In this anime crossover, who stole my module?

……

then.

squeak-

A slight friction sound.

The office door was opened by Natsume Ryo.

When the old principal and the dean of students saw Natsume Ryo walk out alone and unharmed, they exchanged a glance. Their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, were relieved, but they did not dare to immediately go forward to ask about the specific situation in the office.

Only Hiratsuka Shizuka quickly came to greet her.

He carefully examined Natsume Ryo from head to toe, his gaze darting back and forth, his worry evident in his eyes.

She even reached out somewhat eagerly to feel Natsume Ryo's wrist.

Where are the handcuffs?

"Didn't they handcuff you? Or did they use some other restraints?"

"???"

Originally, Natsume Ryo was thinking of letting Hiratsuka Shizuka examine her to reassure her.

After all, Hiratsuka Shizuka's concern for him was genuine.

But when this nonsensical question entered his ears, Natsume Ryo couldn't help but roll his eyelids upward, feeling speechless.

"Please, Hiratsuka-sensei, can't you just wish me well?"

"In your script, do you have to give your students the identity of such heinous criminals?"

"Can't you give me a slightly more normal role?"

"Like... a five-star good citizen or something?"

"You brat, I'm just worried about you."

After being told off by Natsume Ryo, Hiratsuka Shizuka belatedly realized that her actions just now were indeed somewhat inappropriate. She reluctantly withdrew her hand, her gaze still lingering on the ground with unease.

After confirming that Natsume Ryo was indeed not bound by any restraints and that even the hem of his clothes was wrinkle-free, his previously anxious heart finally settled down a little.

Hiratsuka Shizuka gently exhaled a breath of stale air, and the rise and fall of her chest slowed down a little.

However, the worry had not disappeared from her beautiful brows.

"So what exactly happened this time?"

"Nothing happened."

"It was just a routine investigation; they asked a few unimportant questions."

Natsume Ryo downplayed the topic, unwilling to elaborate or dwell on it further.

Seeing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka raised her eyebrows and wanted to continue asking questions. She was not about to let him off easily, so she took a step forward and blocked his way.

"Assisting with the investigation? A trivial matter?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka was almost laughing in anger, her beautiful eyes wide open.

This year's students are all so troublesome, especially Natsume Ryo, who is the one who gives her the most headaches, yet she is also the one she worries about the most.

After all, when Natsume Ryo was in a car accident, Hiratsuka Shizuka, as his homeroom teacher, was the first person in the school to receive a call from the hospital.

After that, the Yukinoshita family, as the party responsible for the accident, with Yukinoshita Haruno personally taking charge of all matters concerning Natsume Ryo and another student during their hospitalization.

In addition, Yukinoshita Haruno used her connections to thoroughly investigate Natsume Ryo's background as an orphan.

It was around that time that Hiratsuka Shizuka gradually learned more about Natsume Ryo's unknown side through Haruno.

—It was precisely because she was aware of Natsume Ryo's complicated upbringing and noticed his solitary personality, which always kept him to himself and buried everything deep in his heart, that Hiratsuka Shizuka cared so much.

……

"Natsume, look me in the eye and tell me! What kind of trivial matter would require the head of the Chiba Prefecture Criminal Investigation Department, along with two subordinates who look like they're not to be trifled with, to personally come to the school and specifically request to see a high school student like you?!"

Faced with Hiratsuka Shizuka's "Don't even think about leaving today until you explain yourself" attitude, Natsume Ryo felt helpless, but he also knew that he would have to give her a reasonable explanation.

—This teacher, who is bursting with a sense of responsibility, could probably keep him occupied until dark.

"Alright, then I'll tell you the truth."

"Actually, a while ago, I accidentally got involved in a rather special case. I happened to provide the police with some clues, which helped them find several key suspects."

"So, they came here today mainly to confirm some details, and by the way... well, to give me an award to recognize my heroic act."

In the end, even Natsume Ryo himself felt that the reason was a bit outrageous.

After listening, Hiratsuka Shizuka's facial expressions changed in a fascinating way.

"That's not right! If it's about assisting in an investigation and there's even a commendation, why didn't you say so earlier? You made me worry for so long for nothing!"

"I told you, but you didn't believe me."

"Uh……"

Upon hearing Natsume Ryo's words, Hiratsuka Shizuka was speechless.

……

"Never mind, it's good that you're safe and sound."

Hiratsuka Shizuka had nothing to say, so she changed the subject.

"Yes, yes, thank you for your concern, Hiratsuka-sensei."

When Natsume Ryo heard this, he gave a perfunctory reply, his attitude exactly the same as before.

Seeing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka glared at Natsume Ryo with annoyance, but there was nothing she could do about it.

squeak-

Just at this time.

