Would He Really Go Abroad Next Week?

The next day, Himari returned to school.

"Are you okay after a day of rest?" Teacher Ayase asked Himari once she walked inside the teachers' room.

"All good. Thanks for asking," replied Himari with a smile.

The small wound already had scabs covering the tear. Himari just had to be careful to not aggressively touch them before the scabs got off on their own.

"Oh ya, there's a letter from the administrative for you."

Teacher Ayase took out a sealed envelope from the inside of her locked cabinet and handed it to Himari.

"What it is about?"

Himari carefully tore off the opening of the letter. A folded paper was lying inside the envelope. Once she unfolded it, the emblem of the school and another unfamiliar one were displayed in front of her eyes.

"Do you know about our school exchange program in autumn?"

"Yes, I know about it. Ah, it is my turn this year?"

The exchange program involved Amamiya School of Early Learning and public schools in poorer provinces and cities. Amamiya School would send three teachers and a small group of students there. In return, three teachers and another group of students would come to experience schooling here.

The goal was to introduce the schools with opportunities to prosper while helping the unfortunate ones. The program was funded by the Parent and Teacher Association.

Even though there were some parents who disagreed with the idea, they were just a minority.

The teachers would be selected by drawing lots. The names of the teachers that had joined the exchange program within four years before would be excluded.

"Yes. It would be you, Teacher Maekawa and... Teacher Sagami."

When she mentioned Teacher Sagami, Teacher Ayase couldn't control herself from showing disgust.

"Ah, hahaha... They are good companions, probably," Himari laughed awkwardly.

Teacher Maekawa was one of the single male teachers in school. Although Himari rarely interacted with him because he mostly taught students in Grade 5 and Grade 6, she knew he was a pleasant man.

Because he was still young and having good looks, the students here as well as the single female teachers bore thoughts regarding him.

Well, Teacher Sagami was one of his admirers.

"Just tough it up for a week," Teacher Ayase gave her a pitiful smile.

Himari shrugged.

This matter didn't require her attention yet because it would only happen in autumn. Right now, her focus was on the test period after the Golden Week holiday, sports festival in late spring then the trip to Hiraya Falls before the summer break.

Those events were rearranged by the school after several discussions among the teachers and the higher-ups.

Ah, there was also home visitation after the test period.

Seeing that it was almost time for the homeroom session, Himari gathered the required books and moved away from her desk.

But, in just two steps, she paused and turned around, looking at Teacher Ayase.

"How about Student Kasai's transfer? Would he really go abroad next week?"

Without knowing why Himari could hear a hint of anticipation in her voice.

Teacher Ayase didn't find her interest in Yuuto's matter as weird. She swiftly answered, "Yes. But, instead of going to the boarding school, he would attend another daily school there. Mrs. Kasai would follow along."

"His mother would go too?" Himari was surprised.

"Yes," Teacher Ayase smiled, "They said they want Yuuto to start again in a new environment. Even though President Kasai would mostly be here, he says he would make time to go and visit his wife and son often."

Although what Yuuto did hadn't spread to other schools, it seemed like President Kasai and his wife wanted him to completely start anew.

Making new friends, learning to be humble and considerate to people of different races, in a place he had never been.

"That's good," Himari couldn't see how much she was in relief as she answered, "I hope for the best for their family."

"Hehe, me too," replied Teacher Ayase. She had the same view as Himari.

Himari turned around. On her way out of the teachers' room, she met with Teacher Masuda who had just returned from the pantry.

Somehow, Himari was nervous when she thought back to the scene that she discovered the other day about Teacher Masuda and her film emperor husband.

Yuina also was slightly startled when she saw Himari.

Yesterday, she heard that Teacher Kato was granted leave for the fight that happened between the students of Class 3-2 and one student in Class 3-3. Yuina didn't think much about the exposure of her relationship with Ryuu but, once she came face to face with Teacher Kato, she was slightly anxious.

"Good morning, Teacher Masuda," Himari gave her a smile.

"Ah, good morning too," Yuina smiled with a hint of awkwardness, "So, are you good? After resting?"

"Yes. All is well," Himari replied back. She saw that Teacher Masuda was a bit uncomfortable with her too.

