"Miyako, you'd better adjust your attitude." Chabashira-sensei's voice was sharp and stern, but Amane's expression didn't change in the slightest.
There wasn't even a trace of remorse, which only irritated Chabashira Sae even more. Just as she was nearing her breaking point, Amane finally spoke, unhurried.
"Why are you so angry, Chabashira-sensei?"
That single question from Amane caught the teacher completely off guard.
Why was she angry?
Of course, it was because Amane had called her a worthless teacher!
"Did I say anything incorrect? If students are sorted by ability, shouldn't the same apply to teachers?"
Amane's words left Chabashira Sae speechless.
Admittedly, what Amane said was harsh.
But there was no denying one thing: She really was a teacher who had graduated from this school.
And among the four first-year teachers, she had performed the worst during her own student days.
Thinking about it that way, Amane wasn't exactly wrong.
So why was she so angry?
Was it because of Amane's attitude, or…was it because Amane had torn open old wounds she didn't want to remember?
Probably the latter.
Chabashira-sensei took a deep breath.
Then she steadied herself.
"Don't you think it's too hasty to decide you have no value now? It's only been a month since school started. There's still a chance for you to grow and reach Class A."
Chabashira-sensei was trying to gauge Amane's attitude toward moving up a class.
"Chabashira-sensei, may I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Why should I aim for Class A?"
Amane's question seemed simple enough.
But it was the kind that was hardest to answer.
Because there was no definitive answer to it.
That's why Chabashira had specifically chosen students with strong desires to move up, or those dissatisfied with the school's class system.
At the very least, she picked those who had weaknesses she could exploit—people she could control and use.
"The school only guarantees college and career support for Class A."
"I don't need that. My grades are good enough for college. A job? Are you kidding? My family's got money—I'm fine just coasting."
There it was.
Faced with this unanswerable reply, Chabashira felt a headache coming on. At the same time, she couldn't help but resent the admissions staff.
Couldn't they have picked students with less fortunate backgrounds?
Wealthy young ladies like Amane, who've never wanted for anything, had no reason to care about moving up or college placements.
Unless it was about vanity…
"Reaching Class A would earn you the most points in the grade. I'm sure that would make your school life much more comfortable."
Chabashira played a small card, testing whether Amane cared about points.
"If I run out of points, Suzune will take care of me. Why should I worry?"
What?!
Since when did being someone's dependent become something to brag about?
What was going on with students these days?
If this girl had even one thing in common with what was written on her application, Chabashira Sae would eat that application right here and now!
"And what if Horikita runs out of points too?"
"Then we'll just go hungry together."
"…"
Chabashira-sensei was starting to feel a real headache coming on.
From behind the paper door came a faint crick-crack sound.
Probably just someone stretching… right?
After witnessing Amane's shameless tactics, Chabashira decisively played another small card.
"Being in Class A will make you the envy of everyone."
That much was true.
At the start of the school year, when no one really understood what Class A meant, maybe people saw it as just another class.
But once the school's rules became clear, Class A students seemed to stand above the rest.
Wherever they went, they walked tall, like undefeated roosters.
"Why envy them? Are they bigger than me?"
Amane puffed out her chest.
Was this conversation even possible?
Chabashira badly wanted to slap Amane across the face—to make her talk like a normal person.
But from the look of things, that probably wasn't going to happen.
If Amane was deliberately trying to provoke her, Chabashira could almost accept it.
After all, her own attitude at the start hadn't been the best.
But…
If this wasn't intentional, wasn't that even worse?
If someone's common sense was this warped, who knew what they might do without rules to hold them back.
Chabashira-sensei's gaze sharpened.
Now it was time for her final card.
She took a deep breath and played her trump card.
"Class A students are the most dazzling in the grade. If you were in Class A, plenty of boys would notice you, Miyako. With your looks, you'd have more suitors than you could count. Don't you think it'd be wonderful to experience young love in a vibrant campus setting?"
But even after saying all that, Amane remained unmoved.
What was wrong with this girl?
Why wasn't even the topic of romance—something most girls loved—working?
None of her prepared arguments had managed to shift Amane's attitude.
Maybe she just wasn't cut out to be a teacher.
Chabashira was starting to doubt herself. Then, suddenly, she thought of something.
"If you make it to Class A, you'll stand out among the girls, too. You might even make lots of friends."
Amane's eyes lit up immediately.
Password accepted.
Hah.
And here I thought she was truly unshakeable.
Turns out she's just a fool after all.
Chabashira-sensei allowed herself a triumphant smile inside. Just as she was about to persuade Amane to work hard and help lift Class D up, Amane said something that nearly made her choke with fury.
"If Suzune rises to Class A, wouldn't that mean I could make even more friends?"
"Are you daydreaming?!" Horikita couldn't hold back any longer and shouted from behind the paper door.
Amane shrank back a little.
Whoops.
Forgot Suzune was here too.
Next time… I'll still do it anyway.
"Miyako… don't you want to experience the admiration of everyone? Leading the lowest-ranked class in a comeback to become the strongest—it's like something straight out of an anime."
Chabashira-sensei was making one last effort.
But she had underestimated just how deeply this girl embraced her slacker mindset.
"You said it yourself—it's something that only happens in anime. Chabashira-sensei, have you ever pulled off a comeback like that?"
Not only did Amane refuse, she even delivered a finishing blow.
The result?
She and Horikita were both kicked out.
"Why did Chabashira-sensei get so angry again?" Amane tilted her head, as if genuinely puzzled about what had set the teacher off.
"Sigh, Amane, you're fine in every way—except you have a mouth. Chabashira-sensei will probably be so mad she can't sleep tonight."
Horikita tried putting herself in Chabashira's position.
If she were the teacher, she would've thrown Amane out the window long ago.
And before that, she'd have slapped that mouth of hers swollen—just to feel some satisfaction.
"Wahhh, I didn't do it on purpose." Amane clung to Horikita's arm and started acting spoiled again.
Annoyed, Horikita didn't notice the ambiguous smile playing on Amane's lips.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.