A Liar's Truth [UNDER FINAL REVISION]

Ch 33: Even roses have thorns

Third person point of view

"Oh~! Your knife skills have gotten so much sharper since you transferred, Asano-san!" Okuda clasped her hands with a delighted smile, watching as Ginka stabbed through the dangling Korosensei-head balloons with clean, practiced jabs—all while balancing steadily on the narrow wooden pillars.

Karma let out a dry laugh from nearby, hands tucked in his pockets. "You're giving her too much credit, Okuda-san. Most of her victories come from strategic eyelash fluttering."

Ginka didn't even look back as she popped the final balloon with a flick of her wrist. "Aw, someone sounds bitter he can't weaponize his face card~"

"Please." Karma tilted his head. "I could easily win with my brain."

She dropped lightly from the pillar, the wood creaking beneath her weight as she dusted off her joggers. "Right. You just prefer dismantling someone's morale mid-sentence instead."

"That's called efficiency," he said with a smug shrug.

Ginka twirled her practice knife between her fingers, then turned to Okuda, hands gently landing on her shoulders as she smiled innocently. "You really shouldn't hang around this one too much, Okuda-chan. His energy might corrupt your brain cells. Or worse—your conscience."

Okuda blinked. "Oh... is that contagious?"

Karma grinned. "There's a walking case study right behind you~"

Before Ginka could shoot back, their attention was pulled to the tree line—three figures had appeared. One tall and stoic, one grinning like a cat, and Korosensei, who is merely tagging along yet so overdressed. 

"Just ignore it. Keep training," Karasuma said as he passed. His voice was calm but clipped, like he was already regretting breathing the same air as the other two.

After drills ended, Karasuma gathered the class, motioning for them to sit on the grass. He stood with arms folded as everyone settled.

"Listen up," His voice was sharp but even. "Irina's old master is here. Apparently, she's being tested. Whether she gets to stay on as your teacher or not depends on some ridiculous contest."

Collective murmurs buzzed among the students.

The grass rustled faintly under shifting legs. A few heads turned toward the treeline where the men had stood. A rustle of uncertain chatter passed through the class like wind brushing leaves.

"It won't affect your regular schedule," he added with a sigh. "Just carry on as usual."

Karasuma-sensei's stress levels are probably critical by now, the class thought in unison.

"PE ends here. Dismissed."

"Thank you very much!" they echoed, bowing out of habit.