It was a given since what should be hidden suddenly came to another person's knowledge.

"...That's a relief."

An awkward silence filled the space between them.

"Then, I'll go first. I have a homeroom session," Himari gestured to the outside with a lift of her chin.

"Okay... See you later," Yuina took a step away from the door.

Himari just smiled at her before hurrying to the classroom.

While she was walking, Himari sent a quick message to Yuina.

[Himari: Teacher Masuda, don't worry too much. My lips are sealed ;)]

If she was in Teacher Masuda's shoes, she would be as uneasy as her as well.

If the one who found Teacher Masuda and Film Emperor Ryuu was someone who had a loose mouth, the news of their relationship would quickly spread in the entire school. Once the journalists heard them, both Teacher Masuda and Film Emperor Ishizaki would be hunted down by them.

A sense of fright suddenly ran down her spine.

Himari would never want a relationship that would put her privacy as a matter of discussion to the outsiders.

But, if Teacher Masuda and Film Emperor Ishizaki really loved each other, Himari could only hope that their relationship would stand the obstacles.

Ding!

Himari paused in her tracks. She received a reply from Teacher Masuda.

[Teacher Masuda: Thank you so much, Teacher Kato. I really appreciate it]

Himari smiled softly.

The homeroom session started and ended well. Himari didn't have much to say to the students except reminding them that if any one of them encountered trouble, they should seek any teachers that they were comfortable with.

She didn't want the same thing that happened to Izumi to befall the other students.

"We, the teachers and your parents, have always emphasized that you should be kind to everyone but, it doesn't mean you should let yourself be trampled by others. Be kind but, with a super steely spine!"

Himari stood in front of the class. Her gaze fell on Izumi for a moment longer before it shifted to the other students.

"Be kind to whoever relays the same kindness to you. Seek justice to whoever creates hardships on you. If you are afraid of retaliation, you can tell anyone you trust in private," Himari continued after seeing that her students were intently listening to her.

"Teacher Kato," One boy raised up his hand.

"Yes, Naoki?" Himari focused on the boy who sat in the middle of the classroom.

It was Naoki, one of the liveliest students in Class 3-3.

"You said we should seek justice if people give us hardship. Then, could I seek justice on you?" Naoki straightforwardly asked his homeroom teacher the weird question.

"Pardon? What do you mean?" Himari knitted her brows in confusion.

Naoki answered with a straight face, "Teacher, you give us hardship when you ask us to do homework. Isn't that the same?"

The entire class burst into laughter. Himari's face changed.

"You smelly brat! Dare to twist my words! See how I handle you after this!" warned Himari while putting both hands on her hips.

"Hehehe~ I love you, Teacher Kato. Don't be mad at me," Naoki made a heart gesture with his fingers, earning more laughter from his classmates.

Himari inwardly facepalmed herself. She didn't expect that her students could be so shameless and flirty at an early age like this.

"Alright. Homeroom's over. Wait for your next teacher to come. Don't play around too much," Himari once again reminded them before leaving the classroom.

"Okay, teacher~"

Himari had just stepped out of the classroom when Izumi ran to follow her. She paused her step, turned around and stared at him.

"Izumi, do you have something to say to me?" Her eyes curved as she smiled.

Izumi's ears flushed, "Teacher Kato, thank you for the other day. And, I'm sorry. Because you came to help me and Chiharu, you got injured."

"Ah, this is nothing," Himari brushed on the bangs that covered the scabbed wound, "I'm glad that you texted me when you're in trouble. Did you do that in secret?"

Izumi just texted two short words to her. It showed that he was in urgency. Maybe, he took the chance to send her the messages when Yuuto wasn't looking at him.

"Yes," Izumi answered with a nod. He pursed his lips, his small face frowning, "If that happened again, I won't stay silent. If I did that, I would just worry my uncle and sister."

After reflecting on himself, Izumi found that he shouldn't just let people just stamped on him. If he couldn't protect himself, how could he protect his only sister and make his uncle less worried?

The young boy's words resonated deeply into Himari's heart.

Her eyes were gentle as she replied, "Good. Remember that always, Izumi. Only you can change yourself for the better."

Izumi smiled. The heaviness of his little heart gradually dispersed as he listened to his teacher's words.