As days passed, the suspension finally ended.
The next morning, Sagara Kaya knocked on Takamine Rinji's door. Still asleep, he quickly got up and dressed.
"Morning, Aunt Kaya."
"Try not to get into fights at school anymore... though I know that's impossible."
"Don't say that. That situation was special." Rinji smiled. "I've already submitted my reflection to the disciplinary office."
"Since it was Ko Ogino's fault to begin with, the school won't pursue your case further... Honestly, if they did, the school might've been the one in trouble."
She sighed.
She knew Rinji's true identity. Probably only she in all Japan could control him, which made it her responsibility.
Thankfully, Rinji usually listened to her. If she intervened, problems wouldn't get out of hand.
The only issue was that she taught second-years, while Rinji was a first-year. They barely crossed paths in school. If something happened, it'd be hard to respond in time.
"Anyway… just try to behave a bit."
"Understood."
"And also..."
Sagara You glanced at his face—and his shoulder-length golden hair.
"Isn't it time for a haircut?"
"I thought so too. I'll go after school."
---
"Who's that girl?"
"She's so pretty~"
"Why's she wearing a boys' uniform?"
"What a beautiful boy!"
"..."
As soon as Takamine Rinji walked onto campus, chatter buzzed around him. The words made veins pop on his forehead.
He regretted it. Regretted not listening to Ishigami and cutting his hair that same day. He should've shaved it bald.
Grim-faced, he entered his classroom for the first time in a month.
At first, his long hair made him unrecognizable. But once people saw his face, silence fell instantly.
Sure, Ogino had started it, but Rinji had broken his bones. The whole class was still scared of him.
Rinji didn't care. He hung his bag on the side of his desk and got ready for class.
"Yo, Rinji, you're here."
"Ishigami."
Rinji turned to the greeting. Sure enough, Ishigami still hadn't cut his hair. One eye was fully covered.
"How'd the classmates react?"
"Worse than I thought. I just didn't get a haircut, and suddenly everyone's misgendering me. Do they think anyone with long hair is a girl?"
"I don't know, but as long as someone has long hair and looks pretty, they all think it's a girl."
"Tsk… utterly ridiculous."
Just as Takamine Rinji and Ishigami were chatting, a soft female voice came from behind them.
"Takamine-kun..."
"Hmm?"
Takamine turned his head and saw Iino Miko and Osaragi Kobachi approaching, both with complicated expressions.
"Since you've come back to class, there's something you need to know. You're now..."
"Not part of the Public Morals Committee anymore, right?"
"...Yeah."
Iino nodded.
Of course. A public morals officer who initiates a fight can't possibly keep their position—no student would accept that.
Though Iino had tried pleading with the committee chair, a fight was a fight.
"Iino-san, the school's public morals will rely on you from now on."
"Of course." Iino said seriously, "I'll definitely set things right at this school!"
Although he was dismissed from the Public Morals Committee, the student council didn't strip Takamine of his role—he was still the treasurer.
"President, I'm back."
"Welcome back… Say, Treasurer, what happened to your hair?"
Staring at Takamine, whose new hairstyle gave off a androgynous beauty, Miyuki Shirogane was clearly stunned.
"Don't ask. Do you have any scissors? I want to do a quick trim."
"Eh!? That would be such a waste!!"
Just as Shirogane opened a drawer to look for scissors, Fujiwara Chika suddenly jumped in, casually walking up to Takamine and rubbing his hair.
"This length is perfect! It really brings out Takamine-kun's beauty~" Fujiwara said with a grin. "Ehehe~ A beautiful boy... I never realized Takamine-kun had such a wonderful trait!"
"Stop talking nonsense."
Takamine slapped Fujiwara's hand away, clearly annoyed.
"Aw, is Takamine-kun really going to change this hairstyle?" said Shinomiya Kaguya from the couch, sipping tea with a smile. "It really suits you."
"Coming from you, it somehow makes me even more irritated."
Takamine sat down nearby and asked Shirogane, who was working at his desk, "President, does the student council have any events lately?"
"No, nothing right now. I plan to pause all student council activities for the next three days," Shirogane replied.
"Huh? Why?"
"Because the midterms are in three days. I don't want anyone's studies affected by student council duties," Shirogane said solemnly.
"Impressive," Takamine praised. "So thoughtful toward your fellow members."
"Naturally."
But this was a lie.
Miyuki Shirogane was only thinking about himself. Suspending council duties was a way to clear time for his own review sessions.
As the top student in the second year without any powerful background, grades were all he had. He absolutely could not afford to lose that number one spot.
"Still, as long as you normally study, exams shouldn't be a problem," Takamine smiled.
"I think so too," Shirogane agreed. "So don't try any last-minute cramming. I stopped reviewing a week ago—this break is for your benefit."
Another lie.
This man had been staying up late for the past two weeks, cramming hard, and now even stopped council work to buy more time.
"Speaking of which, Takamine, did you study during your suspension? Don't get a red mark."
"Oh, I didn't review at all. I spent every day playing The Forest with Ishigami."
That was the truth.
From his suspension until now, Takamine hadn't even taken his textbooks out of his bag—his days were literally just eating, sleeping, and gaming.