When Haizaki entered the classroom, he immediately noticed that the way his classmates looked at him was somewhat strange. The volume of their conversations had dropped a lot.
He could vaguely hear words like "kouhai," "lifetime," and "scumbag."
Well then.
In less than a week since school started, he had already left an indelible impression on his classmates. He didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
But Haizaki understood that his days ahead would probably be much lonelier.
In that sense, it could be considered a good thing. He could reduce his social interactions.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san."
As he passed by Yukino, who was already seated and reading, Haizaki greeted her.
The girl reacted as she always did—no reaction at all, completely ignoring his greeting.
Already used to it, he didn't mind and simply pulled out his chair and sat down.
Utaha's matter was over, but unexpectedly, Iroha's had been added.
In any case, he had already made it clear that whether he helped her depended on his own time and willingness. In other words, if he was bored and felt like it, he would help; if not, he would just ignore it.
As usual, after class began, Haizaki contacted the system sprite again to ask about the next apocalypse world.
"Pepper, when will the next apocalypse world begin?"
He didn't have much hope, thinking the answer would be the same as yesterday's, telling him to wait for notification.
"Within fifteen days, the next apocalypse world will be activated."
Pepper's voice was mechanically cold.
However, Haizaki felt that after upgrading from D-rank to C-rank, the system sprite's tone seemed to carry a trace of emotional fluctuation.
This made him suspect that system sprites also had levels, linked to his own authority level.
At the latest, the new apocalypse world would begin within fifteen days.
Hearing this, Haizaki felt a sense of urgency.
His peaceful life had entered a countdown. After enjoying only three days of stability, he would once again be heading to the front lines of the apocalypse.
The teacher was explaining mathematical equations. Haizaki appeared to be listening seriously.
From time to time, his gaze drifted to Yukino at the desk in front of him. Compared to his "appearance" of seriousness, the person in front was truly focused.
As expected of Yukino—outstanding in every aspect, except physical ability.
"Ding-ling-ling…"
When the dismissal bell rang, Haizaki was unexpectedly stopped by his homeroom teacher, Yamada-sensei, and told to go to the office.
Could it be that what happened this morning had caught the teacher's attention?
That shouldn't be the case, right?
With doubts in his mind, Haizaki followed the teacher to the office.
"Yamada-sensei, may I ask what you wanted to see me about?"
Was it about asking for leave, or about this morning's matter? Neither should be a big issue.
"The embassy matter has been settled?"
"More or less. If they need me, I might have to go there again," Haizaki answered vaguely.
"Then come and ask for leave in advance. If it's urgent, call me or send me a message."
Yamada-sensei was not a rigid teacher. As long as it was within reasonable limits, he was willing to understand and make accommodations.
"Thank you, sensei. I understand."
This homeroom teacher hadn't left as deep an impression on Haizaki as Shizuka, but he truly fulfilled his role as a teacher, urging students to do what they should properly do.
"You've been at Sobu High for almost a week now. I want to know your current situation—whether you've calmed down and put your energy into studying."
Haizaki immediately knew it was because of this morning's matter.
"Sensei, don't worry. I know what I should be doing. You don't need to worry about my studies."
"That's good. Everything should be centered on your studies. You crossed the ocean to come here, and your main purpose is learning. As for other matters, you need to keep them in check and never let them interfere with your studies."
Yamada-sensei spoke earnestly.
"Your life is still very long, and the road ahead is long as well. Remember, don't give up a better future just for momentary happiness."
Haizaki was momentarily stunned. He had thought Yamada-sensei would indirectly tell him to stop interacting with girls, not to date, and to focus on studying.
After all, in the Eastern Union, high school romance was labeled as "early love" and was something both teachers and parents forbade.
But here in Japan, the teacher merely reminded him not to let it affect his studies and to prioritize academics.
He did not oppose "romance" itself.
This was probably a difference in culture.
"I understand. I won't disappoint you. I'll become a student you can be proud of."
"Good!"
Yamada paused for a moment, then smiled. Haizaki's attitude pleased him.
At that moment, a female voice came from the office doorway.
"Yamada-sensei, excuse me."
Hiratsuka Shizuka, wearing her signature white coat, walked in.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, you are…?"
"If your conversation with Yamada-sensei is finished, I'll be taking this one. I need to give him some guidance about daily life."
"It's basically finished, but…"
"As Sobu High's life guidance counselor, of course I need to take care of a student who has just arrived and isn't yet familiar with Japan. I want him to have a colorful high school life."
Faced with Haizaki's look of refusal, Yamada-sensei ultimately chose to compromise—yes, to compromise with Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Everyone knew that Hiratsuka Shizuka was the hardest teacher to deal with at Sobu High. Even the principal and the chairman turned a blind eye to some of her behavior.
And so, Haizaki was taken away by Hiratsuka Shizuka.
He could only feel that his homeroom teacher's status in the school seemed rather low. Even though he was the homeroom teacher of the special international Class J.
…
"Hiratsuka-sensei, may I ask what important matter you wanted to see me about?"
"Don't you have any thoughts yourself?"
Shizuka's expression was serious, her tone heavy. Her right index finger tapped rhythmically on the desk, producing clear sounds.
"Sorry, sensei. No."
"This morning, a first-year female student…"
"Oh, you mean Isshiki Iroha from Class 1-C. What would you like to ask me about her?"
At this moment, in Shizuka's eyes, Haizaki was like a loach—slippery and elusive. You could see him and touch him, but you couldn't quite catch him.
All of Haizaki's answers showed full respect toward her. As a teacher, she couldn't easily threaten him or use any "iron-fist punishment."
"Are you dating her? Not bad. In less than four days, you've already found a pretty kouhai at Sobu High to be your girlfriend."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm still single. I don't have a girlfriend."
