When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 68: The Teacher's Thanks And The Problem I Didn't Want To Realize.

The Teacher’s Thanks And The Problem I Didn’t Want To Realize.

As October began, autumn was well underway.

The weather remained calm and the temperatures mild, making it one of the most comfortable times of the year. However, the thought of the impending cold made this a rather gloomy season for me. I even considered getting the kotatsu out early, given how much I disliked the cold.

Still, even though the weather was pleasant, life wasn’t necessarily comfortable.

“Thank you, Hinata-san!”

Called out first thing in the morning, still fighting off sleep, I found myself in the hallway being tearfully thanked by a teacher.

As usual, Sajou-san, who had walked to school with me, looked slightly annoyed as she entered the classroom alone after I was called out. Her mood soured because I was being thanked. If it were up to me, I would have preferred to skip the thanks if it meant avoiding this situation, but I couldn’t just ignore it. So all I could manage was a half-hearted, “Oh, I see.”

Besides, I didn’t even know what I was being thanked for.

“What’s with that lackluster response?”

A grown adult pouting like a duck. Maybe it was because I had been talking a lot about Sajou-san recently, or maybe it was because the teacher had shown such a pitiful display of emotion to a student. Whenever we spoke one-on-one, her usually stern demeanor seemed to soften, revealing a more childlike side that was unexpected for someone in her position.

Though she was popular among the students for her friendly demeanor, I personally wished she’d show a more reliable side. But at this point, it was too late to expect that.

“Even if you say my response is lackluster…”

Should I have replied energetically with, “Thank you, teacher! I’m grateful too!”?

I could have done that, but not knowing what I was being thanked for would have just made it seem insincere.

“What exactly are you thanking me for?”

“So you didn’t know.”

The teacher raised his hands and shrugged, as if to say, “Well, what can you do?”

That attitude made me bristle with irritation.

It felt like dealing with my bratty younger sister, a wave of annoyance rising within me.

This teacher is a bit of a troublemaker, isn’t he? And probably the type to cry when things go wrong. I couldn’t help but suspect that he’d boasted to the other teachers about Sajou-san, only to end up crying when things didn’t work out.

I hope he hasn’t been delivering lofty lectures on teaching methods to veteran teachers—that would be embarrassing. But surely he wouldn’t go that far, right?

…Right?

“It’s about the parent-teacher conference. I received a call from Sajou-san’s mother confirming her attendance and discussing the schedule.”

“You handed her the notice, didn’t you?” the teacher asked, and I nodded in understanding, feeling a sense of relief.

I see. She’s actually planning to attend.

To inform the school about her attendance at the parent-teacher conference.

To make the decision to face her estranged daughter.

I couldn’t begin to fathom the fear and determination it took to make that decision. However, I could sense the immense emotion behind it.

I felt admiration and respect for her courage not to run away, along with a slight sense of envy.

If I were in Sajou-san’s mother’s shoes, I doubt I would have been able to take that step forward. I mocked myself for being so cowardly.

But, at least for now, I wanted to sincerely rejoice in this positive development… or so I thought.

Wait a minute.

A question crossed my mind.

It’s good that Sajou-san’s mother will attend the parent-teacher conference. That’s a positive development, worthy of applause.

However, a parent-teacher conference isn’t just about the parent; the main focus is on the child…

Wait, what…?

I furrowed my brows. Sweat began to bead along my hairline and trickled down my face.

It felt less like a premonition and more like my brain was refusing to process an obvious conclusion, akin to struggling with a simple math problem and absurdly thinking the answer might be something nonsensical.

Maybe I don’t need to think about it if I don’t want to know?

I tried to avert my eyes from the glaringly obvious answer, but the teacher, oblivious to my turmoil, laid it all out in typical teacher fashion.

“I’m really glad. I was worried Sajou-san might say she wouldn’t attend.”

Expressing relief, the teacher placed a hand over her barely-there chest, exhaling a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, my brain felt like it was seizing up in pain.

I held my head in my hands. I had suspected, but now it was confirmed.

This… hasn’t been communicated to Sajou-san, has it?

I hadn’t mentioned it.

Sajou-san’s mother had merely informed the teacher about her attendance.

As for the teacher… I quickly discarded any hope like a crumpled piece of paper.

After all, it was the teacher who had initially pleaded with me to convey the details of the parent-teacher conference to Sajou-san.

Just because the mother confirmed her attendance didn’t mean the teacher would have followed up with Sajou-san.

Well then, who’s going to tell Sajou-san, ‘You need to attend the parent-teacher conference’? It’s none other than our dear Rihito-kun, who blurted out ‘I’ll set the stage’ without thinking about it…!

….Bruhh…

“With this, my teaching career is smooth sailing! Wanna have candy as a thank you?”

“…I’ll take one.”

I accepted a soothing throat lozenge from the teacher and popped it into my mouth right away.

However, no matter how much I sucked on it, it didn’t relax me at all.

Feeling deceived, I vented my frustration, wondering how I was going to broach the subject with Sajou-san. It was already causing me a headache.