None the Wiser

 Her hands were soft and supple. There was a sense of a firm comfort——like something that would protectively wrap you in its warmth. It was also a sign of a pampered person.

Eriki and I danced at the assigned area surrounded by the spectators’ tables. Along with us, other couples danced——young or old, student or parent, rich or richer, for business or romance.

Though, our dance wasn’t for either business or romance.

On stage, I wasn’t able to focus on her features. I mostly focused on our synchronization. But, I was conscious of her almond scent, flawless face, smooth skin, and her astounding figure.

Being relieved from the burden of such, I was transfixed by her entire body. I was made more aware of her feminine charms. This time, I didn’t falter. I wanted to impress—didn’t want to embarrass myself. But her appeal made me tremble.

“Nervous?” she beamed. And to tease me even more, she whispered to my ear. “How do you like it? This experience?”

I shivered. Was she taking revenge on what I did to her last time? How petty.

“Vengeful, aren’t you?”

“I’m not really getting back at you or anything.” She giggled.

We silently basked in the warm chandelier lights and the soothing music. We facilely danced to our hearts’ desire. And the song was about to end.

“You know,” she started in a low voice, “I am—actually…”

“…actually?”

We swayed through another step. I lifted her arm like a ship’s bow and placed one hand on her hips. We adroitly slid left and right.

“Why do you do so much for a class that underappreciates you?”

“I don’t feel underappreciated, but I don’t understand you.”

“Our dance, on the stage, you practiced it alone.”

“So you did see me.” Wait, then how did she— “Then, you practiced that dance for me?”

“P—practiced?” she averted her eyes. “No, I already knew the steps. If I didn’t know it, I wouldn’t practice it anyway.”

If she said so…

“Enough about that. I’m the one who brought up the topic, so I should be the one asking questions.”

More like interrogating me. “Are you still gauging me?”

She ignored the question. “What was the point in working hard when no one else sees you?”

The song has reached its third climax——the final climax before the ending, so I decided to focus first. Then, it was the final verse.

“There was a point. You saw me after all.”

“Why are you evading my question?”

“Because it's trivial. Isn’t it obvious by now?”

Then, I made her twirl as she stretched backward for the ending. I helped her straighten up and led her to exit the dance floor. But she firmly stood her ground, holding me in place.

“Stop being vague.” She was shaking in impatience.

“Fine, I’ll give you a straight answer. It’s because—”

Suddenly, someone snatched me from Eriki’s grip. It would be embarrassing to retreat from the floor as the next music was about to start. Eriki spun around. She was confused when I suddenly vanished. She found me, but she was too late. The oncoming dancers have replaced her from the dance floor.

I noticed my partner was inches taller than me. She wore black tights paired with a gothic purple dress. I looked up. It was Principal Miyu and her glistening purple eyes.

“Principal!?”

She placed her finger on her mouth. “May I take this dance?”

You should say that before you took me to the dance floor.

Then, the music started.

It was a fast-paced song, and we matched our dance to the rhythm. And because Principal Miyu was taller than me——even made taller by her heeled boots——it was awkward for me to dance. But I tried my best. This time, I didn’t want to embarrass myself.

It was unusual for the faculty to take part in the dance, but it seemed that Principal Miyu made herself an exception.

“Listen to me, Yajima, you are in a tight spot.”

I lifted an eyebrow.

“You may think that you have won the contest, but you aren’t guaranteed so.”

“It’s not like I aimed to win.”

“With the effort, you put in? No, you should have.”

I sighed. “You got me.”

“Therefore—” she pulled me close as required of the dance, but this was uneasily close. My face was about to be buried between her— “—you must grant me a favor.”

A favor from me, requested by a principal? What kind of favor was it? What would it entail? How will I fulfill it? These thoughts raced through my mind, but Principal Miyu appeased me.

“I’ll give you three favors in return. You can use it anytime.”

“Impotently?”

“That as well.”

“Then, what kind of favor is this that returns three favors?”

