Ttangttangi’s Friend

“Why are you making such a disgusted face, Teacher? If you look at me like that, I’ll get hurt.”

“Ah. Sorry…”

“Just kidding. I know it’d piss me off too if someone said I looked like them.”

“…”

You’re terrible at joking around.

I thought I understood that Eileen wasn’t accustomed to social interactions.

But apparently, I was being a bit arrogant.

…How am I supposed to react to a joke like that?

Whether I agree or disagree, the atmosphere will get awkward.

You socially inept brat. I’ll fix you up good.

I resolved myself.

“What, wasn’t it funny?”

“To be honest… No. It was terrible.”

“Oops. Sorry, Teacher. I’m not great with social skills.”

Eileen scratched her head awkwardly with a bitter smile.

Seems she’s at least self-aware.

Having had few social interactions since childhood would do that.

…Her family? Her father was cursed to wander, and her mother died giving birth to her.

She had a nanny, but… Maybe because she wasn’t her real child? I remember reading descriptions that she wasn’t particularly kind. There was never a chance to develop social skills.

Perfect timing then. We’re talking about social skills.

“Aren’t you underestimating yourself too much?”

“Nope. I know myself well, Teacher. I’m still speaking casually to a teacher, aren’t I?”

“Uh, well…”

…So many students use casual speech that I stopped caring. Stella does it, Orca does it.

Even stuck-up noble kids naturally speak down to me sometimes…

But saying that would make things awkward.

I decided to stay quiet.

“You might not mind because you seem nice, Teacher, but everyone tells me to watch my speech.”

“If you know that, why not fix it?”

“Too bothersome. Don’t wanna.”

“…”

Right, that’s the problem.

Among Playable Characters, who needs hypnosis the most?

First place is Orca. Because of Haze, she’s an incomparably dangerous bomb.

Forcing Haze into dormancy is the only way for her to be happy. No choice there.

Second place? I can answer with absolute confidence.

The girl before me. Eileen. No one else.

“…If you know it’s a problem, why not try fixing it?”

“No. I’m fine living like this. I don’t want to interact with anyone anyway.”

“But you’re talking to me right now.”

“That’s… a whim. You said I give off similar vibes – someone who doesn’t want to do anything.”

“…”

How does she even notice things like that?

I can’t really deny it.

Saving students is something I want to do. Everything else is… well, extremely bothersome.

Once I’m sure everyone gets their happy ending, I’ll quit this Academy immediately, collect severance pay from Principal-nim, and live off that forever.

I was certain Principal-nim would give me a generous package.

“Plus, like I said earlier, I know myself. I don’t want to change, and even if I did, I couldn’t put in the effort.”

She really knows herself well.

Leo will grow well through various experiences. Orca just needs her demon suppressed so she doesn’t go down a bad path.

Stella needs to naturally interact with students to learn to trust others.

Anastasia… is already complete personality-wise, but her issues stem from relationships. Just make her realize her family is truly dead.

But Eileen? Probably the most mentally stuck among Playable Characters.

Lacking social experience means frequent criticism.

…Yet despite knowing this, she refuses to change. Because it’s bothersome.

And she knows better than anyone that she won’t change.

She’s fallen into lethargy – can’t and won’t do anything.

Someone who’s let go of everything… just drifting through life.

If not chosen as Playable Character, she keeps drifting until randomly dying during another character’s story.

Even when caught in incidents, she doesn’t resist. Just goes with the flow. Even if it means her death.

“Listen, Eileen. I’m the Counselor Teacher.”

“…? I know.”

“And from my perspective… you seem to need treatment.”

“Want me to get treated? No thanks. Too bothersome.”

“No, I want to propose a contract.”

“Contract?”

Haze and I made a contract.

Where the winner takes everything from the loser.

But that wasn’t a contract. Just a bet disguised as one.

The demon tried to take everything and toy with me, but only lost its demonic nature.

This time, it’s a real contract. Well, more like a promise since it’s not with a demon.

I called it a contract because… she’d obviously break a mere promise.

“Be honest, Eileen. Cutting through walls to hide in empty spaces is bothersome, right?”

“…Not really.”

“Must be cold between walls. Quite dusty too. Too dark. You can spend time here, but it’s uncomfortable. Cutting and repairing walls every time must be annoying.”

“…”

“I have the perfect excuse for someone like you.”

“Ex…excuse?”

Got her.

This place is too unpleasant for resting.

Dirty, dark, uncomfortable, echoes… Not smelly, but cramped between walls.

Good for avoiding people, but not a good hideout.

I targeted that weakness. Thankfully, Eileen started listening intently.

“Yes, an excuse. A legitimate way to skip… I mean, miss classes.”

“That’s the contract?”

“Exactly.”

…This feels weird.

Using “contract” makes me sound like a shady adult luring a student.

No, it’s not luring… It’s guiding her to become better.

“So? What’s this contract? I hate bothersome things.”

“I know. But you’ll love this contract. Promise.”

“Keep talking like that – what if I don’t like it?”

“Don’t worry. The terms are great.”

“…Sounds suspicious.”

Tch. I said they’re good terms.

“The contract is simple: Receive regular counseling from me. That’s all.”

“What? Forgot what I said? I hate bothersome things.”

“That’s why I’m proposing this.”

“…?”

“With me as your excuse, you can easily skip classes, right?”

“…!”

Right.

Teachers wouldn’t let students skip classes without reason.

Not just Academy teachers – any school’s teachers.

But with a legitimate excuse?

Like… needing regular counseling sessions with the Academy Counselor.

“You’ve probably heard rumors – the counseling room facilities are quite… no, very good.”

“Y-yeah. Even nobles were impressed…”

“Beds, game consoles, snacks, drinks… pretty much everything.”

“…Gulp.”

“Nobody can complain if you go to counseling. Especially with mental health issues… Recent events make this even more believable.”

“…!”

“How long does counseling last?… Even I don’t know. Ten hours? Thirty minutes? Ten minutes?”

Would she let such a sweet deal slip?

No way.

Having heard this, she can’t stop imagining.

Napping on comfortable beds while snacking.

She’s already half convinced.

“J-just one question.”

“Ask away.”

“This only benefits me. What do you get from this?”

…Benefits.

Saying “correcting you through counseling” won’t convince her. Need an answer she’ll accept.

“I benefit too?”

“…How?”

“Like you said earlier, I also don’t want to do anything. Using your counseling as an excuse lets me rest too.”

Exactly.

If students claim mental distress after recent events, I must continue counseling.

Then I won’t need to dodge other teachers.

A win-win.

A strategy making both Eileen and me happy.

“Well? Convinced?”

“…Perfect. Okay, Teacher.”

Eileen and I shook hands, smiling.

The birth of hooky-playing comrades.