Just Want to Be a Slacker

Soon, Chabashira Sae led Kamio Tatsuya and Yamauchi Haruki into a room on the fourth floor of another teaching building.

Judging by the furnishings, it was an office—specifically, the Student Council office, as indicated by the sign at the door.

After waiting a few minutes, Chabashira-sensei still hadn't said a word. Just as Kamio Tatsuya was growing puzzled, the meeting room door opened, and two people walked in.

Both were familiar faces.

One was the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu; the other was the Student Council Secretary, Tachibana Akane.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

With that, Horikita Manabu took the main seat at the meeting table, while Tachibana Akane stood behind him.

Kamio Tatsuya and Yamauchi Haruki each sat down on opposite sides.

As for Chabashira-sensei, she didn't take a seat on either side but remained standing by the door.

This surprised Kamio Tatsuya a little.

From the looks of it, something like a fight was being handled by the Student Council.

Did the Student Council really have that much authority?

Kamio Tatsuya thought back to Nagumo Miyabi's earlier invitation to join the Student Council.

Maybe joining the Student Council wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"I've already been briefed on the situation, but I still need both sides to recount it."

The Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, spoke, and behind him, Tachibana Akane opened her notebook, ready to take notes.

Yamauchi Haruki, who had been shouting earlier, now stammered and couldn't get a full sentence out in the face of the stern Horikita Manabu.

With a silent sneer, Kamio Tatsuya cleared his throat and began recounting the incident.

"Ahem, here's what happened."

"Kamio-kun, so you admit that, for certain reasons, you used violence against Yamauchi-kun, correct?"

"That's right, I do."

Kamio Tatsuya was completely unbothered. What he'd done wasn't some unforgivable crime—it wouldn't get him expelled—so he wasn't afraid at all.

At worst, he'd lose some Class Points.

No big deal. Just a drop in the bucket.

"Regarding Kamio-kun's account, does Yamauchi-kun have anything to add?"

"Ah, n-no."

Yamauchi was so nervous in this serious setting that he couldn't even get a full sentence out.

Then, Horikita Manabu turned his gaze to Chabashira Sae, who was standing by the door.

"When I arrived at the scene, the two of them had already been separated, so I don't know the exact truth.

However, Kamio Tatsuya's account just now matches what he said in the classroom, and the first-year Class D students can confirm that."

Horikita Manabu nodded and then delivered his verdict.

"Kamio Tatsuya, for attempting to use violence against a fellow student, you are suspended for one week and ordered to return to your dormitory for reflection."

Hearing this verdict, a cold sneer curled on Kamio Tatsuya's lips.

He wasn't entirely opposed to his own punishment.

But that bastard who tried to spread rumors got off scot-free?

This school was really something else.

Chapter 20: No Complaint, No Investigation

Fuming over the lack of punishment for Yamauchi Haruki, Kamio Tatsuya stood up in dissatisfaction.

"Hold on. What about him spreading rumors about a girl? That just gets swept under the rug?"

Faced with Kamio Tatsuya's questioning, Horikita Manabu remained composed.

"This afternoon, we are only handling the violence you committed against Yamauchi-kun. As for Yamauchi-kun's rumor-spreading, the victim has not filed a complaint, so the Student Council has no authority to intervene."

So that's how it is—no complaint, no investigation, right?

How damn rigid.

Then, Kamio Tatsuya glanced at Chabashira Sae. She hadn't even asked Sakura Airi whether she'd filed a complaint. Intentional, wasn't it?

But then he thought again. Even if she had asked, given Sakura Airi's personality, she'd probably just want to avoid trouble and let it slide.

Too weak.

Kamio Tatsuya didn't regret standing up for Sakura Airi. Yamauchi was just too infuriating—any normal person would have done the same.

Back in the classroom, Kamio Tatsuya directly packed his things and prepared to leave the school.

He was suspended until next Monday, so he had to leave immediately.

"Kamio-kun, what are you doing?"

Seeing Kamio Tatsuya's actions, Hirata Yosuke, who had previously stopped Kamio from beating up Yamauchi Haruki, walked over and asked with some confusion.

"Oh, because of the fight, I got suspended for a week." Kamio Tatsuya said nonchalantly. "See you next week, Hirata."

Hearing this, Hirata Yosuke opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry."

Hearing this, Kamio Tatsuya found it strange.

"Why are you apologizing?"

Hirata had just been breaking up the fight, and Kamio didn't think there was anything wrong with that—he was maintaining class order and hadn't taken sides. Plus, Kamio knew his personality, so he held no grudge against him. That made the apology feel especially odd.

"If I could have stopped Yamauchi, maybe..."

This guy, he's way too righteous.

Kamio Tatsuya was speechless.

What the hell does that have to do with you?

"Forget it, do what you want. If he's bold enough to spread rumors behind girls' backs now, who knows what even weirder crap he'll pull later."

Kamio Tatsuya slung his backpack over his shoulder, patted Hirata Yosuke on the shoulder twice, and left the classroom.

That evening, while Kamio Tatsuya was playing the game console he'd bought during the day, a knock suddenly came at his door.

"Hold on, I'm coming."

When he opened the door, Kamio found that the visitor was actually from Class A—Kamuro Masumi, with her long purple hair tied in a side ponytail.

"What are you doing here? Something up?"

Kamio was a bit puzzled. He wasn't surprised that Kamuro knew where he lived—she could just ask the dorm's front desk. What he found strange was why she'd come to see him. Was she here to comfort him?

We're not that close, are we?

"You planning to talk to me right here at the door?"

Kamio shrugged and stepped aside.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

Once inside, Kamuro Masumi took off her shoes and walked into the room.

"Want something to drink? I only have tea and water."

"A cup of hot cocoa."

The hell, did you not hear what I just said?

Are you picking a fight on purpose?

Kamio pretended not to hear, brewed some tea, and poured her a cup.

Seeing what Kamio brought over, Kamuro Masumi's face showed clear displeasure.

"You completely ignored what I just said."

"You did the same. Drink it or don't."

Kamio glanced at her, then sat down on the floor across from her. As for her, she'd already claimed his bed, crossing her legs and revealing her black-stocking-clad thighs.

"Spit it out. Why are you here?"

Kamio looked down at the tea in his cup.

He had no choice—the angle was a bit tricky. If he looked up, he might catch a glimpse of something under her skirt.

At this age, when things could get as hard as iron, there were always all kinds of troubles.

And he had to admit, Kamuro Masumi's face and figure hit a few of his sweet spots. She wasn't busty, nor was she flat.

But the way she looked just felt right to him.

"Your suspension has spread all over the school."

"Oh."

Kamio wasn't surprised by that. He could even imagine how that idiot Yamauchi Haruki would brag about how he'd crushed it at the disciplinary hearing.

And throw in a line like: "This is what happens when you mess with me."

Ugh, he couldn't think about it anymore. Too disgusting.

"You don't seem surprised at all."

"Isn't that obvious? Since the punishment's already out, the Student Council will post an announcement sooner or later. Spreading through the school is just a matter of time."

"Because of this, you've become famous across the whole school."

Kamio pretended not to catch Kamuro's sarcasm, keeping his head down and flashing a peace sign.

"Just like Sakayanagi said, you really don't care about anything at all."

Kamuro Masumi picked up her teacup, but the temperature of the tea made her frown slightly, so she set it back down.

"I've been wanting to ask since earlier—why are you using boiling water to brew tea?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"No, do whatever makes you happy." Kamuro picked up the teacup again, blew on it, took a sip, then pretended to ask casually as she continued.

"Speaking of which, why did you help me that day?"

Asking now?

That was so long ago.

Kamio Tatsuya gave her a strange look.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Do I have to say it?"

"Do you really have some shady motive?"

Kamuro Masumi's expression turned hostile.

"No, it's just that I can't picture a beautiful girl like you being associated with the word 'thief.'" Kamio Tatsuya answered honestly.

The room fell into a brief silence.

Kamuro Masumi's hand holding the teacup froze.

H-he thinks I'm a beautiful girl?

He can't be lying, can he?

No, no, no—his tone sounded pretty serious.