A disbelieving gasp rippled from the girls first, then erupted into excited cheers from the boys.

“No way! That old fossil, that fat old man—has he lost his mind?”

Classmates shifted from stunned silence to roaring celebration.

“Where? When?”

Sharp-eyed students scrambled for details.

When Teacher Kagejima announced the location—

“It’s the Maple Mountain Hot Spring Resort Hotel in Yasaka City!”

The classroom roof nearly blew off.

Outside, bare tree branches wore a dusting of snow under clear, windless skies.

Yukieda and Mai leaned against the corridor window.

Campus buzzed with animated chatter.

“That Maple Mountain Hotel!”

“The super luxurious one!”

“Long live the President!”

A student leaned in with theatrical mystery.

“Actually… I heard this camp has nothing to do with the President.”

“No kidding? What’s the deal?”

Curiosity pulled everyone closer.

Pleased with the attention, he cleared his throat.

“Sponsored by a mysterious local entrepreneur—and he’s a parent of one of us.”

“Whoa… seriously rich.”

Gasps turned to speculation: *What family spends like this? Who’s the lucky classmate?*

“Whose parent could it be?” someone challenged skeptically.

“I don’t know that part.”

“You’re making it up. No entrepreneur sponsors school trips.”

Suspicious glances locked onto him.

“Wha—! I’m not lying!” he stammered.

“Then prove it!”

Yukieda watched the distant huddle. Corridor noise drowned words, but *camp* drifted through.

She gave a wry smile. “So this is Mr. Kenji’s plan? Really went all out…”

Mai patted her shoulder gently. “Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy the break.”

Anticipation flickered in Yukieda—then anxiety tightened its grip as winter break neared.

*How do I explain to Shizuku? Transform right in front of her?*

*No… not appropriate. Wait—how do I even convince Master Dai? I know nothing about him.*

Kenji’s doubt echoed: *He doesn’t believe in me.*

*Bring a gift? But would he lack anything? No—it’s the thought… but what does he like?*

*Yokan?*

*Thud.*

Yukieda bumped a lamppost.

“Sorry! Sorry!” She apologized hastily, not noticing the non-human figure, and hurried on.

Mai, Shizuku, and Mari followed Yukieda toward the shopping district. Mari had insisted the restaurant was famous.

“Mari… doesn’t Yukieda seem off lately?”

Mari nodded knowingly. “I’ve seen this in manga.”

“Oh?” Shizuku leaned in.

“Confession,” Mari whispered, eyes on Yukieda ahead. “Don’t forget December’s biggest date?”

“Christmas Eve!” Shizuku’s eyes widened like a startled cat. She lowered her voice. “But I haven’t seen Yukieda like any boy…”

Mari smirked knowingly. “You don’t get it. She’s a high school girl—heart blooming with young love.”

Shizuku’s face fell. “But we promised… no dating in high school.”

Mai, walking beside them, twitched her lips.

“Mai, say something!” Shizuku pleaded.

“Well… you’re both right,” Mai said carefully. *Don’t meddle*, her mind warned.

“So even Mai agrees…” Shizuku murmured, imagination spiraling.

*Yukieda in an oversized apron, barefoot, welcoming a stranger home. Me, stuck with a cold convenience-store bento—the microwave broken. Then Yukieda and him… on the bed.*

*“I want to eat you first.”*

*Annoying. Really annoying.*

*At least let me vet him.*

Mai glanced skyward, noticing Shizuku’s stormy expression.

The restaurant hummed with warmth. Coats came off. Now two hearts fluttered anxiously: Yukieda’s… and *hers*.

“What’ll it be, lovely ladies?”

A muscular waiter in a leather mask, short shorts, and apron sashayed over.

*Why no reaction?* He puzzled. *Not regulars—I’d remember these faces.*

Shizuku and Yukieda seemed distant. Mari scrolled her phone, smirking at BL manga.

“I’ll order,” Mai said, taking the menu. “So *this* is why it’s famous.”

Relieved, the waiter sashayed off with a wiggle.

Shizuku reasoned calmly: *Mari’s overthinking. Yukieda keeps promises. No dating.*

Steaming dishes arrived. Shizuku steered the talk: ideal types.

Mari lit up. “Not boys my age! Someone like Yukieda—gentle, reads the room, shows up when it counts. A hero.”

Yukieda flushed.

“Ugh! Why isn’t Yukieda-chan a guy? I’d totally seduce her like in those adult manga!”

“Toys and uniforms? All acceptable!”

Mari shot up.

“Mari—too loud!” Shizuku tugged her sleeve.

The waiter shushed her with a gesture.

“Sorry…” Mari sank down.

“The waiter’s outfit is… weird!” Yukieda finally noticed.

*Only now?* Mai shifted focus. Her turn.

“Me?” Mai pictured her sister. “Someone cold-faced but warm-hearted. Strong, patient, quietly brilliant… just bad at showing it.”

“Narcissist! Total narcissist!”

“…Are you describing yourself? Athlete, top grades…”

Mai didn’t correct them.

Shizuku smiled softly. “I’d like someone like Mai too. If she were a boy… I’d fall for her.”

“But she’s not. And a narcissist,” Yukieda added, nudging Mai deeper into the seat—*away from her daughter*.

All eyes turned to Yukieda.

“Ah… my turn?” She blinked her fan-like lashes. “A gentle, honest man. Works hard, hides workplace stress, still makes time for family holidays. Isn’t that lovely?”

Mai silently lifted a teacup… *Wait, where’d that come from?*

Mari forced a grin. “Sounds like… a boring salaryman! Not that *you’re* boring, Yukieda-chan!”

“Really that boring?” Yukieda’s gaze dropped, voice fading.

Shizuku chose words gently. “Yukieda… do you have a father complex?”

Yukieda froze—words choked like a duck with its neck wrung.

“No! No no! Really not!” She waved frantically.

Shizuku smiled. “I get it. So *that’s* your type.”

But behind the smile, shadows gathered.

*…A teacher? How dare he toy with Yukieda’s heart.*