Stealing Spree

Halfway through being cuddled by Eguchi-sensei, I dragged my body upwards to switch roles with her, giving her the same experience.

She wasn’t ready for that, of course. However, when I whispered to her saying it’s nothing more than just returning the favor, Eguchi-sensei settled down and let it happen. Furthermore, she repeated her earlier words, thanking me for the hand that I extended to her when she was being treated as a demonic teacher who always pushed her students to exhaustion.

The lovely teacher also expounded on that by recounting the gradual acceptance by her students. Be it boys or girls. Although she’s still seen as the strictest among every teacher in school, she’s now gaining a new positive reputation. Moreover, some of the students had started greeting her every morning instead of simply walking past her with fear in their eyes.

It's a small change but it’s enough to lighten her mind from thinking too much about how to come off as amiable to her students.

Upon hearing that story, I commended Eguchi-sensei which made her flustered again. She couldn’t attribute that to me anymore, after all. The gradual change was now because of her effort. Soon enough, only those troublemakers would be scared of her.

When that time comes, I’ll commend her again just to see her genuine smile.

Anyway, either we lost track of time or we just felt too comfortable with each other but the cuddle took a long while before it concluded. Although nothing happened that crossed the line, those few minutes of being in each other’s arms somehow deepened our bond.

By the time we stood up and separated from each other, it was already 15 minutes into the 7th period.

In any case, considering the 7th period would always be free time after a PE Class, there’s no rush for me.

After reminding me about my task concerning Komoe as well as the message she asked me to relay to every class for next week’s activity, I left her room.

-

-

“Onoda-kun, are you free? Come up to my office.”

A few steps before I exited the Administration Building, somebody called out to me again, interrupting my return to our classroom.

Looks like I had just drawn a trap card from my deck, preventing me from returning to my girls.

Anyway, recognizing that voice, it’s a 50/50 whether it would bring me trouble or not.

Turning around, I instantly caught Hayashi-sensei standing halfway up the stairs, her hands tucked inside her coat’s packet. She’s wearing her regular infirmary nurse outfit – a white lab coat on top of a sleeveless purple blouse, a dark blue tight skirt, black stockings, and a pair of high-heeled sandals. To complete that package, she also had a stethoscope hanging on her shoulders.

Obviously, she’s still wearing that dark purple lipstick that gave her an extremely mature vibe.

Nonetheless, from my point of view, Hayashi-sensei appeared a few years younger today. Not a natural one but possibly caused by stress.

I wonder what happened? Did my mother bully her when they went drinking sometime last week?

Yeah. That’s a possibility.

Although they’re not kids anymore, my mother is still terrifying. Just remembering that time at the Ministry, she completely crushed Hayashi-sensei without even raising her voice.

“What are you waiting for? Christmas?” Perhaps noticing that I remained standing there just eyeing her appearance, she called out again.

“Sensei, I still have to attend the 7th period. Can it wait?” I answered.

“No. Hurry up.” She denied it swiftly. There’s a hint of haste in her tone.

“But you just asked if ‘I’m free’. So, regardless of my answer, you’re having me come to your office.” I shrugged, acting really rather brazen to the Director of this school.

She didn’t take offense to that anyway.

Hayashi-sensei’s lips drew a curve as she replied, “If you understand then don’t waste our time anymore.”

She then turned around and started walking up the stairs again.

“Alright, that’s just being unreasonable,” I muttered.

“You’re saying something?” However, because of the silence around us, Hayashi-sensei’s ears twitched as though my voice reached her ears.

“No. No. I’m coming up, sensei.” Before I could truly annoy her, I raised my arms in surrender and obediently followed her upstairs.

Upon arriving at her office and not the infirmary, Hayashi-sensei quickly went straight to the point.

“I heard you’re coming with Eguchi for the school visits next week. I have a task for you.”

A task? What can a mere student like me do?

“Uh. If it’s something I can do then… I’ll do my best.”

