Chapter 73: Unexpected Expansion

Angelie brought Miyori to the clubroom to have her explain further her request to everyone else. All the other members of the Help club were inside the room already. Angelie sat on her usual seat while Miyori sat on the visitor's chair.

"I would like to make a formal request to the Help Club. As I said earlier to Fukushuu-san, I wanted her to teach little kids at the start of summer break."

Miyori bowed her head at everyone.

"If you just need her, then go ahead. I couldn't care less what she does during the summer break."

Akuma crossed his arms as he stared at Miyori. She then raised her head after hearing Akuma speak.

"Well, actually, the day care center our family runs is in need of two temporary volunteers… One of the current teachers we have slipped and hurt her back. She was advised to rest for a month or so… The other one suddenly quit due to family reasons. Until we get her back and find a replacement for the other one, we would like to ask for your help. You're really my last hope! Our remaining staff are being stretched thin as it is…"

Miyori's eyes started to tear up.

"Why don't you hire part-timers, then?"

Kiba looked at Miyori.

"We really don't know how long we would employ a part-timer since we are waiting for someone to come back and we're already looking to hire someone permanently, too. That uncertainty usually turns off part-timers… People are usually looking for a more stable position."

Miyori looked down at the table.

"Yeah, that would be hard. I can understand that since we do run a bakery ourselves…"

Kiba nodded at Miyori.

"Also, it's hard to get part-timers that fit the qualifications… That person should have patience, especially since they would be dealing with young kids. I just believe that Angelie-san is a good teacher, and that the kids would love her. If she could magnificently teach us high school students, what more for the kids?"

Miyori's face lit up as she looked at Angelie.

"I really think you're giving me too much credit…"

Angelie smiled while she blushed a little.

"We'll get back to you once we decide whether to accept your request or not."

Akuma leaned back on his chair.

"I see. I'll wait for your reply, then. Also, please reserve me a slot in your study group for the finals!"

Miyori stood up from her chair and bowed at everyone. She then left the room and closed the door.

"I really don't care about this. Since it will be during summer break, no one in school will see us helping her, so it doesn't benefit me. Do what you want."

Akuma lowered his head and closed his eyes.

"I feel bad for the little kids… They can't be properly taken care of like this… I say we accept her request."

Sanaka clasped her hands together as she looked at Angelie.

"I understand their need for help. It's really hard to find people that has the required skillsets for a job. We should help her."

Kiba nodded and smiled at Angelie.

"It’s hard taking care of kids. But I think Angelie-san will be up to the task. I agree to accept this request, as well."

Mimi reached out and put her hand on top of Angelie's hand that was on the table.

"You guys…"

Angelie smiled as she wiped a tear in her eye.

"So, who's going to be the other teacher besides this hopeless Saint?"

Akuma opened one of his eyes and looked at everyone.

"Eh… Unfortunately, my parents and I will be going on a vacation at the start of summer break. I won't be around to help. Sorry, guys!"

Sanaka shifted her gaze from Angelie and reached down at her bag and pretended to find something inside it.

"Our bakery picks up business during the summer. I'll surely be needed by my dad to help him. I'm afraid I can't do it."

Kiba looked away as he put both his hands behind his head.

"My siblings depend on me during summer break. And frankly, I don't think I am good with kids. They'll be bored with me in no time."

Mimi closed the notebook she had on top of the table and placed it inside her bag.

Suddenly, the trio of Sanaka, Kiba and Mimi stood up from their seats.

"Well, there you have it. And since we voted and agreed to do this request, it is now an official request to the Help Club. Akuma will handle it."

Kiba winked at Akuma. The three who stood up then ran out of the room.

"Hey, what are you talking about?! I won't accept this mutiny!"

Akuma jumped up from his seat and slammed the table with his two hands as he shouted at the fleeing Help club members.

"Well, you'll just have to do it."

Angelie let out a sigh as she shook her head.

"No, I don't!"

Akuma snarled at Angelie.

"Yes. You. Do."

Angelie glared at Akuma with fierce eyes. He took a step back from the pressure Angelie was emanating.

"Ugh… I won't accept this…! Why does this keep on happening…?"

Akuma fell on his chair. He looked up at the ceiling.

---

Kiba, Mimi and Sanaka were walking in the hallways as they headed to the shoe lockers near the school building entrance. Sanaka was walking between the two. They were silent for a while before Kiba talked.

"Come to think of it, will it be okay to have him teach kids?"

Kiba looked up as he was walking.

"I, too, am worried. What if he raises a new Demon Army using those kids?"

Mimi had her hand on her chin as she looked down at the floor while walking.

"At worst, I think those kids will grow up always grumpy. But, Angelie-san will be there so I think we don't have anything to worry about."

Sanaka smiled while walking.

"Poor kids."

Kiba shook his head.

"I feel guilty for leaving their fates on the hands of that evil Demon Lord."

Mimi closed her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand.

"There was nothing else we could do. It was out of our hands that we're busy during the summer. Let's just be hopeful and look to the future."

Sanaka put each of her hands on the shoulders of Kiba and Mimi.

"Yeah, you're right."

Kiba then smiled as he walked.

"Yes, there is no use in pondering the inevitable."

Mimi nodded as she smiled.

As the three of them reached the shoe lockers, they have purged their conscience of any remorse by fully justifying their actions.

---

The following day, the Help club members announced that they were going to conduct a study group for the final exams. They did this by putting up a poster on the bulletin board, much like how they announced their swimming training sessions before. They put up the poster during lunch break.

The poster was made again by Sanaka. The study group would be held again inside the classroom of 2-B. And like last time, the study group would be conducted after classes. The first session would be in the afternoon on that same day. The succeeding sessions would be announced afterwards.

During also that lunch break, Angelie went to the faculty office to photocopy the work sheets she prepared the night before. She expected the same people who went to their previous study group to join again this time.

That afternoon, when classes were over, Angelie, Akuma and Sanaka stayed in the classroom. Akuma and Sanaka transferred to some vacant seats on the front row.

As Angelie was preparing the work sheet handouts she photocopied during lunchbreak earlier, she noticed that almost half of her classmates didn't leave their seats. She then stood up in front of the classroom.

"Hi, everyone. Sorry for not asking for your permission, but we used our classroom last time for our study group. We were planning to use it again this time. The other students will be here soon, so if you don't mind lending them your seats, we'd really appreciate it."

Angelie smiled as she addressed everyone. One of Angelie's female classmates raised her hand.

"Um, Fukushuu-san. I think everyone who stayed behind is planning to join your study group."

The female classmate lowered her hand.

"Oh, I see. Well, I think some of the other students would have to stand then… Though that would be unconducive to learning…"

Angelie tilted her head and touched her cheek as she was deep in thought.

Suddenly, the classroom door opened and Mimi went inside.

"Angelie-san. You have to see this."

Mimi called the attention of Angelie. She also pointed toward outside the classroom.

"Yes, Mimi-san? What is it?"

Angelie went to the door and peered outside. Her jaw dropped.

"I don't think they would fit inside this classroom."

Mimi stood beside the stunned Angelie and stared at the long line of students.