Midday, in the infirmary, during lunch break. Sitting my butt down on a sofa that clearly wasn’t here yesterday, I swallowed hard.

Ms. Mizu stood at her desk, pouring hot water from a thermos into a teacup.

It was Friday, the day of our weekly “appointment” in the infirmary. Even though she said she wouldn’t force anything yesterday, if it’s just the two of us here once a week… something’s obviously going to happen, right?

I knew I shouldn’t have come. But… I’m the kind of guy who keeps his promises, especially after Ms. Mizu helped me set up the Game Club.

Y-Yeah, I had no other choice. This is all for the club and for Yuri!

Sweat dripped down my cheek as the tension inside me grew.

“Do you want it with sugar or without?”

She asked me, and I quickly answered.

“Without sugar, please.”

“You prefer the original taste? Nice choice. Tea from my hometown tastes better without any added sweetness.”

Honestly, I just said it without thinking much. But after this, I might end up drinking bitter tea more often.

Since she didn’t have to boil the water, Ms. Mizu quickly finished preparing the tea and placed one of the cups on the table in front of me.

“Don’t drink it yet. Careful, it’s still hot.”

Even though she said that, once she sat down on her own chair, Ms. Mizu immediately sipped hers.

I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Ms. Mizu, why did you invite me here every Friday?”

“Hehe. No need to be nervous. Didn’t I already say I wouldn’t do anything during these meetings? I just want to spend a little time with my favorite male student.”

Ms. Mizu placed her cup on the table.

“Or… is it you who’s hoping for something? After all, you came here without me even calling you.”

Bullseye. I turned my face away.

“…This is just so the Game Club won’t be disbanded right after it was founded.”

“Hmm, is that so? Well, I haven’t thought of doing anything yet anyway. If I suddenly jumped to sex, you’d definitely refuse, right?”

I want to! I really do! Wait, maybe I should hold off until after the surgery. I-I don’t want my banana bleeding again…

“But you’re right, just chatting like this might not be much fun. Hold on, I think I left something here a while ago…”

Yesterday it was a computer, and now there's a sofa and tea cups. Just what kind of personal stuff has she brought to school? For a second, I started doubting the credibility of the school principal for allowing this to happen.

Ms. Mizu rummaged through her desk drawer for dozens of seconds before she pulled out the thing she was looking for.

“Ah, finally found it.”

It was a cat ear headband. I recognized it instantly since those were super popular at the amusement park when I went there with Yona.

I had a bad feeling, and Ms. Mizu's lips curled into a grin.

“How about you wear this, Ren? Doesn’t it look perfect on you?”

“I refuse.”

…Perfect? In what way?

Sure, I’ve managed to suppress my shame when I wore that maid uniform at the restaurant. But that was only because I had to for work.

If I wore something this cute, something usually worn by girl streamers, where would I even put my dignity?

“That’s disappointing. I helped fund your club, and all I’m asking for is something small like this in return. Should I pull everything back then?”

Ms. Mizu… even I have my limits. Do you think I’ll accept everything just because of threats? Don’t underestimate me.

I took the cat ear headband from her hand and immediately put it on my head.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“Ohh!? That’s so good! So good! Your blushing cheeks make it even cuter! Hold on, let me take a picture first.”

Pulling out her phone from her white lab coat, the flash and shutter sound kept going off dozens of times, even though I wasn’t posing at all.

There was nothing I could do. This was the price I had to pay to keep the Game Club alive. All I could do was clench my fists and endure the shame.

Ms. Mizu seemed even more excited. But after several photo sessions, she suddenly stopped and narrowed her eyes as she looked me over.

“Hmm, but something still feels off. Ren, I know you can be cuter than this. Could you turn to the camera and meow like a cat?”

“…Ms. Mizu, that’s seriously something I can’t do.”

I came here expecting to be teased again by Ms. Mizu. And sure enough, she is teasing me. But not like this! D-Does she actually want me to die socially!?

Ms. Mizu brought her hands together and bowed her head slightly.

“Please, I wasn’t expecting a high school boy in cat ears to be this attractive. After you grant this one last request, you’re free for today. I promise.”

For a moment, I felt like I had no other choice. But I knew I’d feel bitter if I just did what she said.

So, I tried to think of something, and came up with a brilliant idea.

“Alright, Ms. Mizu… I’ll do it. But after I do, you have to wear the cat ears too and meow with me.”

Ms. Mizu raised her eyebrows.

Heh, I told you not to underestimate me. Now, what’s she gonna do? If she actually agrees to this, just imagining a mature woman like her wearing cat ears… is already making my heart race again.

“Okay. Deal.”

Huh?

---

So after I meowed and sacrificed half my soul, it was now Ms. Mizu’s turn to wear the cat ears.

The problem is…

“This isn’t what I expected…”

Holding my own phone, I recorded Ms. Mizu.

But instead of looking shy like I did, she looked cheerful and happily posed for the camera.

“Nyaa, nyaaa! Surprised? Hehe~ Why do you think I kept this cat ear headband in my drawer? Obviously because I often wear it for cosplay, nya!”

…Well, at least she’s still beautiful.