My dear wife, I still love you more.

"I will thank Hiratsuka-sensei." Yui Yuigahama nodded earnestly, a grateful expression on her face.

“That’s the right way to do it.” Hasegawa nodded approvingly.

On one hand, Yui Yuigahama should indeed thank Shizuka Hiratsuka. On the other hand, given Hiratsuka's status and influence, it would be beneficial for Yui Yuigahama, and even for Mrs. Yuigahama, to cultivate a closer relationship with her. She would essentially have an invisible backer.

For orphans and widows, having such a powerful backer is truly a good thing.

Yui Yuigahama nodded earnestly, but then glanced at Hasegawa, silently thinking: Hasegawa has done so much for their family, yet he never mentions it, as if his role in it has been overlooked. Indeed, just as her mother said, Hasegawa is truly a wonderful person.

Chapter Seven: Kato Megumi's Joke

Hasegawa.

"Oh no! Kato, how many times have I told you not to speak so suddenly? You can really scare people to death!" Hasegawa couldn't help but pat his chest.

"I'm sorry, but I'm so inconspicuous that even if I walked right up to Hasegawa, he might not even notice me." Kato Megumi's expression was calm and her tone was indifferent, but Hasegawa had a vague feeling that Kato Megumi was complaining that he hadn't noticed her.

“Okay, okay, I apologize. It was my fault, but Kato, you’re just too special. I didn’t mean to. I also wanted to be able to see you the moment I saw you, but—” Hasegawa shrugged.

"Well, it's okay. And I'm used to it by now. Actually, Hasegawa is pretty good. After all, you still remember me, while other people don't even remember that I'm a classmate."

"Um, from what you're saying, Kato, it sounds like you're in a really bad situation."

"Well, I'm used to it. Besides, they're just classmates. I don't care anymore. Even at home, when my mom cooks, she sometimes only makes enough for two people and often forgets about me. So, I'm used to it."

"Uh, my condolences." Hasegawa had no other words to say besides that. Even her parents would forget about Kato Megumi. What kind of strange constitution does Kato Megumi have?

"Well, I already said I'm used to it. So I don't feel anything special," Kato Megumi said calmly.

"Well, after all these years, it's probably time to get used to it. But, Kato, I think you could become an assassin. If you were to become an assassin, with your special skills, you could definitely become a world-class, no, the most outstanding assassin."

"That's too much, Hasegawa. I'm already in such a terrible situation, and you're still making fun of me like this."

"I was just saying that because I felt you seemed to have gotten used to it and didn't care about such things at all."

"Although I've gotten used to it, I can't say I don't care at all."

"Okay, okay, I apologize, I apologize."

"Since Hasegawa apologized so sincerely, then I will forgive you."

"Thank you, thank you Kato, for forgiving me. I'm so lucky."

"Good to know. Although I'm inconspicuous, based on my understanding of some otaku, there should be quite a few people who like my type, even though they can't possibly notice me." Kato Megumi said, tapping her chin with her index finger and tilting her head.

"An otaku? Probably. But Kato, you seem to know a lot about otaku, and even the world of anime and manga," Hasegawa asked, somewhat surprised.

"Well, Hasegawa is my only friend in the class, so as a friend, I naturally want to know what my friend likes. That's why I've been paying attention to anime lately. Although there are still many things I don't understand," Kato Megumi said casually.

Hasegawa raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Kato, if you don't like it, you don't need to bother to learn about it. Although I am indeed quite interested in anime and manga, I'm not someone whose mind is only filled with anime and manga."

"Well, at first I couldn't stand it, but later I found that anime is actually quite interesting. So I don't hate anime," Kato Megumi said with a wave of her hand.

"Really? Yes, really. Well, I don't know what to say. A girl like you, Kato, is so rare. If all those otaku existed, they would be begging to marry you." Hasegawa gave Kato Megumi a thumbs up.

Hasegawa genuinely felt that Kato Megumi's personality was truly remarkable. Her gentle, composed demeanor, her seemingly incapable anger, and her willingness to indulge her friends' interests, even to the point of exploring things she herself had never encountered before or might have resisted—this kind of girl is incredibly rare. She's definitely the ideal girlfriend. Of course, being cute is also a very important factor.

"Really? Is there really anyone who would like an unremarkable girl like me?" Kato Megumi tilted her head again.

"Of course I will. Absolutely." Hasegawa said firmly.

"And what about Hasegawa?"

"What?" Hasegawa was taken aback.

"Hasegawa said that someone would like an inconspicuous girl like me. So, what about Hasegawa?" Kato Megumi's face remained completely expressionless, still looking at Hasegawa calmly as before.

Hasegawa's heart skipped a beat.