“Oh. I thought you’re going to reason out something along the lines of ‘Why hand it to me and not Eguchi-sensei?’”

This woman… True, that popped up in my mind. But upon thinking for a moment, she wouldn’t call me here if Eguchi-sensei could finish it.

“She has a different task, right? Besides, you’re probably wondering why she’s bringing me with her.”

“Ah. That, she told me the reason why she wants to bring you. She’s going to ask you to walk around those schools. With that observer skills of yours, you’re surely the best for reconnaissance. Catch those idiots in the act.”

Sure. If it’s catching teachers with a relationship with a student, you have one here. But she’s off your suspects because she’s a victim. That’s a nice protection for Shio.

“Will they even be bold enough to do it after that one got exposed?”

“You never know. Perverts don't pick a time and place to do their perversion.”

Uh. Yeah. I’m guilty of that.

“That aside, that’s not the task I’m going to give you.” Hayashi-sensei continued before walking to her desk and picking up a folder.

And as expected, she handed it to me. There’s no title on its front, however, I could estimate that there’s at least a stack of papers clipped inside.

“What’s this, sensei?”

“A list of suspects.”

“Suspects?”

“Yes. Of students having forbidden affairs with their teachers. You see. That Miyazaki might’ve been caught. However, every school will always have one or two of them. And that’s not counting the ones from a public school where a teacher could use ‘grades’ as a bargaining chip. I’m planning to purge them all out of my school.”

Judging from the seriousness in her tone, she’s not joking with that statistic. Looks like I have to be very careful with Shio from now on. Also, for Eguchi-sensei too.

“I understand. So, do I have to approach these suspects? Catch them in their words?”

“If you can do that then better. But it’s enough that you only observe them, check how they act when you and Eguchi start roaming their halls.”

I see. So, in other words, it’s fine for me to do the minimum but she’d surely be more content if I directly made contact with them.

Let’s see. Though it’s a pain talking to someone I hadn’t talked to before, the files would probably provide me with enough information to know about them.

But… What’s in it for me? Am I just going to receive a thank you?

“That face… Don’t worry about a reward. Onoda-kun. What about this… I’ll start overlooking your relationship with a lot of girls in this school. You’re not doing anything excessive anyway. And Shizu approved of it, am I right?”

Overlooking my relationships, huh? That does sound generous. However, she had no idea that we’d already done excessive things at school… Even inside the infirmary.

Well, let’s try something first. Although it’s asking a lot with this task, it’s not like it will be troublesome for me. I have the liberty to complete it or not. What I’m concerned about is… her current state.

After contemplating for a while, I went silent for a few seconds before answering in a rather unsatisfied tone. “… That doesn’t sound like a reward, sensei.”

Upon hearing that, Hayashi-sensei’s brows instantly jumped as she exclaimed. “This cheeky kid! Then what do you want?”

“Well… What about you overlook my complex relationship and… join us?”

With a shameless smirk, I held out that last part for long enough to build up her anticipation.

However, as soon as my words got registered in her head, Hayashi-sensei’s eyebrows clashed and her hand quickly grasped my collar. “You! What the hell are you saying?!”

She shook me a few times as though she was trying to have me cough out an answer.

But looking at her expression, she’s not 100% angry. In fact, it’s safe to say that… she’s considering it.

“That’s a joke, sensei. You don’t need to get so worked up.” I said, surrendering once more with raised arms.

“Huh?! That’s not a good joke!”

“I know. But you see, I just wanted to check. You looked stressed, sensei. Are you having trouble moving on from your feelings for my father?”

It’s a wild guess. But the same as earlier, Hayashi-sensei’s reaction was quick.

Her grasp on my collar loosened up as the woman staggered and eventually lost strength on her knees resulting in her almost tripping backward.

Luckily for her, there’s a seat behind her. In any case, I was ready to catch her if there was nothing there.

Anyway, did I hit a bullseye? Probably yes. She won’t act like that otherwise…