Seeing Eguchi-sensei taking on the doting route, Shio also stepped up her game. While the former was wiping my dried-up sweat, she pulled out a comb and fixed my hair which was just mildly disheveled.

If someone would look in our direction, they would definitely be confused at the treatment I was getting from them. It did look like I was getting favored but it’s more like a mother would do to their son. Besides, even though I’m in the middle of them, there’s sufficient distance between us. Even if they cook up some wild theory, we won’t be mistaken for having an indecent relationship even if they tried. At most, they’ll think that I’m being favored a lot by the two – but that will also be

I guess, this was the limit of what we could do while in an open public space. In any case, this was better than not being able to spend time with them, right?

After some time, the two asked me about our activities, since they only observed the girls’ side during their scavenging in the woods, they could only hear the updates about what was happening on our side.

Well, there’s nothing noteworthy to tell. It’s just us picking up sticks and setting up the tents. Still, looking at their curious expressions, I narrated the experience, of course, that included my friction against Fukuda or Ogawa.

Shio shook her head upon hearing that but she’s not reprimanding me. She’s just lamenting the fact that I wouldn’t get along with the other boys at all. Most likely, Shio still wanted me to experience having friends. She’s worried that I’d isolate myself so much that I would fail to learn to socialize with other people and devote myself fully to them.

Eguchi-sensei, on the other hand, was more interested in the activity lined up for us. She thought that was not enough and it lacked the lesson for discipline considering that the guy from Class 2 immediately tried to act like a tyrant to his groupmates.

She said that if she was there, she’d be giving everyone, including the camp managers a collective punishment. Her typical way of instilling discipline.

When they were observing the girls earlier, she also talked with Shiina and other managers and emphasized the importance of it.

And considering they’re not that rowdy compared to the boys during my visit, it’s probably working.

“Okay. I’ll be observing your next activity. You have to comply too, Onoda-kun. I expect you to be the role model.” Looking fairly enthusiastic at the thought, Eguchi-sensei pinched my cheek and declared.

Shio let out an amused laughter upon hearing that but her next words were affirming Eguchi-sensei’s intention, “You’re right. We won’t have to worry about the girls anymore. The boys needed to be whipped up so they could learn.”

The two of them smiled at each other and from how I saw it, it might look scary yet it was filled with good intentions.

Soon, I get to the point of also telling them about my visit to the girls’ side. Of course, I didn’t say it out loud for the other teachers to hear.

Their eyes went wide in surprise before they both looked at me with incredulous expressions and a hint of disbelief.

However, remembering that I wasn’t one to mindlessly lie, they eventually came to terms with it.

“I knew you’d try but I never thought you’d succeed this quickly. Ruru, who did you charm this time?” Shio playfully teased. But she couldn’t be more correct from that guess.

However, Eguchi-sensei wasn’t that pleased with it. Even if it was favorable to me, it probably hit her differently considering she was just talking about how she reminded the girls about discipline.

Hearing that they let a boy in meant they’re not disciplined enough.

“You’ve been allowed in? I’m sorry, Onoda-kun but I will have to give those girls another talk. Tell me more about it.”

I understand where she’s coming from. However, I have yet to tell them exactly what happened so... she’s probably jumping to conclusions right away.

No. No matter the outcome, she’s still correct in reacting like this, right? Even if she already broke some taboo with me and this could point to her being a hypocrite, she’s still a teacher first.

I grabbed her hand and momentarily squeezed it to calm her mind before replying.

“Alright. But sensei, hear me out first. I can say that they’re not entirely at fault this time and it turned out better for everyone.”

And there, I narrated to them what exactly happened during that visit. Shiina took the risk of bringing me in and putting me up to the role of a handyman to help everyone.

Shio and Eguchi-sensei listened to me quietly at first before they started asking me to elaborate more on certain moments.

For example, the time I had to hide from the professors or how we dealt with those not in favor of my presence.

As my story continued, Eguchi-sensei’s stern gaze gradually softened up but she was still not that convinced.

“If we weigh the pros and cons from the result... Isn’t it leaning more on pros than cons? The girls’ enthusiasm shot up and they enjoyed the activity. Their groups even became united in order to get to know Ruru. The negative only came from the fact that they let him in and it might’ve built some displeasure for those not fond of him.”

Shio voiced her opinion about it, perhaps to help me reason with Eguchi-sensei. She understood that I didn’t want the girls or Shiina, in particular, to be troubled by this.

“I get it. I get that it ended up being more beneficial to them. However, I’m criticizing their lack of discipline...”

“Sensei, aren’t they still disciplined? They could’ve given me a free pass if they wanted to, yet they still used my presence there for the girls’ sake. They also did not agree to it right away.” I also added an explanation.

It’s probably difficult for Eguchi-sensei to turn a blind eye on that. She’s just that kind of teacher, after all. She wouldn’t mind being criticized for her relationship with me. However, when it comes to her teaching, she’s still abiding by it.

“Haa... Okay. I’ll let this slide for now. But Onoda-kun... come with me.” Sighing in resignation, Eguchi-sensei lowered her head. A split-second later, she stood up from her seat and grabbed my wrist.

“Sensei?” Puzzled at her reaction, Shio and I stared at her to explain herself.

Maybe it was just out of impulse as Eguchi-sensei sat back down before the others noticed her slight agitation.

Then, with a voice as soft as a whisper, she said in a hint of frustration, “Ugh. Sorry. I got this sudden impulse to vent my frustration at you, Onoda-kun. Why don’t you comfort me instead?”

This... I get her frustration. But how did it suddenly transform into wanting to be comforted?

Upon hearing that, Shio also lowered her voice as she addressed Eguchi-sensei.

“Eguchi-sensei, you can’t be serious. If you’re going to be comforted by him. I can’t be left out.”

Wait... I thought she was going to reprimand her. Is she not going to?

The two looked at each other before their eyes locked on me. And slowly, their lips crooked up to a knowing smirk.

“Okay. Let’s bring him away from here.” Eguchi-sensei said as she tightened her hold on my wrist.

Shio amusedly poked my cheek before straightening her back as though she was preparing for a confrontation. However, her eyes focused on the other teachers rather than Eguchi-sensei.

Yeah. I can already smell where this is going...

“Take Ruru with you, Eguchi-sensei. I’ll follow right after. Let me handle creating an excuse about why we’re taking him away. If the schedule is still being followed, there are more than ten minutes before the girls arrive. And even then, they still have to cook lunch. That’s plenty of spare time.”

With that declaration, both Shio and Eguchi-sensei stared at me, waiting for my consent. I’m glad they’re considering my opinion too but they already decided, right? Will I ever think of rejecting them? Hell no. I’m absolutely in favor of it.

“I have no idea how it turned to this but... you know me. I’ll always be in favor of extending my time with you. I just wished I could help out though.”

As always, I was being influenced by my position as the core of our relationship. But then again, it’s not bad to rely on them from time to time, right? And in this situation, they’re more reliable than me.

“Just relax. Leave this to us. You have another job to do, anyway.” Eguchi-sensei slightly loosened her hold on my wrist before sweetly giggling.

Now, this will make one wonder how this situation took a sharp turn. At one point, she was in a dilemma about wanting to discipline the girls for allowing me in their cabin area. Now, even Shio joined her in wanting to seek my comfort. Additionally, they’re even going to provide us an opportunity for it…