived a carefree life and had no intention of finding a partner.

Of course, his mother was even worse. She used all the money to enjoy herself, swiping her card with her face, eating and drinking well, spending money like water, and sometimes even shamelessly borrowing money from Ye Zi, but never paying it back.

I don't know why Yezi can tolerate someone like his mother.

"Besides me, who else knows?"

Kagura Tendo was silent for a moment, then said, "Yotsuya Miko, a first-year student at the girls' school."

"Is she... special?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked hesitantly.

But Kagura Tendo shook her head: "Knowing the name is enough."

Hiratsuka Shizuka pondered silently, replaying the name in her mind. She planned to investigate it thoroughly when the time was right. Since Tendo Kagura had mentioned it, it must be extraordinary. She wasn't plotting anything; she just wanted to know some basic information.

The atmosphere here fell silent for a moment.

Hiratsuka Shizuka was somewhat unsure how to face Tendo Kagura. She could handle problem students with ease, but dealing with problem children from a mysterious world was a different story.

"Is the home visit over?" Tendo Kagura asked softly.

Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded. Through this home visit, she finally understood the reason and solved the problem of a troubled student. It was truly gratifying.

"Stay and have a meal."

Kagura Tendo placed Suzuka on the sofa beside him and was about to get up when Suzuka, who was fast asleep, grabbed his clothes tightly, as if she didn't want him to leave.

"Brother..." she murmured in her sleep, tears still visible.

Kagura Tendo turned around, pried open Suzuka's five fingers one by one, and then gestured for Hiratsuka Shizuka to sit down as she pleased.

"What would you like to eat?" Tendo Kagura asked.

"Whatever."

Hiratsuka Shizuka wasn't concerned about what lunch was; instead, she found Tendo Kagura absurd. After all that had happened, she could still act as if nothing had occurred—that composure was truly admirable.

But Tendo Kagura nodded very seriously.

He poured Hiratsuka Shizuka a cup of tea, then went into the kitchen, where the sounds of pots and pans clattered, filling the air with the warmth of daily life.

Hiratsuka Shizuka wanted to help, but was stopped by Tendo Kagura.

"The teacher is here for a home visit; there's no need for them to do these trivial things." As a guest, it would be impolite of the host to help.

An hour later, he brought out several dishes, including stir-fried radish and green pepper with chicken, fried shrimp, steamed ribs, boiled pumpkin, leftover steak from yesterday, and a bowl of pearl soup, and put them on the table.

Hiratsuka gazed at the sumptuous lunch on the table, its colors, aromas, and flavors a delightful sight, her expression strange, as if she were seeing Tendo Kagura for the first time.

"Teacher, please eat," Kagura Tendo said quietly.

Hiratsuka Shizuka tried a few bites and was surprised to find that the taste was really good, on par with an 80-star hotel.

"If you could become a chef, you might achieve outstanding results," Hiratsuka Shizuka muttered, but then thought it was unlikely. Tendo Kagura could be self-sufficient without relying on the outside world. In any case, she didn't understand where Tendo Kagura got the ten catties of gold she mentioned. She spoke of it casually, not taking such wealth seriously.

No wonder he always has a cold face, doesn't communicate with people, and doesn't care about his reputation at all.

People who are confident, talented, and have ideas really don't need much help.

"Brother." Suzuka woke up, rubbing her eyes. Drawn by the fragrance, she walked step by step to Tendo Kagura, still sleepy-eyed.

"Go wash your face and eat," Kagura Tendo said calmly.

Suzuka nodded silently, said nothing, and ran to the washroom. Hiratsuka watched her slender figure with gentle eyes and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"This child is so pitiful..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression revealed a hint of pity. She was actually quite straightforward, extremely easygoing, and approachable. She had dealt heavy blows to both Hikigaya and Tendo Kagura because she knew that this physical pain would not cause them any harm. It was to correct their personalities, and at most, the pain would only last for half a day before it would be over.

But when faced with truly weak and pitiful people, it aroused her latent maternal instincts.

"I hope you can help her more in the future." Kagura Tendo nodded slightly. He wasn't exactly doing his job, but there wasn't much he could do either.

A person's growth takes an extremely long time. Even when one is old and near death, there is still something to learn to enrich and expand one's inner world.

But those with flawed souls need a lifetime to fill that void.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at him with a surprised and uncertain expression: "Can't you do it yourself?"

Kagura Tendo nodded silently; he couldn't guarantee that he could always be by Suzuka Ise's side.

"Could it be that you will do what you just did..." Hiratsuka Shizuka recalled that terrifying scene again, her eyes filled with horror as she looked at Tendo Kagura, feeling that his body, pieced together from fragments of flesh and bone, was very unstable and seemed to shatter at the slightest touch.

Hiratsuka Shizuka almost trembled as she said, "Are you... already dead?"

But Kagura Tendou shook her head, dispelling her fear.

Although his body was severely damaged, he was not yet at the point of death. With proper care, he could recover, but there was no guarantee that he would not die in the future.

Kagura Tendo remembers very clearly that there are crises in the real world as well.

"I have other things to do."

He spoke softly, his voice weary and hoarse, like a desert traveler who hadn't drunk water for three days.

Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded, her voice tinged with difficulty: "If... I will take care of Suzuka then."

"Teacher, aren't you going to ask why?" Kagura looked at her, her face somber yet calm, like a still pond.

“You have your own ideas, so naturally I can’t treat you the same way I treat other students,” Hiratsuka Shizuka said.

This is a sign of respect; she will no longer demand that Kagura do various things as she did in the past.

Ultimately, she was just a teacher, and everything she did was to help her students.

Just then, Suzuka, her face flushed from washing, came over.

She seemed oblivious to everything, remaining as usual, as if nothing had happened.

Kagura Tendo treated Suzuka with gentleness, saying, "This is Shizuka Hiratsuka, my teacher. Suzuka, you must remember her well."

"Hello." Suzuka waved and greeted Hiratsuka Shizuka, standing next to Tendo Kagura with natural demeanor and no sign of nervousness.

After lunch, Kagura Tendo took Suzuka to the station and then rode in Shizuka Hiratsuka's car to school.

Although a few people were somewhat surprised, no one came over to ask any questions because Kagura Tendo was really unpopular. Hachiman Hikigaya just glanced at her a couple more times; he remembered that the Japanese literature class in the morning had been replaced by a physical education class.

After the class meeting ends.

Tendou Kagura received a phone call and held it to her ear.

The person on the other end of the phone, Miko, seemed to have mustered a great deal of courage, accompanied by several gasps, before asking:

"Are you back?"

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Chapter Five: Rising Labor Costs

"I'm back……"

"Are you ok?"

"fine."

Hearing that hoarse voice, filled with deep exhaustion, my heart, which had just settled, jumped up again. I saw Zi holding the phone in both hands, with it to her left ear.

Are you very tired?

"Get to the point."

Seeing that she was afraid of disturbing Kagura, she spoke very softly and cautiously, "I'm going with Yoriya to see the Shitamachi Shrine Mother now, and Hana will be going with her too." She was very unsure of herself and had been thinking wildly all day before finally making up her mind to dial the number.

Fortunately, the connection with the Heavenly Dao Kagura was established, and the worst-case scenario did not occur.

Although the sound of Kagura Tendou's voice sounded ominous.

She was trying her best to report on her situation and make things clear, emphasizing that Hua would also be going, but Kagura Tendou remained calm throughout.

"You can make the decision."

"I'll be honest with Hua about it too, even though she's quite afraid of evil spirits..."

"can."

Kagura Tendou nodded silently. Yurikawa Kaga had the talent, and it was extraordinary. Seeing that Kaga had made the right decision.

"Now that you're back, shouldn't I return those things to you?"

"No need, you can keep it for now. Find suitable people and then send it to them."