Love Equation

CHAPTER 3.1 - Conspire

The last bell rang, echoing through the hallways, indicating the end of the school. Mr Pierson, the English teacher, closed the class session.

"Alright class, don't forget to do your homework. It's due in two days."

He left the classroom and soon, the chatting of the class grew louder as each one of us cleaned up our own things. I could hear some of their chattering, some wanted to check the new study cafe, and others wanted to play games in the net cafe.

"Hannie... um, you're going to go see the homeroom teacher, right? I can accompany you on your way there.", Micchan offered with a hint of guilt painted on her face.

Perhaps she felt guilty about what happened earlier today. It's not her fault, to be precise. It's purely my time negligence, that... or my luck is simply already depleted.

"Sure. Just a sec."

I agreed to her request while tucking my phone into my skirt's pocket and throwing the cluttered notebooks into my bag. Thus, we left the classroom and were greeted by the buzzing of activities in the hallways.

On our way, Micchan nudged my arms. She took the initiative to open a conversation, breaking off the silence between us. "Hey, Hannie. Do you realise that her influence here ain't so good anymore?"

"What do you mean by that, Micchan?"

"So you haven't heard about it? I'll fill you in,", she whispered conspiratorially. "You see... I heard from my brother that her family is going bankrupt. She's going to fall from the highest to the lowest if it continues this way."

"This... way?"

"My brother said that there's a swindling thing going on with her family business. Her dad seemed to sign a contract of some sort... with another big company but he was backstabbed by his mistress. My friend said that it was because her dad wanted more money so he sold a copy of the design to another businessman, but then his mistress blurted that out at the celebratory dinner. Now that company said 'fuck you', walk out of the deal, and sue him. So, for now, we are advised to stay away from her; it would rather be troublesome if we are entangled with her."

As Micchan rattled on and on about the issue with the socialites, but simplified since I'm not from that class, my mind raced with slight relief.

"Ah, why are people so hungry for money? What are the chances she coming back to the spotlight? Is it possible tho?", I pondered aloud.

"I don't know the exact detail, but I heard that her eldest sister was 'sold off' to marry a crazy rich businessman overseas. It seemed that she hadn't even accepted her dad's proposal. To think it thoroughly, it's lunatic to have a business marriage just to save a company."

"Yeah... marrying someone you don't love for the convenience of a business is just... weird. It's not uncommon in that world, right?", I asked. Miya nodded frantically to confirm my question.

Turning to Miya, I asked again, "What about you, Micchan? If you're forced to do that, what would you do?"

"Me?", she paused, contemplating the question. "Well, I'll run away and open a small bakery with you!"

A series of chats and little laughs were shared by both of us and then stopped upon arriving the office door. I went inside as Micchan waved her goodbye and left for her violin practice. I was greeted by the front office ladies and inquired about what I needed.

"Mr Shizusu hasn't returned yet. He doesn't say where but left a note that if a girl from grade 3 was looking for him, she should wait for a bit in his place."

She then led me inside. I passed through so many teachers' desks and at one point I thought his desk would be at the corner. But to my surprise, she showed me a room with a 'Shizusu' plate framed at the door. I stared at it in confusion. What I don't understand is that he has his own room but not with the other teachers.

Does he have a higher social status?

The lady earlier reached for the door handle and clicked it open, gesturing me to go inside. I thanked her and when I entered the room, I was mesmerized by the neatly arranged room. The books he often carried around were stacked on the desk while the rest were tucked away on the shelves.

I dare not to look around, sticking my nose in someone else's property would make me look like a thief. I simply sit on the padded chair while my eyes dart here and there, scanning his 'mini library'. His book collection serves a wide range of varieties as expected from his double degree. There are books talking about Human Evolution, The History of Medicine, All The Math You Missed, and many more. I couldn't help but wonder about the man who curated such an eclectic collection.

After quite some time basking in the glory of advanced book titles, the door clicked open.

"Miss Sasaki."

The one and only person whom I've been waiting for has finally come. Mr Shizusu was bringing a folder and a grey hoodie slung over his shoulder. He shut the door and approached his desk.

"I hope you're not waiting too long."

"Oh, no. I've just arrived."

Lmao, no. I had been here for some time already, just enough time to analyze the room discreetly.

He sat down and began the conversation.

"You see, I told you to come because I have something to discuss about our... deal. You coming late and sneaking in to the class just made it easier for me to invite you here."

"Why, you want to break off our deal because the source of my problem has shown a little retreat?"

"No. I need your to hone your acting. I didn't state the details of my part of the deal, yes? I want you to accompany me in business deal."

I looked at him in puzzlement. Guessing this blindly wouldn't help, so I inquired him further.

"As you have read on my profile, I'm a good looking 25 years old. And when you get to that age, people start to push their agenda to marry me off. I don't want to go through all that shit, yet I can't refuse if I don't have a partner... or in this case, someone to 'play' as my partner."

Oh.

"So that's where you come in.", he continued.

I have to act as his lover..?

A hint of doubt casted in my mind. It's my face who will be used. What will people say when they meet me later on life and realise I was his lover??

"I can assure you that I will not touch you outside of this whole acting, or make you suffer later on life.", he pressed on. His fingers drummed on the folder, betraying a hint of impatience, as if unsure and turns out I would decide to break off of the deal.

I slumped and audibly sighed. "I suppose there are no way back now."

"Smart girl.", he remarked as he smiled satisfactorily.

I scoffed at his demeanour.

"Now, let's get started with the acting practice, Miss Sasaki, or should I also start practising by calling you Hana?"

"Please do. I should also start to get used to you calling me that, Lucio."

He chuckled lightly. "It's quite weird to be called like that on school grounds."

I nodded in agreement. It does feel quite awkward to be addressed by the first name by an acquaintance.

"Do you want to be in a different scenery?", he suddenly suggested.

I raised one of my eyebrows, I showed interest is his suggestion. "Where?"

"Hmm...", Lucio pondered, putting his hand to his chin. He seemed to be in deep thought. "I do have somewhere in mind... my office, and it's quite close."

"But we are in your office..?", confusion is well painted on my face.

"My other office."

Ah...

"So... do we just walk there?"

"I'll call my driver. You, on the other hand, should put this on.", Lucio pushes his hoodie to me. "I'll wait outside and scan the perimeter. We'll go out when it's safe to do so."