"..."
"..."
The students in the classroom began whispering to one another as they realized both Tsumiho and Tachima were about to clash. Meanwhile, Kirisaki, shocked by what she was witnessing, decided to stand up and lecture Tachima.
"Miss Tachima, you shouldn't speak to Miss Tsumiho like that! She is our teacher. Speak to her with respect!"
Tachima paid no attention to what Kirisaki was saying; she just stared at Tsumiho furiously.
Thinking to herself, Tachima raged
(This woman, she thinks she can manipulate us in the palm of her hand? In her dreams! I won't let her have Yamada!)
Tsumiho broke the silence.
"So, Miss Tachima, care to explain the disrespect you've shown us here?"
Tachima retorted...
"Huh, why should I? And first of all, we don't have the kind of relationship where we need to respect each other, right?"
As the tension escalated, the class president, Kirisaki, and the vice president, Hayate, noticed the danger and decided to act immediately. Hayate tried to step in as well.
"U-umm, Miss Tachima, I think this isn't right. Y-you should—"
Hayate tried to reason with her, but he was no match for the formidable Tachima. Instead, she snapped at him.
"SHUT UPPP!!"
Kamitsuki interrupted, "Hey, Tachima, this is too much. Come on, calm down..."
Kirisaki added, "Please, Miss Tachima, calm down..."
The three of them tried desperately to hold back the furious Tachima. Meanwhile, Yuzuri confused as to why her rival was acting so out of character pondered the situation.
(What the heck is happening to Tachima Kanade? Why is she acting like that toward that woman?!)
Amidst the commotion, Tsumiho spoke up, her voice calm but firm.
"Miss Tachima, first of all, I apologize if I said something to offend you. However, as a teacher, it is my duty to instruct students in my assigned subject. And as a student, it is your duty to complete tests, recitations, quizzes, and any other assignments required to advance your education. Failing to do so will only cause you to repeat the year while your classmates move up and eventually graduate. Am I making myself clear, Miss Tachima Kanade?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The room fell completely silent after Tsumiho's speech. Tachima Kanade, however, just continued to glare at her.
MEANWHILE...
At the school's entrance gate, Yamada was still peeking inside, worrying about Tachima after the encounter from the previous day.
"Lady Kanade, I'm sorry for doing this, but I absolutely need to watch over you because of that woman. I just hope she won't use you against me. I will protect you with all my might, even if I have to-"
Before he could finish his sentence, a voice behind him suddenly interrupted.
"It looks to me like you're still here and haven't gone home yet. Am I right?"
"T-tsurugi Mitsuya!?"
"Care to explain why you're still here, Yamada Naoto?"
"I don't need to explain anything to you, stay out of this..."
It was indeed Tsurugi Mitsuya. Yamada looked shocked to see Tsurugi again so soon. Tsurugi then asked if he had eaten yet.
"Hey, Yamada Naoto. By the looks of it, I bet you still haven't eaten because you've been so busy worrying about Miss Tachima Kanade..."
Yamada replied...
"My hunger can wait, but the danger lurking around Lady Kanade will not. I need to stay alert so I can protect her with everything I've got."
But as soon as Yamada finished his reply, his stomach let out a loud growl, completely undermining his words.
"..."
"Looks like you've reached your limit, huh?"
"No! This is just... yes, that was my fart! HAHAHA!"
"What a messed up excuse. Come on. It would be a disgrace for Miss Tachima to see her man out here acting like a creepy stalker."
"Huh? A creepy- WHAT!?"
"Come on, it wouldn't hurt for us to just hang out like normal butlers who happen to serve meddlesome ladies, right?"
"Hey! Watch your mouth! Lady Kanade is not meddlesome!!"
"I get it, I get it..."
Tsurugi chuckled.
"Besides, I'm actually interested in the way you've been acting..."
"It really is none of your business."
"Come on. Maybe I can help you. Besides, my lady, Yuzuri, is always chasing yours. She might end up getting dragged into whatever circumstances the two of you are caught up in, right?"
"..."
"Let me hear the story. Let's just see if I can help you out with your problems, Yamada Naoto..."
TO BE CONTINUED...