Mairimashita: Iruma-kun! - Trapped

Mairimashita: Iruma-kun! - Trapped, part 1

Mairimashita: Iruma-kun! - Trapped, part 1

Babylus meeting room, after school, the misfits' second year...

Most of the senior staff were present and deadly silent. At one end of the long table was Dali-sensei, the only demon present without an obvious grimace toward the other end of the seated teachers. 

Everyone seemed to stare into their folded hands as they waited for the meeting to proceed. The air was thick with tension, almost like anxious fangs, and all pointed at the young teacher that sat across from Dali - Bars Robin.

The normally high-spirited demon wasn't entirely certain why he was in the proverbial hot seat, but it was clear that he had done something terribly wrong.

The door creaked open then closed as the final two participants entered the room. Kalego held an armful of papers and sent his kouhai a nasty look as Balam ushered him by.

The duo took their seats and the papers were handed to Dali for inspection. 

Kalego was in a foul mood to be sure. Even Momonoki-sensei was too nervous to look at him any longer than a passing glance.

The rest of gathered staff sent sideways glares toward Robin as they waited for Dali to speak. As their leader read the reports he'd been given, his expression shifted to something rather grim, almost angry.

Finally he sighed in disappointment as he set his papers down. Looking squarely at Robin, he seemed to be judging the younger teacher's every reaction.

"Robin-sensei...", he uttered.

Robin stiffened at the chilling, accusatory tone in his boss's voice. Nervously staring at his hands, balled up tightly upon his lap, he took a steady breath. Whatever this was about, he would face it head on.

"I was pretty surprised when this ugly little rumor started, but with all of this evidence, I have to ask - What were you even thinking?", began Dali.

All eyes sharpened as he spoke. Everyone, but Balam anyway. He looked more disappointed than anything. Did he believe the rumor, too, or was he holding out to judge Robin himself? Either way, his bloodline would put a spotlight on the truth.

Still, poor Bars had no idea what this was even about. There had been no warnings, no call from angry parents, not even a word from their beloved principal, who was noticeably absent. So why was he here?

Becoming even more serious, Dali slowly stood up. Leaning upon his hands on the table for emphasis, he reminded everyone of their duty.

"We are teachers of Babylus and we are oath-bound to nurture and protect the greatest treasure the netherworld has to offer - our students. They always come first no matter how we feel about them on a personal level", he said pointedly.

The students? That's what this was about? Robin's thoughts raced as he searched his memories, trying desperately to find a shred of anything he'd done wrong involving the youths under his care. Yet nothing came to mind, not even a disagreement over a grade.

Still, whatever it was about, he was sure to face punishment from both the school and his clan regarding the dishonor should he be found guilty. 

The thought of a livid Bachiko was enough to make him shiver, but the image of their angry president was even scarier. Just what had he supposedly done???

Then the muttering started…

"Look at him. White as sheet. He's guilty."
"We don't know that yet for certain."
"I think he looks more frightened than guilty."
"Of course he is! He got caught!"

"Silence", demanded Kalego. His icy tone immediately ceased all chatter.

Dali hid an exasperated grin, but at least he had the room again.

"Robin-kun, I'm going to be honest with you. You're here because I've received multiple reports of you committing the heinous and vile act of having an illicit relationship with a student", stated Dali.

Every ounce of color drained from Robin's face. It couldn't be...

"I would never  - !", he blurted, actually angry for a change, surprising his colleagues. He'd been so adamant that he'd slammed his palms on the table in rage as his chair slid behind him from his abrupt shift to standing.

Beside him, Momonoki sat startled. She'd never seen him angry before. Still, this was a very serious matter and it simply had to be resolved.

"Who would even...?", uttered Robin, completely crushed that anyone would make such a wild accusation. He was so livid, tears started forming as he shook in anger. 

He was angry alright, but his voice sounded terribly sad that his colleagues would even conjure up such a tale.

"Sit down", ordered Kalego. He was the only demon who didn't glare daggers at him, which was unusual. Sure, he was irritated, but that was normal at least.

Then it dawned on the younger teacher. Were his senpai and Balam-sensei actually there to defend him?

Swallowing his emotions, Robin returned to his seat. Kalego and Balam were his only hope.

After a moment of collective silence, Balam quietly leaned forward and stared into Robin's very soul.

"Robin-kun, is this true? Are you having an inappropriate relationship with a student?", he asked calmly and clearly.

He was using his buzzer ability. The truth would come out.

Swallowing hard, Robin sent him a steely gaze.

"No", he said, his voice defiant yet loud enough to be heard across the entire table.

Furcas, Marbas, Orias, Momonoki and the others all stared with bated breath. What would Balam say?

Shichiro narrowed his eyes as he looked upon his young, angry kouhai. Finally, he sent Dali a quiet nod. Bars was telling the truth.

A collective sigh of relief passed through the room. Kalego, however, sat with a small, smug grin on his face. He'd known the rumor was false all along. Robin was dumb, but not that dumb. There was simply no way his kouhai would fraternize with a minor.

Dali visibly relaxed as he sat back down. He was finally smiling again.

"Now that that's out of the way, we can focus on finding the source of these rumors before they spread to the student body", he said, completely relieved.

Thus, the investigation began to clear Robin's name.

To be continued…