"What the hell, Hebi-kun!" Shibui questions. "You're just gonna let that fucking cunt deck your friends out?"
"I didn't tell them to attack her. They did what they wanted and faced their consequences. If you want to be some savage from the slums of the city, you're free to do so; otherwise, leave me the hell out of it. Why would you want to attack a woman who just got here? She actually had something good to say; sit the fuck down and listen," Himitsu ordered.
I see. Nanako thought, watching Himitsu ease Goujou in his chair. They do what he tells them to. This other character, Nigai Shibui-san, is the only one who seems to question his actions. That means he must be another leader but lesser in rank. I take it Principal Omoshiroi's son runs things too. The kids in his group are the only cooperative ones, and he's inspecting me more than the rest of them. Interesting.
"Does that mean you're willing to cooperate today?" Nanako asks aloud.
"Only for today and that's if you can keep my attention," Himitsu says, standing up straight.
"You said something about not having enough credits to graduate. What was that about?" Megane asks.
"Would you like me to discuss everyone's grades?" Nanako asks, leaning on the desk.
"I want to know my grades since you were talking to me specifically," Megane says, narrowing his gaze on Nanako.
"Your school records read as the following: C average, approaching basic for ASDT scores, twenty-two high school credits, and three hours worth of community service. You were nearly expelled twice, and you have eight suspensions for not reporting to the seven detentions you accumulated and for participating in a brawl on campus. The lowest score you've made on a test is a 5, and the highest score you've made is an 85," Nanako informs.
She sounds like a counselor, Yasashii thought. And a good one! I might like her better if she were. It'd save me time from this shit.
"However, due to the changes in standards for high school students, that little C average you have doesn't count. In order to graduate, you need at least a basic level for ASDT scores not approaching; therefore, you have to take the entire test all over kid," Nanako informs, folding her arms.
"Wait a minute, the entire test?" Megane questions.
"Yep. All four sections. Also, the senior class has to take another test that will determine the jobs that can help pay for you to continue school. This is required for you to graduate. There is no 'I don't want to take it so I'm not going to do it seriously.' Your only escape for taking all five of these lovely tests is dropping out," Nanako says, walking behind her desk. "Furthermore, those credits that you so-called earned don't count either. You need twenty-eight credits altogether, correct?"
"Yeah," Megane answers, leaning closer.
"Your D averages for a majority of the classes you've taken screwed you up royally, my friend. Instead of the twenty-two you think you have in the bag, you only have ten. How do you expect to graduate with eighteen credits missing from your records?" Nanako asks, skimming through her roster. "Now, I just named two reasons why you're not graduating. One, your grades; two, your test scores. Is there any reason why I should be convinced otherwise?"
A silence was held in the room. The entire classroom was in shock. If Megane was failing, everyone else must be failing too. Some of the students cheated off his papers before. He seemed like such a smart kid, but Ms. Sawada knows better than they do and she hasn't even met the same cool guy they know. Who was she? How does she know all this?
"Excuse me," Yasashii whispered, raising his hand. "What's my grades look like?"
"Chushin Yasashii-san?" Nanako asks, earning a nod. "You're in just as bad a shape. The good thing is you passed the first ASDT set of tests. You just need to retake the second set because you received approaching basic. As for your credits, you have fourteen of them. That compensates for half and makes working with you a little bit easier."
Yasashii let out a sigh of relief. He was close to Megane's records at the very least. He didn't want Megane to take the blow alone. More students had begun to question their records, which opened a relationship between them and their new teacher. One thing was certain: she definitely knew her shit. She explained the information to them in the simplest terms. Once half-an-hour passed, most of the class knew their averages and were pissed nonetheless but developed a hint of respect for Sawada-sensei.
Goujou had begun to stir as well as the other boys who were taken out by their new teacher. He slowly rose from his position then started to rub the back of his neck to settle the pain. Himitsu noticed his groggy misery and struck the same spot Nanako chopped with a textbook, which knocked Goujou unconscious once again. Amaku gave Himitsu a questioning look, but he received no answer.
