"What's so surprising about a rich young lady? It's not like I've never met one before. If anything, that kind of character setting is pretty common."
Isshiki Iroha blinked at Sato.
Pretty common?
Are we living in two different worlds?
Sato gave Iroha an innocent shrug.
To him, it really was something quite ordinary.
If he counted them up, he actually knew quite a few young ladies from wealthy families.
Kotobuki Tsumugi, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Eriri were all rich girls. Even the "heroine" Iroha had just mentioned was someone he knew.
So there was really nothing strange about it.
Sato thought to himself matter-of-factly.
Knowing lots of beautiful rich girls wasn't a problem at all.
Come to think of it, Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei also seemed to be from a wealthy family. Still, staying single for thirty years despite that was impressive in its own way.
...
Ring, ring, ring.
The class bell rang.
Class 2-A's homeroom teacher, Sakamoto, gently pushed open the classroom door and walked in.
He looked as meticulous as ever, dressed in a white shirt with a tie and neatly pressed suit trousers. His entire bearing resembled a sturdy pine tree.
In an instant, the classroom fell completely silent.
Walking to the podium, he set down the teaching materials in his hand and looked toward the students before casually pushing up his glasses with his index finger.
Flash!
A glint of light reflected off the lenses, revealing the calm eyes beneath.
He's still so handsome!
The students all sighed inwardly.
As expected of Sakamoto-sensei!
The girls stared at him with sparkling eyes full of admiration.
If someone asked who the most popular male student at the private academy was, most people would probably answer Hayama Hayato, the captain of the soccer club.
But if they asked who the most popular man was, almost everyone would answer Sakamoto-sensei.
The man's charm transcended age and gender.
"Everyone, a new semester has begun. I hope you'll all continue working hard this term and graduate with excellent results."
"Also, our class has a transfer student this semester. Please welcome her with a round of applause."
Clap, clap, clap!
"Yuuki-san, please come in."
He turned toward the classroom door.
After a brief moment of surprise, the students immediately stretched their necks to look outside.
"A transfer student? Please be a guy!"
"I wonder what she's like. Hopefully she's a cute girl."
"Even if she is, it won't have anything to do with you."
"I hope heaven sends me my prince charming."
"Hehe, what a hopeless romantic."
Sitting near the front, Isshiki Iroha glanced back at Sato and proudly raised her fair chin.
See? My information was right.
She arched an eyebrow triumphantly.
Resting his cheek on one hand, Sato looked at her with amusement.
He really wanted to see the expression on her face once she found out he already knew Yuuki Asuna.
A moment later, Yuuki Asuna walked into the classroom.
Her graceful steps were elegant and unhurried, like a lily blooming gently in the breeze.
"Wooah!"
A chorus of astonished voices erupted throughout the classroom.
The boys' eyes immediately lit up, and lively discussion broke out everywhere.
"She really is beautiful!"
"Yes!"
"She's gorgeous!"
Not only the boys, but even the girls looked amazed as they whispered among themselves.
"She's really beautiful."
"She has such an elegant aura too. She really looks like a rich young lady."
"Could she actually be one? That kind of bearing isn't something an ordinary family could cultivate."
"But... doesn't she seem kind of familiar?"
"I was just thinking the same thing."
While everyone was talking, Yuuki Asuna had already reached the podium.
Wearing an elegant smile, she gave the class a slight bow before raising her head.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Yuuki Asuna. I look forward to getting along with all of you."
Suddenly, someone in the back poked Sato from behind.
Turning around, he saw Kirigaya Kazuto staring blankly at him.
"Why did she transfer to our school?"
Sato looked at him, then smiled meaningfully.
"For some special reasons. You'll find out eventually."
"???"
Kazuto looked completely confused.
"Hm. Ikeda, move your seat back one row. Yuuki-san, you'll sit there."
Yuuki Asuna looked where Sakamoto indicated.
She immediately saw Sato staring at the empty seat beside him in surprise.
The boy sitting there nodded, packed up his things, and moved back one desk.
Her eyes immediately brightened.
Hm?
Isshiki Iroha faintly sensed that something wasn't right.
...
As soon as the first class ended, lively chatter once again filled the classroom.
As expected, the topic of discussion for most people was Yuuki Asuna.
The girls gathered together, chatting excitedly.
The boys huddled into groups as well, stealing glances at her while laughing loudly and playfully shoving one another forward to strike up a conversation.
Isshiki Iroha had just walked over toward Sato's desk.
She was still secretly observing Yuuki Asuna, her brows slightly furrowed in thought.
She feels so familiar...
Where have I seen her before?
Then she suddenly saw Yuuki Asuna turn around and begin chatting naturally with Sato.
Huh?!
She froze instantly.
W, what's going on?!
"Isshiki-san, why are you just standing there? You look kind of dazed right now."
Pretending to notice her only then, Sato smiled faintly.
"Y-you..."
She pointed at Sato, trembling in shock.
"Me? What about me?"
"S-she..."
"Her? That's Yuuki Asuna. Didn't you just meet her? She's the transfer student who arrived today."
Sato's smile only grew wider.
"I-I..."
"Me? I didn't..."
Isshiki Iroha glared fiercely at him before swinging her delicate fists.
"I'm gonna beat you to death!"
She lightly punched him a couple of times, pouting angrily.
"You already knew the new transfer student, Yuuki-san! You've been laughing at me this whole time, haven't you?!"
Sato looked at her with an expression of exaggerated surprise.
"So... you finally figured it out?"
Bit by bit, the smile on his face spread until he could no longer hold it back.
Finally, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"