The story we started

[Shizuka Hiratsuka and Yukinoshita Yukino came out of the old classroom of the Service Club and sat on the guardrail under the tree in the courtyard. Shizuka Hiratsuka hugged the picture book and looked up at the big tree above her head. The glow of the setting sun shone through the dense leaves on her face, leaving mottled light and shadows on her fair cheeks.]

[Many students who had not yet left the school looked curiously at the two people sitting under the tree as they passed by the courtyard, wondering when two beautiful women with both good looks and temperament appeared in Sobu High School.]

[“I guess he’s late again like before. Oh my god~ I really can’t do anything about him.”]

[“It’s very typical of Zaimokuza to be late at a time like this, but at least he still remembered, right? That’s already pretty good, Hiratsuka-sensei.”]

[Yukinoshita Yukino, who was sitting next to her, said this with a chuckle, and Hiratsuka Shizuka rolled her eyes and made a sharp comment after hearing this.]

[“Just continue to indulge and protect that kid. I feel like you’ve almost become his mother over the years, Yukinoshita. Your tone of voice is just like the parents who used to go to school to protect those naughty kids who got into trouble.”]

[“…Please don’t make such jokes, teacher. If Zaimokuza-san is really my son, I’ll probably end up in the hospital one day due to a heart attack caused by high blood pressure.”]

[After imagining herself wearing maternity clothes, feeding Zaimokuza, who was wearing 1.8-meter-tall baby clothes and crying for food, Yukinoshita Yukino felt like her scalp was about to explode. ]

[She was speechless, and she reached behind her back to brush away the hair that fell on her fair shoulders and spoke helplessly. Her appearance, clothes, and this extremely feminine action attracted a lot of surprised and envious looks from both men and women.]

[“Isn’t that great? It’s a good chance for you to experience how I felt before!”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka said carelessly, and stretched out her hands to rub Yukinoshita Yukino's straight black hair like an uncle, and her eyes, with wrinkles faintly visible at the corners of her eyes, flashed with relief and joy. ]

[“I just hope that when I meet Zaimokuza, he can be half as mature as you are, and not be as childish as before.”]

[“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Hiratsuka-sensei, but Zaimokuza-san has never changed.”]

[Yukinoshita Yukino smiled and shook her head, pulling her hair out of Hiratsuka Shizuka's "claws". ]

[“I think so. After all, he is the guy who can draw such a picture on the last page of the album. Look~”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka turned to the last page of the album in her hand and showed it to Yukinoshita Yukino. ]

[On the last page, there is a Q-version portrait of five people together: Yukinoshita Yukino, Hiratsuka Shizuka, Yuigahama Yui, and Zaimokuza Yoshiki——]

【And Hikigaya Hachiman. 】

[All the members of the Service Club and the instructor are in the row, and the others occupy a corner each. In the middle is the signature portrait of Zaimokuza Yoshiki giving a thumbs up and smiling. Of course, it is a fat version.]

[There was a line of small words written under his avatar: The Service Club's all-member assault towards the future! ! ! ]

[“Really? It’s fine that you put yourself in the most eye-catching center position, but you actually drew me so ugly! Where did this old naughty kid come from?”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka pointed at her head with two horns drawn on it, and posed like a cute tiger pouncing on its prey, and complained in dissatisfaction.]

[“Heh~ That’s definitely something Zaimokuza-san would do…”]

[Yukino Yukinoshita looked at the Q-version portrait of a black-haired girl wearing a Sobu High School skirt and sitting on a chair with a serious expression reading a book in the lower right corner of the page and couldn't help but chuckle. ]

[But when she turned to the lower left corner, her smile faded slightly, and a complex color flickered in her eyes.]

[——The dead-eyed boy in the Sobu High School uniform sits cross-legged in the lower left corner, one hand supporting his right cheek, looking up at Zaimokuza's own head portrait in the center of the album with a helpless expression, and above it is the head portrait of Yuigahama Yui with tears on her face, running forward with both hands stretched out to avoid being "pursued" by Hiratsuka Shizuka from behind.]

[“Then, will the teacher punish Zaimokuza-san when he sees him? After all, Zaimokuza-san did draw you a little ugly.”]

[This complex emotion came and went quickly. Yukinoshita Yukino opened and closed her eyes and then teased as if nothing had happened. ]

[“Of course! When I see that kid, then—”]

【“Uh… so what?”】

[A timid voice asked weakly from behind.]

[“Of course, I’ll use my karate skills that have reached the level of a master to show Zaimokuza how powerful I am! Let him understand how to write the four Chinese characters for “Respect the teacher and honor the virtue”. I’ll make that kid——hmm???”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka swung her right hand back with a gusto, and spoke with great vigor and determination, but halfway through her words she suddenly felt something was not right.]