"All right, any further questions about grades?" Nanako asked, wrapping the subject up.
"One," Megane said, raising his hand. "If you know we're not going to graduate, why bother teaching us? We all might as well dropout. No one's gonna wanna repeat everything."
"My job isn't just to instruct..." Nanako opens, lifting from her chair to throw trash in the trash bin. "It's to help you graduate. Based on your records, I know what I have to work on with each of you. The problem is whether you want me to help - "
Shibui snatches Nanako's glasses off her face then glares at her. Nanako blinks then reaches for her glasses, but Shibui keeps them and walks back to his desk. The entire class was surprised he was in the teacher's face so quickly; they didn't hear him stand up and walk.
"Dude, what the hell?" Kaminoke asks, surprising Nanako.
"He likes shiny stuff, remember?" a 3-A student says, ignoring his leader. "She ain't gettin' that back none time soon."
"Um, I can't see without those," Nanako attempts.
"If you want 'em back, you can stop talking. Skip to teaching so we can go already. Some of us have to work. You talking will take us 'til tomorrow," Shibui says, fiddling with Nanako's eyeglasses. "You're not a counselor so don't act like one. Stick to your job."
"Well, pardon me. What pray tell do you want to talk about?" Nanako asks, squinting her eyes.
"The stupid topics would be nice," Shibui says, admiring the frame of the glasses.
"What topic would you like to discuss?" Nanako probes. "It's free reign on topics."
"This free reign is killer. Can you give me specifics?" Shibui asks, holding the glasses to the light.
"That's your job not mine."
"Does sex make a good topic?" Himitsu asks, amusement in his eyes.
Nanako laughs then says, "Sex? Really? Are we really going to talk about sex?"
"Free reign, remember?" Himitsu says.
Nanako laughs another time, mildly attracting some of the students, then walks to the board. She scribbles SEX on the board and multiple subheadings related to the main topic. Class 4-C grew more and more surprised as more scribbling branched out across the chalkboard. There were so many details involving sex that it never crossed any of their minds how broad the topic was. Himitsu was also surprised at how much information was being written to say the teacher couldn't see without her glasses.
"Well, thanks to your lovely classmate in the back corner, you now have a topic to open Strategies for Success," Nanako says, turning to the class. "So let's begin."
Aka was starting to wonder about Nanako once the bell rung for sixth period to start. Daidaiiru was pouring out information of his former classmate at the academy that caught Aka's interest. Kin was interested in the subject the moment Daidaiiru said he knew Nanako from the start. How did that relationship pass by?
"So what was she like with the paperwork?" Kin asked.
"She could wipe out an entire desk spotless!" Daidaiiru proudly complimented, smiling. "One time, there was this sergeant who was mad as shit because some reports were missing from a theft case. Nanako-chan just so happened to be filing papers on some random desk the chief assigned to the interns. I was working in the cubicle across from the room she was in, and decided to invite her to lunch because the chief said we could go on break. So the sergeant stormed into his office, screaming and yelling and - like a breath of fresh air - Nanako-chan came in and delivered all the information that was missing. I swear she was like the messiah of clerical work!"
"I need someone like that now," Kin responded. "I have all types of missing files. Documentation's an ass-kicker, too."
"You said something about Takayama before to Nanako-sensei. Was she still an intern during that time?" Aka asks.
"Yeah, but by that time, she was sort of working on the field. We went patroling once and were able to make our first arrest. Takayama saw potential in Nanako-chan. Both a potential threat and apprentice. Sometimes I wonder if he saw a potential lover in her too," Daidaiiru whispered, frowning. "Everyone thought Takayama was an icon on the force, but Nanako-chan saw it differently. She knew things about certain people, you know."
"What d'ye mean?" Aka asks.
