Chapter 236: Yukinoshita’s Super S-Rank Flirting Tip!

He’d Aggroed everyone!

He could practically feel the intense glares shooting towards him from his classmates, burning like raging fire. So scary!

Were they about to grab their torches any second now?

Don’t burn him! He’s an ally!

Himekoji desperately wanted to prove himself to them.

“Himekoji-kun, do you want to be thrown off this train by me?”

However, the first to finally snap wasn’t the FFF Corps members, nor Akiko. Instead, it was Hiratsuka-sensei, their older unmarried teacher.

Himekoji and Mashiro’s blatantly affectionate display seemed to hit a sore spot for her…

Of course, Akiko, the Super Ultra Bro-Con, wasn’t exactly inactive either. She was just pulled away by Miura, putting some distance from Himekoji, so she was only reacting now.

Then, immediately, screaming “WAAAH!” she tried to dash forward to stop them —

“I haven’t even held Onii-chan’s hand yet!”

He had, idiot! Back when you were only three!

Plus, it wasn’t just holding hands! Kisses and hugs happened plenty of times too!

Though it was all back when she was little.

…

Seemingly because of this accident, Himekoji had instantly become the target of everyone’s hostility.

Not good, he needed to think of a way to smooth things over.

Wait, saying “smooth things over” wasn’t objective or even accurate.

It wasn’t like he and Mashiro actually had something going on…

Himekoji walked straight and sat tall! A proud, single guy! His conscience was clear!

Hmm, what plan could work?

Although only a few seconds had passed in reality, countless thoughts were already racing through Himekoji’s mind.

Ding!

[Make your choice!]

However, the one who ultimately offered Himekoji an idea wasn’t a person… it was the dog—

The System.

[A: Go along with the misunderstanding. Treat Mashiro like luggage and put her on the overhead rack.]

[B: While holding Mashiro’s hand, also grab Hiratsuka-sensei and Akiko’s hands. Then announce loudly to the entire carriage: “They are all my wings!”]

Hearing both options, lines of sweat instantly appeared on Himekoji’s forehead.

Mashiro, Hiratsuka-sensei, plus his Imouto?

It made it sound like he had three hands…

[Quest Completed: Reward – Yukinoshita’s Super S-Rank Flirting Tip.]

[Quest Failed: Thrown off the train by Hiratsuka Shizuka.]

Whoa! Thrown off a moving train?! She was serious?!

Even Hiratsuka-sensei, who said it, was clearly just joking, right!

[Make your choice!]

What choice was there?

If he didn’t pick A, could he possibly pick B?

Sorry, Mashiro!

Himekoji glanced at the girl, silently apologizing in his heart.

Then, without another word, he sprang into action!

He exerted himself, swiftly scooping Mashiro up horizontally onto his arms.

Lifted her high up, and placed her onto it!

Fortunately, Mashiro was unflappable. The whole time, she just blinked curiously, not even letting out a surprised shriek. That saved Himekoji a lot of trouble.

The girl was slim and light. Placing her on the luggage rack seemed surprisingly perfect.

Ding!

[Quest Completed!]

[Yukinoshita’s Super S-Rank Flirting Tip Get!]

[—Bi…]

“Get lost! Not looking!”

Himekoji uncharacteristically brushed it off coolly. Was this his first time actively rejecting a reward?

[See if I care!]

The System’s cool indifference, naturally, was no less than Himekoji’s.

The two of them were equally stubborn.

…

The reason Himekoji ignored the tip was—

He hadn’t even thought about trying to flirt with Yukinoshita.

Himekoji wasn’t planning on flirting with anyone.

But actually, more important than that, the main reason he didn’t look at the tip was—

He was afraid that if he saw it, it might someday stir a desire within him…

If he were still the old Himekoji, he wouldn’t have such unnecessary worries.

Pledging to stay alone, committing to being alone, forming no attachments with anyone— the former him was exactly that kind of solitude-perfect, invincible pervert.

But now, though he didn’t want to admit it, it was undeniable that he had a vulnerability.

He was still powerful, but he was no longer invincible.

Being human meant having weaknesses.

Even for perverts.

…

“Whoa!”

“What did that Pervert just do?”

“What a twist!”

“This kind of guy can land a girlfriend? No! I refuse to believe it!”

Everyone was utterly stunned by Himekoji’s sudden action!

The FFF Corps members, who were “always prepared” just moments ago, immediately dropped their torches.

An ally!

One hundred percent! They could vouch for it! Or stake their honor on it!

…

“You idiot! What on earth did you do? Get Mashiro down now!”

Hiratsuka-sensei held her forehead in frustration.

This student wasn’t just a pervert, but mischievous too…

He was really hard to discipline.

Honestly, Himekoji didn’t even need the Female Teacher’s reminder.

The very instant ‘Quest Completed’ popped up, he had already reached out to help Mashiro down.

“Hard seat… upgraded to sleeper.”

The tiny feet touched the ground, yet Mashiro’s first words were this…

Surprisingly insightful, catching Himekoji off guard.

She didn’t utter a single complaint or question. Mashiro had perfectly played along with Himekoji’s “prank,” leaving him with strangely mixed feelings.

…

“Bro! Awesome job!”

Meanwhile, Akiko bounded up wearing a triumphant expression. She slapped Himekoji’s arm repeatedly (“Pat-pat-pat!”) while glaring fiercely at Mashiro—

“You little temptress! If you lay a finger on my brother again, it won’t be the luggage rack! You’ll get stuffed in the trunk! Hmph!”

…

“Actually… actually kinda romantic, huh?”

Off to the side, Miura Queen offered her own unique opinion, spoken soft and low, completely unlike the others.

She actually liked this kind of thing!

…

Yuigahama frowned thoughtfully, sensing something wasn’t simple.

Wait… thoughtfully?

This character, always more endowed in the chest than the brains, was thinking for a change?!

Seemed like the second function of her mind had finally activated for the first time.

Hmm…

Before, it had only been for decoration, much like her shockingly large chest, which seemed designed purely for show.

…

It took about two hours to reach Kyoto by shinkansen.

The heat hit Himekoji as soon as he stepped off the train.

Kyoto sat in a basin, sweltering in summer and freezing in winter.

Because of this big difference between hot and cold, you could say the land offered beautiful sights for every season.

Spring brought light pink blossoms crowning the mountainsides. Summer offered cool breezes near the Kamogawa riverbanks while you gazed at lush green scenery. Autumn painted the hills fiery red and orange with fall leaves. Winter transformed the mountains into a place of snowy beauty, with wind whipping snowflakes through the air.

This was the first day in Kyoto, and according to the plan, they seemed to be heading straight to Kiyomizu-dera.

Anyway, the next part was class group activities. Thus, Mashiro was forcibly escorted back to her own class by Hiratsuka-sensei.

After all, the Fine Arts Class had arrived only fifteen minutes after Himekoji’s group. The girl had no good excuse to keep hanging around.

Each class boarded its own bus.

Being from Class B, Himekoji’s group naturally got assigned to the second batch.

Just as their bus was leaving the station, Himekoji caught a glimpse of Yukinoshita and Eriri.

They were in a long line, waiting to board.

Just a quick, passing glance.