"Hm?" "Kobayashi-kun?!" "Kobayashi-kun?!"
Three girls instantly swarmed, six eyes dropping in perfect sync to the lower three roads. Even Satoru's thick skin prickled.
"…I'm fine," he muttered, shifting awkwardly.
Sakura still looked half-dead with worry and ducked back inside. "Aiu-sensei, is Kobayashi-kun really—"
Aiu Yayoi was staring at the ceiling like her soul had left the chat.
Sakura's voice snapped her back. "Ah—yeah. Kid's perfectly fine. Insanely fine. I checked… thoroughly. Overflowing spirit."
Sakura pressed a hand to her chest in relief, bowed, and left.
Door clicked shut.
Instantly Yayoi slapped both hands over her nose, face exploding crimson, eyes misty with residual horror.
"Teacher's seen everything," my ass.
That brat's packing a lethal weapon! Nearly took my head off!!
She flung the window open, frantically fanning her burning face.
Down below: Satoru walking away escorted by three beauties.
Yayoi ground her teeth.
Tiny person, monster turtle!!
…
Halfway to the school building, Arisa came sprinting.
First checked Satoru top-to-bottom, then: "Teachers and police want everyone at the principal's office. You two senpais too—eyewitnesses."
"Got it."
They left SuzCuka behind. She instantly slipped into lost-puppy mode.
"Shigemoto, class already started," Satoru reminded gently.
"But…"
"I'm really okay." He smiled.
Morning sun lit up that smile like a halo. Suzuka felt warmth flood her chest, nodded softly, and whispered, "Anytime you need me… call me, okay?"
Ayaka cold-snorted as Suzuka left. "Didn't know you were this popular. Another one? Karate captain Shigemoto Suzuka?"
Handsome bastard, who wouldn't fall? You wouldn't? she thought.
"Just met through circumstances," Satoru shrugged.
"First Nanao Akane, now Shigemoto… heh." Ayaka's laugh could freeze lava.
Arisa spilled everything about yesterday's Akane incident on the way home. Satoru listened, eyes widening, then softening into proud-dad mode.
"That girl…" He chuckled. "She did great."
Arisa side-eyed him. "So why haven't you called Akane yet?"
"Will later," Satoru laughed, patting the new phone in his pocket—thanks, Arisa.
Ayaka caught the keyword, glanced at Sakura. Sakura's eyes flashed gloom for half a second before the perfect smile returned.
Bad, Ayaka thought.
…
Principal's office.
Homeroom teacher, grade head, principal, two detectives, and one very wilted, silver-braceleted Higashi.
Principal fussed over Satoru like a mother hen: big hospital? School pays everything!
Satoru kept refusing.
Principal finally sighed. "We were already planning to fire Higashi… personal crime, no school involvement. Anything you need, just say."
Homeroom teacher whispered: "He's an orphan."
Principal's eyes widened; hospital talk dropped instantly.
Detective nodded at Satoru. "Girl filed yesterday—attempted assault. We have her recording and Higashi's full confession. You said you had video evidence?"
Satoru glanced at the handcuffed gorilla. "Nah. Just bluffed."
Higashi's head thunked against the table.
…