Classroom of the Mediocre Supremacist

The supporters of Hirata who had been shouting themselves hoarse just now: "..."

Then what was our speech just now supposed to mean?

"It's just that, Hirata, the meaning a person wants to express is often influenced by various external factors, and in the end, it can even become completely different from the original intention."

"This time, I'm willing to believe you. But if it were someone else who didn't know you well, the accusation just now would become fact—because it does fit factual judgment. Would you rather have them believe your credibility, or your [one-sided story], or would you have them believe the facts they saw?"

Hirata Yousuke: "..."

Hoshino En's argument was sound; he had nothing to say, but he wouldn't thank the classmate who had actively tried to help him either.

"Anyway, in the future, find some reliable people to accompany you in your canvassing. No matter how good your relationship is, if their abilities don't match up, in the end it'll just be [good intentions leading to bad outcomes], won't it?"

Hearing this, the other classmates understood—so it was because of that girl that Hoshino had misunderstood Hirata!

Hirata Yousuke's reputation in Class D was unquestionable, and Hoshino En had just been exposed this morning for securing benefits for the class. Though meager, something was better than nothing, so most people were still grateful to him.

And now, they had almost been misled into conflict by one person's arbitrary statement—this was undoubtedly infuriating to most.

So, a new round of verbal attacks began, this time targeting the nameless girl.

Although Hirata Yousuke's persuasion kept anyone from openly saying anything to her, the seed had been planted; her isolation and hostility were a foregone conclusion.

But none of this had anything to do with Hoshino En. Taking advantage of the time before afternoon classes, he simply lay down and slept.

First Semester of First Year

Chapter 57 - Chapter 053: Feuds Between Teachers, Today Is Really Just Speculation

Afternoon classes ended quickly.

Afterwards, following the plan prepared at noon, Hirata Yousuke commandeered the podium and began discussing with his classmates the issues of [how to deal with the midterms] and [how to obtain personal points].

Nearly thirty seats in the forty-person classroom were filled with classmates—his influence was clear... but that couldn't affect Hoshino En's determination to refuse participation.

However, no sooner had he left the classroom and not yet exited the school building than a broadcast came through the speakers.

"Ayanokouji-kun and Hoshino-kun of Class D, your homeroom teacher Chabashira-sensei wants to see you. Please come to the faculty office."

Was that woman trying to abuse her authority for personal revenge?

Despite his extreme reluctance, Hoshino En sent a message to the swim club requesting leave, then headed toward the faculty office on the top floor.

Hopefully it wasn't anything troublesome, and he could still make it in time for his lesson with Karuizawa.

By the time he arrived, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was already waiting at the door, but he didn't look like he'd already been lectured; rather, he seemed hesitant to enter.

"What's wrong? Why not go in?"

"Um... being called to the office by the teacher—did we do something we shouldn't have? I've been thinking but can't figure it out."

Kiyotaka's face wore an innocent expression; being singled out by the teacher seemed like a big blow to someone who usually kept his head down.

"Maybe it's just her time of the month, and she grabbed two punching bags to vent. Don't stress about it."

Hoshino En pushed open the office door, bragging as he did so.

"I'm telling you, not to toot my own horn, but I've been called in by way scarier people before. A homeroom teacher? Easy peasy~"

Pushing the door open, they could see the full layout of the faculty office, but Chabashira Sae was nowhere to be seen.

To be precise, aside from a narcissistic teacher admiring herself in a mirror, there was no other teacher present.

That woman... called them over and then wasn't even here herself?

Bad review! She was definitely getting a bad review in the teacher evaluation system!

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, is Chabashira-sensei here?"

Hoshino En asked the female teacher who seemed to be preening but was actually observing them through the double reflection of a small mirror and a desktop mirror.

Hoshinomiya Chie, homeroom teacher of Class B and the woman who ruled the infirmary—Hoshino En had met her when he took Karuizawa Kei there after she pulled a leg muscle during morning practice.

She looked like an airhead, but there was an indescribable scent of a schemer about her. To Hoshino En, she felt less like Shiina Hiyori and more like Kushida Kikyou.

