Volume 13 Chapter 190 Sugita Mari, The Man Who Absolutely Wants To Atone For His Sins Vs. The Police Officer Who Wants To Release Him Quickly.
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Ugh…”
Even though I took a full day off, I might have drunk too much yesterday.
Waking up to my phone ringing, I reach for it while still tucked in my blanket.
”Hello…”
’Ah! Sugita-sensei, it’s serious!! 2A’s Shirogane Aqua-kun is!!’
Hearing the name Shirogane Aqua, I instantly threw off the blanket.
”N-no way, has Shirogane been attacked by a girl!?”
’No, after seeing that, no one would dare attack him!’
What are they talking about!?
Did Shirogane screw up again?
I go to the living room in just my underwear and grab the TV remote.
If Shirogane did something, it would definitely be in the news.
’Huh? Maybe Sugita-sensei doesn’t know what happened yesterday!?’
Seeing the news about Shirogane on TV, I was so shocked that I dropped my phone on the carpet.
”W-what is this…”
One of my students, Shirogane Kanon, kidnapped?
An enraged Shirogane driving a Formula car recklessly on the public road without a license?
Furthermore, he single-handedly tackled multiple armed kidnappers?
’Sensei? Sugita-sensei?’
Even though I was about to collapse to my knees, I managed to pick up the cell phone I had dropped to the floor.
Oh, I see.
This is still a dream.
That must be it.
”I’m sorry. Mr. Matsukawa, it seems I’m still dreaming.”
’Sugita-sensei! This is not a dream!! Please face the reality in front of you as soon as possible!!’
Reality?
Hahaha… Another joke.
”Please think carefully, Matsukawa-sensei. It might be one thing if it was Shirogane, but it’s impossible for a high school student to drive a Formula car or destroy an organized kidnapping ring all by himself. It’s impossible to think of it that way.”
’Sugita-sensei, let’s take a deep breath. Yes, take a deep breath. Have you calmed down?’
Inhale… Exhale…
Inhale… Exhale…
Yeah, I might be a bit calmer now.
’Listen well, Sugita-sensei. That high school student is Shirogane Aqua-kun. In this world, the only ones who can pay attention to Shirogane Aqua-kun are Sugita-sensei and President Atori, so pull yourself together! Huh? Kohina Yukari? She’s just pretending to fight, but really she’s just flirting and spoiling Aqua-kun!’
I cradle my head in both hands.
Ugh, my head hurts.
Is this from drinking too much or because of Shirogane?
No, I can’t rule out the possibility of some serious illness.
Once I calm down, maybe I should go to a big hospital just to be safe.
”I-I got it. So, where is Shirogane right now?”
’He’s with the police. He drove without a license. He’s throwing a fit in front of the patrol car to get them to catch him…’
Ngh!
To properly admit his crime and turn himself in is admirable, Shirogane.
No, that’s not it.
That’s not the case!
Sugita Mari!!
If Shirogane hadn’t been driving without a license, he wouldn’t have been caught!!
But, there are some unavoidable aspects this time, so it’s hard to decide whether to be angry or to praise him.
While frantically getting dressed and on the phone with Matsukawa-sensei, I rushed out of the house and jumped into a taxi.
’Well then, Sugita-sensei, I’ll leave the rest to you!’
”Yes. I will report back later. Thank you for contacting me, Matsukawa-sensei.”
Wait for me, Shirogane. I’m on my way.
When I got in a taxi and headed to the police station where Shirogane was staying, there was a huge crowd around.
”Sorry, customer. I don’t think I can go any further.”
”No, thank you. I’ll just walk.”
When I got off the taxi, the road was completely blocked by Shirogane fans holding placards demanding leniency and reporters with cameras.
Hmm.
If I push through like this, someone might get hurt, or it could lead to a serious accident.
It can’t be helped.
I guess it’s better to call for cooperation here.
I raise my hand to get the attention of those around me.
”Excuse me. I’m Sugita, the homeroom teacher at Otomezaki. Can you clear the path?”
My voice directs everyone’s gaze toward me.
”It’s Sugita-sensei!”
”Everyone, Sugita-sensei has arrived!”
”Clear the way!!”
”Sensei! Please help Aqua-kun!”
”Hey! You people in front! Sugita-sensei is here!”
”Thank you for your hard work during summer break, Sensei!”
”Come on over here!”
”Prime Minister and President Atori just arrived too!”