[Why did Yukinoshita's voice suddenly become so masculine? ]

[Realizing the incongruity, Shizuka Hiratsuka couldn't help but look at Yukinoshita Yukino next to her, and then she saw that she also turned her head to face her with a peaceful smile on her face. ]

[“You’re late.”]

[“Ah… Because this time’s un-work is a bit tricky, I took a lot of effort to complete the assigned task, Chief~”]

[“…Really? Thank you for your hard work.”]

[Watching the conversation between Yukinoshita Yukino and the male voice behind her without any sense of distance, Shizuka Hiratsuka's eyes widened when she realized something and turned around quickly. ]

【At this time, Yukinoshita Yukino also whispered the name of the visitor. 】

【“——Zaimokuza-san.”】

【“——”】

[A white-haired young man wearing an old brown windbreaker that looked familiar was quietly standing behind the tree where the two were sitting, scratching his short white hair, with a helpless and awkward smile on his handsome face.]

【"Who are you……"】

[Looking at him, Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression was somewhat dull. ]

[I clearly have no memory of ever meeting this young man whose appearance and figure are comparable to those of a world-class star or model. Otherwise, it would be impossible for me to not remember such an outstanding man.]

[But when she saw the smile on the young man's face, Shizuka Hiratsuka felt a sense of familiarity welling up in her heart, so familiar that she almost wanted to cry.]

[And the name Yukinoshita Yukino said when she turned around made Shizuka Hiratsuka realize where this familiar feeling came from. ]

[“You are——Zaimokuza!?”]

[The smiling face of the fat boy in the memory gradually overlapped with the smiling face of the young man in front of him who had nothing in common with him except for his hair, causing Shizuka Hiratsuka to murmur.]

[Her voice contained seven parts of disbelief, two parts of joy, and one part of relief. It was so complex that it could be made into a pie chart.]

[“Yes! It’s me!”]

[Looking at his mentor who looked exactly the same as in his memory, Zaimokuza smiled again, even though his strength had been exhausted from the journey and he should have been extremely tired.]

[His smile was filled with 100% joy and happiness, without a trace of negative emotion, so pure that it almost covered the scattered sunlight projected through the gaps between the leaves. The light and shadows cast on his face to form spots of light, just like the "Impression, Sunrise" created by the Impressionist master Monet, which was equally hazy and illusory, and so beautiful that it made the viewer feel unreal.]

[“Long time no see, Hiratsuka-sensei!”]

【"I'm back."】

80. The last lesson, congratulations on growing up

【“I’m back.186txt.com”】

[Listening to the familiar voice beside her, Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression was stunned. ]

[She walked to Zaimokuza and looked up at the smiling face. She slowly stretched out her hands and her white and delicate fingers, like cream, slowly touched the face. The movements were extremely intimate and natural, like lovers who had met again after a long separation.]

[——Then he put his five fingers together, grabbed Zaimokuza's face and pulled it hard to both sides, stretching that smiling face to look like a bared-toothed Husky.]

[This scene is very similar to the scene when a naughty child makes a mistake and is dragged by his mother to apologize to others with a frown. ]

[The seamless transition from close lovers to the parents of a stern-looking kid, without even a second of transition, stunned Yukinoshita Yukino, who was originally looking forward to a long-awaited reunion between teacher and student, and many male and female students who were attracted by the sudden appearance of the handsome guy. ]

【“——Gu?”】

[Zaimokuza obviously didn't expect this either, his elongated smile became dull, and a strange sound came out of his mouth.]

[“…It’s not an illusion, nor is it a dream.”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka pulled twice more, feeling the elasticity of the skin in her hands, her eyes gradually widened, and she murmured.]

[“Are you really… Zaimokuza?”]

[She loosened her grip and took two steps back, looking at Zaimokuza, rubbing his swollen red cheeks with a bitter face, and spoke with a tone full of disbelief and surprise.]

[“Mo~ It’s really me! Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru II! Zaimokuza Yoshiteru himself, Sensei!”]

[Zaimokuza said with a sullen look in his eyes, full of resentment.]

[This familiar self-proclaimed name is exactly the same as that boy back then. It was at this moment that Shizuka Hiratsuka finally confirmed his identity.]

[The young man in front of me is indeed the boy who made a promise with me back then, and also my student, Zaimokuza Yoshiteru of the Service Club. ]

[“You—have really grown up.”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka reached up and stroked Zaimokuza's soft white short hair. She looked at the face in front of her that she had to look up to see. Her face showed all kinds of emotions.]

[“You are completely different now from the Zaimokuza of the past… You really fulfilled your promise and became a remarkable person.”]

[It is difficult for Shizuka Hiratsuka to describe her inner feelings right now: surprise, joy, sadness, relief, happiness... just like the miso soup base that has been disrupted, all kinds of flavors are intertwined, so complicated that even the top Michelin scouts can't explain it clearly.]

[But there is no doubt that the majority of emotions are positive. ]

[The boy who once cried secretly in a corner of the rooftop with his knees hugged has now grown into a man who stands tall and proud. ]

[At this moment, she finally understood why those parents were so happy and even cried for joy when they saw their children become successful.]

[Because Shizuka Hiratsuka herself now has the urge to cry. ]

[“This is truly an incomparable surprise.”]

[“Is this the gift you want to give me, Yukinoshita?”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka turned her head and looked at Yukinoshita Yukino who was walking beside her, and she also showed a quiet and elegant smile on her face. ]

[“After all, surprises should always be experienced by the person concerned, right? Hiratsuka-sensei?”]

[“To be honest, the current Zaimokuza-san was also shocked when I met him again before.”]

[Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but think of the scene when she reunited with Zaimokuza Yoshiki who had ventured back to Japan a year ago. At that time, he also climbed through the window of Jonan University to enter the laboratory just like this time. This behavior and the drastic change in his appearance after losing weight made her directly regard Zaimokuza as a spy from another country who invaded the laboratory. She quickly picked up the phone on the table and wanted to call the police.]

[If Zaimokuza hadn't rushed over to hug his legs and cried before he input the number and pressed the call button, he would have been sent to prison.]

[Every time I think of Zaimokuza crying and complaining about how no one recognized him after returning home this time, even the Minister! And then hugging her legs in pantyhose and rubbing her skirt with tears and snot, Yukinoshita Yukino can't help laughing. ]

[“Hmph~ Since the surprise you said is really worth the money, I will forgive you for hiding the truth from the teacher this time, Yukinoshita Yukino-san.”]

[Hiratsuka Shizuka snorted with a little pride, turned her head to look at Zaimokuza, and said with a stern face.]

[“You’re late again, Zaimokuza!”]

【“!!!”】

[At this moment, Zaimokuza felt as if he had returned to the time when he was still studying at Sobu High School many years ago.]

[At that time, whenever he was late for school and struggled to climb over the wall or sneak into the school through the side door through a dog hole and was caught by Shizuka Hiratsuka who had been waiting in the corridor, she would talk to him in this tone.]

[The DNA recorded as a poor student back then directly reacted to this sentence, and Zaimokuza subconsciously wanted to turn around and run away. ]

[The next second he realized that he had graduated from Sobu High School many years ago, and no longer had to worry about being late for class. Now he couldn't even go to class if he wanted to.]

[Habit is a terrible thing. You may have forgotten something in the distant past, but every time you are in a certain situation, you will always involuntarily do something you have long forgotten, without even thinking.]

[Just like now, when he returned to the old house in Chiba Prefecture, Zaimokuza would always subconsciously say "I'm back!" even though he knew there would be no response.]

[“Ah, teacher, there are many reasons——”]

[“But I’ll forgive you this time.”]

[When Zaimokuza patted his head and tried to explain with a smile, Hiratsuka Shizuka withdrew her serious tone and showed a gentle smile instead.]

[“But if you can’t answer the following question, I will be really angry.”]

[“Oh? Oh! Teacher, please speak!”]

【Zaimokuza was stunned for a moment, then he immediately corrected his attitude and even raised his right hand with a serious expression to salute.】

[“Puff~”]

[Seeing his extreme reaction, Hiratsuka Shizuka could no longer hold back her laughter, and her pleasant laughter echoed in the courtyard.]

[“Hey hey hey hey hey~”]

[Seeing Hiratsuka Shizuka's smile, Zaimokuza also touched his head and smiled foolishly, while Yukinoshita Yukino held her backpack with both hands in front of her body and smiled at the teacher and student pair smiling at each other, with the light of memories flashing in her eyes. ]

[Zaimokuza and Hiratsuka Shizuka in front of her turned back into the boy who was caught for being late and the female teacher in a white coat that she saw when she passed by the corridor that year. The boy had a smile on his face like a waiter in an inn, and the female teacher looked at the boy with a fake smile.]

[But they still laughed out loud together in the end, like a pair of friends who have grown up together.]

[Even though time has passed and things have changed, when the two laughed again, the laughter was exactly the same as in their memory, and it had never changed. The smile still carried the same joy and happiness as before.]

[Just like when she turned around and continued walking towards the classroom after seeing this scene, the corners of her mouth could not help but show the same smile as now.]

[“Then, Zaimokuza—”]

[When the laughter died down, Hiratsuka Shizuka stopped smiling and asked Zaimokuza seriously.]

[“Do you still remember our original agreement?”]

[Zaimokuza did not respond to this question, or rather, he had responded with his actions.]

[——He raised his right hand towards Hiratsuka Shizuka, then raised his thumb, and stretched his mouth to the sides, showing a cheerful smile. Even with his back to the setting sun, his two rows of teeth still sparkled.]

[Zaimokuza's eyes were filled with hope, like a child longing for his parents' approval, and he even asked Hiratsuka Shizuka cautiously.]