"Takayama used to be a sort of tainted saint. He was involved in the underground sect of Tokyo, and Nanako-chan exposed him with the sting operation Chief Tokugawa assigned her. It was a really big scandal at the time," Daidaiiru says, placing a file in his cabinet. "But Nanako-chan couldn't handle the pressure of putting away a big name on the force like that, so she disappeared without telling a soul. I never saw her after they began interrogating Takayama."
"Until today?" Aka questions, gently smiling.
"Hai!" Daidaiiru answers, brightly smiling.
I don't know whether to say they're competing with each other or not, Kin thought. Someone could go blind with the solar flare I'm seeing!
"So was she popular with the men, Yubi-kun?" Kin asks, changing the subject.
"Anou...there was one particular cop who caught her interest. I don't know if he ever flirted with her. He was sort of hardcore."
"What unfortunate soul caught that beast's attention?" Aka asks, raising an eyebrow.
"He was in our class at the academy. His name was...Uchiwa Shitsumon, I think. I don't remember much about him except he would look in our direction when we were in lecture from time to time. It seemed like he stared straight at her, but there was another woman who sat near us. She liked Uchiwa-san at the time, too."
"Were you able to identify his personality?" Kin asks, leaning back in his chair.
"Well...he was determined in his work, very quiet, and he was very observant. I guess his determination and strong will did something for Nanako-chan. She was quite laid-back and mellow when I first met her, so his personality would've created a balance for her, which she amazingly knew."
So that's why she calls me lenient, Aka thought. My character is a reflection of what she used to be!
"All this talk about Sawada and no confrontation," Aka says, walking to the door. "I'm gonna go check on her. See if she's still alive and all."
"All right, we are in the middle of class and there is no mention of your first assignments for next week," Nanako says, erasing half the board. "So, with this is mind, I would like you all to write this down."
Shibui was beginning to become irritated with his new teacher. Everyone was following her! Why? She punched one of their own and knocked him unconscious! Even Himitsu trusts her! He kept fiddling with the woman's glasses until a simple idea came into his mind: break them. He stared at the frame, regretting having to foil with such intricate and shiny material, and slowly began to bend it. Instantly, the blonde teacher threw a thick piece of blue chalk at Shibui's forehead and got his attention instead.
This bitch just threw chalk at me! Shibui thought, picking up the utensil.
"Sorry," she said, tilting her head and smiling. "I couldn't help but hear my glasses cracking. I'll tolerate your childishness for playing with them, but I will have to hurt you if you just so much as irresponsibly twist my frame the wrong way."
"Why? Might go blind if I do?" Shibui questioned, twisting the frame enough to crack them more. "You should be happy I find them interesting enough to play with. The craftsmenship for these is quite artistic."
"Well, in that case, I warned you," she said, walking towards the arrogant prince, still smiling.
"There's nothing scary about a woman with glasses," Shibui smirked.
"Shibui," Himitsu hissed. "Give her the glasses."
Shibui's eyes widened. Why are you defending her?
Himitsu turned to him, glaring into Shibui's eyes. Because she hasn't given me a reason to fight her.
Unexpectedly, Detective Aka opened the door and entered the classroom. He walked up the steps, whistling to himself then smiled divinely.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," he greeted. "Afternoon, Sawada-sensei. How's everything going with your class?"
"Just fine, Lenny," Nanako greets, smiling equally divine.
Are they trying to melt our faces? Megane asked, sinking in his seat from the flares of shining teeth. Where's all the tension coming from? It's like they're trying to kill each other with good cheer and smiles!
"Really? What happened to your glasses?" Aka asked.
"I stole them," Shibui answered, darkly and uncomfortable with the smiling. "Sawada-sensei was about to try to get them back."
"Ah, your obsession for shiny things? Well, they are a lovely shade of green and reflect an interesting hue when pointed to the sunlight," Aka says, suggestively.