Like Moses parting the sea, the crowd parts neatly to the sides, clearing a path.
Wow, true fans of Shirogane are impressive.
So, is this what they mean by proper education in the idol world?
Whether my education has reached the important Shirogane himself is questionable, but Shirogane’s fans seem to be good kids.
”I’m sorry. Thank you everyone!”
I bow my head repeatedly and head to the police station entrance.
Then I found Prime Minister Habu surrounded by reporters with the police station building in the background.
”Prime Minister, what’s going on?!”
”Prime Minister, please explain!”
”Prime Minister, can you say a word about why you weren’t in Japan at the crucial time?”
”Prime Minister, were you able to meet with Shirogane Aqua-san?”
”Prime Minister, is it true that you failed to persuade Shirogane Aqua-san?”
The Prime Minister shows a solemn expression even as the press corps approach and hit her with microphones.
I wanted to get as much information as possible, so I stopped nearby to listen to the Prime Minister’s interview.
”Well, I’ve been communicating directly with Shirogane Aqua-san, albeit through the glass of the meeting room. Considering that this happened during the government’s emergency special alert, I proposed that he be declared innocent or granted a pardon by the Prime Minister (me).”
”””””Oh wow!”””””
The reporters murmured at the Prime Minister’s words while taking photos and notes.
”However, Shirogane Aqua-san is resolute. He insists he will atone for his crime and is currently resisting efforts to persuade him. In addition, Tenga Akira-san has entered the same detention room, stating that if his junior is atoning, he, as an accomplice, must join him…”
”Prime Minister, isn’t this situation worsening!?”
”Prime Minister, is this perhaps your apology quota for today!?”
”Prime Minister, there are suspicions that you intentionally returned late for your 365-day apology challenge. Could you comment on this!?”
”Prime Minister, are you really enjoying this situation? You have a smirk on your face!”
”Prime Minister, honestly, we are enjoying this too. Let’s confess to each other!!”
I watch the charade between the Prime Minister and the reporters, holding my head.
This is bad.
My headache is getting quite severe.
I divert my gaze from the Prime Minister and instead look at a woman directing a megaphone toward the police station.
”Hey, don’t be so stubborn. Come down quickly! You’re causing trouble to the police who are working hard!!”
I thought there was someone who was saying something perfectly reasonable, and when I looked at her face, I saw that it was Kohina Yukari-san, whom Shirogane calls her senior and admires.
Shirogane… Tenga Akira-san and your other senior, don’t cause them too much trouble.
”Also, why are you refusing to meet me alone? Come out and explain yourself!!”
Even though they’re such good friends, he refused to meet her…
Even the policeman guarding the entrance couldn’t bear it any longer and burst out laughing at Kohina Yukari-san’s words.
I shift my gaze a little and look at the person holding a megaphone next to Kohina Yukari-san.
”Aqua-chan! Come down quickly! Mom is here to pick you up!!”
Mom… that’s counterproductive for a teenage boy.
By now, Shirogane might be squirming in the detention center.
I glance towards someone familiar holding a megaphone, looking lethargic next to Shirogane Marin.
”Aqua~, Tenga-senpai~, I’m hungry, can we go home now? I mean, let’s all go to Ramen Takeko~”
Please, Nekoyama, don’t persuade like that, so half-heartedly.
In this amusing space, you’re the only one I can rely on.
So, can you properly convince Shirogane?
I shift my gaze to another hopeful person standing next to Nekoyama.
”Ugh, should I also accompany as their best friends and juniors to the detention center…!”
Stop it, Mayuzumi!
Don’t cause trouble for the police too, you serious one!!
And that’s not how a true friend should act.
If you’re a real friend, convince Shirogane.
Please!!
With Nekoyama lacking motivation now, you’re my only reliable persuader!!
”Damn it, if it comes to this, I have no choice but to go to the detention center!”
”Let’s go, Emily. Follow me!!”
”You two, stop it! Emily-san and Kaede-san, it’s just going to make things even more difficult!”
”Emily-senpai and Kaede-senpai, calm down. Alright! But, maybe Emily-senpai should go to detention at least once.”
Oh, isn’t that Shirogane Kanon from the class over there?
I’m really glad that there doesn’t appear to be any serious injuries.
I felt relieved and patted my chest.
Then Shirogane Kanon, noticing my presence, called out.
”Oh, it’s Sugita-sensei”
”Sugita-sensei, thank you for coming!”
