During the second class of the morning, it was Kiyoharu's turn to teach.
Standing at the podium, Kiyoharu was somewhat absentminded. Usually meticulous in his reasoning, he had actually made a rare mistake while working through a problem on the blackboard.
"Sorry, everyone. I'll focus from here on out."
"Chihaya-sensei, we know you worked hard taking care of the Young Lady last night. One little mistake in class is no big deal!" a girl teased, prompting a wave of good-natured laughter.
In the students' eyes, Kiyoharu and Airi's union was a fairy-tale love story, so students in Kiyoharu's classes often joked about the affection between the married couple.
Kiyoharu gave everyone a slightly embarrassed smile, then tapped the blackboard. The cheerful atmosphere immediately subsided, and he continued explaining the problem.
Everyone knew that Kiyoharu Chihaya was an exceptionally gentle man, but he was also terrifying when he lost his temper. As such, Kiyoharu carried considerable authority in class, and even students from powerful families were willing to listen to him.
After all, Kiyoharu's math lessons were top-tier. Listening carefully to him was more useful than attending cram school. Students who could study at Chihaya Academy generally had some ambition when it came to higher education.
After class, Kiyoharu stood in the hallway and wiped the thin sheen of sweat from his forehead.
The news that Kitahara Ayano would soon arrive had truly put Kiyoharu under considerable pressure.
Leaning against the window and breathing in the fresh air, Kiyoharu summoned the system.
"Useless system, do you have any new information about Kitahara Ayano?"
"My, my, Host. Didn't you say I was utterly useless? Why are you suddenly so interested in me now~?"
"Cut the sarcasm and give me the information."
"Host, what sort of information do you need?"
"Anything. For example, Kitahara Ayano's unknown background, or the activation method and restrictions of Time Stop..."
"I do have quite a bit of information, but it all requires Energy Points to calculate and uncover. I can't directly tell you, Host~"
Listening to the system's smug tone, Kiyoharu felt like hitting someone.
But he truly needed information now. Otherwise, he could only passively deal with Kitahara Ayano's attacks.
Last time, when he unexpectedly got hard in front of Airi, he had barely managed to muddle through. But what about next time?
What if she humiliated him in public?
Kitahara Ayano was clearly extremely devoted to gathering material. She had even betrayed her best friend for it, so who knew what even more outrageous things she might do?
No! Please, no!
If it happened at the podium... his teaching career would probably be over, wouldn't it?
As for the system being too useless... well, useless was useless. Circumstances were stronger than people. It was still usable, and it wasn't as if he could get rid of it.
After weighing things for a moment, Kiyoharu asked, "System, how many Energy Points would it cost if I wanted information on Time Stop?"
"The information costs only 50 Energy Points~ Sadly, Host never does missions, so you don't even have 5 Energy Points in stock right now."
"Fine. Find me some easy missions."
Kiyoharu pinched his nose and yielded to the system.
This delighted the system beyond measure. After countless failures, it had finally won back a round under the oppression of the vile Kiyoharu.
After browsing through the mission list, the system said, "The easiest mission currently available just refreshed. It concerns Shimaura Hitomi..."
"No, are you obsessed with the Red-Eyed Devil's best friend or something? You have to target someone she knows? Do you think my position in the household is that high?" Kiyoharu said unhappily.
"C-can you blame me? We're still a weak, pitiful, helpless Level 1 system! Level 1! It's already pretty good that I can scan missions with this kind of value. Aside from Shimaura Hitomi's personal mission line, the rest are those Dormitory Gunner missions, and Host said you wouldn't do those even if you were beaten to death!" the system protested pitifully.
"Fine. Let me see the specific mission details."
Mission Name: Shimaura Hitomi's Weakness Mission Description: The renowned writer Dostoevsky once said, "If you don't lose weight in spring, you'll only grieve in summer." Shimaura Hitomi firmly believed this, so she had recently been strictly cutting sugar and dieting to lose fat. However, even ordinary daily activities consumed energy, and every afternoon, Shimaura Hitomi was plagued by the weakness brought on by hunger. Mission Objective: Lend Shimaura Hitomi your shoulder so she can rest against it and find reassuring rest. Mission Reward: 50 Energy Points
The mission looked simple, but it actually hid a massive trap.
Kiyoharu had no legitimate reason to let her lean on his shoulder. Shimaura Hitomi was a very proper girl, and if he forced or tricked her, she would definitely report it to Airi. Then he would face the Red-Eyed Devil's towering wrath.
It wasn't worth it for a mere 50 Energy Points!
"Sigh, what use are you as a system? Forget it, forget it. I'd better consider Dormitory Gunner instead. Maybe if I carefully plan a stealth route, I really could clear it perfectly..."
"What? What? Host is getting ready to do that mission?!" The system immediately became excited.
"Getting ready my ass! Can't you tell I'm talking out of anger?" Kiyoharu laughed in exasperation. "I order you to go study emotional intelligence. Don't show yourself in front of me until you understand it."
System: (oT-T) Corpse
Surrender, surrender! It really couldn't outtalk this scummy host, sob sob sob.
Thus, Kiyoharu's plan to obtain information through the system was temporarily shelved.
Just as he was about to return to the office, he received a call from the principal, informing him to come to the principal's office for an important assignment.
"Chihaya-sensei, has work been relatively easy and pleasant lately?"
Seeing the principal's kindly, smiling face, Kiyoharu immediately became alert. That sort of phrasing usually meant a boss was hinting that an employee's workload was insufficient, and the next step would be assigning more tasks.
"None of the classes I'm currently responsible for have particularly difficult students, so overall it's fairly easy. However, lesson preparation still needs to be thorough. To ensure class quality while also taking care of my family, my schedule is quite packed."
Kiyoharu gave a watertight answer and casually kicked the hint back at him.
Want your buddy to work overtime?
Either the quality of his teaching would decline, or he would have less time for his family and offend the Young Lady. The principal could decide for himself!
The principal was an old fox too, and instantly understood what he meant. He burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha, I'm sure Chihaya-sensei's fiancée won't object to you taking on this task... In fact, it was the Young Lady herself who recommended that you show Miss Kitahara around the campus."
Huh?
For a moment, Kiyoharu was stunned. But he quickly realized that this arrangement fit the Red-Eyed Devil's style perfectly.
She could have someone familiar take care of her best friend while also testing Kiyoharu's loyalty, seeing whether he truly had no interest in Ayano.
Damn it, this Chihaya Airi really couldn't go a single day without stirring up trouble. She had probably been eating the breakfast Kiyoharu made with his own hands while giving the principal instructions over the phone.
Could you act like a person for once, Young Lady?
"About ten minutes," the principal said, glancing at his watch. "Miss Kitahara's car will arrive at the school gate. Chihaya-sensei can go welcome her."
"No problem. I'll handle it."
Expressionless, Kiyoharu accepted the assignment that was obviously going to be a massive pain in the ass.
So be it. She was coming for him anyway, and there was no point hiding. He might as well face her with a smile!
Besides, he was upright and had nothing to fear. Yes, that was right. There was nothing left to be afraid of.
Before you continue