Before Everything Began: The Preparations

Math class had been going on for ten minutes. The blackboard was covered in densely packed formulas, and the teacher kept droning on at the front of the room, but Shangguan Che's thoughts had already wandered to after school.

The most important thing on his agenda was accompanying Sakura to report the appliance store clerk who had been harassing her.

Resting his chin on his hand, Shangguan Che secretly observed his classmates, while mulling over how homeroom teachers were assigned. With my intelligence and that little bit of "supernatural ability," I can tell the school assigns homeroom teachers according to the relative strengths of the classes. The best teacher must be in Class A.

That wasn't just a baseless guess. Shangguan Che had noticed some clues ever since the school year began.

Of the four first-year classes, only Class C and Class D had homeroom teachers who kept meddling behind the scenes.

Class C's homeroom teacher, Sakagami, turned a blind eye to Ryuen Kakeru's violence, effectively turning "hands-off" into "enabling." As for Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira, she regularly took the initiative to talk with Hirata, sometimes dropping hints and other times posing difficult questions. She had clearly gotten involved in class affairs more than once.

By contrast, the homeroom teachers for Class A and Class B were the very picture of hands-off management.

Especially Hoshinomiya-sensei from Class B. Even now, Shangguan Che couldn't help laughing whenever he remembered what had happened at their last morning meeting.

Halfway through the meeting, Hoshinomiya suddenly covered her mouth and gagged, then threw up.

Shangguan Che had been startled. Could this teacher be pregnant? She needs to get to a hospital! Throwing up like that can't be good for her!

But the next second, he saw the girl closest to Hoshinomiya make a disgusted face. Ichinose calmly stood up and took charge, while the other students in Class B looked completely used to it. Not one of them seemed the least bit alarmed.

It wasn't until later, after chatting with Ichinose online and observing the situation himself, that Shangguan Che finally understood. So Hoshinomiya-sensei had gotten drunk, felt sick, and just threw up in class!

When the truth dawned on him, all he could think was, The world is full of strange things. So in this world, teachers can be just as bizarre as students.

After figuring out how the different homeroom teachers operated, Shangguan Che decided that Sakura should report the matter to Matoba, Class A's teacher.

After all, Matoba was known for taking his job seriously. He wasn't like Chabashira, who always kept her cards close to her chest, or Sakagami, who liked to play little tricks.

But there was a problem. With competition between the classes so fierce, going to another class's teacher instead of their own was bound to arouse suspicion.

Still, Shangguan Che had already thought it through. This afternoon is the perfect opportunity! The homeroom teachers for Class C and Class D are both going to the disciplinary hearing for the fight, which the Student Council is organizing. That probably means the teachers' office will only have Matoba from Class A and Hoshinomiya-sensei from Class B.

He rubbed his nose and couldn't help chuckling. Hoshinomiya-sensei loves having fun. She probably won't be in the office after school. Maybe she'll be pestering Chabashira-sensei again. Come to think of it, could those two be best friends?

With that in mind, the afternoon's plan seemed foolproof. After school, Sakura can report the matter to Matoba, the most responsible teacher. The harassment should be dealt with easily.

Suddenly, Shangguan Che remembered something. During the break, he hurriedly pulled out his phone and sent Sakura a message. I almost forgot to remind her to bring the evidence!

[Sakura, can we go report it together this afternoon?] Shangguan Che had deliberately phrased it as a question. He didn't want to seem like he was forcing her.

A few seconds later, his phone buzzed with a reply from Sakura: [...Okay.]

It was just one short word, with an ellipsis that hinted at her hesitation. Shangguan Che could almost picture her holding her phone nervously.

[Okay. I'll stay with you the whole time.] He replied quickly, then added, [By the way, where did you put the letters that person sent you?]

He hadn't found them in Sakura's desk or her schoolbag, and it had been bothering him. What if she threw them away?

[They're in my dorm room. I've put them all away safely.]

Seeing her message, Shangguan Che finally relaxed and quickly replied, [You did great, Sakura. Those letters are important evidence!]

After a moment, he typed another message. [After school, should we go back to your dorm to get the letters first, then head to the teachers' office?]

[I'll do whatever you think is best, Shangguan.]

[Then it's settled!] Shangguan Che added an encouraging message at the end: [You've got this!]

After sending it, he silently added, My liege Sakura, I shall fight to the death for you!

