"Part-time job?" Ginko nodded, finally believing Hakuto's explanation. "So, is there anything else you're hiding from me?"
Faced with Ginko's sudden question, Hakuto showed no reaction and simply replied calmly.
"I have no secrets in front of Ginko..."
He was telling the truth—he didn't have any secrets.
The situation with Eriri couldn't be considered his secret; it was something mutual between him and Sayuri.
So, it wasn't his secret!
As for being an esper, that was a different matter. It defied the laws of physics, so it couldn't be described as a secret—it was something beyond comprehension.
That's why Hakuto rarely lied... though he did have his own standards when it came to what counted as lying.
Ginko didn't say anything more. She trusted Hakuto almost unconditionally, so she refocused her attention on the board in front of her.
Hakuto did the same, but just as he turned his attention to the board, the phone in his pocket vibrated, interrupting him.
He glanced at Ginko in front of him to make sure she hadn't noticed, then slowly took out his phone and casually checked the screen.
Nao: [Hey, hey, so you actually like those old-fashioned time-stop series?]
Seeing the message, Hakuto frowned. He had thought it was something important, but it turned out to be something trivial.
[So you really went through the books I kept under my bed?]
[Ha~? What else would I have been doing just now?]
[Boring. If you don't have anything important to say, don't text me.]
Hakuto turned off his phone screen and refocused on his match with Ginko.
"Who messaged you?"
"Just some idiot. Ignore it."
Although Ginko had a strong sense of possessiveness over Hakuto, she hadn't reached the point of checking his phone.
Or rather, she still respected his privacy.
The two of them didn't continue the topic. Especially Ginko—she always put her full effort into her matches with Hakuto, or else she would lose miserably.
It wasn't that Hakuto didn't want to go easy on her; the main issue was that Ginko strictly forbade him from doing so. And she had a keen intuition for it!
But now, Hakuto was starting to regret letting Nao contact him via text.
Because his phone was vibrating non-stop in his pocket like a massage device.
Hakuto didn't want to respond, figuring it was just more nonsense.
But the constant buzzing was annoying, making it hard to focus.
Luckily, the vibration setting was low, or else Ginko would definitely get suspicious!
Having no choice, Hakuto took out his phone again. Playing on his phone while playing shogi was rude, but he had no choice.
However, as soon as he opened the chat, he saw something that made his heart race.
[Soft and Cute Little Sister—(Click to Claim)]
Seeing the message, Hakuto instinctively started clicking frantically at the screen. His tapping speed was incredibly fast.
Ginko, sitting across from him, was stunned. For a moment, she even wondered if Hakuto was having a seizure.
[Why isn't it working? Is it lagging? Can you fix it? I really want it. I clicked so many times, but it won't go through. What do I do? Will it be claimed by someone else? Please, hurry up and fix it, I'm begging you!!]
[You should be lined up and shot by a machine gun!]
[Waaah, I just want a little sister, that's all! Waaah~]
[Is your IQ really okay?]
[Waaah, if I can't have a little sister, a daughter would be fine too...]
[A Daughter—(Click to Claim)!]
[Why isn't it working?! Why isn't it working?!]
After sending that last message, Hakuto put his phone on silent and set it aside.
"It's nothing, Ginko. Let's continue. Just a scam text message."
Ginko nodded. "What kind of scam text?"
"Saying something about 'click to claim a daughter'... such a low-level scam."
"Hm? Then why were you frantically tapping your phone just now?"
"(๑°3°๑)~~"
Hakuto didn't answer. He had just been messing around with Nao.
Did you really think Hakuto believed in things like 'click to claim a sister' or 'click to claim a daughter'?
Alright... Hakuto admitted, he did instinctively clicked on it once...
Huh? Why are they all small?! Are you kidding? If a sister or daughter isn't a cute girl, then what's the point?!
And because his phone was on silent, no matter what Nao sent afterward, Hakuto didn't reply.
"Damn pervert!"
Hakuto had no idea how bored Nao was, sitting alone in his room. Actually, he didn't want to lock her in there either.
If it weren't for the fact that Hakuto lived on a high floor, he would've just thrown Nao out the window.
That way, he wouldn't have to deal with any unpredictable situations.
Time passed quickly. While Hakuto was playing shogi with Ginko, the five sisters had also finished their respective test papers.
"Shiratori-sensei! Shiratori-sensei! I'm done!" Yotsuba waved her test paper excitedly as she ran up to Hakuto, looking as proud as a hunter showing off freshly caught prey.
Hakuto didn't respond to Yotsuba. He simply put a finger to his lips and made a "shh" gesture.
"Shh~"
"Huh?"
"Don't disturb others while they're thinking."
Yotsuba finally noticed that Ginko, sitting across from Hakuto, was sweating profusely, looking hesitant and troubled.
"Shiratori-sensei, what's wrong with Sora-san?"
"When you're at a disadvantage, every move requires careful thought."
"Huh? Shiratori-sensei, you're actually beating the Snow White of Naniwa?" Yotsuba was in disbelief. In her impression, Hakuto didn't even play shogi.
"Hm? Surprised?"
"Since when did you know how to play shogi?"
"I've always known how to play." Hakuto smiled.
"Yotsuba, want to play a round with me? I won't say you have to win, but if I don't checkmate you within seventy moves, you'll be the boss from now on."
"Huh? Me?" Yotsuba pointed at herself in disbelief.
"Yeah."
"I think I'll pass..."
Yotsuba had no interest in being the so-called boss. After all, what kind of boss gets beaten up by their subordinate?
Hakuto would definitely crush her...
And she didn't think she could last seventy moves against him.
After all, when it came to shogi, Yotsuba only knew the rules. As for her skill... better not mention it.
___
Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!
Don't forget to leave a review too~
Check out the other translations too
___