Shibui guides Nanako's hip away from his desk then places the frame in the sun beam pouring out of the window. The room was practically filled with green and gold reflecting from the glasses. Shibui placed the glasses in his white coat pocket, implying he's keeping the glasses for eternity, then opened his notebook to write down the assignment from the board. Himitsu rose from his seat with a magisterial air that threatened Shibui's comfort zone and walked from the back of his aisle to Shibui's desk in the middle of the classroom. He stood in front of him, glaring, and held out his large gloved hand. Shibui looked into Himitsu's eyes and shivered slightly then grit his teeth hard enough to cause his jaws to ache.
"Give me the glasses...or I'll rip them from you," Himitsu threatened, death seeming to drip from his lips as he hissed the pronoun 'you.'
Shibui remained still as he focused his attention to his notebook. Himitsu impolitely jerked the glasses out of Shibui's coat pocket then jostled him out of his desk. Shibui prepared himself to fight, but he was incensed to the point that he grabbed his things and stomped out of the room. Aka reluctantly left the room to chase Shibui down. Himitsu returned Nanako's glasses then returned to his desk calmly.
"EH!" Migoto and Isha shouted.
Migoto and Isha were sitting in the Documentation Room of the Senior Department office. They were watching Nanako place a number of packages in a large box. She had just finished explaining the occurrences in her classroom. Two of the leaders had gotten into a mix and the main leader supposedly "convinced" Goujou, Shibui, Amaku and two other boys to apologize formally for their inappropriate behavior! Outstanding!
"So does this mean Shuhan-san is on your side?" Migoto asked, leaning her body forward.
"Don't know."
"Was he there when they apologized?" Isha asked, also leaning forward.
"Didn't see him."
"Did you tell the principal about this?" Migoto asked.
"Yep."
"Well, what'd he say?" Isha asked.
"Nothing. He cried mostly. Kaeru-san said something about him being overwhelmed with joy, I think. I'm sure he must've meant something else by that," Nanako says, looking at the women. "No one cries with joy over their students getting beaten."
A knock was heard on the door. Enkaku poked his head into the office then smiled.
"Ah, Sawada-sensei, one of your students would like to speak with you."
"Name."
"Ame Nemui-san," Enkaku answers, beginning to frown.
Nanako bows to formally excuse herself then quietly leaves the room. Nemui was leaning on her desk, waiting on his teacher.
"May I help you, Ame-san?" Nanako asks.
Nemui turns to Nanako then deepens his scowl. Nanako raises an eyebrow at this gesture then slouches on her hip. If he thought she would be frightened by him like the rest of the teachers, he was terribly mistaken but he had initiative.
"You..." Nemui started, gathering his thoughts in order. "You have a lot of explaining to do." Nanako arched both of her eyebrows at this and continued to listen. "First, how are you allowed to touch other students and not be sued for assault and battery of a minor?"
"I had the right. There's only three minors in that entire class who were smart enough to stay seated at their desks while I was talking. You were one of them. None of you should be considered minors. More like jerkwads," Nanako said, earning a chuckle from Ennpitsu-sensei. "To answer your question more directly, however, the principal allowed me to do so as part of my contract for working as a teacher in this school. The contract is in my desk drawer."
"Fine," Nemui accepted, frowning. "Next question: why agree to have a class on sex?" he asks, causing Enkaku-sensei to choke on his sip of coffee. Ennpitsu tries desperately to help him regain his composure, but it was too much. "Do you have any idea what that could do for your employment if the superintendent caught you?"
"I am aware, but your classmate was interested in having a class discussion about sex. Free reign is free reign. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have said it."
"Do you know why Hebi-kun wanted to talk about sex?"
"Do I need a reason?" Nanako counter-questions, surprising Nemui. "Are you uncomfortable with talking about sex?"
I am! Enkaku thought, tearing up from choking on coffee.
"I just wanted to know if you knew," Nemui admitted, sighing. "One more thing... What do you know about Hebi-kun?"
"Shuhan-san?" Nanako asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Not much. Why?"
"I'm asking because you didn't mention his grades in class. There were others too, but, out of the important people in the room, he wasn't mentioned."
