Seeking Help

September 3rd, the first Monday after Teitan High School's new term began.

"All right, that's it for this class. Make sure you all finish your homework properly."

Spanish class for Class 2-B had ended, and the substitute teacher, Teacher Diana, made the announcement.

"Ugh——"

After the teacher left, Sonoko walked over to Ran looking exhausted, practically draping half her body over Ran's shoulder. "When is Jodie-sensei ever going to finish her vacation——? This new Teacher Diana is pretty good too, but I still prefer Jodie-sensei's teaching style."

After school started in September, Class 2-B had gotten a new Spanish teacher. Apparently, Jodie-sensei had temporarily returned to her home country because of something, which left the students who had grown accustomed to her style feeling quite uncomfortable.

Teacher Diana, who was filling in for Jodie-sensei, was also a blonde, blue-eyed foreign teacher. However, compared with the fiery and open Jodie, she seemed more reserved and composed.

Sonoko lowered her head, only to see Ran staring blankly at something. "Hm? Ran, are you listening?"

"Ah! Sonoko, what did you say?" Ran snapped back to her senses.

"Why are you suddenly so distracted? Could it be——that Shinichi brat cheated on you?" Though Sonoko was teasing her, she immediately asked with concern.

"What cheating——don't talk nonsense, Sonoko. It's not that. It's——" Ran lowered her voice and said to Sonoko, "It's Classmate Aida. Don't you think she's been acting really strange since school started?"

"That's true. She's looked like she has something on her mind these past few days. When she answered questions in class just now, she was spacing out too——

She normally isn't like this." Sonoko was also puzzled as she turned to Ayano beside them. "Ayano, do you know anything?"

"? All I know is that Classmate Aida's mother died not long