”Sugita-sensei, please do something about Aqua soon. I’m starving already.”
”If President Atori, who is trying to persuade him now, doesn’t work, then Sugita-sensei is the only one I can rely on.”
”Thank you Sugita-sensei!!”
No, no, no! With all these people failing to persuade him, how can a mere school teacher like me do it!?
Of course, I’ll try my best as a teacher, but Shirogane is a strong-willed and straightforward guy.
There’s no way I can persuade him.
”Oh, it’s Ako-san!”
”Ako-cchi, how did it go!?”
President Atori came out of the police station, shaking her head.
It seems persuading President Atori was impossible too.
”It didn’t work. He really want to accept his punishment and bear his sins…”
”Ugh! That guy is seriously being so stubborn about this! He was caught for something absurd like treason or public disorder ── crimes I’ve never even heard of in normal life ── and now he’s whining about driving without a license! Whatever serious crime it is, that should be worse!!”
Everyone silently nodded at Kohina Yukari-san’s sharp retort.
”Well, at least he’s trying to take responsibility for his actions, which is a good thing about him…”
Ah, yeah.
The words of Matsukawa-sensei I spoke with on the phone earlier came to mind.
I see, this is what Matsukawa-sensei meant when she said Kohina Yukari-san is spoiling Shirogane the most.
The people around Kohina Yukari-san started to look skeptical.
It seems that the people around her are vaguely aware of this.
”If this happens, I’ll be caught too”
”Yukari-senpai, please don’t do that. If Inko-san and the others come to persuade you, it will make things even more…complicated.”
Good job, Tsukimachi.
Nice defense.
When we played baseball or soccer in gym class, it was only Tsukimachi that the defense was said to be solid and well-regarded.
When I turned my eyes to Kohina Yukari-san, our eyes met and she slowly came towards me.
”Sugita-sensei, I’m really sorry that idiot caused you so much trouble”
Kohina Yukari bowed politely.
”No, I’m the one who should apologize; it seems my student has been causing trouble again.”
Kohina Yukari and I exchanged bows.
”Sugita-sensei, sorry, but could you persuade that Useless Aqua?”
”Useless Aqua!? Ah, you mean Shirogane. Well, I’ll try my best to handle it.”
Kohina Yukari offered me the megaphone she was holding.
Huh?
Are you saying I should persuade from here instead of going to the interview room…?
I hesitated but accepted the megaphone from Kohina Yukari.
Well then, I guess I’ll just give it a shot.
In a fit of determination, I aimed the megaphone at the police station.
”Shirogane~! Can you hear me~! It’s your homeroom teacher, Sugita Mari~!!”
The crowd around me erupted in loud cheers and applause upon hearing my words.
Wait a minute.
Except for Nekoyama, who was already bored with the persuasion, and serious Mayuzumi, are you all just enjoying this situation?
No, I’ll just tell myself that I’m overthinking it.
”Shirogane, I was so happy to hear that you turned yourself in! Even though it was an emergency situation, I want to praise you for your noble attitude and for disciplining yourself and trying to be serious. So please, at least for a little while, can you please show your face to Sensei and everyone?”
I wish I could persuade him to come and see me, but I guess that’s impossible.
Shirogane, who refuses to even meet with Kohina Yukari-san, whom he respects, cannot possibly accept persuasion from me, who is merely his homeroom teacher.
”Sugita-sensei…?”
When the window on the second floor of the police station opens, Shirogane pops his head out.
No way….
Shirogane has never shown his face before, but now he’s showing up.
A huge cheer erupts from the crowd as they see Shirogane’s face.
”What happened while I was meeting with everyone, wow!?”
I see, Shirogane didn’t know this situation had developed because he had been in meetings all along.
”Shirogane, everyone came here for you. Please, can you step out of the police station?”
”Sugita-sensei…! No matter how much you ask, I can’t do it. As a biker, I should never have driven without a license. Even if it’s for Kanon, I can’t face Kenzaki or Heaven’s Sword now!!”
It was a characteristically serious reason from Shirogane.
Speaking of which, during the parent-teacher meetings, Shirogane seemed proud that he played Kenzaki in Heaven’s Sword.
Having portrayed a childhood idol like Driver, I thought Shirogane couldn’t forgive himself for breaking the law.
