"Why did you go silent all of a sudden?"
"N-no, I'll definitely do my sumr howork…" Rinji said, sweating bullets.
"That's great to hear," Kaya said with a smile. Then her tone turned icy. "You haven't even opened your howork book, have you?"
"O-of course I have."
"You haven't done it, have you, Rinji?"
"…"
After a mont of silence, Rinji replied flatly, "Aunt Kaya, why does sumr howork even exist? Isn't sumr break ant to give students ti off? Howork defeats the whole purpose."
"Knew it. You didn't do it."
Kaya sighed.
"Sumr howork is to enrich students' break ti and help them review and fill knowledge gaps."
"Aunt Kaya, I'm ranked number two in our grade. Can't I skip howork?"
"Nope. Even if you were dead last, you'd still have to do it. If you don't finish it before school starts…"
Gulp.
Hearing her voice from the phone, Rinji swallowed hard.
"I'll tell your mother."
"You're a demon!!"
"There's no helping it. Your mom told you when you ca to Japan—you're to listen to ." Kaya said calmly. "There's no point telling your idiot dad. It's more effective to talk to your mother."
"You'd resort to snitching like that?"
"Watch your tone. It's called a 'ho visit.' As your teacher, I have an obligation to communicate with your guardians," she said. "I don't care if you're a lieutenant in IW's Middle East operations, the founder's son, or a mass murderer with countless bodies on your hands. Right now, you're a high school student, and you will do your howork."
"…"
"That's all. Don't let down, Rinji." Kaya suddenly smiled. "Getting a girlfriend is sothing to celebrate. Don't forget to tell your parents the good news."
Beep—
Call ended.
Rinji's face was already drenched in sweat.
Reporting to his mom… was that even sothing a human being would do?
His mother wasn't scary—in fact, she was practically perfect, never once scolding him growing up. But sohow… Rinji always turned into the perfect little boy around her, getting nervous even if she showed the slightest hint of disappointnt.
As for his dad? Rinji's favorite pasti was dunking on him every chance he got.
"What's wrong, Rinji?"
Karura looked up, her big black eyes full of concern.
"Oh, nothing… I just forgot to do my howork."
Staring at his phone, Rinji began thinking of a solution.
Do it himself? Too much trouble. Copy soone else's? But who?
Miyuki and Momo were both second-years—their assignnts were different. Among the first-years… Iino Miko? No way she'd let him copy, that rule-abiding stickler.
Which left…
"Hello?"
"Hey, Ishigami, I need a favor—"
"Ah, Rinji, perfect timing," Ishigami said cheerfully. "I've got a favor to ask too."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Did you finish your sumr howork? Let copy it."
"…Ishigami, that's just wrong."
Rinji suddenly spoke with deep conviction.
"Sumr howork should be completed independently. It's ant to enrich students' break and help review class content."
"…That… kinda makes sense."
Realizing there was no way he could get Rinji's howork, Ishigami sighed in disappointnt.
"Right, what were you calling about?"
"How much of your howork have you done? Lend a copy."
"Did you just throw your own words out the window!?"
"Yup."
"You admitted it without sha…"
Ishigami sighed again, looking at the room full of ga consoles, DVDs, and the untouched stack of howork on his desk.
"Looks like… neither of us did it."
"Yup, we're dood." Rinji groaned. "Ishigami, do you know any other first-years we could borrow from?"
"You know it too, don't you? I don't really have friends in class."
"What a coincidence. I don't either."
"…"
"…"
The situation hit a deadlock.
"Think, think… Is there any way to solve this… hmm? Maybe there is."
Rinji suddenly rembered soone.
Back when Momo sent him to the casino to deal with a girl from the private Hyakkaou Academy—her na was... Jabami Yuko. She lost a huge amount of money to him, and until she repaid every cent, she had to obey his every command. She was essentially his slave.
But until now, he had completely forgotten about her. It was ti to make use of her again.
He hung up on Ishigami, opened LINE, found Jabami Yuko, and started a voice call.
Before long, the call connected.
"Hello? Rinji-kun, you finally rembered ?"
On the other end was Yuko's cheerful voice. She didn't seem at all bothered that her creditor was calling.
"Shut up. Got the money ready yet?"
"Almost. I think I'll be able to pay it all back with interest in another two months," she laughed.
"Good. By the way, have you enrolled yet?"
"Not yet. Since I lost to you, I'll be starting after sumr break." Yuko giggled. "So, what can I do for you this ti? No matter what it is, I'll do as you command."
"That's what I like to hear. Do my howork."
"Hmm?"
"First-year sumr howork. You should be able to handle it, right? Do it for ."
"Sure thing."
Yuko was montarily surprised but quickly agreed.
"But my grades in academics aren't that great. Is it okay if I get a bunch wrong?"
"That's fine… wait."
Rinji suddenly realized—he was ranked second in the entire grade. If the howork had too many mistakes, it would be suspicious. Then...
"And the handwriting would be different too. Aren't you worried the teacher might notice?"
"Forget it. You're useless now. Get lost."
"Such a cruel evaluation."
He hung up and let out a long sigh.
Looks like he'd have to write it himself after all.
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