After putting on his standard school uniform, Isagi left the soccer team's locker room and headed back to the main school building.
The hallways of Ichinan were quiet, bathed in soft light streaming through the tall windows. The rhythmic sound of Isagi's footsteps echoed on the impeccably clean tiles, accompanied by a faint creak from the zipper of the backpack slung over his shoulder. The Ichinan High School male uniform consists of black pants and a light brown V-neck sweater, with a white collared shirt underneath. It is paired with a black tie and a light gray blazer worn over the entire outfit. The male uniform remains the same throughout all seasons.
In the past, the uniform featured a blue blazer, but the current student council president suggested the change, and it happened naturally.
The girls' uniform wasn't much different. The elementary school female uniform is similar to the high school one, except for the bow tie, blazer, and shirt underneath. It consists of a black blazer paired with a bow tie and a small white-and-beige-lined cape over the shoulders. The students also wear the Academy's insignia on the shirt collar.
Putting aside the appearance of his uniform, Isagi's mind was elsewhere.
Reincarnation… memories… anime characters walking around campus as if they were normal people… It all seemed like a delusion caused by severe head trauma.
And yet, it all made sense.
In a crazy, absurdly logical way, it did.
Reaching the third floor, Isagi turned into the right hallway. He recognized everything. The signs above the sliding doors, the club posters pinned to the bulletin boards with that typical school aesthetic, even the muffled sound of a teacher explaining something in a nearby classroom.
He slowed his pace as he approached 1-B, his classroom.
He slid the door open carefully, making as little noise as possible.
As soon as he entered, he was greeted by the low, relaxed hum of his classmates chatting among themselves. The atmosphere in the room was light, with some students seated at their desks, others standing by the open windows, enjoying the gentle late-morning breeze. No one seemed concerned about the teacher's absence.
Isagi glanced around before heading to his desk, but before sitting down, he turned to a boy with light brown hair who was idly scrolling on his phone, propped up on the desk in front of him.
"Hey… Sato," Isagi said, catching his classmate's attention. "Where's the teacher?"
The boy looked up, noticing Isagi only then. He smiled with a hint of contained surprise.
"Oh, Isagi! Nice work at practice," he said first, with a friendly wave. "The teacher hasn't shown up yet. P.E. class ended a little while ago, but today's teacher let us out about twenty minutes early. Lucky, right?"
Isagi nodded, his eyes drifting to the digital clock hanging above the blackboard. He'd been so lost in thought that he hadn't even noticed. Soccer practice ends at the same time as P.E. And Alya came to see me about five minutes ago, so that leaves fifteen minutes?
"Thanks, Sato!"
"No problem, Isagi…"
Isagi looked away, a bit embarrassed, then walked around the row to reach his desk. As usual, the chair next to his, the one closest to the window, was already occupied by Alya.
She was sitting sideways, resting her face in her hand as she gazed out the window with a serene, almost bored expression. Her platinum blonde hair, straight and perfectly aligned, subtly reflected the sunlight like silver silk. The black blazer contrasted with her fair skin, and the bow tie, carefully knotted, completed her impeccable appearance. Despite that, her distant gaze made it clear her mind was wandering far from there.
Isagi pulled his chair out discreetly and sat down.
"Yo…" he said quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone or draw too much attention.
Alya blinked slowly and turned her face toward him, as if she'd already known he was there before he even spoke.
"Arriving at the last second as always, huh, Isagi-kun?"
Her voice was soft but carried that teasing tone he was starting to recognize.
"Class hasn't even started yet…" he mumbled, tossing his backpack onto the desk's hook.
Alya turned slightly toward him, resting her chin in her hand. Her smile was small, almost lazy.
"Well, you got lucky today, then…"
"Your sarcasm is still top-notch…" Isagi said with an ironic smile.
Alya narrowed her eyes slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Hmph. At least someone recognizes my talent…" she said, turning her face with mock superiority.
Isagi leaned back in his chair, resting his arm on the desk.
"Practicing to be the president of the sarcasm club?"
"Maybe. I'm accepting applications, but I'm not sure you'd pass the interview."
"Harsh…" he muttered, looking forward. "And to think you went all the way to the field to see me…"
Alya froze for a moment. Just a second. But he noticed.
She quickly turned her gaze back to the window, as if the outside world had suddenly become fascinating.
"Don't overthink it. I was just… passing by."
"Oh, sure. The soccer field bleachers are the shortest route to the locker room, right?"
"Tsk…" Alya turned slowly, her cheeks now faintly pink. "Не будь таким самодовольным... Идиот."
(Don't be so smug… Idiot.)
Isagi raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"I said you're an idiot. Pay more attention next time."
He let out a sigh, finding the idea of telling her he understood Russian quite tempting. Either way, this humiliatingly playful dynamic, where the beautiful girl next to him only spoke affectionately in Russian, was entirely his fault, so he had no choice but to accept it graciously…
Putting that aside, he decided to take out his materials for the next class.
"Hmm?"
