Stealing Spree

Chapter 1383 How Did You Do It?

”Miss Eguchi, how are you going to conduct this… investigation?” Sounding a little unsure how to tackle the situation at hand, the principal of this school, a stout old man that was possibly in his late 50ʼs, had his forehead currently lined with sweat as he stood before us.

Weʼre already in his office and Eguchi-sensei had just finished explaining the reason for our visit to this school. From what I observed since we arrived, heʼs got taken in for a surprise. Hence, his rather suspicious reaction.

However, instead of picking up that heʼs hiding something, I could somehow attribute that to his fear of Hayashi-sensei. Sheʼs the owner. She could decide whether to allow him to continue in his position.

And so, the notion that someone might intentionally hide from her was a little too over the top. Nonetheless, the possibility still exists.

I guess Hayashi-sensei was just trying to be very careful after Nobuoʼs incident. I cannot fault her for that.

”Principal, I never said anything about investigating. Iʼm here to assist you in doing an inspection at this school. Thereʼs no need to make it bigger than it seems.” Eguchi-sensei replied in a calm yet stiff tone, making the principal involuntarily gulp down as an unconscious reaction.

Little did he know that she was just a little tense in front of him hence her voice became like that. Not counting how comfortable she is with me, even if there was already progress in her discomfort with interacting with the opposite gender, she could only act like this in front of them.

Eguchi-sensei already told me about it. When it comes to fellow adults or colleagues in the same field, sheʼs capable of separating her issue from them. She could hold a conversation with the male teachers but only very minimally. Even if they invited her for a drink, she would always decline if itʼs not all women.

Anyway, what she said was the truth. Thatʼs just really her task. Or at least, it is on the surface. Sheʼs going to monitor this principalʼs act during the inspection and if she finds something suspicious, sheʼs either going to call him out to bring it to light or report it to Hayashi-sensei when we return. The discretion on what to do exactly is entirely in her hands.

”Y-youʼre right. Give me a minute to prepare.” The principal fumbled his words and the sweat that accumulated on his forehead started to run down his face. He got caught in quite a pickle of his own mind there.

In my mind, I couldnʼt help but shake my head at how he acted. I checked on Eguchi-senseiʼs reaction to it but she remained the same, serious and focused on the task sheʼs set out to do.

She would sometimes glance at me though. Perhaps, to make sure that I remained close to her or that I was treated as her emotional and mental support.

Whenever that happened, I would smile at her, albeit stealthily.

As for the reason, the teacher who guided us also remained in the room. Sheʼs standing at the side, watching this very proceeding.

While she was also listening attentively to Eguchi-sensei and the principal, I would sometimes catch her staring at me.

Whether that was a conscious act or not, I felt like she was also trying to observe my act here.

I mean, she already questioned my existence earlier. She may be projecting her own situation onto us. But thatʼs all speculation.

I said she was a suspect but that didnʼt mean that it was already proven. Based on the information included within that file which actually only centered around the two students, sheʼs only one of the two teachers linked to one of those students.

Apparently, sheʼs very close to that one particular student. Close enough to visit him at his house whenever he would call in sick. And someone – maybe Hayashi-senseiʼs informant – picked it up as something she seldom did to her other students.

Only to that guy.

Well, I also couldnʼt discount the fact that the said student was tagged as ʼsicklyʼ who already got hospitalized a few times. Heʼs already in his third year and was set to graduate after this school year.

For now, I decided to not make any rash moves and just meet up with Nao. That girl could help me locate those two students. As for the teachers linked to them, following this inspection would probably be enough to observe them.

After a few minutes or so, the principal finally finished with his preparation.

His back straightened, looking a little more dignified that how he appeared afraid earlier. His face also got wiped off the sweat that accumulated to it. Then, with a very amiable smile that made his bushy mustache sway from his breath, he took the lead to leave the Principalʼs Office.

”Miss Eguchi, let us go. Also, Kanno-sensei, you may follow us.” He said as he gestured for us to follow him. He also acknowledged my existence, but since I was introduced as Eguchi-senseiʼs student assistant, he didnʼt need to go out of his way to treat me the same way he treated the teachers.

”Yes, Principal.” The female teacher, Kanno-sensei, bowed respectfully in answer.

Eguchi-sensei only nodded and started following him.

Upon leaving the office and continuing to the stairs leading down,

I was about to follow behind her in descending when Kanno-sensei suddenly approached me.

Not from the front but from behind. She placed herself behind us, after all. However, this time, she became close enough that even without looking, I could sense her entering my personal space.

A second later, her hushed voice reached my ears as a whisper, ”Excuse, student Onoda, is it? May I ask you a question?”

At first, I acted like I failed to hear her and took the first step forward. For her to suddenly approach me like this was suspicious, wonʼt you say so?

She could have picked any other moment but to do it at this time when Eguchi-sensei was already at a fair distance, thatʼs what I call suspicious.

Or is it? I donʼt know.

Not failing my expectations, Kanno-sensei didnʼt let me take another step down the stairs. Her arm landed on my shoulder which instantly took away my chance to feign obliviousness once again.

But this time, instead of repeating her question, the woman, who Eguchi-sensei introduced as her former schoolmate, added, ”Wait. Iʼm curious, student Onoda. How did you do it? Eguchi-sensei is known to be uncomfortable with the opposite gender, even with her students. Yet here you are, her Student Assistant. And from the looks of it, sheʼs not any bit uncomfortable with you…”

Yeah. I couldnʼt say I didnʼt anticipate this after hearing that sheʼs her schoolmate. But isnʼt this too soon?

I glanced at her and checked what was written on her face. To my surprise, she appeared rather desperate than curious…

What could this mean?

Knowing that I wouldnʼt be able to find out the answer to that without replying to her question first, I rearranged the words in my head before calmly turning around. ”Uh. I apologize, sensei. I donʼt think I can answer that question… However, if youʼre wondering, I applied to be Eguchi-senseiʼs Student Assistant. She accepted me for some reason or another.”

Well, itʼs not completely a lie. But as soon as she heard my answer, Kanno-sensei let go of my shoulder as she froze on the spot, perhaps trying to dismantle my answer word for word to find whatever she was seeking.

A few seconds later, perhaps noticing that I wasnʼt behind her, Eguchi-sensei called out to me. I naturally ran down to her, leaving behind Kanno-sensei. But before doing so, I glanced at Kanno-sensei again, the desperation on her face seemingly eased up but it was replaced by the look of someone being enlightened.

Really, whatʼs her deal? Should I put an emphasis on observing her rather than the students and the other suspected teachers?

Weʼll see. Even though we only have a few hours here, thatʼs plenty of time to scout and probe.