CHAPTER 91 – CALAMITY FROM THE PAST (PART 1)

Being freed, or rather escaping from the bodyguards’ drinking party, I still have ample time before bath time. I’d be interrogated about what happened if I returned to the room, so I’ll have to pass time somehow.

「Endeavor to being in a group more.」
「You say that when you left me to be taken away?」

As I was pondering on what to do, Teacher Kondou caught me. Moreover, with a beer in hand. The bodyguards were holding a drinking party, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the teachers would do so as well.

「You were dragged away before I could say anything, you know.」
「In that case, you should’ve barged into the room. What if your precious student was in trouble back then?」
「That was your bodyguard, wasn’t she? In that case, I was sure that you wouldn’t be in any weird trouble. Did something happen?」
「Nothing in particular. I just greeted them and ran off.」

If I stayed there for too long, they might start talking about the changing shifts and assignments. And that’ll cause Akira to run wild again. I’d rather not be surrounded by sweaty old men. There were some needlessly handsome people as well, but that’s a no thank you for me.

「You’re strangely good at dealing with those sorts of situations. Just like back then.」
「Come to think of it, in the end, I didn’t hear about what happened afterwards.」
「It goes without saying. Shizuru drank like hell as she always does and the principal was just an inch from getting wasted. Personally, he’s lasted considerably well.」
「Regarding that, I vaguely expected that. And afterwards?」
「We went home.」

I suppose he was so drunk that he forgot what I said. I told him to invite her for an after party and yet he was wasted in the first round. He should be used to alcohol attending high society parties, but he got too ecstatic and forgot to pace himself.

「They seem to go out drinking once a month, so shouldn’t that be alright?」
「It sounds like he’s going through hell every time, though.」
「Adaptation is amazing, you know. I feel like he’s gradually gaining more and more tolerance.」

To think that he’d grow strong against alcohol. Still, since he’s drinking at the same pace as Shizuru, wouldn’t the shops they visit be in trouble? I’m worried they won’t have enough in stock.

「And so, Shizuru asked for my advice but I believe you should hear about this too.」
「What is it?」
「After being treated this much, I might have to consider marriage, she said.」
「Yup, I’m glad that Shizuru has a working conscience.」

And now I learned that the principal has been paying for all their drinking. I don’t want to know their total expenses. It’s definitely multiple times more than any normal person’s drinking expenses. Scary.

「Another thing she said was that she doesn’t know how to interact with the principal.」
「So you’re Shizuru’s consultant, Teacher Kondou?」
「No, to be precise it’s me and Akane. She asked for our advice the other day when the three of us went out. The conversation doesn’t continue long, he’s weirdly tense and so on.」

That fool, what is he doing, making the other party anxious. I can understand why Shizuru would feel worried. He doesn’t talk proactively and is only drinking with her, anyone would start doubting if the guy actually likes her. Even with how much he treats her.

「Her feeling uneasy is unavoidable.」
「Kisaragi, do something about the principal at your end. Just seeing their situation gets me all worried.」
「It seems like I’m completely exposed. I’ll raid him at the office after the field trip.」
「Kisaragi, you’re that close with him?」
「I got greatly inconvenienced because of the principal the other day, so it shouldn’t hurt to have a small payback.」

He basically forced me to show up in high society, after all. Considering that, a little payback is nothing. To begin with, it’s his fault for not stepping up.

「Still, I’m impressed they started dating in that condition.」
「I heard it was Shizuru who brought it up. She was laughing when she talked about it, though.」

The principal must’ve felt so ecstatic about that. I’m pretty sure he was troubled about when to say it and couldn’t take the step, postponing it and stretching it for so long. Now I see that there was no step forward, actually no forward momentum at all.

「Teacher Kondou, do you think their relationship will make progress in the future?」
「As it is, unlikely. Even if Shizuru puts the effort, the principal in question is like that. I’ve drank with them several times, but the atmosphere was awful.」
「It sounds like they’ve never drank alone together.」
「Either Cathy or I are always with them. I’ve never heard them ever going on a date by themselves.」

They should probably have at least one date within this year. Mainly aiming for Christmas. I was thinking that I shouldn’t carelessly intervene, but I probably have to change my mind about that. Since they’re not progressing at all.

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「Haa, this is a headache.」
「Why are you so troubled about it? You only need to give advice, you know.」
「I’m the one who has to think of a date plan. The last time I saw the principal planning, it was no good at all.」

Even from a male perspective, there was so much wrong with it. This time, I’ll ask for Mr. Shizuo’s help. As compensation, I’ll have them end that date at his bar. As long as you’re prepared for them, they’re pretty excellent customers.

「You’ve had it pretty rough, Kisaragi. Still, you should enjoy yourself right now.」
「I’ll do so. You should return now too, Teacher Kondou. You can’t just secretly chat with a student forever, you know?」

Currently we’re at a rest area right at the entrance. It doesn’t stand out and is difficult to see for people walking in the hallways, but we’re far from being perfectly hidden. If we’re seen, it’ll start weird rumours.

「I should really return now. If I stay here, people might start looking for me and it’ll be troublesome if they see us together.」

Still, having the principal and Shizuru go on a date seems pretty difficult. To begin with, the principal will definitely get me involved. It’s possible that he might stupidly propose going on a double date. Who am I even going with?

「This is tough.」
「As usual, you keep troubling yourself over other people’s problems.」

I was suddenly embraced from behind, but I’m not surprised. I’m sure that she’ll definitely do this, after all. Still, the way she talks bugs me. It’s like she knows that it’s me.

「Can I help you, Ayaka?」
「Your reaction is just as always. Acting so cool when your face is so red.」

Shut up. She did this a lot when I was still a man, but I never got used to it. In the first place, she’s awfully touchy when I’m a man, so it’s really troubling.

「Are you sure about this? For an actress to have what looks like a secret meeting?」
「We’re the same sex, so it’s fine. Hmmn, you feel different to touch now, but I like it better. Since you’re softer and your hair’s so smooth.」

She’s not planning on letting go, huh. Besides, Ayaka is clearly aware that Kotone and Souji are the same. Step-mom and the others realized it because they were with me my whole life. However, I’ve only been with Ayaka during my high school days. She shouldn’t have any solid basis.

「How did you know?」
「Are you talking about you? Or about Souji?」
「The latter.」
「I’m pretty good at observing people, you know. The way you talked with that teacher was the same. Also, I’m simply betting on my wish to be true.」