AT THE TACHIMA RESIDENCE...
"Just what is wrong with that woman!!?"
Tachima exclaimed.
"Please, just let it be, Lady Kanade. Come on, let's eat. After that, you can have your favorite vanilla ice cream from the freezer-"
"How can I just let her say whatever she wants to us?! That bitch... I'll make sure the next time I see her, I-"
Yamada cut in before Tachima could finish her sentence.
"That's enough, Lady Kanade."
"..."
"You don't need to stress over her. If she shows up again, I will protect you at all costs."
"..."
Yamada remained silent, but his thoughts grew heavy.
"(I will protect Lady Kanade no matter what—even if the last thing I have to do is return to my old self.)"
THE DAY AFTER THE ENCOUNTER...
AT THE SCHOOL...
Kamitsuki Ryouma and Hayate Satoru sat in the classroom, passing the time with conversation.
"SIGHHHHHHHH!"
"Ryouma-kun, what's wrong?"
"Well, it's just that I didn't finish my game last night. Honestly, I intended to be absent today, but..."
"But?"
"I'd miss the warmth of this classroom and the faces of my classmates too much to stay away, geez..."
"Ahaha, is that so..."
Satoru thought to himself.
"(That's Ryouma-kun for you.)"
At the school entrance, Tachima walked casually toward the gates, her face wearing its usual stoic expression. Suddenly, a familiar, loud voice called out to her.
"TACHIMAAAA KANADEEEEE!!!!!"
Tachima sighed.
"Another bad day, I guess."
The shouting came from none other than Yuzuri Kyoko, who was clearly there to demand another duel.
"Hey, Tachima! I won't let you run away this time! Let us due-"
By the time Yuzuri finished her morning preaching, Tachima was already a good distance away.
"Hey, Tachima! WAIT, YOU DAMN BITCH!!!!!"
Yuzuri chased after her. Meanwhile, a man in a black suit stood near the gate. It was Tsurugi Mitsuya.
"Sigh. Lady Kyoko really forgets I'm even here the moment she sees Lady Kanade. Ahaha."
Mitsuya chuckled to himself. He turned his eyes toward Tachima, who was about to be caught by the frantic Yuzuri.
"Is Lady Kanade not accompanied by her butler today? Hmm-"
He stopped talking to his self as his instincts work out. He sensed a presence nearby. Looking toward the school wall, he saw a man peeking around the corner like a stalker, his head barely visible as he watched the students. The man looked very familiar.
"..."
"It appears a certain butler is too shy to appear before his Lady and is hiding behind a wall instead."
Tsurugi said, walking up behind him.
"WAAA!"
"It's been a while, Yamada Naoto."
Yamada jumped, then turned around.
"Huh? Tsurugi Mitsuya? Why are you- ah, right. You're Miss Yuzuri's butler, so it makes sense you're here."
Tsurugi crossed his arms as he questioned him.
"And may I ask why you're sneakily peeking at your lady instead of accompanying her?"
"Ehh? Ummm... hahaha!"
Yamada laughed nervously, scratching his head.
"Looks like you're hiding something. Why not tell me? Perhaps I can help."
"I didn't expect you to be so generous, Mr. Tsurugi. But perhaps you'll be generous enough to tell me about the all-out war if you are really as generous as I feel, perhaps?"
The two men locked eyes coldly. Finally, Tsurugi turned away.
"Sigh. It looks like you don't want my help. I'll take my leave then. Let's meet again, Mr. Yamada."
IN THE CLASSROOM...
Kirisaki Tsubaki stood at the front of the room, her voice booming.
"To the students assigned for duty today: I expect you to clean every inch of this classroom after class if you don't want to be yelled by our teacher. UNDERSTOOD?!"
"UNDERSTOOD!" the class shouted in unison.
Kirisaki was like a mafia don, she held the entire class in the palm of her hand with just how she acts to them, truly a charismatic girl. Meanwhile, Tachima sat by the window, staring outside with an uninterested expression.
(I want to eat vanilla ice cream.)
She thought.
Suddenly, the classroom door slidely open. A woman who looked like a teacher stepped inside. She wasn't their usual advisor. The rest of the class didn't recognize her, but Tachima froze.
"Excuse me, may I know who you are?" Kirisaki Tsubaki asked politely.
"Well, since your advisor is out sick today, I will be your temporary substitute."
The woman replied.
"WHAA—!"
Tachima's heart dropped. The face of the woman she had grown to despise just yesterday was standing right there.
"My name is Kirisaki Tsumiho, and I will be your substitute teacher while your regular instructor is on leave."
"This can't be!"
Tachima whispered. She never expected to see her again, let alone at school.
Tsumiho looked directly at Tachima and offered a slight, knowing smile.
"Let's be good to each other, shall we, students?"
TO BE CONTINUED...