Chapter 183 How to Be an Adult

How to Be an Adult

After saying goodbye to manager Tachibana, I went to an empty classroom where my special class would be held.

Today’s first class was World History. The teacher is Takayanagi-sensei.

Ichijo-san had already informed the school about Hayashi-san’s case.

That’s why I contacted manager Tachibana earlier.

“I had a naive idea that maybe the negotiations would go well.”

I knew it was unlikely.

Return the manuscript. It was just a metaphor.

I wanted her to admit her crimes and surrender without further futile resistance.

Returning the manuscript was a process of admitting her lies. I didn’t want to be even more disappointed with my former friend, whom I spent two years with. I didn’t want her to run amok and become a monster who would hurt a weaker junior to protect herself.

But it looks like that is not going to happen.

My former friend has become a monster. To the point where she can’t even recognize other people’s pain. Maybe she just kept it hidden for a long time. I don’t know the truth. But one thing is clear: If I leave her alone any longer, the number of victims will continue to rise.

That day when the summer vacation ended. When I was desperate and couldn’t talk to anyone.

There were words I needed to say.

There were people I needed to talk to.

So this time, I will not make a mistake.

“Oh, Aono-kun. Good morning.”

Takayanagi-sensei greeted me a little sluggishly, as usual. Sensei’s look seemed to be full of trust and affection for me.

“Good morning, Takayanagi-sensei.”

“Yes, well, let’s do it as usual.”

“Ah, umm!”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

I looked into Takayanagi-sensei’s eyes and told Sensei what I should have said that day.

To repay Sensei’s trust.

"Sorry, before class starts, I need to talk to you about something.”

Takayanagi-sensei nodded at me as if Sensei sensed something.

“Tell me. It’s probably more important than the class.”

With this strong agreement, I tell Sensei, feeling relieved.

“Takayanagi-sensei, please help me. I’m being bullied by the members of the Literature Club. And the target of their bullying is about to shift to my junior.”

I know Sensei knows about all this.

But that day, I couldn’t tell Sensei properly. The first time I went to Takayanagi-sensei, I just told the facts and didn’t really ask for help.

That’s why this time….

I decided to really rely on adults.

“Of course, Aono-kun. It’s Sensei’s job to protect the students. Thank you for relying on me. I’m really glad that you told me. I know it was hard for you. It’s my job from now on.”

Just like that day, Takayanagi-sensei faced me. On that day, I could ask for help, as Sensei encouraged me to do. But now it’s different. I trusted adults and asked for help myself.

And I tell Takanagi-sensei what I think. That the Literature Club is definitely involved in my bullying, and I believe the testimonies of the club members are false.

“I understand you very well, Aono-kun. The school has said that they will deal with this as soon as possible. This will probably shake the club members even more. Aono-kun, stay close to Hayashi-san as long as you can. Just like Ichijo-san, Imai-kun, and Endo-kun did for you. At times like this, when you’re scared, it’s a great comfort to know that she’s not alone. The school will handle it. The first-year teachers have already started to take action privately.”

Takayanagi-sensei assured me emphatically.

Takayanagi’s PoV

Almost there. Aono-kun’s testimony would put the literature club in a corner. Maybe there will be defections. In fact, Aono’s case is probably about malicious intent, either hiding or disposing of the manuscript. This would result in either theft or property damage charges.

Aono-kun said he would also file a damage report, separate from the incident with the soccer team. This would give the school valid grounds for disciplinary action. In addition to Aono-kun’s case, it was also a threat to Hayashi-san. No matter how much they use anonymous accounts, if they can be identified, it would be a serious crime.

However, manager Tachibana will fight this tooth and nail and probably try to get away with it.

“The final piece is to provide irrefutable evidence.”

Organizing such a conclusion in my mind and with several trump cards in my head, I think of a way to decisively destroy Tachibana’s theory.