Stealing Spree

We finished everything we needed to do at the clubhouse and although it became a little heated again, it didn’t escalate to what happened yesterday. But that’s simply because of how late it became after I finished walking back and forth from the clubhouse to the incinerator area.

It's already getting late and they collectively decided to just let me rest on their laps while being pampered by all of them. It’s simply heavenly relaxing that I drifted to sleep halfway. When I opened my eyes again, I was still surrounded by them, their gentle, loving eyes, focused on me before greeting me with their beautiful smiles.

It's like another preview of our life once we started living under one roof… It’s another paradise.

Anyway, once we’re done preparing, we all set out to leave.

-

-

“Ruki, let us postpone our date to another time,” Shizu said as soon as I returned to meet up with her after sending the other girls to their bus stops.

Before we left the school gate earlier, Shizu went to my side and told me that Hayashi-sensei was summoning her to her office. She even showed the specific message of that mysterious school director.

‘Shizu-chan. If you’re still in school, can you come see me for a bit? I need your help with something.’

Whatever help that was, Shizu also had no idea. From what I heard from her, she’s also somewhat like a Student Assistance for her. Helping her with small errands or even compiling some files that she's too lazy to do…

When I heard that from her back then, I could only shake my head, dwindling the motivation to go to Hayashi-sensei to ask that once-a-week-question privilege she granted me.

Anyway, it really didn’t take long since it was only around fifteen minutes when we left and she was already outside, waiting for me to return.

However, there’s a car next to her. And looking at the driver’s seat… it’s none other than the mysterious nurse in question.

“I see. I guess we have no choice but to cancel it, huh?”

“Oh… You two made plans, huh? I apologize for that. Why don’t you come with us, instead, Onoda-kun?” Lowering the window of her car, Hayashi-sensei interjected.

Upon hearing that, Shizu and I couldn’t help but stare at each other.

“Uh. She asked me to accompany her to the Ministry.”

“At this time of the day?”

“I think it’s urgent. Concerning a branch school.”

Ministry and branch school… Hearing those two keywords, I somehow pieced together the puzzle.

It was probably concerned that Nobuo… But why does Hayashi-sensei have to go? I thought they were trying to cover it up?

Wait… It might be an entirely different issue altogether.

“I see… Then sensei, thank you for the invitation and pardon my intrusion.” I grabbed Shizu’s hand and we hopped into the backseat of Hayashi-sensei’s car.

As soon as we closed the door, she started speeding on the road while humming some kind of old melody.

The woman was still wearing her lab coat as though she was still acting her part as the mysterious nurse who could be seldom seen in the infirmary.

“You, why are you deciding that easily?” Once she recovered from the sudden turn of events, Shizu squeezed my palm and asked.

“Well, we’re supposed to go somewhere and let you relax from your job as the Student Council President, right? But you’re still working as the President this time. Then let me be your comfort companion.”

That’s right. It’s what we planned to do. I even lined up a bunch of activities even though we’re short on time to let her enjoy some leisure time. And no… our intimate and passionate moments weren’t counted as leisure… It’s an entirely different category.

“Nicely done, Onoda-kun. I say, you truly have the guts to head the new branch. I thought it was only for this girl to keep you close. You partly proved me wrong today.”

Hayashi-sensei was laughing at us or rather at what she witnessed; Shizu’s bashful expression and my glib tongue made the girl speechless.

“Uh… You seem to be easily convinced, sensei.”

“Am I? Must be your imagination. Now that I think about it, you never went to me. What’s that about? It’s been weeks!”

Hayashi-sensei eyed me from the rearview mirror, her glasses-adorned eyes narrowed as she focused on me.

Fortunately, we’re at a corner and the traffic lights turned red.

“Isn’t it still early to prepare for the election? There’s the cultural and sports festival before we reach that festive or competitive election season.”

“You may be right. But being prepared was always better. Don’t you want to succeed Shizu-chan?”

“I don’t?”

“You blockhead!”

Shizu smacked me on my head, triggered by how I answered.

But in turn, Hayashi-sensei laughed again.

“Alright. Let me correct it, I’m still in the process of accepting it.”

Well, that’s the stage I am in now. One can say I am currently in a transitive state, I still need time to fully accept that I will be taking the center stage soon. After years of existing in the background, it’s something I needed.

“What ‘in the process’? It’s a question of yes or no. Hey, Shizu-chan, is your boyfriend this indecisive?”

“Don’t be fooled, sensei. You heard how he speaks. He’s a dangerous guy when it comes to a battle of words.”

Shizu unnaturally smirked as though she was trying to play the mean girl. But I turned it around easily.

“Wow. To be praised by my girl like this. Sensei, thank you for the opportunity!”

“That’s not a praise, you blockhead! Ugh… Anyway, sensei, can you fill us in about the situation?” Giving up on our banter, Shizu changed the topic to the main reason why we’re now riding this car.

“Ah… You see. There was a bit of a problem when one of the teachers tried to lay a hand on a student. And it’s fully documented.”

“Uh? I know it’s bad. However, didn’t that happen in a branch school? Don’t they have their own director?”

“That’s true. However…” As Hayashi-sensei trailed her voice, she gradually took off her lab coat and put it on her side, following that she turned around and looked at me, “… Wait a moment, can you hand that to me, Onoda-kun?”

At first, I was confused about what she was talking about but once I followed her finger, I noticed a small bag tucked to the side. I picked it up and handed it to her.

Apparently, inside it was an office suit. I thought it would be crumpled. However, when she pulled it out and put it on, almost like magic, no fold marks could be seen. What kind of fabric did they use?

Anyway, seeing her change into another outfit, I guess she’s now fully taking the role of the school director.

“Oh, where was I?” Hayashi-sensei continued after putting it on and getting the car to move again. “Right, it’s the reason why I have to go, huh? It’s simple, Shizu-chan. I’m the owner of the whole school. Partly, though. Since it’s my family’s property.”

“Eh? A-are you sure you’re free to tell us that?”

“What’s wrong? I could’ve told you about this even before.” Nonchalantly answering like that left Shizu and I confused.

However, the tone of her voice didn’t feel like she was just jesting, it must be true. With that, we had no other choice but to accept it and hear the other details from Hayashi-sensei.

A few minutes later, the car finally reached the Ministry of Education located in our city.

It appeared closed but since Hayashi-sensei wasn’t saying anything, we just waited until she parked the car.

I don’t know if it’s a funny coincidence or not but once we entered the parking area… I noticed a familiar car…

My parent’s car.

What are they doing here? No… That just proved that this was about Nobuo…

With Hayashi-sensei leading us, we started walking the pathway to the entrance of the Ministry.

Shizu at my side held onto my hand, as though she was trying to channel courage from me… I guess even though she’s always headstrong, she also had moments like this where she would feel weak. I mean, this was a new environment and Hayashi-sensei didn’t even tell us what we were really going to do here besides being her escorts or followers.

“Is that you Makiko?”

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from on top of the stairs calling Hayashi-sensei by name.

But that’s not the main point. The owner of that voice is none other than… my mom.

… They know each other?