I Became a Teacher at an All-Girls Boarding School, and Now the Students and Female Teachers Are After Me~ - Chapter 34 - Momo’s Truth

Chapter 34 – Momo’s Truth

I returned to my room, feeling utterly dejected, and collapsed onto my bed, staring at my phone. The screen was filled with countless unread messages I had sent Sakurada.

[Are you okay?]

[Are you having a tough time?]

[Let me know you’re okay as soon as you see this]

The messages were like something a clingy ex-boyfriend would send. They just sat there, not even showing a ‘read’ receipt.

Miyama-sensei had told me all those things, but were they really true?

If everything Miyama-sensei said is true, then this whole situation is absolutely sickening.

I’m grateful to her for explaining everything, but a part of me desperately hoped it was all just a lie.

Is there really nothing I can do?

I kept thinking and thinking, but no answers came to mind. I had worked so hard to be the ideal teacher, but nothing is going according to plan.

Disgusted with my own helplessness, I was about to turn off my phone.

“Huh?”

Just before I did, the word “Read” appeared next to my messages.

Oh, Sakurada read them!

I felt a small wave of relief, and then my phone started ringing.

I was so startled I almost dropped it, but I managed to grab it and tapped the answer button, holding the phone to my ear.

“H-hey, is that you, Sakurada? Are you doing okay?”

I blurted out, the first words that came to mind.

She was silent for a moment before I heard a sigh on the other end.

“Hah… Sensei, it’s a huge no-no to keep texting a girl when she hasn’t even read your messages. It’s the easiest way to get a girl to hate you.”

“Forget that. Are you okay?”

“Am I okay? Oh, I just caught a cold, and my dad insisted on me going to a hospital just in case. I’m fine now, the fever is gone, and I’m feeling great!”

Her voice, for better or worse, sounded exactly the same as always.

“Just a cold?”

“Yeah, just a cold. Sensei, you worry too much…”

According to her, that’s all it was. If she was telling the truth, then all my worries were for nothing. But after hearing what Miyama-sensei said, I couldn’t just trust her words so easily.

“Hey, Sakurada.”

“What?”

“Are you coming back to school?”

“…No… I’m going to leave school… Probably.”

“You’re leaving?! That Mifune guy, is he…!!”

“W-wait a minute! Sensei, what are you talking about? Mifune-san? What are you talking about?”

I told her about the rumors Miyama-sensei had told me.

Her response was…unexpected.

“Sensei, aren’t you a little too innocent?”

“Innocent?! I’m just worried about you!”

“That’s obviously a lie Miyama-sensei made up to mess with you!”

“What?! A lie?! But she sounded so serious…”

“Yeah, I’ve heard those rumors, too. But I don’t know if they’re true, and my reason for leaving school has nothing to do with those rumors.”

“T-then why are you leaving?”

“Oh my… Sensei, do you miss me?”

“Of course I do! You’re my precious student! I want to help you until you graduate.”

“Sensei, you’re very kind. But it’s already decided. I’m transferring to a private school near my house and I’m going to commute from home.”

“You’re not happy with our school? Is there a problem with my teaching?”

“No, not at all. You’ve been so kind to me. But I’ll be more comfortable living at home and going to a school near my friends…”

“…I-I see…”

With an answer like that, I couldn’t really say anything else.

“Sensei… I’m sorry…”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I blackmailed you with that photo and made you do a bunch of selfish things for me.”

“Well… Yeah, you did.”

“I said some mean things about you not being used to girls and putting you in a tough situation.”

“Well, it’s true I’m not used to girls, and it’s also true that the students had to be careful around me because of that.”

It’s embarrassing to admit, but it’s true.

“That’s not true at all, Sensei. You’re a great teacher. The students in the class all said that your lessons were easy to understand, and everyone knows that you always put your students first.”

“Are you teasing me again?”

“It’s the truth. Sensei, thank you for everything, even if it was only for a short time.”

“……”

“But seriously, all your worries are for nothing. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Are you really?”

“Want me to turn on the camera? But I’m only in my underwear right now.”

“No, it’s fine…”

“Anyway, I’m really fine. So please use your kindness and worry about the other students. I’ll be living a carefree life as the daughter of a wealthy politician.”

“I see. So you’re just relaxing at home?”

“Yes.”

“Speaking of which, is your home in Setagaya?”

“Huh? How do you know that…? That’s a little creepy.”

