I can't seem to find any Kokonoka character, if you know her, please correct me. If not' I'lll correct it later when more details are provided.
******
There's a kind of boredom called the opening ceremony, a kind of excuse called "I forgot my homework," and a kind of bliss called "sensei is absent today."
In every sense of the word, the so-called opening ceremony was mind-numbingly dull.
The principal and teachers took turns droning on about the school's glorious history, its famous alumni, strict school rules, and the clichéd encouragement for first-years. The air was so thick with formalities that it could put even the most diligent honor student to sleep.
Mayonaka Kokonoka was already deep in slumber, hugging her little lamb pillow like it was her only lifeline. Gotou Hitori remained in her default state of intense nervousness—spine straight, arms stiff, eyes vacant.
Kasumigaoka Touji couldn't help but feel like the true "talent" of First-Year Class G was being sucked into the strange gravitational pull that surrounded his seat.
It really was just like a light novel setup—the protagonist surrounded by a cast of quirky, one-of-a-kind girls.
"Seriously, am I in some kind of beautiful-girl magnet zone or what?" Touji sighed inwardly.
Of course, he wasn't exactly paying attention to the speeches either. Instead, he was mentally planning how to help the two girls beside him complete their dreams.
Mayonaka-san would probably try looking for a nap-oriented club this afternoon and, most likely, fail. That was when she'd get the idea to form the Nap Club herself. Touji figured he could support her as a ghost member until she fulfilled her goal.
Actually, he could even bring Gotou Hitori along.
Kokonoka's soft and laid-back personality might be just what someone like Gotou-san needed to open up a little. Compared to a guy like him, she'd be way less intimidating.
Yes, yes. It was a perfect plan. Kill two birds with one stone!
Touji was secretly patting himself on the back for his genius plan when he heard a familiar name echo through the auditorium speakers:
"Please welcome the outstanding student representative from Class B of the Second Year, Kasumigaoka Utaha-san, to the stage."
He blinked.
Almost reflexively, his gaze rose to the stage and locked onto a tall, graceful figure. Long black hair adorned with a white headband, a calm expression as she walked with poise. Yep, that was his "Onee-san."
After a moment of hesitation, Touji sneakily pulled out his phone from his pocket and recorded a short clip of Utaha receiving the commendation. He sent it to the family group chat.
[Touji.]: "Utaha is thriving out here! (PД`q.)"
His mother responded almost instantly:
[Mom]: "(y▽)* Secretly grinning."
[Mom]: "Next year, I hope to see you up there too."
[Touji.]: "Emmm... no promises."
End of chat!
...
After the commendation ceremony, there was another ten to twenty minutes of speeches before it finally came to a merciful end.
One by one, the classes began exiting the auditorium in an orderly manner.
"Time to wake up."
Touji gently nudged Mayonaka Kokonoka's shoulder.
"Mmm?"
She lifted her head slowly, her eyes still fogged with sleep, looking at him as if she had no idea where she was.
"Opening ceremony's over. Time to head back," he said.
"Ah! Right, sorry~ I fell asleep again," she muttered, hastily wiping imaginary drool and stashing her pillow back into her bag.
"No worries. I almost dozed off too," Touji said, smiling wryly. Though seriously, why was she apologizing to him? He wasn't the teacher!
He glanced to his left.
Gotou Hitori had a look like a small animal prepared to bolt at the first sign of danger. Her posture screamed "fight or flight."
What an amusing class this is...
"Buzz buzz—!"
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked it and saw that he'd been tagged in the family group chat by none other than Kasumi Utako.
[Kasumi Utako]: "@Touji., playing with your phone during the ceremony? Confiscated! Bring it to me later, or else!"
Touji's eye twitched. He typed back:
[Touji.]: "You're not a teacher."
[Kasumi Utako]: "Onee-san is basically a teacher!"
[Touji.]: "Since when?!"
[Kasumi Utako]: "Just now! I invented it."
[Touji.]: "You're so full of yourself."
[Kasumi Utako]: "I'm amazing, aren't I?"
[Mom]: "(y▽)* Observing the chaos as usual." "Popcorn ready!"
...
Upon returning from the auditorium to G Class of First Year, Kojima Kana-sensei gave the students ten minutes of free time to rest.
Kasumigaoka Touji used that window to head over to the restroom.
By the time he returned, the classroom had already become noticeably more lively. Written on the blackboard in neat handwriting were various class officer roles—class president, vice president, secretary, treasurer...
Touji gave the board a quick glance before immediately looking away. Stuff like this didn't interest him in the slightest.
Leadership positions? No, thank you. That was a flag he had no intention of triggering.
Meanwhile, Yamanoto Kuma-ji eagerly ran up to him, looking puffed-up with ambition.
"Touji-kun! Vote for me, okay? I'm going to run for class rep!"
"Sure," Touji replied casually with a nod.
He didn't really care who won, anyway.
As the clock ticked down, Kojima Kana-sensei clapped her hands once, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
"Alright, everyone. Break's over. Let's begin the self-introductions. We'll go in order by student number. Number one, please come up to the podium."
"Y-Yes!" A boy sitting closest to the door shot up from his seat like a startled deer.
He adjusted his black-rimmed glasses nervously, then shuffled over to the front, pushing his bangs aside slightly.
"Um... h-hello everyone. M-my name is Takada Shun. I'm from Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture. My hobby is reading... I read a lot. Like, a lot."
With that, he quickly bowed and retreated to his seat, visibly relieved.
Touji mentally nodded. Classic bookworm archetype.
Next up was a striking contrast.
A 'shiro-gyaru' stepped forward—light skin, flawless foundation, glittery makeup, and reddish-brown hair styled in soft waves. She was rocking several sparkly earrings and looked like she had just walked out of a fashion magazine.
"Heyyy~! I'm Akizuki Yuna from Adachi Ward!"
"I love karaoke, doing makeup, shopping, and traveling! And I really don't like boys who are late or act petty, okay?"
She winked and grinned.
"Also, I'm single right now, just sayin'!"
Her cheerful introduction earned some whistles and playful jeers from the louder boys in class. A few even straightened up in their seats, clearly taking mental notes.
Touji resisted the urge to sigh. The gyaru energy was strong with this one.
One after another, the students introduced themselves. The third... fourth... fifth...
And then—
With perfect posture, a girl with long twin blonde tails gracefully stood and walked up.
"Greetings, everyone," she began with a flawless ojou-sama tone, raising her hand elegantly to her chest. "I am Sawamura Spencer Eriri."
Her smile sparkled with nobility.
"I live in the Kita Ward. My hobbies include drawing, having tea in the afternoon, and listening to classical music. It is my utmost pleasure to be your classmate this year."
"I humbly look forward to working with you all~"
The reaction was explosive.
"So refined...!"
"She's totally like a high-class ojou-sama from a prestigious family!"
"She's so cute it's unfair!!"
Even the usually cool students couldn't help but whisper in awe.
"Um, Sawamura-san, are you... mixed?" one brave soul asked timidly.
Eriri maintained her elegant composure, placing a finger near her cheek.
"Yes, I'm half Japanese and half British."
"Kyaaaa~ that's so exotic!"
"She's like a real anime heroine...!"
From the sidelines, Kojima Kana-sensei observed it all with arms crossed, not bothering to interrupt the buzzing classroom.
Kasumigaoka Touji, meanwhile, just sat there, expression unreadable.
—He knew all too well.
Behind that angelic smile... was a tsundere gremlin in disguise.