Stealing Spree

Chapter 1004 Clearing the air

　　Eguchi-sensei was, for the most part, bearing high hopes of eventually getting her act together to properly conduct a class wherein her students wouldn’t need to fear her.

Regrettably, this situation hindered that again. She returned to being the terror teacher that even the bravest among the bunch could only cower and not talk back.

Furthermore, she’s also backed with her identity as the Guidance Counselor so it’s a double down on her authority.

That’s why after contemplating my choices, even if this would benefit those who seek my eventual downfall, I will be stepping out to clear up this heavy air that was gradually pressing on everyone… Not just because I wanted my girls to be let off in case she decided to dole out punishment but also because I very much like to see Eguchi-sensei enjoying her time as a teacher.

If she remained as the terrifying teacher who was only known for her collective punishments and a slight obsession with discipline, then I won’t see that future for her.

Uh… Alright, I’ll be honest. Knowing what she feels for me also added to this desire to help her.

After waiting for a while and timing it when she turned around, I broke off the line and began walking towards the front.

I passed by the idiots who fought each other while playing who-knows-what-game and ignored their gazes.

I tried spotting my girls from where they were, just to gather up more motivation. However, during that process, I also noticed the gazes of some who could be identified as having a connection with me.

For one, there’s our Class President, Kanzaki. When our eyes met, the girl stealthily gestured ‘good luck’ to me while showing an encouraging smile. Looks like she’s already out of the maze that she created for herself, she stopped being the Lost Girl and returned to that slightly reliable Class President.

Well, she couldn’t step forward this time since she was aware that her ability wouldn’t be enough to quell the pangs of disappointment that Eguchi-sensei could feel.

That’s why by bidding me good luck, she’s passing me the oil to keep my torch burning brightly, lighting the way forward.

It sounded rather exaggerated but that’s just how critical this situation is.

Then for the other one, I found Sachi’s eyes that were seemingly smiling. The amused expression on her face clearly conveyed how interested she was in what was going to happen.

She’s the volleyball girl who I never truly interacted with. Yet, she seemed to have taken interest in me while also keeping some kind of secret.

Rae told me that she was going to find out what she was hiding but until now, the girl failed to get any in-depth information apart from confirming how interested the girl is in me.

Anyway, unlike Kanzaki, that girl simply wished to see more of what I can do… It’s best to just ignore her at the moment to focus on what I decided to do.

When I reached the front of the line, I stopped in between the burly guy from Class 4 and Ogawa before saying something.

“Regardless of who started it… Shouldn’t one of you two say something? Aren’t you two the leaders of each class?”

Even without turning my head to check their reactions, the sound of their teeth as they grind it clearly conveyed what they wanted to say.

What use of being annoyed at me will do them? It’s not like I threw them straight punches on their faces.

Brushing them aside, I stepped forward and turned to the right where Fukuda was standing at the front.

“Hey, if flaunting your power can only turn you to this, I think I did well in not accepting your invitation. You should at least keep your followers on a leash. It’s fine to hate me for what I did but look at what happened, you just inconvenienced everyone.”

I said all that in a low volume that’s only enough for the guy to hear. Furthermore, I made sure not to look so condescending, I even put on an amiable smile so that those behind him or those who were watching me wouldn’t think that I was taunting him.

And without waiting for him to react or say something in his defense, I retraced my steps before approaching Eguchi-sensei who already noticed me.

No one dared to whisper at one another at that point, however, all the attention was already focused on me and what I was going to do.

It’s not a secret that I’m the Student Assistant so most of them were rooting for me to ease the tension they were feeling.

“Onoda-kun.” Seeing me drawing near her, Eguchi-sensei, whose taut expression clouded her face, quickly turned her head away.

I guess she didn’t want me to see her pulling that face this close. Anyway, there’s no need for her to face me anyway. I just needed to say my piece… and hope that it will be enough to ease her mind.

“Sensei, I think I’ve got the gist of what exactly happened. It’s simply a case of someone fanning the fires of someone’s resentment which indirectly made some students agitated. I’m not trying to justify what they did, I can understand how disappointing it is by imagining myself in your shoes…”

I paused for a while before looking behind me to see both Class 1 and 4 hopefully praying for my success.

I shook my head inwardly and turned my focus back on Eguchi-sensei before continuing, “… I think it will be best to only give out a warning, sensei. And while they’re feeling relieved from it, start the activity you’re going to have us do and let’s mix them up together. They might let go of whatever bad air that they accumulated towards each other.”

Truthfully, this was a blind attempt on my part. It’s a lot better for me if they started antagonizing themselves… but that won’t solve Eguchi-sensei’s concern. Furthermore, it might even deteriorate outside of this class.

And if I have to believe Sakuma’s words that I’m part of the reason why everything started, I had to at least minimize the number of people who would resent me.

It’s enough to have the cucked boys as well the delinquent or those followers of Kujou Marika and Ichihara Jun targeting me. I have no desire to be the public enemy number 1.

Seconds quickly passed but sensei never said anything. Instead, she slowly turned around, not to face me but to stand before the two classes again.

From what I glimpsed on her face, a smile naturally formed on my lips. Following that, I stood by her side and acted like a proper Student Assistant for her.

Taking my position as a vantage point, I observed Eguchi-sensei’s minute reactions from her backside which conveyed a part of what she was feeling at the moment as well as the students’ growing anticipation as to what the result will be.

“Onoda-kun, thank you.” Without turning around to face me, Eguchi-sensei’s gentle voice reached my ears. I was probably the only one who heard that since no one reacted to it. Moreover, as soon as she said that, she took three steps forward again, addressing her students.

Watching Eguchi-sensei from this angle, she’s definitely not the strong woman that she always portrayed herself to be. She’s probably more emotional than the expressive Orimura-sensei.

But she had to keep doing so or else, she’d lose her grasp on the students she ought to teach.

“Ogawa-kun and Wakamatsu-kun, are we clear? The two of you presented yourselves as a leader. You should’ve been the first ones to stop it from escalating. Is it bad to hope for the two of you to set an example? As disciplined leaders.”

Before addressing all of those who participated in that squabble, Eguchi-sensei singled out the two leaders and propped them up while announcing their roles properly.

Being raised like that, the two could only nod and accept Eguchi-sensei’s words.

She then let the two step forward to firmly take upon that role before continuing.

Although it’s not instant, everyone, even the most stubborn of them surrendered and admitted to their faults.

In any case, Eguchi-sensei didn’t ask them to apologize. She fairly gave out the warning and at the same time, reminded those who didn’t participate that they should also be careful.

Soon after that, Eguchi-sensei announced the activity in which case, she didn’t turn it into a competition between two classes. She shuffled the more than sixty students and divided them into four groups that would do the same activity simultaneously.

Naturally, I couldn’t sit that one out. It’s a simple activity that requires cooperation so… I went to my designated group to finish the activity with them.

Unfortunately, none of my girls were in my group. It’s a shame but it’s my suggestion to mix us all up…

That’s my luck working against me.

Furthermore, whether this was because of my unluckiness or not, I got grouped with that one girl that has been puzzling me for weeks now… Katayama Sachi, the volleyball girl.

As soon as I joined them in the circle that they created, Sachi stood at my side before saying in a voice that only I could hear, “Onoda. Care to tell me what kind of magic you are using? First, there’s Orimura-sensei and now… even the scary Eguchi-sensei. Student Assistant aside, she seems to favor and trust you a lot.”