"Huh?!"

"You're saying I'm fired?!"

Shumi Kojima shrieked in her shrill voice, incredulous as she shouted in the principal's office.

Besides them sat a stern middle-aged man, head down, absorbed in his phone.

But Shumi barely noticed him.

She'd been happily gossiping in the staff room when someone abruptly informed her of her dismissal.

An awkward silence had fallen over the office.

Furious, she stormed to confront Eiko Sakurai.

"On what grounds are you firing me?!"

Eiko didn't flinch. She simply leaned back slightly, as if avoiding spittle.

Her elegant smile remained composed and calm.

"This decision followed discussions by the school leadership."

"We believe, Ms. Kojima, you're unfit to be a dedicated teacher at Light Private High School. Your employment ends today."

Eiko stated matter-of-factly, but Shumi refused to accept it.

"You can't fire me without reason!"

"I'll sue you for this!"

Shumi's face twisted in rage, teeth gritted.

At her age, fired from Light, what job would take her?

Eiko let out a light scoff, as if at a joke, but her eyes held no amusement.

Smiling, she explained the dismissal reasons.

"Ms. Kojima, your conduct has been highly inappropriate. Many students and teachers reported you."

"Moreover, judicial authorities may need to handle your case."

Eiko pulled a pen-shaped device from her drawer.

Shumi's face paled instantly.

A voice recorder?

Click. Eiko switched it on.

[Recording:]

"Seriously scary!"

"Just thinking about it makes me want to vomit!"

"I stayed late grading homework and saw that disgusting thing!"

"..."

A woman's shrill voice spilled from the recorder.

She rambled about the corpse inside the sculpture.

Click. Eiko paused it.

She kept the recorder out, still smiling professionally, gaze emotionless.

"You signed a confidentiality agreement with the school, didn't you?"

"Ms. Kojima, you breached it voluntarily."

"Per the agreement, judicial authorities will handle this."

Eiko's smile now carried a hint of cruelty.

But she wasn't done.

Click. The recorder played again.

After static crackled, a new recording started.

"Let me tell you about Yukiho Doi from second year..."

"She looks like some rich heiress, but I know from special sources her family was poor!"

"So pretty, getting into Light... must've slept with many men to afford it!"

"..."

Shumi's face changed instantly.

That was exactly what she'd said that afternoon!

Someone had set her up!

"Yukiho Doi's excellence is evident to all."

"She excels academically, treats everyone politely, and carries herself with grace and beauty."

Eiko's smile turned sharp.

"Ms. Kojima, spreading vile rumors about a good student—do you deserve to be a teacher?"

"This will also be reported to judicial authorities."

Shumi glared furiously at Eiko, rage consuming her.

Since her hiring, she'd envied Eiko.

Only a few years younger, yet Eiko looked decades younger, radiant...

While Shumi was just a lowly teacher, Eiko held the powerful principal position...

Hmph, who knew what shady connections got her there.

Shumi's relative had been vice-principal for over twenty years, yet still just that...

How did Eiko, a newcomer, become principal?

Though Eiko had proven her leadership skills.

But Shumi despised her anyway.

Even though she couldn't match her in any way.

The school bell rang faintly in the distance.

Students' voices gradually filled the quiet campus.

Occasional cat meows mixed in, bringing vibrancy to Light Private High School.

"Judicial authorities will contact you, Ms. Kojima, regarding compensation for Yukiho's mental distress."

Eiko twirled the recorder on her finger, then tucked it away.

Shumi's face turned green with anger. Why was everyone protecting Yukiho?!

She was about to storm out when familiar voices approached the door.

Her eyes lit up.

A knock came. After Eiko said "Come in," the door swung open.

A portly middle-aged man entered, smiling ingratiatingly.

Seeing Shumi, his smile froze, replaced by a stiff expression.

Shumi, about to ask for support, noticed two girls behind him.

A girl with an angelic face peeked in, her light golden hair shimmering like a fallen angel.

She scanned the four people in the office, a flicker of pleasure in her eyes as she squinted.

"Principal Sakurai, I wanted to invite Yukiho to go shopping today~"

"She might be back a bit late~"

Hachisu Inori's sweet voice echoed in the office.

Eiko ignored Shumi, nodding approvingly at the girls.

"Be safe, and come back early."

Hearing this, Yukiho Doi leaned in.

She brushed her stray hair behind her ear, revealing her exquisite profile.

She smiled sweetly at Eiko.

"Okay, thanks, Mom~"

Then, she gave a stunned Shumi a faint smile, and before closing the door, shot her a meaningful glance...

The door shut.

Shumi's face turned sickly green.

She hadn't misheard—Yukiho called Eiko "Mom"?

That completely debunked her rumors!

That vicious woman had set her up!

She looked pleadingly at the portly man.

It was fine—he was her vice-principal relative!

He'd been at Light long before Eiko was even playing in the mud!

Eiko saw Shumi's intent. She leaned back casually, gazing at the man.

"Vice-Principal Kojima, if I recall, Ms. Shumi Kojima is your relative?"

"Are you here to plead for her?"

Eiko pulled out the recorder again, twirling it nonchalantly, the motion exerting silent pressure.

"Relative? Principal Sakurai, you must be joking!"

"Ms. Kojima and I just share a surname. No relation at all!"

The man's face changed instantly. Cold sweat beaded on his back as he distanced himself.

Shumi's face turned ashen. Just days ago, they'd been "chatting happily"! Now he denied her?!

"I just remembered an urgent matter. Excuse me, Principal Sakurai."

He avoided their gazes, laughing awkwardly as he fled the office.

He'd survived as vice-principal by knowing when to yield!

This betrayal made Shumi tremble with rage, glaring at Eiko, ready to curse her out—when the stern man stood up.

"What do you want?!" Shumi shrank back instinctively.

The man pulled out an ID, flipping it open.

"I'm Izuke Kato from the Metropolitan Police's First Investigation Division. Ms. Kojima, come with me to explain your whereabouts last night..."

Kato's gaze sharpened.

Shumi's legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees.