Dual System in Daily World

While Shizuka couldn't talk, Seika went around the room closing the windows she had opened for ventilation. 

Then she grabbed her travel-size makeup pouch and stepped up to the mirror, lightly applying a lip tint and pressing her lips together, adding a bit of charm and femininity she usually lacked.

"Not just me—you should hurry up and get serious too."

After finishing her morning routine, Hiratsuka returned to the living room. 

She popped a store-bought sandwich into the microwave and made herself a cup of warm milk while waiting.

"I don't need to. I have no interest in men. My main goal now is just to get Nijika safely through university. That's all that matters to me."

Seika said something she didn't really mean.

"You can't keep living only for Nijika. She's a great kid, and I'm sure even she wouldn't want you to be bound by her. 

She'd want you to chase your own dreams and find your own happiness."

"As expected of a teacher. That lecture really takes me back."

"Seika, I'm not joking. Being with someone isn't just about emotional support. 

Practically speaking, it doubles your ability to handle life's risks. Having another family member is a good thing, from any perspective."

"Forget it. That logic doesn't apply to me. I'm planning to make enough while I'm young to fund my entire retirement.

No risks will catch me off guard. 

And even if something bad did happen and I needed someone to take care of me, I'd still have Nijika. She'd never abandon her beloved big sister if I was really in trouble."

Seika said proudly.

"'Beloved big sister'… You really are a closet siscon."

Hiratsuka bit into her warmed-up sandwich and drank her milk. 

Seika's words reminded her strangely of another siscon in her life—someone else who also had zero interest in romance.

Though unlike Seika, that other girl was constantly pressured by her family and had to go along with arranged plans, even if she hated it.

In that sense, Seika was a lot freer, without any family pressure.

"Anyway, I'm done talking. Time to head down for the meal."

"Ugh, lucky you. Hotel buffets must be amazing... When will my boss ever be that understanding..."

"Bye."

"Yeah, have fun."

"Good luck at your dinner. Hope it goes well. Let me know if something good happens."

"Mm."

With a few simple words of farewell, Seika ended the video call.

"Emotional value of being together, huh..."

Seika lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling as she murmured.

Though she didn't want to admit it, the first person who came to mind when her friend brought up the topic of a partner... was Chisato.

"Don't tell me that hanging around Shizuka and her eternal thirst has rubbed off on me too? Have I caught her sad single-woman aura...? Ugh—"

Seika flipped over and wrapped herself tightly in her blanket.

What the hell... Thinking about someone I could never possibly be with… I must be crazy.

When I first hired him to work at the store, I never thought anything of him. So when did it start?

With her friend's accidental prompting, Seika found herself seriously thinking about it for the first time.

But her thoughts were such a mess now that she couldn't reach any real conclusions.

Ten minutes later, the four girls who had gone to tour Chisato's room returned, fully satisfied, and knocked on her door again. The group headed to the hotel restaurant.

Seika trailed slightly behind the rest of Kesshoku Band and moved to Chisato's side to ask:

"They're not here yet?"

"They" referred to Eriri and Utaha.

"Yeah, I just contacted them. They're still out shopping. Said they'd come over after having dinner in the city and told us not to worry—just have fun."

"Well, that may be so, but once we finish dinner, the night's probably over. It's not that early, and the weather's really not suitable for any outdoor activities."

The hotel corridor had windows, and outside, the sky had already begun to darken. The tall trees swayed in the wind.

Mountain weather really could change in an instant. Just earlier, when chatting with Shizuka, it was calm and peaceful outside.

"It's fine. Ikuyo brought a bunch of party games. Once we're all together, we'll just play for a while, then get some rest early so we have energy for the ski resort tomorrow morning."

Chisato replied while pulling out his phone and sending a message to Eriri.

He reminded her to ask the driver to take it slow on the way here.

By the time they arrived at the restaurant, Eriri had replied with a cute cartoon-style sticker showing she understood.

The hotel restaurant was crowded—most people wore outdoor ski clothes. 

It seemed like they'd come back from outside due to the poor weather, grabbed a bite to warm up, and would then return to their rooms.

The group picked a table by the window and asked the staff to add two chairs. It was a tight fit, but manageable.

Ikuyo, always lively, insisted on a group selfie right after they sat down, satisfied only after they took one.

Most of the food in the hotel restaurant was buffet-style—guests could help themselves, and the cost was included in the room fee.

Ryo, after the selfie, made a beeline for the teppanyaki station. 

The scent of grilled meat had hit her the moment she entered, and since she hadn't eaten much all day, she was practically drooling.

Nijika followed her, just to keep her from grabbing too much.

"If there's nothing you like, Seika, we can order something separately."

Seika, who had been fiddling with her phone since sitting down, locked her screen and shook her head at Chisato's suggestion.

"No need. You and Hitori go ahead. I'll keep an eye on things here and switch out when you get back."

Chisato nodded and followed Hitori away from the table.

While waiting, Seika, bored again, picked up her phone and recorded a short video of the restaurant to send to Hiratsuka Shizuka.

Shizuka responded with an exaggerated emoji full of surprise and envy, which made Seika laugh.

Soon after, Shizuka sent another message—this time a close-up selfie of her face pressed near the camera, still doing that cheesy peace-sign pose Seika always teased her about, with text underneath:

[I'm charging toward my happiness!]

If Shizuka's students saw her like this, they'd never believe it.

Seika stared at the message, her gaze lingering on the word "happiness," lost in thought for a long time.

"Phew…"

She sighed. She'd been so excited before the trip, so why couldn't she feel any joy now?

It must be the gloomy weather.

Just then, a server passed by, and Seika stopped her. 

Despite saying earlier that there was no need to order anything separately, she now asked for the menu and ordered a bottle of red wine for herself.

Of the six people here, she was the only one who could drink.

But that was fine. If she couldn't finish it, she'd just take it back to her room for later.

No work tomorrow, after all—no harm in enjoying a lazy morning for once.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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