Chapter 1427 Praise

The last time I talked to Hayashi-sensei was that day she handed me the task. I got a little bolder back then to jokingly suggest that I want her to join our complex relationship as a reward for completing her task.

Naturally, I only brought that up to throw her off guard. It was successful but the silence that followed became too awkward that I backed down myself, leaving her office with the reward talk left hanging in the air.

As for whether that intriguing smile that she displayed has any relation to that or not, I'll probably hear about it later. For when we're left alone in this room.

It's still just an assumption on my part. Maybe there was no meaning to it and I only interpreted it as such because of the previous incident.

In any case, there's nothing wrong with being prepared for it. Right?

On another note, even though her appearance right now was already a bit different than the first time I saw her, she is, at least, a lot better than last time. She appeared stressed out back then.

I never got to ask her for the reason and there was just really no reason to do so. It's not like we're closely related. Just recently, I only know her as the mysterious school nurse who happened to be the director and the owner of this school. The revelation that she's someone who has fallen to my father's charms and still hoping to get his attention for longer than I have been living is also kind of a chance discovery.

So, yeah. In terms of familiarity, our only real interaction was when Shizu introduced me to her as the girl's successor.

And in regards to handing me the task, it's probably just being the right person at the right time. If I'm not Eguchi-sensei's Student Assistant, that's probably not going to happen at all.

Well, enough about that.

After respectfully greeting her alongside Eguchi-sensei, I effectively become something like a bystander at the side, listening to them discuss the report as well as the details of our trip yesterday.

In the first place, I only really need to show my face here because Eguchi-sensei could already handle all of that.

It has been five minutes and they're pretty much done with it already.

Surprisingly, despite what she was feeling earlier, Eguchi-sensei managed to not falter in front of Hayashi-sensei. Or at least, not show anything unusual that could possibly be suspicious in Hayashi-sensei's eyes.

In my mind, I couldn't help but nod proudly at the lovely Ryouko-san.

Regardless, even though I said I was a bystander, the two women sometimes would turn to me to answer a question regarding what I observed on the time I roamed through the halls of the three schools.

Although I felt bad for hiding that I received another task from Hayashi-sensei to Eguchi-sensei, there was nothing I could do about that when I was strictly instructed to keep it to myself.

Closing the report folder and putting it down on her table, Hayashi-sensei soon concluded their discussion.

"Okay, you've done a great job, Eguchi. Thanks for your hard work. I know I've picked the right person for that job. And you too, Onoda-kun, you've been very helpful."

Somehow, hearing those appreciative words from Hayashi-sensei, Eguchi-sensei awkwardly smiled. And so do I.

I mean, lip service or not, it's unmistakable that Eguchi-sensei became the same as the ones she was tasked to catch in those three schools. As for me, I have been in a relationship with Shio way before that Nobuo got caught.

We should catch ourselves yet, we were getting praised at this moment. How ironic this situation is.

But of course, there's no way we would do that. We just have to be very careful or better yet…I should also make Hayashi-sensei an accomplice.

Alright, that's just wishful thinking at this time.

"Thank you, Director. I must admit, the trip also helped me improve in more ways than one." Eguchi-sensei replied. The awkward smile on her lips was already gone.

As for me, I simply bowed like a model student.

Fortunately, Hayashi-sensei didn't pick up anything because she turned to her back the moment our guilt slipped out.

"That's good to hear. Those old coots called me nervously last night, thinking they would be sacked. I guess I can trust you if ever this kind of trip has to be made again in the future."

Hayashi-sensei had a pleasant laugh talking about those calls she received.

On the other hand, I noticed Eguchi-sensei reacting a bit to that last part as she eagerly replied "Yes. Director can entrust it to me and Onoda-kun here. He's very helpful."

Yep. Eguchi-sensei intentionally mentioned me so that she could take me again next time.

Hayashi-sensei raised a brow upon hearing that as her eyes landed on me.

Well, she's not suspicious, she most likely found it laughable that I was being praised that much by Eguchi-sensei. As someone aware of my multiple relationships, she probably couldn't put my name and 'an excellent student' together.

"Shizu-chan has also been praising him a lot. She even drafted a position solely for him in the Student Council. If I recall, he's also handling the cases of problematic students, right?"

"Indeed, he's also been excellent in that regard, Director. I don't know if you already received the report but he managed to convince one student to return to school."

"Ara. How efficient… Onoda-kun what else can you do?"

Wait. Somehow, the direction of this conversation suddenly focused on me…

Looking at the two women in front of me, while Eguchi-sensei was truly pleased with praising me in front of the Director, I could feel that Hayashi-sensei was doing this to tease me…

Well, what can I do? Play along… I guess? They're not harming me, anyway. Besides, watching Eguchi-sensei being that enthusiastic was kind of refreshing.

We've been always in an intimate situation recently, after all. Although that was great overall, I still like to see her acting the same as before. Like the Eguchi-sensei who had yet been troubled with her infatuation with me and truly appreciated me as her student.

"Uh. I'm afraid I have a lot I can't do but I'm grateful to receive such praise from the Director and Eguchi-sensei." I put on an embarrassed smile which made the two women laugh.

After spending a few more minutes just focusing on me, they eventually ran out of praise or teases. And so, Eguchi-sensei and I excused ourselves.

Like I expected, before I could follow Eguchi-sensei outside, Hayashi-sensei approached me from behind. Upon making sure that the other woman wasn't looking, she placed her hands on my shoulders before leaning close to my ear, "Onoda-kun, come back here during the break. We still have something to discuss. Also, look forward to the reward I promised you."

I see... Instead of holding me off here and inviting suspicion from Eguchi-sensei, she chose to do it at a different time.

And for her to bring up the reward like that… should I really look forward to it?

I tried glancing at her but she was quick on her feet.

As soon as she finished whispering that, she returned behind her table, acting oblivious to my stare while donning a provocative smirk.