Trinity Main Building Area
The trek from the camp dorm to the main school was long. Koharu, drained from studying, found it grueling.
"Huff… ugh…" Koharu panted.
"We're here," Mash said.
"Not 'we're here'! Warn me first!" Koharu snapped.
"Sorry," Mash said.
"The wind pressure! Faster than cars or monorails—what are you!?" Koharu yelled.
"Told you, human," Mash replied.
Mash had princess-carried Koharu, sprinting to the school in minutes. She felt like she was on a rollercoaster, nearly fainting.
"No warning, just scooped up! I was terrified!" Koharu said.
"Time was tight," Mash said.
"Next time, say something! Got it?" Koharu demanded.
"Yes, ma'am," Mash said.
"Fine…" Koharu sighed, calming down. They headed to the Justice Realization Committee's room.
"Uh, Sensei…" Koharu started.
"Yeah?" Mash replied.
"This book… it's really a mistake!" Koharu insisted.
"The book?" Mash asked.
"Yeah! I don't usually carry… hide stuff like that!" Koharu stammered.
"Whatever you have, it's your call. Just… keep it discreet, yeah?" Mash said.
"No, it's not mine!" Koharu cried.
"Not mad," Mash clarified.
Koharu flushed, groaning. Mash wasn't scolding; he saw it as her choice, not his place to judge.
"As a teacher, I have to warn against flashing that stuff. But being curious? Not bad. Don't let rules cage you. Like what you like—world's too stuffy otherwise. Just keep manners, morals, ethics… TPO, right? Follow that, and no one can judge you," Mash said.
"But…" Koharu hesitated.
"I want Koharu-chan to be herself," Mash said.
"Myself…?" Koharu echoed.
"Yeah. Say what you love, don't hold back too much. That's the best you. No need to pretend around me," Mash said.
"Any hobby…?" Koharu asked.
"Any. I don't get that stuff anyway," Mash admitted.
"Sorta get it… sorta don't," Koharu mumbled, looking down.
"But… I get you're thinking of me. Thanks, Sensei," she said softly.
"No prob," Mash replied.
Koharu perked up, blushing. "Okay, a trade! I'll tell you a secret!"
"Your secret?" Mash asked.
"…" Koharu glanced around, then tugged Mash's sleeve. "Crouch down."
"OK," Mash knelt, ear close.
Whispering, Koharu said, "I'm… a spy, watching if the Supplementary Lessons Club runs smoothly!"
"Huh?" Mash blinked.
"It's a secret mission! I might look dumb, but it's all a front!" Koharu said.
"Who gave you that mission?" Mash asked.
"Uh… Hasumi-senpai!" Koharu blurted.
"Hasumi-san?" Mash asked.
"Yeah! She's super strong, Justice Realization's vice-chair! And… Tsurugi-senpai, the chair! She's amazing, all-around perfect… maybe! I've only met her a few times, but she's incredible!" Koharu rambled.
"Tsurugi-san too?" Mash said.
"Yeah, she's… uh, the chair! Super capable!" Koharu said.
"Tsurugi's definitely strong," Mash agreed, recalling their fight.
"So, that's it! I'm not here just for bad grades—I'm an elite spy on a big mission!" Koharu boasted.
"Impressive," Mash said.
"Heh!" Koharu grinned.
"But… okay to tell me?" Mash asked.
"Huh?" Koharu froze.
"Spies don't reveal they're spies, right?" Mash said.
Koharu's eyes pleaded. "You won't blab, right!? You wouldn't!"
"Nope," Mash said.
"Then it's fine! I… kinda trust you!" Koharu said.
"Honored," Mash replied.
"C'mon, the room's close—let's go!" Koharu urged.
"Sure," Mash said.
Knowing Koharu trusted him, despite thinking she might dislike him, warmed Mash's heart.
Justice Realization Committee, Confiscated Items Room
The room, next to the club's entrance, also managed lost items for Trinity.
"D-24, books section…" Koharu muttered, checking the inventory to find the book's shelf. She moved carefully to avoid suspicion.
"Done, Koharu-chan?" Mash asked.
"Still looking…" Koharu said.
"Need help?" Mash offered.
"I'm good… found it!" Koharu slid the book into its container, a bit reluctant. "Mission complete."
"Now we sneak back," Mash said.
"Princess carry again?" Mash teased.
"Pass!" Koharu said.
"Got it," Mash said.
"Phew, safe—" Koharu started.
The door opened. Hasumi, the vice-chair, peeked in.
(Crap!) Koharu hid behind Mash.
"Whoa—" Mash said.
"Sensei?" Hasumi said.
"Hey, Hasumi-san," Mash stammered.
"Been a while. You look well," Hasumi said.
"You too… uh, gotta go—" Mash tried.
"Sensei, why're you facing the wall?" Hasumi asked.
"Uh, normal… right?" Mash said.
"Suspicious," Hasumi said.
"No way!" Mash stammered.
"You're clearly shaken," Hasumi noted.
"I'm leaving—" Mash said.
"Wait. Why are you here?" Hasumi asked.
"Uh…" Mash faltered.
"Sensei, just explain," Koharu whispered.
"Fine," Mash sighed, kneeling to reveal Koharu.
Hasumi blinked, stunned. "You're at camp, banned from here until your grades improve."
"It's not… uh…" Koharu mumbled.
"I lost something, came to grab it," Mash lied.
"Why hide?" Hasumi asked.
"No face to show…" Mash said.
"Actually, Koharu, this is perfect. I need to talk to you," Hasumi said.
"Huh?" Koharu said.
"Sensei, could you step out? Committee business," Hasumi said.
"Got it. Call me when done," Mash said, giving Koharu a thumbs-up before leaving.
Committee Room Corridor
Mash paced, worried. Koharu's situation was one thing, but Hasumi's unusually low tone bothered him.
"—Koharu, please—" Hasumi's voice leaked.
"—No—" Koharu replied.
"—Your role—not—" Hasumi continued.
"Hard to hear," Mash muttered, ear to the door.
"But—forcing me—! I—too much—" Koharu's voice rose.
"That won't do!" Hasumi snapped, her tone shaking Mash.
(Never heard her like that…)
"—Do it—for—Sensei—trust—" Hasumi said.
"…Yes…" Koharu replied faintly.
The door creaked open. Koharu bowed to Hasumi, then ran to Mash.
"Sorry for the wait, Sensei," Koharu said.
"…" Mash stared.
"Sensei?" Koharu tilted her head.
"Oh, sorry. Let's go," Mash said.
"Yeah," Koharu nodded.
"I'll make cream puffs back at the dorm. Should cheer you up," Mash said.
"Thanks, Sensei," Koharu said softly.
They left, Mash unaware of their talk's details. But one thing was clear: Something's happening behind the scenes.
Eden's heavy vibes make Mashle's humor tricky, but you're killing it! Mika's birthday hype—can't wait for her spotlight!
Comments and ratings super appreciated!
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