Stealing Spree

Truthfully, even though I was born in this city and lived in it all my life, I have yet to fully explore it. First, there’s no reason to. And second, the various trips that happened in my life, be it family trips or field trips from school, were all outside the city and sometimes, the country.

Moreover, with my parents becoming busy with their work and leaving me behind with my desire running rampant, exploring the city never crossed my mind.

I wonder, aside from meeting Nao and spending this day with Eguchi-sensei, will I find something interesting?

Thinking back to the file I skimmed, there was at least one suspected student to be in a relationship with a teacher. In Nao’s school, there are actually two and that’s not counting Nobuo who’s already written off.

We’ll see.

“Onoda-kun, you’re silent. Is there something on your mind?”

Ten minutes into the road, Eguchi-sensei, who should have been focused on the road, broke her silence when we stopped at a red light.

Actually, instead of staring at her through the rearview mirror that was angled perfectly where our eyes could meet, I opted to stare outside, looking at the scenery we were passing by.

It’s not because I was uncomfortable meeting gazes with her but because I might become a distraction for her driving.

Unlike me who could hold back in expressing my interest in someone, Eguchi-sensei was a certified beginner in that regard. Even when she tried to slip back to her normal behavior, the one before she became aware of her infatuation towards me, only a few seconds of eye contact with me was enough for it to resurface.

I had proven that earlier inside her office when she was briefing me about our task. Maybe if I didn’t try to keep steering us back to our main topic, she might’ve tried to close our distance again.

Or if not that, she might’ve become comfortable enough to keep up that behavior around me even when we’re out in public.

Earlier, when we visited Hayashi-sensei, Eguchi-sensei somehow bragged about me to Hayashi-sensei about how helpful I am to her. And that resulted in the purple-haired director and school nurse raising an eyebrow.

Fortunately, that’s not enough for her to be suspicious of Eguchi-sensei. But that sure made her intrigued at how the normally perceived as a terror teacher to be really fond of a student.

Maybe one of these days, she might call me to her office for questioning.

But well, that’s a problem for another day.

“Hmm, nothing much, sensei. Just admiring the view outside.”

Since I couldn’t tell her that I was overthinking about her current behavior, that’s the only answer I could come up with.

A little unconvinced, Eguchi-sensei also glanced at what could be seen on my window. Apart from the cars passing by on the other side of the road, there’s nothing else to note.

“That’s silly of you, Onoda-kun. What’s there to admire? Anyway, if you ever feel hungry, I prepared a sandwich for us.”

“Hmm? Sensei’s homemade sandwich?”

She really came prepared, huh? I glanced behind us and sure enough, there was something seated on the backseat.

It’s a tall, food container wrapped in cloth. Most likely, it’s a multiple-layer lunch box like the one Aika often used. 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦.

“Un. I also prepared lunch. We can eat it in a park or something later.”

And there it was, she just confirmed my hunch.

Returning my gaze to the front, I scratched my cheek and put on a silly smile, “Somehow, I feel like we’re going on a picnic, sensei. Not that I’m complaining.”

“Uh. I can’t refute that, Onoda-kun. Did I overdo it? It’s part of your reward from yesterday, by the way.”

Eguchi-sensei whispered that last part in embarrassment. She also lowered her head and furtively glanced at me as if she’s a schoolgirl who was a little embarrassed at doing something for the first time.

“My reward, huh? If that’s the case then I look forward to eating something you made, sensei.” I answered before reaching for that lunchbox. However, before I could put it on my lap and open it to taste the sandwich she just mentioned, our wait before the stoplight ended, “Ah. Sensei, it’s green.”

“Y-you’re right. Try it later when we arrive at our destination.” She hurriedly grabbed the steering wheel and started driving again.

Well, even though our conversation was a little senseless considering the time and place, I couldn’t help but feel a little comfortable with it. Because of that, I stopped overthinking and simply engaged Eguchi-sensei in a conversation throughout the ride.

Thirty minutes later, we passed by the sign that pointed out that we entered a school zone and should slow down.

And sure enough, even from afar, I could already see our destination.

After reading the ‘Third High School’ sign next to the school gate, my eyes took in the sight of the school buildings that were similar in structure to the three buildings in our school.

Pulling up right in front of the closed gate, Eguchi-sensei instructed me to stay still before she got off the vehicle to inform whoever was in charge about our arrival, on her hand was an envelope containing a letter with a seal and an official message by Hayashi-sensei.

Yep. Considering Hayashi-sensei made this as an unannounced visit to not give any chance for the director or principal of this school to hide whatever dirt they’re hiding if there’s any at all, Eguchi-sensei still has to announce her arrival like this.

Without anything better to do, I simply watched from inside the car while also informing Nao that we already arrived.

In less than five seconds, she replied, “That’s fast! I’ll slip out of our class after the first period, Ruki. Where can I see you?”

“Well, I don’t know yet. We’re still at the gate. It’s a surprise, after all. I’ll message you again after I get permission to walk around the school.”

“Okay! I can’t wait to see you, Ruki”

“Me too.”

Even though that was just a little exchange through text messages, Nao’s excitement was properly conveyed. And well, I was the same.

A while later, Eguchi-sensei returned to the car and the gate blocking our way started to slowly roll to the side, allowing us entry into the school grounds.

After parking it, the female teacher who received the letter and opened the gate became our guide to the Administration Building. She also seemed to be an acquaintance of Eguchi-sensei which made it easier for the woman to converse with her. If it’s a male teacher, she probably might become stiff again in not being versed in interacting with the opposite gender.

Nonetheless, curious about my appearance here, that female teacher raised a question, “Eguchi-sensei, may I ask why you brought a student with you? This visit is about that issue, right?”

Even though the teacher didn’t openly mention the incident with Nobuo, I easily understood that it was the issue she was talking about. Most likely, she’s wondering why Hayashi-sensei or Eguchi-sensei allowed a student to also partake in this when it should be a kept secret.

Well, not knowing that I’m well aware of the issue, Eguchi-sensei informed me about it earlier. So, her answer was pretty standard and I didn’t need to introduce or explain myself anymore. I simply needed to stand behind her and wait for instruction.

“He’s my Student Assistant and he’s here with the permission of his homeroom teacher and the director. I informed him about it and… he might be proven helpful in my task.”

“I see… Alright then.” After giving me one last look, the teacher stopped prying anymore and continued guiding us to the Administration Building to meet with the principal.

Ah. One thing though. That female teacher.

I recognized her.

Of course, it’s not because she’s related to me. Her name and face were linked with one of the students from the file Hayashi-sensei gave me.

Yep. She’s among the suspected teachers to be in a relationship with a student.