The Ice Queen and the Tyrant (3)
Asanagi Haruna.
She was the protagonist's childhood friend and a model student who had served as the class president for three consecutive years.
I had even briefly considered asking her to help me study, thinking that getting good grades would be the best way to make a good impression on the teacher.
But I quickly gave up on the idea, realizing that the risks of getting involved with her far outweighed any academic benefits.
In any case, it was a relief to have someone so well-respected by the class speak up on my behalf.
"It's obvious that both Amuro-kun and the teacher will be troubled by this, isn't it?"
Even though the rumor had already spread, shutting down the source still carried significant weight. Especially since it was something I couldn't do myself.
"So go apologize to Amuro-kun right now. And make sure you clear things up."
"O-okay..."
Wait, so Nagao Takuya was the one who started the rumor?
Considering his personality and the conversation between the two, it didn't seem intentional.
Besides, Nagao probably wasn't the only one talking. At least half the class had likely whispered about it to their friends in other classes.
Even though he was pushed into it by Asanagi, he was still the first to come and apologize, which technically made him the most decent of the bunch.
Not that I welcomed the apology, of course.
"Um..."
"I heard the gist of it."
"Huh?"
"You guys were talking so loudly, I couldn't help but hear. Anyway, it's fine, so just be careful in the future."
"Y-yeah... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"Go."
I shooed him away with a wave of my hand. Nagao retreated with a lingering, uneasy expression, looking as if he had no choice.
This was all for his own good. If we had some heartwarming reconciliation, it would undoubtedly spark another rumor.
Something like... Ah, let's erase that from my mind. I've been burned so many times that I was just imagining the absolute worst-case scenario.
In any case, while the current rumor wouldn't vanish completely, at least the chances of a new one forming were slim.
Asanagi had likely spoken loudly on purpose so the rest of the class would hear. If anyone spread rumors now, they'd be directly defying the class president.
As expected, social influence is far more effective than physical violence.
Feeling a bit relieved, I sat quietly in my seat as the final class before lunch began.
"Are you not sleeping today...?"
"Yes."
The math teacher asked me directly. It was a reaction born of genuine, harmless curiosity, but I didn't have the luxury to entertain it.
Teacher...
Was she feeling unwell? Maybe she was shocked after hearing the rumor.
But then again, it wasn't like I had done anything wrong, so it would be weird for me to go and apologize.
As I pondered how to naturally offer her some comfort, lunchtime arrived.
Whisper, whisper—
"Is that him?"
Buzz, buzz—
There was no way I could eat in the cafeteria.
The interest was explosive.
The rumor seemed to have transcended year groups and spread throughout the entire academy.
Since the cafeteria was a place where all grades gathered, the sheer volume of staring eyes was overwhelming. Just that alone made it too uncomfortable to eat properly.
In the end, I had no choice but to settle for the school store.
To be precise, it wasn't a school store, but a convenience store. A franchise convenience store you'd normally see on the streets had been placed right inside the academy.
While the quality couldn't compare to the cafeteria food, it was still enough to expect a satisfying meal.
"Hey, hey...! Get out of the way!"
It was like the parting of the Red Sea.
Compared to the vast, crowded cafeteria, the reactions of the students in the convenience store were starkly different. They seemed to feel threatened just by being within my vicinity.
Because they kept their distance, a clear perimeter formed around me in all directions.
Thanks to that, checking out was a breeze.
I had no intention of cutting the line, but it was better for everyone if I just paid quickly and got out of their hair.
With a chocolate cream bread in one hand and a strawberry cream bread in the other, I headed to the school rooftop.
Click— Creeeeak—
"As expected..."
The rooftop door in a rom-com is always unlocked.
Glance, glance.
And there's usually someone already hiding up here.
Nope, no one.
After a quick scan of the entire rooftop, I leaned against the railing and pulled out the chocolate cream bread.
Come to think of it, this was my very first meal of the day. I had skipped breakfast in anticipation of the prestigious academy's high-class cafeteria food.
It was a shame, but it couldn't be helped.
Still, the view was nice, which lifted my spirits.
It felt even better knowing this was the beautiful world I would live in from now on—a world where Ishihara Eri-sensei existed.
...
Should I save this for later?
The bread was tasty, but eating two in a row would be too sweet.
Since there were still over thirty minutes left of lunch, I decided to brainstorm a good excuse to talk to Ishihara-sensei. Just then—
Click— Creeeeak...
The sound of the rooftop door opening echoed.
I hadn't locked the door just in case, but I really should have.
