7. [Reward: A pair of special stockings]

The library of Maizuru Private Academy boasted an impressive collection of books.

The bookshelves were impeccably organized, and in the spotless reading room, students could enjoy reading in plush chairs.

When Kiyomizu Matsudaira walked in, he didn’t see the attractive new librarian that Yui Mikami had mentioned. Instead, he only saw two student council members there to help out.

After returning his books, he wandered the stacks twice.

He picked out several psychology books and leafed through them.

The explanations of the Oedipus complex were largely identical: in a certain stage of growth, there’s a strong emotional attachment and possessiveness toward the mother.

Kiyomizu found this very odd.

After all, he wasn’t truly a child.

He’d come into this world with a mature soul.

So how had he still ended up like this during his growth here?

Could it be because he was an orphan in his previous life?

Thinking about it that way, it almost made sense.

Most books stated that with the onset of adolescence, such attachment would shift to a general interest in the opposite sex, gradually fading the feelings toward the mother, and thus fostering mature interpersonal relationships.

It seemed the influence wasn’t too great.

Kiyomizu felt at ease.

Oh, and while explaining the Oedipus complex, these books also mentioned its derivative, the Jocasta complex.

That was the so-called mother’s attachment to her son, describing varying degrees of possessiveness, including a domineering but nonsexual motherly love—especially prominent in families without a father.

Kiyomizu scanned that section but didn’t dwell on it.

As he left the library, he borrowed two books.

One was by Yukio Mishima; the other was also by Yukio Mishima.

Back at the infirmary—

Yui Mikami was crouched before Nurse Shimamoto, spraying medicine on the bruise at her knee.

“You’re back, Kiyomizu,” Yumeko Shimamoto looked over.

“Mm, I returned the books,” Kiyomizu nodded, gave his homeroom teacher a quick glance, then shifted his gaze to the school nurse.

Yui Mikami was young and alluring, with a head of wavy flaxen hair, a lovely oval face radiant with a healthy blush.

Her alluring eyes were tinged with a faint pink at the corners, giving her a dreamy, intoxicated look.

Her understated eye shadow, pink lips, and expressions—sometimes sly, sometimes earnest—carried a mature woman’s unique, subtle charm.

At the moment, crouched on the floor, her professional skirt revealed her long, shapely legs in black stockings, crossed gracefully, accentuating her alluring figure.

Compared to the girlish homeroom teacher, Kiyomizu preferred the school nurse.

Clearly, cuteness paled in the face of sensuality.

Yui Mikami noticed his gaze, but far from offended, she seemed pleased that her charms could attract a high school boy.

Such was the composure and confidence of a mature woman.

“By the way, how’s the club situation?” Yumeko Shimamoto suddenly asked.

“I just joined today,” Kiyomizu replied, withdrawing his gaze.

“Which club?”

“Literary Club.”

“Oh, the Literary Club… You must have seen the recruitment notice,” Shimamoto’s smile was wry, as if her student had made a less-than-wise decision—a foolish one, even.

“Is there something wrong with the recruitment notice?” Kiyomizu asked in confusion.

“Nothing wrong with the notice, just the person who posted it.”

“I see…” Kiyomizu thought for a moment. There was indeed something off about that fujoshi.

“You didn’t just join because Rinko is beautiful, did you?” Shimamoto suddenly looked at him sternly.

“Rinko?”

“You don’t know?”

“I think I’ve seen her once, but I can’t recall her appearance,” Kiyomizu remembered the black-haired, straight-laced girl who’d come in later.

“Really?” Both women voiced their surprise.

“You’re not gay, are you?” Yui Mikami eyed him sharply, her tone dubious. “It’s hard to imagine a boy your age not remembering a beauty like Rinko.”

“Mm-hmm,” Shimamoto nodded in agreement.

Faced with their suspicion, Kiyomizu remained calm and nodded. “I really don’t remember.”

“You… oh, never mind. Literary Club it is. I’ll have a talk with Rinko,” Shimamoto smiled helplessly, then glanced at her watch. “Class begins in half an hour. I need to return to the office and prepare. Kiyomizu, why don’t you head back to class?”

“Don’t! Let him stay and keep me company!” Yui Mikami protested in mock annoyance.

“No way!” Shimamoto glared at her. “Kiyomizu is pure and innocent—he’d be corrupted in your company!”

Yui Mikami leaned back, smiling at her friend. “No wonder you can’t get a boyfriend, always so prim and proper. What a waste of that cute face.”

“Yui!” Shimamoto glared at her, her cheeks coloring in embarrassment.

This woman had no sense of restraint—how could she joke about this in front of a student? How was she supposed to maintain authority afterward?

