Chapter 138: The Third Wheel!
"Hiratsuka… Sensei…"
Miura Yumiko cautiously confirmed the identity of the dispirited woman sitting amid the smoke.
The mahjong game before Shizuka ended with another victory after she declared riichi and drew the winning tile herself.
Honestly, was this woman an NPC programmed to appear at every critical moment?
Or had Luke unknowingly awakened precognition? How had they actually run into her here?
"Oh~ My luck is amazing today. The god of mahjong clearly favors me, so why won't any men do the same…?"
Shizuka leaned back helplessly.
Her frustration was not caused by the game, but by Luke mentioning the one subject she least wanted to hear.
The greatest taboo for working adults was discussing their jobs during their precious time off.
"Honestly, you've completely ruined my mood."
Shizuka exhaled a thin cloud of smoke that concealed her face, muttered under her breath, then rose from the chair.
Her exhausted face emerged from the smoke.
Heavy work had left her looking utterly worn out. Combined with her drooping eyes, she resembled an evil spirit.
Since disturbing someone while they played was impolite, Luke hurriedly said, "Then we won't interrupt your game any longer. We'll be leaving."
"Stop."
Shizuka called them back.
"What is it?"
Luke turned around.
He should never have come here. Going straight to the bowling alley would have been far better.
He had already endured several dinners where Hiratsuka-sensei poured out all her grievances.
"Hmm~"
After stopping them, Shizuka lowered her head and thought for a moment.
"You didn't attend club activities today?"
Luke did not understand why she was asking, but answered honestly.
"Of course not. No one has submitted any requests recently, right? Missing one day of club activities shouldn't be a serious violation."
"I see. It isn't anything important…"
Shizuka considered it for another moment, then looked at the two of them and sighed for no apparent reason.
"I suddenly remembered my own high school years. It's been quite a long time."
Why had she suddenly become sentimental?
Could being unmarried for so long truly make someone this depressed?
Luke suddenly felt slightly sorry for her.
However…
"Hiratsuka-sensei, are you carrying the item I gave you?"
Luke rubbed his chin curiously.
Even if the school had few suitable candidates, the charm should not have been completely useless.
"You still have the nerve to mention that item?!"
The moment Shizuka heard his question, she shouted.
"It hasn't helped at all! That damned department head holds meetings every day!"
"Every tiny matter requires a meeting. Another tiny matter? Another meeting!"
"Sometimes even the principal suddenly organizes one! Then I have to deal with endless troublesome brats!"
"It's unbearable! Aside from those men, I never meet anyone normal!"
Once the subject arose, Hiratsuka-sensei immediately began pouring out her complaints.
"Even if you don't meet anyone at work, shouldn't it help during your private time?"
Luke pointed toward the mahjong machine behind her.
"For example, right now."
"Right now? Heh…"
Shizuka laughed coldly.
"I've already won three yakuman hands here, yet no one has tried to speak to me."
"Is this what they mean by being unlucky in love but lucky at gambling?!"
Luke looked at the ashtray beside her, which overflowed with cigarette butts, then at her bold, wide-legged posture.
She was certainly beautiful, but somehow…
She looked rather difficult to approach.
"No one would approach you in this state even if I gave you several more charms."
Luke stared at the resentment surrounding Hiratsuka-sensei.
"The item can't fulfill your wish while you sit around waiting. Personal effort is still the most important part!"
Miura Yumiko nodded rapidly.
"Or perhaps your romantic luck is simply so terrible that even the charm can't save—"
Before Luke could finish, Shizuka raised her chin and eyebrows.
Dangerous fire burned within her eyes.
That oppressive gaze strongly warned him—
'I'm serious this time.'
"Sigh!"
Luke turned away and released a heavy breath.
"All right. This is definitely not Sensei's fault. The item is entirely responsible."
"I'll devote myself to finding another one for you."
"That's more like it."
Only then did Shizuka nod with satisfaction.
"So, is there anything else? If not, we'll continue our date."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Shizuka suddenly remembered something.
"Come to think of it, I think I saw Hikigaya and Totsuka pass through here earlier."
"Uh… Zaimokuza might have been with them too."
That was extremely important information.
What was the greatest enemy of a date?
The weather?
Money?
The choice of activity?
None of those!
The greatest enemy was a familiar third wheel!
"Oh."
Luke answered calmly.
"Anyway, make sure you invite me when the two of you graduate and get married!"
"Eh?!!"
Miura Yumiko cried out in panic after suddenly being addressed.
Her cheeks instantly felt unbearably hot.
"Understood. We're leaving."
Luke directly pulled Yumiko away and retraced their path.
"Hmm~ There's someone here who would make an excellent wife too. Unfortunately, she has been blocked by the obstacle known as marriage… Ughhh…"
Behind them came Hiratsuka Shizuka's inexplicably sorrowful lament and miserable groaning.
They had nearly returned to the claw machines before Yumiko finally spoke.
"Why is Hiratsuka-sensei like that after work?"
"She's completely different from the energetic way she behaves at school. It's such a contrast…"
"Didn't you already see this side of her last time?"
Luke asked.
"That was only once. This time really confirmed it…"
Yumiko murmured with a worried expression.
"Hmm. Becoming an adult doesn't seem like a very good thing."
"That's why you shouldn't wear makeup before you're even mature."
Luke looked toward Miura Yumiko.
After spending more time together, Yumiko's makeup had become much lighter than before.
Her previously refined style had gradually shifted toward something youthful and adorable.
Mm.
Cute.
"But everyone else wears makeup. Wouldn't it feel strange if I didn't?"
Yumiko muttered.
Luke could not understand modern makeup culture.
It seemed the girls treated makeup as a kind of social etiquette.
More frighteningly, Luke had occasionally seen elementary-school girls wearing it while walking outside.
"I'm surprised you think that way."
Luke shrugged.
"Do what you want. Your current makeup looks fine."
"Also, I prefer fruit-flavored lip balm. Today's tastes especially good. It almost makes buying candy unnecessary…"
"Who asked you?!"
Yumiko suddenly kicked him in the shin and glared with wide eyes.
"Don't say things like that in public! Honestly…"
Scary.
"Ah! Yumiko!"
As they walked, a familiar voice suddenly called out.
Luke's expression immediately darkened.
That voice.
That figure.
And that familiar greeting—
"Yahallo~! Yahallo~!"
"Yui?! Why are you here too?!"
Mm.
It was Yuigahama Yui.
...
(Don't forget to vote, review, and leave a comment below! :D The more you vote, the more chapters I upload.)
...
Read more chapters(25+):
patréon.com/U22
(Note: Replace "é" with "e" on your web browser.)