The drinking game went on for a while, it went on for so long that I actually slept off.
After I woke up, I saw all the girls asleep.
I checked my phone and saw it was 10PM
Heugh.
I wanted to wake up Kagura's friends but I almost considered going against it.
Especially the one who wanted to force me to drink–I would never drink in my life.
Anyway, I abandoned such a thought and lightly shook Kagura's friends to wake them up, then I carried Kagura out of the karaoke room and went to a store nearby so I could get rid of the smell of alcohol.
It was more than likely that we would get punished for drinking alcohol, so I had to purchase perfume.
After entering the store and after finding the cheapest perfume I went to the counter.
"That will be 5,000 Rp."
"Alright, let me bring out my phone," I checked my pocket and found I left my phone back at the karaoke room.
"Sorry, could I pay you later? I left my phone."
"That won't be possible sir."
I could try and hurry back to the karaoke room and get it but that could possibly take more time.
"Please, I promise I'll be back as fast as possible."
"Unfortunately, it's not up to me."
"I see," I accepted my fate and was about to leave when—
Someone paid for me and handed the perfume to me and left.
"Uh, thank you."
Before I could finish appreciating the person, they left and didn't see their face though their retreating back looked a bit familiar.
Who's that? Well, I suppose it's none of my business if they want to stay anonymous.
After spraying the perfume on me and Kagura, I went to get my phone from the karaoke room and headed to the train station.
When I arrived at the train station, I saw a sign that said I couldn't use the trains as they stopped operation by 9 PM.
It seemed I had to go to the dorms by foot. I checked the time and saw it was already 10:10 PM.
I needed to hurry since we had to be in our rooms by 10PM, the distance was over 4 square kilometers and to top it all off it was raining.
It was truly a detestable situation. Still, I carried her back to the dorms.
The ground was muddy, so I had to stay balanced while keeping my movements nimble.
When I reached the dorms, I checked my phone—it was already 10:25PM.
Damn, I should have run faster.
I tried to wake Kagura up by shaking her, but she didn't wake up.
Since I couldn't waste anymore time, I headed to the front desk so as to get some information.
"Good evening, ma'am," I said.
"Huh? Why are you still out and why are you soaked?" she asked, clearly concerned.
"It was raining, and we are coming from the west side."
"The west side? How did you get here so fast, especially when carrying someone."
"Oh, we left a while ago. We walked together until a teacher brought us to the dorm gate, saying he wasn't allowed to escort us inside. As for why I'm carrying her, she said she was tired, so I carried her," I lied.
"Which teacher brought you here?"
"I don't know his name."
"Ok, but why come to the front desk?"
"I don't know her room."
"It's room 312. But I do hope you're not doing anything bad or illegal."
I suppose underage drinking is illegal, though I doubt she would notice since I sprayed perfume, and the rain also washed away the smell.
"Don't worry I'm not and thanks."
I walked into the elevator then pressed the button for the third floor.
"Kagura, you can stop faking."
"…How'd you know?"
"Your breathing changed."
"Creepy. Also, why'd you lie to her?"
"We came late, that's why."
"Ok then but why did you say it was a male teacher?"
"Who is more liable to stay out long and pick kids?"
"…Uh girls?"
"No, it's males. A female teacher could be partying trying to 're-enact her youth' while a man just sobering from drinking wouldn't want to do anything more than go home—especially middle-aged men."
"But why a teacher?"
"I doubt administrative staff will still be out and about. Also, most employees working a 9-5 can't afford a car."
"Wow, you really think things through. You're really smart."
"I think being smart is a stretch, I just like to be cautious. Also get down."
"No, can't I just stay a little longer?" she pouted.
"Fine," I sighed. "It's ok, I guess."
"Thanks. You're a wonderful friend, you know that, right? I'm really sorry though. Damn, this is why I hate drinking," she said before falling asleep again.
Hate drinking? How will you hate drinking when you chugged so much down? I suppose it's not my business.
On reaching her floor, I used her phone to enter her room. I had seen her unlock her phone before now so unlocking it was quite easy.
I sneakily entered her room so no one would see me, it would be weird seeing someone use a sleeping person's phone to enter their room.
Her room had a red theme and looked cute overall yet had a bit of maturity.
After tucking her in, I left for my room.
You called me a wonderful friend, huh? I suppose that makes you my friend number one.
I can't believe I made one, I'm so happy.
I grinned as I headed to my room. I was thinking about today and how it was overall a great day—with minor problems, especially the one with Hayashi.
On reaching my room, I noticed how all the burn marks weren't there anymore, and saw a note saying they didn't subtract Rp since it was their mistake but would subtract if it happened again.
So it wasn't free. Then again if it was it would encourage students to vandalise their rooms.
After keeping the fire extinguisher close to my stove, I used the room landline to order dinner. After eating I went to take a bath.
After all that, I laid on my bed thinking about the day, reviewing what I did and how it turned out—then I turned my attention back to the matter at hand, the case with Class Beta.
I always suspected Class Beta had a mastermind, but I had no proof—until I stepped into their classroom.
It was way too perfect. Not disciplined—controlled. It felt more like tyranny than order.
Then there was the girl. The way she ran to greet us. The way she winced when she sat down.
She had been hurt by someone.
But not from bullying—girls don't turn on each other this fast, it would at least take a few weeks—maybe 5-6. That kind of injury comes from resisting someone with real power–perhaps they didn't even do it themselves.
A mastermind that isn't respected but feared. She had been punished for something, and now she was playing her role as the one who greets guests.
That's why I pushed Shimizu.
I didn't know for sure there was a mastermind.
But now, thanks to his reaction, I do.
However…
***
Author's Note:
Well, that was something, huh. Not really overwhelming but it was still something.
Anyway, my week has been so inspirational. Still gonna talk about my comments, they really help me–sooooooo much.
Anyway, please keep em' coming, along with reviews and lots of shares.
Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.