"How could your son have done something unreasonable to mine? Principal! Is this the one who received the male student scholarship?" — Senpai's mother.
"Excuse me? Yours is the one who made all the fuss in the first place. Didn't your son tell you?" — My mother said.
As you can see, in the end, Senpai brought up our "little" discussion to the principal's office.
Right now, Senpai and his mother are complaining about how I, as a scholarship student and student council member, behaved that day. Meanwhile, Mom is defending me against their accusations since I told her yesterday about what happened.
And Dad is here too.
"Both of you, I ask you to calm down. First, Madam, it's undeniable that your son was the one who started this case by talking in public against one of our students. You need to acknowledge this." — The principal said to Senpai's mother.
"And do you know what that girl did to my son? As his mother I'm upset that the school allows this kind of thing to happen. Do you know how much I'm paying for this? I won't allow my son to be treated like this, especially by a student who should set the example." — Senpai's mother said.
"I understand that you're upset. If it's okay for you, I'll make sure to talk with him." — the principal suggested.
"Just talking? That's it? He should at least write a letter of apology in public or be suspended."
"Wait a minute! Are you telling us that your son, who mocked a student in front of everyone in the first place, is okay, while my son who stood up for her is wrong? The one who needs to apologize is yours, not mine!" — Mom said.
"But do you know what your son is? He's allowed to study here with the intention of being a model student. Tell me, Morikawa-san, am I wrong?" — Senpai's mother asked.
"By your standard, it seems a model student needs to be a doll who agrees with anything. Do you think just because you pay, you have the right to do everything?"
"Please, I request again that you calm down. Otherwise, I'll end this conversation." — the principal warned.
(Dad, you won't say anything?) — I whispered to my father.
(Are you crazy? I'm here just to give moral support to your mother.)
"Principal, I won't leave this room until this student receives punishment at least." — Senpai's mother announced.
"Now I can see who your son takes after. Sorry, Principal, but I won't allow her to berate my son like this." — Mom said.
"As I can see, it seems pointless to drag this conversation. So this is my decision: first, I want to apologize for not being able to give the best environment to your son, Madam. This is not Morikawa-san's fault, but ours as educators. That's why I can assure you that I will talk properly with him so that he can be a model student that anyone can look up to. He'll be under my responsibility." — The principal said to Senpai's mother.
"No, I won't accept it. As I stated, a letter of apology and suspension."
"I already stated my decision and I won't change it. Please, you need to understand."
"So this is how it's gonna be? I will transfer my son to another school and tell everyone else to do the same since it seems this school only looks after the students who have scholarships."
"Then you don't give me another choice but to sue you for defamation. Madam, again, are you aware that your son harassed another student?"
"A—And are you aware of what that student did?" — Senpai's mother stuttered; I guess she realized she couldn't threaten the principal so easily.
"As for the personal relationship between students, it's not under our responsibility. What we're discussing now is the inappropriate conduct by the scholarship student — which you have a point about. However, we can't one-sidedly blame his actions given the circumstances that led him to act like that. So I suggest that you have another talk with your son, while I'll do the same with the scholarship student considering his responsibilities."
"So in the end you decided to take his side. I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of school this is." — Senpai's mother was really stubborn.
"Madam, I highly suggest you think twice before taking any action. Your son has great potential here, and I hope you do what's best for him."
"Let's go, my child. It seems pointless to continue this."
Then they left the principal's room like a storm fading away.
"So, Morikawa-san, thank you for attending this meeting. You don't need to worry about your son, we won't punish him. Though, I have a few considerations that I need to point out."
"It's okay, Principal. And I'm the one who should be thankful."
"Then, if you excuse me… Tomoki-san, are you aware that what you did was not the most appropriate way to handle it?"
"Yes, Principal, I'm aware."
"Do you regret it?"
"Not at all."
"Look, your heart is in the right place. But you need to learn how to control it. In the future, if you act the same way you did, even if you're right, you will end up bringing harm to yourself and the people around you."
"...nod..."
"And next time, please refrain from calling your schoolmate a 'scumbag.' "
"Yes, Principal." — I could only agree with her.
"Good! Now you can head back to your classroom. I still want to talk with your parents."
"Thank you, Principal. Mom and Dad, I'll be going."
"Take care, Tomoki." — Mom said.
"See you soon." — Dad said.
Phew— I'm glad everything went well. I wonder what they're talking about now.
...
♦♦♦
"Now we can finally talk about him. I must say, I really wanted to know more about him and about you two who raised him." — The Principal said.
"Is he perhaps a troublesome student?" — Morikawa Haruka asked.
"Not at all, on the contrary, he's incredible. He's the first man I've seen who stands up for his own belief. Having him as a role model here is already bringing results in this school environment."
"That's a relief. Thank you for helping us." — Haruka said.
"No need to thank me. I was only being fair to all students, including the girl who was the victim in this case."
"I know that girl, Tachibana-san, right? She's Tomoki's friend. Can I ask how she is?"
"Surprisingly, she's fine. One of my coworkers said she's acting like she always does. I guess Satou Ryuichi, Edomae Ayame, and your son played a big role in that."
"Glad to hear… so, you said you want to know us better, right?"
"Yes, as I stated before, I've never seen a boy this proactive. Being able to talk with women normally is already incredible, but the way he stands out is truly unique. I want to ask how both of you raised him."
"I don't think I did something different from other mothers. If I have to say, maybe because I didn't spoil him too much. After all, like it or not, one day he'll need to manage things on his own in the future. That's why I always enrolled him in co-ed schools." — Morikawa Haruka answered.
"As for me, I don't have much to say. Since Haruka was the one who raised him most of the time. I just occasionally talk with him." — Morikawa Masaru added.
"Hmm? Excuse me for my rudeness, but are you two perhaps…" — The principal subtly asked.
"Oh no! We're married, it's just that I needed to move out with my son because of my work." — Haruka answered.
"…" — Masaru stayed silent with a polite smile, but it was possible to see a subtle nervousness.
"I see… but regardless, I think having a present father really makes a difference. It's rare to see a father who answers our calls."
"Haha… I think you're exaggerating." — Masaru said.
"Well, I won't take more of your time. It was my pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you, Principal." — Both Haruka and Masaru said.
And so, Tomoki's parents left the principal's office.
"It seems I need to have another discussion with my coworkers."