Volume 2 Chapter 33

Volume 2 + Chapter 33: [Hatsuka Route] Taking The Baton, Apology 

A human life is very fragile. Before [death], it is as insignificant as a feather.  

One can only strive with all their might to secure six parts, the remaining four must be left to the will of heaven.  

Regarding Hatsuka’s mother, just how much can I actually accomplish?  

As of now, I still do not know.  

As a child, there is only so much I can do.  

Without connections or power, I can only exert myself within limited confines.  

Why did I make Hatsuka do that particular thing?  

The main reason is, she can be influenced by me.  

When it comes to matters on a child’s level, I, being a child myself, can greatly influence the other party and make them act as I wish.  

But adults are different.  

The only adults I, as a child, can significantly influence are my own parents.  

With other adults, my influence is very limited.  

To what extent Teacher Shimizu will act for my sake, that, too, is unknown.  

Through her own efforts, even when the pain was so unbearable she could hardly stand it, even when the nausea was so strong she wanted to vomit.  

Even when fear left her unable to stand, Hatsuka remained strong, believed in me, and carried out my instructions.  

Toward Hatsuka like that, I do not want to betray the trust she has placed in me.  

Nor do I want to make her go this far, only to have her accept the trashy tragedy of her mother’s death.  

My pride as an [adult] absolutely cannot allow such a thing to happen.  

After only three hours of sleep, I got up. Calming my mind, I breathed slowly, adjusted my physical state, and began to practice boxing.  

[When you encounter problems, do not run away and do not complain.  

No matter how difficult the matter, you must still find ways, think of methods, and solve the problem.  

Man proposes, heaven disposes. Anything that can be borrowed, borrow it all.]  

My master’s teachings remained in my mind.  

Throwing a crisp, clean punch, I opened my eyes and looked out the window at the dark sky, still showing no sign of light.  

What I dealt with yesterday was only the incident I encountered at that time.  

After Hatsuka’s mother hurled abusive words at Hatsuka, I suspect her desire to die only grew stronger.  

Something must have happened afterward. Otherwise, given how much Hatsuka’s father loves her,  

it would have been absolutely impossible for him not to have contacted Hatsuka and sought her out by that point.  

The only thing that could be more important than Hatsuka is if something went wrong with her mother.  

There is no other possibility.  

Moreover, the quietness of Hatsuka’s mother is strange, as if she had been given a sedative.  

No, she definitely was given one.  

According to what Hatsuka said, her mother’s emotions must have been extremely agitated.  

And subconsciously, Hatsuka’s mother would rather hurt herself than hurt Hatsuka.  

But even though she had control over her actions, she could not control her words.  

After Hatsuka left, she likely punished herself with some self-harming behavior.  

However, judging from the glimpses of skin and her movements when she hugged Hatsuka yesterday,  

it seems her self-harming was effectively stopped. I did not see any major wounds.  

That is probably why Hatsuka’s father did not reach out to Hatsuka.  

Hatsuka is afraid of her mother, yet she also loves her mother.  

She wants to get close, but fears getting close, a very complex emotion.  

After the words Hatsuka’s mother spoke yesterday, the [fear] in Hatsuka has taken the lead.  

And what I had Hatsuka do has shifted the dominant feeling to Hatsuka’s [love] for her mother.  

Not a bad start.  

Children are the continuation of adults, and also the future. If children come to hate adults, that in itself becomes a heavy blow to the adults.  

For Hatsuka’s mother, this is especially true.  

What Hatsuka said to her mother not only showed her mother the love in Hatsuka’s heart, but also revealed Hatsuka’s childish side.  

Hearing her own eight- or nine-year-old child act unreasonably, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to snatch something from her, aside from finding it amusing, an adult would also feel a kind of doting indulgence, thinking, “I really can’t do anything with you.”  

And since Hatsuka is not a child with that kind of personality, such words will also make her parents feel a pang of sadness.  

When a child who has always been sensible suddenly says something willful, it only makes the parents feel a heartrending sorrow that brings them to the edge of tears.  

[I want to live.]  

Even as a very faint inner voice, it has now appeared in Hatsuka’s mother’s heart.  

And such a voice will only grow stronger when she holds Hatsuka in her arms.  

For now, Hatsuka’s mother’s psychological issues have temporarily stabilized.  

The next step is her physical condition, but for that, I need Teacher Shimizu’s help.  

On my own, I am powerless.  

When you lack ability, you seek help from those who have it.  

Even if you do not know to what extent the other person can help you, you still reach out.  

Because doing something is always better than doing nothing.  

All actions or thoughts that are not put into practice will turn into illusions and phantoms.  

I stopped boxing and rested for a while.  

I quietly left my room and came to the living room, only to find Teacher Shimizu already awake.  

“Teacher Shimizu? Didn’t you sleep?”  

Seeing Teacher Shimizu holding a pen and marking something, I kept a certain distance and asked.  

“Xiao Yuu, come here.”  

Noticing my hesitation, Teacher Shimizu smiled and beckoned to me.  

Obediently, I came to Teacher Shimizu’s side.  

Then she picked me up again, setting me on her lap like a small child.  

Well, to be honest…  

I’m used to it.  

Calming my heart, which had jumped for a moment, I sat on Teacher Shimizu’s lap and looked at the A4 paper on the table.  

“As of now, I have already contacted the classmates or friends of that Aoi girl.”  

“After hearing my request, they were all happy to say they would come.”  