"You were one of those people if I remember correctly," Nanako says, seriousness in her voice. "Would you also like to know yours, Ame-san?"
Nemui's eyes widened at the question. Her memory was good! His mouth twitched somewhat then he answered, "Yes, I would like to know."
"Your school records are one of the best that I've read. You have a B average as opposed to the rest of your classmates, you received a mastery on one of the ASDT tests, and you have all twenty-two credits. All you need is the community service hours and passing grades for this year. The lowest grade you've made is a 52 and you've aced a number of tests. You only had two detentions and suspensions for your disciplinary history. I, honestly, have a right to exempt you from Friday's test, but I think you are one of the main students who needs to take it."
"Why if I earned an exemption?" Nemui asked, folding his arms.
"I'll tell you a secret," Nanako said, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. "Honestly," she started, inhaling, "I think it's bullshit. Your test on Friday shows me how you are able to memorize information and your responses to certain topics; for instance," she said, exhaling smoke, "if I asked a question relating to sex, I would know whether you are uncomfortable with the subject or not based on your answer and the way you made your conclusion. The test that demonstrates your strategy to success is a link to the course Strategies for Success."
"That doesn't tell me why you think me passing is bullshit," Nemui argued, placing a hand on a desk.
"You have notes for Japanese history written all over your left hand," Nanako said calmly, holding her cigarette a few inches above his hand on the desk. "You expect me to believe you aced practically every test you've been given on your own power?"
Nemui inhaled sharply from shock at how easily he had been caught. Enkaku and Ennpitsu gasped slowly at Nanako's quick observance. Nemui had been one of their best students! Who knew he cheated his way through the ranks?
"I'll bet you 8250 yen you can't pass a freshmen level exam if I handed it to you," Nanako challenged, inhaling smoke from her cigarette. "I'm not convinced in the slightest that you're smart enough to pass a test; in fact, that mastery you got was the largest case of bullshit I've probably ever seen. You're not worth those sort of high marks...unless you can prove it to me."
"What?" Nemui questioned, looking into Nanako's eyes. There was something in them that he couldn't place, yet it rung like a bell. It was her gaming nature coming out.
"I have the exact amount of money on me right now if you want it. 8250 yen is sitting in my purse just looking for a lusty hand to receive it. Whaddaya say, kid?"
Nemui didn't answer. Eight thousand yen is a lot of money, though more would be worth anything to get, but she's not seriously going to go through with this is she?
"Tell you what. I'll make the stakes higher. If you can pass a freshmen level exam, I'll apologize with a dogeza for behaving the way I did today," Nanako said, exhaling smoke.
Nemui's eyes widened. She was serious! It doesn't get anymore serious than that. She provided him with a clear opportunity to gain revenge, but she was so confident in making it that this challenge seemed impossible! What brought this on? He couldn't understand.
"So...if I win, you'll apologize with a dogeza and give me 8000 yen?" Nemui asked, contemplating on whether to accept.
"8250 yen, but close enough," she corrected, nodding. "Actually, there's one more thing I want to add." Nemui looked into her eyes incredulously but didn't respond. "If you can prove to me that you can pass a freshmen level exam, I'll do the following (Ennpitsu-sensei and Enkaku-sensei are your witnesses): I, Sawada-sensei, will give my student, Ame Nemui-san, exactly 8250 yen, apologize to whoever he chooses with a dogeza, and exempt him from my test on Friday."
Nemui gasped. There really was no escaping this. Pass the challenge, you can pass on taking Friday's test; don't and you'll be known as a cheat and fail miserably.
"I will ask you again, Ame Nemui: Do you accept this challenge or are you going to step down and take the test on Friday like the rest of the class? If you step down, then I pinpointed your cheating ways exactly and I have the right to expel you."