“I saw it on the news. It’s that huge traditional Japanese house, right?”

“That’s right. The tatami mats feel so nice after so long.”

“I’m glad to hear you’re doing well. But be careful. A cold can come back if you’re not careful. I hope you’re not planning on going anywhere tomorrow?”

“It’s a secret.”

“I’m serious, you know.”

Sakurada just giggled.

“Don’t worry. I’m just going to stay home all day tomorrow.”

I felt relieved when she said she would be staying home. I told her to call me if anything happened, and I hung up the phone.

◇　◇　◇

In an annex of the Sakurada residence in Setagaya, Momo, dressed in her pajamas, tapped the end-call button and threw her phone onto the tatami floor. She let out a huge sigh.

…This is the right thing to do, right…?

She kept telling herself that what she did was right, that her lie and brave front were for the best.

Still, she was surprised that Ryuuki had found out so much.

The rumors about Congressman Mifune’s second home were an open secret in her world, but not something a regular person would know.

After all, Congressman Mifune was a former police bureaucrat. No cop would dare to arrest him and bring shame to the police force. On top of that, he had major connections with the media.

That’s why Momo was so surprised that Ryuuki knew about it.

But when she thought about it, there was only one possible source: Miyama Kanade. Momo was sure that she had to be the one who gave him the information.

And while Kanade’s information was correct, Momo couldn’t bring herself to tell Ryuuki the truth.

Even in their short time together, Momo could tell that Ryuuki was an incredibly earnest person. If she told him the truth, he might even go to her father and try to convince him to change his mind.

But this was already a done deal. No matter how much Momo rejected it, her father was going to send her to Congressman Mifune.

There was no way Ryuuki could change the decision. Momo had tried to talk her father out of it, but when she realized it was pointless, all she could do was accept her fate.

Besides, if Ryuuki tried to get involved, his life would be in danger. Out of her love for Ryuuki, Momo couldn’t let him get caught up in this mess.

Still, a part of her wanted to scream “Help me!”

She closed her eyes, suppressing that desire, when she heard a voice from behind the sliding door.

“Momo-sama.”

It was her bodyguard, Miyashita.

“What is it?”

“May I come in?”

“Yes.”

The door slid open, and he rushed over to her.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’re in a panic…”

Momo said, her eyes widening.

Miyashita looked around to make sure no one was there, then knelt down in front of Momo, looking at her through his sunglasses.

“Momo-sama, are you really sure about this?”

“Sure about what?”

“About working at Congressman Mifune’s second home.”

Miyashita seemed to have come to her out of concern.

“It’s not up to me, and it’s already decided. I’m just fulfilling my duty as a member of the Sakurada family for my father.”

“Momo-sama, I can’t stand it. You must have heard the rumors about that place. Your dignity will be trampled on if you go there.”

“I know about the rumors. But do you honestly believe that if I say ‘no,’ my father will change his mind?”

“Momo-sama, let’s run away!”

Momo’s eyes widened.

“What are you talking about?!”

“I’m saying let’s run away somewhere far away and start a new life.”

“Run away? Where?”

“I don’t know. But we can’t stay here. Momo-sama, if you need money, I’ll do any job, no matter how hard it is, so you don’t have to worry.”

Miyashita grabbed her hands, pleading with her. But Momo didn’t budge.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?!”

“You’ve been helping me with my selfish requests for a long time, Miyashita. I can’t drag your life into my mess.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I’d gladly give my life rather than see your dignity trampled on——”

“Are you going to run away again?”

Miyashita froze, shocked by her question.

“M-Momo-sama… W-what do you mean…”

“Did you really think you could fool me, Miyashita? We’ve been together since I was a child. I’d be able to tell.”

“……”

“I can tell just by looking at your eyes.”

“M-Momo-sama…”

He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and started wiping his eyes behind his sunglasses, overwhelmed with emotion.

“Miyashita, don’t worry. I won’t be there forever. I’ve heard that man is only interested in young girls. Once I come of age, I’ll probably be thrown away. If I just endure it for a few years, no one gets hurt. You’ll be safe, too.”

“But… But…”

“Miyashita, this is the only way for a good-for-nothing daughter like me to show my filial piety. I’ve decided to see it that way.”

“……”

◇　◇　◇

T/N: Hoo, a bit of Miyashita’s backstory, but it’s probably nothing. Feels like the story is reaching the conclusion…