Mamaki's Chabashira

"Hmph."

"I want to know your next move."

He let out a cold snort.

Chabashira seemed completely unconcerned about their current predicament, even deliberately puffing out her chest.

Woman, you're playing with fire...

Suzuki Tsubame wasn't the type to keep his hands to himself, and immediately extended his wicked right hand.

"Mm-hmm~"

Chabashira bit her lower lip hard, her whole body shuddering.

But she didn't push him away.

Since Chabashira was being so generous, Suzuki Tsubame naturally wouldn't hold back.

In truth, Suzuki Tsubame had harbored a dream since childhood of becoming a doctor.

Seeing those people command their domain with precision and decisiveness always struck him as incredibly cool.

And what interested him most was undoubtedly the field of mammology.

After all... that place was the conduit of bloodlines, the spark of civilization, the origin of countless new lives.

Suzuki Tsubame felt he ought to give Chabashira a thorough examination of her body's most prominent issues.

Because her problem there was bigger than others'—he could tell at a single glance.

And you know what... Chabashira might have a foul mouth, but her figure was no fraud.

Chabashira's ears flushed red to the roots, her face as crimson as a ripe tomato.

Yet she still clenched her silver teeth and endured, like a housewife terrified her husband might lose his job.

"Chabashira-sensei, why is there a lump here?"

"Are you done playing around?"

Her tone was icy, and she shot him a glare as if looking at garbage.

What did she mean, "done playing around"?

Suzuki Tsubame was checking her for symptoms—she really didn't appreciate a good deed.

And he'd only just touched the lump; he hadn't even pinpointed its location yet.

If he stopped now, all that prior examination would go to waste, wouldn't it?

"Chabashira-sensei, if all you want is to rise to Class A, there's really no need to go through so much trouble."

"How so?"

Sure enough, the moment Suzuki Tsubame mentioned moving up to Class A, Chabashira held back again.

"Katsuragi of Class A—his mind is exceptionally meticulous, and he's good at managing the class."

"But... he's too conservative in his ways and lacks drive; he's hardly a concern."

"Sakayanagi of Class A, though she's the Chairman's daughter and skilled in the art of controlling people with exceptional intelligence..."

"She's far too arrogant. With just a small trick, I can easily break her spirit."

"What's more... those two are already at each other's throats over who gets to lead the class."

Suzuki Tsubame made it clear: the two in Class A were no threat at all.

The break room was thick with an intimate atmosphere, since both of them were at an age of fire and tinder.

(Chabashira is 13 years older than Ayanokoji; if Ayanokoji entered school at 15, she's now 28.)

Chabashira's eyes were already brimming with spring water, a warm scent of hormones mixed with sweat rising from her body.

"Haah~"

Caught up in listening, she barely suppressed her own voice.

"Th-then what about the other two classes?"

"Mm~"

She grabbed hold of that mischievous hand, refusing to let him have his way any longer.

Suzuki Tsubame's expression showed a hint of regret.

"Well, the other two classes aren't worth worrying about either."

He said casually:

"Ichinose of Class B lives entirely in a utopia where everyone's best friends."

"No one even needs to lift a finger—given enough time, her class will collapse on its own."

In Class B, aside from Himeno Yuki, everyone pinned their hopes on Ichinose alone.

But they forgot that Ichinose is human, not a god.

Ichinose was just a little girl, just like them.

"And Class C?"

Chabashira's expression was eager—she had been waiting far too long for this moment.

It had been six full years since she returned to Advanced Nurturing, and this was her seventh year.

Her entire youth had been spent here, all for the sake of rising to Class A!

"Chabashira-sensei, aren't you being a bit too impatient?"

Suzuki Tsubame casually walked past Chabashira and plopped down in the very seat she had just vacated.

Class C was his true trump card.

Chabashira wanted to reap the rewards without giving anything in return—that was clearly impossible.

"Suzuki! What do you mean by that?"

Chabashira's tone was urgent; she couldn't wait any longer!

"Don't forget, we're in the same boat!"

Suzuki Tsubame spread his hands, his expression calm.

"We are in the same boat, that's true."

"But Chabashira-sensei wanting to pick the fruit without putting in any effort—doesn't that seem a bit off?"

Looking at the young man before her, who showed no sign of panic, Chabashira found herself at a loss.

"Aren't you afraid... that I'll call the police right now and report you for assaulting me?"

"Your hand just went inside!"

Chabashira made one last desperate attempt.

Threats... this trick worked well on ordinary people.

In fact, as long as information didn't leak, even Ayanokoji would fall for it.

Unfortunately, it was useless against Suzuki Tsubame.

Staring at Chabashira, Suzuki Tsubame spoke slowly, word by word:

"Chabashira-sensei, I hear you've been at Advanced Nurturing for six years now."

"How many six-year periods does a person have in their life?"

Chabashira's expression dimmed.

That's right... I'm already twenty-eight. How many more six-year periods do I have?

Although she had discovered Ayanokoji, another point-controller, at the beginning of the month, she hadn't yet confirmed his abilities.

If she gave up on Suzuki Tsubame... how much longer would she have to endure? Chabashira asked herself, but she couldn't be sure.

"Chabashira-sensei, I'm really fired up right now!"

It had long been impatient, straining to lift its head and see the world.

Chabashira tightly shut her eyes, clenched her teeth, and struggled through her inner conflict.

Forget it! Just treat it like feeding a dog.

Her once-proud head silently lowered, and her jade-like hands each found their proper place.

How I envy the gods... able to swallow clouds and exhale mist.

...Ten thousand words omitted.

What meaning is there in all the conflicts of the world? It's just you winning one round, me winning the next.

No matter how white the snow, there will always come a moment when it's tainted. Why overthink it? Be kinder to yourself, be more forgiving to yourself, let yourself live a little more freely.

Everything will eventually get better.

"Cough... cough!"

She quickly raised her hand to cover the wound, preventing the infection from spreading.

Chabashira's eyes were now dim, her face ashen, like a doll abandoned by its owner.

"Chabashira-sensei! What are you doing?"

Suzuki Tsubame's face showed surprise; he hadn't expected Chabashira to be so ruthless.

Hearing Suzuki Tsubame's words, Chabashira shot him a cold glare.

If she weren't worried about the smell...

In any case... if Suzuki Tsubame dared to hold back this time, she would make sure he paid for it!

"About Class C..."

Chabashira's voice was hoarse.

She really went all out... so dedicated.

Suzuki Tsubame scratched his head awkwardly. Now that things had come to this, he suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

"Well... oh right, Class C's Ryuen Kakeru. Their scheme looks flawless on the surface, but it's actually riddled with holes."

But thinking that Chabashira was practically his woman now, he decided not to hold anything back.

"I've already gathered evidence of their class brawl."

"If I report it, at least half of their class will end up expelled."

Suzuki Tsubame's tone was unusually certain.

The source of Class C's chaos was Ryuen Kakeru himself.

The surveillance cameras had him locked down. Aside from a few who didn't participate in the fight, almost all the boys in Class C were accomplices.

"Is everything you're saying true?"

Chabashira couldn't hide her surprise and delight. Her earlier displeasure vanished instantly.

Overcome with excitement, she practically threw herself into Suzuki Tsubame's arms.

"Uh... hey, Chabashira-sensei, don't get so close."

Suzuki Tsubame quickly leaned his head back. They'd just done that, so why get this close now? Honestly.

"You!"

Chabashira's face flushed with shame and anger. This was all your fault!