Chapter 124: Asking Chabashira Sae for Help!
Ibuki shoved Hiyori back when she tried to retrieve her phone, then glared at the staggering girl.
"Sit down and behave!"
"Please return my phone... Or at least tell me why Ryuen-kun is treating me like this."
"I already said I don't know!" Ibuki answered impatiently.
Ibuki truly knew nothing. Ryuen did not want too many people learning about his conspiracy against Yuto, since every additional person increased the chance of failure.
Besides, Ibuki and the others only needed to keep Hiyori confined for a while. They were not directly participating in the plan against Yuto, so Ryuen had no reason to explain it to them.
...
After leaving the first-year building, Yuto did not immediately head toward the second-year building. He first called a certain ice-faced person and asked several questions, then ended the call after confirming the situation.
'Shimizu asked about the path beside the second-year building and Nagumo's movements. Has he realized Nagumo is preparing to act against him?'
Manabu glanced toward Nagumo Miyabi's seat.
The vice president's chair was currently empty. Nagumo was not present in the student council room.
Unless something important came up, student council members usually gathered after school to handle their duties. Today, however, Nagumo had specifically requested leave.
His excuse was that he needed to manage an event organized for the second-year students.
Manabu had initially found nothing unusual about it. Nagumo frequently organized activities to win support among the second-years.
However, Yuto's phone call made Manabu suspect that Nagumo was preparing to strike.
Manabu looked toward secretary Tachibana Akane, who was processing documents.
"Tachibana, how large is the event Nagumo organized today?"
"It's very large—larger than his usual events. Nagumo required every second-year student to attend on the sports field," Tachibana immediately answered.
"I see."
Nagumo had arranged a major event and forcefully gathered every second-year student outside. As a result, the second-year building had been left almost completely empty.
That significantly reduced the chance of anyone witnessing a fight between Yuto and Ryuen's group.
Judging from this arrangement, Nagumo was genuinely determined to have Yuto expelled.
'Can Shimizu handle their scheme safely? He probably can. Otherwise, he would have asked for my assistance during the call.'
Manabu recalled Yuto's tone. It had been as calm and casual as ever, without the slightest urgency or anxiety over being targeted.
After realizing Nagumo intended to act, Manabu sent Yuto a message through Line.
[Speak up if you need help.]
[Thank you for the offer, senpai, but I won't need it.]
Manabu lightly nodded after reading Yuto's reply. Since Yuto was confident, he would not interfere.
He was somewhat curious to see what result the confrontation between Nagumo and Yuto would produce.
...
After replying to Manabu, Yuto thought for a moment and called Airi.
"Yuto."
Hearing Airi's sweet and gentle voice instantly brightened his mood.
"Airi, where are you? I might need you."
"Eh?"
Airi stopped walking and blinked behind her plain glasses.
"I'm going to buy ingredients with Chabashira-sensei."
"Chabashira-sensei is already with you? That's perfect. Hand her the phone. I need to speak with her."
"Okay."
Airi handed her phone to Chabashira, who was wearing casual clothes.
"Chabashira-sensei, Yuto wants to speak with you."
"Hmm?"
Chabashira slightly furrowed her elegant brows. What did that troublesome boy want from her?
And why had he called Airi instead of contacting her directly?
"What is it, Shimizu?"
"Chabashira-sensei, I need to tell you something important."
"Go ahead."
As Yuto explained, Chabashira's relaxed expression gradually became serious.
"Shimizu, leave this matter to me. I promise I won't disappoint you."
"Well, I trust Sae-chan. You nearly led your class to Class A, so there's no way you'd fail at something this simple," Yuto teased.
Chabashira pursed her attractive lips. Someone was already plotting against this troublesome boy, yet he still had the leisure to tease her.
"Wait there, Shimizu. I'll come immediately."
"Okay."
Chabashira returned the phone to Airi, who had been watching her closely.
"Sakura, Shimizu wants to borrow your digital camera."
"Eh?"
"That's right, Airi. Lend your camera to Chabashira-sensei. I need her to use it to help me resolve a small problem," Yuto's voice came through the phone.
"Okay."
Without hesitation, Airi took the expensive digital camera Yuto had previously given her from her school bag.
After accepting it, Chabashira immediately said goodbye and left.
Airi watched her departing figure with concern.
"Yuto, did something happen? Is that why you need Chabashira-sensei's help?"
"Yes, but it isn't anything serious. It'll be easy to resolve," Yuto answered casually.
"You said that before too, and you nearly got taken away by the police..." Airi complained softly. "Afterward, you promised you would never hide anything from me."
"...Fine, I'll tell you."
"Do you remember Ryuen Kakeru from Class C? He has finally decided to act against me and invited me somewhere without surveillance cameras."
"I need Chabashira-sensei to record what they do. That's all."
During his first few days after enrolling, Yuto had explored the entire school and memorized the locations of every surveillance camera.
He had originally done it for Airi.
Since Airi was shy and enjoyed photography, Yuto had deliberately identified areas beyond the cameras' coverage so he could take her there to photograph things peacefully.
The address written in Ryuen's letter was beside the second-year building, and Yuto happened to know that the area was not covered by surveillance cameras.
Ryuen had deliberately summoned him there because he intended to make a move.
Yuto therefore decided to turn the plan against him. He asked Chabashira to record everything from a higher floor of the second-year building with Airi's camera.
Airi blinked.
"Then when you contacted me first, were you originally planning to ask me to record them?"
"I considered it, but since Chabashira-sensei was already beside you, I assigned the task to her instead."
"Why won't you let me do it? Do you think I wouldn't be useful...?" Airi asked quietly.
"What are you imagining?" Yuto replied with a helpless laugh. "You're my girlfriend. I wouldn't let you place yourself in danger unless absolutely necessary."
Yuto's words caused a sweet smile to appear on Airi's lips.
Airi sometimes believed she was rather useless. She was timid and shy, and apart from helping Yuto with his laundry——and offering him comfort and affection at night, she felt there was little she could do to support him.
She was not even particularly talented academically and needed Yuto to tutor her.
However, Yuto did not need Airi to be capable of handling every problem. What he needed was the gentle, warm Airi who brought him happiness and peace.
He especially loved how broad-minded she was, even encouraging him to accept other girlfriends.
"Airi, prepare tonight's dinner and wait for Chabashira-sensei and me to return victorious," Yuto said with a smile.
"Mm! Make sure you're careful, Yuto."
"Don't worry. When have you ever seen me suffer a loss?"
"That's true~"
Yuto ended the call with a smile and leisurely waited for Chabashira to arrive.
In truth, Yuto had never intended to ask Airi to record the incident. He had only contacted her to borrow her digital camera.
The recording was extremely important, so he did not feel comfortable entrusting it to his timid childhood friend.
Yuto had several possible candidates in mind: Kei, Kikyo, Suzune, and Chabashira.
Kei was unsuitable. Although she appeared strong, her true personality was fragile.
Kikyo was more reliable than Airi or Kei and could have completed the task.
Suzune was highly capable and would certainly succeed, but she would question Yuto relentlessly. He did not want that tsundere snow fox pestering him for every detail.
That left Chabashira.
The beautiful homeroom teacher was the person Yuto trusted most and the most suitable choice for recording the incident.
First, Chabashira regarded Yuto as a priceless asset. He was indispensable to her goal of bringing Class D to Class A, so she would wholeheartedly assist him.
Second, her abilities were exceptional. During her own three years at this school, she had nearly led her class to Class A. There was no questioning her competence.
Around ten minutes later, Chabashira hurried to their agreed meeting place.
She was not wearing the women's business suit she used while teaching. Instead, she had changed into casual clothes.
Her upper body was covered by a sky-blue embroidered T-shirt, whose fabric followed her mature figure. The short sleeves exposed her fair arms, while simple black trousers emphasized her long, straight legs.
To conceal her identity, Chabashira had also put on a hat and glasses. However, Yuto recognized her instantly.
Chabashira spotted him and walked directly over.
"Shimizu, have you been waiting long?" she asked quietly.
"Not really. The people plotting against me are probably the impatient ones. They must be wondering why I haven't arrived yet," Yuto answered with a smile.
Yuto looked her over and teased, "Sae-chan, you look much younger without your suit. You almost resemble a high school student."
"Flatterer."
Chabashira gave him a reproachful look, but a faint smile appeared on her face. His compliment had clearly pleased her.
Most women enjoyed being told they looked young and beautiful.
"I'll enter the second-year building first, inspect the area, and find a suitable recording position," Chabashira said seriously.
"Mm. I'm counting on you, Chabashira-sensei. The recording is the key to turning their conspiracy against them."
"Don't worry. I may not be as talented at secret photography as Chie, but I certainly won't disappoint you."
Was Chabashira implying that Hoshinomiya Chie was especially skilled at secretly taking pictures?
Chabashira headed toward the second-year building, while Yuto remained where he was and waited for her message.
Five minutes later, she contacted him through Line.
[I found a suitable recording position. The camera can capture the entire pathway. You may proceed to the meeting place.]
[Understood.]
Yuto put away his phone and showed a refreshing smile. He inserted the colored contacts that concealed the unusual light in his eyes, then headed toward the location mentioned in the letter.
Because Nagumo had organized the event, almost no students could be seen near the second-year building.
Yuto leisurely arrived at the pathway beside the building and sat on a nearby bench, appearing to wait for Hiyori.
Ishizaki withdrew his head from his hiding place and spoke excitedly into his phone in a lowered voice.
"Boss Ryuen! Shimizu Yuto finally arrived!"
…
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