Come in. Hayashi-senseis voice echoed inside the Directors Office with just one knock.

Shes waiting for me, huh?

Turning the knob and gently pushing it in, the familiar aroma of a tea that Shizu often had me make for her surged into my nostrils. Looking at the side where her teamaker should be, I could see the boiler gradually start whistling.

The timing was impeccable that the moment I stepped inside, it started to boil.

Hayashi-sensei who sat behind her desk with her forehead curled raised her gaze. She looked at me for a moment looking unbothered before she gestured for me to take care of the tea.

I wryly smiled and shook my head but didnt utter any refusal. Its best to just do it than make it an issue, right? I mean, she has authority over me. In this school, at least.

As I walked over to the side, I inadvertently glanced at what was causing her forehead to crease like that. Theres a stack of papers neatly arranged in a folder that she kept flipping over and over while also circling a few things with her pen.

Maybe its a financial report for the other schools? I dont know. Given that shes even willing to fork out the expenses for the upcoming camping trip, shes probably not in the red. But I guess she could only really oversee things here in this school and let the others she hired do their thing at the other affiliated schools.

In any case, whatever shes working on, I shouldnt really try to disturb her on that. Shed tell me about it or ask for help if she needed it.

All I have to do here is to report and then dip out to return to my girls.

When I turned off the boiler and transferred its contents to the teapot, serene silence once again reigned over the room. Occasionally, crisp sounds came from the tip of Hayashi-senseis pen as it ran across the paper.

I poured the tea into a cup and put it on a small plate before walking over to her table.

Hayashi-sensei had her focus on the paper so it took her a while to notice me standing in front.

Her lips curved up as her forehead relaxed slightly. Following that, Hayashi-senseis brows raised as she keenly watched me put the plate down on her side, carefully avoiding disrupting her workplace.

She then looked down at the time and inhaled its aroma. Once again, her expression became more relaxed. She placed her pen down and hooked her finger on the cup handle before lifting it to her lips and taking a sip.

I remained standing on my spot, watching her meticulous display. Hayashi-sensei still has her white lab coat on and underneath it, shes wearing office wear of a gray collared blouse with buttons hanging on a thread from how bountiful her bust is. Thankfully, it was still buttoned properly, or else, I would get another window to her valley.

To avoid getting caught staring there, I raised my gaze and focused on her face. She still wore her purple lipstick but upon recalling the first time I met her, it was paler than before and maybe, redder. I dont know. Theres not much makeup on her face; blush-on to give her cheeks a healthy glow and a thin eyeliner highlighting her pretty pair of eyes. Theres also a slick line on her nose, accentuating its appeal.

All in all, she still has the mature charm that would make younger men drool over her. I have no idea how many are always faking their visits in the infirmary just to get a glimpse of her but with how mysterious she presented herself to be, theres probably a lot.

I guess, being put in the infamous Seven Mysteries of our school was fitting for her dont ask me about the other six, I cant remember them.

Dont just stand there. Sit down.

Perhaps feeling awkward at how I watched her enjoy the tea, Hayashi-sensei flaunted her authoritative tone and pointed me to the same couch I used yesterday. Following that, she placed her cup down and closed the folder.

Yesterday, she proposed a condition to me in order for me to continue helping her. I even heard her laugh triumphantly when I walked away, thinking that she caught me off guard with her simple condition.

Nonetheless, given that I already had permission from her, it also became my win.

Arent you busy with that, sensei? I think I can do my reporting here. Or if you want, I can give you a massage again.

This brat. I can finish this whenever I want. And no, I dont need any massages. Do I still look tired to you? She snappishly replied as her eyes narrowed.

Certainly not. And shes really not in a foul mood. She just found it distasteful that I was trying to worm my way to her side again.

No matter what, she probably didnt want me taking the lead once again. Shes older and the one in the position to order me. She would never easily give away her control to some brat who looked similar to her first love.

Well, I could just be overthinking that last part. But then again, my point still stands.

As much as possible, Hayashi-sensei would probably not make her appear like a damsel in constant distress in front of me.