During the break, Hirata hurried over and asked Shangguan Che, "Shangguan, how exactly am I supposed to use all that information you sent me?"

Shangguan Che scratched his head, thinking it over. I know Ayanokoji is guiding Horikita as she comes up with a strategy. I also know Horikita wrote it all down in her notebook, and that Class C has barely prepared at all. But somehow, I still feel only ninety-eight percent sure. I'd better make one more backup plan.

He patted Hirata on the shoulder and said seriously, "Hirata, if you don't know how to use the information during the meeting, or it looks like we're about to lose, read out everything I sent you at the hearing. Loudly. You can't go wrong."

"Oh, so that's how I'm supposed to use it! Thanks so much, Shangguan!" Hirata's eyes lit up, and he hurried to thank him.

"No problem." Shangguan Che waved a hand, then reminded him, "Oh, and remember to ask them to reduce Sudo's punishment."

"Reduce it?" Hirata asked, confused.

"I mean, make the punishment less severe. Being suspended for a while is better than being expelled," Shangguan Che explained. "But if that happens, you'll have to help Sudo catch up on all the schoolwork he misses."

Hirata nodded without hesitation. "That's fine. As long as no one gets expelled, helping him catch up isn't a big deal."

"Still, Shangguan, I think it'd be better if you came along," Hirata finally admitted.

"Sorry, I have something else to do this afternoon."

"That's okay. Your business matters too. I'll handle it."

Seeing how determined Hirata was, Shangguan Che silently prayed, I hope Hirata understands what the information means when the time comes. And I hope Ayanokoji and Horikita haven't given up on Sudo, and that they haven't discovered my "line-of-sight surveillance."

The latter was nothing more than a wild guess based on Ayanokoji being the protagonist. Still, please don't let it come true.

Before the bell rang, Shangguan Che received a message from Sakura. She'd written out what she planned to say when she made the report.

He'd specifically asked her to prepare it. When it came to something Sakura was afraid of, he always felt that it was better to be overprepared.

After school, Horikita, Ayanokoji, Sudo, and Hirata followed Chabashira-sensei toward the classroom the Student Council had prepared for the disciplinary hearing. Meanwhile, Shangguan Che walked back to the dorms alongside Sakura.

As soon as they left the school building, they saw Hoshinomiya-sensei up ahead, walking arm in arm with Ichinose as they chatted and laughed.

Shangguan Che couldn't help muttering, "Is Hoshinomiya-sensei dragging Ichinose along to the hearing? Judging by the looks of it, Ichinose's probably going to get 'roped into' something again." He silently mourned for Ichinose for three seconds.

The night before, Hirata and Ichinose had both told Shangguan Che that Class B and Class D had formed a temporary alliance. The details were simple. It could be summed up in four words:

"Helping one another."

There wasn't even a clause about "not interfering with each other."

Shangguan Che couldn't help complaining to himself. This alliance is way too hasty. One high-level traitor could probably cripple both classes.

Still, complaining aside, now that the alliance was in place, he could finally talk to the students in Class B openly and without it seeming strange.

But then he thought about it and couldn't help laughing. Actually, since the school year began, aside from chatting with Sakura and Hirata every day in person, I haven't really gotten close to anyone else.

The night before, Ichinose had also asked Shangguan Che if he planned to attend the hearing. He'd honestly told her he had something else to do, so he wouldn't be going.

Ichinose had said she would go and might be able to help.

Shangguan Che had hesitated for three seconds before sending his thanks.

After all, Ichinose was there to help Class D. As a member of Class D, it would've been rude not to thank her.

He'd even sent her a teasing message: [You really are the perfect kindhearted angel, Ichinose. I'm speaking on behalf of Sudo to thank you!]

Before long, Ichinose's reply came in, sounding a little shy: [...I'm not that great.]

Thinking about it now, Shangguan Che couldn't help smiling. He glanced at Sakura beside him. She had her head lowered and was gripping the strap of her schoolbag tightly. She was clearly still nervous.

Shangguan Che gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm here. Everything will go smoothly."

Sakura lifted her head and looked at the determination in Shangguan Che's eyes. She nodded firmly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

The setting sun stretched their shadows out long. The path to the dorms was quiet, yet filled with a warm sense of comfort.

Shangguan Che knew the report wouldn't necessarily go smoothly, but as long as it helped Sakura escape her troubles, it was worth any effort.

Sakura, too, silently resolved to summon her courage this time. She wouldn't let Shangguan disappoint her again.