Great. Now the principal's all caught up in this mess.
Deep within me, worry starts to grow for Shizuka. Was she fired? Suspended? Or maybe replaced? What are the papers she's carrying for? How did the principal get into this?
I didn't need to wait for long to get my answer.
"As you all now know, a video has been circulating in our fine institution. As your principal, I have the duty to protect my students from harm. As it seems that you already know of the contents of this video, I want to make one thing clear:
I do not condone leaking out PRIVATE conversations.
Whoever they were, I promise you, Hikagaya-san, they would be punished for their actions. However, due to certain circumstances, it seems that finding out the identity of this culprit might be nigh impossible."
Taking another breath, his anger slowly fading away, the principal continued;
"Unfortunately, the contents of the conversation has made its rounds to the parents of some, shall we say, important students." While saying this, his eyes roamed around the room to meet a few particular bashful students.
Shizuka, not missing a beat, continued the man's explanation for him. Looking at me straight in my eyes, meeting my gaze for the first time since the video got released. With a guilty smile, she continued;
"Because of this, we have been receiving calls about my integrity as an unbiased teacher, questioning my methods of teaching and blatant favoritism towards a certain cynic."
"With these concerns, the Vice Principal and I decided to let Hiratsuka-sensei to stay in her position as Class 2-F's advisor. Her talents as a guidance counsellor would not be wasted because of a single conversation with an obvious childhood friend who just happens to be a student. Unfortunately, adjustments have to be made in order to prevent parents from pestering the faculty."
Shizuka, with a sad smile, looked at me and handed me the papers that she was carrying.
"Hachi. I'm sorry but this is the only way. They want you to change classrooms. From tomorrow, you'd no longer be a member of 2-F. You'll be attending 2-J now. Your grades speak for themselves and I am sure that you'd do well in a more studious environment."
Blushing from her blatant usage of my nickname in front of the classroom, I took the papers from her, ignoring the snickers around the room.
"Enjoy your final day here, Hikagaya-san. I look forward to your academic achievements in the future."
With that, the principal sent me a charming smile akin a grandfather giving a grandson an encouraging pat in the back, and left the room in silent footsteps.
After Shizuka calmed the class down, she explained to the class the significance of her conversation with me. She explained our relationship, how we met, and how we treat each other.
Seeing as its already out in the open, I didn't deny anything she said about me, deeming it no longer necessary to deny. She spoke about her hardships in finding a relationship and my role as her emotional soundboard every time she fucks something up.
In the span of an afternoon, her relationship towards her class grew leaps and bounds. The students, seeing their advisor's problems with her relationship and eagerness to explain her side of the story, slowly grew to be fond of their sensei.
Their eyes would often linger towards my direction. I somehow feel that the newfound knowledge of me being not just a monster of logic made them see me in a new light. Tch. It doesn't matter though, I don't really care for their opinions toward me.
Occasionally, I would glance at Kawasaki-san's direction. I don't know if it's just me, but there is something familiar about her, like a feeling that I know of her from before. She said we're neighbors, right? Maybe that's it.
Seeing her glance at me from time to time, I stopped looking to avoid misunderstandings. I feel my face heating up from my actions. Why was I even doing that? Curiosity? Gratitude? Thankfulness?
A thought for another time. I need to focus on Sensei in case she ever mentions something embarrassing about my childhood again.
"I remember the time when he first ate ramen with me, he almost died from the heat. He has a cat's tongue, you see."
"Sensei!"
The second bell of the day signified the start of the second break.
Within a few seconds, my seat was surrounded by my fellow students, asking me about my closeness to Shizuka.
"Damn! Hikitani-bro! You're so lucky to be friends with sensei! You got the moves! Teach me sometime, eh?"
Tobe, the resident class clown who had the IQ in the negatives, had long flowing hair dyed in orange.
"Yo, Hikio! How did you become so fast! We need to play tennis sometime! I want to fight you!"
Miura, a fiesty socialite considered as the "Fire Queen of Soubu", had long blonde hair, seemingly as natural as it could be. She had an affinity towards tennis and would often be seen clinging on Hayama's arm.
"You were so fast Hachiman! You need to join the tennis club! We'd be unbeatable with you there!"
Totsuka, a gym partner I had last week, had a face of an angel. Like Miura, he was an avid fan of tennis and would often be seen practicing in the tennis court.
"OMG! Did you see Saki-Saki save Hikitani-kun from the punch? It looks like my all-time favorite ship has sunk, but at least SakiHachi is floating now! Ayeee!"
Ebina, A fujoshi-wearing glasses, got a nosebleed just from using her highly perverted imagination.
As if sensing a glare towards me, I look around to find Hayama shooting me the most ugliest face he could. Seeing him riled up like this, I can't help but wear a smug grin on my face.
Looking as if he was readying his fist for another punch, I urge the others to get out of my personal space in case I need to dodge another weak punch.
With decisive steps towards me, Hayama readied his fist and pulled back, only to be stopped once again by Kawasaki-san. In an instant, Hayama's collar was used to lift him above the ground, making his feet dangle. I couldn't really see Kawasaki's expression, but it seems like most of the people who could, including Hayama, was scared by what they saw.
Hmm. Scary and Strong. What a sexy combinatio-
Getting my mind to a more realistic pane of existence, I saw her push Hayama back towards his two cronies and say the very words I wanted to say before she interrupted;
"Want a round 2?"
With a grunt, Hayama tactically retreated, knowing that he couldn't win from my dodges or Kawasaki' strength. I wouldn't be honest if I said that I wasn't impressed by this girl. To be able to lift a man like Hayama with ease, with one arm no less, would need a considerable amount of power. To see her easily do this is impressive, and it seems like it wasn't just me who was astonished. Looking around, I saw most of the boys look at Kawasaki-san in hunger, desperately wanting to make a strong girl like her to be theirs. Tch. Disgusting. You ignore her for a month and see a cool pose, and now you guys are horny for her? Yikes, Cringe.
Looking back at me, her eyes soften as if to ask if I was okay. Surprised by her act, I nodded encouragingly and silently said my thanks.
Huh... why are her ears red all of a sudden? and Why is she getting flustered just now? Stop giving mixed signals, woman! I'll fall for you if you do that!
With that, she hurriedly left the room, eager to escape the stares she was getting from the boys. From the direction she was going, it looks like she was heading towards the cafeteria... or maybe she was heading towards her special loner paradise. I'm fairly sure it's one of the two, seeing as she wasn't as keen for attention as I thought.
Huh.. Another loner? It seems like I need to properly ask where she is going, incase I ever encroach on her territory. Zaimokuza and I already had an agreement, it seems like I already need to add another name to the list.
A loner's place is important, that much I could understand. Accidentally going into somewhere not your territory would surely be a cause of disaster in epic loner proportions.
In other words, awkward conversations between to sub-par communicative humans.
A shiver ran past my body, thinking about it. Scary.