A Girl's Turmoil

Chapter 24 - Joint School Competition

"That's what happened?"

"Well... that's pretty much the gist of it."

"Right."

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was expecting a convoluted explanation from you. Not a simple one."

"What can I say about it? The whole affair has been straight as an arrow for Sakurako, as far as I can remember."

It is early in the morning, much earlier in the morning. By this point of the day, students have come to school, though not as many as of current. The peaceful yet liminal school atmosphere was too trivial to consider a busy school day. A teacher and a couple of student councils committee are already present at the gate to greet the oncoming students. Of course, many of the students who came, while they put their stuff in class, shifted their focus for the food stalls and other knick-knacks and final decorations for the opening of the joint school competition.

As was the case with Nishigaki, had she not been informed that Shiba is coming over early to school for an explanation. The halls within the building's perimeter are empty, 'course finds comfort of privacy when they are inside the unused chemical laboratory. Shiba had been spooked by the spot at first but found herself relieved that Nishigaki isn't up to anything good, well, isn't up to making other inventions. The door had been locked behind them to prevent persona non grata from overhearing by accident.

"So after meeting you for the first time," Nishigaki explained. "You told her to come back for a little training. And she did, so you can teach her how to shoot a gun. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's right."

Nishigaki stares at her for a moment, and then she shakes her head. "How could you drag her into doing something like this, Shiba?"

Shiba shrugs with a defeated look. "I do not have an excuse."

"I don't accept that answer," Nishigaki sternly replied. "Just- how could you?"

"I understand that you are upset with me," Shiba replied with her head bowed. "But I already know that girl is persistent the moment I stare into her eyes."

"You didn't even tell her to stop!" Nishigaki retorted.

"She infiltrated my illegal establishment and almost stole a gun from me," Shiba reasoned, swaying her arm wide to the left. "And I need to add. She had already killed people before she came to me. How do you know Sakurako can stop herself from treading herself deeper into that path?"

Nishigaki holds her hips, and Shiba adds. "I tried to convince her before. She won't budge."

"Well, didn't you try to force her?" Nishigaki asked.

"W-what the hell kind of person do you think I am?" Shiba asked, staring preposterously at her. "I don't even know how to force kids the way you expect me to do."

"Ah, right, you're a gun dealer who has no problem giving anyone a gun they don't deserve," Nishigaki sighed. "I never thought I'd be saying that casually."

"Do you know other comfortable ways to put that out?" Shiba sarcastically asked.

"So, Sakurako is working dirty for you?"

"Well... at a point, per se."

"What do you mean by that point?"

"If what you're referring that she's working as another criminal, then no," Shiba explained, wrapping her arms around her chest. "However, I do admit that I helped her get jobs put out by members of the authorities and civilians alike. Akin to a bounty hunter, you could say."