"…I see. That's the situation?"
"Yes, it's true…"
"From you and Sensei's reactions, I don't doubt it. But failing all remaining tests means expulsion for everyone? I always thought the test system was odd, but Schale's extralegal authority?"
"Exactly… I tried hard to explain—bzzzt!"
"Sensei's like a broken radio!?"
"He worked hard explaining something tough…"
Mash, unused to complex explanations, collapses onto the bed, trembling from the effort. Hanako, already suspicious about the Remedial Class, sees her doubts confirmed.
"By the way, Hanako-chan, you're actually brilliant, right?" Hifumi blurts out. "You aced even third-year exams as a first-year!"
Hanako's mouth twitches. Hifumi, realizing her slip, lowers her voice.
"S-Sorry, I found your old test papers while looking for mock exams…"
"I see."
"Why such low scores now? On purpose, right?"
"…I'm sorry. I didn't know failing would mean expulsion for everyone."
Hanako's face is heavy with regret. She hadn't imagined her actions could drag others down.
"No, ignorance doesn't excuse it," she murmurs. "My selfish choices nearly hurt everyone. I'm sorry, Sensei, Hifumi-chan, Azusa-chan, Koharu-chan."
"N-No, it's…" Hifumi stammers.
"Lift your head, Hanako-chan," Mash says. "You had reasons, right?"
"Yes… personal ones."
"Reasons?"
"I'd rather not say, but yes, those awful scores were intentional."
"R-Really!?" Hifumi gasps. "Why?"
"It's personal. But I never wanted to harm anyone."
"Hanako-chan…"
"Don't worry. I'll make sure no one gets expelled. I'll try my hardest from now on."
Hanako smiles, promising effort. Mash sighs in relief—only Azusa and Koharu to focus on now.
"Thanks, Hanako-chan. That cuts down on prep work."
"Sensei, I've been wondering… you're not great at academics, right?"
"Yup."
"But your study guides are clear and easy. How?"
"Didn't plan to tell, but for you, Hanako-chan…"
Mash pulls out stacks of workbooks—tons of them.
"I've been studying late every night, taking notes, figuring out how to explain things, and making those guides."
"All alone? All this time?"
"Hifumi-chan helped later. (And Arona secretly tutored me after Hifumi left.)"
"Studying something you hate, staying up all night…" Hanako's voice cracks. "And I undermined your efforts, deceived you…"
"No big deal. I'm not mad or interrogating you."
"Would kneeling naked suffice, Sensei?"
"That's enough, but please don't. I'd throw myself off a cliff from guilt."
"Cliff!?" Hifumi gasps.
"Haha…"
Hifumi laughs dryly, knowing Mash's honest nature means he'd probably do it.
"Who else knows this?" Hanako asks.
"Just us for now," Hifumi says.
"Then Azusa-chan's anxiety isn't about the tests. There's something we don't know… and this Remedial Class itself is suspicious."
Hanako dives into thought, muttering.
"Mika-san wouldn't do this. Probably Nagisa-san. But why now, with the Eden Treaty looming? She's swamped with internal and external scrutiny—"
(Her vibe changed… Is this the real Hanako-chan? So cool.) Mash thinks.
"Or because the treaty's near?" Hanako continues. "A crackdown? No, involving Schale and using expulsion as a card means something critical to Trinity—"
"W-Wow…" Hifumi marvels.
"I get it," Hanako says after mere seconds.
"This Remedial Class is a gathering of suspects threatening the Eden Treaty."
"Exactly. Impressive, Hanako-chan," Mash says.
"So like Nagisa-san. Sly as ever," Hanako smirks.
"Cat…?" Hifumi blinks.
"Efficient to deal with us all at once, like laundry," Hanako quips.
(Nagisa said 'trash bin,' but I'll keep quiet.) Mash thinks.
"Sensei got played too?" Hanako asks.
"Yup. I was asked to help struggling students, so I took charge."
"Using your kindness and Schale's authority… sneaky. But it means you're genuinely fighting for us."
"I'm just doing my job. I'd never abandon you."
"Pure, untainted kindness… and she exploited it," Hanako mutters, a dark aura flickering.
(Whoa, scary vibe…) Hifumi thinks.
"You're a good person, Sensei," Hanako says warmly.
"Don't overpraise me…"
"No modesty."
Hanako studies Mash's tired face, faint dark circles visible. She feels deep gratitude—Mash's genuine kindness and honesty shine through.
"You're amazing, Hanako-chan, piecing that together," Hifumi says.
"I'm just familiar with higher-up gossip."
"Still… Nagisa-sama asked me to find Trinity's traitor," Hifumi confesses.
"Traitor, huh? Typical Nagisa logic. Anyone disrupting her Tea Party plans fits," Hanako says. "Azusa's suspicious from her records. Koharu's a Justice Task Force hostage, sort of. But…"
She looks at Hifumi.
"Why you, Hifumi-chan? You're close to Nagisa-san. I can't think of a reason."
"Am I… a suspect too?" Hifumi falters.
Mash panics, knowing the choux cream couple incident sparked it.
"I-I'm close to her, but why me?" Hifumi asks.
"Well…" Mash hesitates.
"Sensei, do you know something?"
"Uh… choux cream… couple…"
"!?" Hifumi freezes.
"Couple!?" Hanako's eyes light up.
Hifumi flails as Mash reluctantly explains, Hanako intrigued.
"T-The thing!? That's why!?" Hifumi squeaks. "I know I messed up, but…!"
"So sorry, Hifumi-chan," Mash says.
"Sensei! Couple? What's that mean? Is there something between you two!?"
"N-No! Just teacher and student!" Hifumi insists.
Hanako smirks teasingly. "Oh my~"
"Anyway, I'll talk to Azusa-chan later," Hanako says. "I'll check some other things too."
"Thanks," Mash says.
"Please share any info with us," Hifumi adds.
"Does that mean I'm joining these midnight meetings? How thrilling~♡" Hanako teases.
"M-Midnight meetings?" Hifumi stammers.
"Three of us, in a locked room, sharing secrets… my heart's racing~♡"
"T-The phrasing… Sensei's immune to that, Hanako-chan," Hifumi says.
"I'll… manage," Mash mutters.
"Manage what?" Hifumi asks.
"It's late. Let's sleep for tomorrow," Mash says.
"Never wavers, huh?" Hanako chuckles.
It's past midnight. They agree to rest and disperse.
Later:
"Huh? Sensei's room's still lit…" Koharu, heading to the bathroom, notices. She sneaks a peek.
"Thank you, Sensei—" Hifumi steps out with swimsuit-clad Hanako.
"Hifumi!? What're you doing in Sensei's room this late!?" Koharu gasps.
"See you at the next midnight meeting~" Hanako purrs. "Oh?"
"Three of you… midnight meeting!? Perverts! Deviants!" Koharu yells.
"M-Misunderstanding!" Hifumi cries.
"Oh my~♡" Hanako giggles.
"It's not like that, Koharu-chan!" Hifumi pleads.
"Stay back, perverts!"
"Ugh…"
The night grows a bit noisier.
----------------------------------
Support me on Patreon - Advanced Chapters There!
patreon.com/Greyhounds