After learning he was a Class D student, she began subtle, ambiguous probing without revealing anything about herself. She was probably a skilled player, and there might be some conflict between her and Chabashira Sae.

"Huh? Little Sae? She was right there until just now!"

Well, with such an intimate form of address, her relationship with Chabashira Sae seemed even more complicated—not just simple conflict. Their surface relationship was probably quite good.

Were they former close friends who became enemies over something?

But last time she was so tight-lipped about her own affairs—why was she revealing this information now?

"Eh? The one behind you... he's the other student called by Little Sae, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, right?"

At this, Hoshinomiya Chie turned her curious gaze to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka behind Hoshino En.

Was she interested in Kiyotaka?

Hoshino En's first reaction was that this schemer had set her sights on his charge, and he instinctively wanted to give her a sharp elbow.

But before making the elbow strike, he held back his impulse and forcibly calmed himself down.

No, no—if we're just looking at it from the angle of [being called over by Chabashira Sae], his and Kiyotaka's priority should be equal. She wouldn't be interested only in Kiyotaka... That means when he first met her, his importance hadn't reached the level where she'd share this information—but now, because Chabashira Sae was giving them special treatment, she thought she could sacrifice some information to get closer to them.

Yes, that had to be it.

Allowing Hoshinomiya Chie to [visually grope] Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Hoshino En gradually sorted out his thoughts.

Fixating on the person Chabashira Sae valued, and connecting that to this school's class competition system, he could deduce—she didn't want Class D to advance.

Or rather, she didn't want Chabashira Sae to have it easy!

Close enough to call Chabashira Sae by her first name, yet hating her so thoroughly... What earth-shattering thing did Chabashira do to twist their relationship like this?

It couldn't be that she stole Hoshinomiya Chie's man, could it?

On the other side, facing the [teacher's] scrutiny, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka cowered and hid behind Hoshino En, nodding timidly without speaking.

It seemed he was currently trying hard to play the role of an ordinary student [afraid of the teacher].

But buddy, you're overacting! At a time like this, [lowering your gaze slightly and nodding a little] would be enough—why are you hiding behind me? Why are you standing so close? People will get the wrong idea!!

"Oh my~ Are you two close?"

Sure enough, the moment she saw this, Hoshinomiya Chie immediately struck a gossipy pose, her gaze darting excitedly between them.

"This kid seems a bit more handsome than Hoshino-kun, doesn't he? Which one of you is the seme? Which one's the uke?"

"Is it the classic cool seme and fragile uke, or the contrasting cool uke and fragile seme?"

Hoshino En & Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: "..."

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, while I'm sure the truth isn't what you're imagining, allow me to ask one thing—"

Although he knew this was likely her way of controlling the conversation's rhythm, and he really, really, really wanted to say he wasn't gay, Hoshino En found a more important issue.

"That [fragile] you mentioned—are you referring to me?"

He pointed at himself, his face full of disbelief.

This was something he'd never expected. He, a proud man standing seven feet tall, eating plenty every day and training plenty too—not exactly a muscle-bound brute, but how could he be associated with the word [fragile]?

"Huh? Hoshino-kun, are you really that unaware of yourself?"

Hoshinomiya Chie was also a bit surprised.

"You're clearly so cute, and you don't even know it yourself??"

"Then you've probably never had a girlfriend, and you're still a virgin, right?"

She seemed even more excited.

Hoshino En: "..."

What are you planning?

No, he couldn't let himself be dragged into her rhythm. He had to counterattack.

"Compared to me and Kiyotaka's relationship, I think Hoshinomiya-sensei's relationship with Chabashira-sensei is far more interesting."

"Oh my~ Sae-chan and I have been close friends since high school. There's nothing particularly special about it!"

High school? Close friends?

These two words immediately made Hoshino En think of Kushida Kikyo, who had said she wanted to become [bosom friends] with everyone, i.e., [close friends].

Kushida Kikyo was a student at Kodo Ikusei, and this government-backed school operated completely differently from others—naturally, its teachers were the same.

He couldn't be completely sure; it was just a flash of insight. But Hoshino En suddenly had a feeling—could Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira Sae have once been students at this school? And in the same class, otherwise it would be hard to become [close friends].

