Chapter 259: Expulsion Crisis?

In the end, they never made it to the love hotel.

Although Rinji and Karura were in a relationship, when it came to the final step, Rinji was exceptionally cautious. With Momo subtly steering things, their "baby-making plan" ultimately wasn't carried out.

In the end, they just had a simple dinner around the area. Karura knew she had to return to her boarding school, and it was late when she finally said goodbye to Rinji.

She had thought about going to Rinji's house to take things further, but he turned her down with the excuse, "We're not eighteen yet."

"Sigh…"

Watching Karura walk away, Rinji let out a long sigh.

"I could've agreed to any of her other requests. I'd even do a date on the moon. Why is she so obsessed with having a baby?"

"Yeah. Any other guy would've given in by now. You've got some serious willpower," Momo said, standing beside him with a chuckle.

"…Senpai, why are you still here anyway?"

Rinji and Karura hadn't gone to a love hotel or anything. They just walked around the street. It looked like a normal date.

Except it wasn't. Momo had tagged along the whole time.

What was this? A three-person date?

"Didn't your little girlfriend agree to it?"

"…Yeah, she did."

Since Karura gave her consent, Rinji had no reason to object. Still, it felt weird having a third wheel on a date.

"Don't you have a casino to run?"

"It's not mine. It's my dad's. I only drop by sometimes," Momo said, shrugging. "I don't even like gambling."

"But you like gacha in mobile games. It's the same thing. The only difference is whether you're getting fleeced by the house or by game developers. Either way, you're still the sucker."

"Say whatever you want."

Momo smiled and said to Rinji, "It's still early. Let me show you some other places around here."

"…It's still early?"

Rinji glanced up at the sky.

It was already late, but Kabukicho was still buzzing near midnight.

"Sure is."

"…Fine then."

---

Sunday came and went. Now it was the dreaded Monday.

People went to work. Students returned to school.

Since Rinji lived in the same apartment building as Shirogane, the two usually left for school together in the morning.

"Did the date go well yesterday?"

"Not exactly. We ran into Momo-senpai halfway through, and then it turned into the three of us hanging out. Even I know dates shouldn't have a third person."

"Momo, huh…"

Both Momo and Shirogane were members in the 66th student council. Back then, Shirogane wasn't the president yet, just handling general affairs, while Momo was the treasurer.

They had worked together for almost a year. While Shirogane didn't know Momo too well, he had a decent sense of her character. She wasn't someone who would butt in on a date.

Unless…

At that thought, Shirogane gave Rinji a subtle look.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just realizing your luck with women is better than I thought."

"Hmm?"

…

The week after the student council election passed like any other school week.

The only difference was the wary and fearful glances Rinji got from his classmates when he entered the room.

Ignoring the stares, Rinji placed his bag on his seat and pulled out his textbooks.

"You really did something outrageous."

A girl in the front row turned around with a blank expression.

It was Rei Onodera, a classmate of Rinji's. They didn't interact much, but he remembered her name from a few chats.

"So what if I did? It's already done."

"True. You're not the type who cares about your reputation," Onodera said calmly. "But what made you do it?"

"Can't say."

Ding~

Just then, the school's PA system came on.

[Would student Takamine Rinji from Class 1-B please report to the principal's office? I repeat, Takamine Rinji from Class 1-B, please come to the principal's office.]

"…"

"Looks like they're calling you."

"What the hell do they want this early?"

Grumbling, Rinji stood up and walked toward the door.

As soon as he left, the classroom buzzed with whispers.

"He got called to the principal's office."

"Probably about the election stuff."

"He got into a fight last semester, and now he pulled that stunt… They might actually expel him."

The students were full of nasty speculation about Rinji.

---

"I object to this! Takamine-kun already reflected on what happened, and besides, there weren't even any actual photos. That USB drive was empty!"

"Miss Iino, this isn't just about whether he reflected. This concerns—"

Click.

Voices of argument came from the principal's office, just as Rinji opened the door and stepped inside.

He saw the principal behind the desk, Sagara Kaname standing to the side, and to his surprise, Miko Iino was there too.

"Takamine-kun didn't—"

"That's enough, Iino."

Iino was still arguing, but Rinji walked up and gently patted her shoulder.

"Takamine-kun?"

"You can go. I'll handle it. This is my mess."

"But…"

"If you don't leave now, you'll miss the first class. As the discipline officer, are you really going to skip class?"

"…"

Iino bit her lip, turned, and walked out.

"This is partly my responsibility too. If someone has to pay for this, I'll take the blame."

"You're not at fault."

After Iino left, Rinji stood before the principal.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Rinji." The principal finally put on a stern face. "Do you understand what mistake you made?"

"I do."

Rinji replied calmly.

"I shouldn't have taken pictures of you playing Pokémon GO during work hours."

"Cough cough cough!!!"