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After running down the hallways at full speed, something that would definitely be cautioned against, I finally arrived at my goal: the faculty room. I expected the rowdy losers to give up on me, but it didn’t really go that way.

“Holding your skirt down while jumping over steps is pretty dangerous.”

It’s hard to keep balanced. I didn’t care about things like that when I was still male, but now that I’m female, I do make sure to be attentive. Kaori has scolded me about being too defenseless so many times now.

“Damn it. Using the faculty room is cheating!”
“In the first place, you’re too fast. Shouldn’t there be more intelligent types among the twelve families?”
“Making good use of the available facilities is normal. Besides, I’m more of the outdoors type, you see? Now then, if you would excuse me.”

Looking at the panting pursuers with a sidelong glance, I opened the faculty room door. As expected, they shouldn’t have the courage to start a ruckus in front of the faculty room. That’s common sense. Only the idiots of the rogues den would go as far as chasing someone inside the faculty room.

“Umm, Teacher Kondou is…”

As my second-year advisor, he really helped me out a lot. And since I decided to give chocolates to the people whom I’m grateful for, I can’t exclude Mr. Kondou from the list. By the way, I gave Akane her share this morning. She hugged me real tight.

“Here, Teacher Kondou. Some chocolate cookies for a snack. Thank you for your hard work every day.”
“It’s hard to believe how different you are now compared to before. I really thought you’d be more behaved from then on, you know? Why did you sprint full speed inside the academy building?”
“Certain circumstances have forced me to do so.”
“I’m pretty curious what circumstances led you to being chased by your upperclassmen. You haven’t done anything similar to last year’s antics, have you?”
“Of course not. They were merely chasing me for chocolates. I think.”

I don’t exactly know why they chased after me either, but that must be the reason. Last year, I was a perpetrator, but this time I’m a victim. Generally, I just make an escape without any intention of fighting back. Inside the academy, it’s really troublesome when they team up.

“Your situation has changed for the better, but is it just me, or have you been getting into comparatively more trouble?”
“I have no idea why that’s the case either.”

It’s a fact that my relationships and social life have improved a lot compared to last year. But those same relationships have roped me into trouble. Why? Is it my fate to be with people who have personality problems?

“I’m generally only dragged into other people’s trouble. The main troublemakers are the members of the twelve families.”
“And you gladly go along with them. I can easily imagine you just happily going with the flow.”
“When did your impression of me change to that?”
“Naturally, since the field trip. I really didn’t expect you to be the type to do something like that.”

I knew it would be that. If it was someone from the twelve families, they’d probably answer with the after-party. The only difference was whether I revealed my true nature early or late, but both instances were moments that defined my reputation.

“I genuinely thought you turned into one of the decent few, too.”
“The others likely won’t change. Shimotsuki gives off a serious impression, but Hadzuki is just carefree. And I don’t know how the first years will turn out.”
“They should be fine. Their upperclassmen have served to be a good example of how not to act, after all.”
“Which you’re probably included in, too.”

It’s sad that I can’t refute it. It’s true that the underclassmen have trust in me. Trust that I’ll absolutely be up to some antics. But considering that, they also find me reliable, so I really don’t know their impression of me.

“Kotone!”
“I’ve said it many times before, but please don’t suddenly hug me from behind.”
“Hmm? Aren’t your reactions a bit bland lately?”
“Teacher Kathy, you always hug me from behind, so I’ve gotten used to your skinship. There’s another reason why, though.”

There’s also Akane’s influence. She’s excessively touchy-feely. Regardless of how shy Kotone is, if faced with constant hugging, you gain tolerance. However, the tolerance only applies on a person-by-person basis.

“Ah, because of that, huh. Playing wife must be tough.”
“Oh, are you married, Teacher Kondou?”
“It’s not me; it’s about Kisaragi. Her neighbor-roommate calls her wife. Moreover, since she doesn’t deny it, things just keep escalating.”
“I did deny her. It simply had no effect at all.”

At first, I constantly requested that she not call me her wife. Despite that, she wouldn’t listen at all, so I gave up after the first month. I just had to accept that she’s that kind of person. People really can adapt when needed.

“Still, Kotone, Kathy. When you two hug, it’s frankly too much for a man’s eyes.”

So that’s why Teacher Kondou is averting his line of sight. The other male teachers are doing it as well, while the female teachers let out audible sighs. The main cause is probably not me, but Teacher Kathy, whose chest keeps deforming from the slightest movement.

“Ah, Teacher Kathy. Please take these.”
“Thank you!”
“You two have really gotten close, huh.”

Well, of course we’d get close, given how she hugs me every time we meet, her willingness to do things I ask, and the fact that I don’t dislike her to begin with. At first, I would always be mentally drained each time she hugged me. Familiarity can be overwhelming.

“All that remains are for the principal and Teacher Saeki.”
“Ah, so you’re going there, huh. Fearless as always, Kisaragi.”
“I find them hard to approach as well.”
“Is there something wrong?”
“Shizuru isn’t really any different, but the principal… He’s giving off an aura of happiness.”
“It’s sickeningly sweet; I’m feeling heartburn.”

Don’t tell me he’s been like that ever since Christmas. Thank goodness I didn’t go to the Satsuki residence during the New Years. If I had gone there, there’s no imagining what would happen to me. Even if they ask me for the juicy details, there isn’t really much I can answer.

“Kisaragi. I’m begging you here, get the principal back to sanity. It’s making it hard to get work done.”
“I’ll try talking to him, but don’t take my word for it. Now then, I’ll excuse myself.”