"Ding dong…"
Akira felt the buzz in his pocket. Under Shouko's curious gaze, he pulled out his phone and angled it so she could see.
Nishikata (LINE):
"The bulletin board's packed right now. No need to squeeze in—I checked it for you. We're all in Class 1-2."
[Image attached]
"Nice one, Nishikata."
(Clapping sticker)
Akira tapped the photo open, scanned it quickly, then handed the phone to Shouko.
"Nishikata took the picture early this morning. Look closely—there's a surprise."
"!"
Shouko's eyes lit up as soon as she spotted their names side by side. Just a few lines down were Ayumi and the others. Her lips parted in a small, delighted smile.
"Let's head to the classroom. They've already saved us seats." Akira rubbed her head gently and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"Mhm." She nodded, though her mind lingered on one unexpected name she had noticed on the list. Akira hadn't mentioned it, and she decided not to bring it up.
Following the signs, they reached the far left classroom on the second floor of the second building.
Through the wide windows, rows of pale wood desks stood in neat formation. Dust clung faintly to the blackboard, water stains forming ripple patterns at the corner. Three erasers lay stacked on the sill, half-hidden by a curtain billowing in the breeze. The floor, lined with beige tiles, was patterned with shadows from the desks and chairs.
Several students were already seated—some in groups, chatting in low voices, others quietly flipping through books.
Akira's gaze landed on Ayumi in the back row. Before he could say anything, Shouko had already raised her hands in a small wave, drawing Ayumi's attention. Nishikata and Takagi turned too, along with several nearby students.
Hand in hand, Akira led Shouko into the room.
The two had already caught plenty of eyes at the doorway, and once their clasped hands became visible, any doubts vanished.
"They're a couple."
"Tch, I just rated that Girl as my top pick… guess I'll remove her now."
"She really is cute though…"
The whispers trailed after them, but Shouko let go of Akira's hand as they reached their friends.
"I can't believe we're in the same class!" Takagi said brightly, pointing to two saved seats. "When Nishikata sent the picture, I thought it had to be a prank. The odds are way too low."
"Honestly, I'm terrified," Ayumi sighed dramatically. "Three more years of being crushed by Miyamura's grades…"
"Sorry for being such a burden," Akira said dryly, pulling out his chair.
Their seating arrangement was almost identical to junior high: Akira and Shouko in the back row, Takagi and Nishikata behind them, Ayumi just ahead.
Other students watched them with open curiosity. The boys' attention gravitated toward Ayumi, the girls toward Akira. Shouko, attached at his side, was quickly ruled "off-limits."
Time ticked by until a new presence shifted the room. A girl walked in—soft brown hair brushing her shoulders, one eye concealed by a medical patch.
"Akira," Shouko whispered, nudging him. "Look… her other eye."
He glanced over, but she had already sat down at the front. From his angle, only her back was visible. He shrugged. "Probably an injury."
Murmurs rippled through the classroom, a mix of concern and curiosity.
Then the bell rang.
A woman entered, holding a notebook. She had warm brown hair curled slightly at the ends, a beige jacket over a white blouse, and a dark skirt that brushed her knees. Her smile was gentle but tinged with lazy elegance.
This was Akira's first impression of their homeroom teacher.
She set her notebook down, tapped the desk lightly with a bent finger, and said, "Minasan, eyes up here."
Once the chatter settled, she turned to the blackboard and wrote her name in neat strokes: Nanase Tsukumo.
"Whether you use my last name or my first, make sure you add 'sensei,'" she said with a sweet smile.
Whispers broke out instantly.
"She doesn't seem strict—guess these three years will be easy."
"Don't be fooled. That smile's hiding something."
"Why didn't my old school have a teacher like her?"
"She looks like life hasn't hit her yet."
"Someone should confess to her. Then she'll learn how brutal society is."
Nanase cleared her throat lightly, pulling their focus back.
"Alright. One by one, please come introduce yourselves. We'll start from the left."
And so it began. Students shuffled to the podium, each introducing themselves with nervous smiles, greeted by polite applause.
Akira zoned out halfway, quietly chatting with Shouko, until a hesitant voice on the podium drew his attention back.
"I… I…"
"I… My name is Ishida… Ishida Shouya…"
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