After hearing Hifumi's words, Hanako paused briefly, then remarked thoughtfully:
"…Hehe, I see. 'The Traitor of Trinity', huh… That really is just like Nagisa-chan. Anyone who tries to interfere with her plans as Tea Party President would fit that logic, right?"
Although she smiled, there was no hiding the sarcastic tone beneath it, and I could clearly sense her annoyance.
It was understandable, wanting to be expelled oneself is one thing, but having a friend suspected of trying to get expelled is an entirely different matter.
In any case, Hanako being upset probably had nothing to do with me, right?
Still, she quickly calmed down and continued analyzing the situation.
"…Azusa-chan's suspicious behavior when submitting her enrollment documents makes sense why she might be suspected. As for Koharu-chan… if we forcibly try to rationalize it, considering her as a hostage for the Justice Task Force, it's a bit far-fetched, but it's somewhat acceptable…"
Hanako paused for a moment, then, looking puzzled, asked the blonde girl beside her, who seemed uneasy but was listening intently:
"Ah, in that case, Hifumi-chan, why would you be suspected? You and Nagisa-chan get along pretty well, right?"
"Eh!? I—I really am a suspect too…?"
Hifumi let out a startled cry, but as expected, she had already braced herself for this. She murmured in a bewildered tone, "I—I did feel a certain... sense of familiarity with Nagisa-sama... but, why would it be me...?"
…Seeing her truly at a loss, I thought to myself, this might just be the terrifying part about Hifumi.
Regarding this matter, I decided it would be better to subtly hint things to her after the second evaluation exam when the two of them were alone.
By this point, most of the information that needed exchanging had already been shared.
After a moment of contemplation in the quiet room, Hanako said:
"…Anyway, about Azusa-chan, I'll leave it to you, Sensei, to talk to her first. I'll also check on the other matters myself."
"Understood," Hifumi nodded. "If you learn anything, we'd be grateful if you could tell us."
With Hanako's previous position, her intelligence, and her connections, having her help could indeed yield important information.
Of course, whether she wanted to get involved was ultimately up to her.
"I understand."
Hanako had already made up her mind. She agreed without hesitation and lightly chuckled:
"In that case, I can continue participating in this late-night rendezvous, right? Hehe, I'm so happy~ Three of us, close together in a secret game in the middle of the night… it really makes my heart race∼"
Mid-sentence, she leaned as if to whisper to Hifumi, practically pressing her whole body against me. The faint scent of her freshly bathed self reached me despite my subconscious attempt to retreat slightly.
Combined with the suggestive words, my lips twitched involuntarily.
Doing this in front of Hifumi?
Isn't this just bullying the honest guy!?
Hifumi scratched her cheek, eyes darting nervously: "T-This… kind of comment is a bit…"
See? She didn't just throw herself on me like the previous two nights. Too honest.
So naturally, it would make others underestimate her.
I patted Hanako on the shoulder and said: "Let's leave it here for tonight. It's about time to sleep."
But the next moment, I felt Hanako's normally soft body suddenly stiffen.
Wait, I just patted your back!? Are you that sensitive!?
Perhaps her crush on me had reached the point where she could no longer control herself, and her imagination had begun running wild…
"Alright," Hifumi said with a smile, standing up. "See you tomorrow, Sensei."
"Y-Yeah." Hanako seemed to relax suddenly, then composed herself as she stood, saying calmly, "Good night, Sensei."
…Despite her perfect control of expression, I almost doubted whether what I felt earlier was real.
I noticed her normally pale cheeks were flushed more vividly than usual.
Connecting the dots, I realized that Hanako had indeed been thinking strange things just now.
It may have been influenced by Koharu, but it was definitely cuz she has a secret crush on me.
"Alright, everyone's worked hard today. Ahem. I'll see you out."
Suppressing a smile, I stood to escort the two of them out.
Hifumi walked ahead but, in the corridor, still turned back politely and said:
"Thank you very much, Sensei… huh?"
As if noticing something, she glanced to the side.
Then came a familiar, shocked female voice:
"Hi-Hifumi!? What… what are you doing in Sensei's room…!?"
I froze.
For some reason, slightly absent-minded Hanako, upon stepping outside, noticed and laughed as she turned:
"Hehe. Well then, I'm looking forward to our next late-night meeting… Ah?"
Noticing the sudden tension, Hanako followed Hifumi's gaze.
I pressed my forehead with my hand, already imagining what was about to happen.
Sure enough, after a brief silence, a deafening shout rang out through the second floor of the annex.
"Th-Three of you… together!?" A tiny, flushed girl appeared at the doorway with incredible speed. "Idiot! Perverts! Death Penalty!"
Though temporarily losing her composure, Koharu was quickly physically persuaded by Hifumi and Hanako.
But she immediately began yelling in terror again:
"What do you want to do!? I didn't expect you to be like this! I will never submit easily! Wait… does that mean… I-I'm not mentally prepared… Hasumi-senpai, save me!"
Honestly, I couldn't understand what was going through Koharu's mind. It took a lot of effort to explain that the three of us were simply discussing late at night to ensure everyone in the Make-Up Work Club could pass the exam smoothly.
Once the misunderstanding was cleared, Koharu blushed, stubbornly said it was our fault, and then suddenly became bashful.
She also used the toilet in my room.
That was probably why she had been wandering outside at night.
After the farce ended and I sent the girls off, I was about to return to my room to rest when I suddenly realized something.
Given the commotion just now, Azusa, who was extremely cautious, had shown no reaction at all.
In other words…
She had already gone out.
After a brief thought, I grabbed the Shittim Chest and stepped outside.