”Shirogane… you may have committed a crime. But what’s most important as a person is how you atone for it after. Receiving punishment doesn’t equate to atoning for your sins. That leads to the idea that it’s okay to commit crimes as long as you are punished. Understand? Rather, it’s truly important to confront the crime you’ve committed and figure out how to make amends. That’s what I believe as your Sensei and as Sugita Mari.”
My persuasion drew loud cheers from the crowd.
…Everyone, can you please be a little quieter?
As an ordinary person, it’s really embarrassing for me.
”I’m glad I called Sugita-sensei after all.”
”Kohina Yukari is not just a person who entertains people”
”What?! Who just said I was just a show-off? Don’t put me in the same category as Kaede and the others over there!”
”What? I was just a show-off?”
That’s it, Kohina-san, and Kaede-san!
Please be quiet!!
We won’t be able to persuade anyone anymore!!
I turned around, put my index finger to my lips, and urged everyone around me to be quiet.
The Prime Minister looks serious when she sees this.
”Sugita Mari… can I call you Sugita-sensei starting tomorrow?”
Prime Minister, please stop.
If the Prime Minister, the representative of the country, calls me ‘sensei,’ my stomach would die instantly.
”Sugita-sensei… then what should I do? If punishment is not an option, how can I atone for my sins?”
”Shirogane, let’s seriously think about this together for life. So, come on, stop staying up there and come down?”
I show a gentle smile to Shirogane.
…Huh?
Shirogane, why is your face unusually red?
”Together for life…?”
I tilt my head and let my thoughts race for a few seconds.
And then I realize.
That I said something outrageous.
”Wait…! ‘Together for life’ doesn’t mean that!”
”That’s!?”
Shirogane looks despondent and hangs his head.
N-no, stop it.
I can’t handle that look of yours!!
For someone like me, who loves younger people and wants to be pampered by them, Shirogane’s abandoned puppy look is effective.
”Oh, no, well, it’s not that d-different”
As I was flustered, Yukishiro Emily-san suddenly appeared next to me and snatched the megaphone I was holding.
”Aqua-sama! When you get out of the detention center, Sugita-sensei will do anything for you~”
””Huh!?””
The surprised voices of me and Shirogane overlap.
Yukishiro Emily-san looked surprised as she approached my ear and whispered to me.
”It’s okay. Sugita-sensei, even if you can’t trust Yukishiro Emily, please trust the strength of Aqua-sama’s sexual desire”
How strong is Shirogane’s sexual desire!?
What on earth are you talking about?!
I…it’s true that Shirogane regularly uses my data to milk himself, but I’m a teacher and he’s a student.
That can’t be allowed!
Well, I’m a girl too.
There were times when I fantasized about being pinned down by Shirogane and told to become his girl, or being the teacher while demonstrating how to use protection during sexual education practice with Shirogane, or even rehearsing how I’d have s*x in my uniform with classmates, but those were purely figments of my imagination.
”W-What do you mean by ‘do anything’?”
”Of course, Aqua-sama. Right now, I, Yukishiro Emily, have secured a commitment from Sugita-sensei herself. So please come out without worry.”
A loud cheer erupts from those around as they see Emily-san’s determined expression.
”B-But, you know… not receiving punishment is…”
”Then let’s do this!”
This time, Prime Minister Habu bursts in from the opposite side and snatches the megaphone from Yukishiro Emily-san.
”Aqua-kun, no! Kenzaki Souji, as Heavens Sword, I decree that you shall cooperate as Special Police Chief, not just for this summer but permanently, as punishment for your crimes!!”
I see, it’s like being a day-long police chief forever.
Huh?
Wait a minute.
Is that really a punishment?
No, right now it’s more important that Shirogane comes out.
”Great going, Prime Minister!”
”You’re amazing, Prime Minister!”
”Phew, that’s why our Prime Minister is the best”
”I’ll be in Prime Minister Habu in the next election too!!”
”I have to say this is useful”
”Huh? Does this mean that as the permanent police chief, I won’t be able to hold Aqua-sama accountable for any crimes?”
”That’s right. As expected of the Prime Minister, she solved all the problems that could have arisen after this with one move.”
”This is Habu magic!!”
Nekoyama, who was nearby and listening, yawned and asked, “Hey, are you done? Can I go home now?”.
Wait, just a little longer.
”I get it… but is it really a punishment?”
”Aqua-sama! Don’t think about difficult things!”
”That’s right. You’re an idiot, so you don’t need to think about anything else!”
”What!? Did someone just call me an idiot? It must be Kohina-senpai!! I’m coming down to complain, so just wait there quietly!!”
