From how she presented it, I bet Hayashi-sensei spent a lot of time thinking of ideas on how to punish me without making it too much of a loss on my side.

What’s the armband for, anyway? It’s only a tool to properly exercise the authority bestowed upon me. I used it mostly to shut any voice of complaints and stop idiots from provoking me. Besides, even though I kept on patrolling our halls, the rulebreakers weren’t that many and most of the time, warning them was enough.

I could do away with it for a week. It’s also a plus because I could simply return to Shizu’s side and act as her personal secretary again.

And that’s why, without hesitation, I handed the armband to Hayashi-sensei. Although it intrigued her why I didn’t even complain, she didn’t voice it out.

She simply stared at me as if she was trying to read my mind. Whether she’s successful or not on that, I had no idea. She dropped it after a minute.

And then, she waved her hand, gesturing to the end of this meeting.

“Alright. I expect you to be here tomorrow. You can go now.”

Not that I was expecting something else. However, when I remembered my father getting in trouble with her message to him that was inquiring about me, I thought she’d try to get an answer from me.

I guess I was overthinking that. She’s probably just interested in how I can be so different from my father.

“I understand. But sensei, shouldn’t I start reporting to you at this moment? You said a week so...”

“Don’t tell me... Did you do something significant again within the short time that passed?”

Something significant? Does having sex with Shio in her private room count?

As if I could tell her that. She’s not even aware of my relationship with Shio.

Upon thinking for a moment, I found something that would interest her, “Uh. I did pay a visit to that guy before coming here. That’s why I’m a little late. Does that count?”

“You... Did you threaten him?”

“I don’t know what you’re getting at, sensei. What’s the point of threatening him again? He’s already afraid of me. I just reminded him what he has to do from now on.”

Although that still counts as threatening the silent guy, I couldn’t really see it as such anymore.

And following that logic, Hayashi-sensei had no other choice but to accept that.

Her forehead creased though. But even if she’s looking troubled, her beauty is still undeniable. I won’t fault my mother for being wary of her despite my father not even entertaining the idea of being the only man fancied by Hayashi-sensei.

“Seriously, you’re too different from your father.”

“Comparing me to my father again? Sensei, when will you move on? Should I help you with that?”

I don’t really care about being compared to him but this woman... she’s probably having a hard time moving on. I mean, how many years has she yearned for him? It’s probably longer than I lived. It’s not that easy to suddenly forget it.

“Help me? What can a brat like you do?”

“I don’t know... It depends on what sensei wants to happen.”

“Forget it. Just go now and remember to come here tomorrow. I’ll be waiting.”

Hayashi-sensei rolled her eyes and waved her hand again, dismissing the thought away.

I also didn’t try to push it. There’s no reason to. Besides, I was only half-serious about helping her. Maybe if I see her looking depressed again but at the moment, there’s nothing wrong with her.

-

-

With the classes over, my next destination was naturally to check on my girls first.

Haruko and the others at the Book Club don't have any plans to go and watch the Inter High. Instead, they’re just going to spend an hour or two doing club activities before going home. And that’s the same for the Poem Appreciation Club.

Minori and Yuika-senpai were a little more welcoming to my presence than before. However, the same as usual, the latter warily maintained her distance from me as if I would pounce on her at any moment.

At least, Minori-senpai stopped telling me that she was ready to be stolen or challenging me to do so. I talked to them about some things related to them and called it a day.

There’s nothing much to say about Kanzaki. She’s still, more or less, in the process of finding her answer. However, unlike when we were in the classroom where she could only watch me from her seat, our Class President had started to grow bolder at her attempt to get closer to me.

Unfortunately for her, Edel and Himeko wouldn’t yield their place by my side easily. Haruko, Mina, and Aya were just amused watching me getting buried in either Himeko or Edel’s chest.

Well, I enjoyed it so there are no complaints from me about that.

Following my visit there, I moved to the nearby Game Club for Maaya. They don’t have club activity today but some of them still went there to pass the time.

Miura-senpai tried inviting me to join them in playing one game but Maaya got in between us before I could answer. And before the eyes of the few members of that club, the girl grabbed my hand and pulled me along with her, exiting their clubroom. She didn’t care anymore what they would think about us. But still, without proper confirmation, they’d be left guessing.

Before exiting the room, I noticed Miura-senpai with a bitter smile on her lips. However, as soon as she caught me staring at her, enthusiasm was reignited in her eyes. She silently mouthed, ‘I’ll get you next time’ before waving me goodbye.

Maaya didn’t notice that as her eyes were fixed forward. Still, I told her about it when we started moving away from their clubroom.

Her response? ‘I don’t care. She seems passionate about you too. She’s always asking me about you whenever there’s a chance. Why not get her instead?’

Did I expect that response? Maybe. Nonetheless, I sensed a hint of jealousy in her voice. Most likely, it’s the same case with Misaki. She just can’t help it when I’m getting close to another girl.

Due to that, instead of simply following where she would take me, I took the lead from her, bringing us to the same room we used to stay at. To the same empty clubroom that can give us privacy.

And that’s the present situation.

Sharing one seat, my arms were wrapped around her waist while her back comfortably rested against me. In front of us was the board game she made. The Galactic Mining Tycoon v1.2.

Yep. She bragged about updating it and wanted to test it again.

But beneath those words, I easily sensed that it was just her excuse for us to extend our time together.

That’s why instead of taking the seat across from her, we shared the same space. She didn’t even complain about it and accepted what I suggested with a pleasant smile on her lips. Oh. And also, a kiss before starting the game.

It’s already five minutes since we started and at the moment, with her hand holding the dice and the cup we’re using to roll it, she began her turn. And at the same time as she dropped the cup, she looked up at me and said, “If I win this time, bring me with you today.”

I see. Thanks to the early dismissal of our school day, she now has plenty of time on her hands...

But must she decide it like this? It’s not like I will refuse her if she asks.