"Why aren't Kageya and Karuizawa here?"
"It seems we can't get in touch with them, either."
They still hadn't been able to reach Kageya and the others by the time the later classes rolled around. During class, Kushida Kikyo finally spoke up.
"Oh, them? They're both absent."
"Let's get on with class. Don't worry about anything else."
Chabashira Sae looked a little worse for wear.
Part of it was because she'd stayed up late the previous night, ready to go find Kageya Shinjitsu at any moment.
The other part was because of what he'd said.
Defective goods, huh.
Go it alone?
She'd wanted to warn him, but when class began, she looked down at the students.
Especially Kanji Ike and Yamauchi Haruki at the back, and that lump, Ken Sudō.
As I thought, they're hopeless.
Even among all the Class D's, they're among the worst.
Her expression was blank, and she looked even colder than usual, as if everyone owed her millions.
"Hey, Sae-chan, you look awful today. Is it that time of the month?"
"Drink plenty of hot water."
As she left after class, Chabashira Sae could still hear Kanji Ike and Yamauchi Haruki's concerned, teasing voices.
What the hell is with 'drink plenty of hot water'?
You two can drink lava.
From now on, eat more mountain-vegetable set meals...
Her pent-up anger had nowhere to go, so she quickly left the classroom. She even found herself looking forward to the day they all had to eat mountain-vegetable set meals.
Class 1-D—another hopeless day.
After leaving the school grounds, Chabashira Sae looked into the current situation.
She learned the school's position, as well as what was happening with the second-years.
The students who'd been involved in the fight were still being held. Though they'd been knocked unconscious, their injuries weren't as severe as Kageya Shinjitsu's looked. They only had some black eyes and slightly misshapen faces.
Kageya, on the other hand, was wrapped up like a mummy and still lying in bed.
In the hospital room.
"You asked me for leave so you could rest, Karuizawa."
Chabashira Sae entered the room and saw Karuizawa Kei.
"Yeah. I rested this morning, then came by to see him while I was out getting something to eat."
Karuizawa Kei answered without hesitation.
"You'll have to go to class this afternoon."
She said it expressionlessly.
Then she stopped paying Karuizawa Kei any attention.
"What are you planning to do now?"
"I heard the second-years are interested in making peace with you."
"As for the school, they're holding off on taking action for now and want to see what you decide. Whether you want disciplinary action or to call the police, they'll accept it."
"Usually, when it comes to fighting, unless it's especially serious, both sides get punished equally and suspended for a short while. If it's more serious, the suspension lasts longer. If it's extremely serious, the students can be expelled or even reported to the police."
"Given what happened this time, most of the injuries are on you and the others. Karuizawa was involved, but she wasn't hurt, so even if you call the police, I doubt anything major will come of it."
Chabashira Sae spoke plainly.
This was more or less how the school had always dealt with such matters.
Only when something reached a certain level of severity, such as murder, would the school forcibly intervene and hand the matter over to the outside authorities.
Otherwise, it was mostly left up to the students themselves.
Whatever they chose, the school would support them. As far as the school was concerned, as long as no one died, it was all just a minor scuffle.
A student brawl like this was serious.
But things like this happened at almost every school, every year—and often more than once.
They were impossible to stamp out.
You sure haven't said a word about Class Points.
Kageya Shinjitsu grumbled to himself about the woman.
"So, what do you think?"
"Do you have any ideas, Karuizawa?"
"You're a victim, too."
Kageya Shinjitsu looked at Karuizawa Kei.
He had no idea what this woman was up to. She'd shown up first thing in the morning, then just sat there watching him.
Anyone would think she was some kind of stalker.
"I'll leave it up to you."
Karuizawa Kei said quietly.
She sounded very gentle.
Chapter 45: Karuizawa Kei Makes Her Move
She looked at the young man and woman before her.
"..."
Chabashira Sae, standing beside them, was at a loss for words.
A single person couldn't bear to watch this.
Damn high school girls. So young—what, did that make them better than everyone else?
Karuizawa Kei, weren't you supposed to be a delinquent? Why were you acting so sweet?
"Then let's wait and hear what they have to say."
"Good grief. You're in such bad shape. This is a real problem."
Karuizawa Kei had left the decision to him, and Kageya Shinjitsu didn't hesitate.
He looked as though he wouldn't get up unless the other side paid him.
Chabashira Sae looked as if she'd expected this.
This guy didn't care at all about whether it counted as fighting or not.
She was starting to wonder if the second-years were the ones who'd been taken advantage of.
"Then we'll wait for them to come to us."
"Chabashira-sensei, you look like you've got plenty of time on your hands. Is nothing going on with your class? If you're so free, why not go look after your students?"
Kageya Shinjitsu looked at Chabashira Sae, who was staring at him, and tried to send her on her way.
"You really do have a problem with your personality."
Chabashira Sae had already experienced just how unpleasant he could be.
He didn't care about his classmates, and he didn't even show his teacher any respect.
It was as if the school itself didn't matter to him at all.
She didn't even know where to begin with him.
"Karuizawa, there's something I need to discuss with him."
"Could you lend him to me for a moment?"
Chabashira Sae glanced at Karuizawa Kei.
She wanted her to leave for a while.
"Huh?"
"What could you possibly have to say that I can't hear?"
"I'm involved in this, too."
Karuizawa Kei frowned at Chabashira Sae, instinctively feeling displeased.
"It has nothing to do with this matter. It's personal."
Chabashira Sae spoke plainly.
"Personal? Then..."
Karuizawa Kei wanted to say that if it was personal, she was even less inclined to leave.
It was a woman's instinct. How could she let someone else snatch away the prey she'd set her sights on?
But she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Their relationship still hadn't been made official.
Yesterday had been so rushed. She'd been looking forward to coming to see Kageya Shinjitsu first thing this morning and making things official.
After all, she'd confessed to him, and they'd shared a special experience. She felt there was a very good chance he'd accept her.
But she still couldn't bring herself to say it, and now this annoying teacher had come along to cause trouble.
"Chabashira-sensei, I'm not interested in what you have to say."
When Karuizawa Kei was caught between a rock and a hard place, Kageya Shinjitsu spoke first.
He'd already more or less figured out what she wanted to say.
"You..."
Chabashira Sae was getting irritated.
"If you only think about doing something but never act, you'll never gain anything or give anything."
"People have to rely on themselves, teacher."
"That's something someone once said to me. I'll pass it on to you now."
Kageya Shinjitsu gazed at the teacher who seemed to be going through menopause.
He spoke slowly.
"No wonder you're so difficult. It's hard to imagine how you interpreted that saying."
"Then I'll give you a saying of my own. People are social creatures. We all support one another."
"Some things can't be accomplished alone. I look forward to the day you fail."
Hearing Kageya Shinjitsu's words, Chabashira Sae stared hard at him, as if she'd just gone through some complicated mental gymnastics.
In the end, she left after saying those words.
"Click."
The door opened, then closed again, and Chabashira Sae disappeared.
Only Kageya Shinjitsu and Karuizawa Kei remained in the hospital room.
Before you continue