Chapter 328: Meeting at their Club Room

"Sensei, it's not great to joke like that."

To completely act oblivious, I widened my eyes as surprise filled my face before frowning as if I was being falsely accused.

I could just shrug it off but that would be more suspicious in this teacher's eyes

Orimura-sensei wasn't dumb. For her to arrive at that suspicion, she probably found the times I was with Shio unnatural.

Well, there's also the possibility that I was overthinking this.

Nonetheless, I have to limit my interaction with Shio from now on…

Thinking back, we're really careful all the time… Or perhaps, I just convinced myself that we're careful. There were times when we would forget about the place and time. Just like when she's giving me a ride home.

In any case, there's no way I would admit to Orimura-sensei's question.

I'm just part of the reason why she decided to divorce that Nobuo. A large part came from her decision after hearing that guy's true thoughts about their marriage as well as the years she spent with him wherein that guy was nonchalantly bringing a student home.

"Hmm? So you're not the reason why she divorced her husband?"

This teacher… You just repeated the same question!

Is my closeness to Shio really that suspicious?

It's her first year teaching here. I guess the way Shio moved and interacted with her students looked unnatural to others. Moreover, these days, she would often be seen with me. Especially yesterday when I visited every class to drop her off and pick her up. The faculty members already downplayed that as me being Shio's Pet. But with the news of her divorce, they probably started deepening their suspicion.

"I'm just a student that Miyaza-- Kinoshita-sensei is fond of ordering as her errand boy. Please don't say something controversial like that, sensei." After my previous expression, I switched it to a sullen one before putting on a worried face.

Although my choice of words sounded like I'm denying my involvement with Shio, what I said contained half-truths.

She's truly fond of using me as an errand boy… because that's the excuse we needed. The excuse to cover up the time we're spending together...

Upon hearing my answer, Orimura-sensei crossed her arms, pressing that bountiful front of hers together.

On the other hand, Eguchi-sensei was confused at this sudden question by Orimura-sensei.

"Sanae-- I mean, Orimura-sensei, what are you doing? Interrogating Onoda-kun like that…"

"Huh? What? I'm just asking a harmless question, Ryoko. Who knows? Perhaps, our new colleague truly fell for a guy like Onoda-kun. Although he seemed lacking in some departments, that pair of eyes wasn't from someone ignorant. Because of you being an airhead, you hadn't noticed that he'd thoroughly observed you. Moreover, the way he spoke was even too mature to even sway the two of us into doing what he wanted." Orimura-sensei waved her hand as if washing her hands clean, turning that interrogative question of hers to an innocent one.

The way she listed my traits like that… This woman might be another Observer like Nami, or I was just too obvious.

Back then, I seldom interacted with an adult. Even if I was confronted by my teacher because of how I failed one subject, I never uttered a full sentence and only answered her questions with yes or no.

"… Is that true, Onoda-kun?"

Swayed by her friend's words, Eguchi-sensei switched her gaze back to me.

Under her inquiring eyes, I felt like I should pick my words carefully here or even Eguchi-sensei would start suspecting my relationship with Shio.

"I apologize but I can't follow your words. Am I being interrogated here, sensei?"

Switching my gaze to Orimura-sensei whose lips started to curve upwards, I brushed off the question and started to act like a victim.

Following my gaze, Eguchi-sensei also stared at her friend.

And upon being subjected to our gazes, Orimura-sensei sighed.

"Alright. I apologize. I'm sorry for my question, Onoda-kun. The thing with Shiori-sensei was just a hot topic at this moment. Knowing that you're the closest student to her, I couldn't help myself but be curious about your relationship with her."

Is that really it? Or is she just surrendering this time because of Eguchi-sensei?

Nonetheless, this should be the best outcome for now.

I already acted my best that Eguchi-sensei thoroughly bought it.

If I continued responding, the chance of saying something wrong was high.

"Sanae. After being helped by Onoda-kun… You looked ungrateful this time... By the way, Onoda-kun, you can go now. Remember, this Friday, we'll treat you to a meal."

"I understand. I'll be seeing myself off then, Eguchi-sensei, Orimura-sensei."

After bowing to the two, I turned around and walked out of the Gymnasium without looking back.

Whether that suspicion was genuine or not, the fact that Shio's divorce was the current hottest topic couldn't be denied. If I continue being seen with her, it would surely end up with us being suspected of having an illicit affair between a teacher and her student.

Although that's the truth, we're not someone crazy who would admit to it. It's just three years… After I graduated from this school, there wouldn't be any reason anymore to hide our relationship.

Before the door to the Gymnasium closed behind me, Orimura-sensei's voice traveled straight to my ears.

"Ryoko, you know what to do this Friday. That Onoda-kun is the key for us to be capable PE teachers of a coed school."

-

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As I left the Gymnasium, instead of going back to change back to my uniform, my feet led me somewhere else.