"Oh? You think that just because you say so, I'll believe you?"
"Whether you believe it or not doesn't depend on my answer," Haizaki replied with a straight posture.
"Tch…"
This guy really was as troublesome as she had imagined.
"Then, what is the real reason you called me here?"
"Part-time work…"
Haizaki recalled that three days ago, when he refused to join the Service Club, he had used the excuse that he needed a part-time job to cover living expenses. So now this teacher had found part-time jobs for him?
Real or fake?
"I found several part-time jobs for you. Take a look and see which one suits you."
She took out an A4 sheet from the drawer. There were four job listings on it:
Two convenience store clerk positions, a restaurant waiter, and a Chinese tutor.
The hourly wage, location, and specific working hours were all clearly marked.
This warmed Haizaki's heart, and he felt a little moved. It was obvious that Shizuka had spent quite some time and effort collecting this information.
She wasn't even his subject teacher, and the two of them hadn't had much contact. Yet for a student she had known only briefly, and because of an excuse he had used to refuse joining the Service Club, she had specially gone out of her way to gather part-time job information.
This was truly the first time in his life he had encountered something like this.
That was why he wanted to protect such a peaceful world, to let this beautiful scene continue forever.
"What's wrong? Touched by me?"
Shizuka noticed the change in Haizaki's expression and smiled inwardly.
This young man from the Eastern Union knew how to be grateful. That alone raised her evaluation of him.
"Yes, I'm touched, sensei. You're too good to me."
"Good that you know. Take a look and see which job you're interested in. The tutor position pays the most, but it requires an interview. If your Japanese and teaching ability aren't good enough, you'll probably be rejected."
Shizuka began adding more information and her personal opinions.
"The clerk and waiter wages are about average for Chiba. As for time, this convenience store is more suitable. I often shop there myself, and I know the owner is a decent person who doesn't mind nationality."
"Personally, I suggest you try the tutoring interview first. If that fails, then go to the convenience store…"
"Thank you, I really appreciate it, but there's no need."
After thinking for a moment, Haizaki decided to tell Hiratsuka Shizuka that he no longer planned to take a part-time job after school.
Faced with her kindness, he really couldn't bring himself to keep lying.
What if he happened to run into her after school in the future? He couldn't keep fooling her forever.
"You've already found a part-time job? That's impressive. In just four days, you managed to find one. I thought you were still unfamiliar with life in Chiba and would be struggling to look for work."
Hiratsuka Shizuka took back the A4 sheet. She didn't mind at all that her time spent gathering the information had gone to waste. Instead, she felt that Haizaki had strong execution ability.
Someone like this would indeed be very helpful in the Service Club, especially to Yukino.
"No, sensei. I'm not planning to look for a part-time job anymore. I think I should focus on my studies."
Shizuka's expression froze. Her hand, which was about to return the paper to the drawer, stopped in midair.
A sharp look shot out from her eyes, and she emitted an astonishing pressure.
"Crack… crack…"
Haizaki even seemed to faintly hear the sound of bones creaking.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I've decided to spend more time on studying."
Not only the subjects at Sobu High, but also the knowledge he needed to learn on his own.
"That's a good thing."
Haizaki immediately let out a sigh of relief.
If it could end this simply, that would be great.
"However…"
His heart instantly rose again. He realized that this teacher would not let him off so easily.
"I also said that balancing work and rest makes studying more efficient…"
"About that, sensei, please rest assured. I do night runs for exercise, so I make sure to keep myself healthy."
He guessed that Shizuka was about to try to pull him into the Service Club again. But he truly had no intention of joining that club.
"You know what I want you to do."
Shizuka's light gray eyes stared at Haizaki. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Her right hand casually clenched into a fist, then tapped the desk lightly, the soft impact carrying a sense of threat.
"Sorry…"
"Whoosh…"
The sound of a fist cutting through the air tore at the atmosphere. Even though it was only the sound from nearby, it still carried considerable pressure.
An ordinary student would probably have been frightened out of their wits by now, their mind filled only with thoughts of surrender.
"Sorry. I have no intention of joining any club. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
He still would not change his mind.
"Why make it so difficult!"
At this point, Hiratsuka Shizuka walked around the desk and came to Haizaki's side.
"If you don't agree, it makes me lose face. I've done so much for you. Can't you just help your teacher out once?"
"Sensei, how about choosing someone else?"
"If I choose someone else, you'll agree?"
"Probably."
"Alright…"
Her tone changed and her expression softened.
"Then you can report to the Service Club. From today on, you're a member of the Service Club."
"Huh?"
"Don't look so surprised. I originally wanted to send you to the student council. But since you asked me to change it, then the only option is the Service Club. I really can't do anything about you. Since you made a request, I can only reluctantly agree."
Reluctantly, my foot. You're clearly setting me up.
Don't think I can't see through that.
"Sensei, there are so many students at Sobu High. You can definitely find someone more suitable than me for the Service Club. Please stop fixating on me."
Haizaki gave a bitter smile.
If it really came down to it, he could only show the same firm and resolute determination as in his previous life. But when he thought of the lonely expression Shizuka had worn back then, he felt that if possible, it would be better to find another way.
"Do you have something against Yukinoshita?"
Shizuka faintly sensed that Haizaki had some issue with Yukino.
After seeing his repeated refusal, she decided to ask directly.
"Yes, I do have something against her…" Haizaki nodded and admitted it.
This way, perhaps Shizuka would completely give up on sending him to the Service Club.
That club…
It was too close to Yukino.
Being in the same class was fine. With other classmates around, nothing would happen between him and Yukino.
But once it was in the relatively private clubroom, with only the two of them, what might happen?
Haizaki didn't dare to imagine.
…