Chapter 629 - A Progress Is A Progress

I ended that call soon after saying that and seeing my Miwa-nee in the driver’s seat.

She surely heard my voice but just to be safe, she kept her eyes on the road. Besides, I only asked to see her. That’s enough.

After pocketing my phone, I then made my way to the Administration Building, passing by students and teachers who were also currently on their break.

There were those senior students that were probably like me; they passed their application for being a Student Assistant or did the interview with the teacher

Since I already knew my destination, I didn’t poke my nose at the faculty room anymore and continued my steps, treading the long hallway until I reached Eguchi-sensei’s room.

I knocked thrice and waited for the response inside before twisting the knob and pushing the door open.

“Heh, here comes your Student Assistant, Ryouko. Great job, Onoda-kun.”

Instead of Eguchi-sensei, my eyes first caught Orimura-sensei, standing right before the door. She had this kind of irritating smile on her lips, looking at me funnily. Looks like she already recovered from the embarrassment she felt last Friday.

Anyway, even though she only said that one line, I felt as if she had already attributed my choice to become Eguchi-sensei’s Student Assistant to herself. Most likely thinking that she managed to convince me that night when they treated me to ramen. She promised that if I become Eguchi-sensei’s Student Assistant, she would drop her prejudice towards me.

If that’s the case then I had no intention to correct her. Let her assume that it’s because of her. That way, the matter of that shower stall dilemma would be shelved to the back of our minds. Just that, what happened there and at the Ramen House would still linger in her mind.

I truly owed her for that incident. Without her, I would’ve been branded as a pervert—I mean I already am but that’s not the point – and most likely, my punishment for that was either suspension or getting kicked out from school.

“Hello, Orimura-sensei and Eguchi-sensei. I’m here for the interview.” I acted politely and greeted the two. Nonetheless, I already stopped the previous gopher-like attitude that I showed them during the first time I entered this room.

That incident happened with Orimura-sensei. On the other hand, Eguchi-sensei more or less sees me as the capable student who could help her, not just for her thought up activity but also for her to get used to a male student.

Anyway, let’s not talk about why the former is here. It’s easy to guess why after all. And although the latter hadn’t opened her mouth yet, since she looked like she had no idea how to express her gratitude to me, I went and tried to ease up the situation for her.

I was lured in by the benefits she talked about, after all.

“Mhm. Thank you for coming, Onoda-kun. You’re a real lifesaver. Come and sit there.” Eguchi-sensei said as she pointed to the empty couch in front of her.

Following her words, I passed by Orimura-sensei and made myself comfortable on it.

A few minutes later, the simple interview just included a few questions regarding my availability and responsibility as a Student Assistant.

Once we’re done, Eguchi-sensei stood up and picked a canned drink from her fridge and handed it to me while flashing a satisfied and contented smile.

“Take this with you. You still have somewhere to go to so... I won’t hold you any longer.”

“Thank you, sensei. See you on Friday, I guess.” I took the drink and stood up.

“Yeah. Unless you arrive late again.”

“Uhm... I won’t be late again.”

“Is that so? We’ll see.” Eguchi-sensei laughed.

That’s rare. Before I knew it, I’m seeing more sides of this PE Teacher.

Wait, she just doubted me there. It looks like she's expecting to see me come in late again. She offered to let me off on my tardiness as part of the benefit but I rejected that yesterday. It’s not great to take advantage of the situation, right? Moreover, I doubt she could cover for me indefinitely like the other day. If someone else found that she’s favoring a certain student, even if I’m called as her pet, she’d surely be called out for that.

I was in this line of thought when the other PE Teacher, who became a spectator for us, commented.

“Eh? What’s this? Since when have you two become chummy with each other? Onoda-kun? Ryouko?”

Her face was clouded in wonder as she alternated her gaze between us.

“Hmm? I don’t know what you mean by that, Orimura-sensei. What do you mean by chummy?”

“Yeah. You’re not fooling anyone here. There!” Orimura-sensei shot down my answer before pointing at the hand holding onto my shoulder.

It’s Eguchi-sensei’s hand. She patted my shoulder and rested it there. That’s all. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

“Sanae, don’t exaggerate. Can I not be proud of my student? Onoda-kun decided to help me – us. You’re also hoping for this. If only it’s appropriate, I would treat him again to show my gratitude.”

“You’re treading on a thin line now, Ryouko. Be careful. By the way, I survived this school without truly being comfortable with male students for three years already and I’m not as strict as you. Moreover, that’s not what I’m pointing out here. Ryouko, since when are you fine with being touchy with a guy?”

Ah. So that’s why. Not that I think about it, it’s truly the first time for Eguchi-sensei to do this. Even in that car where she sat next to me, she just remained in her seat.

Ignoring the first half of what Orimura-sensei said, Eguchi-sensei then moved her eyes to her hand that’s resting onto my shoulder. A moment later, she tensed up and streaks of red immediately filled her face.

With difficulty, she released her hold and slowly tucked away her hand.

“I also didn’t notice it, Sanae. Maybe I’m already used to Onoda-kun so something like that will not faze me anymore.”

“Really?” Orimura-sensei was suspicious. Nonetheless, with her eyes focusing on how flustered Eguchi-sensei was at the moment, she eventually dropped it. “Okay then. In fact, that’s a good thing. Getting used to it, I mean.”

“Y-you’re right. It’s already not a secret to Onoda-kun. This is also what we aimed for. Is that okay with you, Onoda-kun?”

Eguchi-sensei pushed the topic towards me.

I’m not oblivious to their true aim anyway. Even if they didn’t say it last Friday, I had already seen through their objectives. In any case, although possibly an unconscious action on her part, a progress is a progress.

“Mhm. It’s no big deal, sensei. I’m glad to be of help. I mean, you won’t be as strict anymore once you become comfortable enough in dealing with a male student.” I put on a smile and nodded at her. I also switched my gaze to Orimura-sensei, conveying that it’s the same for her.

Uh... I already went past being touchy with her anyway. Our bodies had already experienced being entangled with each other when I tried to restrain her inside that shower stall.

Upon hearing my answer, Eguchi-sensei’s slightly fidgety body relaxed as she smiled once again. And on the side, Orimura-sensei put a hand on her forehead and sighed in defeat.

After a while I excused myself, leaving the two PE Teachers behind.. In less than a minute, I arrived before my Shio’s room.