Teacher Shimizu held me a little tighter, and the soft contact surface behind me increased accordingly.  

“Is this enough?”  

Teacher Shimizu asked me softly. The skin against my cheek was smooth and soft.  

I could see Teacher Shimizu’s long eyelashes. I stared at her, lost in thought.  

“Teacher Shimizu, didn’t you sleep?”  

I asked the main point. Earlier, I had doubted just how much Teacher Shimizu would be willing to do for me.  

I felt a sense of shame in my heart. It was truly awful to have doubted Teacher Shimizu like that.  

“A [Spirit Envoy] can go one day without sleep now and then. It’s fine.”  

Saying this, Teacher Shimizu smiled gently and beautifully.  

I silently lowered my head and looked at the A4 paper. After each of the six names, a checkmark had been drawn.  

And how much of Teacher Shimizu’s time did it take to obtain these people’s contact information and explain the reasons to them?  

Adults never do meaningless things.  

Teacher Shimizu believes I am worth this kind of devotion, and so she has spared no effort to go this far for me.  

Even though she is usually such an averse-to-trouble person.  

To have an adult who is not my parent go to such lengths for me,   

I feel deeply honored.  

Especially to have an outstanding adult like Teacher Shimizu give so much for me.  

Besides honor, there is also a sense of fortune.  

Fortune that she chose me, and honor that she saw value in me.  

“Teacher Shimizu, thank you.”  

With a grateful heart, I kissed Teacher Shimizu on the cheek.  

Teacher Shimizu blinked, then smiled with great joy.  

“If it means Xiao Yuu kisses me on her own, no amount of hardship is worth complaining about.”  

Teacher Shimizu hugged me and rubbed against me, looking completely happy.  

“And as for time off, I’ve already requested it for you.”  

Hearing Teacher Shimizu’s words, I gave a helpless smile.  

It seems that during the few hours I was asleep, Teacher Shimizu had done a great many things.  

“Regarding the internal materials on [Spirit Envoys] and [Spirits], I have already reported that Xiao Yuu is my student.”  

“Around noon today, some relevant personnel will take you to see the internal materials and books.”  

“If you want to bring your friend along, it would be best if she brings something to prove she is a family member of a [Spirit Envoy].”  

Teacher Shimizu gently set me down on the floor. After my feet touched the ground, I looked up at her.  

“Only then will they allow her inside. That is their requirement.”  

Patting my head, Teacher Shimizu, while I was asleep, had already taken care of everything.  

Not only had she done her utmost to help me, but she was also racing against time for my sake.  

At that moment, I finally truly accepted her as my teacher.  

With genuine sincerity, I bowed to Teacher Shimizu.  

“I will surely cause Teacher Shimizu more trouble in the future, but I will definitely respond with value commensurate with that trouble.”  

“Teacher Shimizu, I look forward to your continued guidance.”  

She is my teacher, and also the game’s male protagonist’s teacher.  

I never had any intention of vying for the first place in Teacher Shimizu’s heart.  

How could I, a yuri supporting character, ever compete with the game’s male protagonist?  

I only hope that, seeing as I am also her student, she will handle the troubles that might affect my family. That is enough.  

For a teacher to go this far for a student she has just accepted, Teacher Shimizu really is an excellent teacher.  

As expected, the teacher assigned to the game’s male protagonist is always the best.  

I’m so glad I passed Teacher Shimizu’s screening.  

Otherwise, finding such a good teacher and settling down so quickly, that would be something I couldn’t even dream of.  

I really owe a great debt to Yuna, Hina, and Horikita-san.  

Without their help, even meeting Teacher Shimizu would have been a dream.  

Reflecting on my attitude toward Yuna yesterday, I felt a pang of conscience.  

Yesterday, I thought Yuna’s reproach came out of nowhere.  

Because Hatsuka’s matter was serious, Yuna’s untimely little willfulness only annoyed me.  

So my attitude yesterday was very poor.  

Yuna knew nothing. I had explained nothing to her.  

That was why Yuna acted as she did yesterday. And besides, when I saw her at that time, my first thought was, female lead = trouble.  

And I made that kind of expression.  

Use them and throw them away.  

Although it was unconscious, such behavior is still very scummy.  

Having inexplicably done something scummy again, I strained to keep my expression unchanged.  

“The things Xiao Yuu brings are never trouble.”  

Golden eyes carried a gentle luster.  

Teacher Shimizu’s words made me feel even more guilty about how I treated Yuna yesterday.  

Once Hatsuka’s matter is over, I’ll apologize to Yuna.  

Having made up my mind, I pushed Teacher Shimizu’s body, urging her to go back to sleep.  

“Hmm? It’s fine, Xiao Yuu.”  

Pushed by my strength, Teacher Shimizu took a few steps and said helplessly.  

“No no no, Teacher Shimizu, you really should go rest now.”  

I shook my head, rejecting Teacher Shimizu’s words.  

“Is there anything else you need Teacher’s help with?”  

Teacher Shimizu asked with a hint of lingering concern.  

“Teacher Shimizu has already done a perfect job.”  

“If there is anything I still need Teacher Shimizu’s help with, I will definitely tell you without any hesitation.”  

My words put Teacher Shimizu’s worries to rest.  

“That’s good, then. I’ll do as Xiao Yuu says and go back to sleep.”  

Teacher Shimizu turned around, patted my head, then left the living room and returned to her room.

[Translator’s Note: Please join the Gravity Tales’ Discord Server, if you want to hang out.]

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