Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 54

Minato and Yuuna’s Encounter

A few minutes later, we had moved to a café a short distance from the academy.

After ordering some light drinks, I found myself facing the girl across from me… Shimazu Yuuna.

“Ah…”

Our eyes met, as she was already looking my way. It seemed she had been observing me too, and her eyes widened upon seeing my face.

“Just to make sure, you’re the bodyguard from that time, right?”

“Are you talking about when we met at the Asagami Group? Yeah… I guess this is the second time.”

She responded to my question with an ambiguous tone, as if reluctant to admit it. Her appearance, not matching her age, was enough to make even my undercover role waver…

“What’s your goal?”

I couldn’t let my guard down, so I asked her directly.

“I suppose you’ve figured it out, but we’ve done our fair share of research too. That man—the real brother of the principal of Hoshimiya Academy, who now works there, is the former head of the Asagami Group. Considering a former bodyguard of the Asagami Group has been invited as a trainee teacher, things might get complicated.”

I took out my smartphone from my pocket. Turning the screen towards her, I swiped and switched to the draft of an email.

Displayed there should be a detailed profile of the girl in front of me.

“…Are you trying to threaten me?”

“That’ll depend on what you’re planning.”

In the heavy air, there was no sign of panic on her face.

Since Shimazu Yuuna had arrived as a trainee teacher, I had also been observing her from the shadows.

This girl—Shimazu Yuuna—spoke with a genuine and calm demeanor to everyone, was soft-spoken, a good listener, and provided sound advice like an elder, earning her popularity among the students.

Whether it was her true nature or an act, I knew such a side would never be shown to me.

From her perspective, sitting before her was the very person who had nearly killed the master she served as a bodyguard for in the Asagami Group, and it would not be strange for her to harbor “animosity” towards me.

I was ready to use force if necessary, depending on her actions—when suddenly, she shattered that resolve with a gentle smile.

“If that’s the case, I guess it’s okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah. I was sent to Hoshimiya School solely to monitor you. The principal told me not to let you get involved in any more trouble.”

She revealed her true profession as if it was nothing, and then, as if realizing something, her eyes widened.

“Ah, did you think I was plotting a sneak attack or revenge? No way. I’m just a trainee bodyguard, you know? Besides, it would be quite spiteful to seek revenge on someone who nearly got killed by that man’s arrogance.”

While saying this, Shimazu Yuuna giggled.

Her demeanor was that of an innocent child enjoying the situation, and I was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.

“…You don’t hold a grudge against me?”

“Why would I? It was that man who tried to kill you first, right? If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you. Even though I didn’t know, I ended up helping with his plan…”

She looked genuinely remorseful, which left me feeling somewhat perplexed.

Of course, I couldn’t be sure if that was her true intention, but as if she had read my doubtful mind, she offered a comforting smile like one reassuring their child.

“Still… being cautious?”

“…Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. But relax. I really don’t hold a grudge. Considering what that girl—Kanade did to you, I have no right to say anything.”

Her eyes captured me with a straightforward gaze. At least, there was no hatred or deceit in their depths.

“(Well, not that I don’t believe you…)”

Still, the information at this stage was insufficient. I continued with my questions.

“Answer if you can. You remember when you guided me, right? At that time, you were already aware of the crimes Kanade had committed. That means you knew about my aunt and uncle’s case too?”

“…Yeah. Though at the time, I had no idea he was involved in that matter. All I was told was to invite you and your sister into the living room to reveal the daughter’s sins.”

“I see…”

I quickly accepted her explanation. From her standpoint, trying to prevent the tragic incident caused by the man she served from spreading was a natural reaction. If she was uncertain about that, she was used to help Kanade.

Gathering us at the Asagami Group and finishing us off when we were all together.

If her story was true, that man’s plan was probably something like that. He was quite cunning.

“Were you shocked when you learned the true nature of that man?”

“I wonder. Honestly, I was pretty confused. Somewhere in my heart, I might have hoped for things to turn out this way. Thanks to you, I might have been freed from his curse.”

With those meaningful words, she showed a somewhat lonely expression.

“Sorry, that was careless of me. Forget about what I just said.”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

I quickly changed the subject. If she didn’t want to talk about it, there was no need to force it out of her.

“One last thing. If you were a trainee bodyguard for the Asagami Group, do you know anything about my sister—Kurogane Sumire?”

“Huh? sister? Yours?”

“…You don’t know.”

Her response made it clear she was clueless about the matter. There was no point in asking about that woman.

I nodded lightly and stood up.

“I guess it’s about time I head out. Sorry for taking up your time. What are you planning to do from here?”

“I’ll be monitoring you for a while. That’s what I’m being paid for right now, it’s my living expenses.”

“So, you’re telling me I’m going to be stalked by you until graduation? For a young man of my age, that’s a reward.”

“Then maybe I should stop making that annoyed face. Besides, you’re not the type to care about public attention, are you?”

“Good grief…”

Her readiness elicited a sigh from me. Not that I didn’t understand, but it seemed I was thoroughly branded as a problem child.

“Then, next time another student picks a fight with me, you can take them down. Getting knocked out by a loli teacher would hurt their pride quite a bit, wouldn’t it?”

“Hmm. So you’re okay with making a girl resort to violence?”

“Hey, you’re getting paid, aren’t you? Plus, guiding a misguided problem child back to the right path is a teacher’s duty. Well, I’m looking forward to it. Shimazu-sensei.”

We laughed together as I spoke.

I was worried about how things would turn out for a while, but the situation wasn’t too bad. Depending on how things went, it might be possible to recruit her as an ally.

At least for now, Shimazu Yuuna didn’t harbor any hostility towards me.

Of course, the final decision would have to wait until after discussing it with the client pulling the strings in the background…

“Well then, I’m off first. I’ve settled the bill, so take your time.”

I reached for the bill, about to stand up from my seat—

“Good grief… I’ve found you, Shimazu-san.”

“!?”

A voice came from somewhere.

I instinctively followed the sound with my eyes.

There was Shimazu Yuuna, with a look of despair and fear that made me doubt she was the same person I had been talking to just a moment ago.