There were 30 minutes before the Mentor Program starts again so before all that, I already planned my schedule.

Upon reaching the Club Building, my feet led me to the 2nd floor and specifically in front of the Student Support Club.

At this time, the others from our class were all going back to the classroom to rest or go to the cafeteria to eat something after expending their energies.

This Club Building was somewhat devoid of students. Apart from some of the 1st years who had some business in here, it would be a rare occurrence to run into someone else.

When I got the chance to draw near Hina earlier, I told her to wait for me here.

Although I got held back by the two PE teachers, it didn't take that long.

That's why as soon as I opened the door to this clubroom, the familiar square table where their group of friends always sat around everyday was the first thing to enter my eyes.

And sitting on her usual seat at the far right corner where she would usually be sandwiched by Imada and Kikuchi, Hina was sitting calmly while her eyes fell upon my arrival.

"Did you wait long?"

"Five minutes."

"I see. I got held back by the teachers. What do you want to do to get that five minutes back?"

"… Come here and stop standing there." Although she seemed to contemplate how she would answer, she ended up just beckoning me towards her.

Following her words, I took the seat next to hers and rested my somewhat tired back.

"Why did you want to see me? And here in this clubroom, no less."

Well, I need her to be in her familiar space. Back when I first interacted with her, it was in that room where she was too uncomfortable. She even brought Kikuchi to entrap me with a photo. But that backfired on her.

This time, she wouldn't need to feel the threat of being alone with me. Moreover, she already accepted my affection to her and likewise, she admitted to the built-up attraction she now had towards me.

"Do I need a reason to see my Hina? The last time we got to talk alone was that day when you accepted me." I stretched my arm and rested it on her shoulder.

She's still wearing our school's tracksuit and most likely, inside it was her PE t-shirt. Despite resting my hand on her shoulder, what I'm feeling in my palm was her thick clothes.

"… I told you, I'm not yours alone." Although she didn't remove my arm on her shoulder and even tilted her head to the side, her tone was still that of someone conflicted.

She's still hoping for Ogawa to look her way while she's somewhat elated to have this time with me.

She's this complicated.

I admit. I couldn't totally grasp what's going on in her mind. She might have admitted to liking me and she showed it not just once or twice, this girl was still on the fence about going all out on me. Or rather, she's probably waiting for Ogawa to bite onto her hook like me.

Well, that's probably her interpretation of the situation with me. She's unaware that I was only out of time to deal with her and let her know how possessive I am.

"Ogawa won't look your way, Hina. In his eyes, there's only Nami. Knowing you, you already know what happened last night, am I correct?"

"How did you…"

Heh… This girl, as if I didn't know that she could be called as Ogawa's stalker. If not for them being friends, she would probably be like those stalkers, staring at the girl or guy they like from a distance.

"As I said, you're someone chasing after Ogawa for so long. Compared to Nami, you know more about that guy. Besides, do you think I came to like you without any reason?"

Well, at first there's really no reason but upon getting to know her, I naturally came to appreciate and admire her.

I once told her that if I became the recipient of her undying devotion towards Ogawa, I wouldn't let it go to waste. And I still stood to that. However, even after admitting her affection to me which became possible because of what I continued to show to her, that undying devotion remained cast over Ogawa.

"Hina, today, I'll make you forget Ogawa. You see, I don't like to share my girls with anyone else." I continued which instantly made Hina flinch in her seat.

This time, she immediately stood up and stepped away from me.

Of course, I could've held her in place but I had the promise with her that without her permission, I wouldn't do anything.

My eyes followed her but I didn't move an inch from where I was sitting. With our eyes locked to each other, I could see that although she's afraid about what I said, a slight hint of excitement was shining in them.

As to what made her excited… it's probably her silent rivalry towards Nami...

Right. This girl. Apart from her devotion towards liking Ogawa, she's also harboring the thoughts of wanting to beat Nami.

Although she's not voicing that out, it's too clear for me to see. Perhaps, it's also the true reason why she couldn't let go of her obsession with Ogawa. If she manages to make Ogawa and I fall for her, she'll take that as her win against Nami.

Well, for now, I couldn't conclude that it's the real reason. I might be overthinking this. But from the clues I picked up from how she acted or the words that I gathered from both of them, that's the closest guess.

However, the possibility is high...

After around two minutes of just staring at each other, I sighed and stood up. Closing the distance between us, that excitement in her eyes burned brighter and that was clearly indicated when she bit her lips in anticipation of what she thought I was going to do.

Contrary to her expectation, my hand dropped on her head and started patting it as if she's a kid. And with a defeated tone, I whispered to her ears.

"I get it, you still like him more than me. I'll stop here then…"

Upon hearing my words and coupled with what I did that was outside her expectation, Hina instantly lifted her head, her face filled with utter confusion.

"W-what?"