She continued with a professional, no nonsense expression, only nodding once like she was speaking to a soldier.

"Good. Since you two are already spending time together on this art project, I want you to make it more frequent. Spend extra minutes after school if needed and observe where she goes, who she talks to, any suspicious interactions. Report back to me daily, discreetly. I need to know everything: if she mentions a name, lingers near certain lockers, or shows interest in any events where boys might be involved."

Renji stared. 'She's basically asking me to stall her daughter like I'm a secret investigator or some shit like that.'

Akemi reached into her desk drawer, pulling out a neatly typed list and sliding it across to him. "These are my suspects. They're the troublemakers I've flagged based on rumors and observations. And some of them do keep close proximity with my daughter so do keep an eye on them around her."

Renji scanned the paper. Almost immediately, his eyes caught Kaito's name near the top, along with a few other delinquents like Haru and and even Iroha.

Renji couldn't really believe what he was looking at here. Was this the lengths that a mother would go? There was no way Principal Suzuki was so obsessed with finding out who this person was that she'd done all this.

It wasn't just an ordinary list of names. No, this one was detailed; it had notes on each boy's infractions, hangout spots, even speculated motives.

"And if she skips class or club activities, follow her subtly. Check her phone if you get the chance—discreetly, of course. I don't know the technology like you kids do so you'll certainly be useful there."

She took a deep breath. "I won't tolerate this corruption of my daughter; she's meant for greatness, not some fleeting crush that derails her." Her voice rose with intensity, hands gesturing emphatically, revealing a mother's fierce protectiveness bordering on mania.

Renji nodded along, but looking at the work cut out for him, he felt a little overused.

"I understand, ma'am. I'll keep watch. But... if I'm doing all this, is there anything in it for me? It might cut into my study time, affect my grades."

Akemi's expression shifted to shock, her purple eyes widening as if he'd slapped her. "Excuse me?"

Although he was terribly terrified by that look in her eyes, he gulped down the fear and pressed on. "Well… uh. I'm just saying. I don't mind helping, really. But if it's gonna take up so much of my schedule, I don't see why I should do it without... something. A recommendation letter, maybe? Extra credits?"

Her arms folded tightly across her chest, her face squeezing into a mask of shameful anger, cheeks flushing red.

She snatched the list back with a huff, her bun quivering slightly. "You big-ego, proud kid! Forget it then. I wasn't asking for your help, I don't need it anyway. I can handle this myself!"

Renji frowned. Her tone was petulant, almost childlike. It was nothing like the usual cold, adult personality she usually displayed.

It struck Renji as odd. From what he could see, she clearly hated asking for favors, preferring to demand obedience.

And him letting her know that she was actually asking him for help had triggered her in some way, and now she was pouting like a denied teenager.

Yet she was the one who called him 'big-egoed?'

The irony.

Still shocked by the outburst, Renji quickly raised his hands placatingly. "Okay, okay! I'll do it, ma'am. No strings, I'll do it."

He gently took the list and notes back from her desk, tucking them into his bag. "You seem really worried about Hitomi, and she's my friend so I'll get to the bottom of this for you. Promise."

Akemi said nothing. She only stared at him, face squeezed in denial.

He stood up, smoothing his uniform, and swung his bag over his shoulder.

"Put faith in me, ma'am. I'll get you the results for sure." Then he headed for the door. But as he gripped the knob, he couldn't resist a parting shot.

"You will owe me, though," he said, turning around and winking at her. He winked at the damn villainess!

Quickly, before he had time to regret it or the time for her to respond, he twisted the nob, opened the door and slipped out, leaving Akemi flabbergasted.

Her mouth was pressed together, purple eyes blazing with a mix of fury and reluctant intrigue.

Outside, Renji rested his back on the door, breathing hard. He couldn't believe that he had just done that, but whatever the consequences are, he would face them later.

The school bell echoed through the corridors, signaling the study period. Renji stood straight, took a deep breath and headed to the art room.

He weaved through the thinning crowd of students, their chatter a distant buzz as he replayed the principal's obsessive rant.

'She's really unhinged about Hitomi,' he mused, 'like a mama bear with claws out. If I ever did anything with Hitomi and she found out, that would be a huge problem. And Hitomi does know that Miss Haruka and I have sex. Gosh, things are really getting messy."

Pushing open the double doors to the art hall, he was greeted by the familiar scent of acrylics and charcoal, sunlight streaming through the high windows onto scattered easels and half-finished canvases.

Hitomi was already there, perched on a stool with her sketchbook open, her ponytail swaying as she erased a line.

She looked up at his approach, her face brightening like a switch flipped.

"Renji! There you are..I was starting to think you'd ditched our session," she teased, her voice light and bubbly. Her blouse was unbuttoned just enough to tease the lace beneath, and her skirt rode up a bit as she shifted.

Renji played it cool. Knowing that he was basically investigating himself, he had to do everything to avoid this horny, lovestruck girl.

He dropped his bag and pulled up a stool beside her.

"Nah, I just got held up with some... admin stuff," he replied casually. "Principal wanted a quick chat. Nothing big."

Hitomi's eyes widened, curiosity and concern flickering across her features. "My mom? Oh, I heard that in the speakers What was it about? Is everything okay with the competition?"

Renji waved it off with a smirk, flipping open his own sketchbook to show her the latest refinements he'd scribbled.

"Yeah, all good. Just checking in on progress. Anyway, check this out."

She smiled, pulling her stool closer to him. "Let's work hard together so you can win."

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A/N:

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