Mash-Up Anime World: Anything for Money

Eriri nodded slightly before leaving the classroom. Only after she was gone did the rest of the class dare to start whispering among themselves.

"That's the first time I've seen Sawamura-san come looking for Shiratori."

"You think it's because he didn't bring her lunch today? Maybe she's feeling the pressure now?"

"No way. Sawamura-san doesn't seem like the type who enjoys keeping people on a leash."

"Yeah, and from what she said earlier, it sounded like she thought Shiratori was sick or something."

"This gossip is delicious!"

"Speaking of which, where's Takanashi? If she were here, this would've been an even juicier drama."

"No idea. I saw her carrying a lunchbox and heading out right after class."

As for where Rikka had gone, she was, of course, in Hiratsuka's office.

Hakuto stood off to the side, holding a half-eaten piece of bread in his hand, watching as Rikka sat in his seat, eating her bento.

And why was he standing? Naturally, because the "boss" had arrived. As a mere "employee," it was only right to give up his seat.

Sometimes, Hakuto truly couldn't understand Rikka's thought process. 

She had mentioned before that she felt more comfortable eating in Hiratsuka's office, but did she really have to barge in with her lunch in hand?

And when he thought of "barging in," he meant it literally. She had kicked the office door open, carrying her bento box and yelling at the top of her lungs:

"Hero! I've come to rendezvous with you!"

That had nearly scared both Hakuto and Hiratsuka out of their seats. 

Thankfully, it was just the two of them in the office at the time—otherwise, Hakuto couldn't even begin to imagine how deeply he would have cringed in embarrassment.

"I mean… I'm just standing here eating bread. Does this really seem fair to you…?"

"Want some?" she asked, holding out her bento.

"I'll pass… You go ahead…"

Hiratsuka sat in her chair. Truth be told, having her office suddenly invaded like this should have annoyed her.

But instead, she found herself focusing on Rikka's bento box. For some reason, it looked strangely familiar.

As Hakuto's homeroom teacher, Hiratsuka was well aware of his situation with Eriri.

In fact, she had even spoken to Hakuto about it multiple times—not to stop him from dating or anything. 

After all, in Japan, there was no such concept as "prohibiting early romance."

For most teachers, high school relationships were nothing to interfere with; if anything, they were just more interesting gossip to enjoy.

But Hakuto was a different case. 

Even though it had only been a month since the start of the school year, Hiratsuka could already tell from the occasional whispers that Eriri had no feelings for him at all.

It was Hakuto himself who kept shamelessly clinging to her.

Even so, Hiratsuka hadn't intervened—if both parties were willing, there was no need for her to get involved.

However, Hakuto had a habit of getting into trouble. 

It had only been two days into the school year when he got into a fight and was forced to make a public apology in front of the entire school.

Thinking back on it, Hiratsuka almost laughed from sheer exasperation.

It had happened right after the entrance exams—Hakuto, for some reason, had single-handedly cornered five students in the bathroom and fought them all at once.

Even though an investigation later confirmed that those five had started the trouble, fighting was still fighting.

The five of them were expelled on the spot, while Hakuto was made to apologize in front of the whole school.

That day, the scene had gone something like this—

The principal of Toyonozaki Academy stood at the podium. After delivering a standard NPC-like opening speech, he moved on to the topic of Hakuto's fight.

"Our school is not a place for riffraff and lowlifes!"

"A first-year student getting into a brawl just two days after enrollment—absolutely unacceptable!"

"Blatant Disregard for School Rules! What a Disgrace!"

"This fight involved six people. The other five have been expelled immediately."

"Taking this opportunity at the freshman assembly, I want to emphasize this matter."

"Now, Shiratori Hakuto, please come on stage and reflect on your actions before the entire student body."

As soon as the principal said this, murmurs spread through the audience.

Before, the story of Hakuto single-handedly taking on five people in the restroom had only circulated in a small circle, but now, thanks to the principal, the entire school knew.

Sitting beside Hiratsuka, Hakuto heard his name called and slowly stood up.

"Is that him?"

"I thought he'd have some signature blond hair or something."

"Damn, why is this guy so good-looking?"

Hakuto ignored the chatter around him and walked toward the stage. Before he stepped up, Hiratsuka kept reminding him in a hushed voice,

"Just read exactly what's written on the paper I gave you."

Hakuto smiled and nodded, acting like he understood. But the moment he got on stage, he slipped the paper into his pocket.

Taking the microphone from the principal, Hakuto scanned the thousand or so students below.

Since this was a freshman assembly, the audience consisted solely of first-year students—not too overwhelming.

It didn't matter. Hakuto didn't feel embarrassed at all. After all, he'd been in far more awkward situations before.

Clearing his throat, he cast a quick glance at the principal beside him, then raised the microphone and began speaking.

"My name is Shiratori Hakuto. I sincerely apologize for taking up everyone's time for this self-reflection."

"I deeply regret blocking five fellow students in the restroom and beating them up right after school started."

"I'm very sorry for looking at them a little too long while walking down the hallway, which made them feel uncomfortable and led them to provoke me."

"I apologize for not immediately backing down, which only fueled their egos and escalated things into a full-blown fight."

"I'm also very sorry for going to the restroom during break, getting surrounded by those five, and somehow turning it into a fight."

"And lastly, I deeply regret calling the police afterward, which ultimately led to those five being expelled."

The moment he finished speaking, silence fell over the crowd.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Wait, what?! Principal, are you serious? 

One guy took on five, and you're calling that a "mutual fight"?!

At that moment, the students finally understood why the other five got expelled while Hakuto only had to do a self-reflection speech.

This whole thing was just for show—to make it seem like the school was handling things properly.

Realizing the situation, the principal hurriedly snatched the microphone back. Meanwhile, Hiratsuka, still seated in the crowd, couldn't help but let out a chuckle in exasperation.

Technically speaking, Hakuto had followed the format of a self-reflection. The word "sorry" had practically flooded his speech.

But was that really a proper self-reflection? The sarcastic tone was so obvious that anyone with half a brain could tell he wasn't actually apologizing.

"Ahem!"

"It seems our student, Shiratori Hakuto, has deeply recognized his mistakes."

Seriously? Hiratsuka knew this was just a formality, but she hadn't expected it to be this much of a formality.

The principal, however, clearly wanted to wrap this up as soon as possible. If Hakuto hadn't called the police, he wouldn't have even wanted to address this incident publicly.

Hakuto simply spread his hands innocently.

Fighting? Winning just meant making the other guy suffer for a while. 

But the law? Now that was a much more effective weapon.

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