Teacher's Office
After finishing her class, Shizuka Hiratsuka returned to her office, only to find herself surrounded by teachers eager to ask about Kotomi.
—A student in Class 1-F had scored 1,047 points, taking first place in the grade. Her na: Izumi Kotomi.
The news had spread like wildfire across Sobu High School, among both teachers and students.
By tomorrow, the story would probably reach other high schools as well.
Even though the school's director, upon first learning of Kotomi's score, had imdiately ordered the information to be kept under wraps to prevent the news from leaking to other schools, he knew it was only a matter of ti before the secret got out. How could anyone stop all the students and teachers from talking about such a remarkable score? The director's goal was simply to buy ti—ti to figure out how to keep Kotomi at Sobu High before other schools tried to poach her.
In short, by now, the entire school knew that a first-year student had scored over a thousand points on the exam.
Naturally, the teachers who taught classes with better resources than 1-F wanted to transfer Kotomi into their own classrooms.
As soon as Shizuka entered the office, all eyes were on her, with several teachers approaching her, trying to strike up friendly conversations, hoping to negotiate for Kotomi to "sit in" on their classes for a few days.
Shizuka raised her eyebrows slightly in annoyance. She had anticipated sothing like this happening but hadn't expected it so soon. She hadn't even figured out how to respond yet.
What? You want Kotomi to transfer to your class? You wish! Shizuka almost cursed out loud.
"Excuse , may I interrupt?" ca a sudden knock on the door, followed by Yachiyo Kuhama's voice.
The office fell quiet as everyone turned to the door. A few teachers were surprised to see Yachiyo, the horoom teacher of Class 1-A. Why would she be here? Didn't Class A teachers usually have their own private offices?
Behind her stood a student with a cane.
Upon closer inspection, the teachers recognized the student as Arisu Sakayanagi, the one who had placed second in the grade—right behind Kotomi.
She was also the only other student in the first-year class to score over a thousand points.
After so brief pleasantries, Yachiyo walked directly to Shizuka, the other teachers stepping aside to make way.
"Hello, Shizuka-sensei."
"Well, this is a rare sight, seeing you here at school, Yachiyo-sensei."
"That's my oversight. I spend most of my ti between Class A and my office. I apologize for the distance."
"As the horoom teacher of Class A, I imagine you must be quite busy every day."
Shizuka chuckled softly, thinking to herself, Looks like Class A's teacher has co to snatch Kotomi.
And she brought the class president, no less.
If Shizuka rembered correctly, this girl with the cane, Arisu Sakayanagi, was the top student in Class A and had ranked second in the grade—just behind Kotomi.
Arisu had scored over a thousand points, which was impressive! But compared to her Kotomi… well, there was still a gap. Shizuka couldn't help but feel a bit proud of her own student.
Still, she quickly composed herself. She knew why Yachiyo had co—to invite Kotomi to transfer to Class 1-A.
What student would refuse an invitation to join Class A?
As much as she hated the thought of losing Kotomi, Shizuka knew that her student would be offered better educational resources. Even though she'd only known Kotomi for less than a month, Shizuka should be happy for her.
But why…
Why did the thought of Kotomi leaving Class 1-F leave her feeling so empty?
It wasn't about the grades. Even if Kotomi hadn't scored highly, Shizuka knew she would still feel the sa sense of loss at the thought of Kotomi transferring to another class.
Why did she feel this way? Shizuka asked herself.
She didn't have an answer, or maybe she did but was unwilling to face it. Sighing, Shizuka forced a smile and said, "Yachiyo-sensei, I think I know why you're here. How about this: since students have the right to choose, why don't we call her in and ask her if she wants to join Class A or stay in Class F?"
"Of course. Every student has that right, and teachers should not interfere," Yachiyo agreed with a nod.
"I'll go get her," Arisu volunteered unexpectedly.
Yachiyo was about to ask if her leg would be okay, but before she could say anything, Arisu had already briskly left, her cane tapping rhythmically as she moved quickly.
She certainly didn't look like soone with a weak constitution…
"I thought your class president, Arisu Sakayanagi, had a frail body and needed a cane to walk? But judging by how quickly she went to fetch Kotomi, she doesn't seem weak at all," Shizuka remarked, unable to suppress her surprise.
After all, Arisu was well-known at Sobu High School for always carrying a cane.
Yachiyo could only offer an awkward laugh in response.
…
anwhile, Arisu made her way to the entrance of Class 1-F, leaning on her cane.
Since class had just ended, the door was already open.
Arisu habitually knocked lightly on the door before entering Class 1-F, her cane tapping softly as she walked inside.
Her sudden appearance drew the attention of everyone in the classroom. The students were imdiately captivated by the sight of a beautiful girl they had never seen before. But Arisu paid no mind to the stares, focusing solely on finding Kotomi.
It didn't take long to spot her—leaning against the window, fast asleep at her desk.
She didn't look like the top student at all.
A subtle smile appeared on Arisu's face as she made her way slowly to Kotomi's desk, attracting all eyes as she moved through the room.
More precisely, she approached the desk of Kato gumi, since Kotomi sat by the window in the far corner.
"Excuse , could you please step aside? I need to speak with Little Kotomi."
Arisu smiled politely at Kato, her tone polite, but the use of "Little Kotomi" imdiately gave off the impression that the two shared a close, intimate relationship—one so close that it seed impenetrable to outsiders.
"Hmm? Is there sothing you need?"
Looking at the girl who suddenly asked her to step aside, gumi Kato's tone was anything but friendly. Of course, most of it stemd from her instincts.
