Cough, cough!
Of course, the bit about watching the show was only a joke. No matter how one looked at it, Sogo Doma couldn't possibly be such a terrible person, right? Probably...
Well, none of that was important anyway, because—
"Ms. Takahashi!" Just as Shizuka Hiratsuka was considering whether she should probe what someone meant by "watching the show," a new development arose on little Rumi's side—
Just as little Rumi was bitterly regretting what she had said, the tomboy who had just been flattering the teacher stepped forward again. "Could we wait a little before heading to the next activity site?"
"Eh?" Ms. Takahashi paused at that. "Takeda, could you tell me why?"
"Because Mr. Tsurumi..."
"Not Mr. Tsurumi—it's Rumi Tsurumi!" Who knew what little Rumi had gone through lately? "Takeda, what do you mean, because of me—"
However, before she could finish, Ms. Takahashi said, "Uh, I understand. Tsurumi needs to calm down..."
"Not Tsurumi—it's Mr. Tsurumi!" Once again, the tomboy Takeda interrupted before Ms. Takahashi could finish.
"Not Mr. Tsurumi—it's Rumi Tsurumi!" Though no one knew what little Rumi had experienced, judging from her appearance, it clearly hadn't been pleasant. "Ms. Takahashi, I'm very calm..."
"Wait a minute!" Again, before she could finish, the tomboy Takeda said, "What nonsense is Ms. Takahashi talking about? When was Mr. Tsurumi not calm?"
Hearing that, everyone from Sobu High couldn't help glancing once more at the little girl clutching her head and yanking at her hair. Then, they collectively fell into baffled, inexplicable silence. "???"
This was what she called calm?
"Then why—"
"The reason I asked Ms. Takahashi to wait a little longer..." The tomboy Takeda took over again. "...is because Mr. Tsurumi is currently guiding a boy who has lost his way in life."
Ms. Takahashi: "..."
Could