“Technically four because I will help you by making the judges listen and consider your words.”

If the payment doesn’t decrease, then there should be strings attached.

“Actually, now that I think about it, this deal benefits you throughout your entire high school. But, I’m still giving you three favors——anything that you want within my power.”

There should be strings attached. There should be strings attached. The margin is too low. The margin’s too low; it could be negative.

“I refuse—”

“Hear me out. I just need—”

After the dance, Principal Miyu lead me to a room. We entered, and I met some grump and strict-looking adults in the room. They greeted Principal Miyu coldly and eyed me unwelcomely.

“Who’s this kid, Yamashita?”

“He’s Amahiko Yajima. He’ll be here to oversee the judging process.”

“Oversee? Isn’t he a student? What’s he doing here?” said they, growing impatient.

“Get him out of here!” one hollered!“

“You aren’t allowed here. Get out of here.”

“Yajima? Is this the infamous poor scholar?”

“Guards, get rid of him,” one spoke through their radio.

“Everyone, stop this at once!” scolded Principal Miyu. “I know your companies——each of every one of you——and I know which companies you can’t afford to divest.”

“And so? Do you think you have any power here? Your position here is mercifully given to you by—”

“Kintojimiya, yes?” I asked.

“Kintojimiya, yes—how’d you know that name?”

Everyone in the corporate world knew that name.

Principal Miyu brought out her phone. “Do you know this company?”

Everyone peered at the screen.

“Yes, I know that company. That’s one of our suppliers.”

“That’s our top client.”

“So, what about it?”

“I own this; I deserve the position I have because I have the power.”

“W—when did you own this?”

“Stop lying! I’m going to call the CEO!”

Everyone waited for him to call. His face went pale and defeatedly slid the phone into his pocket.

“No, this is impossible! You must have committed larceny!”

“This is fake!” another challenged.

“Is it fake?” Principal Miyu called someone over the phone.

Then the person who accused her of forgery attended to her phone. Her face went pale too. “What!? They ceased the contract!? Do something…” Her voice lowered as she faced higher Principal Miyu.

She had a smug look on her face. “Do you believe me now? Now, you must listen to me, or else…” She tapped her long fingernails against the slab of glass. “Actually, don’t listen to me. Listen to him,” she glanced at me.

“I should introduce myself, shouldn’t I? I’m from Class Gold, and I’ve come here to represent them. I know Class Gold is to be made a standard so that the other students would do better. But would it be so cruel to overlook the efforts they have placed in this competition? Don’t you think it’s unfair?”

Everyone was silent, but they silently rebelled, preserving their pride.

“If you’re still numb to conscience, maybe think it like this: What will their parents think of this school? If they see humiliation once more, even in the most special of cases, they will be inclined to remove their children from this school and slander it. They would also stop doing business with the parents and your companies. Don’t you fear the day that they band together and overtake you? It would be better to appease rather than enrage them. I’m confident the higher classes would let them win once in a while; don’t you think so?”

Everyone pondered. In their minds, they thought more about the response of the higher classes rather than Class Gold. All they cared about was their connections to prestigious companies. They didn’t care about the students' well-being. It was a shame that such people were part of the school’s board.

If they remain in position, there was no doubt that this academy would fall apart someday; that was something I was powerless to prevent.

But what I can prevent as a humble scholar was the destruction of my class’s pride and efforts. Their pride was appropriate——no one wouldn’t be ashamed of their innocent hard work.

“We’ll take your words into consideration, but I cannot guarantee your class first place,” a chubby man stated.

What he meant was, ‘We reject your mere opinion, and we will not give you first place.’ That would mean, we wouldn’t be in last place, with the most optimistic outlook.

“However, we cannot let you oversee our judging process to prevent any bias. So, we would like to ask you to kindly leave.” The chubby man smiled amiably.

But, it was cold against my heart. It was glib——his smile and his words. No one should take him seriously or rather, one must interpret skeptically.

But Principal Miyu came to my side and whispered, “Don’t worry; you won the bet.”