It's worth mentioning that before the reversal, Cute Shizuka was a tomboy unpopular with men. After the reversal, she's a weak, submissive, soft girl who is still unpopular with men. In that one respect, nothing was reversed at all.
Within three seconds of meeting her, Kanzaki Saku had already figured out how to handle his homeroom teacher.
All he had to do was secretly take some misleadingly intimate photos of himself and Hiratsuka Shizuka, and then it would be a classic scenario—playing the Japanese by their own rules.
Shizuka, you wouldn't want anyone to find out about the ambiguous relationship you have with a male student, would you? If you don't want your reputation ruined, you'll do exactly as I say~
He even felt that he probably wouldn't need any actual evidence. In a world where men were extremely rare and protected, all he had to do was make up a few things.
A short post along the lines of "Ms. Hiratsuka kept me after class alone and said some strange things," or "The way my teacher looks at me makes me uncomfortable," would be enough. Plenty of so-called righteous individuals, whether they were female simps or 'understanding big brother' types, would jump out to champion his cause and throw Hiratsuka Shizuka into the court of public opinion.
Hiratsuka Shizuka was still diligently sorting through the tedious paperwork for Kanzaki Saku's return to school, gently asking about his health, afraid of scaring this "fragile" male student.
She was completely unaware that the gears of fate had already begun to turn, and she was about to gain a "master" who could manipulate her at will.
After completing the readmission procedures, the next period happened to be Hiratsuka Shizuka's Japanese Language class. This gentle-tempered "Cute Shizuka" personally led Kanzaki Saku to the classroom where he would be spending his school life.
Standing on the teacher's platform, Kanzaki Saku was overcome by a strong sense of déjà vu. It seemed his persona had seamlessly switched to that of the heaven-sent handsome transfer student.
"Everyone, please quiet down." Ms. Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice was gentle. "This is Kanzaki Saku, who has been on leave for health reasons since the start of the school year. Starting today, he will be officially rejoining the class. I hope you will all take good care of him and get along well. Now, would Kanzaki-kun please introduce himse—"
However, before she could finish, the classroom erupted with unrestrained catcalls and whistles, and all semblance of discipline vanished. It was clear that this teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka, commanded as little authority among her students as the rumors suggested.
Among the rowdy students, a girl in the back row with a guitar on her back and striking long pink hair was the loudest. Kanzaki Saku took one look and knew exactly who she was.
Wasn't this our sweet, soft, cuddly, and socially anxious Gotoh Hitori, who could dissolve into a puddle of liquid at any moment?
It seemed she hadn't escaped the fate of reversal either. From a gloomy introvert terrified of being the center of attention, she had been reversed into a try-hard character who desperately sought attention and loved to show off.
Always chiming in, starting trouble, being the most conspicuous clown in the class—it fit Kanzaki Saku's stereotype of a try-hard perfectly.
Bocchi-chan was clearly unaware of this, and in fact, making eye contact with Kanzaki Saku only made her antics more enthusiastic.
She even stood up, making some exaggerated rock-and-roll hand gestures that she thought were cool but were actually incredibly awkward, trying to capture everyone's attention.
Bocchi-chan's inner monologue went something like this: He's secretly looking at me! He must have fallen for me at first sight! I have to perform even harder, use my unparalleled rock charm and sense of humor to leave the deepest impression on his heart! Make him obsessed with me!
"G-Gotoh-san! Please sit down! Be quiet!" Ms. Hiratsuka Shizuka tried to maintain order, her cheeks flushing slightly with anxiety, but her voice still lacked any real authority.
Finally, thanks to Hiratsuka Shizuka's almost pleading efforts and a warning from Miura Yumiko, the commotion in the classroom barely subsided.
Cute Shizuka wiped away non-existent cold sweat and shot Kanzaki Saku an apologetic look, signaling that he could begin his self-introduction.
"Hello everyone, my name is Kanzaki Saku."
"I've been absent for so long due to my health, so to be able to stand here and meet all of you now feels like it could be a wonderful encounter."
As he spoke, Kanzaki Saku revealed a clean, refreshing smile.
"If you all don't mind, I'd love the chance to get to know everyone in the class."
"I look forward to spending my days here with you." After speaking, Kanzaki Saku gave a slight bow.
This self-introduction, from the script to the gestures, was naturally the result of Kanzaki Saku's careful design. The goal was to create that 'idealized first love' feeling unique to the heaven-sent transfer student trope.
Judging by the dead silence in the room, the effect was outstanding!
Even the most boisterous one, Bocchi-chan, was stunned. In her eyes, Kanzaki Saku was practically a god radiating a shimmering halo.
After the self-introduction, it was time to choose a seat.
With Kanzaki Saku's status as a male and his good looks, he could pick any seat he wanted, even without mentioning his connection to Yukino.
Amidst the invitations of "Sit with me!" from the starstruck fangirls, a mix of hope and shyness in their voices, Kanzaki Saku chose what was possibly the most repressed one of all.
The seat directly in front of Gotoh Hitori.
As everyone knows, the only thing the class wallflower and the class's loudest try-hard have in common is that neither of them has any friends.
So the seat in front of Gotoh Hitori was empty; no one even needed to move.
And so, under the baffled and even jealous gazes of the entire class, Kanzaki Saku sat down in the empty seat. He then turned around to face the busty, pink-haired girl behind him and once again flashed his impeccable, refreshing smile.
"Looks like we're neighbors now. I'll be in your care."
And Gotoh Hitori, truly the cream of the crop among try-hards—a rock-and-roll try-hard—may have had tidal waves crashing in her heart in response to Kanzaki Saku's proactive greeting.
But on the surface, she merely tensed her facial muscles, trying her best to look cool and aloof as she squeezed out a muffled phrase from her throat: "...Gotoh Hitori."
After stating her name, she immediately lowered her head and hugged her guitar, which was like an extension of her body, tightly. Her fingers unconsciously strummed the strings, creating tuneless noise as she tried to use "profundity" and "rock" to hide her inner turmoil.
Had it been any native-born male from this world, spoiled by the social atmosphere and somewhat delicate, their affection for Gotoh Hitori would have probably dropped to zero after such a dismissive response.
But Kanzaki Saku was different. He was here specifically for the try-hard version of Bocchi-chan.
Watching Gotoh Hitori pretend not to care while actually trying with all her might to put on a cool act for him, Kanzaki Saku had a sudden thought: it would be fun to play along with Bocchi-chan's little drama of 'the handsome transfer student falls in love with me.'
Just imagining Bocchi-chan singing him a love song in the rain made Kanzaki Saku want to laugh.
________
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