You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 53: ...Mufufu

“The Magic Flute, indeed…”

“Ah, that popular opera.”

“That a girl of just eight years old…”

Amakusa-sensei, of course, knew of the opera. And because he knew, he also found it unbelievable. How did an opera come into play in the incident?

“Among the combatants we’ve rescued before, not one has exhibited such changes. Most of them were primarily suffering from psychological instability due to mental trauma.”

“Did you investigate the cause?”

“We’ve conducted various tests, but the cause remains unknown… For now, we’re just observing the situation, and I’m taking care of her personally.”

“Eh!…”

It slipped out unexpectedly.

“Hey, you, the top of Japan, have anything to add?”

The overseer did not miss the words that slipped from the principal.

“No, I was just a bit surprised that the head overseer would take care of her personally.”

The principal smiled nervously, sweating slightly. Yet, his thoughts did not stop, and he swallowed his saliva.

“…”

“Looking for a fight?”

“I’m very sorry!”

Perhaps feeling the disrespect in the silence, the overseer spoke up.

Although his expression was not visible, anger was present in his words. In response, the principal showed a sincere apology.

“Well, we’ll talk about that later… Let’s continue.”

After a brief pause, the narration resumed.

“She wants to join the combat academy because of Harmony Operation.”

“Is it due to her ability?”

“Yes, she’s been using her ability to affect her brain continuously. It’s just a hunch, but she’s searching for something.”

“Does it involve memory interference?”

“It’s unclear. But that’s where a variety of issues begin. To solve them…”

This was the main topic the overseer had prepared to discuss.

“We’re sending Airi-chan to the Japanese branch, and I’d like you to take care of her.”

“I must… decline.”

“Wha!?”

There was silence, but the principal flatly refused the overseer.

Such a response was unexpected for Amakusa-sensei, who was taken aback by the refusal to welcome a valuable talent.

“Let’s hear the reason, at least.”

“It’s the backlash from other branches. The Japanese branch is already criticized just for its hierarchy, and bringing in someone with unknown powers would…”

“That will be fine.”

The overseer interrupted, his vague figure wavering.

“It was the Edelman couple who decided.”

“What… what does that mean?”

“The couple was against involving Airi-chan in the combat academy until the end. But, Airi-chan’s resistance was too strong…”

The recounted tale resembled a tripartite meeting.

“Due to the discussion, placing her in the safest country’s branch was decided. She’s only eight years old, though.”

“Why is Japan considered the safe country?”

“You don’t know anything…”

In front of the ignorant principal, the overseer spoke in astonishment.

“Japan is considered very safe by the world, despite the cost.”

That was Japan’s reputation.

Forgetting this was a bad habit among the Japanese.

“However, how do you intend to explain to the branch in Airi Edelman’s home country? The rule is that combatants born there are to be taken care of by that branch.”

“Yes, that’s also fine.”

The overseer interrupted again.

“Due to the abduction of Airi-chan this time, that branch has lost credibility, mainly due to words from the couple. Therefore, they’ve agreed to this arrangement.”

“…”

Confronted with a declaration that quelled all concerns, the principal fell silent.

“Silence is consent, isn’t it? Regarding her transfer date… it’ll be after the ‘Promotion’ event, agreed?”

The overseer mentioned the name of an upcoming event.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Then it’s decided. But, this Promotion is likely to be tumultuous, especially because of that boy.”

This premonition was shared by all the staff at the Japanese branch because he was there.

However, dealing with it was the principal’s responsibility.

“As for Hiroki-kun, I plan to persuade him not to participate.”

“Oh, listing reasons might indeed persuade him, but it’s meaningless if he doesn’t accept them.”

“No, he will definitely refuse to participate.”

“You speak with such confidence. What’s your basis?”

The overseer asked brightly, intrigued by the principal’s confidence.

“He dislikes showing off his power. Once we explain the Promotion to him, he will surely decline to participate.”

This image of Ogino Hiroki, as perceived by the principal, was of someone who conceals his strength and aims for victory, thus making his involvement in the current event unlikely, with a significant probability of declining.

“Did he dislike it? That’s the first I’ve heard of it… I see.”

The overseer expressed comprehension, whether it was from viewing the footage or from the certainty in the principal’s words, it was a sound of unadulterated acknowledgment.

“Then, that concludes our discussion. I’ll send over Airi-chan’s documents. Please check them later.”

“Understood.”

“Then, I’ll go explain to Airi-chan…”

“Eh!…”

“Looking for a fight, huh? Yes, maybe I should go to the Japanese branch with Airi-chan?”

“Ah, ah, ahh! Enough! Head Overseer! Let me be clear!”

Ultimately, the principal lost his composure, with the tipping point being the responsibilities foisted upon him.

“It’s frightening to think of an immature girl in the vicinity of the head overseer!”

“You’re saying that?! What’s wrong with me?!”

The overseer snapped back.

“I heard from Hazuki-kun! He was running away from the head overseer at the headquarters!”

Hazuki had visited the headquarters once due to the mission and relayed this fact upon returning to the Japanese branch.

“Your partiality is exceedingly abnormal!”

“Abnormal, you say?! There’s nothing but a pure and beautiful scene there!”

“Consider age over appearance and gender!”

Could it have been an illusion that made the principal seem younger to Amakusa-sensei, as he stood before the overseer airing his grievances, appearing almost teenager-like?

“When you were younger, you were still cute, but now you’ve become an old man! Nothing is appealing about you now!”

“I’m still in my forties! I’m not that old! And I know you’re several times older than me!”

Amakusa-sensei, with wide eyes, witnessed the furious exchange.

Yet, a growing trepidation of speaking out of turn to the overseer was palpable among the female teachers.

“Principal, maybe it’s time to stop…”

“Interfering, huh!?”

“Finally, silence.”

Amakusa-sensei placed her right hand over the principal’s mouth, a gesture of a subordinate attempting to mitigate their superior’s blunder.

“That’s all for now. I’ll overlook the many discourtesies this time, for Amakusa-kun’s sake.”

“Mmph!”

“Principal, please don’t embarrass the Japanese branch any further!”

Right when the principal was on the verge of activating his augmented physical abilities, the overseer’s figure began to fade.

“I’m counting on you to prepare the management system for Airi-chan. See you.”

With those last words, the overseer’s figure disappeared, leaving only a man with his mouth covered and a woman continuing to do so.

“…”

“Principal, I’m going to let go now.”

After saying that, Amakusa-sensei removed her hand from the principal’s mouth. Wiping her palm, now slightly moist, with a handkerchief, she looked at the silent principal.

“I apologize for the discourtesy.”

“No, it was my fault for losing my temper… Ah, just being around that person drains my spirit.”

“Are you and the head overseer close? And what about the favoritism, age, and gender…”

Amakusa-sensei had many questions about the earlier exchange.

“Ah, Amakusa-kun, you’re unfamiliar with the head overseer.”

While looking distant, the principal slowly sat down.

“But I’m sorry, I’m really tired today, so let’s leave that discussion for another time.”

He seemed aged. From appearing youthful, he suddenly seemed like an older man.

“I’ll rest here a bit before going home. Amakusa-sensei, you can go ahead.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll be leaving.”

Leaving questions unanswered, Amakusa-sensei exited the room.

The principal was left alone in the room.

“Ah, today was really…”

In the dark room, the man leaning back closed his eyes, reflecting on the day.

“Getting involved with you never ends well.”

He said this as if reminiscing.