Inlove with my Gangster Teacher

Chapter 46: Yankumi's Transformation

The group waited anxiously in Noda's studio, the air buzzing with anticipation. Kuma checked his phone again and grinned. "Got a message from Shin-chan. He'll be here in a few minutes after finishing up at the university."

"Good," Noda said, clapping his hands together. "Everything's ready."

"Oh, by the way," he added, glancing at the door, "I called Uchi to join us too. He should be here any moment now."

Not long after, the door swung open, and Uchi stepped in. "Yo! What's the big—" His voice cut off as his eyes landed on Yankumi.

He blinked several times, visibly stunned. "Wha—wait, is that... Yankumi?!"

Yankumi gave him a sheepish wave, her face slightly red. "Uh... yeah, it's me."

Uchi's jaw dropped. "You look... completely different! I mean, wow... but..." He tilted his head, squinting. "You're still not acting lady-like. Your yakuza nature is practically radiating off you."

"Hey!" Yankumi protested, puffing out her cheeks.

Minami chuckled, leaning casually against the counter. "That's the charm, though. Only Shin would be turned on by that kind of energy."

"Minami-kun!" Yankumi yelled, her face now a deep crimson.

The group burst out laughing, but Yankumi didn't join them. She was too busy fidgeting with the hem of her dress, her nerves getting the better of her.

"Relax, Yankumi," Kuma said kindly, patting her shoulder. "You're doing fine."

Noda nodded. "Yeah, and besides, we're all here for you. Shin's going to love it."

"Easy for you to say," Yankumi muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart was racing, and she wasn't sure if it was from excitement or pure terror. "What if he... doesn't?"

Kuma and Noda exchanged a look, both smiling reassuringly. "Trust us," Noda said. "You've got nothing to worry about."

Yankumi nodded hesitantly, but her hands stayed clenched tightly in her lap. The room grew quiet as they all waited, the minutes ticking by slowly. Then, the faint sound of footsteps outside reached their ears, and everyone froze.

"He's here," Kuma whispered.

The door creaked open, and Shin stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor in place. "Kuma, what is it that—" he began, but his words trailed off as his gaze landed on Yankumi.

He froze.

His eyes widened slightly, scanning her from head to toe. The dress, the makeup, her hair down—everything was so unlike the Yankumi he was used to. Yet, it was still unmistakably her. Shin swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing as he tried to process what he was seeing.

Yankumi sat there, her nerves evident in the way she was fidgeting. She didn't even realize she was sitting with her legs apart in a not-so-lady-like posture until Noda nudged her with his elbow. Startled, she quickly adjusted, but the damage was done. Her wide-eyed gaze met Shin's, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence stretched on, thick with tension.

Minami leaned over to Noda and whispered, "He's stunned. Mission accomplished."

Kuma, suppressing a chuckle, whispered back, "Let's give them a moment."

The others quietly shuffled away, leaving Yankumi and Shin to face each other in the middle of the studio.