Even though Rui was already in my room, I’d gone and invited Anju-onee-chan inside as well.
The invitation had slipped out in the heat of the moment, but... it would be fine, right?
Besides, waiting alone with Rui would have only resulted in me getting another lecture.
"Now, Ryouta-kun. You have to remember to call me Hiyori-sensei in front of the Student Council President, okay?"
"Ah, right! Got it, Hiyori-onee-chan."
"You're mixing them up already!"
With that, Hiyori-sensei and I entered the room together.
To think the day would finally come when I’d let an older woman into my bedroom... I was deeply moved.
I really needed to find a top-tier cushion to support Hiyori-sensei’s exquisite peach of a backside.
"Ah, you took your time, Ryouta-kun. ...So, why is Hiyori-sensei here as well?"
As soon as we stepped inside, Rui—who was sitting on my bed reading a book for some reason—spoke up while looking our way.
Well, naturally, that was the first thing she'd ask.
"U-Um, well, you see, Rui—"
"I’m also a chaperone for the school trip, so I thought I'd like to hear everyone's plans," Hiyori-sensei cut in before I could get a word out.
I had been prepared to explain, but Hiyori-sensei beat me to it... wait, what?!
"Hiyori-sensei, you're a chaperone for the school trip?!"
"Did I not mention it?"
"This is the first I'm hearing of it!"
While I stood there in shock, Rui continued to stare at us with judgmental, narrowed eyes.
Wh-what was with that look, Rui?
"As far as I'm aware, Hiyori-sensei was not listed among the chaperone teachers for the school trip," Rui said coldly.
"Eh? Then why—"
"I was only told on Friday night! That's why the Student Council President hasn't heard about it yet."
"..."
A heavy, subtle atmosphere settled between the two of them.
The tension was so thick it felt like they were both probing for the other's true intentions.
Based on her reaction... did Rui actually think Hiyori-sensei was lying?
"On the contrary, Madam President, you said two more friends were coming, yet they haven't arrived, have they?"
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing in particular. I just wondered if that promise actually existed in the first place. Perhaps it was just a convenient excuse to ensure you were alone with Ryouta-kun?"
It was true that Rui had mentioned in the group chat—the one I wasn't part of—that she’d be discussing the school trip with Yuria and Airi at my house, but they were definitely late.
The only way to verify if that meeting was real was to check Rui's phone, and I had no way of doing that.
Somehow, these two... were they both convinced the other was lying while trying to dig out the truth?
"..."
Seriously, what was with this crackling hostility?
I’m realizing this a bit late, but ever since Rui and I started talking, she seems to be at odds with someone every single time. Is she a battle manga protagonist or something?
Regardless, there was only one thing for me to do in a situation like this.
"Um, Hiyori-sensei? With all due respect, Rui isn't the kind of person who tells lies."
I had already decided that, as Vice President, I would protect Rui.
If Rui was being doubted, it felt the same as being doubted myself.
"From your perspective, Hiyori-sensei, Rui might seem mysterious since this is the first time you've met, and that might lead to misunderstandings. But Rui has never once lied to me. Whether it was the play, the meets, or the Student Council President election—she is a Student Council President who makes everything she says a reality."
"Ryouta-kun..."
"That's why I'm sure the others will be here."
When I stood up for her, the stony expression on Rui's face softened just a fraction.
Then, right at that moment...
"Pardon the intrusiooon!"
An energetic voice echoed through the house from the 1st floor entrance.
No doubt about it. That unnecessarily loud voice, like a grade-schooler coming over to play, belonged to Airi.
A few moments later, I heard the thumping sound of someone running up the stairs, and the door was thrown wide open.
"Ryouta, Rui-chan, sorry for the wait! Yuria and I bought a ton of snacks at the candy store, so let's get this meeting started!"
"Excuse us for barging in, Ryouta," Yuria added.
Airi and Yuria walked into the room, serving as immediate living proof of Rui's innocence.
See? It was impossible for Rui to lie.
"Wait, huh? Why is Hiyori-sensei here? No way, Ryouta, did you bring a teacher home too?"
"You're wrong! Why would you even think that?!"
"Oh, Hiyori-sensei is a chaperone teacher, right! So it's not weird for her to be here at all, Yuria!"
"No, I'm talking about her being in a male student's bedroom..."
"Hey, wait. Airi, how do you know about that?"
While Yuria was still reeling from the surprise, for some reason Airi seemed to already know about the chaperone situation and didn't look shocked at all.
Well, Rui's meeting was real, and based on Airi's reaction, Hiyori-sensei's claim about being a chaperone was also real. In the end, they had both been telling the truth.
"What do you mean 'how'? When I went to the faculty office on Friday to re-apply for my permit, I just happened to overhear it."
Ah, right. She must have heard it when she went to get her part-time job permit.
Since both Hiyori-sensei and Rui were telling the truth, this fruitless battle between them was finally over.
"A permit...? Wait a second, Airi. What permit are you talking about?"
"Ah..."
Airi froze instantly at Rui's question.
...Oh. Crap.
My mind went completely blank, the way it only does when things are truly, hopelessly dire.
Over the several months since we'd met, our relationship had continued without that secret ever being exposed, and I had let my guard down completely.
A crisis unlike any I had ever faced before was now surging toward me.