#32 Aftermath

"Haha, good job everyone!" The one who first greeted us when we returned to ship was none other than Koenji.

"Koenji! Just because of you we lost 30 points!" Sudo and Ike started to yell at him since he didn't look or sound like a sick person.

"Calm down, it doesn't really matter, no? After all, you were able to gain 335 points. 30 points here and there won't hurt" Koenji said with a teasing smile.

They kept on arguing until Horikita finally appeared, she still looked a bit pale but much better than before.

"Horikita-san! We heard what happened and I want to apologize for my behavior" Karuizawa said with her eyes downwards.

"Suzune, It's really incredible how you were able to guess all leaders but how were you able to gather so many bonus points?!" Sudo blurted out, excited after seeing healthy Horikita before him.

She was too surprised by Sudo's question to even answer. After all, she still didn't know how I was able to gather so many points.

Horikita turned at me and angrily glared at me since she was in a pinch because of me but I just averted my eyes and ignored her.

I believe you will make some kind of excuse...

I couldn't help but notice that Chabashira-sensei was looking at me. Our eyes met and we kept on looking at each other for a while until she left.

Does she want me to follow her? *sigh* I have no obligation to go after her but I guess it won't hurt to escape from my classmates for a while.

"Huh? Where is Walker-kun?" Hirata-kun asked

"Hmm? He was still here just a few seconds ago..."

..

When I arrived on the bow, I noticed Chabashira-sensei holding onto a railing. She was looking at the vast sea, her hair blowing in the wind. Combined with sunrays that were shining at her body, made her look literally "stunning"

I came right beside her and started to gaze at the almost nonexistent clouds.

"I am honestly shocked by the number of points you were able to gather" After a few minutes of calm and comfortable silence, Chabashira-sensei stated.

"It could have been better but I would have to become a tyrant who would control each of his classmates. Although this school is different than other schools, they can still experience a peaceful and happy school life and I don't want to take it from them just for a few more points" I said lightly while observing a few clouds moving on the blue sky.

"Heh, you sound like you aren't the same as them"

"Maybe I am not" I said and Chabashira-sensei turned at me with a slightly surprised expression. She was probably expecting me to say more but I already said more than I wanted due to this calming atmosphere that made you want to open to other people.

"Heh, just kidding" I turned at her and sent her a fake smile.

She frowned upon seeing my fake smile but she noticed that I didn't look like I was planning to talk about it any further.

"How about you reward me for my hard work?" I jokingly said to change the subject.

"Oh? I am not really obligated to do so but do tell me what you have in mind" An amused smile formed on her face.

"How about you treat me to lunch, I didn't even have breakfast so I am quite hungry" I asked with an innocent smile. Of course, I lied about not having breakfast but I wanted to save my points whenever possible and she practically owes me this.

"...I don't think that's appropriate" She appeared slightly surprised by my request but not long after that her expression became more serious but I could still notice a little bit of red on her face.

"? What's inappropriate? Teacher and student having lunch together? You are the one making it sound like a date" I leaned on the railing and joked a bit.

"...Even so...I don't think it will have a good impact on you if you will appear in the restaurant with me. You should be more considerate of your image" She tried to refuse but it was pretty visible that she was hesitating. I guess she wants to appear professional.

"Then let's change the approach. You still remember how you TRIED to blackmail me right?" I said and emphasized the word TRY in a teasing manner.

"...What about it?" She appeared a bit uneasy.

"I think it's just fair for me to do the same. If you won't treat me to lunch then I will stop helping the class. I know that you can still use Ayanokoji-kun but I will make sure that all of his plans will fail if you refuse" The words I said would normally appear a very hostile if I hadn't said them in jokingly manner.

*sigh* "...Fine, when do you want to go?" Although her expression looked like she experienced humiliating defeat I knew that she was faking that. She just needed a good reason to accept.

As for my image or reputation? I couldn't care any less what will people whisper about me. It's a good chance to save points, eat a lot of food and most importantly get to know Chabashira-sensei more. Even though I won't be able to discover her weakness in 1 lunch, but I have to at least start somewhere.

"Let's meet-" I was interrupted by my vibrating phone. I quickly looked what's the matter and saw that Horikita was calling me. I declined the call but she kept on calling me whenever I declined.

"I think you should accept it, sounds like it's important" Chabashira-sensei suggested. trying to escape, perhaps she was already regretting that she accepted my request but I won't back down in front of a free luxurious lunch.

"Let's meet in 2 hours from now in that restaurant across the pool" I quickly said and accepted Horikita's call

"Wait! That's the most expensive restaurant and a lot of students will be there since the survival test just ended" She called out to me but I pretended that I didn't hear her.

Yes, the most expensive and also the most luxurious... I licked my lips in anticipation.

"What is it?" I asked a little annoyed.

"I have been calling you for a while. Why were you declining them and was the voice I just heard from Chabashira-sensei?" Horikita bombarded me with a lot of questions.

"I was a little busy, can't you just leave a message when I decline your call?" I said while walking towards my room.

"It's important. You promised that you would explain to me everything you have done during the survival test"

"I did?" I asked and unlocked the door of my room.

"Yes! I might have been a little slow due to a fever but my memory was and is very good!" She almost damaged my eardrum with her shouting.

"Ok, I will explain a few things but you will have to wait till the evening"

"Why?"

"Heh, I have an important date" I joked

"I don't care..." I could almost feel her indifference just from the phone call

"Then why do you bother asking?"

After I said that, I heard a beeping sound.

Huh? She hung up...

I put my phone on my bed and opened my wardrobe to change my clothes.

...I almost forgot that I bought this. I looked at a newly bought white suit with a slightly sad smile.

My father used to wear suits like this one a lot. He and my mother always wanted to get me to wear one but I didn't find them comfortable as a kid. Then I somehow forgot about it and never even tried one ever since that accident.

Heh, let's fulfill one of their old wishes. Unfortunately, I no longer have my old looks but I think it doesn't really matter.

I took hold of the suit and shook my head to get rid of these thoughts. There were happy memories but it always leads to me being sad. Fortunately, I always think about my parents when no one can see me.

At least, by having different looks and being in a different world is making me almost without any weakness. My old looks would be holding me back by constantly making me think about my parents and this being a different world is making me totally unknown to others.

My only weakness could be said to be my past and truth about me not being the original owner of this body but I will make sure not to tell anyone about it.

My mother used to tell me about how she was always informing my father about everything without any secrets just because of a thing called "love"

I don't really know how does the "love" feel but I will absolutely never tell anyone about my past.