Chapter 185: Where the Kids Play
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 185: Where the Kids Play
After Hindel told them it would be in their best interest to just take the settlement money and transfer schools, she grabbed my hand and led me out.
“...Papa, is there anything you want to eat?”
“Pork cutlet!”
I thought Hindel might have something to say, but she just took me to a high-end restaurant that hadn't even opened for the day and ordered a pork cutlet that wasn't even on the menu.
“I know you planned this for your friend, but it was a bit much.”
Hindel finally spoke up, sipping her wine just as dessert was being served after I’d finished the meal.
“Friend?”
“I am talking about Im Su-yeon.”
It seemed Hindel was under a massive delusion.
“No, she and I aren't friends.”
“...If you say so.”
It felt like this dragon brat wasn't listening to a word I said.
“She can't even study because she’s being bullied. That makes it an unfair match. I just put a stop to it. Besides, the idea of bullying happening in my school pissed me off, so I just gave them a lesson.”
“Right, let’s go with that.”
The Commie dragon started hearing only what she wanted to hear.
“Are you even listening to me?”
This lesbian dragon-head, who was probably busy thinking of ways to sleep with my mom, was only interested in her own narrative.
“I’m just grateful you aren't the one getting beaten up. I’ll explain things to Ame, so Papa, there’s no need to feel discouraged.”
“No, really, I’m fine. I was just worried for a second when I hit that kid because I didn't control my strength, but I felt relieved when they said it wasn't a big deal since Magitech covers medicine too.”
“Well done.”
This lizard was completely lost in her own world, totally ignoring me.
I actually was startled when blood started leaking from the kid's mouth after just one hit; I thought I’d really messed up. But then Lee Ji-yeon, who had seen my panicked face through the surveillance orbs I’d hidden, showed up and handled the situation.
When they said there was some internal rupturing, I thought it was a disaster, but seeing the other kids and Lee Ji-yeon act like it was no big deal made me feel like an idiot for worrying.
The sequence of events was simple: Lee Ji-yeon slung the collapsed brat over her shoulder and tossed her into the infirmary. The school nurse made a call, and shortly after, a doctor arrived, gave her some potions, and declared, "The organs aren't twisted, so she's OK!" That was the end of it.
Still, since the Sow was a cop, I figured there might be some trouble with our "pleasant relationship" if I got hauled in for assault, so I called Hindel.
Because Hindel vouched for me as my legal guardian, I was able to reach a "settlement" (?) with the other parent quite smoothly.
“By the way, that person who claims to be your teacher. Lee Ji-yeon.”
“I’m the one who asked for her help, so don't be too hard on her.”
“No, it’s not that. What exactly is her identity?”
The Dragon Lord was starting to show interest in my perverted homeroom teacher, Teacher Yang, who enjoyed getting her butt smacked.
“She’s just a normal teacher born into a normal family who became a teacher normally.”
“...I heard she’s a person of note running a night school class at Marika’s company, but her handling of the situation and her judgment were extraordinary.”
“I introduced you at the sports festival too.”
“Back then, I just thought she was an ordinary homeroom teacher.”
I had no idea what this lizard was getting at.
“She was at Mom’s promotion party, too.”
“Then, I thought she was just a reasonably competent person.”
“And now...?”
“Now, I think she is a highly competent person I’d like to take and put to use in various places.”
I really wanted to ask what had happened between her and Hindel while I wasn't looking. But it was polite for a male not to butt into women’s chatter, so I decided to put it out of my mind.
“I’ll use her well until I graduate, then you can have her, Hindel!”
“Hmm... Is that alright?”
“Yeah! I might still have uses for her even after I grow up, so make sure you use her well and give her back, okay?”
“Understood.”
Hindel nodded with a very satisfied expression.
***
“Class President, looks like you haven't been studying lately?”
The gap between my grades and Im Su-yeon’s, which used to be neck-and-neck, had widened significantly. Still, I was higher than Alma Berriman and the Vice Squad Leader, placing me 2nd in the entire school.
“There’s barely any difference between our scores now, is there~?”
The grey-haired brat was starting to get cocky. I couldn't help it. Even though Lee Ji-yeon was right there, I stood up at the teacher’s podium. As soon as I stood up, the homeroom teacher naturally went and sat in my seat.
“Hey guys, should we start bullying the Vice Squad Leader from today?”
“Ack! Ack! Ack! Class President, I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
The Vice Squad Leader ran to the front and started begging for mercy. Lee Ji-yeon raised her hand.
“Yes, Teacher, you have the floor.”
“The Vice Squad Leader is the one pulling up our class average. If her grades drop because of bullying, my bonus will get cut!”
“Hmm... that is a serious issue.”
Alma, being quick on the uptake, ran over to Lee Ji-yeon and started wagging her tail.
“I’ll start a study group! I’ll take the bottom six kids in the class and beat them like dogs until they study!”
“Hmm... if those kids can at least hit the average... my next bonus will be guaranteed.”
