Stealing Spree

Not long after Kanno-sensei left, she returned empty-handed. Apparently, that student ran away even before she could approach her.

Too bad. But it's not like I'm that invested in knowing her. Even if she's someone from my past, she's probably not someone I stole or just an acquaintance. Otherwise, I would've at least remembered a memory about her, even if it was just a fraction of a moment.

For her to show up there at that exact moment must've been a coincidence.

"Why didn't you chase after her? We cannot tolerate truancy."

While I was lost in that thought, the principal spoke, a hint of displeasure in his voice. Most likely, he's trying to keep up appearances or he's just being cautious about not letting that small incident be reported by Eguchi-sensei.

"I apologize. It's not within my ability to chase after a quick-feet like her. On the other hand, I do recognize that she's a second-year student."

Fair enough. She's wearing heeled sandals. Even if she's careful, that kind of footwear was notoriously prone to accidents. It was already a miracle that she managed to avoid tripping when she quickly ran to find that girl.

In any case, she still brought back useful information. A second-year student, huh? I possibly met her during my 1st or 2nd year in middle school. No wonder I couldn't easily remember her.

Luckily, I memorized some of her features, albeit a little unreliable as well. Although I wouldn't put finding out her identity as my top priority, I might just ask Nao if she knew someone like her.

With Kanno-sensei's answer, the principal soon decided not to pursue it anymore. However, he reminded her to check it out later.

As for Eguchi-sensei, she's also not that curious about the girl. She jokingly commented that our school was the same, one or two students would always play truant. It's her attempt to clear the air.

Or so that's her intention. She added more details, saying that she would always catch those problematic students and send them back to their classrooms.

The principal responded to that with a nervous laugh before glancing at Kanno-sensei as if he was placing the blame on the woman.

Yeah. That's a little off-putting. It's like a glimpse of a power-tripping idiot, blaming someone for nothing. But well, that's probably a normal occurrence anywhere in the world.

Thankfully, Eguchi-sensei didn't make that a bigger deal. She urged the principal to continue with our objective.

-

-

Ten minutes into our parade around the halls of the School Building, inspecting every class that were still in the middle of their lessons, the bell signaling the end of the first period soon arrived.

Nothing special happened again. While the principal disturbed some of the classes to talk to the teacher conducting his or her lessons, it didn't yield some useful information.

But that's to be expected. Eguchi-sensei had to keep the act of just observing. She couldn't simply raise questions left and right or the issue that was carefully covered up to not let the students know about would come to light.

She could only perform her duty by watching and deducing things in case she found something amiss.

The one that would actually do some real investigating was none other than me.

And due to that, before we ascended to the next floor, Eguchi-sensei excused ourselves for a moment and pulled me to the side of the stairwell. Naturally, she's going to give me another instruction, aside from releasing me into the wild to start with my task.

"Onoda-kun, you might be mistaken as another student again. Use your armband and keep your Student ID within your arms' reach so you can use that to prevent the same thing from happening." She started.

I quickly followed her words and pulled the armband from my pocket and wore it to my right.

When the principal and Kanno-sensei saw that, they both appeared puzzled. Thankfully, they didn't pry too much into it. Perhaps, they also understood that there's a reason for that.

"Also, it will be hard to suddenly let you freely explore. The principal will definitely put Kanno-sensei to monitor you. That's why, I'll have you sneak out by yourself. Make sure not to get caught, alright?"<novelnext></novelnext>

I expected that. But honestly, that's easier said than done. Before coming here, we already simulated a scenario where she was going to make an excuse to allow me to leave her side. Unfortunately, those were inapplicable in the current situation.

Maybe thinking that I might still try it, she used this moment to remind me.

"I understand, sensei. Leave it to me. Should I return to your car afterward?"

"Un. That's ideal. But if you run into us again before you do so, rejoin us." Eguchi-sensei replied.

Without waiting for me to acknowledge it, she turned around and walked back to the other two.

I noticed the principal not really minding that small pause but Kanno-sensei had her eyes narrowed again.

True to what Eguchi-sensei said, she's probably going to keep me in her eyes at all times.

While it's a little troublesome, I also see this as another chance to get closer to finding out more information from her.

With that, we continued to the next floor, inspecting every classroom and checking on the teachers' behavior.

At one point, I checked my phone to see Nao's message. She asked if it was time for her to slip out. I quickly replied that she should wait until the end of the second period. I have yet to sneak out, after all.

Although there were only a few classrooms at each year level, the principal was being too enthusiastic at making small talk or talking about the teachers, introducing them to Eguchi-sensei with some overarching tales that were clearly inserted with his fabricated bullshits. Due to that, we're actually spending five to ten minutes before moving on to the next.

Nonetheless, Eguchi-sensei maintained her professionalism, not calling out the stout principal for that.

Soon, after going through five second-year classes, I decided that it was about time.

"Sensei, Principal, I apologize but… can I go to the bathroom? I cannot hold it in anymore."

Using the most typical excuse, I raised my hand right before we moved to the next.

Naturally, I addressed the two of them and left out Kanno-sensei. She didn't really have that much power here, after all.

"Alright. You can go." The principal almost dismissively answered. In his eyes, I was rather irrelevant.

"Take care not to get lost, Onoda-kun." Eguchi-sensei said. I could see some sparkle in her eyes. Most likely, she's praising me inside her head for using this method. Or who knows?

I thanked the principal and Eguchi-sensei for it.

However, when I was about to turn around, Kanno-sensei stepped up. "I will be accompanying him. Principal and Eguchi-sensei can go ahead."

And even before I could think of rejecting it, the principal already replied in agreement.

"Oh, you will? Okay then, I'll leave Miss Eguchi's assistant to you."

I had no idea if this was intentional or not but without any other option, I simply went silent and communicated with Eguchi-sensei wordlessly, gesturing to her not to worry.

Rather than take this sudden turn of events negatively, it's also a chance for me to find out more about Kanno-sensei. About that sickly student and her involvement with him.

Obviously, I would be careful not to alarm her. And once that's done, I'd find a way to lose her and meet up with Nao.

"Thank you, sensei. I'm in your care." Putting on an act again, I bowed to the woman before following her to the bathroom.