Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Approaching Danger
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Vigilance → Classmate → Trust → Reliance → Affection.
These are the five relationship stages in Koikan!
Vigilance is exactly what it sounds like—someone to be wary of.
A proper relationship only kicks in starting from Classmate.
And that Classmate stage—level 3—carries a lot of weight.
It means the closest friend in the class.
Just like the new dynamic between Ren and me.
Right after the emergency treatment on that rabbit that ate the silver bellflower, things were so hectic I hadn't checked her Heroine Status.
This was why Ren accepted my bet without a second thought.
She must have acknowledged my track record of saving her from danger multiple times.
And the perks of reaching stage 3 were paying off big time even now.
"Mind if I sit across from you?"
"Of course. I'm the one getting tutored, so I can't exactly push the desks apart."
Ren and I sat facing each other, separated by just about 40 centimeters.
Even that felt intimate since she was leaning forward slightly to look at the papers, close enough to hear each other's breathing.
Truth be told, I was tempted to use the excuse that "it's hard to read upside down" and scoot right up next to her.
But I held back. That's something you do once you're at least at the flirting stage. Rush it, and you'll end up backpedaling. Slow and steady wins the race in the end.
"Alright, let's take a look."
She pulled out the various documents and papers she'd prepared from her bag and handed them over.
My fingers brushed against hers as she already gripped the papers.
Ren flinched a little but didn't pull away.
Her body was starting to register me as non-threatening.
Hiding my satisfaction, I casually flipped through the pages and kept explaining.
"This unit price comparison? From the supervisor's perspective, it just screams 'what does a student know about negotiating with vendors?' So skip it. They'll handle vendor prices at the academy anyway. We're students, not staff."
Ren nodded and jotted it down quickly.
"So just put in an average for the unit price?"
"More precisely, call it an 'estimated fair amount.' The vaguer, the better."
Ren's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"...Vaguer is better? That sounds off."
"That's student council-level administration for you."
I smiled and added,
"It's real-world pragmatism. Too polished, and it backfires into extra scrutiny. As long as it roughly fits the budget, the administrative office will tweak the rest. Way easier than nitpicking decimals."
Ren bit her lower lip, lost in thought for a moment.
Thin but pretty lips.
A vibrant pink, even with just basic makeup.
Maybe annoyed at her methods getting picked apart—
her cute tongue poked out briefly between her lips before slipping back in.
Wonder what it tastes like.
Kinda wanna kiss her.
A moment later, she looked up.
"...How do you know all these tricks, Yu? I was always taught to follow the rules to the letter."
"Grew up rough, so I've done it all. Picked up these shortcuts along the way."
"I guess I'm lacking in that department..."
"Then learn. I've got your back. Now, check this part?"
As I said that, I leaned toward her a bit.
Pointing at the paper on the table—our foreheads nearly touched.
Nice scent...
Flutter—
Maybe registering a guy's face right in front of her nose, Ren's long lashes trembled like butterfly wings.
With the weather warming up, she'd undone her top shirt button, fully exposing her pristine nape.
If I were a vampire, I'd probably lose it and pounce right there.
"...Yu?"
"Oh, sorry. Right, next up. No need to break this into sub-items. Just lump it as 'contingency funds' in one line. Clean and simple."
Ren cautiously lifted her head again.
My fingertip met her eyes at point-blank range.
"Contingency funds... in one line? That simple?"
"Yep. No issue. Contingency items pass without details anyway. That's what they're for, right?"
Ren let out a soft breath and underlined the paper, noting the changes.
I followed her pen, underlining spots she might miss. With both our hands on the same sheet, our fingers started brushing subtly.
"Here too."
"Eep... Okay..."
Our index fingertips tapped—tap—multiple times, but Ren no longer flinched or pulled away.
If anything, she was easing the tension in her fingers, getting used to the small contacts.
This is the power of Trust stage...!
Just fingertips for now, but Reliance or Affection? Can't wait.
"Let's call it here for today. Thirty pages in one go is a bit much. Deadline's Friday anyway."
I nodded lightly and stood. Ren hesitated but followed.
"Um... thanks for helping with my personal stuff."
"Personal? Nah, we're both class officers. Assisting you is the Practical Committee member's job."
"...Still."
Our Ren's so polite.
"Anyway, I'll head out first."
"Wait..."
"Yeah?"
She glanced at the hallway window, then shook her head.
"Nothing. See you tomorrow, Yu."
Was she gonna ask to go together?
Or maybe offer something in return for the lesson...
Either way, happy thoughts.
I grinned without showing it and turned away.
Click—
Today's staircase light switch stayed on as I headed back to the dorm.
The next day at 9 a.m., I called the animal hospital first thing.
—"Hello, animal hospital."
"Hi, I'm the guardian for Tori and Toto."
—"Oh, hello! How's your hand?"
"Better, thanks to you. How are Tori and Toto?"
A faint sigh came through the phone.
—"Toto's fine—no issues, so you can pick her up today. But Tori... he's been through a lot for so long. Not great condition, honestly. Lucky no heartworms, but as a big dog, he's got other parasites. We'll need to monitor for a week."
A week, huh.
I wanted to show Tori to Ren ASAP, but flashing him now and something going wrong could be irreversible.
Might even leave Ren in depression through the ending.
Sorry, Ren... holding off till he's cleared.
Toto it is, then.
She's from the school small animal pen originally, so sticking her back there hides any Tori connection.
"Got it. Picking up Toto today, back for Tori in a week."
—"Yes, perfect. Don't worry, guardian. Our vet's giving it his all. Call anytime if you're concerned~"
"You're so sweet. See you soon."
—"Heehee, sure thing~"
Animal hospital nurse sis got that caregiver vibe.
Makes me wanna act spoiled.
Hung up, left the dorm, and the walk to school felt great. April morning breeze brushed my cheeks coolly.
Wonder how far skinship with Ren today.
"Kyosuke, camera set?"
"Stashed it in a different locker this time. Peeked last one—bra size E-cup. Whoever she is, tits alone will sell big."
"E-cup...!"
Thugs in the alley, smoking and spewing filth.
"Lower locker too?"
"Duh. Swimmer type, probably. Changing into swimsuit means panties off—full view guaranteed."
"Ughyo...!"
After yukking it up over their next poor victim, they caught a familiar deep voice from beyond the alley.
-"You're so sweet. See you soon~"
A hulking guy brushing past their spot.
"That bastard..."
Yu Sanghyeon, the Korean transfer student.
Tall in the mid-180s, nearly 100kg of ripped muscle.
The monster who smashed a full-force wooden bat with his bare fist...
Grind!
Kyosuke gnashed his teeth, the humiliating memory resurfacing—pinned helpless, slapped four times across the face.
"Hey, Kyosuke, hold it together. Grab the camera this weekend, then we've got an excuse to link with Kurogami-senpai. She'll help us crush him for sure."
"Damn right... I'll kill him."