Colton Columbus, Henry Lowell, and even Declan Russell.
The teacher who had the three standing before her let out a deep sigh.
“Colton, Declan. Haven’t I told you countless times to behave yourselves?”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, ma’am! That bastard first…!”
“Do you want to point fingers at Henry and call him ‘that bastard’ and ‘this bastard’ even in front of me?”
Declan, who was called in for arguing with Henry, obediently apologized, but Colton still insisted that all of this was Henry’s fault. Not that it worked at all.
Even Henry, who had no friendship with or even interest in Colton, knew his record. Getting suspended for a physical fight with a classmate right after enrollment, getting suspended for spreading nasty rumors about an underclassman, etc. It was impossible not to know even if he wanted to.
Only after hearing the teacher’s scolding did Colton shut his mouth.
“Do you remember that the chairman said he’d expel you if you cause one more incident?”
The teacher looked at him with a frustrated face. Though he’d shut his mouth, Colton still had a dissatisfied face.
From his behavior, an attitude of ‘as if he would really do that’ was revealed. Even in this situation, he was standing crookedly and glaring at empty space.
“This won’t end easily for you this time. Go to the chairman’s office. The chairman called for you.”
No one was seriously hurt, it was just a fight that would end with light bruises at most.
It only seemed like a more intense fight than others because they weren’t the type to sit still and study. In reality, it was just one punch exchanged each.
Sort out right and wrong a bit, exchange some apologies. Write one reflection paper. Henry thought the fight would be resolved that way. Because similar fights happened countless times in the athletic club.
So even for Henry, the news that the chairman’s office had called for Colton was quite shocking. Colton must have thought similarly to Henry, as he showed a noticeably surprised expression.
“No, over this…! Look at Lowell’s face! That bastard isn’t even hurt!”
“Your problem isn’t the severity but the frequency, Colton. Don’t argue with me, argue with the chairman. I’m not your family.”
She firmly cut off Colton’s words. Colton also seemed to know that protesting to her wouldn’t solve anything, so he eventually opened the door to head to the chairman’s office.
Thud—!
The sound of the door closing was rough. It showed his dissatisfaction with the situation placed before him. Even though acting that way when you’ve angered adults wouldn’t be good for him.
Henry clicked his tongue silently, newly realizing Colton’s stupidity.
“Henry, your family will be contacted too.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
Henry, who had been glancing sideways at the door Colton left through, quickly looked at the ground and made a repentant face when his name was called.
Since it was something he’d done expecting that his parents would be informed, Henry answered obediently. He’d get scolded a bit, but his parents probably wouldn’t take it too seriously either.
It wasn’t like he’d caused countless incidents until now. Colton wasn’t seriously hurt either. The reason for fighting wasn’t difficult to understand either.
That’s why Henry could be relatively confident.
“And. For a while, every Monday. Clean the gym after club activities before you go.”
“Yes. I will.”
Henry obediently answered her. Since Colton had been called all the way to the chairman, he’d worried a bit even though he thought it wouldn’t happen to him, but what came down to him was exactly the level of discipline he’d expected.
“And Declan, you too.”
At the teacher’s continued words, Henry’s head shot up.
Because he disliked Declan. Because all of this situation seemed like his fault. It was true that he wanted him to get scolded together.
But, if he’d known they’d receive discipline they had to do together, he would have left him behind no matter what.
Besides, since she said “for a while,” it wouldn’t end with just once or twice.
Recently, Henry had been getting irritated just by seeing Declan in the classroom and for club activities. But now every Monday, until right before dinner, he’d have to breathe in the same space as Declan Russell.
It was terrible. Just thinking about it made him want to vomit. Henry had inadvertently become someone who tried to screw Declan over but voluntarily plunged himself into hell.
In the end, Henry raised his hand carefully while pretending to read the teacher’s mood, as if he’d missed the timing and couldn’t speak.
“Um… Ma’am.”
“What.”
She answered in an irritated voice to Henry who had interrupted during her conversation with Declan.
“I’m sorry, but Russell didn’t actually fight with me or Columbus.”
“Don’t you remember that when I arrived, you looked like you were about to fight with Declan at any moment?”
“We did argue a bit, but it didn’t come to physical force. Russell just said something to me for hitting Columbus. I’m embarrassed, but I was angry at Columbus so I couldn’t control my emotions. There was no problem with Russell. Really. …I’m reflecting on the fact that I couldn’t hold back and tried to threaten a classmate.”
Throughout his speech, Henry thought his temple might burst open at any moment. Because Declan was looking at Henry without even the slightest effort to hide it.
It couldn’t be that he was looking because he was moved that Henry took his side. It certainly wasn’t out of gratitude either.
It was obvious. He must be trying to gauge what he was thinking by defending him.
Transparent bastard.
Henry judged his thoughts as if he could see right through Declan Russell’s head.
“I see. I’m glad you seem to understand well, Henry.”
The teacher couldn’t even dream of imagining what Henry was thinking. Rather, she was busy being moved by Henry’s words.
In her view, having done conduct guidance for 20 years, Henry must clearly be emotionally hurt by Declan. The two had just fought a moment ago.
Yet Henry admitted it wasn’t Declan’s fault and explained how the argument arose.
Thinking of the many students who couldn’t stop fighting even when they came here, let alone reconcile and reflect, this was quite remarkable.
Besides, Declan must have clearly said something Henry disliked. The Declan Russell she knew was that kind of student.
A young teenager placed in such a situation would normally be led by emotions. It was natural that it would take time to calm down and regain reason. Because they were still immature ‘young students.’
But, Henry was different. He was looking back on and reflecting on what happened just a few minutes ago!
Henry’s words were no different from the model answer she wanted to hear from students.
Not knowing Henry’s true feelings, she tried hard to pull down the corners of her mouth that kept trying to rise in satisfaction. At some point, she had developed unlimited trust in Henry.
‘Kids originally grow up fighting. He’s not seriously hurt either…
Of course, violence is an area that should never be wielded no matter what. It’s clearly a range that must be handled severely but… Anyway, Henry knew his mistake, admitted it, and was reflecting. Unlike Colton.
Would reflection be the end? Isn’t he even covering for another student?
In her eyes, Henry seemed to be the type of student who, if she just helped him a little, would no longer cause problems led by emotions.
Mm, this works.
It was trust she could have because she never dreamed that Henry, who didn’t want to be in the same space as Declan, had spouted words he didn’t mean.
“Declan, I won’t call your father.”
After looking at Henry with a satisfied face for a while, she spoke in a voice that tried its best to be stern.
Henry cheered inwardly.
The plan worked! I don’t have to face that detestable Russell additionally every Monday…!
“But you will clean together with Henry.”
Henry’s face, which had been wriggling with joy, stiffened.
“The reason, you know even without me saying it, right?”
“Yes.”
What the hell is that reason!
What kind of reason would turn my efforts into bubbles in an instant!
Because he was in front of the teacher, Henry couldn’t even pound his chest that was getting frustrated. He only tried to hide his broken facial muscles.
“Clean diligently. Since it’s come to this, make up while cleaning. Originally kids your age fight and make up quickly.”
The teacher, who couldn’t even imagine Henry’s despair, smiled pleasantly.
