My dear wife, I still love you more.

"It's just a normal teacher-student relationship. At most, we've helped each other out a few times. Well, we could barely be considered friends," Hasegawa said casually. He neither emphasized nor refuted anything.

"I see." Saeko Busujima smiled. "By the way, was it also false that Hasegawa-kun was staying at a female classmate's house?"

"That's true, but there's nothing like that between me and Yuihama," Hasegawa said, still with that nonchalant attitude.

Seeing Hasegawa's expression, Saeko Busujima was once again certain that what Hasegawa said was probably true. After all, although they only met every day at the kendo club, through kendo, Saeko Busujima had gained a fairly deep understanding of Hasegawa and knew what kind of person he was.

Hasegawa's current demeanor confirms that he is not lying.

"If you'd like, Hasegawa-kun, you can come and stay at my house."

"kindness?"

“My bed is very big—no, I mean I have a lot of rooms. And I live alone in the whole house. My father and mother are not in the country because they run a kendo dojo abroad. Also, there is a kendo dojo at my house. Although it is currently partially closed, the training ground is still there, so Hasegawa has plenty of space to practice kendo whenever he wants.” Saeko Busujima sincerely invited Hasegawa.

"Um, that's not necessary. I'm quite happy living here now, and Mrs. Yuihama is a very kind person. Moving out abruptly would be a bad thing." Hasegawa shook his head and refused.

"Is that so? Alright then. But if you'd like, Hasegawa, you can come to my house whenever you're free, um, to practice kendo."

Chapter Seventy-One Morning Exercise

As usual, after finishing his kendo training, Hasegawa waited for Yui Yuigahama, who had come out of the light music club, and then they went home together.

However, Yui Yuigahama always seemed to want to say something but held back.

"What's wrong, Yui? Is something the matter?" Hasegawa sensed that Yui Yui was acting a bit strange today and couldn't help but ask.

"Um, um, Hasegawa, I, I think, I might be able to attend some music training classes or hire a music teacher." Yui Yuigahama felt that she couldn't be so selfish and couldn't delay Hasegawa's time because of her own thoughts.

"Huh? What's wrong? Why are you suddenly bringing this up? Did someone in the light music club tell you this?" Hasegawa frowned slightly.

"No, no, it's just that I feel... I feel... Hasegawa, you're going to get into Tokyo University, and you need to focus all your energy on your studies. It's such a waste of your time to spend so much time teaching me music. After all, only going to Tokyo University can change your destiny, and I don't want you to lose the opportunity to go to Tokyo because of me." Yui Yuigahama hesitantly expressed her thoughts.

Hasegawa was both amused and exasperated: "Yuigahama, are you out of your mind?"

"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama looked completely bewildered, not understanding why Hasegawa would say such a thing.

"Going to the University of Tokyo is indeed one of my goals. But for me, it's incredibly easy. I can get in with just a little studying. Besides, there are other ways to change my destiny besides the University of Tokyo. In fact, I've already changed my destiny. I'm already a bestselling light novel author. Even if I only write one novel, 'Tokyo Ghoul,' it's enough to support me for the rest of my life. So, even if I don't get into the University of Tokyo, it won't make any difference to me," Hasegawa said to Yui Yuigahama with amusement.

"Huh? But, but Hasegawa, you said in the classroom earlier—"

"Of course it's nonsense. You didn't even think of that?"

"Ugh?"

"For me, there are so many opportunities to change my destiny. Getting into the University of Tokyo is one path, continuing to be a bestselling light novel author is another. Even teaching music—I keep learning about music, and I might even achieve great success in music in the end—that's another path too," Hasegawa said, giving examples.

"Ugh?"

"Besides, I'm very confident in my cooking skills. And then there's kendo. I can even do other things if I want to, and there's absolutely no chance of failure. So, Tokyo University isn't really that important to me. If I want to go, I can; if I don't want to go, it won't make any difference at all." With the system as his cheat code, Hasegawa was extremely confident.

"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama looked completely bewildered. Thinking back on what Hasegawa had said, it seemed to be true. Given Hasegawa's current behavior, he really did have many paths to choose from.

"So, when I give you lessons, you just need to learn diligently and practice earnestly. That's enough. As for anything else, you don't need to think about it or ponder it. That would waste your already limited brain capacity and might even hinder your progress in music. Understand?" Hasegawa patted Yui Yuigahama's head very naturally.

Yui Yuigahama's face instantly turned red. This was partly due to Hasegawa's words, and partly due to his seemingly intimate actions.

"Okay, stop overthinking. Let's go home."

"Oh."

Yui Yuigahama followed Hasegawa in a daze, but she roughly understood that Hasegawa himself was very outstanding and nothing would bother him. In particular, Hasegawa's music lessons could continue, and she could continue to enjoy at least an hour of time alone with him every day. She couldn't help but feel happy. Other things were not within her current consideration.

