When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 49: A glimpse of a useless teacher

A glimpse of a useless teacher

As I was summoned to the podium, the teacher, a female, seemed troubled for some reason.

Despite being invited by her, why would she wear such a troubled expression?

“…?

Is something wrong?”

“Or rather…”

She rested her hand on her cheek.

Her narrowed eyes seemed troubled. Upon closer inspection, her gaze wasn’t directed at me.

Slightly off to the side. When I glanced back over my shoulder, I met the dark eyes of Sajou-san.

Ah, I see. In other words,

“You don’t want others to hear about it?”

“It’s a personal matter.”

Is that so? With a forced smile, she simply said, “I see…” and casually backed away.

“I’ll wait by the shoe lockers.”

Leaving that behind, she took her school bag and left the classroom.

She seemed unconcerned, but there was something dissatisfied or unsettled in her voice.

It’s a nuance that can’t be put into words, but when you live together, you naturally start to perceive such subtleties. Still, women’s hearts remain incomprehensible forever. I’ll never understand them.

“…I wonder if she’s angry?”

“She’s fine.”

I easily denied it.

At times like this, it’s better to casually reassure rather than say, “She might be upset,” which would only heighten her anxiety. Besides, I don’t even know if she’s really in a bad mood, so it’s best to comfort her vaguely.

Concealing one’s true feelings and avoiding trouble is the art of human relationships.

“Well, if that’s the case.”

Her gaze briefly shifted to the entrance where Sajou-san had left.

It’s probably pointless to worry about it, but it seems to bother her.

I don’t think she needs to be so sensitive. Why is she so scared?

“So, what’s the matter?”

I found it curious, but I didn’t want to keep Sajou-san waiting too long, so I initiated the conversation. “Please, get to the point quickly,” I conveyed, and she nodded hurriedly as if flustered.

“It’s nothing major, but…”

With that preface,

“Did you give her the printout for the tripartite meeting?”

“……..Ah.”

I remembered when she mentioned it.

Oh no. I forgot.

It was the day my sister came home, before I started living with Sajou-san.

She had asked me to give Sajou-san the printout for the tripartite meeting, but I had completely forgotten.

Damn it, I thought, covering my mouth with my right hand.

Her eyes narrowed sharply.

“It seems like you forgot, huh?”

“Well… I suppose you could say I forgot, or rather, I was overwhelmed by a series of shocking events and couldn’t keep up with everything.”

“Meaning, you didn’t give it to her?”

“…I didn’t.”

I resignedly nodded in response to her inquiry.

But, it’s not like it can be helped.

That day, my sister came out of Sajou-san’s house, Sajou-san was wearing a maid outfit, and on top of that, there was the supernova-level event of moving. It was like a super explosion.

The printout for the tripartite meeting, which I had only thought of as a pretext to meet Sajou-san, would have flown out of my head the moment my sister kicked me in the butt.

Even now, the printout for the tripartite meeting is peacefully sleeping at the bottom of my bag.

If the teacher hadn’t mentioned it, it would have peacefully remained there forever.

Given it’s a boy’s bag, you can imagine it’s in a state of disarray. It might have even transformed into an accordion.

However, even if I make such excuses, I’ll surely just get a puzzled look and a “What are you talking about?”

Above all, I couldn’t just say, “I’m living with a girl from school,” to a teacher. It would lead to a parent-teacher meeting for a completely different reason.

Thinking about how bad it would be if it were exposed now, I let out a dry laugh. I discreetly averted my gaze.

Perhaps she took my reaction as embarrassment for forgetting, the teacher sighed as if resigned to it.

“The tripartite meeting is scheduled for November. There’s still a month left, but considering the schedules of other students, we need to start planning soon.”

So she implied, urging me to hand in the printout soon and let her know the schedule.

Honestly, even though I missed handing in the printout, I couldn’t help but wonder why it had to be me.

I mean, it doesn’t directly concern me, right?

“Sajou-san is attending school too, so why don’t you just tell her directly?”

It might be understandable if she didn’t know anything, but as someone who knows about the relationship between Sajou-san and her mother, it would be difficult for me to bring it up.

Even if I were to give it to Sajou-san, she’d probably just crumple it up and throw it in the trash.

If her mother were to receive it directly, I couldn’t predict her reaction, but either way, it would likely further complicate things with Sajou-san, so I hesitate.

Ideally, I didn’t want to get involved.

So, though belatedly, I plead with the teacher to fulfill her responsibility, only to be rejected with a “No.”

“No?” I ask incredulously.

“I just don’t know what to say to her.”

I furrow my brow, feeling a sudden moisture in my eyes.

“What if I say something wrong to Sajou-san, and she says, ‘Fine then, I won’t come to school anymore’? What am I supposed to do then? My teaching career would be over for sure! In this job market freeze, I don’t want to give up the job I’ve finally managed to secure!”

I understand the teacher’s struggle, but being confessed such a pathetic thing only weakens me.

The teacher, who should be the most mature person in the school, pleading with a student or crying for help, is something I’d rather not see.

I think the situation of a male student clinging to her is much more worthy of being fired.

“So please! Give it to Sakaguchi-san! And while you’re at it, ask her about the schedule! If need be, I’ll handle the tripartite meeting instead!”

“Do your job, sensei.”

It’s unbearable to see such an unbecoming sight of a middle-aged woman.

Avoiding reality, she looks up at the ceiling.

Despite being a new teacher, her relationship with the students is good.

Her charm and the image of a reliable teacher crumble like a snow sculpture.

I had always thought of her as a capable woman, so this transformation was quietly shocking.

It feels like seeing the sloppy side of an admired older sister.

If her personal life also turns out to be like a tired office lady, then she’ll be a hopeless teacher, or “Dakyoji” for short.

I sincerely hope such an occasion never arises.

In a situation where I don’t know who might see us, it’s not acceptable for a female teacher to keep crying and clinging to me forever. Just thinking about what would happen when Sajou-san comes back sends shivers down my spine.

“Huhh… Fine, I get it. I’ll do it, so please calm down.”

There’s a sense of guilt for forgetting to hand in the printout.

I reluctantly accepted.

“Really? You’re not lying? You’re not going to stop or do something awful?”

“Choose your words wisely… I won’t, so please calm down.”

Whether she’s convinced or not, she releases her grip from my uniform.

Then, she steps back, and perhaps feeling a bit calmer, she coughs into her fist as if trying to cover up. Her cheeks are slightly flushed. She tightens her facial muscles, putting on a composed expression.

It’s all too late now, but I don’t point it out because I don’t want to see her embarrassed again.

“Um, um, I’m counting on you, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

As I waved my hand dismissively, the teacher pursed her lips in annoyance.

However, perhaps thinking she couldn’t afford to show any more embarrassment, she left the classroom with only a teacher-like remark, “Be careful on your way home,” as her final words.

“…This turned into quite a hassle.”

It was supposed to be just handing over the printout for the tripartite meeting, but somehow I ended up being entrusted with confirming the schedule too.

What to do.

As I gazed outside the window at the sunset sinking into the horizon,

“It’s a promise, okay!”

“Eek!”

Startled, I jumped as the teacher returned and emphasized her point.

I-I was surprised.

I held my pounding heart and turned around, but there was no sign of the teacher anywhere.