Mission: Eavesdrop

On the way to the classrooms, the two walked down the hallway. There was a weird silence between them. Shizuka made some attempts to start a conversation. But in the end, she said nothing. On the staircase, Takeshi spotted a small group of girls he immediately recognized. They were students from his class.

Naomi Asa. Mari Shimoda. Kameko Kirisawa…

Takeshi suddenly stopped and listened to their conversation. He knew eavesdropping is not a nice thing to do, but he hoped to gather new information. Morally a grey area, but necessary. Sometimes it’s the only way to find out truth.

“Everything okay?” asked Shizuka, puzzled by his behavior.

“All good. Go on ahead. I forgot something,” he replied curtly.

Shizuka raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. She knew there was more to it but chose not to ask. He could have told her what he is trying to do, but he didn’t want to drag her into things of classes she didn’t teach. Maybe that could distract her from her own duties, that would be a burden.

“Hmm, alright. See you later.”

“Mhm.”

Takeshi leaned against the cold wall of the hallway with his arms crossed. He was close enough to clearly hear what was being said. His hearing was sharp, and he had a feeling. But he didn’t want to jump to conclusions. The more intel, the better.

“I’m so done with her! She’s seriously getting on my nerves!” Kameko spat, her voice filled with spite and barely concealed disgust. Takeshi could hear someone stomp on the floor. Kameko’s anger was palpable—uncontrolled and impulsive.

“Same here! She always acts like she’s better than us. Doesn’t even bother to look at us. And every time someone talks to her, she just stammers… And don’t even get me started on her looks. Why is she the one with those beautiful long hair? It’s so annoying!” Mari chimed in, rolling her eyes.

The two were practically working themselves into a frenzy. Naomi, meanwhile, stayed quiet, occasionally glancing out the nearby window. Her posture was relaxed, and her eyes betrayed nothing but indifference.

Nobody else was there, so it’s a perfect spot to discuss things. They wouldn’t care anyway, Takeshi guessed. Other students wouldn’t say anything to them. Probably the fear of becoming the next target of their gossip. Must be it. But would other teachers step in if they listened like him?

“Did you hear?” Kameko lowered her voice as if revealing a secret. “Her dad caused a scene at the bar again the other day. He was super drunk, as usual. But the worst is her brother. I heard he’s in jail!”

“Oh man, the whole family is a bunch of losers,” Mari said with amusement, though there was a tinge of satisfaction in her voice. “Not that I’m surprised. Just look at Ikehara-san! She gives off the same criminal vibe as her brother. Hope she doesn’t snap and come after us!”

Her brother is in jail? I didn’t expect that… if it’s true, I mean.

That was a problem for society. Not for him. As long as he didn’t know what happened, he wouldn’t judge. Everyone had their own reason to be criminal. Some crimes happened out of selfishness. Others made sense, even morally. In any case, life was over. You were marked, forever. No one listened. No one cared. And the system discarded you like trash.

The two laughed heartily. Kameko patted Mari on the shoulder like she’d just delivered the joke of the day.

“I just want her to disappear from this school. Actually, from this whole town!”

Their throaty laughter echoed through the hallway.

“You’re awfully quiet, Naomi,” Mari said, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised.

Naomi leaned against the window, staring outside. A faint click sound was hearable when she tossed her lolly from one side to the other. The school rules didn’t allow things like sweets during class, but she did it all the time anyway. Certain punishments awaited someone if they didn’t stick to the rules. Somehow, she still did it, with no further consequences.

Does the school even care about their students?

“What do you want me to say? Haven’t you already said it all? She’s super annoying!” Naomi replied, clenching her fist with a fair amount of resolve.

“I think it’s time we remind her of her place. Before she forgets where she belongs,” she added.

“Any ideas?” Mari asked, rubbing her hands together.

Takeshi noticed a shift in volume and tone, as if they’d huddled closer.

Classic behavior of gossiping people. Takeshi thought, that it is a paradox thing to do. People hide their mouth behind hands, speaking in a low voice or trying to steal glances. But that’s exactly what you expect of gossiping humans. They try to hide it, but are more obvious than ever.

“Oh, I might have something…” Mari replied, answering her own question. “But obviously, you’re the one doing it, Naomi.”

“Huh?! Why me?” Naomi blinked in surprise, eyes wide.

Kameko clicked her tongue. “Well, if we do it, there could be serious consequences.” Her tone was soft, but her words were razor-sharp. “If Mari or I get caught… Well, you know what that would mean…”

Mari sighed dramatically. “Yeah, we already have enough strikes. One more thing and we’re out.”

“But you?” Kameko paused deliberately. “You haven’t done enough to get kicked out over something like this.”

Another pause.

A quiet breath.

“…Fine. I’ll do it.” Naomi’s voice was calm and firm.

Takeshi narrowed his eyes slightly and touched his chin, his gaze cold and calculating.

People rarely say yes just because they want to. More like others expect you to say yes, a kind of pressure they create without knowing it. They create the feeling of being a bad person and trigger the fear of exclusion or the fear of seeming selfish. It makes people obedient. Especially when you know how to use it on purpose.

Mari clapped her hands. “Perfect! So, here’s how it’s gonna go…”