The two headed to the theater together, feeling shy.
They chose a theater showing a mythological story and went inside. It was enormous.
A familiar figure sat in the front row.
Class D's homeroom teacher, Sae Chabashira.
Yi Chen had planned to leave, but Ichinose wanted to see the play.
As luck would have it, Ichinose and Chabashira-sensei got along fairly well.
Ichinose led Yi Chen to the seats beside Chabashira.
Ichinose smiled at Chabashira-sensei.
"Chabashira-sensei, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Chabashira looked at Ichinose and Yi Chen.
Her gaze settled on Angela Yi Chen, who was behind Ichinose.
Chabashira replied coolly:
"Hello, Ichinose. And Angela Yi Chen."
Yi Chen awkwardly greeted her.
"Hello, Chabashira-sensei."
Just then, the lights dimmed, and the performance was about to begin.
Smoke drifted up over the stage as the actors appeared in ornate, old-fashioned costumes.
The three of them sat quietly and watched.
The story seemed to be about freedom.
At the mention of freedom, Yi Chen's thoughts wandered.
"Before, I lived by myself."
"Did that count as freedom?"
"It did, in other people's eyes."
"But only Yi Chen knew how much it took to live alone."
"With enough material comforts, you could be physically free."
"But mentally, you would always feel empty."
"Just like this Guxina story, freedom is difficult to attain."
As he watched, Yi Chen kept feeling that Chabashira-sensei was glancing over at him from time to time.
As if she wanted to eat him alive.
Ichinose, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying the play. She looked at Yi Chen warmly and asked if he liked it.
Before long, the play reached its conclusion.
The man who had chosen freedom and ignored the warnings died.
After the story ended, Ichinose looked at Chabashira.
"Chabashira-sensei, the play's over. Would you like to leave together?"
Chabashira replied coolly:
"No, thank you, Ichinose."
Chabashira checked her watch and realized it was getting late.
She asked in a cold voice:
"Do you two have anything else to do, Ichinose?"
Ichinose smiled.
"No, Chabashira-sensei. Is there something you need?"
Chabashira looked at Ichinose.
"Since you don't have anything to do, Ichinose, I'd like to talk to Angela Yi Chen."
Ichinose glanced at Yi Chen.
He looked awkwardly at the two of them.
Ichinose said softly:
"Then I'll see you tomorrow, Yi Chen. I'm going to head back."
Ichinose waved goodbye to the two of them.
After Ichinose had gone some distance away,
Chabashira quietly lit a cigarette.
Then she took one out and offered it to Yi Chen, asking if he wanted to smoke.
Yi Chen didn't smoke, so he declined.
Chabashira's expression remained impassive.
"Don't be nervous. I just want to ask you a few things."
Yi Chen stayed seated. He was a little tired today.
Chabashira didn't comment.
Chabashira began:
"Yi Chen? I'll call you that."
"Do you want to move up to Class A?"
Yi Chen answered nonchalantly:
"I don't know. To be honest, I haven't decided yet."
Chabashira broke into a rare smile.
"Sounds like you're pretty confident you can make it to Class A."
Yi Chen hurriedly straightened up and looked awkwardly at Chabashira.
"No, that's not it. I just said it without thinking. I haven't decided."
Chabashira took a drag on her cigarette and slowly exhaled.
She said coolly:
"You haven't decided because of Ichinose, right?"
"You seem to care about her."
Yi Chen was surprised.
As expected of a teacher at Advanced Nurturing High School. She can even see that.
That's right. Ichinose is incredibly capable as an individual, but she'll still end up being pushed down to Class D later on.
If Class D moves up to Class A, then, going by the likely course of events, Ichinose will still fall to Class D.
Seeing Yi Chen remain silent, Chabashira spoke up.
"You're worried you can't guarantee the future of Class Ichinose, aren't you?"
"Let's make a deal."
"Angela Yi Chen."
Yi Chen looked at Chabashira in shock, though he didn't let it show on his face.
He replied calmly:
"Go ahead, Chabashira-sensei."
Chabashira took a drag on her cigarette and tapped off the ash.
Chabashira said:
"Help Class D move up to Class A. What do you say?"
Yi Chen replied calmly:
"Chabashira-sensei, why do you think I can help Class D move up to Class A?"
Chabashira took another drag on her cigarette.
"Based on what you've shown so far, I think you've wanted to move up to Class A from the very beginning."
"But after meeting Ichinose, you started having second thoughts. Isn't that right?"
Yi Chen listened quietly.
Chabashira continued:
"You know that with Ichinose's abilities, it'll be difficult for her to keep Class B afloat in the coming semesters, don't you?"
"Defective product."
"Angela Yi Chen."
"You're very capable. You've handled everything that's happened so far with ease."
"Judging by the academic ability the school assessed you as having,"
"your performance since the start of the school year has far exceeded the school's evaluation."
"Angela Yi Chen, what exactly are you after?"
Yi Chen grumbled inwardly:
You damn Angel, look at the mess you've made. You gave me such terrible stats to start with.
How am I supposed to respond to what she's saying now?
Looking at Yi Chen's silence, Chabashira continued:
"Never mind. Everyone has their own secrets."
"I don't know you, but I hope you'll consider Class D."
"Or consider yourself."
Yi Chen thought it over, then slowly asked:
"What do I get in return?"
Chabashira's gaze was resolute.
"If you give it your all to help Class D move up to Class A, I'll do everything I can to stop Class B from being demoted."
Yi Chen's gaze was cool.
"Chabashira-sensei, can you really do that?"
Chabashira stubbed out her still-burning cigarette with her fingers.
She looked at Yi Chen with a sneer.
"Don't worry. I've worked at this school for many years."
"I believe in your abilities. Can you believe in mine?"
"Angela Yi Chen, do you think we'll succeed?"
Yi Chen replied coldly:
"Is that all? Never mind. I did intend to move up to Class A."
"But if it still looks like Class B will be demoted, I'll probably take action."
"Chabashira-sensei."
Chabashira smiled darkly.
"Angela Yi Chen."
"Show me what you can do when you give it your all."
"I'll keep an eye on Class B for you."
At that, Yi Chen stood up and slowly left the theater.
Inside the theater, Chabashira lit another cigarette and began to puff away.
Chabashira sighed.
"Students these days are a lot more impressive than the ones in previous years."
"They can keep a straight face even in front of a teacher."
"They really don't show their elders any respect."
Chabashira rubbed her forehead.
"Prevent Class B from being demoted? How could that be possible?"
"What influence could a homeroom teacher have on the exams ahead?"
"Still, Angela Yi Chen's abilities so far..."
"And Ayanokoji."
"I've already wagered everything I have."
"I'm going to move up to a higher class."
"Once I make it to Class A, even if I haven't fulfilled my promise..."
"These two?"
"More precisely, Angela Yi Chen alone."
"Angela Yi Chen."
"What are you going to do?"
"You're so confident you can take on Class D by yourself when the time comes?"
"Let's see what you can do."
"The White Room's genius versus an unknown genius."
"Heh."
Before you continue