Im still safe, right? I scratched my head at Eguchi-senseis remark which she responded with a laugh. But when she noticed the other students who didnt make it in time and were left standing outside the gate, she cleared her throat and tapped me on my shoulder.

Yes. Go on now before I mark you late.

Thank you, sensei. I mimicked a salute to her. And although I didnt expect her to lose composure, the strict PE Teacher stifled a laugh before quickly turning around.

Mhm Thats quite cute of her, to say the least. Naturally, I wouldnt voice that out or she might revert the way she treats me back to my first impression of her.

Since I almost arrived late, I was the last one to show up in our classroom except for those who hadnt returned from their morning practice yet. Nonetheless, I put on a smile as I nonchalantly walked to my seat while my eyes momentarily checked on my girls.

Apart from Satsuki who was resting her head on her desk, most likely tired from practice, the others stealthily waved their hands and smiled. And when I sat down on my seat, they all walked to my desk and greeted me.

They raised a topic of conversation just to add an illusion that they just wanted to bring that up and talk to me about it. Nonetheless, seeing them voluntarily go and greet me like that, raised more reactions from our class, especially those nearby us or those who were watching those girls.

When someone tried to ask, they just brought them into the conversation. For example, theres also Sakuma who thought we were having a very healthy discussion and chimed in, flaunting his knowledge of the topic Chii brought up.

In the end, Chii acted like the mean gyaru and made him a laughingstock. No. Laughingstock was a little harsh, she just put him in the spotlight as we put his club as our next topic.

Shortly after that, the focus turned to Sakuma, Shio arrived while dragging a hand trolley containing stapled bundles of papers. She got stuck at the door though.

While our class was still in a state of confusion at what they were witnessing, I quickly moved. First, I pinched the resting girls cheeks on my side to wake her up before moving to help Shio pull that trolley inside.

As much as fulfilling my role as her Student Assistant, I didnt want the others to see her fall into an embarrassing situation.

Although that also meant I would miss teasing Shio and watching her adorable side, its a necessary sacrifice.

In any case, when Shio saw me approaching her, she still felt a little embarrassed. She turned her head to face the wall to not let me notice it but her exposed cheek that was covered by a shade of pink instantly gave her away.

I didnt comment on that but my lips stretched to a thin smile. When Shio noticed that, I heard her groaning in embarrassment as she promptly walked off to stand behind her table, escaping me.

I had no idea if those behind me noticed the little details exchanged between us. I was focused on her, after all.

Nonetheless, since she already escaped from my possible teasing and handed me the trolley to roll in, I did just that and settled it down next to her table before standing on her side.

Obviously, I was still in my role as her Student Assistant, waiting for her next command. Besides, I was also curious about those papers. Not just me, everyone was already whispering among themselves, trying to guess what those are for.

From how tall it was, I could only put a guess A reviewer she prepared for everyone. Not just for our class

To confirm, I voiced a question, What are all these papers for, sensei?

Its for you, Shio answered in a silent voice first. But then, noticing that she answered in a rather ambiguous way, she quickly reiterated her answer and in a louder voice, Its for all of you. My class is difficult, I know. With that, you can at least remember some of the keywords that can help you for Thursdays midterm exam.

As soon as she finished speaking, the class erupted in applause and cheers for Shio, thanking her for her consideration.

Seeing that, she finally couldnt prevent herself from being flustered before beaming a beautiful smile for everyone.

You Theres no need for that applause. This is my first year and youre my first advisory class. Ill feel bad if some of you fail the exam. Shio explained herself, perhaps trying to stop the ruckus.

However, what she expected didnt happen. The applause grew even louder, leaving her confused.

When she turned her head to me with a blank look on her face, I simply nodded and explained.

Sensei worked hard for us. Isnt it normal to be this gratified?

Right. She didnt need to do that No one was expecting her to put in an extra effort for her students

Were all here to learn after all. If we failed then the fault lies on the student itself. Although there were cases where it was the result of a lazy teacher, Shio didnt come up lacking in her lessons.

Backing up my explanation, the loud ones shouted Yes, thats right! and Youre the best, Kinoshita-sensei!

And with that, for the next five minutes, Shio was basked with praise by the class and in turn, they saw the usually strict and commanding Shio acting flustered from all of it

Anyway, I helped her distribute it after that. After doing so, I stealthily whispered my slight grievance to her, Why didnt you call on me, Shio? I couldve helped you photocopy and staple these

Its my job, idiot Ruru. Your help today is enough And thats her response to it before showing me her usual loving smile.

Mhm That smile defeated me in one hit.

When I returned to my seat, I felt a pinch at my side Theres Satsuki jealously grumbling in a silent voice, How nice, huh?

On my other side, Aya giggled and teased Satsuki instead, making the girl grumble more and glare at me hatefully. I guess I should expect a clingy Satsuki later.

I could now translate that glare as a prelude to it

With a reviewer distributed to us, the class went on smoothly after that.

To not waste Shios effort, everyone, even the lazy ones, seriously reviewed it. And since Shio let us to our devices, groups naturally formed as they reviewed it together.

Obviously, we did the same. Our large group, with me as the center, formed once more drawing envious glares from those affected, namely Tadano, Taku and Fukuda.

Right, I only noticed just now. Ogawa was not among those who kept on glancing at us.

Hes not absent, yet his presence was too low.

When I looked at his seat. There he was, gloomily studying the reviewer alone.

Is that his new transformation? I wonder

After what happened yesterday, it appears that he really broke.

He's been like that since this morning, Hina said upon noticing where I was looking. I saw Kazuha-nee dragging him out of his room. She wont let him play truant.