"Well, as expected, Hasegawa was lying, wasn't he? He was just trying to comfort me. After all, how could a guy like an ordinary, unremarkable girl like me possibly like someone?" Kato Megumi said calmly, showing no sign of disappointment.

"Uh, no, I mean it. There really are people who like girls like Kato. And Kato is really cute, not at all an unremarkable girl. Really." Hasegawa felt sorry for Kato Megumi when he saw her like this, and couldn't help but comfort her. At the same time, he also expressed his own thoughts. He really thought that girls like Kato Megumi were really great.

"That's why I asked Hasegawa if he would like an ordinary, unremarkable girl like me, but Hasegawa didn't give me any answer. So he still dislikes an ordinary, unremarkable girl like me." Kato Megumi shook her head.

"Kato, you, you wouldn't—" Hasegawa frowned as he looked at Kato Megumi.

"Well, I was just joking. I also wanted to see how Hasegawa would answer. If Hasegawa says he likes me, I'll reject him outright, and I might even laugh at him. After all, Hasegawa said I'm cute, but I think Hasegawa is pretty average-looking. He's not ugly, but he's not handsome at all. Even I like handsome guys." Kato Megumi tilted her head, her tone and expression completely unchanged.

"...You really have a twisted sense of humor." Hasegawa couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Well, shouldn't friends joke around? If we don't joke around, it feels like we're not friends at all," Kato Megumi explained confidently.

"Yes, yes, you're a cute girl, so you get to decide." Hasegawa rolled his eyes, then couldn't help but laugh.

Although Kato Megumi's joke was a bit, well, a bit strange, it made you want to laugh afterwards, giving you a very relaxing feeling.

Chapter 8: Yuihama's Bewilderment

"Hey, Hasegawa, what kind of girl do you like?" Kato Megumi suddenly asked.

"Huh? Kato, why are you asking me this?" Hasegawa frowned.

"I'm just curious. I'm a little curious about the preferences of guys your age. After all, for an insignificant girl like me, I need to know what guys your age like so I can find a boyfriend," Kato Megumi said, whether she was teasing or not.

"Then you shouldn't ask me, you should ask other people. As for me, I have a generation gap with them." Hasegawa shrugged.

"A generation gap? Okay, I get it. But if it's Hasegawa, I'd like to know what kind of girl you like," Kato Megumi said quietly, looking at Hasegawa.

"Oh? You know what kind of girl I like?" Hasegawa looked at Kato Megumi with a mix of surprise, curiosity, and amusement.

"Probably because she has big breasts," Kato Megumi said, pointing to her chin with her index finger.

"Huh?" Hasegawa's expression froze.

"I told you so. Hasegawa really does like girls with big breasts. Hmm, maybe I should add some papaya milk to my breakfast later." Kato Megumi looked down at her chest. To be honest, it wasn't small, but it wasn't big either. It was about the normal bust size for a girl her age.

“I said, Kato, what nonsense are you talking about?” Hasegawa couldn’t help but laugh.

"Isn't that right? I don't think I'm talking nonsense. Hasegawa likes Yuigahama-san, right?" Kato Megumi looked directly at Hasegawa.

"Yui-hama? I like her? Who told you that?" Hasegawa rolled his eyes.

“I saw it with my own eyes. A long time ago, Hasegawa and Yui-hama went to school and came home together. And now, you two seem to be getting along even better. Have you officially become a couple? It's okay to tell me. If you don't want anyone else to know, I can keep it a secret.”

"Kato, don't talk nonsense. Yui and I are just neighbors. That's why we go to and from school together. There's nothing else." Hasegawa shook his head; he didn't want others to misunderstand. It wouldn't be good for either him or Yui.

"Huh? You're neighbors and you go to and from school together? Does that mean you're childhood sweethearts? But you don't seem to know it at school."

“We weren’t childhood friends. I’d always lived in the countryside. I only came to Tokyo when I was in my third year of middle school. I just happened to be renting a place next to Yuihama’s house,” Hasegawa explained.

"A poor boy from the countryside, by chance, met a beautiful girl who lived next door, and even more coincidentally, they were classmates. Due to some reason or misunderstanding, the two went from not knowing each other at the beginning to getting to know each other, their relationship grew closer and closer, and they eventually got together. It's just like a plot from a novel." Kato Megumi said calmly, her voice without the slightest fluctuation.

"Don't talk nonsense, Kato. If this gets out, it will affect her reputation. If she wants to date in high school, these rumors will really bother her." Hasegawa shook his head.

"Huh? Is that so? But I think the situation I described often happens in light novels."

"So you said it's a light novel, right? Don't bring the plot of a light novel into reality, Kato. Most of the main characters in light novels are otaku. Do you think there are any otaku in real life who are as popular with girls as the main characters in light novels? Obviously not." Hasegawa shook his head.

