Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

".............Aren't you going back?"

"Wow--!"

It seemed that Ichinose was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice my arrival and was startled, but he quickly calmed down.

“I was shocked.”

"Me too... Are you having any troubles? Ichinose was thinking very hard just now."

Some of the facts could no longer be hidden from Ichinose, so I decided to take the initiative to give Ichinose an opportunity to ask, but I didn't expect Ichinose not to follow up.

"Ah, that's nothing, it's just some simple things... Luo Jun came out really late."

"I was delayed by something else while changing my clothes."

"Is that so? Haha. Then let's go back quickly."

Ichinose laughed dryly a few times, and then I followed her.

"If it's just something simple, you wouldn't be thinking so hard about it, right? Is there really no problem?"

"Really, just some minor issues......."

As she spoke, Ichinose's voice gradually lowered and became hesitant.

"As long as the matter is not too troublesome, I will help solve it."

"..........I do have a small question for you............"

"what?"

Ichinose leaned slightly towards me and slowly put his head on my arm.

"That is... can you explain to me what President Horikita meant by 'You don't want your actions to be exposed, do you?' during the relay race?"

"Of course, if it's inconvenient, it's okay not to tell me... I'm just a little curious..."

"You heard it."

"Well, I didn't really care, but I still heard it......"

"It's not a big deal, right? Why do you have to worry about it?"

"Then can you tell me.............?"

"Of course, no problem." I paused, "In fact, President Horikita has already noticed my athletic ability."

Ichinose did not interrupt me, but chose to listen quietly.

"Also, I actually fouled in the hurdles."

".............Foul?"

"Well, when I was jumping over the second hurdle, my body actually hit the hurdle. Because there is a lack of records of the relevant competition, even if I still ranked first after the overtime penalty, my result would most likely be invalidated. At that time, our competition with Class C was quite fierce, and I was a little nervous at the time, so I don't know if I will lose the first place in the class because of this."

"...........So President Horikita is using this as an excuse to let Luo-kun fight him?"

"In fact, this duel seems to have been initiated by Ayanokouji. I don't know the process either. Anyway, I was dragged into it."

"Huh, I see. It seems like this is my problem after all."

"............What's wrong?"

"Uh, nothing."

Ichinose shook his head with a slight smile, and his mood seemed to brighten up a bit.

"So, this is the only mystery that Ichinose wants to solve?"

"Well, that's all. As for the rest... Anyway, Luo will only help me, even if it's not too far away."

"Well, after all, I promised."

I remembered the pact I had made on the three-legged race.

"That's enough."

Then, Ichinose grabbed my arm, but quickly let go.

"Did you go to the makeshift clinic to treat your injuries after falling during the relay race?"

“Well, not yet…”

Ichinose shyly spread out his palms in front of me.

Although the wound area is not large, the injured locations are relatively scattered, which makes it more troublesome to move.

"Then let's go to the infirmary first."

"Actually, there's no need to be so troublesome......."

"It is still necessary to disinfect the wound. Also, after being treated at the infirmary, why not go directly to the Keyaki Shopping Center for dinner. That would be perfect."

"That's it."

"May I?"

"Ah."

After a brief decision, we turned to the infirmary.

"If Luo Jun finds out the traitor in the class, what will you do to that person?"

On the way, Ichinose recalled this crucial question.

"Maybe I'd want her to drop out of school."

"Can you please let me handle this matter? If possible, I hope the other party can change his mind."

“I see…”

"So, is that okay?"

Ichinose asked me again.

"Of course, after all, this matter is not something I can decide on my own."

"Thank you."

We arrived at the infirmary and disinfected the wounds, and I also sent a message to Shiratori and the others on my cell phone.

As for what happened afterwards, they changed the dinner location so that it coincided with Ichinose and I’s experience, which is another matter.

(From the perspective of Ichinose Honami)

I have clearly warned myself again and again.

I must completely put an end to my selfish desires that may cause others to feel bad about me in this school. This is something I must never forget.

However, in front of him, I can't help but forget.

So every time afterwards, I would feel regret for what I had done.

