Survive in Azure Files

"I understand. Since you invite me so sincerely, I will definitely make time to come."

In fact, even if I hadn’t received this phone call, I would have gone to visit.

"That's great! Well, please come to our Baiyetang when you come. I will treat you well! Goodbye!"

Just when I thought Shizuko was going to hang up the phone, she seemed to remember something again: "There's one more thing! So, Shizuko is really not a stalker, okay? Please remember this!"

...Repeatedly emphasizing it like this will only make people suspicious.

"Okay, I remember."

Shizuko, a classmate who claims that she is not a stalker.

"Well, I won't bother you anymore! I wish you a happy life!"

At this point, the call finally ended.

Chapter 59: Hoshino? Baizi? What did you do?

Afterwards, I received a message from Shizuko, who I had just added as a friend on momotalk.

First there is a photo of a beautifully designed Sakura Festival poster; followed by Shizuko's explanation.

Shizuko: Since it includes a guide map of the venue, we sent you the Sakura Festival poster.

Shizuko: Also, Shizuko is really, really looking forward to hearing that the teacher is coming!

Shizuko: Also, Shizuko is not a stalker! Please remember this!

...Why hasn't this matter been resolved yet?! How much do you care about it?!

I simply responded and continued to enjoy my time with Ayane. After that, we were not disturbed by anything until the sun set, and our time together came to an end.

"Time flies so fast. It's already this time before I know it. I have to go back..."

Ayane reluctantly closed the book, took off her glasses, rubbed her slightly sore eyes, then squinted and looked at me beside her, and couldn't help but chuckle:

"Hehe~ It always feels weird to look at the teacher like this~"

I suddenly felt that the saying that glasses can reduce one’s appearance might actually be true.

After removing the glasses, Ayane's eyes appear clearer and brighter, her already delicate facial features appear more harmonious, and her cute appearance is fully released.

The last time I saw Ayane without her glasses... was probably in my bedroom.

When I think of the scene at that time, I can't help but feel thirsty.

However, just as I was about to absorb the sweet moisture from the nearest place, Ayane pressed her chest, closed her eyes, and had a calm and peaceful expression:

"Teacher, thank you for being with me for so long today. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Hearing the girl's sincere thanks to me, my restless heart miraculously calmed down.

"These are what I should do."

I drank the coffee that was now cold and no longer as bitter as it was at the beginning. I stared at the dark brown liquid in the cup, which formed a small vortex as I shook my wrist:

"Besides, the agreement has not yet been fully fulfilled. Isn't it too early to say thank you now?"

"Gun Lovely Youth" is not very thick, but it is not thin either. At Ayane's reading speed, she hadn't even finished one-third of it in one afternoon.

I reached out to the book on Ayane's lap and gently grasped the soft hand that was originally pressed against the cover:

"And I think there are probably many books in this world that you haven't read yet. So, next time you have free time, let's continue with the agreed matter."

The girl was stunned for a moment. Perhaps because she couldn't see clearly what was in front of her, she could feel the warmth coming from him even more. Even the shyness that should have arisen became insignificant in the face of this warmth.

So, she mustered up her courage, held my hand, smiled happily on her slightly tipsy face, and nodded heavily:

"……Um!"

I clearly felt that at this moment, the spiritual distance between Ayane and I was closer than before.

There was no deeper communication. I just held the girl's hand and sat quietly for a while. Then I silently sent her to the station near Xialai and said goodbye to her reluctantly.

After I finished dinner, I received a momotalk message from Ayane.

Ayane: Teacher, I have arrived home safely.

Ayane: Thank you so much for your care today...Please give me your guidance in the future.

Ayane: Um... there's one more thing...

Ayane: Next time I have the chance, I would like to recommend you my favorite books.

Me: Really? That’s great!

Me: I’m looking forward to it!

Ayane: ...That's not necessary.

Ayane: Anyway, thank you, teacher. Then, please go to bed early as well.

After finishing the conversation with Ayane, I couldn't help but think that Ayane is always thanking for various reasons. She is really a polite and good child.

There's no need to be so polite between us. But this is also the cuteness of Ayane.

I laughed in front of the phone screen, shook my head, and continued with my busy work.

But not long after, the phone I put aside started to make a reminder sound again. It was a reminder sound that I had specially set up. So far, it would only be sounded when there was a message from one person in my phone.

I raised my eyebrows, and before I even read the content of the message, I couldn't help but smile.

Hoshino: Long time no see, dear~

Hoshino: Uhuhei~ It’s a bit embarrassing for an uncle like me to use such a name, so I’d better not!

Hoshino: So, teacher, what are you doing now?

Me: Of course I’m working. What’s wrong? Do you want to come to Xialai to play?

Hoshino: Oh, that’s a really dirty question.

Hoshino: But since we're in Xialai, there's no problem.

Hoshino: That’s it for now. Remember to open the door for us later~

Me: What do you mean by “we”?

I didn’t receive a reply. I guess Hoshino wasn’t looking at his phone at the moment, or he wanted to give me a surprise.