Shirogane pulled his face away from the window and closed it.
A few minutes later, Shirogane, looking serious, came out of the police station still in a suit.
”Everyone, I’m truly sorry for driving without a license on public roads!!”
Kohina Yukari, President Atori, Marin, and Mikuni hurriedly lined up beside me and bowed in front of the camera.
This prompted a loud cheer from the crowd.
”Aqua-sama, don’t worry!!”
”That’s right. There was an emergency alert from the government this time.”
”Exactly!”
”If anything, the Prime Minister who was absent at a crucial time should take responsibility!?”
”That’s right, that’s right. The Prime Minister should apologize!”
”Prime Minister, it’s your chance to apologize!”
”Now is the time to use those kneeling skills you’ve honed to create a smoke screen!!”
Seizing the moment, the Prime Minister jumped forward while doing a cartwheel and elegantly knelt down.
”I’m really sorry──!”
”Good job, Prime Minister!”
”That’s a good punch line!”
”Our Prime Minister is really competent!”
I wonder if this is really okay….
While surrounded by warm applause, I make an indescribable expression.
”Thank you. Thank you everyone. I will accept my punishment and bear this sin with all my heart.”
Yeah, that’s good.
Shirogane.
Anyway, this is the end of the matter.
”That…Sugita-sensei…”
Shirogane slowly approaches me, fidgeting like a stranger.
What’s wrong?
You have nothing to be ashamed of.
You can be more confident.
”You just said you wanted to be together for life. That’s a proposal, right?”
”Huh?”
I shake my head from side to side as if asking for help.
However, the people who had been around me until just a moment ago suddenly turned away, pretended not to notice anything, swelled their ears, and began preparing to leave.
”No, that’s…”
”Is that wrong?!”
Ugh… That face! So it does work on me, doesn’t it?!
”No, it’s not that there’s anything wrong. I’m your teacher, and you’re my student.”
”What’s wrong with that!!”
”Teacher and student? That’s perfectly fine!!”
Prime Minister Habu and Yukishiro Emily-san, having taken the camera and microphone from the press, push my face into the camera and microphone.
Wait a minute!
Just now, in the chaos, Yukishiro Emily-san pushed my chest with the microphone, didn’t she!
Hey!
Prime Minister, don’t press the lens of the camera you’re holding against my butt!!
”A-Anyway, that’s something for after graduation!”
”So, after graduation, you’ll marry me, right!? Yay!! Sugita-sensei will be my teacher until I die!!”
Shirogane raises both hands and cheers.
Everyone who sees it smiles warmly and congratulates.
I said it was after graduation, but I never said marriage… but seeing that smile, I can’t say it.
I see.
It seems Shirogane’s stubbornness is partly influenced by my own stubbornness as a teacher.
”Alright, let’s all go out for a meal! Today’s on me!!”
”Yay!”
”Food! Food!”
When I approach Shirogane, I whisper that we will be teacher and student until we graduate.
Shirogane looked a little disappointed, but… Even if you can’t hold me, there are plenty of beautiful women around you.
Or am I so attractive to you that you want to embrace me right now?
When I thought about it like that, as a woman, I felt a little… no, quite happy.
But rules are rules.
I feel bad for Shirogane, but he’ll have to put up with it until he graduates.
While everyone was preparing to go home and leave, Nekoyama suddenly noticed something and spoke up.
”Hey, by the way, Aqua, how was Tenga-senpai in the detention cell with you?”
”””””Ahh!””””
Shirogane…You must have forgotten that face.
Mayuzumi quickly turned his face away, but the teacher didn’t miss his surprised “Ah!” face!!
Well, speaking of this time, it’s not just Shirogane; everyone forgot, so it can’t be helped.
Honestly, I was so caught up with my own issues with Shirogane that I couldn’t think about anything else.
We hurried back to the detention center to pick up Tenga Akira-san.
”I won’t step out of here until my junior is released!! If you’re punishing him, punish me too!!”
”Tenga-senpai, I just got out!! So let’s go eat together!!”
Seeing Shirogane being released, Tenga Akira-san and the two embrace in tears of joy.
Well, everyone else is tearing up too, but the kouhai who was there forgot about Tenga Akira-san until just now.
I whisper “I’m sorry” to Tenga Akira-san in my heart.
Later, as Shirogane’s teacher, I’ll remind the senpai to cherish them.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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