COTE: The Fallen Student. (OC Fanfic)

Chapter 5 - loosening up

Chabashira's class's first week of being Class-C was off to an admittedly rough start after the whole cafeteria war fiasco that two of her students pulled. Kyoryu and Takeda weren't suspended, which was surprising. But they were, however, punished with some strict, strict, strict community service with constant supervision for a week. Sae had actually taken the effort to do her best to lighten their punishments, something she had never done for any student before.

This was new territory for her. Normally, she'd let students face the full brunt of their actions without batting an eye. But now, there was something different. Maybe it was the new class ranking, maybe it was seeing her class claw their way up—whatever it was, she found herself actually advocating for them because of how much she's grown attached to them, even if she'd never admit that out loud on her life.

As she opened the classroom door, she was once again greeted by the chaotic, rowdy nature of her class. Students were chatting loudly, some were throwing paper balls, and a few were engaged in a heated debate over who would win in a fight between two fictional characters. It was as if the cafeteria incident had never happened.

Chabashira paused at the doorway, taking in the scene with a mixture of exasperation and reluctant fondness. She remembered the conversation she had with her colleagues the other day. When she had mentioned the unruly behavior of her students, they had been genuinely surprised. Her class apparently acted like perfect angels with other teachers, only showing their chaotic side when she was around.

It was as if her presence brought out their wild side, a thought that made her both irritated and, if she was being honest with herself, a little touched. They felt comfortable enough with her to be themselves, even if that meant turning the classroom into a circus.

"Alright, settle down," she said, her voice cutting through the noise like a whip. The students immediately quieted down, though a few tried to stifle their laughter or hide their mischievous grins.

Aside from reciting some school notices and giving a very strict warning about not repeating Kyoryu and Takeda's antics, the homeroom period proceeded as usual. Chabashira kept a sharp eye on the class, her stern gaze daring anyone to step out of line. But for the most part, the students behaved, although she could sense the undercurrent of energy buzzing just beneath the surface. The rest of the homeroom period went swimmingly.

---

It was now the first lunch break, and Chabashira found herself walking through an alleyway beside the school building, enjoying a rare moment of solitude. As she turned a corner, a sudden stream of water shot past her face, barely missing her. Her eyes snapped towards the source, and there stood Taichi, clutching a water gun that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie.

He shrank under her piercing glare, managing a weak, "Er...oops."

Chabashira's brow twitched in irritation, already feeling like her hair was turning grey from the stress. And she wasn't even thirty yet!

She marched up to him, extending her hand with an authority that brooked no argument. "Hand it over. Now."

"But, I-!"
"No buts. Now."

Saiko pouted and surrendered his water gun. Chabashira exhaled sharply. "Aren't you a little too old to be playing with something like this? Why are you doing something like this in the first place? And in this place?"

Saiko scratched the back of his head sheepishly before beginning his explanation. "Listen, I-I was just testing out that new water gun I bought recently! It was the last one in stock, so I just had to get it!"

"But why did you buy this?" she asked, gesturing to the water gun now in her possession. She couldn't help but wonder why Saiko, of all people, was being so irresponsible with his personal finances or points.