"I won't lecture you further."
The teacher took a deep breath, steadying himself before continuing.
"Ah, that's right. I remember we have a student named Tanaka Masao here. Let's see now, which one of you is it?"
Under the teacher's searching gaze, Masao slowly raised his head.
"Sensei, that's me."
Silence. A profound, ringing quiet swallowed the classroom.
A true professional, however, is never caught off guard for long. The teacher's smile returned, brighter than before.
"You see, class? This is what we call the composure of a top-ranked student. Why does he feel no need to pay attention? Because he scored a perfect mark. Every question on this test paper, he already understands. Forcing him to listen would be a waste of his valuable time—better he conserves his energy. My apologies, Masao-kun. This entire lesson has been covering material you've already mastered. I've been wasting your time. But we must consider your classmates."
The teacher gestured magnanimously.
"Please, Masao-kun, sit back down. Make yourself comfortable. Don't mind me; I'll just carry on with the lesson."
Masao gave a small, respectful nod. "Thank you, Sensei."
To have a teacher this reasonable was a blessing.
Clearly touched by the thanks, the teacher beamed. What a fine, respectful young man.
"No thanks necessary! Mutual understanding and cooperation—that's the foundation of a good classroom."
For a moment, a scene of perfect, almost idealized harmony unfolded between teacher and student.
The rest of the class watched, a chorus of silent, inner scoffing. 'The hypocrisy. All because he's first in the year. Who needs such special treatment? If I were number one, I'd…'
'...I'd make an even bigger scene. I'd put on a one-man show titled 'Why Even Bother Attending?''
It was also in this moment that the class finally placed the face of this academic dark horse.
'Wait, wasn't this the guy who was always with Yukinoshita? The one who walked home with that ice princess almost every day? And wasn't there also some fuzzy rumor about him and Kawasaki Saki from our own class?'
'Unbelievable. Aces his exams and has two stunning girls around him? Is he the protagonist of some cheap romance novel?'
Then, taking in Masao's unassuming, somewhat solitary appearance, they collectively dismissed the thought.
'Impossible. No novel's protagonist looked like… well, that.'
This wasn't a world of Takeda-sensei's doujinshi. Speaking of which, hadn't they heard Takeda-sensei was launching a new series soon? The man is a machine.
——
[Chika]: Did you fall into a black hole, Masao-kouhai? Where'd you go?
[Masao]: It's only been forty seconds, Fujiwara-senpai. Do you miss me that much? I'm touched.
[Chika]: In your dreams! Don't get a big head! Now spill it! What happened?
[Masao]: Got busted. The teacher caught me with my phone.
[Chika]: No way! Are you in trouble?!
[Masao]: Trouble? Hardly. Perks of being top of the class. He gave me a free pass for the rest of the period. Said I could do whatever I want.
[Chika]: Ugh, so jealous. 😒
Chika hit send, then peeked over her textbook's edge at her own teacher, who was droning on about classical grammar.
[Chika]: I didn't get caught. Have to be sneaky about it over here. It's kind of thrilling, though. Like a secret mission!
(Unseen by Chika, her teacher sighed inwardly. 'Fujiwara-san, I can see the glow of your screen. And your 'sneaky' glances are about as subtle as a firework.')
[Masao]: Oh? So Fujiwara-senpai enjoys the thrill of subterfuge? How about this, then...
The text preview popped up. Before Chika could finish reading it, her phone suddenly vibrated violently in her lap, blaring her default ringtone—a peppy anime theme song—at full volume.
Her heart shot into her throat.
She fumbled, jabbing the reject button with a trembling thumb. Heat flooded her cheeks. She scanned the room from behind her textbook fortress, a slow, paranoid sweep. No one seemed to have noticed. She exhaled, a shaky, silent puff of air.
That was terrifying. But the adrenaline rush, the razor's-edge feeling of nearly being exposed…
It was…weirdly exciting.
A new, thrilling sensation buzzed under her skin.
[Chika]: MASAAO-KUUUN! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?! Someone could have heard!
[Masao]: 😊 Just helping you chase that thrill, senpai. Want another dose?
[Chika]: That is NOT helping! Stop it!
[Masao]: Where's your sense of adventure? Once more, for the thrill?
[Chika]: You're phrasing that in a really weird way… I like fun things, not heart attacks! One more stunt and you're getting blocked! Speaking of fun… do you know any good, exciting games?
[Masao]: Exciting games?
Masao leaned back in his seat, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
[Masao]: Define 'exciting.'
[Chika]: You know! The kind for two players! Super intense, where you end up shouting and your heart's pounding and everything gets super heated!
[Masao]: Ah. That kind of game. Well, since we're going out this weekend… Want to play a few rounds with me? I guarantee you'll have a good time.
[Chika]: Really?! Seriously?!
Chika's fingers flew over the screen, then paused. Her excitement dimmed.
[Chika]: But… my family has a strict 'no violent games' rule at home.
'Forbidden?' Masao's smirk widened. 'Nothing was more enticing than forbidden fruit.'
[Masao]: So we won't play at home. We'll go to an arcade. We'll be incognito—hats, masks, the works. Find a quiet corner. No one will know. We'll take all necessary precautions. Our little secret.
Chika chewed her lip, the battle between duty and desire playing out in her emoji-filled mind.
[Chika]: …Okay. It's a deal, Masao-kouhai. But it's my first time with those kinds of games, so… you'll have to guide me. You pick the place.
[Masao]: Don't worry. I've got plenty of experience. And it's not just fighting games. Racing sims, light-gun shooters… they're all a blast.
[Chika]: Yeah! Let's try everything! Oh! And that one game—the one where you hit the things that pop out of holes? What's it called? It looked so fun in the commercial!
[Masao]: …The one with the holes. Let me guess. Whack-a-Mole?
[Chika]: THAT'S THE ONE! But it would be way more fun if the mole had your face, Masao-kouhai! Then I could really teach the not-so-cute you a lesson! Whack-whack-whack! >:)
[Masao]: So cruel, Senpai. Plotting violence against your kouhai. Fine. Don't expect any mercy from me at the arcade.
[Chika]: Bring it on! I'll show you the power of the Fujiwara style! Get ready, Masao-kouhai!
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