Katsura Kotonoha remained silent for a long while before finally letting out the question she had been holding in.
"Kawashima-sensei... actually, I saw a girl leaving your apartment this morning. I think you should be more careful. If the other faculty members saw that, they might get the wrong idea."
"The wrong idea?" Kawashima Toya looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Why would they? Saionji-san just stayed the night because of an emergency. It's not like we were filming a soap opera."
"Wait, so... nothing happened?"
For some reason, Kotonoha felt a sudden surge of relief. The heavy knot that had formed in her chest that morning vanished instantly. She didn't doubt his words for a second.
Toya let out a dry laugh.
"I'm a teacher. I wouldn't do something so reckless. Besides, Katsura-san, instead of worrying about trivial gossip, you should focus on being a bit more firm. Don't let yourself be so vulnerable."
"In school, bullying usually follows a simple pattern: the strong target the weak, or the group picks on the individual. If you remain passive, you're just inviting it."
Kotonoha's expression dimmed. "I've... I've already gotten used to it."
"Can you really endure it forever?" Toya asked tonelessly.
"What happens when you finally reach your limit? What will you do then?"
In his memories of various stories, a "snapped" Katsura Kotonoha was a force to be reckoned with.
With her top-tier swordsmanship, she could easily crush anyone her own age. If she ever lost control and picked up a real blade, she could likely solo every antagonist in this school.
"..." Kotonoha remained silent, seemingly terrified of the day that threshold might be crossed.
"Earlier, with my intervention, Kato-san and her group showed some improvement," Toya continued.
"But what about the others? Katsura-san, try to be brave—not just for your own sake, but to prevent the bullies from ruining their own lives by pushing you too far."
He didn't want to see a gentle girl driven to self-destruction or a massacre.
Toya suddenly remembered something and grabbed a wooden sword that had been left in the corner of the infirmary. He placed it beside her.
"Take this. As long as you don't actually kill anyone, I'll handle the fallout for you."
Kotonoha stared at the wooden sword, her silence deepening. Toya didn't push further. He pulled out his phone and resumed his game.
When the period ended and the bell for the next class rang, Kotonoha finally moved.
She didn't say a word, but as she left the room, she took the wooden sword with her. She had made her choice: she would no longer be a silent victim.
That's more like it, Toya thought, watching her retreat.
If things get messy, I'll step in. With a bit of legal maneuvering, I can keep her in the clear.
While browsing the system shop earlier, he had spotted a skill called Silver-Tongued Outlaw.
It was cheap—only a hundred Origin Points. If Kotonoha followed through with her resolve, he was confident he could shield her from the consequences.
.....
That afternoon, a message reached Toya shortly after lunch.
A newly resolute Katsura Kotonoha had taken the wooden sword and beaten a group of bullies until they could barely crawl.
The entire student had witnessed the spectacle. Only then did they realize that the quiet, introverted daughter of a wealthy family was actually a terrifyingly skilled combatant.
A single girl had single-handedly taken out seven students with ease.
Time for my entrance.
Toya didn't buy the Silver-Tongued Outlaw skill immediately; he decided to assess the scene first. If he could resolve this with his current standing, there was no need to waste points.
When Toya arrived at the school cafeteria, he saw Kotonoha standing in the center of a crowd.
She held the wooden sword with a calm, almost serene expression. Around her, seven students were collapsed on the floor, groaning in pain.
Toya was internally surprised.
She's actually that strong?
He had underestimated her. She had neutralized seven aggressors without a single scratch on her uniform. Seeing Toya arrive, Kotonoha's calm eyes flickered with a faint glimmer of hope.
Will he stand by me? Or will he give me a lecture about 'violence not being the answer'?
At that moment, the girl's heart was a whirlwind of anxiety. Toya spared a brief, cold glance at the students on the floor before walking straight to Kotonoha.
"Katsura-san, are you hurt?"
"No," she replied, looking directly at him. Her heart swelled with relief.
He really is on my side.
Toya gave her a reassuring nod before turning to the other teachers who had rushed to the scene.
"Teachers, could someone explain the situation?"
"Kawashima-sensei, surely you aren't intending to defend her?" The other faculty members noticed Toya's obvious bias, though some looked on with secret admiration.
They were just ordinary employees who feared for their jobs and didn't want to get involved in "troublesome" matters.
"I'll handle the explanation," a female teacher said, pulling Toya aside. She recounted the entire event, confirming that all seven students on the ground were known for harassing Kotonoha.
"I see. I understand perfectly." Toya turned back to the seven groaning students. "The ambulance is on its way. Please endure it for now. When the authorities arrive for your statements, make sure you tell the truth."
He understood why the other teachers wouldn't speak up. But Toya didn't care about his "career."
He was a temporary substitute; once his quest was finished, he would be gone anyway. If he could ensure Kotonoha had a peaceful environment before he left, it was worth the trouble.
Ten minutes later, school security and officials arrived. Toya and Kotonoha gave their statements privately.
Given the victims' terrible reputations and the clear history of harassment, the investigation quickly leaned in Kotonoha's favor.
The matter was resolved swiftly. The seven students were ordered to apologize to Kotonoha upon their discharge. With Toya acting as her guarantor, Kotonoha faced no disciplinary action.
.....
As the school day ended, Toya was packing his things when he found Kotonoha waiting outside the infirmary. She bowed deeply.
"Kawashima-sensei, thank you so much."
"For what?" Toya asked with a light laugh. "You made the decision yourself. You don't need to thank me."
Kotonoha shook her head. "If it weren't for you, Sensei, I would have stayed a victim forever. Thanks to your guidance, I can finally focus on my studies without fear."
"I'll accept your thanks, then," Toya said with a smile. "Now, can you let me through? I'd like to head home."
"I'm sorry!" Kotonoha apologized softly, her shy demeanor returning. There was no trace of the girl who had single-handedly taken out seven people.
Toya walked toward the exit at a leisurely pace, with Kotonoha following a short distance behind.
"Katsura-san, is there something else?"
Kotonoha's face turned bright red.
"Kawashima-sensei, I... I'd like to treat you to a meal as a token of my gratitude. Please don't misunderstand—I know a single meal isn't enough to repay your kindness, but..."
In her panic, she stumbled over her words, her face flushing even deeper until she trailed off into silence.