A soft sound.

The heavy wooden door was gently pulled open from the inside.

A "young detective" who had previously followed Tanaka Yamaichiro leaned out.

At this moment, he had reverted to his usual serious and unsmiling demeanor. He slightly turned to the side, gestured for the old principal and the dean of students outside the door to "please come in," and slowly began to speak:

"Madam Principal, and Mr. Director."

"Next, Minister Tanaka would like to invite you both in for a detailed discussion."

Upon hearing this, the old principal and the dean of students, who were already uneasy because of the sudden visit of the Minister of Criminal Investigation and the criminal police, tensed up again after their expressions had just relaxed a little.

But they dared not be negligent. They quickly composed themselves, tidied their appearance, and strode into the office that now seemed like a den of dragons and tigers to them.

After the two entered.

The young "detective" nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Natsume Ryo without leaving a trace, before settling on Hiratsuka Shizuka beside him.

Meeting the other person's sharp, hawk-like gaze, Hiratsuka Shizuka tensed up, her heart pounding inexplicably. She felt as if there was some profound meaning hidden in the other person's eyes that she couldn't understand.

"Alright, Hiratsuka-sensei, this is an internal matter, let's excuse ourselves for a moment."

Fortunately, Natsume Ryo saw this and spoke up at just the right moment, thus saving her from the predicament.

The young police officer seemed to immediately grasp the deeper meaning behind Natsume Ryo's words. A strange light flashed across his previously sharp eyes, and his gaze shifted between Natsume Ryo and Hiratsuka Shizuka before finally nodding slightly. Then, he reached out and decisively closed the principal's office door.

then.

Click——

A soft sound.

The principal's office door was closed tightly again, completely isolating the inside from the outside.

……

"Alright, it's getting late, get out of class is about to end."

"Hiratsuka-sensei, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to class now."

Immediately afterwards, Natsume Ryo glanced at the closed door, ignoring any potential "friendly negotiations" that might take place in the office, and without waiting for Hiratsuka Shizuka to react further, turned around and walked towards his classroom.

"..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka opened her mouth, wanting to ask more questions, but seeing Natsume Ryo's obvious reluctance to talk about it, she could only suppress her doubts and sigh heavily.

……

That concludes the matter.

Natsume Ryo walked back to the classroom at a leisurely pace, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth indicating that he was in a rather good mood.

I originally thought that only various modules would bring surprises, but now it seems that there are also many local "specialties". Finding an opportunity to "visit" the nine-tailed fox matriarch, Yasaka, in Kyoto would be a good idea.

As for now.

The only thing I need to plan carefully now is how to deal with the [Twilight Forest Mod].

……

Jingle Bell--!

This is my thoughts.

Just as Natsume Ryo was pondering his next plan.

The bell rang for the end of get out of class.

The students poured out of the classroom like weary birds returning to their nests.

The corridor instantly became lively.

Natsume Ryo followed the crowd downstairs, his figure moving at a leisurely pace, unaffected by the surrounding noise.

As he turned the corner of the stairs, he suddenly caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye.

A familiar figure was lingering hesitantly outside the classroom of his class—Class F, Grade 1.

Her long, glossy black hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, and her figure was slender and graceful. Even just her back view exuded a sense of aloofness, as if she wanted to keep strangers at bay.

—It was Yukino Yukinoshita.

She stood quietly outside the door of Class F, her posture as upright as ever, her long, black hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, and her face, as delicate as a doll's, remained aloof.

just.

Her usually aloof, icy blue eyes were now searching for something in the classroom of Class 1F.

At this moment, there were many students coming and going in the first-year corridor. Several girls passing by noticed that Yukino Yukinoshita was standing in the corridor outside the F class. They couldn't help but whisper among themselves, their eyes lingering between her and one direction inside the classroom, their faces showing obvious gossip.

Ryo Natsume approaches.

Follow the line of sight of those girls.

—That's when I happened to see Hayato Hayama surrounded by a group of boys, chatting and laughing, clearly the core of a popular group.

"Hey, look, it's Yukinoshita."

"What's she doing here? Is she here to see Ye Shan-jun?"

"Really? I remember those two never really interacted."

"Who knows? Handsome men and beautiful women always make people overthink things..."

"..."

Faced with the undisguised gazes and whispers in the corridor, Yukino Yukinoshita's delicate brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, her straight back seemed to tense up even more, and her "do not approach" aura grew stronger.

Even so, Yukino Yukinoshita still did not leave.

Seeing this, Natsume Ryo naturally understood.

What else could make Yukino Yukinoshita run to her classroom door first thing in the morning after class?

It's all because of that cat demon from last night.

but.

He came here to find me as soon as get out of class ended.

That suits her persistent personality.