Chapter 170 Why is it Shimizu Again!
First-Year Class B.
Because Hoshinomiya Chie was late for a considerable amount of time, the class didn't receive the news until noon. Most of the students weren't surprised—yesterday was Sunday, so Chie had likely drunk herself into a stupor again, leading to her tardiness.
Hoshinomiya Chie eventually arrived, her face still carrying the fatigue of a lingering hangover, and conveyed the contents of the homeroom meeting.
Initially, everyone was delighted that Class B had secured 870 class points. However, when they heard the homeroom teacher say that point issuance would be delayed due to a "dispute," the smiles faded, replaced by inevitable disappointment. It was like employees loathing a sudden delay in their fixed salary—to these students, private points were essentially no different from a paycheck.
"Delayed? What kind of dispute is it, exactly?"
Hoshinomiya Chie rubbed her temples. "The Student Council is still verifying the specifics, but..." She paused, her gaze scanning the class.
"We aren't the only class facing a delay. All first-year classes are included!"
The classroom instantly erupted into chaos.
"Not just Class B? Does that mean Class A too...?"
"Could it be those Class C people starting trouble again!"
For Class B, the memory of being harassed by Class C for several days last month was still vivid. If Ichinose Honami hadn't found the upperclassmen from the Boxing Club to intervene, Class C would never have let Class B off so easily. Following that logic, there was a high probability that this was Class C's doing again.
"...As your sensei, my knowledge is quite limited. Ugh..." Hoshinomiya Chie suddenly covered her mouth, looking nauseous and ready to retch.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, the meeting is over. You should go back and rest first." Seeing the teacher's pale face, Ichinose Honami immediately stood up, walked over, and carefully supported her.
"Ah... sorry for the trouble, Ichinose-chan." Hoshinomiya Chie stood upright with her help, her footsteps still a bit unsteady. "Just help me to the door."
Her voice was thick with congestion, and she staggered every few steps. Ichinose responded softly, half-supporting and half-escorting Chie to the classroom door, but the teacher suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered:
"You remember what I told you last month, right? About 'that student' from Class D planning to transfer to Class B!"
"Hoshinomiya-sensei... I haven't discussed this with the class yet..." Ichinose responded in a hurried whisper, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation.
"You really are stubborn. Everyone in this class listens to what you say."
"That's not true! I've never had any desire to be a dictator!"
"Alright, alright. But why was there no movement last month?"
"Last month was the midterms. I didn't want to affect everyone with something like this and risk someone being expelled!"
"Then this month, you should finally... ugh..." Hoshinomiya Chie wanted to say more, but a strong wave of nausea surged again, and she instinctively covered her mouth.
"That's enough, Hoshinomiya-sensei! Don't say another word. Go back and rest immediately. I will look into this matter!" Ichinose hurriedly patted her back to help her breathe.
"After school, I'll go buy some very effective hangover medicine for you!"
"..." Hoshinomiya Chie nodded vigorously and patted her ample chest, indicating she was fine and didn't need further support.
Ichinose watched her with concern until the staggering figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor. She let out a soft sigh and turned back to the classroom, only to meet the worried eyes of the entire class.
"Don't worry, everyone. The sensei is just suffering from a hangover," she said with a gentle smile, trying to soothe them. "Regarding the point delay, I'll find a way to ask the Student Council for specifics. Please focus on your classes for now."
"Ichinose-san, I bet this has something to do with Class C."
"Exactly! The source of that math answer key pointed right to Class C, didn't it? They definitely have a problem!"
"You should be careful. After all, this time... the senpais from the Boxing Club might not step in to help again."
"What a shame! I can't send you the class funds this time!"
The students spoke one after another, their words filled with genuine concern for their class representative.
"Yes, yes..."
Ichinose Honami nodded instinctively as she walked back to her seat. Being trusted so deeply by her classmates warmed her heart, but this heavy expectation sometimes turned into an
invisible pressure on her shoulders. She tapped her fingertips lightly against her temple and began to mentally calculate her next moves.
'I need to go to the Student Council first to clarify why the points were delayed.
And Hoshinomiya-sensei's suggestion last month about inviting Shimizu-kun to Class B! I need to discuss that properly with the class as well.
Also, I must keep a close eye on Class C! Last month they targeted Class B; maybe this time their target has switched to Class D or even Class A.'
The more Ichinose thought, the more she felt something was off. She couldn't help but wonder if the source of this dispute was a conflict between Class C and another class. From her personal standpoint, she really wanted to help. After all, Class B had suffered at Class C's hands last month, and if not for the Boxing Club Senpais, the consequences would have been dire.
Thinking of this, she opened her phone and sent a thank-you message to that female Senpai.
Female Senpai: No need for thanks. I actually have a favor to ask you.
Female Senpai: You used being busy with studies as an excuse to escape last month. Don't think you can slip away this time.
Female Senpai: Come on a date with that cute male kouhai from our club.
Female Senpai: I already arranged this with him long ago; you've dragged it out for a month.
Female Senpai: Ichinose-kouhai, you wouldn't want to see your Senpai break her word, be disliked by her kouhai, and lose face, would you?
Female Senpai: If this doesn't happen, my boyfriend is going to be annoyed with me! We might have a cold war by tomorrow, break up the day after, and in a week, his Boxing Club will fall apart!
Ichinose Honami was suddenly at a loss.
She suspected the Senpai was exaggerating just to force her to agree. But what if? If she refused, would it really affect the Senpai's relationship with her boyfriend? Furthermore, she knew she truly owed the Boxing Club a massive favor.
Female Senpai: Don't worry, my Shimizu-kouhai is very handsome. I'll let you in on a secret: my guy already decided to let him participate in the Boxing Club's exhibition match this month.
Female Senpai: Both of the Boxing Club managers can't stop praising him. He often arrives early to help them carry water and equipment.
Female Senpai: Would I ever let you get the short end of the stick?
Ichinose rubbed her temples, feeling a massive headache coming on. But as she focused on one specific message, she suddenly froze—the person the Senpai was talking about was... Shimizu-Kouhai?!
Why is it Shimizu again?!
She knew a fair number of people, but to her knowledge, in all four first-year classes, there were only two people named Shimizu—Shimizu Naoki from Class A, and Shimizu Akira from Class D.
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting