"Chabashira-sensei, what did you and Ryouma discuss just now? Of course, you don't have to tell me anything personal."
"However, as a member of Class D, I believe I deserve access to information I should be aware of. Teachers should also treat every student equally."
Standing before Sae Chabashira, Suzune Horikita went straight to the point.
Even when addressing a teacher, her imposing demeanor remained unchanged.
Rather than asking a question, she sounded as though she were interrogating someone.
Chabashira found the situation rather amusing.
Right from the beginning, Horikita had excluded personal matters from the discussion.
At the same time, she'd invoked a teacher's responsibilities to pressure Chabashira into answering.
'She's certainly capable.'
'But that's about it.'
Teachers couldn't refuse to answer questions that fell within the school's rules.
However, the fact that Sae Chabashira had successfully graduated from this school was proof enough that she wasn't incompetent.
She lit a cigarette and took a leisurely puff.
After carefully examining Horikita, she spoke in a somewhat cold voice.
"Horikita, shouldn't you first learn to solve problems on your own when you encounter them?"
"That's... correct."
Faced with Chabashira's perfectly reasonable argument, Horikita clenched her fists, unable to formulate a response.
She knew for certain that Ryouma had discussed the school's rules with Chabashira.
But where was she supposed to begin?
She had absolutely no idea.
Watching Horikita struggle, Chabashira couldn't help feeling somewhat disappointed.
"I've already told all of you everything you need to know regarding the available information. Whether you can recognize its significance depends entirely on your abilities."
"Now then, the opening ceremony is about to begin. You should head back."
"Of course, if you have a more specific question, I'll gladly answer it."
Hearing those words, Horikita pressed her lips together in frustration.
'Is she implying that I'm not capable enough?'
However, even if she wanted to ask a specific question, she couldn't think of one.
Besides, solving her own problems was exactly what she should be doing.
Just like her older brother.
Someone who could handle every problem independently. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
'That's how a truly strong person should behave.'
"Underst—"
"Ah! Sae-chan! You actually abandoned me to go on a secret date with someone else! How mean~!"
Before Horikita could finish speaking, the door to the teachers' office was suddenly flung open.
A woman with long, chestnut-brown hair came strolling inside.
She casually waved a clipboard in her hand, her cheeks puffed out in an exaggerated pout.
Even when she was supposedly angry, she looked rather adorable.
"Chie Hoshinomiya."
Chabashira helplessly rubbed her forehead.
Dealing with this close friend of hers, who also happened to be her lifelong rival, was always a headache.
Noticing Horikita standing nearby, Chie casually tossed her clipboard aside.
She placed both hands on Horikita's shoulders and leaned close to her face, her expression lighting up with delight.
"Ahhh! What an adorable girl! You're seriously super cute~! What's your name?"
"Horikita... Suzune."
Overwhelmed by an inexplicable pressure, Horikita stammered out her name.
This was the first time someone had casually gotten so close to her.
Even though the other person was a female teacher, Horikita's cheeks still turned slightly red.
She had absolutely no idea how to deal with such unexpected physical contact.
"Chie, that's enough. Horikita, you should leave now."
"I'm sorry. Please excuse me."
With Chabashira finally coming to her rescue, Horikita hurriedly fled the teachers' office.
She simply couldn't handle someone like Chie Hoshinomiya.
'How can someone get that close to another person so naturally?!'
Watching Horikita disappear through the doorway, Chie suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around Chabashira.
Her expression instantly darkened.
Leaning close to her ear, she whispered softly.
"Sae-chan... you're not planning to turn the tables on me, are you?"
Chabashira immediately pushed her away and replied indifferently.
"I have absolutely no interest in Class A."
They'd been close friends for years.
Naturally, Chabashira understood Chie Hoshinomiya's personality extremely well.
And just as expected...
Chie's expression instantly returned to its usual innocent, cheerful smile.
She threw her arms around Chabashira once again.
"That's true! After all, Sae-chan has been Class D's homeroom teacher for so many years now. You can't go disappointing me, okay? Otherwise, I'll be suuuper sad~!"
However, Chie's eyes secretly drifted toward the direction Horikita had left.
'Whether Sae actually intends to reach Class A or not...'
'I need to crush that possibility before it has a chance to develop.'
'That girl, Suzune Horikita...'
'She must be one of Sae's students she's keeping a particularly close eye on.'
...
After leaving the teachers' office, Suzune Horikita was filled with frustration.
It wasn't that she looked down on Ryouma.
Rather, she'd simply considered Sae Chabashira her backup option.
If she couldn't obtain information from Ryouma, then surely her teacher would provide it.
'Or so I thought...'
Horikita simply couldn't understand how Chabashira had managed to dismiss her so effortlessly.
And now, the path to obtaining information through Chabashira had been completely blocked.
'What should I do?'
'Don't tell me...'
'Is going on a date with Ryouma really my only option?'
"Haa..."
Horikita let out a soft sigh.
Then, determination filled her eyes.
'It's just a date, isn't it?'
'No big deal.'