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[Game] Chapter 175: Shizuka Hiratsuka’s Upcoming Group Date
🕑 Added 2025-03-20 18:35:40 +0000 UTCYukino’s unexpected encounter left everyone surprised—she really was attractive to both genders.
Ichin recalled the expression of the girl he saw at the Service Club before, and compared it to the ones he had seen around his own studio. The similarities were undeniable.
However, this girl was much more obvious, even directly confessing today.
Looking at the still-troubled Yukino, Ichin asked, “Do you think that girl will try to approach you again?”
“I’m not sure. It depends on how Hiratsuka-sensei handles it.” Yukino responded, glancing at Shizuka Hiratsuka.
“Hm?”
Meeting Yukino’s gaze, Hiratsuka put down her teacup and replied, “Relax. I made it very clear to her—you’re only interested in the opposite sex. So, she won’t bother you again.”
“That’s a relief.”
Yukino finally sighed with genuine relief after receiving Hiratsuka’s assurance. Then, she addressed the group. “Now that our scores are out, we can take a short break. Let’s head home once we finish our tea.”
Actually, there was something Yukino didn’t mention: she planned to avoid the Service Club for the next week. The incident had left her with some psychological scars.
After finishing their tea, everyone left the Service Club. Hiratsuka, who had no other obligations, was looking forward to enjoying her weekend.
As they walked out of the school building toward the parking lot, Hiratsuka turned to the group and said, “Want me to give you a ride? Ichin can take the front seat, and the three of you can fit comfortably in the back.”
Yukino glanced at her and asked, “Won’t that interfere with your group date plans, Hiratsuka-sensei?”
Hearing that, Eriri perked up with curiosity. “Huh? Sensei, are you going on another group date? Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen what a teacher’s group date is like. Is it held at an izakaya?”
Hiratsuka’s expression stiffened slightly. Tilting her head back slightly, she looked at Yukino and asked, “Your sister told you, didn’t she?”
A faint, mischievous smile tugged at the corner of Yukino’s lips. “That’s right. She mentioned it when she called me. And I have every reason to believe she deliberately told me just so I could bring it up in front of you.”
“That sounds exactly like something Haruno would do.”
Hiratsuka scratched her loose hair, sighing in resignation. “Yes, I’m going to a group date. It’s just a social dinner with teachers from two other high schools. We have events like this once every month or two. A bunch of us went to China over the summer for cultural exchange and study, so the ones we were supposed to have during summer break got pushed to now. And yes, it’s at an izakaya, which makes it not really suitable for students to join.”
“But there’s no rush. The dinner’s in the evening, so I can still give you all a ride.”
Ichin quickly agreed with a smile, “Sure, we’d appreciate the lift, Hiratsuka-sensei. Yukino, are you heading home or coming to the studio with us? We’re cooking dinner ourselves today.”
Yukino, eager to avoid going home, nodded. “Alright. I’ll join you. Sorry for intruding.”
“You all sure have fun, huh? Just a happy group, cooking and eating together.”
With a sigh of admiration, Hiratsuka led the four of them to the parking lot and gestured for the students to get into the car.
“A BMW?”
Once inside, Ichin asked curiously, “What happened to your Aston Martin, Sensei?”
“Haruno borrowed it.”
Hiratsuka explained as she buckled her seatbelt, “She’s having her own car serviced, so she came to borrow mine. Which means I’m stuck driving this backup car.”
“Backup car?” Eriri, sitting in the back, sounded surprised. “Looks like your family’s wealth is way beyond what I imagined, Hiratsuka-sensei.”
“It’s nothing compared to yours, Ojou-sama.”
Starting the engine, Hiratsuka replied calmly, “This car was a gift from my family. The Aston Martin, however, I bought with my own money. That’s my most precious possession. Even the place I’m living in now is just a rental.”
Utaha commented, “Being able to buy an Aston Martin, Hiratsuka-sensei, that’s already impressive.”
“It’s nothing special. With your and Ichin’s current income, you could easily afford one too—if only you had a driver’s license.”
As she watched Hiratsuka drive from the backseat, Eriri started counting on her fingers. “Hiratsuka-sensei, you’re a teacher with a stable income, good looks, a nice figure, and a good family background. So, why haven’t you found a boyfriend yet? Are your standards too high?”
“Even you’re making fun of me now, Eriri?”
Hiratsuka looked slightly hurt by the remark but still decided to answer honestly.
“It’s not like my standards are high or anything, but things just keep happening. Like, one guy expected me to be a perfect housewife who would support him at home. That’s definitely not happening. Asking me to be a housewife is as good as asking me to drop dead. Then, there was another guy whose family didn’t drink alcohol. And he told me if we were to be together, I wouldn’t be allowed to drink either. Like, seriously? Isn’t that ridiculous? It’s fine if he doesn’t drink, but why try to control someone else’s habits? It’s not like my drinking is costing them anything.”
As she spoke, Hiratsuka grew increasingly irritated. She even reached into her pocket, seemingly wanting to pull out a cigarette, but held back when she remembered the car was full of students.
Ichin nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true. Having a drink once in a while is no big deal. As long as you’re not drinking and driving or causing trouble when drunk, it’s fine.”
“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying!” Hiratsuka frowned, her frustration apparent. “I can hold my liquor really well. Even if I drink too much, I just pass out and sleep. Haruno knows this all too well. But some people just ramble on and on, completely ignoring what others think. I have no idea what kind of upbringing they had. Anyway, I’ve pretty much given up on arranged dates. I’d rather do things like today—go drinking with other teachers at a group date. If I find someone interesting, great. If not, I’ll just treat it like a dinner outing. No pressure.”
Despite her casual words, there was a faint bitterness in Hiratsuka’s tone.
It made sense, though. She was nearly thirty, still single, and clearly not someone who embraced the single lifestyle. She probably longed for a good relationship.
After a bit of thought, Ichin glanced toward the backseat and said, “Utaha, your editor Sonoka is single too, right? I think she and Hiratsuka-sensei might have a lot in common.”
Hearing Ichin mention her editor, Utaha chuckled. “Now that you mention it, they are kind of similar. Both are being pressured by their families to get married through arranged dates but just can’t seem to find the right match.”
Hiratsuka’s interest was piqued upon hearing about someone with similar experiences.
“If there’s a chance, introduce me to her. It’s always good to have another drinking buddy.”
Ichin sighed internally.
He had thought the two of them might come up with some plan to get out of being single. But it seemed like all Hiratsuka cared about was finding someone to drink with.
Well, maybe her single status wasn’t all that surprising after all.
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