Chapter 140: Ginnie the Panda!
"In that case, let's invite Hiratsuka-sensei too. We saw her over there earlier."
Luke spoke without hesitation.
"Eh?! Hiratsuka… Sensei?"
Yui's expression instantly changed.
She still remembered the previous time Shizuka treated them to dinner, only to spend the entire meal pouring out her grievances.
Whenever Yui recalled it, she could still feel the world spinning around her.
"You said having more people would be more fun."
Luke glared viciously at her embarrassed expression.
Anyone who interrupted his date deserved this punishment!
"Stop bullying Yui!"
Miura Yumiko lightly scolded him and interrupted.
Luke and Yumiko once again headed back toward Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Come to think of it, this arcade really was one of the best entertainment spots for nearby students.
It contained almost every attraction Luke could imagine, so most students naturally chose to spend their free time here.
Just as now, the number of young faces around them gradually increased.
More girls in school uniforms and knee-length plaid skirts appeared, proving that even the rainy season could not suppress the students' enthusiasm.
However, Luke had lost much of his own interest after their private date was interrupted.
He had never enjoyed noisy crowds in the first place.
On a rainy day like this, he'd much rather be lounging in a beanbag chair, wrapped in a blanket, watching TV or trying to coax some private photos out of Miko—and, as was his custom, cuddling a maid for a nap. Any of those options were far better than wandering around here...
This was entirely Yuigahama's fault.
Still, the rain reminded him of something.
Whenever the weather turned wet, Annie Leonhart—an outstanding representative of the cold and uncompromising type—would change her clothing style.
She usually chose something more masculine, giving her a cool and capable appearance.
For example…
Today, she was probably wearing cargo trousers and a matching utility jacket.
Luke silently placed a bet with himself.
There was neither a wager nor another participant.
"I don't understand what people find entertaining about arcades."
Yukino rejected Yui's attempts to pull her along and merely followed behind Yumiko and Yui.
'Exactly.'
Luke agreed internally, but immediately said, "I wonder who was enjoying herself so much at the claw machine just now."
"I merely yielded to Yuigahama-san's persistent recommendation. I have no interest in arcade games."
Yukino turned her head away and answered coldly.
However, as she spoke, her arms tightened around the Ginnie the Panda plush she had refused to discard.
So she had simply wanted that toy.
"I never expected President Yukinoshita to like plushies."
Luke glanced at the ferocious-looking panda.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Yukino unconsciously tightened her hold on it.
"…I'm not giving it back to you."
"Who would want that thing?!"
Luke had no interest in a mysterious creature that resembled a panda only because of the black circles around its eyes.
Still, Yukino's cautious stare and protective grip on the plush amused him.
Noticing his faintly teasing smile, she shyly turned her gaze aside as a little redness appeared on her cheeks.
"…Come to think of it, I believe Yuigahama-san—and perhaps Miura-san—would suit plush toys better."
"No comment."
Yumiko did own quite a few plushies.
During Luke's previous visit to the Miura residence, he had seen many of them in her room.
That was when he first realized that Miura Yumiko, despite looking like a delinquent and behaving arrogantly, possessed a surprisingly girlish side.
At present, she seemed especially fond of pink.
"Still, I'm surprised you like something like this."
Luke suddenly grinned again.
"Don't most girls prefer something softer and cuter?"
"Although this one does suit your image. You both look capable of splitting bamboo apart and eating it like miso peanuts."
"Sigh. Why do you keep saying such inexplicable nonsense?"
Yukino sighed helplessly.
"Has all this time done nothing to improve that habit of yours?"
She nevertheless answered his question.
"Besides, among plush toys, I only like Ginnie the Panda. I'm not particularly interested in anything else."
As she spoke, she played with the terrifying panda, making it squeak.
"…What about cat plushies?"
"…I like those too."
After correcting the flaw in her statement, Yukino glared at him unhappily.
"In any case, I have collected this character for years."
"However, this particular plush differs from the models sold commercially, so it can only be obtained from claw machines. That has always troubled me."
"I considered purchasing one through an online auction, but the condition of such products cannot be guaranteed."
"The seller's photographs might also be edited, so I could never bring myself to decide."
Mm.
Yukinoshita was strange after all.
Why did she like such an ugly plush?
Perhaps understanding his thoughts, Yukino looked down at it.
"I'm pleased to have received this one today."
She continued, "The main reason I like Ginnie the Panda is because someone gave me one as a present when I was young."
"Oh."
Then it was not strange at all.
...
When they reached Hiratsuka-sensei again, Yukino and Yui immediately sensed the thick, heavy atmosphere of sorrow surrounding her.
"My, I won another valuable hand. How fortunate."
"If only I had the same luck with romance… Ahahaha—haah. What am I even saying? Honestly."
Hiratsuka-sensei's dry laughter contained no joy whatsoever.
Yui instinctively shuddered as though she had encountered something terrifying.
"Hiratsuka… Sensei… is scary."
She grabbed Yumiko's arm and spoke awkwardly.
"Uh, yes. A little."
Although she had already witnessed this once, Yumiko still nodded sympathetically.
She then signaled with her eyes for Luke to call Shizuka.
Yukino also pushed his back.
"Go. She's your homeroom teacher."
"I understand."
Luke approached Shizuka from behind and tapped the machine she was playing.
"Sensei."
"Hm? W-wah!"
Shizuka spun around in surprise.
"O-oh, it's only you… I thought an attractive man had come to speak to me. Sigh~"
Once she recognized him, she could not suppress a disappointed breath.
Luke's expression darkened at her disgusted tone and disappointed face.
He turned toward the others.
"Maybe we shouldn't invite Hiratsuka-sensei after all."
"Oh, so you came to invite me to join you?"
Shizuka stood and finally noticed the additional Service Club members.
"Hm? Yuigahama and Yukinoshita are here too?"
"In that case, I accept."
"Playing with my students might make me feel younger. Then perhaps someone will finally approach—ugh!"
"Give up. That won't happen."
Luke slowly returned to the group, casually destroying her unrealistic fantasy on the way.
"You truly are an unlovable brat!"
Shizuka shouted angrily.
"Don't expect me to be lenient when grading your next Japanese assignment!"
...
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