Chapter 660: TAINTED MEMORIES
The methamphetamine compromised their mental capacity, and the scopolamine made the family open to suggestions. Moreover, the synergistic effects of the drugs had mild amnesiac effects, allowing for an advanced level of twilight sleep.
While they were in a delirious state, the butler took advantage and got a lot of documents relating to the dead wife’s estate signed. At the same time, the chef was able to move other items like jewellery from the house without the knowledge of the family.
But it was not enough for them.
The tainted rare material was the real nail in the coffin.
Not long after the butler and the chef absconded with the stolen treasures, the family, except for the father and the eldest daughter, fell into a coma. If nothing new had happened, those children were still in a coma, just like the other people who had ingested the tainted rare material.
Shio Emi sighed.
The exposure of Martial Island to the world and the destruction of the rare material source was a good thing.
.....
There was no need for such a place to exist.
Emi’s mind drifted back to her life on Martial Island. She was filled with mixed feelings when she thought about it. Before she could sink into the memories of her past, the oven timer dinged, indicating the cakes were done.
Moreover, an unexpected visitor knocked lightly.
“Teacher Shio! What are you doing here?” Misaki asked as she walked through the door of the home economics room.
Emi looked up from her phone and found Misaki walking towards her. She smiled at the girl with fondness. While her hair was still coloured, the young face was not covered in strange make-up as it had been last week.
“You are just in time.” She stood up.
Misaki was confused by the statement because she did not even know Teacher Shio was in the room. While confused, she found herself holding a pair of oven mitts. She tilted her head as Emi walked to the oven.
She opened the oven and tried to avoid the blast of hot air.
“Put on the oven mitts and help me handle these cakes.” Teacher Shio waited for Misaki to put on the gloves. She took out a cake and handed it to Misaki. “Place it on the workbench. The students will figure out who made what when they return.”
With Misaki’s help, the work was complicated quite quickly.
“So, what are you doing here?” Teacher Shio asked.
“I was looking for Mrs Naoki,” Misaki said while placing the mitts away.
“She is not in for the day, so I am covering her class. She will probably be back by tomorrow.” Teacher Shio replied.
“No, it is good you are here. You can help me with what I need.” Misaki looked at her with shining eyes.
Emi could practically see the stars shining in those eyes. Before she could respond to the enthusiastic girl, Class 8A made a rowdy return.
“Teacher Shio, you are still here.” One girl said enthusiastically. “We have determined your story is entirely possible. But we do not think it would work on six people together.”
Emi could not believe they were still hung up on the same thing for an hour. “And why do you think that?”
“Well, we just had a chemistry lesson, and the teacher told us the effects of cocaine use. The physiological and psychological symptoms after any period of use should have been obvious to at least one or two of the people.” Another student said.
“Also, Teacher Heiji said that cocaine is bitter. It would not be easy to mask the taste in food.” Someone else added.
Teacher Shio was not flustered, even though the details of the story she told were not accurate. “Your teacher is right. Under normal circumstances, it would take only a few doses for the family to notice the problems. But consider the symptoms of grief at losing the core member of the family.”
The students were enlightened. It would not be unusual for someone who had lost their loved one to feel some physiological effects. An increase in heart rate, sweating, nausea, hyperawareness, hypervigilance and even paranoid delusions could be passed off as grief.
“As for the bitterness, the right food might even be elevated by it.” Teacher Shio said. “Now, clean up the room and decide what to do with your creations. Perhaps, you can take them to your families and share the love.”
With that parting shot, Emi left with Misaki following her like a little tail.
“Should you be teaching students about putting dangerous drugs in food?” Misaki asked as she walked beside her teacher.
“Probably not. But it is nothing they will not see on TV or read in novels.” Teacher Shio said. “I doubt they will use the information. The story is more likely to make them paranoid about their food and the people employed in their houses, at least for a while.”
Misaki’s eyes widened for a moment in surprise. “Teacher Shio, you are scary. No wonder my uncle likes you.”
Emi almost stumbled at the words, but luckily, she was wearing low-heeled shoes. Still...
“What are you talking about, you child?”
“Nothing!” Misaki covered her mouth childishly, but her giggles could still be heard.
The two arrived at Emi’s office.
“So, what kind of help are you seeking, Misaki?” Teacher Shio asked as she organised her desk.
Misaki plopped on the chair opposite. “I want to learn how to bake.”
Teacher Shio lifted an eyebrow and assessed Misaki with a critical eye. “Your home economics class only requires you to learn knitting at your level. Why do you want to skip ahead?”
“I want to bake a cake for someone’s birthday.” She said while lowering her head with some embarrassment.
Emi smiled at the cute child. “Do you want to bake a cake for your uncle?”
“Maybe.” Misaki tried to look tough. “You have to teach me.”
“Do I now?” Emi asked.
“You know how to bake, don’t you?” Misaki asked.
“I do. But I don’t have to teach you.” She stared down at the girl.
Misaki was defeated by the stare almost immediately. She had to admit that Teacher Shio was not an ordinary teacher. Usually, she got everything she wanted from teachers. No one dared to go against her as long as she asked.
However, Teacher Shio never gave in to her or the other students.
Students thought she would be lost and confused when she first came to the school because she was too young. She was only two years older than the final-year students. Moreover, it was the Blue Monarch Institute where almost everyone could destroy a mere teacher.
Who would have thought that the young teacher was a brick wall?
“Can you please teach me how to bake a cake, Teacher Shio?” Misaki surrendered before the higher power and asked with humility.
“You are a good girl. If you can make the time, I will teach you. But, you have to get permission from your uncle first.” Emi said.
Misaki smiled. “Thank you, Teacher Shio! I will talk to my uncle.”
With that, she left the office fast like the wind, leaving an amused Teacher Shio.