At the mention of “boyfriend,” Kiyomizu felt something click within him and swiftly opened the system to check their profiles.

Name: Yumeko Shimamoto

Ordinary Tags: Teacher, Dessert Lover, Cat Person, Clumsy, Tendency to Trip, Gentle

Special Tag: Beautiful Girl

As expected of Shimamoto-sensei.

To have “tendency to trip” as a tag…

And at twenty-five, still certified by the system as a beautiful girl.

Name: Yui Mikami

Ordinary Tags: Doctor, Teacher, University of Tokyo Medical School, Academic Ace, Joker, Middle-Class Elite, Sensual Figure

Special Tags: Beauty, Sophisticated Older Sister, Psychology Expert

This woman actually had three special tags.

Kiyomizu was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected the playful, seemingly unserious school nurse to actually be so accomplished.

“I’m off. Kiyomizu, you’re not a kid anymore—choose your friends wisely and don’t let yourself be deceived,” Shimamoto reminded him before leaving. Only when he nodded did she leave with peace of mind.

“So many years, and she hasn’t changed… Still that slightly foolish, worrying child,” Yui Mikami murmured as she watched her friend go.

Kiyomizu, with his two books in hand, silently observed her.

She sat with one leg crossed, the toe of her stiletto pointing at him, swaying lightly.

“When I was a student, I often accompanied Yumeko to the infirmary. That girl always tripped over nothing…” Yui Mikami leaned back, her black-stockinged foot dangling her heel, “Back then, I never imagined I’d return to this very room to work someday.”

Kiyomizu’s expression remained impassive, his gaze slightly lowered.

Her pencil skirt hugged her curves, the thin black stockings clung to her skin, accentuating the perfect line of her legs.

A mature woman in black stockings—truly a goddess.

“Even the stains on the ceiling are exactly as they were,” Yui Mikami mused.

Kiyomizu’s face remained expressionless.

The infirmary was quiet; only the rain outside could be heard.

After a long while.

The beautiful, sophisticated woman glanced at Kiyomizu, her eyes slightly aggrieved. “I’m trying to get closer to you, and you’re giving me nothing. You’re making this very awkward for me!”

“You know I don’t like to talk,” Kiyomizu shot her a glance.

Yui Mikami sighed, looking a bit drained. “Good thing you’re handsome, or I’d really worry you’d be alone forever. So many beautiful girls in school, and all you do is read. What did you borrow today? Oh, Mishima’s ‘Afternoon Towing’ and ‘Haruko’.”

“What’s wrong with those?” Kiyomizu asked, puzzled.

“One’s got a heavy Oedipal streak, the other involves an affair with an aunt—there’s a sense of forbidden taboo in both,” Yui Mikami said with a laugh. Suddenly, she stood and leaned in, looking him in the eye. “Come on, tell sensei—do you like mature women?”

Her eyes were like still autumn water, clear and deep, as if they could see straight into a person’s soul.

Being a psychology expert was indeed intimidating.

Kiyomizu felt as if he were suddenly exposed, her gaze sweeping him shamelessly from head to toe.

“So fragrant,” he said naturally, stepping back. “Sensei, you’re too close.”

“Kiyomizu, you’re avoiding me,” Yui Mikami closed the distance again, invading his personal space.

Face to face with him, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling with the subtlety of a seasoned charmer. “What’s going on? Relax, big sister won’t eat you.”

“What exactly do you want?” Kiyomizu’s heart beat faster.

Seeing the tips of his ears redden, Yui Mikami was delighted, keeping her gentle, caring smile. “You seem troubled—is it adolescent worries? Don’t worry. No matter what it is, you can tell big sister.”

She was alluring and poised, exuding confidence.

In terms of experience, Kiyomizu was no match for her.

She’d often left him flustered and blushing in the past.

But today was different.

Now he had a trick up his sleeve.

Deep Blue, activate!

He equipped the [Leader] tag.

Instantly, Kiyomizu’s aura shifted.

“Ah… hmm…” Yui Mikami’s gaze flickered.

She stared at his face, her eyes slowly becoming unfocused, her breath and heartbeat quickening.

Suddenly, she felt her heart race.

“Sensei, please don’t tease me,” Kiyomizu said calmly.

“Ah? S-sorry…” Yui Mikami blushed, hastily stepping back, looking abashed. “I was just worried about your lack of friends and potential psychological issues. Oh, wait a second…”

She turned to a cabinet.

Kiyomizu watched her from behind—the black-stockinged legs under her white coat were truly a sight.

“Ta-da!” Yui Mikami turned around, a bright smile on her face.

