Volume 1 - CH 17

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

Common Honorifics:

-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.

-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.

-chan: A common suffix among people you’re close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it’s cutesy and childlike.

-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one’s older or senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

-sensei: A suffix and noun that literally means teacher.

Sakurai and some girls from my class… Hm? Is that…?

I saw a familiar face being carried by a woman who looked like a teacher. The one barely standing was Ms. Hiiragi.

Something’s off with her… Is she drunk?

The fact her face was red as pepper and her footing was wobbly gave it away. She must’ve drank a lot to reach that state… It wasn’t good.

“Well, whatever. More importantly…”

I walked over to them since I had something to say. When I got to them, I looked stern and opened my mouth.

“You guys… I’m not impressed with high schoolers walking around at this hour. It’s not safe around here, so go home asap.”

The downtown area was no place for ordinary students to just frolic around the night. There are all kinds of ruffians and shady people around, so if something happens it’d be too late, y’know?

—That’s what I meant when I scolded them, but my classmates just scowled back at me… For real, some people may like being glared at, but I don’t have that kind of hobby. Please stop it.

Then the woman supporting my teacher comes out in front of the students, looking at me quizzically.

“… Are you also a student at Kiryuugaoka?”

“Yes, I am, but… Who are you?”

“I’m Makoto Hoshimiya, homeroom teacher of class 1A… Also, that line you just said should be mine, right?”

“Shouldn’t the one who noticed danger say something regardless?”

“It’s not about that! I’m saying you’re included in the word ‘high schoolers’!” She glared at me.

Well, even though what she’s saying is right, I’m used to walking around here during this time of night… While I pondered whether I’d tell her that or not, I heard a groan from my homeroom teacher.

“Ugh… Aizawa! Argh…”

“…”

It was her drunken voice.

Oh, you were there…

I’d completely forgotten about her. Then she turned her sloshed red face toward me and grabbed my hand. Her gaze was so deadly it could kill a person.

That’s why that gaze shouldn’t be directed at a student…

With this thought in my mind, I shook off her hand and said, “See you tomorrow,” while walking away. If I continued to stay there, I’d get into trouble 100%.

“Oi, wait a minute!”

“Haah… I wasn’t fast enough.”

As expected, seems they won’t let me off the hook for that. Ms. Hoshimiya then grabbed my arm and turned me around with a swirl.

“You must be Aizawa-kun. I’ve heard a lot about you from Ms. Hiiragi.”

… A lot?

“You’re a student too! I’ll get you back home.”

“No, I’m used to walking around here this time of night. I’m fine on my own.”

“Huh?! I could swear I just heard something I shouldn’t have…”

While we continued our back and forth, Sakurai walked out from among her classmates with a frail voice and timid look, saying “Um… Takkun, that’s dangerous. Why don’t you come home with us?”

“No, it would…”

It would be too awkward.

I looked behind her and noticed them looking at me as if they were expecting something. What on earth is going on?

“It’s late at night and I’m still worried about you being alone…”

“I’ll be fine. You and everyone else, get Ms. Hoshimiya to send you home.”

“Uh, I told you I’d give you a lift.”

Ms. Hoshimiya interrupted the conversation. I understand what you want to do, but I have my own reasons for not wanting to go along, so could you just stay quiet for a second?

My classmates also gave the teacher a “Read the room!” face, which she took with a dejected “Hmm.”

“Anyway, I can go home alone. So go together with your friends.”

“But…”

“Just go!”

My voice got a bit louder, and everyone was surprised. I know it was a bit out of character for me, but when I’m near Sakurai, I can’t help but remember things I don’t want to remember… I hated it.

“… Just go home with them already.”

“… M’kay, I understand,” and neither of us said another word. The air was just awkward.

Perhaps sensing it, Ms. Hoshimiya said “Okay” reluctantly. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m done for the day. I’ll take these kids home safely, so you can go by yourself. Just take care.”

“… Understood. Please take care of everyone, including Ms. Hiiragi who’s laying down over there…”

“Ah.”

I looked over and saw my homeroom teacher sleeping on the sidewalk. Perhaps Ms. Hoshimiya accidentally dropped her when she grabbed my arm.

“Su~ Su~” She slept comfortably, her breathing soft. The killing intent that was shot at me earlier was nowhere to be seen.

“… Sorry about that.”

“… Don’t be.”

After that, the sober teacher took everyone and walked away toward the station. As she was leaving, she said “Be careful” to me, to which I responded appropriately.

… Well, I’d better get home too. If I keep up my pace, I’ll be at home before midnight. —Hmm?

As I was about to turn my feet and walk away, I noticed a group of shady guys eyeing the teachers and the students while they walked to the station.

“Hey, those gals over there…”

“Yeah, they’re pretty cute…”

“Wanna call out to them?”

They leered at them with disgusting eyes and snaky smiles. No doubt they’d do more than just call out to them. I imagined my classmates, my teacher, and Sakurai being attacked.

“Tch.”

Just imagining such a vile scene made me wanna puke… DIsgusting. With such discomfort swirling in my bowel, I approached the men.

“Oi, you three over there.”

They turned around at the sound of my voice. One approached me while snapping his fingers. Perhaps it was because I interrupted their “hunt”, but a scowl surfaced on his face.

“Haah…”

I’m not gonna get home today, am I?

I let out a small sigh, not wanting to break my promise to mom.

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