Hoshinomiya Chie.
On the surface, she was a vibrant, approachable young teacher who loved mixing with students.
Yet Shimizu's mind flashed back to that baffling intel from day one:
[Intel 3: For physiological needs, knock on Hoshinomiya's door three times at 2 AM sharp.]
(Wait… that "open-minded" rumor… was about a teacher?!)
(Did I misinterpret? Maybe "physiological needs" doesn't mean that…)
The term "physiological needs" was broader—encompassing air, water, food, sleep, not just sex.
But Hoshinomiya, sensing Horikita's dead-end vibe, shifted to Shimizu.
"Ara ara! If it isn't Shimizu-kun!" She leaned in, grinning. "Even hotter in person!"
Shimizu blinked. "You know me?"
"Duh~" She wiggled a finger. "The girls have a secret ranking—'First-Year Hotties.' You're numero uno!"
"Girls… rank guys?" He instinctively glanced at Horikita, who cut in coldly:
"Don't look at me. I didn't vote." Her tone was flat, but her lack of surprise hinted she knew the list existed.
"Shimizu-kun~"Hoshinomiyacrowded closer, eyes glinting. "A stud like you must have a girlfriend. Lots of confessions, right?"
Shimizu sidestepped subtly. "No girlfriend."
"Ehh~" She dragged out the syllable, tapping her chin. "Only denied the 'girlfriend' part… So you have been confessed to?"
"...Once." A beat. "I declined."
Karuizawa's"protection-based dating offer" flashed in his mind—technically a confession.
"Ara ara~"Hoshinomiya's gaze darted between them. "Shimizu-kun, could it be…"
"—into our class's Ichinose?" She finished sweetly, eyes locked on Horikita's face. "I meant my class rep, Ichinose. They talked last week. No need to panic."
Horikita's expression froze.
She'd walked into a verbal trap—the teacher had watched her while naming another girl.
(Ichinose… where have I—?)
Then she recalled Shimizu's contacts list—"Ichinose Honami" had been there.
(This was planned.)
Horikita's eyes iced over.
Her earlier snub had earned this retaliation.
(Every teacher here is unfit!)
First, Chabashira—the clock-out-at-sharp woman who skipped even basic class duties.
Other classes had class reps; Class D was leaderless sheep.
And now this…
Hoshinomiya, fiddling with her curled hair and short-skirted legs, looked like a Shibuya gyaru.
Worse, she was grilling a male student about his love life—in the hallway—on camera—as payback.
Horikita stepped back, voice arctic: "This school's hiring standards are questionable. Your unprofessional attire alone—"
"Waah~ Mini Sae-chan is scary~"Hoshinomiya clutched her chest dramatically, but her smile widened.
She pointed at the hallway camera: "But~ publicly disrespecting staff costs points! Sae-chan's plan's ruined again~ She'll hit me!"
Her face crumpled as she pouted at Shimizu: "Back me up, Shimizu-kun! She started it! And you gave me beer—you'll protect me, right? Rewards await~"
She reached out coyly—only for Shimizu to sidestep like it was a boxing drill.
His first defensive move in weeks… against a harmless teacher.
(Ah.)
The pieces connected—Ichinose had gifted those beers to her homeroom teacher.
And Hoshinomiya had assumed it was Shimizu'sadvance.
So she was also a drunkard.
(And "rewards"…? Did she mean that?)
The innuendo made him reconsider—maybe "physiological needs"was literal.
Advanced Nurturing High was visibly thriving—strict with students, lax with staff.
(But… she's Class B's homeroom teacher?!)
Shimizu's eyes narrowed.
Hoshinomiya's "random" acts—provoking Horikita on camera—were calculated.
Horikita's outburst had cost Class D points.
From another class's view, this was unbecoming of a teacher.
But for Class B, having a scheming homeroom teacher was a blessing.
That said, his opinion of her wasn't positive.
No matter the angle, teachers scheming against students was unacceptable.