Same class meant their evaluations were probably similar. So why was Hoshinomiya Chie in Class B, while Chabashira Sae was thrown into Class D? Was it because Chabashira had made a major mistake in the past, causing the school to lower her evaluation?

That probably wasn't a personal issue like [stealing a man], but something more serious—something involving a major incident, like something related to a [special exam].

Tch, these were still assumptions based on guesses, not yet...

"Hey—!! Hoshino-kun, that's incredibly rude!!"

Hoshinomiya Chie's voice suddenly rang out right next to Hoshino En's ear, the ultra-close buzzing making his thinking head ring and dizzy.

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, what are you doing?!"

He turned to look at Hoshinomiya Chie, only to see her with a [I'm not wrong] expression, arms crossed, head tilted to one side, chin slightly raised, eyes closed, her shoulder-length hair facing Hoshino En—a perfect classic [tsundere angry pose].

Faced with this scene, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka clearly hadn't seen it before. He looked at Hoshino En, hoping his [all-powerful] friend could enlighten him.

However, Hoshino En had a [can't bear to look] expression.

Come on, lady, how old are you? Still acting cute like a little girl?

Hoshino En had seen cute and adorable people before, but someone who could act cute so awkwardly—he'd only ever met one so far: Hoshinomiya Chie.

Although her appearance was flawless, and if she changed into Ichinose Honami's clothes she could even pass for a high schooler, the adult air of carefree, murky, and go-with-the-flow about her was too strong. At first glance it seemed fine, but on closer inspection it was seriously cringeworthy.

"Hmph~ It's all because of Hoshino-kun, I... ow, that hurts!"

However, her malicious act of cuteness was cut short, because Chabashira Sae had arrived.

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 58: Chapter 054 Do Young People These Days Play That Wildly?

"Chie, what are you doing?"

Chabashira Sae, who had appeared in the office at some point, slammed the clipboard in her hand hard onto the head of the still [tsundere] Hoshinomiya Chie. The latter, who had been maliciously acting cute moments before, immediately crouched down, covering her head in defense.

"Ow! That hurts, Sae-chan! What are you doing~"

She silently lifted her head, gazing up at Chabashira Sae with eyes that seemed on the verge of overflowing with tears.

"It's because you're clinging to my students."

"It's because you're so mean, Sae-chan! You called them here and then weren't around yourself... I was just helping you entertain them a bit!"

"They don't need your concern. You two, this isn't the place to talk. Follow me to the Counseling Room."

Chabashira Sae brushed off Hoshinomiya Chie's explanation while speaking to the two of them.

Then why didn't you just have us wait outside the Counseling Room from the start? Why did you have to make us run into Hoshinomiya Chie!!

Hoshino En grumbled inwardly.

And isn't this clearly you settling a personal grudge? I just gave you a little lip in class, didn't I? And you started it!

"Chabashira-sensei, when you say Counseling Room... I think En and I have been living a fairly low-key and fulfilling campus life. We haven't done anything that would get us into trouble."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka tried to offer a few words of defense, but the only reply he received was the cold response: [Don't talk back. Follow me.]

Does this teacher have any professional ethics or not?

Hoshino En and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had no choice but to follow.

Seeing them move, Hoshinomiya Chie, who had been putting on an act on the ground, quickly scrambled to her feet and silently trailed after them.

"Don't follow me."

But her movement didn't seem to escape Chabashira Sae's anticipation. Before they had gone far, Chabashira Sae suddenly turned her head and said.

"Don't be so cold~ It's not like you're the type to give individual guidance, Sae-chan. Let me listen in, won't you?"

Hoshinomiya Chie rested both hands on the shoulders of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was walking behind Hoshino En. The smile on her face was very gentle, but there was no trace of laughter in her slightly opened eyes.

"And I was thinking, Sae-chan... calling Hoshino-kun and Ayanokoji-kun to the Counseling Room... could it be that you have some kind of ulterior motive?"

"Sae-chan, you wouldn't be thinking of overstepping your bounds, would you?"