Stealing Spree

Chapter 2372: A fool to the end

On our way to see Eguchi-sensei, Ichihara Junʼs struggles became increasingly desperate. This was far more humiliation than what he had experienced before. Now, he was being paraded through the school by the very person he had hoped to intimidate, his pride in tatters.

Rumi trailed behind us, her arms crossed over her chest, watching the spectacle with an amused smirk. I guess she was also annoyed by the guy knocking on our clubroom.

The curious bystanders gradually crowded as we approached the Administration Building, causing the teachers inside the faculty to see the commotion. Those who could recognize us at a glance either shook their heads or sighed. Of course, some of them who used to turn a blind eye to Ichihara Junʼs shenanigans had the audacity to look surprised.

Right as I was about to enter the Administration Building, Ichiharaʼs desperate pleas grew louder. ”Come on, Onoda! Let me go! Youʼre making a mistake!”

”Hmm? Mistake? I have my witness. Be thankful that I did not punch you back or youʼd be carried here while unconscious.” I replied calmly, not bothering to hide the amusement in my voice.

Before long, the three Guidance Counselors showed up with Toyoda-sensei in the lead, Ryouko-san and Umemura-sensei behind him.

As I expected, Toyoda-sensei was none too pleased to see me drag Ichihara Jun here, his brows furrowed in a clear expression of annoyance.

”What is the meaning of this, Onoda?” He demanded without even trying to let me explain why. Ryouko-san was ready to step up for me but I signaled for her not to do anything yet. As for Umemura-sensei, sheʼs also furrowing her brows but not in the way that sheʼs reprimanding me for this. Clearly, she already heard the reputation of Ichihara Jun multiple times. But with other teachers protecting him, he was never punished. Until me, I guess.

”I caught a troublemaker. Sensei, donʼt you think school violence is a serious matter?” I replied as I presented Ichihara Junʼs trapped hand, pulling him to the front. ”And heʼs not just any student. Heʼs a third-year. This is the third time heʼs done this, so I canʼt let him off with just a warning anymore.”

”I... I didnʼt do anything! This guy is abusing his power!” Ichihara Jun attempted to defend himself but anyone could tell how much bullshit he was spouting.

Toyoda-senseiʼs gaze shifted from me to him, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the lack of genuine fear in my eyes. ”Ichihara. Tell me the truth. Did you resort to violence again?”

”I donʼt! Sensei, you know me! How can I do that when I have a reputation to uphold?!” Ichiharaʼs voice was shrill, his eyes wide as he tried to convince the guidance counselor of his innocence.

And of course, Toyoda-sensei was set to believe him. Thatʼs how heʼs always getting away with his shit. But not anymore.

Before he could tell me to unhand him, I turned to Rumi who knew what to do in this situation.

”Rumi, could you tell the story from the start, please?” I requested calmly

She nodded and stepped forward after scanning the crowd that was forming with her gaze. At this point, all sorts of whispers were already spreading and even Toyoda-sensei was getting put in a tough spot. If he wanted to resolve this situation without penalizing Ichihara Jun, he had to come up with something to put the blame on me instead.

Unfortunately for him, I wasnʼt alone and Ichihara Jun pissed off Rumi as well. Sheʼs not the type to hold back when it comes to the truth, especially when he comes knocking at her beloved clubʼs door.

Rumi began her story, detailing Ichiharaʼs disruptive behavior and his failed attempt to cause trouble in the Literature Club.

Making use of her literary talent, she painted him as the villain with such finesse that even those who didnʼt know the full story would believe him to be one. She talked about how he tried to barge in and cause a scene, how he talked down to us, and finally how he threw a punch that I had to stop.

Of course, to balance it out, she also pointed out that he came there to look for me. I had to back it up, shouldering part of the blame.

”I admit I was also at fault. You see, he came for me because of... his failing relationship. I believe everyone here knows about it already. But sensei, do you think that is a ground to commit school violence? And I warned him too by pointing at this.” I slapped my armband a couple of times, my tone serious yet calm.

The crowd made a noise, agreeing and disagreeing, but it didnʼt matter. The teachersʼ expressions grew sterner, and Toyoda-sensei was visibly displeased with how the situation was evolving.

”Enough. All of you get back. And you, bring him to the Guidance Counseling Room. Weʼll resolve this matter there.” Toyoda-sensei bellowed, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

Well, anyone with eyes knows that itʼs just his method to cut down the interference of public opinion. For sure, once weʼre in there, heʼs going to try to let him off with a warning.

But I wasnʼt going to let that happen. As we entered the Guidance Counseling Room, Ryouko- san and Umemura-sensei followed us, their expressions unreadable. I knew that Ryouko-san had my back, but I couldnʼt be too sure about Umemura-sensei. I had yet to interact with her on a personal level outside of her being one of three Guidance Counselors that I had to report to as a Disciplinary Officer.

Anyway, Rumi probably would accompany me if I asked her to but I told her to leave this issue to me so she could return to the others to continue our meetings and preparations for the festival.

Once the door was closed, I faced Toyoda-sensei and Ichihara Jun, who were glaring at me with a look that could probably kill.

”Let go of me!” He spat.

Well, thereʼs no reason to hold him anymore so I did let go of him. And almost instantly, he ran behind Toyoda-sensei.

”Sensei, you have to enact justice for me. Theyʼre lying.” Ichihara whined with his pathetic

voice.

He had no idea, even Toyoda-sensei knew how ridiculous he was being. But I guess, his dignity was really bought, huh? He appeared to be contemplating how to spin this into something where Ichihara Jun didnʼt need to be penalized.

But Ryouko-san wasnʼt having it. She stepped forward, her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with a mix of annoyance and determination. ”Toyoda-sensei, as a fellow Guidance Counselor, I recommend that this matter be treated with the gravity it deserves. School violence is a serious offense, and if we allow this to go unpunished, weʼre setting a dangerous precedent for the student body. Onoda-kun here is our Disciplinary Officer and he only did his

job.”

”I hear you, Eguchi-sensei. However, this issue involves something personal.” Toyoda- sensei spoke carefully, his eyes flicking towards Ichihara before returning to me. ”Iʼm sure we can find a way to resolve this amicably.”

”What amicably? Iʼm the one who was slighted here, sensei!” With no ability to read the room, Ichihara Jun stepped out from behind Toyoda-senseiʼs protective shadow, pointing a finger at me. ”This guy is just using his position to bully me! You canʼt let him get away with

it!”

Upon hearing that, not only Ryouko-san but the other two Guidance Counselors also facepalmed or sighed.

It showed how much of a fool Ichihara was, not even knowing when to hold his tongue. The room was already heavily tilted in my favor, but his words just added fuel to the fire. ”Shut your mouth, Ichihara. Do you really want to be penalized? Your name wonʼt be able to save you if you keep digging your grave.” Toyoda-senseiʼs patience was wearing thin, his voice sharp as he stepped in to reprimand the desperate fool.

”But... but I was just standing up for myself!” Ichihara Jun stuttered, sweat beading on his

forehead.

”Standing up for yourself? Does that also include throwing a punch at me?”

”Of course! You deserved it!”

”There you go, sensei. Iʼll rest my case. Iʼm only upholding the discipline in our school. Itʼs at

your discretion on how to deal with this. Hopefully, you wonʼt be biased just because of his surname.” I shook my head disappointedly as I passed the baton to Toyoda-sensei.