The Peach-Butt Beautiful Teacher had just confessed that we'd bathed together in the past.
I was insanely jealous of my past self.
"Could it be you don't even remember bathing with me, Ryouta-kun?"
"Well... that was ages ago, so..."
I forced the words out, swallowing my regret so hard I nearly bit my tongue.
Even though Hiyori-sensei was my second cousin, I never imagined we'd been that close.
My past self—who even chatted up the Beautiful Girl Trio—must've had some real social skills compared to the me of today.
Now I was just a Lecherous Monster, and it was embarrassing (not that it mattered anymore).
"Ryouta-senpai, sorry to interrupt your sulking, but..."
"Huh?"
"Rui-senpai and Hiyori-sensei are locked in a silent staring contest."
"What?"
I'd been clutching my head when I noticed the weird tension filling the Student Council Room.
Hiyori-sensei had openly spilled our history, and Rui had gone deadpan ever since. Now, for some reason, they were glaring daggers at each other.
It was heavy, but not quite—more like a damp, sticky haze.
"You're Student Council President Kuroki, right?"
"Yes. Rui Kuroki, the 100th Student Council President. Pleased to meet you."
"...The rumors were spot on."
"Rumors?"
"Word even reached the Tokyo Board of Education about a Super High School-Level Perfectionist at Natsuhama Central High in Natsuhama City—a school full of prodigies—who outshines the teachers themselves."
Rui's fame had spread to Tokyo!?
Super High School-Level Perfectionist? When did this place turn into that academy?
In that case, I'd be the Super High School-Level Pervert.
"Five straight national track titles since junior high? University of Tokyo A-rank as a first-year? Teachers can't even touch you, huh."
"I'm flattered. Perfection in everything is my absolute goal. Romance included."
"...Romance too, eh."
Hiyori-sensei flicked her eyes toward me, then back to Rui.
"Is there some reason Ryouta-kun became Vice President?"
"Fufu. Who knows?"
I couldn't quite follow, but it felt like psychological warfare was brewing just out of sight.
"Ryouta-kun, Ryouta-kun—aren't those two sparking off each other?"
"Don't say 'sparking,' Tanaka. Yeah, they're sizing each other up, but it's just introductions. Probably nothing."
"Normal people don't size each other up during intros! They're totally sparking!"
"Huh? But why?"
"...No idea."
Tanaka tilted her head.
Still, her read wasn't far off.
Hiyori-sensei had stiffened up right after talking to Rui. As the new arrival, maybe she was determined not to be dismissed by the Perfectionist.
Ignoring me, Tanaka, and Himesaki, their stare-down dragged on.
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