As Hiratsuka-sensei sat across from me, I felt an uneasy tension. The couch under me, while not exactly comfortable to begin with, felt rock hard and cold. I couldn't bring myself to relax, sitting up as straight as I could. Hiratsuka-sensei herself looked at me, eyes squint and limbs crossed. Her left foot, raised on her right knee, moved around in a distracting manner as she rolled her ankle. What's with this tension? I feel sick. Ah, am I sweating? I must look guilty of a crime.

"So, Hikigaya…"

I froze as she spoke, jumping right back up. If my spine was any straighter, I think I could be used a bubble level.

"Calm down. You're not in trouble...but you might be based on your responses. Why did you fall asleep in class today? It's very much unlike you."

I averted my eyes, instead staring at the bland, uninteresting paintjob the teacher's office had. If I were here, I'd fall asleep in here all the time just from how depressing this place is. Swallowing a small amount of saliva, I answered truthfully.

"I didn't get to sleep a lot last night. I was very tired and I must've dozed off. It's my mistake, and I apologize."

She looked at me with an immensely confused expression, shifting between anger and bafflement.

"What's with that mature, reasonable answer?! Now I KNOW something is wrong with you."

Ah?

"N-No, really! That's all there is too it!"

"You can't lie to me, Hikigaya. It's about the Service Club, isn't it?"

Ah?!

"It's not! I'm just horrible irresponsible when it comes to sleeping!"

"That's a horribly obvious lie. What happened now? What did they do? What did YOU do?"

Her look was stern. I could see her fists starting to clench, even though her arms were crossed. Ahh, this totally isn't good, is it? If she found out about all this who knows what she might do. She might ask me to marry her on the spot out of jealousy! I'm sorry, but I cannot take you, I don't need more women problems at the moment. Again, maybe Zaimokuza would be willing? You two could totally go to Comiket together!

"I'm waiting, Hikigaya."

There was a tone of impatience in her voice, and her vision narrowed more.

"I-I was thinking a lot last night. I lost track of time, and I ended up staying up until 6AM."

"Thinking about what? Please, tell me."

"I…"

"If you lie to me, you'll be on the floor so quickly you'll have missed my initial movements."

"Is it really okay to threaten students like that?!"

"It's only a threat if I plan to go through on it. But who knows?"

"I was just...thinking about my relationships, with the people in the Service Club."

"Ah, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama?"

"Yeah...some stuff has been happening."

"Like dating Yuigahama?"

HOW.

"How on Eart-"

"I'm a teacher, Hikigaya. Nothing gets past me. I can also tell how quiet Yukinoshita's been lately - and I'm guessing it's your fault."

"Oi, that's a rude assumption."

"But is it an incorrect one?"

"...Not necessarily."

Her legs switched, the left now being used to hold the right up. If she were wearing a skirt, I actually WOULD need to marry her to take responsibility for visually defiling her. If I was born ten years earlier…

"So, what did you do?"

With a deep sigh, I closed my eyes. My throat quivered as my mouth opened, but quickly closed back. Even if I don't tell her, she'll find out herself. She's persistent. Knowing her, she'd quickly go to Komachi. My throat felt dry, but I can tell it's perfectly moist. Slowly, seemingly automatically, I explained my situation to Hiratsuka-sensei. Briefly, I opened my eyes to look. Her expression was soft as she listened to me, a slight frown attached to her face. I shut them once more, and drew the explanation to a close.

"I see...you really are in quite a pickle, Hikigaya...even though you placed yourself in brine."

"It's true. But, what do I do?"

"Why are you asking me? This is something I can't exactly give you advice on, not even as a counselor. This is something YOU need to deal with."

"...Not even a hint?"

"Be open with them."

"Huh?"

"Don't keep all of this to yourself. This is as much about them as it is about you. Leaving them out of it is selfish. That's all of the hints you're going to get."

I soaked in her words like a sponge. So far, everything I've been considering has only been things I can do myself. Is she right? Should I get them involved? How will they react? Yuigahama...might be difficult to control. Yukinoshita has probably been thinking about it just as hard as I have. Hiratsuka-sensei leaned forward, pressing her hand onto my shoulder, giving me a small smile. I looked to her hand, then to her face. That soft, matronly look, soft lips, half-closed eyes...I found myself blushing.

"It's okay, Hikigaya. You're young. You can make mistakes. This time now...isn't everything. I'll be here for you, if you need anything. As your teacher, counselor, and...acquaintance."

"H-Hiratsuka-sensei…"

"Don't talk. You have things to do, don't you? Go on, get outta here."

She urged me up, standing up herself. I could still feel myself blushing as I stood up, standing in front of her. She kept her smile, then stepped aside, arm raising towards the door.

"Good luck. I'm sure that you of all people can work things out with them."

"You give me too much credit. A lot of what I do is dumb luck."

"f I give you too much credit, you give yourself too little. I wonder who gives you just the right amount?"

She chuckled quietly, then pat me on my back. Slowly, I moved towards the exit.

It's only a quarter of the way through the lunch period, and she saw me leave with Hiratsuka-sensei; which means it's time for me to meet up with her. Yuigahama is waiting.