From Hanako's question, I once again sensed something unusual.
Why was there no mention about "shoes and socks" after "taking them off"?
I inwardly cursed my bad luck and immediately prepared to change the subject, but it was already too late.
"I really like it," Hanako said when I didn't reply, smiling as she spoke to herself. "Sometimes, I even wander around the campus completely undressed. Every time, I feel this indescribable emotion..."
Ordinarily, that emotion would probably be called shame.
No, that would apply to ordinary people. For Hanako, it was probably closer to a sense of satisfaction or release.
Hanako continued, "Doing non-ordinary things in everyday spaces feels like violating some kind of taboo... I also read in a book that it is supposedly good for your health."
What kind of book was that?
Seeing my troubled expression, the girl's smile grew brighter, her tone sweeter and more cloying, as if she were tempting me to fall with her.
"Sensei, why not try it too? Surprisingly, we don't really understand our true desires all that well. Maybe after trying it, you might unexpectedly fall in love with the feeling?"
Sure enough, a problematic student like Hanako, who casually spouted such indecent remarks that left people at a loss for how to respond, was exactly the type I couldn't handle.
"...I think I'll pass."
"Hehe∼ You can try imagining it. If the whole of Trinity started doing it, it would definitely be very interesting∼ Everyone taking everything off and coming to school with refreshed hearts."
What would feel refreshed would probably not be their hearts.
Looking at the girl with that meaningful smile on her face, I found myself at a loss for words, suddenly feeling a stiffy.
Why was it that whenever I faced Hanako, I seemed to be led around by the nose?
Even Mutsuki knew her limits and would not tease me this frequently in such a way, pushing me into situations like this.
Was Hanako showing off, or testing me? I still couldn't quite grasp her true objective, hidden beneath her seemingly bold words and actions.
But there was one thing I knew for certain.
I had to find a way to deal with her. I couldn't let Hanako continue acting so unrestrained.
If Hanako was doing this out of some perverse amusement or some other reason, deliberately wanting to see me flustered...
"Sensei, do you not think that scene would be very interesting just to imagine?"
At that very moment, she tossed me another question that, under normal circumstances, was impossible to answer.
I pondered for a moment and decided to try something.
"It does sound like it would be quite interesting. If it really became like that, it would be nice."
As I said this, I put on a gentle smile and nodded slightly, adopting an air of agreement with Hanako's idea.
If I did this, perhaps she would find it boring and give up...
However, Hanako blinked, and then her emerald eyes shone far more brightly than before.
"Oh my∼ So Sensei thinks that way too? That's wonderful∼ In that case, please use Schale's authority to implement this system within the Make-Up Work Club first! Hehe∼ Everyone is such a cute child∼ Just imagining everyone affectionately studying completely together in an empty classroom after school is so fun!"
After she rattled off that entire spiel in one breath, my smile completely froze.
"Hanako..."
"Hm? What is wrong, Sensei?"
I put on a stern expression. "Things like that are absolutely not acceptable. Please do not bring it up again."
This was my second attempt. Since going along with her only fueled her momentum, I decided to take the opposite approach and adopt a firm stance.
That said, I didn't want to damage our relationship too much, so this was as far as I could go.
Perhaps seeing through my act, Hanako curled her lips, but she did rein herself in slightly, as I had hoped.
"Don't be so serious. Please rest assured, I was only joking."
That joke was not funny at all, as far as I was concerned.
I relaxed a little, thinking that Hanako still had some sense of limits.
"But if it really did become like that, it would definitely be very interesting, right? If you used Schale's authority that transcends legal principles... everyone who does not want to be expelled would have no choice but to obediently follow the teacher's orders and do this and that∼"
I take back what I said.
In just a few short seconds, Hanako had completely reverted to her old ways.
Feeling utterly powerless, I rubbed my forehead and sighed.
"Hanako, I am begging you. You didn't ask me to come today just to say these things, did you?"
Having no other option, I could only back down first and forcefully change the topic.
At the same time, my mind raced as I tried to think of any way to make Hanako stop her endless harassment without damaging our relationship too much.
From the information I currently had... from Hanako's words that seemed laden with hidden meaning...
I tried to trace things back to their source and analyze her true thoughts, but the clues were far too fragmented to piece together.
"...Ah, okay. Then I will stop."
Hanako gave me an apologetic smile.
"I called you here because I had tutoring questions I wanted to ask... but I ended up chatting with you and having too much fun..."
Hearing this, both my expression and my mood softened unconsciously.
If Hanako was just overly excited because she had the chance to spend time alone with someone she liked, and that was why she made so many excessive jokes, that would be understandable.
The more I thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. Even the way I looked at Hanako became noticeably gentler.
Seen this way, perhaps she was simply bad at expressing her feelings, and so used this strange way of interacting with people.
...That said, when she said, "maybe after trying it you might unexpectedly fall in love with the feeling," could that have been based on her own experience?
I felt as though I had glimpsed a corner of the truth.
In any case, since Hanako was finally willing to return to the main topic, I no longer needed to worry.
"It's fine," I said with a sincere smile. "What questions do you need me to answer? Just so you know, if they are too difficult, I will have to seek outside help."
Hanako nodded. "Alright, then let us change locations first. I found a place that is very suitable for 'studying.'"
Perhaps it was my imagination, but when she said the word "studying," it felt like she deliberately emphasized it.
And in the very next moment, Hanako mercilessly shattered my fleeting hope with particularly suggestive wording.
"It is a very good place for teaching all kinds of hands-on skills... Come on, let us go."
With that, Hanako casually and cheerfully headed off in a certain direction.
She soon turned back, however, looking at me, who was hesitating in place, with clear eyes full of confusion.
"Sensei, what's wrong? Why are you standing there spacing out? Let's go."
"...Let me ask first," I said in a low voice. "Where exactly are you talking about?"
"Is that not obvious? Since we are talking about tutoring, then of course it's..."
Meeting my gaze, Hanako's eyes once again carried that subtle teasing and mockery.
"The sports equipment storage room that no one ever goes to. Don't worry, I already borrowed the key in advance."
As she spoke, she took out a gleaming metal key and showed it to me.
What kind of hands-on skills needed to be taught in a sports storage room?
Having seen certain works and knowing that Hanako was once again making an ill timed joke, I let out a heavy sigh inside.
In that moment, all of my anger completely vanished, leaving only deep helplessness.
And serenity.
Given that Hanako was sharp enough to judge my and Hifumi's identities and intentions the moment we first met, there was no way she didn't know that such behavior would make people keep their distance. And yet, as a Trinity student, she couldn't even be bothered to pretend.
Rumors said she had once worn a swimsuit to prayer class and been expelled from the classroom. From what I had personally witnessed, she had also been arrested by the Justice Realization Committee because of her attire. In other words, she knew full well that her actions violated school rules, yet she continued to act as she pleased.
Then there was the obviously nonsense filled exam paper, combined with all of Hanako's earlier remarks.
I thought it wasn't hard to arrive at one conclusion.
All of this was deliberate.
The crucial question was, why?
At this point, any theories should be put on a stop, because there were simply too many possible reasons for someone to act that way.
And yet, for some reason, I felt a strong sense of déjà vu when it came to Hanako.
"Um... sorry. I might have teased you a bit too much. Your reactions were just too interesting, Sensei."
Hanako said lightly, "Let's go to the main building library instead. There are lots of people there, so you don't need to worry. Come on, let's go."
I nodded slightly and followed behind her.
As I watched her back, my thoughts raced, trying to pinpoint where that familiar feeling, as if I had seen a similar situation before, was coming from.
Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, I stopped walking.
"Sensei?"
Hanako turned back, looking at me in confusion. "What is it now?"
Instead of answering her question, I lowered my head and murmured softly.
"Fear...?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
In the next moment, I looked up at Hanako. The furrow in my brow eased, and I realized it.
"Disgust."
"...What?"
"You hate Trinity?"
Hanako's expression visibly stiffened. Then she forced a smile.
"What are you saying? How could I..."
At last, she had lost that air of having everything under control.
It seemed I was right.
"At this point, is there really any need to lie?"
I paused, then continued, "I can understand it to some extent, but I still don't quite understand why you..."
"Heh. What do you even understand about me?"
Hanako, now completely expressionless, her eyes filled only with coldness, rudely cut me off.
She took a deep breath, then gave the stunned me a slight bow, putting on a flawless, professional smile.
"I am terribly sorry. I just remembered that I have other urgent matters to attend to. Please excuse my rudeness."
"Wait..." I reached out, trying to stop her.
However, Hanako ignored me. Turning her back without another glance, she quickly disappeared at the end of the road.