Chapter 575: Director
Chapter 575: Director
Hayashi Makiko, the mysterious school nurse that students rarely find in the Infirmary.
Although I could attribute that I was lucky enough to meet her every time I would visit that place, except that one time with Shio, finding out that she’s more than just a school nurse was indeed something I hadn’t expected.
I thought she was only always busy with something else hence leaving her post after checking upon the student brought to her.
Even though I had my guesses about her, it’s nowhere near the point of linking her to the highest authority of the school.
However, looking at the nameplate placed above the table, the name of the principal isn’t Hayashi Makiko but… Matsubara Ichiro.
That meant, although she’s not the principal of the 4th High School, she had access to this room and could even sit down at his seat.
Just what was her real status?
Furthermore, with Shizu introducing me as her successor… Is Hayashi-sensei Shizu’s mentor? Not a mentor from the Mentor Program but an actual mentor for her position as Student Council President.
“What are the chances? Onoda-kun is your successor?”
Upon hearing Hayashi-sensei calling me by name, surprise filled Shizu’s face as she alternately looked at us.
“Sensei, you already know him?” With a bit of doubt in her voice, Shizu asked.
No. She’s more concerned that I am already acquainted with Hayashi-sensei. Her leering eyes focused on me, waiting for me to answer instead of the school nurse.
Perhaps seeing that little nuance shown by Shizu, Hayashi-sensei flashed an understanding smile.
Following that, she stood up from her seat and moved in front of the table, her back and two hands resting on it.
By doing so, Hayashi-sensei somehow accentuated her hidden figure from earlier. With her lab coat opening up more than usual, I was exposed to her tight knitted shirt underneath it. Below, she’s wearing a black skirt and stockings.
Add her purple-colored lipstick and eyeliners as well as black-rimmed glasses adorning her face, the school nurse exuded a totally dominating mature aura.
It’s not wrong for boys or men with masochistic tendencies to ask her to step on them.
In any case, I was more surprised that she’s here rather than being enamored by her looks. So apart from a slightly surprised expression, Shizu wouldn’t be able to find anything else even if she stared at me all day.
“He’s lucky enough to chance upon me in the infirmary three times.” With one of her eyebrows slightly raising as she interestingly observed Shizu’s reaction, Hayashi-sensei answered before switching her gaze to me. “How is it? Are you shocked?”
“Surprised is the right word, sensei. Last time, you left your patient again. Every single time I brought someone in the infirmary, you’re always disappearing to who knows where. Now, this solved that mystery.” I answered.
Upon digesting what I said, Shizu secretly heaved a sigh of relief as she switched her gaze to Hayashi-sensei.
“I told you, Sensei should stop playing the role of School Nurse when you couldn’t attend to it. At this point, I’m thinking that you’re doing that on purpose. To appear mysterious.” Shizu bluntly said.
“Aiya! Don’t out me like that, Shizu-chan. It’s fun anyway. Besides, I have the qualifications to be one.”
As if she was hit by multiple arrows, Hayashi-sensei dramatically held her chest. However, she also recovered almost instantly.
“But you’re not finishing your duty as one.”
“That’s… Onoda-kun here was always bringing them at the wrong time.” Cornered by Shizu’s words, Hayashi-sensei pointed at me, pulling me in their conversation.
Shizu facepalmed as she pulled my hand to have me stand behind her.
“… Hire someone who can stay there for the whole day. Now I wonder why you’re not being deposed as the Director of this school. Anyway, where’s the Principal?”
“You know, he’s in his ‘real’ room. Perhaps napping. Enough with me, alright? Let me hear it again, are you saying he’s your chosen successor?”
Real room. So, the Principal is nothing more than a puppet for her? The Director of the school? I wonder how many were aware of this… Shio didn’t seem to be aware that Hayashi-sensei is more than just the school nurse.
Anyway, while Shizu moved on from Hayashi-sensei’s hopeless case of neglecting her job as the school nurse, Hayashi-sensei also moved back to the topic of why I was brought by Shizu in this room.
“You know, when I asked you to look for someone to succeed you, I was expecting you to not produce one… Not that I’m demeaning your ability but you’re too aloof, Shizu-chan. You have a great ability to lead but you’re not a team player.” Hayashi-sensei continued, shaking her head.
When I heard that, I stepped out from behind Shizu to change that perception of hers. “Ah. About that… I think sensei’s information is outdated. I suggest observing the Student Council one of these days.”
“Hmm? Is that true?”
“I don’t think I’m already a team player… but… I did change somehow.”
Hayashi-sensei tried seeking confirmation from Shizu but she downplayed it a bit.
However, with that word of hers, Hayashi-sensei seemed to have been energized. “Change, huh? It’s too obvious a change, apparently. Shizu-chan fell in love.”
She then stepped forward and brought her face near Shizu with a teasing smile on her lips.
“…”
Shizu lowered her head, speechless as her face gradually reddened.
Upon seeing that, Hayashi-sensei switched her gaze to me. “Am I right, Onoda-kun?”
As I looked at the girl beside me, her hold on my arm was tightening so instead of leaving her in the air, I squeezed her palm to try calming her down.
“How should I answer?”
“Just say yes, you dumbo. Where’s that confident guy who wouldn’t even blink while in front of me?”
“I’m sorry but am I supposed to blink?”
Well, although my eyes observed her on the three instances that I ran into her, it’s not enough to produce a reaction from me. She’s a mature beauty, true. But all those times, I was focused on someone else. Satsuki, Rae and Hina.
“No. However, every student who chanced upon me in that room will always have the same reaction. They’re always enthralled by my appearance.”
That’s some great confidence right there. Is she expecting everyone to be mesmerized by her?
“Ah. If that’s the case, then I admit I also felt that. Just that, do I need to show it on my face?”
“Shizu-chan… This boyfriend of yours is weird.”
Perhaps not expecting the way I answered her, Hayashi-sensei switched back to Shizu who more or less already calmed down from what Hayashi-sensei blurted out earlier.
“He’s not my boyfriend, sensei.”
Even though she flatly denied it, I felt how Shizu squeezed back on my palm. The redness of her face deepened. Really. If not for the place, I would’ve teased this girl myself.
Furthermore, with the two of us holding each other’s hands in front of Hayashi-sensei, that denial only fueled her urge to tease the girl.
“Oh! I see the real score here. Is Shizu-chan being stubborn?” Hayashi clapped her hand cheerfully, acting like she solved a great mystery. Somewhat unbefitting of her mature appearance
But with that question, I found myself nodding my head which earned me Shizu’s ire as she squeezed my palm tighter in hopes to get back at me.
In any case, with Shizu being obvious on how she reacted, continuing to deny my close relationship with her was useless.
After throwing me a reprimanding glare, Shizu stepped forward once more and put me behind her again, preventing Hayashi-sensei to throw more questions about my relationship with her. “Sensei, can we please move on to our purpose here?”