Chapter 7 - Ari's Nonsense Identity

As I entered the room, I immediately noticed how small and cramped it was. There are two tables, one for the principal, and one with two chairs in it, I guess for the visitors. There is a single cabinet at the back of her chair, which probably has the school documents inside of it.

“Come and sit.” she said, urging me to take one of the chair.

I immediately did it, and followed her and took a seat near her table.

“So…” she started.

I gulped. I don’t know what’s the principal is going to do with me. I only had bad things with my mind right now, and I don’t think it’s going to be easy to escape this one.

“…you are Ari right?” she continued.

Did she learn about my name because of that teacher??? That must’ve been the case.

I nodded in response. “Y-yes…”

“I see I see.” she muttered as she smiled. “If you are wondering, I actually knew who you were and I’m just trying to make sure you are that ‘Ari’.”

“Uh…” I couldn’t say anything. I was surprised to learn that the principal knew about me. “You knew about me?”

“Yeah! You are the one who passed the entrance exam right? The one with the highest score.”

Huh…?

Wait what?

H-how did she know about that?

I paused, and stared at her, only thinking about what I just heard.

Why does she knew about it when she’s not from our school? It doesn’t make any sense!

“H-how did you know about that ma’am? Do you actually knew who I am?” I asked again, while couldn’t stop myself from shaking.

I clenched my fist and tried to steady my breathing, but it wouldn’t work at all. All I know is that I am in front of someone who knew who I was, and it’s not a good news.

“I think almost most of the teachers knew who you are.”

“Whaaattt!?” I screamed in surprise. “Is it tr— I’m sorry.” I apologized, immediately realizing my mistake.

She chuckled and continued smiling. “No worries. But I’m maybe wrong about that, considering the teacher didn’t seem to know you.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “I-I see… But what do you mean by that?”

She looked at me from top to bottom. “I see you were doing something bold…” she said, ignoring my question.

I froze.

She knew it!?

She knew about it!?

“I…” I whispered, unable to say anything back.

She crossed her arms and said, “I don’t know what’s the deal with that. But is there a reason why are you wearing our school uniform? And on top of that, you are using the male uniform…”

Unsure of what to say, I stared at the ground, and didn’t say anything.

She stood up and approached me. “I’m sorry for scaring you. But don’t worry, it’s not that I will punish you.” She smiled and patted me.

I looked up and said, “I’m sorry ma’am.”

“Don’t be.” she smiled and returned back to her seat. “But well, to ensure the fairness at this school, a punishment should be done.”

“…” I stared at her, wondering if I heard her wrong.

“No you’re not!” she said in a loud voice, as if she was able to hear my thoughts.

I was taken aback, and noticed my hands trembling once again. I closed my eyes, trying to escape from her gaze.

“How about you become my grandson’s girlfriend?”

“Huh!?”

With my eyes wide open, I stared at her dumbfounded, and couldn’t comprehend what is she talking about.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said how about you become my grandson’s girlfriend?” she repeated.

“Why?” I asked in confusion.

“It’s a punishment of course.”

A punishment!? I thought there wouldn’t be any punishment!

“But I don’t know who your grandson is…”

“That’s not true.” she opened up her phone and showed me a picture of her grandson. “How about now?”

“Wha—?”

Grandson!? You mean his grandmother is the school’s principal!? You gotta be kidding me!

“How about it?”

“N…No… I don’t know who your grandson is…”

“You don’t want to lie in front of me.” she said with a serious expression. “Will you do it or not?”

“I… I’m not ready yet…” I muttered.

“So you’re not denying that you knew him, right?”

“No!!!” I retorted. “I don’t know about him!”

“You said you weren’t ready.” she reminded.

“I’m not ready yet for that kind of relationship is what I mean…”

“Oh…” she muttered and smirked. “I see, I see. So you are not ready yet…”

Am I really in front of the school’s principal, or someone is playing a prank on me…

“Yes, I am this school’s principal.” she said as if she read my mind.

Why does she always seemed to know what I was thinking?

“Because of your face, your expression is all over the place.”

“Am I that easy to read?” I asked. “Or maybe you’re someone with an ability to read someone’s mind?”

“If it was that simple. Then I might not become a principal myself, but rather become someone else.”

“O-okay…” I responded, not sure of what she’s trying to say.

“But… I’m not really joking. Would you become my grandson’s girlfriend?”

Why is she persistent about it!? It’s not like it’s possible for me to do that easily!

“W-why would you even say that ma’am? I’m a guy!”

“Now, now… There’s no use of saying that…” she said with a menacing smile. “I know you’re planning something. And if you want I could let you do what you wanted at this school.”

“Is that true? Can I trust you?”

“Of course!” she said as she placed a hand in her chest. “I’m the proud principal of this school. I wouldn’t take back what I said.”

Should I trust her? Can I really trust her?

I mean, it’s not like I have any other choices. And I believe this is the only choice I could make right now.

I sighed deeply. “Then… What should I do?”

“Become my grandso—”

“Other than that please!” I interrupted.

“Then how about you transfer here after the semester?” she suggested.

“Transfer here? Right after the semester?”

“Yeah. That shouldn’t be a problem right?”

Transferring school after a semester, and I haven’t even been in my school for a year! Should I really do this? It’s not like a bad deal for me, but it was all of a sudden.

“Yeah… But is that the only thing?” I asked, still suspicious. “You’re not going to ask for anything else?”

“Other than being my grandson’s girlfriend, then no. There’s nothing else, I would be happy to have you here at our school.”

“Then, I’ll think about it ma’am.”

“Glad to hear that.” she said with a smile.

I sighed deeply in relief.

I wonder if that’s all…

“You can go out now.” she said, still smiling. “Please do visit me from time to time. I’m kind of bored in here.”

“O-okay…” I said as I stood up , approached the door and exited. “Hah… I can’t believe I was found out this early…”

I sighed in defeat. “Now what to do…”

As I was walking straight but looking down, I bumped into someone. “Ah— I’m sorry…” I apologized immediately and bowed down. “I wasn’t looking…”

“No it’s fine… Wait, Ari!?” he exclaimed.

“Ah!? Why are you here!?”

“What do you mean? The class just ended, that’s why I’m outside.”

“Oh… I see, I thought you were following me.”

“Why would I do that!”

I chuckled. “Why not?”

“Did you just came from the principal’s office?” he asked, noticing the door behind me.

“Y-yeah…” I answered in a low voice.

“Hm… Did you do something?” he asked, suspicious.

“Not really…” I answered

He stared at me, looking like he was not satisfied with my answer. “I see.”

I sighed deeply once again. These two people are bad for my heart…