I understand... But sensei, please. If you need help, you can always ask me. Ive seen the crease on your forehead so I thought...

Stop. Its not giving me a headache. And sure, Ill ask for your help if I need it. But youre here to report, no? Anyway, youre acting too stiff. Whats wrong with you?

Uh. Nothing? Im acting normally. Or maybe, is it because Im not acting too shameless? Is that what youre missing, sensei?

... Stupid brat. Just act whichever way you want. Its not like I dont know your true colors yet.

I see... Then Ill do just that. I nodded and let my lips curve upwards.

Upon seeing that, Hayashi-sensei shook her head, looking disappointed and amused at the same time.

Afterwards, Hayashi-sensei still had me move to the couch and she followed right after.

Before doing so, I went to the teapot and brought it to the coffee table, pouring her another cup before doing the same for my empty cup.

For the first few minutes, we just drank it in silence before I started my report. The same as yesterday, I began after I left the room.

When I reached the point where I said I mightve knocked Ichihara Jun down, Hayashi-senseis hands trembled and she almost knocked over her cup. Thankfully, its already empty.

You... Can you repeat that for me?

Uhm. When I picked up Marika yesterday, Ichihara Jun blocked our way. So, I think I pushed him a little too hard. I repeated it word for word. Of course, I was lying through my teeth. I didnt push him. I pressed his shoulder firmly until his knees gave out. And I stepped on him, making him unconscious.

The only witness to that was Marika and the pompous idiot himself. Even if his followers walked in and saw him unconscious, they wouldnt know what actually happened unless they saw my footprint on his stomach.

You fool! Hayashi-sensei raged as she leaned over, pushing both of her hands on the table. Then she reached for my ear, twisting it as she continued her scolding, What did I tell you? Never use violence again. Lets say you did push him to get away but how hard did you have to push him that he got rendered unconscious? Ugh... If someone from his family comes over and demands justification for what happened, I wont be able to protect you!

This... So, shes mad because of it, huh? Shed be helpless if ever the Ichihara Family got involved. But then again, she reminded me to not use violence again, and yet... I did it out of spite for the guy.

Its my fault. 100%

And thats why, I let her twist my ear to her hearts content. Im guilty, after all.

I appreciate the thought, sensei. And Im really at fault there. But dont worry. I doubt hell call over his family for that. Itll be an embarrassment for him. But I guess, hes close to being desperate.

Thats what I tell you, you idiot. Haa... Youre becoming one of my headaches, Onoda Ruki. With a regretful sigh, Hayashi-sensei let go of my ears and plopped back down on her seat. Her face contorted into a frown as she started massaging her temples.

Now, that makes me feel more guilty.

That guy deserves it but really, Im just making trouble for this woman.

Sensei, I apologize for that. I know nothing I say will be able to make up for it but... in the matter of Ichihara Jun. Can you leave it to me?

What? You still want to clash with him?

Thats the plan... But now that I realize how much this will affect you and our school... Ill try to reach an agreement with him. However, it wont be me giving up on Marika...

Hayashi-sensei looked at me for a while before giving another resigned sigh. Shes probably giving up being mad at me as it wouldnt result in anything. But still, I troubled her again.

So, youre saying youre going to make him give up on her? With how prideful he is. I doubt you can accomplish that. Anyway, I havent talked to Kujou yet. Send her to me today. I want to hear her thoughts on this first.

Alright. Ill get to that. Then, sensei, should I continue with my report? I nodded right away. Shell be with us in that empty clubroom for our lunch so I can just escort her here. Besides, Marika already expressed her willingness to talk to Hayashi-sensei.

Go. Nothing will surprise me anymore. And that massage... come here and ease my headache. Shrugging her shoulders, Hayashi-sensei then waved her hand before ordering me to come to her side.

Naturally, I didnt waste any moment on that. Moving to the back of her seat, I quickly get on massaging her head while also continuing on the report.

Hayashi-sensei didnt interrupt me anymore. She silently listened to me as her head gradually eased up from the movements of my hands.