Fallen from the Top Group Due to Cheating and False Accusations. The Only One Who Stood by Me Was My Little Sister’s Best Friend, Who Had Always Adored Me.

Chapter 28: A Teacher’s Apology and Preparation for the Inquiry.

As expected, the gazes of everyone around us were fixed solely on our joined hands. I couldn’t blame them for being shocked. A guy currently labeled as a domestic abuser and a brilliant, beautiful, top-tier honor student—two people who sat at the most polar opposite ends of the social spectrum—were not only walking to school together but were doing so with their shoulders touching and fingers interlacInukai ed. The confusion among the onlookers was palpable.

However, just as Yuuka had predicted, the situation was already beginning to shift. Even without straining my ears, the nature of the murmurs around us had changed. The aggressive tones of contempt and hostility from yesterday were being replaced by the wavering notes of confusion and skepticism.

“So that rumor from yesterday was actually true…” “You mean about Tozawa-san storming into the second-year wing? Look, they’re actually holding hands.” “Isn’t it dangerous for Tozawa-san to be with a guy like that?” “No, look at it the other way. I can’t imagine someone like Tozawa-san staying close to a guy who actually hits women.” “True. If there’s one person with a good judge of character, it’s her.” “Does that mean it’s a lie? That Rindou used violence on his girlfriend?” “Actually, I heard the ex-girlfriend couldn’t say a word back to Tozawa-san yesterday.” “But if that’s true, it means Matsunagi-san framed Rindou, right? That’s almost harder to believe.” “Well, it’s a fact that at least one of them is wearing a mask and lying. Maybe we should stop running our mouths. This could turn into a serious incident.” “Yeah. I don’t want to get dragged into this.”

Let’s stop jumping to conclusions. When I heard someone say those words, the girl walking beside me let out a faint, knowing smile—as if everything was proceeding exactly as planned. Did she know this would happen if she used herself as a shield? If so, her ability to wield her own reputation was almost frightening. Feeling restless, I decided to focus on the plan for the day before we reached the shoe lockers.

“Alright, Yuuka, let’s confirm. From here on, instead of going to class, I’m heading to the faculty office for an interview with Inagaki-sensei. You’ll return to your normal schedule and attend classes. Does that sound right?”

“Yes. But Senpai, are you sure you’ll be okay on your own? I feel like things might go more smoothly if I, who reported it yesterday, were there with you.”

“I appreciate it. But I can’t keep leaning on you forever, Yuuka. At the end of the day, this is my problem, and more importantly, I’ve decided I’m not running away anymore. I need to show the teachers my own will to fight. So, please, go to your classes and don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll come pick you up at your classroom when it’s over,” I added, gently patting her head. Yuuka hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. Even though she clearly had reservations, I couldn’t thank her enough for prioritizing my feelings above all else.

“If that’s what you want, Senpai, I’ll believe in you and wait in my classroom.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there as soon as I can. Then, let’s walk home together again.”

We shared a pinky swear before finally letting go of each other’s hands. From this point on, we were both back to our individual battles.

***

The path to the faculty office was a long, dim corridor, with the lights turned off to save electricity. To be honest, I’ve never been good at entering the faculty office. That moment when the eyes of so many teachers turn toward you all at once always makes my breath hitch. Add to that my current situation. Even with Yuuka’s report, many of the teachers must have seen that video by now. Some would undoubtedly still look at me with suspicion. Be strong. Don’t let them swallow you up. I stood before the faculty office door, braced myself, and knocked.

“Excuse me.”

I bowed and opened the door. As expected, the atmosphere inside before homeroom was frantic. However, the moment I stepped inside, the noise cut out abruptly, and the room was enveloped in silence.

“…………”

No response. Just countless eyes fixed on me. Gulping down my nerves, I started to head toward my homeroom teacher’s desk when a male teacher suddenly stood up from his chair with a loud thud.

“Good morning, Rindou!”

“Ah, yes. Good morning.”

If I recalled correctly, this was Inukai Kanta-sensei, a PE teacher like the soccer club coach, Sakagami-sensei. I hadn’t had any of his classes yet, so we had no direct connection, but when I bowed, he walked right up to me and placed a hand firmly on my shoulder.

“You’ve done well to hang in there.”

“Eh?”

“There’s no need to worry anymore. Right, everyone!?”

He looked around the room. Following his gaze, I saw that every single teacher who had been looking so busy just a moment ago had stopped their work. They stood up and met my eyes.

“Morning, Rindou-kun!” “Good morning, Rindou!” “Morning! Are you feeling okay?” “Good morning, Rindou-kun. Did you sleep alright last night?” “Morning, Rindou-kun! You’ve been so brave!”

An incredibly bright scene, one I hadn’t even dared to imagine, unfolded before me. I gasped. Countless smiles and words of encouragement reached me from every corner of the room, and a sudden warmth swelled in my chest. My eyes began to sting, and I instinctively covered them with my arm. But no matter how hard I tried to hold it back, the tears were already spilling over.

“Hey, Rindou. You okay!? If you’re feeling sick, I’ll carry you to the nurse myself!”

“No, I’m just… a little surprised… I’m sorry.”

I was crying because I had never, for a second, thought they would treat me with such kindness.

“No, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. Isn’t that right, Inagaki-sensei?”

“Yes, Inukai-sensei.”

I wiped my eyes and looked up. From the direction I had been heading, my homeroom teacher—the one I had wanted to ask for help for so long—emerged with a soft, apologetic smile.

“The ones who should be apologizing, entirely and completely, are us teachers.”

“Eh…”

In the next moment, Inagaki-sensei bowed deeply, lowering his head until all I could see was the top of his hair.

“Rindou, I am truly sorry. To think a student in my own class was being subjected to such vile treatment… I didn’t notice a thing until Tozawa-san visited me yesterday.”

“Wait, Inagaki-sensei… please, lift your head. Information spreads on social media in a way that’s hard for teachers to see anyway. I don’t hold it against you at all. Just knowing you believe me makes me feel saved.”

“No… As the one entrusted with this class, I committed an unpardonable oversight. I failed as a teacher. Of course, once everything is settled, I intend to take appropriate responsibility. For now, please, let me do everything in my power to resolve this situation.”

Hearing him speak with such grim sincerity made me feel even more awkward.

“I’m telling you, you aren’t to blame, Sensei… In the end, this happened because I let my guard down. Please, look up.”

“…Thank you, Rindou. As an adult, I know how pathetic this is, but I will accept your kindness for now. We have more important things to do, after all.”

“Sensei…”

“Let’s move to the conference room in the back and talk properly, Rindou. We have interviews scheduled with the perpetrators later today, so I want to coordinate with you first. It’s going to be a busy day, so don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Perhaps it was the mark of a true professional, but when the teacher raised his head, the look of pained regret was gone, replaced by a calm, collected air. However, it wasn’t a peaceful calm. In that brief instant when our eyes met, I thought I saw a fierce, towering flame burning deep within his pupils.