That's it for now.

Inside I was terrified because of my previous actions.

I'm afraid I won't be able to go any further, or even maintain my current relationship.

Although I should be able to understand his intentions, this is just my personal guess. After all, isn't it possible that this is just my wishful thinking?

Under such emotional pressure, I often think back to that time in my life.

Trembling fingertips, curled up body, and - a heart that has long been stained black.

Well, even now I can't calm down. My nervous mood can't control the trembling of my fingertips, and the doorbell can't be pressed due to my weakness.

I know that standing in the corridor of the boys' dormitory for a long time will cause suspicion to others and even cause trouble to him, but even if I am hesitant, it lingers in my heart.

I couldn't calm down at all and couldn't imagine which direction things would develop next.

Although I could go back now, escape from the mistakes I made, and pretend to be indifferent to face the next life, but——

You need to apologize if you do something wrong, especially if the incident was caused by you.

I took a deep breath and then mustered up the courage to press the bell next to the dormitory door.

After waiting for a few seconds, a dim room with no lights on appeared before my eyes, and Luo looked sleepy.

In the end, I was still occupied with my weekdays, and I had not expected this to happen.

"Um, I'm sorry to disturb Luo's sleep... Is that right?"

"Please don't worry about it. I was just about to get up because I was a little hungry."

As Luo spoke, he opened the door of the room completely and invited me in, then turned around and turned on the light in the dormitory. I stepped into the room carefully and closed the door as quickly as possible. I didn't care about being seen by others when I hesitated at the door just now, but now I was in a different mood, as if I was eating something secretly.

"Has Ichinose eaten dinner yet?"

Luo stood in front of the freezer and asked me without turning his head.

"No."

“I see…”

After hearing my reply, Luo scratched the back of his head with a look of annoyance, making his hair, which was already messy from sleeping, even more curly.

As expected, I have caused Luo Jun a lot of trouble.

He must be quite disgusted with me now.

"Well, actually, I brought some food......"

I raised my hand to indicate the lunch box in my hand and spoke carefully.

"Ah, that's really helpful. I was worried that the ingredients in the dormitory might not be enough for two people, and I would have to go to the Keyaki Shopping Center. Is this... pizza?"

Luo reached out and took the pizza expressionlessly, opened the plastic bag and took a look inside.

Although Luo usually has a poker face, it doesn't seem strange that he would act like a rage and throw the pizza to the ground.

"Can you......accept it?"

"Yeah, no problem at all. Do you want me to prepare anything to drink?"

"Anything is fine."

Luo took out the pizza wrapped in a paper box, opened it, and then suddenly stopped moving.

"............Can I ask what flavor of pizza this is? It looks very special."

Although it might be my illusion, but Luo's voice seemed a little curious...?

"The pizza I bought was a supreme new product that the store just launched not long ago. I can't remember the name of the flavor...but the ingredients are all there. I remember Luo should have no dietary restrictions, right?"

"No. It's just the first time I've seen a double-spelling type."

"the first time?"

"Um...I mean with my own eyes. Although the pizza shop on the luxury cruise ship has double orders, they didn't offer it at that time."

He dropped that and explained casually as if he suddenly remembered it, then reached out and opened the cupboard above.

"Ichinose doesn't drink coffee or tea at night, right? I've prepared milk in the dormitory this time. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine with either."

"Okay. The pizza is a little cold. I'll heat it up first. Ichinose, please wait in the living room."

"oh.........."

I followed Luo's instructions and sat on the sofa, which could not be called a living room. After a while, Luo came to sit next to me with milk and pizza, without any dissatisfaction on his face.

"Then I'll start."

After putting on his gloves, Luo decided to start with the pizza which was sprinkled with lots of cheese and topped with bacon and mushrooms.

After taking a bite, Luo Tongxin pulled the stringy cheese.

"It tastes delicious...Ichinose doesn't want to eat it?"

"Ah, I'm starting that one."

At Luo's prompting, I hurriedly picked up a piece of pizza.

After dinner, I sat next to Luo nervously. We chatted about daily topics and then fell into silence.