‘Unacceptable!’ The intolerant vice principal, Mitsuko Sawari

Yuuko walked steadily, followed by a calm Eleonora a few meters behind. From time to time, she watched her out of the corner of her eye. Nora lacked hostile intentions, yet the lingering threat made her uneasy. They ended up returning to the main path. The teacher dispelled the mirror wall, tracing a rune in the air, revealing the doors of the academy. On the horizon, the black silhouette of the main building could be seen. It looked like a European court palace, towering over the grounds of the entire academy. Thousands of lanterns, symmetrically placed along the paths, illuminated the way. It seemed as if the beautiful sky had collapsed onto the Onmyou’s outer gardens. Nora advanced until she turned her back to the teacher. She stopped and broke the silence.

‘It’s impressive. I wanted to see it in the daytime, but I guess I can wait until tomorrow.’ She turned around to look at Yuuko. The latter moved ahead without saying a word. Nora shrugged. ‘Relax, I have no intention of hurting you.’

‘I’m just a little tired.’ Nora resigned herself to that statement and caught up with her companion. After a tense nighttime walk, they were surprised by two other silhouettes.

‘What is the meaning of this, Shirohime?! You should already be in bed!’ the woman’s voice sounded upset with her student. Serizawa froze, straightening her back and making a flustered expression upon hearing that voice. She caught the blonde’s gaze.

‘What’s going on?’ She looked ahead at another voice:

‘I’m sorry, Miss Sawari, it’s just that…’ It was the voice of the ribbon’s girl. ‘I- I found a lost jacket and wanted to return it to its owner.’ nerves got the better of her, causing her to laugh involuntarily.

‘I see, but you should have waited until tomorrow.’ Sawari’s tone was authoritative. ‘Since it was for a good cause, I’ll let it slide.’ Her tone of voice softened. Nora caught the attention of both.

‘Wow! Hi there!’ She raised her arm. The two of them looked over there. The raven-haired girl showed apprehension upon recognising Nora’s voice.

‘Hey! Wait!’ Yuuko followed her. ‘She’s probably going to keep up with her act. If she messes with Mitsu, we will be in trouble…’ Nora stopped in front of Shirohime.

‘I see you’ve taken care of my jacket,’ she seemed relieved. Sawari twisted her face in anger.

‘Why are you breaking curfew, Miss!? This is unacceptable!’ Nora turned to the indignant teacher.

‘Wow, you’re Mitsuko Sawari!! The Onihim…’ Yuuko covered her mouth in a hurry, earning a glance from her boss. She made a face as she adjusted her glasses. Yumiko took a small step back, trying to distance herself without drawing attention.

‘Miss Serizawa, could you let this girl finish her sentence?’ The vice principal tried to pretend to be calm. Her companion smiled ridiculously.

‘It’s not a big deal, Mits... I mean, Miss vice principal.’ Yuuko looked at Shirohime. ‘Hey, it’s not over with you! Right, Miss Sawari?’ She turned her gaze towards Yumiko. Quickly, the teacher addressed Nora in a low tone. ‘Measure your words.’

‘Shirohime.’ She stopped in her tracks after hearing Mitsuko’s voice. A shiver ran down her back and her voice trembled.

‘Y- yes?’

‘Didn’t you want to return your companion’s jacket?’

‘Oh! T- the jacket, of course.’ She approached her schoolmate. ‘Don’t lose it again!’ she imitated the vice principal’s tone.

‘Oh!’ The blonde extended her hand and took it. ‘Thank you, it was getting chilly.’ She put on her jacket again. Both looked at each other. Yumiko seemed somewhat uneasy. Nora smiled at her, pretended to trip, and she fell on her senpai’s shoulder. She was shocked, but before she could respond was whispered to by a young European girl. ‘Don’t worry, he’s okay, he’s still here.’

‘Hey, are you okay?!’ Mitsu looked concerned. Eleonora separated from her schoolmate and turned to her.

‘Ah, yes! I’m tired from the trip. Don’t worry.’

‘By the way, who are you, miss?’ the vice principal seemed somewhat curious.

‘Ah, it’s one student you sent me to pick up!’ Yuuko prevented Nora spoke up for her. The vice principal continued with the interrogation.

‘And the other one?’

‘Huh?’ Serizawa hesitated under her boss’s inquisitive gaze.

‘Oh, there wasn’t another one. Shirohime was there.’ The blonde girl excused her teacher. All eyes turned to the other student.

‘Huh?! What?!’ she reacted. Nora winked at her. ‘Oh, yeah… it was where you lost your jacket, and as the student council president, it’s my duty to help other students.’ Mitsuko raised an eyebrow.

‘That doesn’t explain why you were across the school limits.’ Shirohime felt overwhelmed.

‘Uh… well, that…’

‘Come on, Mitsu, let this one slide.’ Yuuko tried to calm the situation, earning her boss’s scrutinising gaze. ‘I mean, vice principal!’ Nora spoke up again.

‘Shirohime heard about the absent students and went to help her teacher. As the council president, wanting to help a teacher is not so unusual, right?’ She argued.

‘Ah, yes! Yes, that was it!’ she took advantage of Nora’s deduction to excuse herself. Sawari turned to the blonde.

‘I don’t know, something doesn’t add up in this situation…’

‘Well, Shirohime had my jacket, and I have no reason to lie to you, Vice Principal.’ Sawari acknowledged the validity of the argument.

‘It’s a good point. Miss…?’ Serizawa spoke for her before she could articulate a word.

‘Shirohime and Nonomiya likely have weariness. Today was an intense day…’ She locked eyes with the two students.

‘What?!’ Yumiko reacted oddly outraged. ‘She’s Nonomiya?!’ the three turned confusedly towards her. Nora reached out her hand to Yumiko and showed a fake smile.

‘Ayumi Nonomiya.’ She paused. ‘Nice to meet you.’

‘Yu- Yumiko Shi- Shirohime.’ She shook her hand, trembling like a leaf. ‘The pleasure is mine.’ She tried to let go, but the other didn’t allow it.

‘I hope we get along well, huh?’ she finished before loosening her grip. ‘Ah! Vice Principal about the curfew. I wonder, what are you doing lurking around the gardens? Are you also in charge of surveillance?’ Serizawa intervened again.

‘Excuse her, she’s quite impulsive!’ she gave her an angry look. Delphi ignored her.

‘Oh, it’s okay, Serizawa.’ The vice principal turned to Eleonora. ‘No, I’m not a security guard, but I’ve had a lot of work because of a certain irresponsible principal who disappeared during her workday. When I was about to leave, I received a report about…’ She paused, putting her subordinate on alert. ‘An old forbidden dormitory. It’s not in the best condition and a disaster could happen.’ Nora looked at Yuuko with a mocking smile.