NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15
Chapter 15. Stormy Transfer Student
Awakening slowly to the morning sunlight streaming through the window.
“Morning, huh?”
The warmth next to me, where Ao had been, was already gone. I stretched out both hands, cracking my fingers a few times.
“Wednesday, huh? Guess that means school.”
The thought of going to school after what happened was nothing but depressing, but attending is essential for getting a future job. Changing into my uniform, I headed to the living room for breakfast.
“Good morning, big brother!”
In the living room, Ao was eating melon bread. A glance at the nearby clock showed it was 7:40.
“Not running late today, huh.”
“Pretty close, though.”
“As long as I make it, it’s fine.”
Ao seemed completely back to her usual self. While a subdued Ao had its appeal, her slightly cheeky attitude was probably the perfect balance. I spread strawberry jam on my toast and took a bite. Grapes are nice, but today I felt like something sweet.
After finishing my meal, I fixed my hair in the bathroom and left the house.
“Alright, I’m off.”
“Don’t get caught up in anything weird, okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Trouble doesn’t come around that easily.”
Stepping outside, I was greeted by a perfectly clear blue sky.
See? Even the weather seemed to say, “Nothing’s going to happen today.”
Feeling assured of a bright day ahead, I walked to school in good spirits.
On the way to school, I felt the stares of other students walking the same path. This time, though, the nature of those stares was different—most were filled with surprise. Understandable, considering someone who’d been taken in by the police two days ago was now walking to school as if nothing had happened. Their shock made sense.
And if so many were surprised, it also meant a lot of people knew about me. Normally, I’d sigh at this point, but today I was in a good mood. “Well, it’ll work itself out,” I thought as I kept walking.
As I neared the school, I noticed Nikaido-sensei, a.k.a. “Medusa,” standing at the gate.
I wasn’t guilty of anything, so I walked past her casually.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning—hey, wait a second!”
She grabbed my shoulder firmly.
Turning around, I saw Nikaido-sensei looking at me with a shocked expression.
“What is it?”
“Come with me!”
She pulled me along, leading me to a room inside the school—the student guidance office. She gestured for me to sit.
Me, a perfectly upright student, ending up in a place like this? Unbelievable.
“So? What happened after you were taken in two days ago?”
As soon as I sat down, she fired off the question.
It seemed she was at least somewhat concerned for me.
“Well, after enduring an exhausting interrogation disguised as questioning, I almost got killed in the end.”
“What?!”
“Actually, Tanaka’s father is the police commissioner. That’s why no matter how much we report it, it gets covered up through some kind of pressure. How can such abuse of power be allowed?!”
“Uh…”
Sorry, sensei, but I already know that. Not only that, but his father has probably resigned by now, and things are likely a mess. Party Guy is probably under arrest too. Does the teacher not know this because it hasn’t hit the news yet? Well, it’s only a matter of time.
“I came out of it unharmed, so let’s leave it at that, alright?”
“It’s good that you’re safe, but why are you so passive about it?”
Because it’s already over. That’s what I wanted to say, but if the information hadn’t gone public yet, it was better to stay quiet.
“It’s just not something I’m particularly interested in.”
“But it’s about you, isn’t it?”
“As long as my family’s safe, that’s all I care about.”
“Fair enough.”
Leaving the guidance office, I headed to my first-year classroom.
Standing in front of the door, I slid it open.
All eyes turned toward me, and each face wore an expression of shock.
Once again, understandable, given the circumstances.
“Hey, why is he here?”
“Wow, I can’t believe he just walked in like nothing happened. I’d be too embarrassed to show my face.”
“Tch, a thief showing up to school? Seriously?”
A storm of insults.
If they have something to say, they should say it to my face instead of whispering to their friends. It grated on my nerves. My good mood ruined, I slumped over my desk and pretended to sleep.
Three years. I just have to endure for three years.
I repeated this to myself, calming my mind.
After a few minutes of enduring the sting of their words, homeroom began as Mr. Okamoto, our teacher, walked in.
“Stand, bow, and—”
“Woooooooaaaaahhhhh!!!”
The chairperson’s command was interrupted by a loud cheer from the floor above.
As the classroom buzzed with curiosity, our teacher explained.
“A transfer student joined the second-years today. Seems like a pretty unique one, so they’re probably causing a commotion.”
“What kind of person is it?!”
One of the boys in the class asked eagerly.
“Well, let’s see… if I had to say, she’s quite the beauty.”
“Whoa!!!”
They’re definitely going to check her out later.
To get so excited over a transfer student—how naive. I already have the contact info of an older beauty. No need for such childish antics.
With that, homeroom ended in a slightly buoyant atmosphere.
Party Guy’s seat remained empty, and a few students seemed to find it odd.
◇
When lunchtime arrived after a series of dull lessons, two figures barged into the classroom.
“Hey, you piece of trash! What the hell did you do?!”
“If you don’t explain, we’ll beat the crap out of you!”
It was Party Guy’s usual companions—Party Guy No. 2 and No. 3.
So you two didn’t get caught, huh? Good for you. Losing two meat shields would’ve been tough.
Party Guy No. 2 grabbed me by the collar and lifted me.
“Don’t just stay quiet, you bastard!”
“I didn’t do anything. He just self-destructed.”
“You’re asking for it!”
Why?!
I thought I gave a perfectly reasonable answer, but it seemed I’d chosen the wrong one.
Party Guy No. 2 raised his arm, preparing to punch me.
“Excuse me, could you move? You’re in the way.”
A girl’s voice interrupted us. She was addressing Party Guy No. 2, who was holding me, and Party Guy No. 3, who stood nearby, blocking her path.
We all turned to look at her, each of us wearing a stunned expression.
Party Guys No. 2 and 3 were struck by her beauty.
As for me, my shock came from wondering why she was here.
Seeing my face, the girl chuckled softly, struck a pose, and introduced herself.
“I’m Hattori Suzuna. I’ve come to school to win you over!”
“What?! Why?!”
This girl was the energetic member of the special abilities team I’d met not long ago.