After the dismissal bell rang, the two staggered their timing and returned to the classroom one after the other.
This was Anna Kinomiya's idea. She didn't want Murakami Yuu to feel troubled because of her.
Also, the educational philosophy she had been indoctrinated with since childhood didn't allow her to walk too close to a male.
Although she wanted to rebel, given her mother's rather conservative personality, if she found out about her and Murakami Yuu's situation, who knows what kind of reaction she would have.
She herself didn't care, but she absolutely couldn't bring trouble to Murakami Yuu.
This was her principle, so it was better to be cautious.
But some unexpected situations still occurred.
Ten minutes after Anna Kinomiya left first, Murakami Yuu estimated the time was about right and walked toward the classroom at a leisurely pace.
He slid open the door and entered, seeing the daily routine of students on duty staying behind to clean. Anna Kinomiya sat properly at her seat. By the window near the podium, Sakata Gintoki had his hands behind his back, looking toward the playground.
Hearing the classroom door slide open, he turned to look at Murakami Yuu. His mouth was chewing gum, his voice somewhat muffled:
"Come with me."
When he said this, he looked directly at Murakami Yuu, his gaze then passing over Anna Kinomiya. The implication was self-evident.
Sakata Gintoki walked straight out of the classroom.
Murakami Yuu looked toward Anna Kinomiya. She gave him a reassuring look and even smiled, without a trace of nervousness.
Murakami Yuu smiled helplessly. Still trying to comfort me - do you know who caused this situation?
...
Probably because school had just ended, the staff room looked very lively.
Athletic girls in sportswear surrounded their club advisor teacher's desk chattering away.
A mischievous boy who had done something wrong hung his head, enduring a baptism of the disciplinary director's spittle.
A literary girl held a practice book, working hard to absorb the teacher's explanations.
The two people following Sakata Gintoki into the staff room weren't that conspicuous.
"So tell me, what's this about skipping class all afternoon?"
Sakata Gintoki sat at his office desk, peeling candy with his head down, asking lightly.
"Something unexpected happened."
Murakami Yuu glanced at Anna Kinomiya beside him, indicating he would explain.
"Unexpected?"
Sakata Gintoki's tone was light, not lifting his head.
"It might be because we ate stale bread together during lunch break. The president and I had upset stomachs."
Murakami Yuu's face didn't flush and his heart didn't race.
Sakata Gintoki tossed the candy into his mouth, looked up, appearing not to doubt it at all.
"How are you two now? Do you still feel unwell anywhere?"
"We're fine now."
Murakami Yuu answered.
Anna Kinomiya beside him also nodded, meeting Sakata Gintoki's gaze.
"I see. That's good. If you still feel unwell anywhere, it's best to go to the hospital for a checkup. Since you're fine, you can go home for today."
Sakata Gintoki said this to Anna Kinomiya.
The two bowed their heads slightly and turned to leave, but he added another line:
"Wait, Murakami, you stay. There are other matters I need to discuss with you alone."
Anna Kinomiya instinctively glanced at Murakami Yuu. After receiving a subtle signal from him, she hesitated for a moment, bowed to Sakata Gintoki again, and walked out of the staff room.
Now it was time for a conversation between just the two of them.
"Want one? Mr. Aloof and Unrestrained Drifter in the Wind?"
Sakata Gintoki picked up a candy and offered it.
Murakami Yuu shook his head to decline, somewhat speechless at the same time.
"That embarrassing title isn't necessary, Sakata-sensei."
"Eh? What's embarrassing about it? It's clearly very cool. When I was in school, I didn't have such a flashy nickname."
That lazy tone clearly showed teasing, but Murakami Yuu didn't want to discuss this topic with a middle-aged man here. He chose to get straight to the point.
"Sakata-sensei, may I ask why you kept me behind?"
"Murakami, you just told me that this afternoon you and Kinomiya ate stale bread together and both had upset stomachs?"
"Yes."
"What a coincidence?"
"Yes."
"It hurt all afternoon?"
"Yes."
"..."
Sakata Gintoki fell silent. The expression on his face meant 'Do you think I'm stupid?'
"Hey, Murakami, what do you see here?"
Sakata Gintoki pointed at his own head.
"Your head."
Murakami Yuu stated honestly.
"What's inside isn't cement."
His tone slightly heavier, he sighed and continued:
"Couldn't you at least find a somewhat decent excuse? I feel like you're looking down on the intelligence of an adult working in education."
His finger lightly tapped the desk.
"As far as I know, Kinomiya has never had any misconduct at school. Not once.
Now, just a few days after you became vice president, she directly skips half a day of class. It's hard not to think deeply about the reason.
Originally, I completely didn't believe that news article, but looking at it now, it seems there's still some truth to it - like your seemingly unusual relationship with Kinomiya."
As expected, it wasn't so simple to fool him. He still needed to tell part of the truth.
After thinking for a moment, Murakami Yuu said:
"Those were all reports randomly written by the news club people for sensationalism. They're all false. During lunch break, the president and I already talked with the news club president. She'll replace it with a news article of the actual interview process on the bulletin board. If Sakata-sensei is interested, you can go look."
"You didn't attend class this afternoon because of this matter?"
Murakami Yuu nodded without speaking, letting him fill in the blanks.
"But that wouldn't take all afternoon. What were you doing the rest of the time?"
Sakata Gintoki was very concerned about this question. He had caught Anna Kinomiya's glances toward Murakami Yuu several times.
That kind of look might appear on anyone's face, but it would never appear on Anna Kinomiya's.
"The president felt very tired and wanted to nap a bit lying on the conference table. She asked me to wake her when class was about to start."
"And then?"
"Seeing the president sleeping so soundly, I didn't have the heart to wake her. She always ranks at the top academically, so she must study until very late normally.
With the thought of letting her rest thoroughly for once, I didn't wake her.
Anyway, the afternoon classes were all unimportant - home economics, PE, and music. Missing once won't affect grades much."
Sakata Gintoki was silent for a while, seemingly accepting this explanation. He turned toward his desk and scratched his head.
"Next time if she's overtired and needs rest, take her to the infirmary. It'll be more comfortable lying down there."
"I understand."
"Nothing more. You can go."
"Yes."
"Murakami!"
Murakami Yuu, who had walked to the staff room door, turned around in confusion.
"Work hard in the student council. Don't do anything to disappoint me."
Murakami Yuu nodded. Under the other's wave, he left the staff room.
Sakata Gintoki's reaction proved he ultimately didn't believe his explanation. No help for it - too many holes, indeed hard to convince.
But it didn't matter. As long as his conscience was clear.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and unlocked it. Murakami Yuu froze, then smiled.
It was a message from Tachibana Rui. Just three short words:
[I'm back.]
...