The mont she saw Arisu Sakayanagi, gumi Kato could feel her internal alarm bells ringing stronger than ever.
She had always had her own views on the girls that appeared around Kotomi.
For instance:
Izumi Aimi, gumi considered her threat level to be a C.
Although her future little sister-in-law was indeed a strong contender, in gumi's eyes, Aimi's ranking was still too low. She appeared aggressive, like a gar who only knew how to spam the attack button, but truth be told, Aimi mostly saw Kotomi as her older sister, which was why she hadn't yet dared to take things further.
So every ti Aimi tried to provoke her, gumi would simply view her as an immature little girl. Instead of feeling threatened, she often found herself looking forward to the day when she and Kotomi would get married, just to see Aimi's reluctant face as she begrudgingly called her "sister-in-law."
Though, given Kotomi's nature, Aimi might find herself calling other beautiful girls "brother-in-law" instead.
That's why Aimi's threat level in gumi's heart was only a C.
Originally, it was a D, but as Aimi's advances on Kotomi beca bolder—although never crossing the line—gumi, always one to prepare for the future, had raised the threat level to C.
As for Yui Yuigahama, gumi ranked her as a B-level threat.
Due to their recent ti spent together for tutoring, Yui and Kotomi had been growing closer. Last ti, she even saw Yui hugging Kotomi on the rooftop.
From the first ti gumi t Kotomi, she had never encountered a girl around her who made her feel truly threatened.
She was beginning to think none of them were really a match.
But now...
Arisu Sakayanagi, threat level—SSSS!
Aimi, it looks like there's quite a few girls interested in being your "brother-in-law," gumi snickered internally.
"Could you step aside? I have sothing to discuss with little Kotomi," Arisu repeated when gumi didn't move, assuming she hadn't heard the first ti.
Perhaps it was the eagerness to see and talk to Kotomi that made Arisu's voice change from polite to firm.
gumi, refusing to back down, nonchalantly leaned closer to Kotomi, smiling softly. "Sorry, Kotomi didn't sleep well last night. I'm sure she'd rather catch up on her sleep than talk to you."
"Kotomi always goes to bed before midnight. In fact, last night, she probably went to sleep around eleven. If she really didn't rest well, I'd be able to tell from her complexion. Her face looks fine today, which ans she must have gone to bed earlier than usual. On the contrary, I'd like to ask—"
Arisu's tone abruptly beca cold and indifferent as she shot a piercing look at gumi, demanding, "Who are you? What are you to little Kotomi?"
"Tsk—"
Faced with Arisu's question, gumi clicked her tongue. Her instincts had been right; this girl with the cane was indeed trouble.
When gumi didn't respond within three seconds, Arisu took a deep breath, closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, her tone now even colder as she continued, "I am little Kotomi's closest person, soone she can't be without, her longti confidante. There's no room for you between us."
"What?" gumi's eyes widened in shock, her gaze sharpening with suspicion toward Arisu.
Could it be... Arisu Sakayanagi had known Kotomi for a long ti? Longer than she had?
Arisu smiled faintly and asked again, "So, would you mind stepping aside?"
If it had been an ordinary person asking to talk to Kotomi, gumi would've stepped aside after a brief question.
But from what Arisu had said, it was clear that her feelings for Kotomi were far deeper than anyone could have guessed.
The atmosphere in the class beca tense as several students turned their attention toward them. Arisu's earlier words had clearly sparked so curiosity.
Several students had recognized her as the class president of 1-A.
Could it be that the class president of 1-A had so kind of history with the eternal legend of class F—Kotomi?
Just as the tension in the air seed about to boil over, Kotomi, who had been sleeping peacefully, suddenly woke up, probably sensing that class was about to start. She stretched lazily and blinked, groggily taking in the scene before her.
Why were gumi and Arisu staring at each other like that?
Arisu Sakayanagi? Why was she here? Kotomi blinked in confusion, thinking she might not have woken up properly and was about to lay back down.
Seeing Kotomi finally awake, Arisu, who had previously been glaring at gumi, suddenly switched to a warm and gentle smile as she spoke to Kotomi, "Little Kotomi, do you have a mont Hiratsuka-sensei wants to see you in her office."
So it was the teacher calling for her, and Arisu had been sent to fetch her. Kotomi sighed in relief, understanding why Arisu was there now.
Hearing that Shizuka Hiratsuka wanted to see her, Kotomi, though unsure of the reason, nodded. "Alright, I'll go now. gumi, I'll be right back."
"Okay," gumi replied.
As soon as Kotomi woke up, gumi had swiftly adjusted her expression, softening her face and putting aside her hostility toward Arisu—for the mont.
The tense confrontation that had almost erupted into a twisted battlefield subsided, at least for now.
But only for now.
"By the way, Kotomi," gumi suddenly asked, "What ti did you go to bed last night?"
"What ti? Hmm... I think it was around eleven. There wasn't much to do last night, so I went to bed early. Why?" Kotomi replied casually.
gumi's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile tightening as she said, "No reason, go ahead. Don't keep Hiratsuka-sensei waiting."
As Kotomi stood up, gumi discreetly activated a small recording device she had prepared beforehand. Taking advantage of the brief mont Kotomi walked past her, she quickly slipped the tiny recorder into Kotomi's skirt pocket.
She had stumbled across the device while browsing on Amazon.
Though gumi hadn't originally had any need for a recorder, she instinctively bought it when she saw it, and it had arrived just the day before.
Since it ca with a 50% battery charge out of the box, she'd left it in her bag without thinking much of it.
Who knew it would co in handy today?
Oblivious to the small recording device now in her pocket, Kotomi followed Arisu out of class 1-F.
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