Still, once they realized I was here, they'd probably head right back down. I shouldn't keep using my notorious reputation to my advantage like this, but it was just too convenient.
"Oh! Found ya!"
"Sigh..."
It looked like my quiet time was officially over.
"Hehe... I knew you'd be on the rooftop, Senpai!"
Tachibana Kaede. Just hearing a few words from her made me exhausted.
And she hadn't stumbled upon me by chance; she had actively sought me out.
"How did you..."
Asking how she knew would be pointless. She'd only give some silly, nonsensical answer anyway.
"You caused quite a stir again today, ya know?!"
"...That's how it turned out."
"But isn't this the first time it's a positive rumor?!"
While the content itself might have been positive, the fact that the teacher was dragged into it made this the most troublesome rumor of all.
"Pfft... Ahaha! Hahaha!"
"Is this funny to you?"
"A school-wide rumor about you listening to a teacher! This is seriously the best!"
To make matters worse, it seemed to have piqued Tachibana's interest. Can anything go right for once?
"Heh... So, is it true?"
"..."
I remained silent. But I quickly realized it would be better to just answer and get it over with. I didn't want her following me all the way home again today.
"I told you the reason yesterday."
"Hmm... Just a change of pace?"
I nodded instead of speaking.
No matter who asked in the future, I planned to neither confirm nor deny the rumors. Whatever I said, people would just interpret it in whatever way they found most entertaining anyway.
"Heh. Heh."
Look at her.
"You're blushing!"
Just as I thought, it was best not to get involved with her. But since I was here first, she should be the one to leave.
"Go away now."
"Whyyyy! There's still so much time left in lunch!"
Tachibana whined, grabbing my sleeve and shaking it.
The way she closed the distance so effortlessly felt incredibly natural. Because she was actually friendly toward me, she was even harder to deal with.
"Here."
"Oh! Strawberry cream bread!"
"Looks good, right?"
"Yep!"
"I'll give you this, so go."
"Ugh..."
Was this actually working?
Tachibana groaned, agonizing over the decision.
"Then we're meeting here again tomorrow at lunch!"
"Sure."
For now, I'd just agree to whatever she wanted.
"Promise?"
"I said yes. Here."
She eyed me suspiciously but took the strawberry cream bread anyway.
As she backed away toward the door, we repeated the same exchange: "Promise?" "I promise."
"Promise?"
Creeeeak—
...
"I promise."
Click.
Only after hearing my final confirmation did Tachibana fully close the door and leave.
Thanks to her, I only had twenty minutes left of my precious lunch break.
"Sigh..."
Now, I could finally enjoy some time alone.
Clack!
It wouldn't be strange for the rooftop door to be locked, so anyone else would probably just assume that was the case. I really should have locked it from the start.
Just as I turned around, determined to enjoy the remaining twenty minutes—
Rattle, rattle.
The sound of the doorknob turning echoed.
"Seriously..."
Why was she being so annoying when she already got the strawberry cream bread?
No, I knew why. It was just fun for her. It was my fault for piquing her curiosity in the first place.
I needed to draw a clear line once and for all.
Step.
Click!
"Hey, you..."
"..."
"Ah...?"
"...Why was the door locked?"
The person standing there when I opened the door wasn't Tachibana.
It wasn't any of the other heroines, nor the protagonist, nor some third-rate extra who treated the rooftop as their base.
"Ishihara-sensei..."
"The rooftop is strictly a public facility. More importantly, could you move aside?"
"Y-yes..."
As I stepped aside to make room, the teacher walked straight out. I thought she would pass right by me, but she paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
Click.
She locked the rooftop door. Then, she walked past me once more.
"..."
Why did she lock it after scolding me about it being a public facility?
Could she possibly feel the same way I do...? No, that was ridiculous.
She probably just thought it would be troublesome if anyone caught her on the rooftop with me. In that sense, it was surprising that she didn't kick me out.
At the same time, this was a massive opportunity for me.
Step, step.
I watched the teacher as the wind swept through her hair. She was beautiful. Combined with the scenery stretching out behind her, it painted a perfect picture.
"Teacher."
What should I say first? Because of Tachibana's interruption, I hadn't had time to think of anything.
No, even if I had prepared something, I would have forgotten it the moment I saw her.
As my mind went blank and I hesitated, carefully choosing my first words, the teacher spoke, catching me completely off guard.
"You were serious about what you said yesterday."
Ah...
"That is very commendable."
This woman.
She just proposed to me, didn't she?