Nemui clenched his teeth as his fists began to tremble. He furrowed his eyebrows, hating the way he felt and hating the woman before him. She was so confident! She was offering everything he would have wanted: money, a formal apology, and a test exemption. In order to do that, she has to know he was going to lose. Suddenly, a thought crossed Nemui. She called the shots for him winning, but she didn't say anything about him losing.
"Hey, can I borrow your face?" Nemui asked, stepping in the direction of the door.
Nanako put out her cigarette then followed Nemui out of the department.
He led her to the sideyard of the school campus. The parking lot was empty with exception to a few cars. The students left some time ago, and with there being no sports teams there was no purpose in staying. Nemui stopped in the middle of the clearing and turned swiftly to look at his opponent. She waited for him to speak then tilted her head to probe him.
"If I lose to you, what would you want to win?" Nemui asked.
"What do you think I want?" Nanako counter-asked. "I assumed you wanted me to do the things I already named because you're the only one who decided to confront me. I take it you want me to bow down to you and perhaps one of your leaders for angering him, correct?" she questioned, earning a scoff from Nemui. "Well, that's something I don't want to do if I lose. Name one or more things you wouldn't want to do for me if you lose."
"A-anou," he said, blush creeping to his cheeks. "I, anou, I - "
Okay, I know this is wrong, but I have to admit it. Nanako thought, smirking. He's really cute when he stumbles.
"I wouldn't want you to...to ignore me," Nemui whispered, voice cracking. "Even though no one else has caught me cheating before, you saw right through me. I don't know how you were able to notice the writing on my hands through my gloves when even they have writing on them and lace for good measure, but it's a powerful enough observation to accomplish. I had to actually tell my friends that I cheat on most of my tests, yet you knew from a passing glance."
"I'll tell you a secret. I actually didn't know there was writing on your hands," Nanako said, chuckling. "You just caved in."
Nemui's eyes widened. A wild guess brought this whole ordeal on? In the end, he did have to tell her he was cheating but all because of an accurate guess.
"Then...can't I deny your challenge?"
"You can, but you have to take the test. By doing so, I still have the right to expel you, remember? I don't know how long you've been cheating on tests, but I take it you've done it for quite some time."
"All four," he mumbled.
"Hm?"
"I cheated since I started school, all right!" Nemui defended, widening his eyes. It was the first time he had ever raised his voice.
Geez, kid! Nanako thought. I don't have a choice but to expel you. It'll take forever to - wait! What if...I started my program...? Could that help...?
"I see," Nanako said. "Tell me something, Ame-san. How did you make a 52 on a test? What class was that for?"
"It was for Geometry I. My old math teacher freshmen year, he said he didn't believe someone like me could keep making good grades since I was with Class 3-A. So I put away my cheat sheets for five tests. The first low grade I made was a 52 on my own. After that, I refused to get that low and studied the important stuff. I earned grades in the 70s range," Nemui explained, looking helpless.
My god, he's too cute when he caves! Nanako thought, holding in a laugh. He looks like a little puppy. So adorable!
"Are you laughing at me?" Nemui questioned, anger creeping in his face.
"No, this is a serious matter. However, I know what to do for you now," Nanako says, folding her arms. "I won't go so low as to expel you because I haven't determined whether you deserve it or not. But, the fact still remains, you haven't accepted my challenge. So, Ame-san, what's the last thing on this planet that you want me to gain if you lose?"
"I accept the challenge," Nemui answered after a long silence. "If I win, you'll give me those three things you told me at your office... If I lose, you have to ignore everyone else in the class and pay attention to me."
"Now, with this, you're asking for something that you have to fight for. Gaining my attention versus your classmates isn't easy. You're fighting against twenty-six students."
"Apparently, you didn't understand me. You have to ignore everyone else if I want you for something. Basically," Nemui said, raising his hand to point a finger at Nanako, "you have to be my other mother. If your son wants something, wouldn't you rush to the scene?"
"Yes, he is my son," Nanako answered honestly.
"That's what I want. If I lose, you have to be my mother. That's the one thing I would never allow anyone to be no matter what the costs."