I Don't Want An Ordinary Life

Chapter 38: We Still Need Some Experimental Materials

The incident of a student being hospitalized due to a conflict among classmates was a first in the hundred-year history of Shuchiin Academy.

This kind of situation had to be handled seriously. Mishandling it would bring tremendous pressure on the school.

"So, can I be expelled now?"

"You… Are you telling me you picked a fight just so you could get expelled?"

Kaname furrowed her brows, feeling quite exasperated as she glared at Ronan, who sat across from her looking rather expectant.

She had been in the office working on test papers when a message came in: "A student from Class 1-B, Ronan, injured another student in a fight."

To her disbelief, her first reaction was: "He actually just started a fight?"

"You really want to leave school that badly? Or do you want to return to the battlefields of Afghanistan again?"

"That's part of the plan."

"Forget it. I've already spoken with Sosuke. You're not going back."

"…Aunt You, you're resorting to these methods too?"

"Shut up! Call me Teacher Sagara at school."

Kaname ran her fingers through her hair, annoyed. Her once sleek blue locks were now a tangled mess.

"I'll discuss the matter with the school administration and try to get a lighter punishment…"

"That won't do! That won't do!"

"Enough! At school, you listen to me!" Kaname roared. "The school's current decision is a one-month suspension for reflection at home…"

"Could it be a bit longer? I mean, I sent someone to the hospital after all."

"One month, no more."

At that, Kaname couldn't help but sigh.

"Honestly, it's a relief you didn't actually kill someone."

"Of course I wouldn't go that far," Ronan said matter-of-factly. "The research department needs some living test subjects right now, and they're in a hurry."

"Why are you suddenly being so cooperative!? Wait a minute… You were the one who called the ambulance for that classmate named Ogino, weren't you?"

"I was the one who made the call."

"…Don't tell me—!"

Kaname's expression grew increasingly alarmed.

"It's pretty much what you're thinking. That ambulance didn't head for the hospital—it went straight to the research department. If he's lucky, you might be able to see his intact body tomorrow." Ronan explained.

"What kind of grudge is this?!"

"There's no major grudge, actually. It's a bit of a long story."

Taking about ten minutes, Ronan roughly explained the situation to Kaname.

"Ah, I see… So that's how it is."

"Yes, that's exactly it."

"You've really matured. This might be the first time I've seen you show consideration for someone else's feelings," Kaname said with a smile.

"Ishigami's my bro, of course I'm going to look out for him."

"...Ogino's situation is also a bit of a problem. If we expose his crimes directly, it might end up hurting Kyoko Otomo. But if we just let it slide…"

"Don't worry about it. He won't be around much longer anyway."

"And what about you?" Kaname asked helplessly.

"Aren't you concerned about your reputation? The whole point of sending you to school was so you could enjoy your youth, but now…"

"Of course I'm seriously enjoying my youth."

Ronan responded matter-of-factly.

"Isn't standing by your brothers through thick and thin part of youth? It doesn't always have to involve dating, does it?"

"…Anyway, you need to figure out how to get him out of the research department."

"Alive or dead?"

"Seriously?! Alive! To resolve this mess, we need him alive!"

After being lectured by Kaname in the office for quite a while, Ronan finally stepped out.

In addition to advising him that the best course of action was to ensure Ogino lived, she also told him to take advantage of his suspension to study at home, since midterms were coming up in a month.

As he walked down the hallway, students passing by would quickly step aside.

Occasionally, some would stop and whisper while looking his way.

"That's him, right?"

"He's the one who hurt that guy from the drama club. Apparently, he hit him really hard."

"That's so scary."

"I heard he's an outsider student."

Ronan didn't say a word. He simply paused, glanced at them lightly—and that alone was enough to send those whispering students scattering.

"Looks like I can still make an impression."

"Ronan…"

"Hm?"

Hearing someone call out, Ronan turned and saw Ishigami standing before him, head lowered.

"Ishigami, it's not exactly ideal for you to be seen with me right now. Remember, your 'character setting' is that of a righteous student who stepped in to stop a delinquent from beating someone up and ended up getting punched yourself. Stick to your story."

Under normal circumstances, Ishigami would have quipped something like, "What a complicated backstory." But now, he clearly wasn't in the mood.

"Ronan, release the evidence."

"Huh?"

"If you don't make the evidence public, everyone will keep misunderstanding you. They'll see you as some crazy person who lashes out over minor grievances," Ishigami said through gritted teeth.

"This is all my fault. If I hadn't acted on impulse back then…"

"Do you want me to punch you again?"

"If it means punishing my stupidity, then I'll take it—"

Thud!

Before he could finish, Ronan landed a solid punch right to Ishigami's stomach.

"Ugh…"

That punch hurt a bit, but it didn't cause Ishigami much harm; it just made him bend forward.

As Ishigami bent down, Ronan leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Listen, I promised to take care of this, and I will. You'll be fine. Kyoko Otomo will be fine."

"Ronan, but—"

"I punched you not because of your impulsiveness, but because you didn't trust me enough."

At that moment, a gentle smile appeared on Ronan's face. He reached out and lightly patted Ishigami's back.

"We're brothers, remember?"

"...Yes."

"Good, that's all I need to hear."

Straightening up, Ronan walked past Ishigami, leaving behind only his retreating figure and a casual wave.

Ishigami watched Ronan's back as he walked away, his fists clenching involuntarily.

"I do trust you... Otomo Kyoko wasn't hurt, and Ogino got the punishment he deserved, but... the cost was your reputation."

His head lowered, his bangs obscuring his slightly clouded eyes.

'It's because you consider me your brother that I can't let anyone continue tarnishing your name.'

'Ronan, I will restore your reputation.'

'Even if it means—'

'Even if I have to sacrifice Otomo-san's smile, I must—'

"Oh, by the way, Ishigami."

Just as Ronan was walking away, he suddenly turned back to face Ishigami.

"Don't do anything unnecessary, or everything will start all over again."

"..."

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