Chapter 68: Shizuka Hiratsuka's Bad Day
"So, um... Hiratsuka-sensei? Would you believe me if I said I was just trying to coax her out of the trash can?"
Haruka flashed a shameless, suck-up smile.
Shizuka Hiratsuka's mouth twitched. "Sure. I believe you. Why wouldn't I? regardless, come see me in the faculty office after class."
"Uh... alright."
Haruka sighed. He had a feeling Hiratsuka-sensei probably wanted to talk to him about something else entirely.
At least, based on what he knew of her character.
But still, homeroom was starting. Why was she the one here?
Behind Haruka, Shoko's expression changed. She looked anxious and started signing frantically at Hiratsuka.
Hiratsuka held up a hand. "I can guess what you're getting at. Relax, I'm just going to have a little chat with this brat about life, ideals, and his future."
Shoko finally relaxed slightly.
Haruka watched this exchange, speechless.
'She bought that? Just like that?'
'She really is innocent, isn't she...'
"Alright, that's enough. Don't forget to report to me later."
With that, Hiratsuka glanced at Hitori Gotoh—who had already retreated back into the safety of her trash can—and a look of exasperation flashed through her eyes.
***
Homeroom.
Shizuka Hiratsuka sat behind the podium.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I'm here and where your homeroom teacher went."
"I have some unfortunate news. Takatora-san ran into some financial issues recently involving real estate from the Shinomiya family. He had to leave his post. Therefore, the school administration has decided that I will be taking over as your homeroom teacher. Furthermore, a new teacher will arrive in a couple of days to take over Takatora-san's classes. Until then, teachers from other classes will be filling in. Don't think you can slack off—I will be testing you."
"Is that understood?"
After Hiratsuka finished speaking, the students below looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
The fact that their balding, irresponsible former homeroom teacher had left was certainly good news. However, replacing him with the responsible but terrifying "Iron Fist" teacher didn't exactly seem like an upgrade...
"..."
Hiratsuka raised an eyebrow.
Bang!
Her delicate, pale hands slammed onto the podium with startling force, creating a loud boom.
"I asked, is that understood?!"
"Yes!"
Hiratsuka smiled satisfiedly.
"Good. Now, let's start the homeroom meeting. Class rep, you go first, and then everyone else will come up to the podium..."
"..."
In the back row.
Haruka turned his head to look behind him. Sure enough, Gotoh still hadn't emerged from the trash can.
'So... did she hide because of the class meeting?'
Haruka turned back around. Hiratsuka wasn't someone easy to fool.
'Wait.'
'Shinomiya Real Estate is having fluctuations?'
'The simulation didn't mention that, did it?'
'Is it because it wasn't worth mentioning, or has something changed?'
'The economy is something that changes every second, I suppose...'
Haruka's thoughts drifted far away.
...
In the end.
Hitori Gotoh did not go up to speak.
Of course, this wasn't because her stealth skills were particularly high. Although she was good at hiding, she hadn't reached the level where a teacher would simply forget her existence.
Hiratsuka had simply skipped over her.
This brought a huge sigh of relief to the small creature in the trash, though she couldn't help but feel a little pathetic about it.
The class meeting went relatively smoothly.
Under Hiratsuka's direction, everyone introduced themselves and gave an update on their recent status. Hiratsuka even gently guided the atmosphere when it was Shoko Nishimiya's turn.
Surprisingly, Hiratsuka seemed to understand some of Shoko's sign language.
And after just one class meeting, she had already grasped the general personalities of the students in the class.
The result... well... Heh.
Ding-dong, ding-dong...
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
***
In the faculty office.
Nursing a headache, Hiratsuka lit a slim cigarette, crossed her legs, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Yukino Yukinoshita: isolated, naive, childish."
"Shoko Nishimiya: disabled, sensitive, inferiority complex."
"Hitori Gotoh: extreme social anxiety, practically a psychological patient."
"And then there are those brats whose situations aren't much better. Haruka Kasugano: self-isolating, out of sync with everyone else, weird psychological profile... and seems a bit self-righteous? Hayato Hayama: a 'people-pleaser' normie, but he doesn't seem to know where to draw the line."
"Yumiko Miura: fake toughness... Kakeru Tobe: terrible personality, lacks empathy... Yui Yuigahama: good kid but too weak-willed... Hina Ebina: gives me a weird vibe... Minami Sagami: fake..."
"This class is just like the others—cliques everywhere, but with way more problem children."
"Argh! Why did I get stuck with this class?!"
Just thinking about it made Hiratsuka feel like she was going to explode.
"Hiratsuka-sensei!"
A sharp, cold voice rang in her ear.
Hiratsuka let out a resigned sigh. "I know, I know."
As she spoke, she stubbed out her cigarette.
She turned to look at her colleague, Mafuyu Kirisu, who also had a reputation for strictness.
At this moment, Kirisu was looking at Hiratsuka with a stern expression.
"As a teacher, smoking in the office is unethical behavior. Especially when there are non-smokers like me present. Second-hand smoke is even more harmful!"
The corner of Hiratsuka's mouth twitched, and she quickly changed the subject.
"Has anything happened in your class recently, Kirisu-sensei?"
At the mention of this, Mafuyu Kirisu's face changed. "Yes. You recall that I have three geniuses in my class, correct?"
"Mm. The literary genius, Fumino Furuhashi, who can write masterpieces effortlessly. The science genius, Rizu Ogata, who dominates competitions. And the musical genius, Kazusa Touma, daughter of the great musician Youko Touma, who has won countless awards since childhood."
"Three geniuses. You're blessed, Kirisu-sensei."
Hiratsuka felt a pang of envy.
Look at her class.
Then look at the bunch of weirdos in her own.
Tsk.
Unexpectedly, Kirisu replied with a ghostly tone.
"And what if... Fumino Furuhashi wants to study math but can't even solve a linear equation with two variables? What if Rizu Ogata wants to study liberal arts but gets a zero in reading comprehension? And what if Kazusa Touma skips class every day and has conflicts with everyone..."
"..."
"..."
"Haha... right." Hiratsuka could only offer an awkward laugh.
Okay, she took it back. The other side was also a bunch of weirdos too.
"So, what do you plan to do, Kirisu-sensei?"
Just as Hiratsuka asked this...
A knock came at the door.
"Hiratsuka-sensei? It's me, Kasugano."
Hiratsuka offered an apologetic smile to Mafuyu Kirisu, then called out, "Come in."
Haruka walked inside.
"Hello, Sensei." Haruka spoke very politely.
"Mm." Hiratsuka nodded.
"I called you here mainly because of some issues. Of course, I still have to criticize your behavior from earlier. Your parents wouldn't want to see you turning into a delinquent, so consider this a warning in advance."
Hiratsuka smiled as she cracked her knuckles, making loud pop sounds.
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