However, even if Hoshino kept it a secret, with her small social circle, there were only a few possible candidates.

First, let's exclude Ayane who has gone home.

After handling some official business with a subtle degree of curiosity, Hoshino sent another message.

Hoshino: Teacher, we are here.

Hoshino: Please come down to greet us!

Me: ...You really know how to send people?

Hoshino: How can you talk to your own property? You are such an incompetent owner!

No, no matter how you look at it, the stance is completely reversed.

Sighing, I hurried downstairs helplessly. As soon as I walked out of the door, a gust of fragrant wind blew towards me.

Xingye rushed into my arms, hugged my waist tightly, and nudged his head against my chest:

"Woo hey hey ~ I caught you ~"

She seems to really understand what cute is?

Then I noticed that Hoshino's body was a little damp, as if he had sweated a lot and the sweat had not yet dried completely.

The key point is, perhaps it is due to her talent, the smell of Hoshino at this moment is quite sweet and tempting, which makes me unable to help but hold her head, lower my head and take a deep breath.

However, the next moment, the sound of the wheel and the chain turning came from far away, and a white man riding and pushing a bicycle appeared in my peripheral vision.

My movements faltered, and Hoshino quickly moved behind me:

"Wow! A wild white fish appeared, teacher, save me!"

Bai Zi ignored Xingye's antics and nodded to me:

"Good evening, teacher."

Judging from the way Baizi's wolf ears were wagging, Baizi was still in a good mood and did not feel jealous about witnessing the close contact between me and Hoshino.

You are worthy of being my well-behaved and lovely Baizi!

I noticed that Bai Zi was also sweaty, and combined with the two bicycles, it was not difficult to tell what these two people were going to do.

And because of this guess, my expression became even weirder:

"You and Hoshino, did you go cycling for exercise?"

This was normal for Baizi, but it seemed very abnormal to Hoshino.

"So I said save me!"

Xingye tugged at my clothes pitifully, complaining unhappily:

"Teacher, look, Bai Zi is really too much, isn't he? At this time of year, he forcibly pulled an elderly uncle out of his warm bed and tortured me like this!"

But even without Baizi, Hoshino should be on patrol at this moment.

However, he was able to get Hoshino to exercise... Baizi is really good at it.

"Speaking of which, what are you two doing here?"

"I just happened to be in this area and wanted to use the bathroom."

Hoshino said, teasingly: "Is it convenient for us to go in now? There shouldn't be other girls here at this time? For example, Ayane who is on duty today?"

"What are you talking about? Ayane went back a long time ago." I stepped aside and said, "Anyway, everyone come in first."

Hoshino nodded: "Oh! Sorry to bother you then!"

Then, Bai Zi said with a blank expression: "Teacher, excuse me. So, where is the best place to park the teacher's car and Hoshino-senpai's car?"

It took me a moment to remember what the so-called "teacher number" meant.

And Hoshino also shouted: "Ah! Baizi, you actually gave the bicycle you ride every day such a name! How cunning! Uncle, I want one too. From now on, the bicycle you lend me will be called Teacher No. 2~"

Bai Zi frowned and said in dissatisfaction: "Senior Xingye, please stop. I will not give up my position to you."

"Wow~ Teacher, look, my junior is so mean to me... Is he in his rebellious phase?"

Being caught between two important students, I was torn and had to quickly skip the topic:

"If you have a bicycle, just park it inside. Anyway, come in quickly."

After saying that, I fled this place first, and did not notice that Hoshino and Baizi exchanged glances secretly——

Hoshino praised: "Shiroko, great acting! You can express your dissatisfaction with me so vividly that it's as if it were real. In this way, the teacher will never guess what we are here for!"

Bai Zi was puzzled: Acting skills? What acting skills?

Thus, the duo with ulterior motives and wolfish ambitions naturally entered Xialai.

I told Hoshino and Shirako without any precautions, "I'm in the office doing some work. You both know where the bathroom is, so just go there."

Just as Bai Zi nodded, his waist was secretly poked by his senior's finger. Only then did he realize that this was something he "should" not know, and hesitantly asked: "Eh... When has Senior Hoshino ever come to Xialai?"

"Ah, this..."

"Haha~ Teacher, it was just a slip of the tongue. After all, I'm the only one in Abydos who hasn't stayed overnight, right?" Hoshino winked at me.

"Uh, well, that's it."

Although there should be a better excuse, since Hoshino has given me a way out, I have no choice but to follow it.

Bai Zi stared at me but said nothing, as if he accepted this statement.

For some reason, I always feel like something is odd, but I can't tell what.

Anyway, after letting the two of them go to use the bathroom, I immersed myself in my work again until a burst of undisguised footsteps came.

I looked up and saw a pink-haired girl in a bathrobe approaching, waving at me and smiling leisurely.

"Oh, teacher," Hoshino sat down in the seat opposite me, propped up her head with both hands, her eyes were filled with strange colors, and she said to me in her usual lazy tone, "You have worked hard~"