Lesson Learned

Just don't panic

"Seriously?" He crossed his arms. "What happened to 100 yen a pack?"

Her smile grew. "Well, apparently my pens are curse-free, so gotta pay extra."

Sugaya was almost smiling, but his eyes widened in surprise when they noticed something behind her. "Uh..."

Mitsuko frowned. "What—?"

"Ah, Mistuko, there you are."

She stiffened, feeling her insides recoil. When she turned around the Principal was there, smiling politely at them both.

"Why are you here?" Mitsuko blurted out, stepping in front of Sugaya.

The Principal looked down at her passively. "Why, paying my respect of course." His smile grew "I happen to desire a short discussion with your new teacher."

Mitsuko tightened her hold on the bag strap. "He's busy talking to a student."

"Well, in that case, I'll wait in the teachers' lounge until he's finished," he replied pleasantly. "Perhaps you could show me? It's been a while since I've been."

Her gaze narrowed.

Bullshit

Then the Principal's smile sharpened. "Unless..." His gaze wandered over to Sugaya. "You're busy?"

"No," she said quickly, trying to block Sugaya out of view when she fully turned to her father. "I'm not. Goodbye, Sugaya."

Sugaya didn't move. "Uh, are you sure?"

"Just go already," she said coldly, keeping her gaze locked on the Principal. "And keep the stupid pen."

There was a short pause until she heard Sugaya walk away.

The Principal's lips curled faintly in amusement as her glare intensified.

"This way, sir," she said stiffly, walking passed him.

He followed behind her with well traced steps. "He seemed like a nice boy."

Mitsuko swallowed thickly, letting out a carefully measure breath as she walked ahead. "He just wanted to borrow a pen."

The Principal hummed, walking alongside her. "Well, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"You weren't." She gritted her teeth and stopped in front of the teachers' lounge. "After you."

He smiled and slid the door open. "Hello, there!" he greeted brightly.

Mitsuko peaked around him and saw Bitch-sensei and Mr Karasuma sitting at their desks.

She scowled. "Great..."

"Who are you?" Bitch-sensei frowned, standing up.

"Asano Gakuhou, the Principal of this school," he replied politely, shaking her hand.

Mitsuko followed the Principal inside and closed the door behind her.

"Oh." Bitch-sensei glanced at Mr Karasuma who was scrutinising the Principal. "I'm Irina Jelavic..."

"A pleasure." The Principal walked over to the desk and casually sat himself down in the chair. "I came here to have a short chat with...Koro-sensei is it?" He glanced at Mitsuko who nodded. "Yes. I thought it was rather overdue."

Mitsuko edged to the corner of the room, trying to stay out of sight.

"I have to say, we weren't expecting you," Mr Karasuma said lightly.

The Principal smiled placidly. "Well, it was quite an impromptu visit." He surveyed the room briefly until his gaze stopped on the Rubix cube resting on the desk. "But I have been meaning to stop by." He picked up the cube. "I hope Mitsuko hasn't been too much of a hassle for you."