However, Yui Yuigahama still had a question in her mind: if Hasegawa was completely unaffected, why did he treat Tobe Sho that way? But Tobe Sho? Oh well, he's just an insignificant person anyway. Even if he were crippled by Hasegawa for no reason, he deserved it, let alone being made to look like this.

Who told him to spread those rumors about Hasegawa, especially since the woman in the rumors was Hiratsuka-sensei instead of Yuigahama Yui? Serves him right.

Yui followed Hasegawa happily. After returning home, Yui ran up to Hasegawa and began their private time together—no, Hasegawa's music lesson.

"Yuigahama, you have a really good talent in this area. Very good, but you still need to practice. From now on, you have to get up early every day and practice your voice. You can't slack off. Understand?" Hasegawa said seriously to Yuigahama Yui.

"I understand. I will definitely remember it." Yui Yuigahama nodded earnestly.

"That's good. Let's stop the lessons here for now. You don't need to continue for a while. Just focus on practicing what I taught you before, practicing it repeatedly. Once you've mastered it, you can come back to me for lessons."

"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama was clearly disappointed.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Are you worried about not practicing well? Don't worry. Although there won't be any classes for a while, I'll keep an eye on you. I'll even give you a test after a certain period of time, so just practice without worry." Hasegawa said to Yui Yuigahama with a smile.

"Oh, I... I understand." Although a little disappointed, Yui Yuigahama was still quite obedient and could only awkwardly do as Hasegawa said.

"Okay, from now on, every morning, get up early with me and we'll go for a run. Let's work on our cardiovascular system and try to expand our lung capacity. Ideally, we should develop iron lungs," Hasegawa said to Yui Yuigahama after thinking for a moment.

"Huh? Morning run? Going for a morning run with Hasegawa?" Yui Yuigahama was stunned.

“That’s right, it’s morning running. I know it’s hard for a girl like you to get up in the morning, but since you’ve made the choice, you have to put in the effort. It’s perfectly normal to sacrifice some time that you can sleep in.” Hasegawa explained to Yui Yuigahama earnestly.

"I, I know, no problem, absolutely no problem. We'll go for a morning run together tomorrow," Yui Yuigahama said quickly. She even seemed a little excited.

Chapter Seventy-Two: Three's Company

The next morning, after Hasegawa got up, he saw Yui Yuigahama, who was already dressed in sportswear, waiting for him in the lobby. However, at the same time, Hasegawa also saw Mrs. Yuigahama, who was also dressed in sportswear.

The two women were wearing identical sportswear, even the same color. Standing together, they really looked like a pair of sisters.

"Good morning, Hasegawa-kun." Mrs. Yuihama greeted Hasegawa happily upon seeing him.

"Good morning, Mrs. Yuihama. What brings you here?"

"I heard from Yui that Hasegawa-kun goes for a morning run with her, so I want to join him. I want to go for a morning run with Hasegawa-kun and get some exercise."

"Mmm, Mom wants to go for a morning run with me. Is that okay, Hasegawa?" Yui Yuigahama asked with a hint of worry.

"It's just going for a morning run together, of course there's no problem. Besides, morning runs are good for your health, so it's good to run together more often," Hasegawa said with a smile.

"Then let's set off."

The three of them started their morning run together.

For Hasegawa, morning runs are a very simple and easy activity. Especially with two beautiful women beside him, one tall and one short. Most importantly, they both have great figures. Every time their bodies move up and down while running, the fattest parts of their bodies bounce uncontrollably.

Although it's a bit embarrassing to look at, it is indeed a very beautiful sight.

"No, no, I can't take it anymore. I'm so tired." Mrs. Yuihama couldn't hold back any longer and gasped for breath.

"Yes, yes, I'm so tired." Yui Yuigahama was also covered in sweat.

"And my shoulders are so sore." Mrs. Yuihama couldn't help but slump her shoulders.

Hasegawa's expression became somewhat subtle: "Ahem, in that case, your morning exercise will end here for now. Take your time walking around and recover your strength. I'll continue exercising for a while."

"Okay, but Hasegawa-kun, your stamina is really amazing."

"Yes, yes. We're all exhausted, but Hasegawa, you haven't even broken a sweat yet." Yui Yuigahama was quite impressed with Hasegawa's stamina.

“After all, we train every day, especially with sparring in kendo, which takes a lot of energy.” Hasegawa smiled. “You guys take a break first. I’ll sprint for a bit.”

After saying this, Hasegawa took a deep breath and then started running forward at a very fast pace. Before, because he had to accommodate Mrs. Yuigahama and Yui Yuigahama, Hasegawa had kept his speed very slow. Now that he didn't have to accommodate them, he increased his speed.