She held a book with a bunny girl on the cover.

“This is a light novel I’ve been reading lately—it’s pretty good. Study how the protagonist treats girls. With your looks, you shouldn’t waste your youth.”

Kiyomizu glanced at the title: “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.”

He gazed silently at her.

His eyes were clear and distant, as if harboring many secrets.

Yui Mikami used to enjoy teasing him, curious how a boy his age could have such a pensive gaze.

But now, her heart fluttered.

She no longer just wanted to unravel his story—she wanted to be the heroine in it.

How had she fallen for him so suddenly…?

“I’ve been watching you since the first day. Most of the time, you’re alone at school. When you see classmates from afar, you always avoid them instead of saying hello. Summer break is coming soon—don’t tell me you’ll just stay home and avoid all socializing?”

Yui Mikami now truly resembled a guidance counselor.

“It’s possible,” Kiyomizu answered honestly.

Yui Mikami felt a headache coming on.

“Kiyomizu, you really make people worry.” She tilted her head, giving him a motherly look. “I think I need to give you a thorough psychological evaluation.”

“Uh, that’s not necessary,” Kiyomizu shook his head.

“In any case, at your age, you should experience young love. Otherwise, you’ll regret it when you’re older and youth is gone…” Yui Mikami smiled wistfully.

“You didn’t have a romance in your school days, Sensei?”

“Exactly. That’s why I feel it was a waste. Love between adults is never as pure as it is in school. And finding a partner is human instinct… By the way, have you read Plato’s ‘Symposium’?”

Kiyomizu shook his head.

Yui Mikami clasped her hands behind her back, standing before him almost girlishly. “According to it, in the ancient mythic world, there were three types of people.”

“Which three?”

“Men with men, men with women, and women with women. That is, the material that forms a person today used to require two. Back then, each person had another half and was perfectly content. But one day, the gods split all people in two with a blade. Since then, only men and women remained. Having lost their other half, people began searching everywhere, restless and incomplete.”

“Why did the gods do that?”

“Perhaps as punishment for humanity’s complacency. If people are born satisfied, they have no desires. Without desire, civilization stagnates. After the gods split humanity, people had to leave their comfort zones to seek their missing halves, thus civilization advanced.”

After hearing this, Kiyomizu mused that the gods of Western myths truly acted on inscrutable whims.

Prone to tantrums—or perhaps just excessively idealistic.

“In short, because we’re born incomplete, finding our other half is encoded in our DNA.” Yui Mikami gazed into his eyes. “Humans are social creatures. Even meals taste better with someone beside you.”

“I’ll give it a try. If the opportunity arises, I’ll ask a girl my age out,” Kiyomizu nodded.

Yui Mikami’s heart skipped a beat. She blurted out, “Age isn’t everything, you know…”

So you want in yourself?

Kiyomizu could almost guess her thoughts.

Just as he was about to reply, the system chimed and popped up a new quest.

[After talking with Yui Mikami, you feel the urge to find a girl to go on a date with. Daydreaming isn’t enough—take action!]

[Quest: Invite a girl on a date]

[Reward: A pair of special stockings]

How special?

Kiyomizu was curious and checked the description.

[Color and style customizable]

[Special material, never wears out]

[Skin-friendly texture, warm in winter and cool in summer]

[Increases charm by 1 point]

Stockings that could boost charm were indeed special, but Kiyomizu had no use for them.

Still, no need to waste them—they could be a gift.

But to whom?

Several girls’ faces flashed through his mind.

The beautiful school nurse in her white coat, however, was momentarily forgotten.

Yui Mikami frowned, her voice tinged with grievance. “Kiyomizu, are you even listening? I’m getting angry!”

“Huh? Oh, I heard you. I’ll keep the age matter in mind, too. I’ll head to class now,” Kiyomizu said, giving her a clean, refreshing smile before leaving.

“So handsome…”

Yui Mikami’s heart pounded wildly.

Long after he’d left, she was still lost in his smile.

Only when he began class did she finally come to her senses.

But now she felt irritable, and all afternoon she couldn’t help but sneak peeks at Kiyomizu through the corridor windows of Class 1-F.

“What’s going on?”

“I admit Kiyomizu is handsome, and I do like him, but not enough to lose my mind…”

“Why did I feel so bewitched just now—wanting to date him, marry him, even bear his children…”

In the rainy weather, the beautiful nurse reflected on herself in frustration.

She would never admit that she’d been charmed by a high school boy, and finally, in helpless fury, blamed it all on the weather.

The rainy season moistens the earth, and the heart as well.

And it had awakened her longing.