It's a self known fact that I vehemently oppose everything Mr. Hirashi does and stands for. I hate how he belittles me, how he acts so non-chalant about everything, and how he always seems to be in control no matter the situation. As such, seeing him even just a little bit stressed out puts an indescribable joy in my heart.
"What's got you so giddy? You were looking miserable just a while ago."
Mr. Hirashi asks as he puts down a cup of coffee for me.
"Just saw something amusing. Don't mind me."
"Haha! If you're talking about me, then you might wanna hold that thought."
I hate how he can read minds. But taking his advice, I stay quiet for now and hear what this whole thing is about. Though contrary to how I'd normally prefer it, I hope he takes his time so I won't have to go to the drama club afterward. I'd rather just head straight to the classroom.
"So here's the thing, Jo. I know about what you did involving Takamoto Miyoko and Suzuki Haruto."
"... Were you there?"
"Nope. I didn't need to be. Two students came to me claiming a student ambushed Takamoto and caused her to break the gymnasium's door."
I assume the two students were Takamoto's goonies. They must've tattled to Mr. Hirashi as a sort of revenge against me. I can't really get mad at that, since I'd do the same thing if I were in their position.
"Of course, after hearing such a claim, I went ahead and did my own investigation on the incident."
"Okay… And you investigated how exactly?"
"Can't tell you that, I'm afraid. But I at least know what happened and the aftermath."
"So am I in trouble?"
I honestly wouldn't mind getting a week or two of suspension. It'd give me the time I need to recharge and recover from the chaotic nightmare of the past week.
"No, you're not in any trouble. At the end of the day, there was no harm done to either Takamoto and Suzuki. So there's really no reason to punish you."
"Uhuh… So why am I here then?"
Mr. Hirashi takes a long sip of his tea before answering. Damn it, long sips are almost always never a good sign.
"Just want to know your reasoning for wanting to get personally involved in that situation."
"I didn't. I was forced to do it."
"So, Kurebayashi-kun forced you to lure Takamoto into the gym so she can have an impromptu discussion with Suzuki?"
"N-no, that's not what I meant…"
"Then, what do you mean, Jo?"
Mr. Hirashi is now leaning forward with his chin resting on both his hands. I'm all too familiar with this pose. He does this every time a deep psychoanalysis is about to start.
"I just… I was pulled in by her stupidly altruistic nature. She offered to help Suzuki and Inoue but didn't know how to. So, I just came together with the most feasible plan at the time."
"I see. Then, why did your plan not involve her? Wouldn't it be more fitting for you to come up with a way that would have her do most of the work?"
"Yeah, but… I couldn't think of any way for her to do that without being in danger from Takamoto. Truthfully, do you think she could have outran her and dodged that monstrous kick?"
"Absolutely not. But I'm sure there were plenty of other options for her. Why did you choose to go for the option that involved you doing all of the work?"
"I just told you. I couldn't think of any other way for her to help."
Mr. Hirashi lets out a soft smile as he stands up to go to the side table to refill his tea cup.
"You and I both know that's not true. You could have easily used her to lure Suzuki towards Takamoto instead. But you intentionally chose to do the opposite."
After filling his cup, he chooses to lean on the table instead of sitting back down on his chair. Geez, you're too old to be acting like a cool teacher-figure. Can you just go back to being the goofy dude? It's way easier to make fun of you that way.
"I think there's two reasons for why you did that. First, you actually care for Kurebayashi-kun and chose to put all the risk on yourself despite having other paths open to you at the time."
*COUGH* *HACK*
That comment of his caught me completely off-guard. I was enjoying my coffee, man! You can't just say a ridiculous thing like that while I'm chugging down a perfectly balanced cup of joe!
"What are you even talking about? Who cares for who now?"
"I'm so proud of you, Jo. You've come so far in such a short amount of time."
"Listen to me, will you? I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't even want to do it. It's just that I had to."
"Second reason."
Am I invisible here? Do I exist out of the realm of reality now? Every word I say just passes through him like ectoplasm coming from a pathetically impotent ghost.
"You chose to directly insert yourself into the situation because you wanted to."
"Yeah, sure. I'm just such a masochist and thrive in the thrill of having a homicidal maniac chase me halfway through the school."
"Not in that context, Jo. Whether you admit to it or not, you've broken away from mundanity and took a huge leap towards active involvement."
*DING DING DING DONG*
Thank god. This might be one of the rare times that I'm actually happy to hear the school bell.
"I'm telling you, I just had no other choice. Shouldn't you believe firsthand accounts over personal interpretations?"
I don't even give him time to respond as I stand up and hastily make my way to the door.
"You're on the right path, Jo. Keep it up."
I hear him say as I close the door behind me and break into a light jog towards my classroom.