Run fast, then sprint, then run fast again, then sprint again.

After several sets of high-speed sprints, Hasegawa was covered in sweat, but also felt a sense of exhilaration. This feeling made Hasegawa feel very comfortable.

"Wow, Hasegawa-kun, you're so fast! It's like you're Superman!" Mrs. Yuihama exclaimed sincerely.

"Yeah, yeah, even on the school's track and field team, no one can be faster than Hasegawa."

"It's alright, with more practice, you can do it too," Hasegawa said modestly.

“I can’t do that. I’m so old. Even just running a little makes my shoulders ache, like they’re being weighed down. I can’t do what Hasegawa said.” Mrs. Yuihama said, while pounding her shoulders.

Hasegawa's gaze shifted slightly downwards, and he nodded inwardly: "Mrs. Yuihama is still very young, so don't say things like you're old. Otherwise, what will the other women think?"

"Hehehe, Hasegawa-kun really knows how to talk. But I really am getting old. After all, Yui has grown up so much, and she's even old enough to get married. How can I, as her mother, not get old? Isn't that right, Yui?" Mrs. Yui winked at Yui Yui.

"Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? I'm just a high school student. Getting married and all that is way too early." Yui Yuigahama said shyly.

"It's not early at all. If I were your age, and I met a guy like Hasegawa who's taking a break, I would definitely make a move early, even if he didn't go to high school, I would hold on tight, and maybe we would get married right away." Mrs. Yuihama said meaningfully.

Yui blushed even more when she heard Mrs. Yui say that.

Hasegawa's expression was a bit strange; he vaguely sensed what Mrs. Yuigahama meant by those words. Thinking back on Mrs. Yuigahama's past actions, it seemed she really did want to match him up with Yui Yuigahama.

However, Hasegawa had absolutely no other feelings for Yui. To put it nicely, Hasegawa treated Yui like his younger sister; to put it more bluntly, Hasegawa always considered her his daughter.

Then, Mrs. Yuigahama said that if she were old enough, she would definitely try to win Hasegawa's heart, and even marry him. This made Hasegawa feel secretly delighted.

However, while feeling quite pleased with himself, Hasegawa still felt a bit of a headache.

He clearly has good feelings for Mrs. Yuigahama, but she wants to set him up with Yui. This is getting a bit complicated. If he can't change Mrs. Yuigahama's mind, things might get a little worse.

"Ahem, Mrs. Yuihama, you're joking. How am I anything special? A cute girl like Yuihama must have many boys who like her. Someone as ordinary as me probably wouldn't even make the cut." Hasegawa tried his best to dispel Mrs. Yuihama's thoughts.

"No, no one else is pursuing me. No one is," Yui Yuigahama quickly replied.

"Exactly! Yui's not very bright, how could anyone like her? Even if someone does, it's definitely not genuine. And those boys in high school, none of them study properly, all they think about is chasing girls. They're obviously unreliable, completely untrustworthy. How can they compare to Hasegawa's excellence?" Mrs. Yuihama condemned all male high school students except Hasegawa with a single stroke.

"Well, actually, there are some nice boys in high school, like Hayato Hayama in our class. Not only does he have a good personality and good grades, but most importantly, he's also very handsome. I think if Yuihama wanted to like a boy, it would probably be someone like Hayato Hayama."

Hasegawa tried his best to decline.

Chapter Seventy-Three Targeting

"I don't like Hayama Hayato at all!" Yui Yuigahama quickly retorted loudly, her voice even a little louder, and tinged with a hint of nervousness.

"Um, you don't like guys like Hayato Hayama? After all, he's really quite handsome." Hasegawa paused for a moment. In his mind...

High school students' thinking is not yet fully developed, and if they like boys, it's mostly because of their appearance. This is why some young male celebrities have the most female fans in high school or even middle school. University students are the next most popular, followed by women who have entered the workforce.

Hayato Hayama.

Even Hasegawa had to admit that he was a rather outstanding, even rather perfect, young man.

He's handsome and has a great presence, with a gentle and even mild-mannered personality. While his academic performance isn't as good as Hasegawa's, that's because Hasegawa has some advantages. Hayama Hayato, on the other hand, is the third-best student in the entire grade, so calling him a top student wouldn't be an exaggeration.

He's also good at sports, and plays tennis very well.

In every aspect, he is as perfect as a prince from an anime.

Hasegawa felt there was no reason why any girl wouldn't like him. But Yui Yuigahama seemed to be avoiding him like the plague.

Hasegawa didn't think Yui Yuigahama would like him, because he hadn't considered that possibility at all. After all, Yui Yuigahama usually acted quite naturally and had never shown any sign of liking him.