It turns out that my Yandere playmate online is my Homeroom Teacher

When I woke up, I realized... it looks like I fell asleep while playing with Shiori-san last night—or rather, early this morning.

I checked the wall clock. It was already 8 a.m.

I glanced around my room and noticed it was surprisingly clean. The wrappers from the snacks and juice bottles were gone, and my PC was shut down too.

It must have been Shiori-san. She probably cleaned up before leaving. I guess she even carried me to bed—that explains why I wasn't slouched over my desk.

Yawning, I left my room to grab some breakfast. Mom was cooking in the kitchen while Nishi was glued to her phone in the living room. I didn't see Shiori-san, so I assumed she was still asleep.

"Good morning, Mom. Nishi," I greeted.

Nishi's head shot up. "Onii-chan! Mom, onii-chan is awake!"

She dashed over and hugged me tightly, which was unusual for her.

"Onii-chan, it's okay!" she said with a determined look. "Mom said you lost in SFO last night. You can use my money to recharge!"

(A/N: Recharge means buying in-game items.)

Lost? What did Mom mean by that?

"Haru, you're awake! Are you okay? Does your body hurt?" Mom asked, turning away from the stove.

"Mom?"

"Nishi, can you watch the stove for me? I need to talk to your onii-chan for a moment."

Nishi nodded and headed to the kitchen, leaving me alone with Mom, who suddenly hugged me and patted my back.

"Are you okay, Haru? Should you even be walking around right now?" she asked with a worried look.

"My back hurts a bit from sitting too long, but I'm fine."

Her brows furrowed. "How about the rest of your body?"

I tilted my head, confused. This was getting weird. Clearly, we were not on the same page.

"Mom, just tell me what's wrong," I sighed.

She avoided my gaze, fidgeting with her apron. "No, no. I'm just worried because you 'played' with Shiori too much..."

What? Well, its true, but I felt her concern is definitely not applicable for such trivial matters like this

A few minutes later, Shiori-san finally came out from Nishi's room. Her messy bed hair and casual pajamas made her look surprisingly adorable—so different from her usual composed self.

"Good morning, Shiori-san. Thanks for cleaning my room," I said, smiling.

She waved it off. "No, no. It would've been bad to leave your room with our mess."

At that moment, Mom froze mid-movement, her expression a mix of panic and awkwardness. Something was definitely off when she heard Shiori's words...

She specifically reacted on the mess part....

"Good morning, Shiori nee-chan!" Nishi called, inviting her over to the sofa.

Nishi eagerly showed something on her phone. "Shiori nee-chan, look! The rumors about you and onii-chan are cleared up now!"

Curious, I peeked over Nishi's shoulder.

"Did you see Harucchi and Tria's announcement in-game?"

"Yeah. So they're still teaming up, huh?"

"Yep. My partner and I fought them last night and got destroyed!"

The announcement worked, then. Shiori-san turned to me with a smile. "Thanks for helping sort that out, Haru-kun."

I scratched the back of my neck. "Well, it was my fault for unfollowing you in the first place."

We sat down for breakfast, but the atmosphere was strange. Mom, who usually chatted away during meals, was unusually quiet. She kept glancing at Shiori-san but said nothing.

Nishi's not talking that much too.....

Finally, she spoke up. "Shiori, are you free later for lunch?"

Shiori-san looked up, slightly surprised. "Yes, why?"

"Would you like to go grocery shopping with me?"

Shiori hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay."

Mom was clearly up to something, but I decided not to press her.

Meanwhile, I noticed Nishi's dark eye bags. "Nishi, did you not sleep well?"

She pouted. "I woke up because Mom wasn't in bed."

Mom stiffened, her face became red. "I... I just went to the bathroom!"

"Eh? But I saw you standing in front of onii-chan's room," Nishi said innocently.

MOM!

"Mom, what were you doing there?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Shiori-san answered in my mom's stead with a calm smile. "Don't tease your mom, Haru-kun. She was just checking on us. It's normal for her to be concerned as a parent."

Mom nodded quickly. "Exactly! You'll understand when you're a parent yourself."

Her words carried a strange emphasis on the term parent.... but I decided to let it slide. For now.

Just a guess but...

She's clearly misunderstood something!!!

Though I'll let Shiori-san fix it when they talk later...

After breakfast, Nishi came to me with her study materials. "Nii-chan, can you help me study?"

Before I could respond, Shiori-san offered, "Nishi-chan, is this for an exam? I'd be happy to help."

Nishi's face lit up. "Really? Thank you, Shiori nee-chan!"

Since Shiori-san was a teacher, I figured she'd be much more helpful than me. With nothing else to do, I decided to help Mom wash the dishes.

"Ara, Haru-kun," Mom teased, "how does it feel to have Shiori steal Nishi's attention?"

I'm not a sis-con so I don't mind

"Our house became livelier since you invited Shiori.." she added while looking at the happy face of Nishi while being tutored by Shiori-san

I smiled and replied, "I'm glad you accepted Shiori-san, mom... she doesn't have any family now.."

I decided to tell her about Shiori's past..... about her parents who divorced and her lack of friends who can she talk with

I hope she won't mind me telling it to mom.... 

After hearing the story, she smiled at me and pat my head

"Haru-kun.. thanks for proving to me that I raised you well.."

"You already know how does it feel to be left alone by someone you love right? Since your father left us.... so please.. be a good boy and don't leave Shiori's side..." she said, in a quite sad tone

"Mom... does it still hurts until now? Being left by dad?..."

"Ara, you're concerned about me? Don't worry... I have Nishi and you... . and now, I have Shiori too.. so I won't be alone..."

"Having you two as my kids is enough to go through..."

My heart became calm, after hearing those words... like its embracing my heart with a taste of pure motherly love... almost enough to make me shed tears of joy

"I know how it is hard to be left by someone you love... I also know that you're crying in your room for months after dad left you... I'm so sorry if I haven't done anything for you before..."

My mom put her hands on my shoulders, holding her teary eyes while putting a smile on her face...

"I know you're concerned to me, and that's enough Haru... besides you're still a kid back then..."

"But now, I know you're already mature to realize how people feels... so, don't let Shiori feels that she's alone"...

Mom's words felt like a bittersweet sensation to me... I almost felt that tears will pour on my eyes...

It looks like mom saw it so she immediately said..

"Enough for sad stories Haru-kun... so tell me, how's Shiori to you?"

"How's Shiori-san? What do you mean mom?"

"Do you like her too??"

I felt awkwardness on mom's question... my face turns red, and my heart pounding fast..

And what does she means by "too"?

"Mom, we.....we're not like that... we're just gaming friends..."

"and besides... I don't know if Shiori-san also like me... I'm just her student after all.."

"So you like her huh?"

Oh damn, my mouth slipped

"MOM!! Don't tell her!!"

"Ara, trust mom, I won't tell her... if you want, I can offer you some help..."

"Help?"

"Yes., I'll talk to her while having grocery, and I'll guess if she also likes you...."

Mom's really at it.. though I'm kind of curious, but at the same time, I'm also afraid...

What if Shiori-san just only saw me as a friend... or worst a little brother..

Please not a little brother....

"But mom, how can you tell that she also likes me??"

"Moms have these so called motherly instincts you know??"

Motherly instincts? I doubt that... after all, its so clear that you're misunderstanding something here...