The insult broadcast caused some big problems.
The teachers stopped the CD shortly after we left, but it was already too late.
Who knew how many people had overheard that damning recording? Even a few minutes were more than enough. The students were in an uproar, and the visitors were terrified.
The festival ended on an ominous note.
The next day, we came in to clean up, and the faculty had dramatically altered their behavior. Every single teacher was speaking politely, clearly watching what they said.
“Attention, everyone. The festival broadcast is still under investigation. If any third parties ask you about the incident, please refrain from commenting.”
Our homeroom teacher was trying to silence us, but rumors were flying among the students.
“That was Furukawa, right? The math teacher?”
“The Board of Education’s involved. He might get fired.”
Because the festival had been restored to its former glory, the attack had affected a lot more people outside the school.
These were solid results. Like we’d hoped, our attack had struck home.
Despite that, I spent the morning craving a smoke.
We finished cleanup, and when we were done, I swung by the Stargazing Club room. It was empty except for a table and two folding chairs. I stood inside, all alone.
“…Kurumi,” I whispered, but no answer came.
After our jump from the roof, we’d successfully escaped. The school had no idea we did it—the best possible ending.
…And yet Kurumi had already dropped out, and that wasn’t going to change.
If I’d worked out how I really felt sooner, maybe things would have been different. Maybe we could have changed this school before Kurumi withdrew.
“Oh, Natsume! You’re here early.”
As I stood, lost in thought, a voice called out to me from behind.
I swung around and froze.
I wasn’t hearing things. This was no hallucination. Kurumi was standing there, in uniform, her gray hair hidden.
“…Kurumi? How are you here? Didn’t you drop out?”
“Huh? Where’d you hear that? I still haven’t filed the paperwork.”
“Wait. But you haven’t been to school since—”
“Yeah, I played hooky to avoid running into you.”
What?! I guess Tanaka never actually said that Kurumi dropped out…
“But summer vacation starts tomorrow! You said you’d be gone before that.”
“Oh, I guess I did. But I’ve decided to put it off for a while.” Kurumi blushed a bit and rubbed her nose. “I figured if I’ve got you by my side, Natsume, it might be worth sticking around.”
“Okay, then. Right. I see.”
“Now, don’t you go reading too much into that. I might be sticking around, but I have no intention of taking my studies seriously. I’m gonna spend the whole time enacting nasty, petty little revenge plots.” She thumped her chest, a very smug look on her face. “All’s well that ends badly. That’ll be the first line in our Book of Revelation!”
“…You’ve lost me. Maybe tone down the cringe.”
“Oh yeah?! Like you aren’t the king of pretentious nonsense.”
Kurumi let her gray hair free and donned her newsboy cap before plopping into a folding chair.
“The teachers sure changed their tune fast!” she said.
“They sure did. Their jobs might be on the line, and everyone’s nervous.”
“Excellent. I’m stoked it turned into such a big deal. Should we celebrate our success?”
“I’m in. Wanna make a snack run?”
Kurumi hummed, then pointed at her lips.
“I’m more in the mood for dark chocolate.”
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
“That’s what I wanna know!”
She shot me a glare. How long was she gonna hold that line against me? Not that I really cared.
I leaned down, tilted her head back, and kissed her.
“…Mm. Smooch… Slurp… Mmph…”
We started slow and gradually got more into it. Our lips were glued together as our tongues rubbed and we swapped spit.
“…Gasp! Heh-heh.”
After making out for a few minutes, Kurumi flashed me a mean grin.
“Natsume, since we’re both here, should we plot our next attack?”
“Yeah, okay. Next time, I wanna change this school for good.”
We were fighting back and making out.
Our vengeance was as bitter as it was sweet…and it wasn’t over yet.