"Really? But even though it's a novel, it's based on reality. Just like how an average otaku is unremarkable, but our classmate Aki Tomoya is completely different. If he were in a novel, his personality would make him a protagonist." Kato Megumi shook her head, denying Hasegawa's statement.

"Um, Lunye? He's an exception. He's one in a million."

“That’s why you might be the protagonist. Also, I suddenly realized that you, Hasegawa, also seem to have the potential to become the protagonist of a light novel.” Kato Megumi stared at Hasegawa without blinking.

"Why am I being dragged into this again?"

"Well, it's because I feel that Hasegawa, although he's an otaku, has a very gentle personality and is also an incredibly smart student. Isn't the combination of otaku and academic genius a standard trait for light novel protagonists?"

"Kato, I suddenly feel that it's such a waste that you're not writing novels. Go become a light novel author."

"You just said I could become a top-notch assassin."

"Um, your hidden identity is that of an assassin, while your public identity is that of a very famous light novel author. How about that setup? Not bad, right?" Hasegawa joked with a smile.

"Hmm, that seems like a good idea." Kato Megumi thought for a moment, then nodded.

As they spoke, they both laughed. So, chatting with Kato Megumi was quite enjoyable, because it seemed like we could always find topics that interested us, and the conversation was very relaxed.

Meanwhile, in another seat in the classroom, Hasegawa and Kato were chatting.

Yui Yuigahama looked at Hasegawa, but couldn't help frowning.

"Hasegawa is chatting with other girls, and they seem to be having a great time. That's so unfair—wait, why am I thinking that? Hasegawa and I have absolutely no connection, so even if he's chatting with other girls, it has nothing to do with me." Yui Yuigahama muttered to herself.

However, she couldn't help but glance at Hasegawa. Seeing Hasegawa and that girl laughing happily made her feel depressed.

"Who is the girl chatting with Hasegawa? She seems pretty cute."

"I've never seen her before. Which class is she in? And it's almost time for class, yet she hasn't gone home. Isn't she worried about getting scolded by the teacher?"

"She's really bold. She actually went into someone else's classroom and chatted with a boy."

Yui Yuigahama pouted, thinking angrily. Seeing the two of them laughing, she couldn't help but turn her head away, but after a short pause, she turned back.

"Huh? Where did he go? Wait, just now, it seemed like a girl went to see Hasegawa. Who was it? It looked like, it looked like a cute girl?" Yui blinked, a little confused. She remembered seeing a girl chatting with Hasegawa earlier, looking quite happy.

However, now, she has absolutely no memory of that girl. In fact, she only seems to remember someone talking to Hasegawa.

I posted a picture yesterday, only to later realize that I had forgotten to block his QQ account, resulting in quite a few people adding that criminal reserve officer on QQ. Although he's quite magnanimous and doesn't seem to care about such things, it was still my mistake. Therefore, I've decided to postpone reading his book as an apology.

Those interested in this criminal reserve can first read his book.

I can transform by beating the game.

Chapter 9 Hiratsuka Shizuka’s Fear

"Ms. Hiratsuka, thank you so much for your help. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have become of my family. Thank you so much, thank you so much." Yui Yuigahama bowed deeply to Shizuka Hiratsuka with a grateful expression to express her thanks.

"Well, well, well, no matter what, you're still my student. How could I not help when your family is going through something like this? Besides, it's just a small favor for me." Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Besides, Hasegawa also put in a lot of effort this time. If he hadn't told me, I wouldn't even know about your family's situation. Yui, if anything happens at home in the future, just tell me. I can't handle other things, but this kind of situation is a piece of cake for me."

"Yes." Yui Yuigahama was deeply moved. However, after hearing that Hasegawa had contributed a great deal, her large eyes couldn't help but look at Hasegawa beside her, filled with gratitude and emotion. Her affection for Hasegawa grew even stronger.

At this moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but frown. She felt that Yuigahama Yui was trying to show off her relationship in front of her. She couldn't help but scoff, thinking that she should have known better than to say that Hasegawa had played a part in it.

Although Hiratsuka Shizuka is almost thirty and has hardly ever been in a relationship, she can still tell from her eyes that Yui Yuigahama has a lot of feelings for Hasegawa. In fact, if Hasegawa were to confess to Yui at this time, the chances of success would be extremely high.

They're just high school students, just mischievous kids, how did they end up together? She, Hiratsuka Shizuka, is such a beautiful woman, and she still hasn't found a boyfriend, even failing repeatedly in blind dates. It's infuriating!

"Ahem. Um, Yui. If there's nothing else, you can go back now." Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't want to be seen being shown affection, so she spoke directly to Yui.

"Ah? Oh, then goodbye, Hiratsuka-sensei."