Stealing Spree

Chapter 2387: Helping out for another activity

Knocking lightly on the door, I waited for her response, feeling a little bit of excitement and anticipation.

”Come in,” She called out, her voice echoing with the same authority she had when scolding the students who were late at the school gates.

Upon entering, I found her busily writing something on her lesson plan. Most likely, sheʼs already preparing an activity that will involve swimming.

She loves her job too much, doesnʼt she? Even if her previous activities before meeting me werenʼt appreciated that much, she never stopped pouring her creativity into the studentsʼ welfare.

That just shows how Ryouko-san was truly dedicated to her craft, despite gaining the notoriety of being a terror teacher.

As I approached her desk, Ryouko-san put down her pen and looked up with a pleasant smile.

”Youʼre here, Ruki-kun. Iʼm making preparations for tomorrowʼs swimming class. Itʼs going to be a joint class with four Year 1 classes. Itʼll be quite an event.”

Similar to why Orimura-sensei didnʼt have a class for the second years after lunch, the upcoming workshop also moved her scheduled class with the first years to tomorrow. Thatʼs why it will become another event wherein all 4 classes will be participating.

”I see. I guess I arrived at the right time. How should I help?” I smilingly offered as I picked a small stool on the corner and put it next to hers before sitting down.

Looking closely, I noticed her slightly disheveled hair. Sheʼs probably racking her brains for this since earlier.

”Just point out to me what may be bad for the other students. Iʼm thinking of doing an individual event as opposed to the previous team-based one. That way, everyone can properly participate, even those who cannot swim that well,” Ryouko-san said, handing me her plan for the joint class.

”Mhm... This is good, Ryouko-san. We won the previous ones so they might start seeing youʼre being biased toward your Student Assistant if we win another team-based activity.”

I started reading through the plan, nodding my approval at her thoughtfulness. She was always looking for ways to make sure everyone could enjoy the class. Even though she was known for her toughness and over-creativity, her dedication to the students was admirable. ”Letʼs see...” I started after finishing reading the entire lesson plan. ”The individual events sound like a great approach. Swimming is a personal skill and this could motivate everyone to push themselves. For those who canʼt swim that well, we just have to reduce the difficulty without sacrificing the simplicity and fun of it.”

Ryouko-sanʼs eyes lit up at the suggestion, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk. ”Hmm. Thatʼs an interesting idea. Something that doesnʼt intimidate the weaker swimmers but still keeps them engaged. Perhaps we could let them float boards or inflatable rings?”

”Exactly. And we could add some kind of simple objective to make it more interesting. Maybe everyone has to carry a small item across the pool without dropping it. Those who can finish the task within a set time will be awarded with bonus points.”

I expounded more on my idea without fully straying from the plan she wrote. I religiously used her creativity as a reference and adjusted everything from there. Thatʼs to make sure that it would still be something born from her creativity.

Ryouko-san listened intently, taking notes and then praising me as well.

After that, Ryouko-san patted my head as she smiled warmly. ”Iʼm so lucky to have you, Ruki-kun. Maybe I should let you take over the class someday.”

I chuckled and shook my head. ”Come on, Ryouko-san. I have to pass on that. Youʼre the pro here. Iʼm just your helpful assistant who happens to enjoy seeing his woman shine.”

”This is why Sanae keeps calling you shameless, Ruki-kun. If someone hears you referring to me as your woman, weʼll be in trouble.”

”Well, Iʼm just telling the truth, Ryouko-san.”

Ryouko-san sweetly chuckled as a blush covered her cheeks, though she quickly masked it with her usual assertive demeanor. ”Flattery wonʼt get you out of your responsibilities tomorrow. Iʼm looking forward to your help setting it up, coordinating the students, and maybe even giving demonstrations. Wonʼt the other girls like it more if you get the spotlight?”

”Spotlight, huh? Youʼre now slowly becoming like them, Ryouko-san. But if this means I can show off in front of you, then I will.”

I winked at her, making her giggle. It was moments like these that made our secret relationship all the more thrilling. Her stern persona outside the office walls was the opposite of how affectionate she could become during our private moments.

”Also, you owe me a reward for all this effort, Ryouko-san.” I cheekily added as I pulled her to my lap, kissing her.

She raised an eyebrow and her lips curved into a teasing smile after the kiss. ”Oh? And what kind of reward are you thinking about?”

”A homemade lunch. Prepared with your love and care. Iʼm missing the taste of the food you make. Itʼs been a while since Iʼve tasted it.”

Ryouko-san burst out laughing as she nodded, ”Youʼre incorrigible. But fine, Iʼll cook for you next week if tomorrow goes smoothly.”

”Iʼll hold you to that.” I gave her a wink before kissing her again which Ryouko-san eagerly received.

After a while, we turned our attention back to the lesson plan. ”Now, letʼs finalize these details. Weʼll need to make sure we have enough equipment for everyone.”

For the next few minutes, we worked together on refining her plan, and brainstorming ways

to make the class engaging while accommodating all skill levels.

It was always fascinating to see how deeply she cared about her students, even if she sometimes expressed it in her no-nonsense manner.

When we finished, she stretched her arms over her head. She let out a satisfied sigh before she returned to my lap, seeking refuge in the comfort of my embrace. ”That should do it. Thanks for your input, Ruki-kun. I feel more confident about tomorrow now.”

”Anytime for you, Ryouko-san.”

For my last destination, the venue changed. Instead of the Directorʼs Office, I found Hayashi- sensei in the infirmary, taking her role as the School Nurse, looking after a student inside. When I stepped inside, she instantly raised a finger on her lips, gesturing for me to keep quiet.

I walked over to see who the patient was. Somehow, I had a feeling that it would be someone I knew.

”Come, letʼs go up to my office. Sheʼll be fine soon. Iʼve given her the medicine.” Hayashi-

sensei said.

But my curiosity took over me. I stepped forward to the infirmary bed that was currently occupied by a student. There was a curtain so itʼs hard to see but from the way Hayashi-sensei was taking me away, she definitely knew the patient was someone close to me.

”Sensei, itʼs not one of my girls, right? You know... Iʼll be worried.”

”Itʼs not... But you know her. Just recently.”

”Recently? Is it...?” As I trailed my voice there, I approached the curtain and checked the

patient lying on the bed.

Sure enough, a familiar face lay on the bed, though not one I was expecting. It was Minami Shouko, her face flushed with fever and her eyes half-closed.