When Konoe arrived at the Teacher's Office, Horikita and the others had just come out.
"Sorry I'm late. What's going on?" Konoe asked.
Horikita frowned. "...The Midterm Exam scope changed last Friday, but Chabashira-sensei forgot to tell us."
"She forgot? Did the scope change for just one subject?"
"All five subjects," Ayanokoji replied.
"Damn it...We were already short on time. What are we supposed to do now?" Sudo angrily punched the wall.
"I'll go in and ask her."
"It won't do any good. We already talked to Kosae, but she seemed completely indifferent. The other teachers in the office didn't care either," Ike said dejectedly.
"It's fine. I'll ask her about something else. You guys go back to class first." After greeting everyone, Konoe knocked and entered the Teacher's Office.
"Excuse me, Chabashira-sensei."
Chabashira-sensei looked annoyed, as if another problem had just landed in her lap. "Another one? You're here to ask about the exam scope too, right, Konoe?"
"Could we talk in the Guidance Room?"
Hoshinomiya-sensei, seated not far away, smiled warmly. "Konoe, is there something you can't discuss here? If you're having trouble, I'd be happy to help think of a solution."
Konoe replied politely, "Thank you, Hoshinomiya-sensei, but I need to ask about something personal."
"Fine, but lunch break is almost over. Come with me."
Chabashira stood up, but instead of heading toward the student Guidance Room, she led Konoe outside the office.
A few minutes later, Konoe and Chabashira arrived at an empty classroom.
"This classroom used to belong to a club. I'm in charge of it now." Chabashira gestured for Konoe to speak.
Konoe was blunt. "Chabashira-sensei, this is a little insincere, isn't it? You pay me Points to help you, then trip me up?"
"Trip you up? What are you talking about? I admit it was my mistake not to tell you about the exam scope, but I simply forgot." Chabashira went to the window and opened it, then took a cigarette and lighter from her bag. Leaning against the windowsill, she watched the students outside.
Konoe had to move closer to hear her, but inevitably caught the smell of smoke. "Forgot? Or gave up?"
"Phew...Konoe, you found out about this at the same time as they did. What have you been doing since joining the Student Council?" Chabashira exhaled a cloud of smoke and spoke sternly.
"...Those are two separate matters, aren't they? I have my own way of doing things."
"I should remind you of something. We didn't have a contract to back up our deal, so even if you take this hard a line, it won't do you any good."
Signing contracts was something the school encouraged. If students signed a contract and had it entered into the school system in the presence of a teacher, anyone who violated its terms would be expelled.
"I didn't sign a contract with you because I thought this deal was just the beginning of us building trust. Was I wrong? Or has the deal already been called off?"
Chabashira took a drag, then said, "Phew...It was foolish of you not to sign a contract with me, but I can still promise you this: as long as everyone in Class D passes, I'll still give you 100000 Points."
"No, no. This isn't about whether I want the 100000 Points. It's about whether you want everyone in Class D to pass."
"What do you mean?" Chabashira turned to look at Konoe beside her.
"I've been wondering why Chabashira-sensei would rather spend 100000 Points than do without my help. But let's put that aside for now. Since Chabashira-sensei doesn't want Class D to pass, I can help make the results even worse. There are a few students I can't stand, anyway."
The gray ash from the burning cigarette kept piling up, but Chabashira had forgotten about it. "...I don't want Class D to pass? I never said that. And Konoe, do you understand what you're saying?"
"Chabashira-sensei, if you can buy anything at this school, why shouldn't I make my own life a little more comfortable?"
"Are you uncomfortable now? Enough with the nonsense. What do you want?" Chabashira put the still-burning cigarette in a metal case and snuffed it out.
"Chabashira-sensei, you need to Add Money to prove your sincerity."
"...What are you talking about? 100000 Points should be more than enough. If you want to draw up a contract now, I can do that."
"Do we really need to draw up a contract over something like this?" Konoe paused, then continued, "To help Class D pass, I've had to tutor Hirata's group, look after the students who came to ask you about it just now, and get my hands on past exam papers. And you, Chabashira-sensei, have been making moves behind my back. It's really disappointing."
Only when she heard that Konoe had gotten the exam papers did Chabashira's expression soften a little. "You got the papers, and you still came to ask me?"
Then Chabashira sighed and took out a piece of paper she had prepared earlier. "120000 Points. I'll draw up a contract to make up for it, too. Are you satisfied?"
"That'll do, but there's no need for a contract." With that, Konoe headed for the classroom door.
Chabashira asked curiously, "I already prepared the contract for you. I'm curious why you don't want to sign it. Do you trust me that much? You're making me want to teach you a lesson."
Konoe stopped and imagined Chabashira going back on her word.
Suddenly, a strange feeling stirred inside him, somewhere between an impulse and anticipation. His breathing grew heavier. He knew this feeling well.
He seemed to have experienced it before, perhaps over and over again, but he couldn't remember anything about it.
Konoe shook his head, clearing it a little, and insisted, "No need, Chabashira-sensei."
He hurried toward the Class D classroom, leaving Chabashira behind to ponder.
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