Sekai carried the fainted girl on his back as he entered the nurse's office.
"Excuse me! Nurse!"
"I'm coming!" said the nurse, walking toward him.
The nurse, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and a white lab coat, stopped in front of the boy.
"She fainted in the hallway," Sekai said. "I think she needs help."
"Oh my goodness! Another one! Please, put her on the bed over there," said the nurse, pointing to one of the nearby beds.
Sekai gently placed the girl down.
The nurse approached and began examining her.
"Well, she doesn't seem to have any serious problems. Since it's so hot today, I believe it's just heatstroke. She should wake up soon. Thank you for bringing her. What was your name again?"
"Sekai. I'm from Class B."
"Ah yes, Sekai. Thank you, Sekai. I'll take care of her. Other students have had the same issue today. But she should be fine soon. You may go now."
"Alright, thank you very much. Have a good day."
Sekai then left the infirmary, heading to his classroom. As he left, Sekai glanced at the hallway clock.
"Alright, back to my class… Oh no, I took too long! The introductions must've already started!"
—
Sekai opened the classroom door.
All the desks, except for two in the back row, were already occupied.
He looked at the teacher, feeling slightly embarrassed, and stepped inside.
"Ah, you must be Sekai. The president told me you'd be late since you were helping take a student to the infirmary," said the teacher in a calm, welcoming tone.
"Yes, that's true. She collapsed in the hallway. The nurse said it was heatstroke."
"Alright. My name is Sena Robis. I'll be your homeroom teacher. Your books are on your desk — the president left them there. Be sure to put them in your locker later." said the teacher, pointing to one of the empty desks.
"Ah, thank you, teacher."
Sekai walked to his seat in the very back row. Only one desk remained empty — the one right in front of him. From his spot, he could see the school courtyard through the windows to his left.
"Sekai, would you please introduce yourself briefly? It's a shame you missed your classmates' introductions, but you'll have plenty of time to get to know them."
"Ah, sure."
Sekai stood up.
"My name is Sekai Everhart. I recently moved to this city with my uncle and cousin. My main hobby is playing video games. Nice to meet you all."
The class applauded, and Sekai sat back down.
"Alright, let's begin. We'll start with Chapter One of the math textbook..." said Ms. Robis, raising her voice slightly as she started writing on the blackboard.
Sekai prepared his materials, and the lesson continued without incident.
—
Time passed, and soon the lunch bell rang.
Sekai packed his things and searched his bag for his lunch money.
"Where is it... I'm sure I left it here somewhere…"
He rummaged through every pocket but couldn't find it.
"I'm sure I brought it… Where did I— oh, right!"
Sekai grabbed his pencil case and opened it — inside was the money he'd been looking for.
I really need to buy a wallet, he thought, putting the money in his pocket.
Suddenly, the classroom door burst open. A scarlet flash shot through the room, catching everyone's attention.
"Seeekaaaiii! Let's eaaat!!" shouted Jessyka, bursting in like a comet.
"Hey, Jessy… you don't have to be that loud, you know?"
"Sekai! Come on, my love! I won't let that viper steal another minute of my time with you!"
Jessyka crossed the room toward him, her long crimson hair flowing behind her. The contrast between her lively energy and delicate beauty drew every eye in the class.
She reached Sekai, wrapped her arms around him, and started sniffing him.
"Oh! I missed you so much! It felt like an eternity without you in that—" she stopped mid-sentence.
Sniff, sniff.
Jessyka leaned in closer, sniffing Sekai again, especially around his back.
"Jessy… what are you…"
Her eyes darkened.
"Sekai… this sweet perfume scent… as far as I know, you don't wear perfume. Especially not women's perfume…"
"What? Isn't it yours? You're the only one who hugs me all the time…"
"I don't use perfume like this… You touched another woman, didn't you…"
Gulp.
Sekai swallowed hard, his face growing tense. Jessyka's eyes began to fill with tears.
"But—but—but… you already have me!" she whimpered, her lips trembling.
Sekai looked around, but his classmates avoided eye contact, clearly uncomfortable.
"No, Jessy, it's not like that! This morning, on my way here, a girl collapsed in the hallway from the heat. I carried her to the infirmary, that's why I smell like that."
He placed his hands on Jessyka's shoulders, trying to calm her down, hoping someone would back him up — but no one did.
"Really...? Sniff. So you didn't run into that viper of a president, huh? Sniff."
Gulp.
Sekai froze.
"You're lying! You did meet her! How could you?!" Jessyka burst into tears again.
Sekai froze in place, feeling every pair of eyes in the room judging him.
"It's not like that, Jessy! I'm not lying! Please don't cry!"
"Then why aren't you denying that you saw that blonde viper?! That damned bottle blonde! When I see her again…!"
Her voice shifted from crying to rage, her eyes narrowing.
"Jessy, listen! We only met briefly — just for a second!"
"A simple bump doesn't leave this kind of scent, Sekai! I swear I'll crush that—"
Before she could finish, a radiant figure entered the classroom.
"Well, well. I knew I recognized that sweet voice from somewhere…"
Everyone turned toward the doorway — including Sekai and Jessyka.
"President!" Sekai exclaimed, relieved to have a chance to prove his innocence.
"Blonde viper…" Jessyka gnashed her teeth.