Lee Ji-yeon finished her calculations quickly and raised her hand again.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I think it’s fine to bully her until the start of next semester, then we can stop once school reopens!”
“Teacher!!!”
Alma’s green eyes widened so much they became sanpaku eyes.
“Hmm... then let’s put it to a vote. Whether to bully the Vice Squad Leader or not. We’ll do an anonymous ballot. Oh, and if the Vice Squad Leader doesn't get bullied, the six kids with the lowest grades have to be dragged around and study all through summer break, okay?”
With that, I secured six absolute votes in favor of bullying the Vice Squad Leader.
“Now, let the voting begin.”
Alma Berriman’s green eyes trembled incessantly.
“Out of a total of 32 people, with 32 votes against... I declare the motion to bully the Vice Squad Leader dismissed.”
“C-Class President...!”
Alma looked at me with a moved expression. I’d only teased her a bit because she kept bringing up Im Su-yeon and being annoying; I never actually intended to bully her.
“Don't be moved by me. Talk to the rest of the class.”
“It’s because you put in your 'Against' vote with your name on it first... so the others followed suit!”
After the voting ended, I had written my name and voted against it last, but then a few kids suddenly used flash magic and incinerated the ballot box.
I knew exactly which cheeky punks had flash-banged me, but since it was clear they just wanted a smooth school life, I decided to play dumb.
“It looks like there were a few who voted 'For,' but don't go around hitting people trying to find out who. Act with more grace and leadership so you can embrace even those kids. Got it?”
“Yeah... I got it... I’ll start by half-killing the kids in the study group first.... Sniff....”
The Vice Squad Leader sniffled while accurately guessing the number of people I’d kept secret. Well, there were a few more than that, but since the majority voted against the bullying, it seemed the Vice Squad Leader handled the kids better than I thought.
“Wait, aren't there 31 people in our class?”
“If you include the teacher, it’s 32!”
Lee Ji-yeon said proudly. The face of the student in the back who had raised the question turned pale with confusion.
“The teacher is also a member of this class! A member! A member dedicated to protecting our precious Vice Squad Leader!”
“Teacher...!”
The Vice Squad Leader threw herself into Lee Ji-yeon’s arms and wailed. Lee Ji-yeon gently stroked the Vice Squad Leader’s head as she soaked her shirt with tears.
“Because your teacher won't forgive things like bullying in our class! It’s hard for everyone to get along, but there’s no experience more valuable than making friends~!”
“Waaaaah, Teacher, I’m sorry! I thought you were just the Class President’s henchman!”
The Vice Squad Leader cried sorrowfully. This kind of melodrama wasn't my style, so I had to move the class discussion along.
“The Summer Sports Festival before break—special training starts tomorrow. Anyone who has academy schedules or other plans, raise your hand.”
Only the sound of the Vice Squad Leader’s sobbing and Lee Ji-yeon’s comforting voice echoed in the classroom.
“You can be honest. If you have a special reason, I’ll let you off. I’m not that strict of a Class President.”
After I coaxed them a few times, one person raised their hand.
“Good. Regarding the next bullying motion... what, didn't you have a schedule?”
“No! No! I just! I really, really want to do it! I raised my hand because I want to work hard!”
One brat desperately denied it, mentioning her diligence and physical education grades, swearing she would give it her all.
“Fine. From today until the end of the Summer Sports Festival, you are the Athletic Chair.”
I was the Class President, the Math Chair, the Science Chair, the Lab Chair, the Environment Chair, the Blackboard Chair, the Desk Chair, the Service Chair, the Arts Chair, the Lunch Chair, and the Athletic Chair...
But role distribution was essential for such important matters, so I had no choice but to temporarily delegate the position of Athletic Chair to the brat who shouted her commitment.
“Class President!”
Lee Ji-yeon raised her hand.
“Yes, do you have a suggestion?”
“There’s a fitness center where I do volunteer work. I think we can do various types of training there!”
Knowing Lee Ji-yeon—that quick-witted, profit-driven lunatic—the only place she’d "volunteer" at was the gym where the thugs from Marika’s company worked out.
“...Is it okay to take the kids to a place like that?”
“They said they’ll be busy for a while, so almost no one will be coming in to work out. I already got permission, so it’s perfect!”
I hesitated, thinking my classmates might grow up to be social parasites like hired thugs, but then I remembered it wasn't my life.
“Fine. Make it happen.”
“Everyone! Now, instead of just mindlessly getting hit and dodging, you can get professional and systematic exercise! And you won't have to get hit just because the Class President is in a bad mood!”
"Teacher!!!" "Our Savior!!!" "Teacher Ji-yeon!!!" "Teacher!!!"
The kids rushed to the homeroom teacher, crying and thanking her. Anyone watching would think I’d been beating them up for failing to dodge a ball.
“Just trust your teacher! If you do as I say, you can live without getting hit!”
The kids nodded as if enchanted by Lee Ji-yeon’s nonsense. I seriously wanted to ask that woman if she just wanted an excuse to hang out and play with the kids.