After rummaging through his desk, checking his backpack, and looking in his locker at the back of the classroom, Isagi started to panic slightly. He couldn't find his textbook for the next class, and when he glanced at the clock, he realized he had less than two minutes before it started. He had no choice but to lean to his left, clasp his hands in a pleading gesture, and whisper, "Alya, sorry, but do you think we can share your chemistry book?"
"You forgot your book again?" Alya replied, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
"Yeah, I probably left it at home."
"Fine." She sighed.
"Thanks!"
Isagi quickly moved his desk next to hers.
"How do you forget your book so often? It's like you haven't changed at all, even after starting high school."
"Hey, can you blame me? We have way too many textbooks."
Ichinan Academy required an absurd number of textbooks for its classes, being a high-level school. Each subject demanded numerous textbooks and reference books, and some classes even had supplementary books created by the teachers themselves. And yet, the backpacks hadn't been updated in years. Whether the school was simply respecting tradition wasn't clear, but what was clear was that the number of textbooks for a single day was enough to nearly tear their backpacks at the seams. So, most students left all their textbooks at school. That seemed a bit tricky for Isagi to manage, though.
Based on the memories of his body's previous owner, he struggled with this because soccer was all that mattered to him…
But how to explain that to the tsundere sitting next to him?
"It wasn't on my desk when I checked yesterday, so I thought it was in my locker, but… looks like I was wrong."
"You should've checked your locker to be sure, then. This only happens because you don't keep track of which books you take home and which you leave here."
"Well, you got me there."
"I'm not in the mood for sarcasm."
"Wow, you're so mean."
Alisa shrugged and rolled her eyes at Isagi's apathetic behavior and monotonous tone. She then took out all her chemistry textbooks from her desk and turned to Isagi with a questioning look.
"So? Which book did you need?"
"Oh, that one. The blue one."
After opening the blue reference book, she placed it in the middle of their desks. Isagi thanked her with a nod and prepared for the teacher's class…
But as he got organized, he noticed a girl talking with her friends near the door.
His heart raced when he saw her.
In terms of beauty, she was every bit Alya's equal. She was tall, with smooth, fair skin that seemed almost luminous, like porcelain under the right light. From his predecessor's memories, Isagi knew her eyes were naturally dark brown, deep like a lake at night. However, she often wore dark pink contact lenses, a bold and vibrant color that seemed to perfectly match her striking yet charming personality.
Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with emotion as she spoke animatedly with her friends, sometimes mischievous, sometimes dreamy, but always alive. Her thin eyebrows, partially hidden by her bangs, accentuated the harmony of her face. Her makeup, always well done, reflected her cheerful demeanor: peach-pink eyeshadow on her eyelids, subtle blush on her cheeks, and glossy lips that shimmered invitingly.
But what stood out most was her blonde hair. Shining like strands of sunlight, it fell to her waist in perfect layers. At the ends, a colorful gradient stood out with reddish-pink and vibrant orange, like flaming petals or citrus fruits. Her side-swept bangs gently brushed her forehead, grazing her eyelashes, and two long strands slid over her shoulders to her chest, framing her figure with elegance.
Her long, acrylic nails were painted a glossy bubblegum pink. They caught the light with every movement of her hands, giving the impression that even her gestures had personality. A striking detail, but one that perfectly matched her overall style.
Her body was even more striking; her moderately sized but well-proportioned breasts gently shaped the uniform. The fitted black fabric naturally outlined her bust, subtle yet perfectly complementing her slender silhouette, especially with the white-and-beige-lined cape over her shoulders. Her slim, well-defined waist was one of her most striking features, forming a smooth line between her bust and hips, giving the pleated black skirt an impeccable fit. This delicate curve not only reinforced her athletic appearance but also conveyed a light, natural femininity.
As for her hips, though not exaggerated, they were rounded and well-shaped, balancing the ensemble harmoniously. The skirt, ending just above her knees, subtly hinted at her figure without being vulgar.
It was Marin Kitagawa.
Although he—or rather, his predecessor—had exchanged a few words with her about popular anime (especially seasonal ones, which he watched occasionally out of boredom or curiosity), the sparkle in her eyes and the way she spoke with genuine enthusiasm made him believe, at the time, that they had built some kind of good rapport. Maybe not a deep friendship, but a casual camaraderie of school hallways and lighthearted chats.
Still…
Man, she was really beautiful.
It was the kind of beauty that seemed impossible to ignore, even if you tried. Like someone had dragged an anime character into the real world, with all the colors and lights intensified. Oh, right! That's exactly what had happened. Seeing her in person made something inside him tremble for a moment. His heartbeat quickened; it was impossible not to be drawn to such a stunning woman, especially when she was smiling like that at her friends, gesturing with those glossy nails and sparkling eyes.
It was impossible not to stare a little longer than he should.
Lost in thought, he was abruptly snapped out of it—
"Nnng?!"
The tip of a mechanical pencil was jabbed into his ribs.
"T-that was… right between my ribs!"
Isagi groaned quietly in agony and shot a reproachful look at the girl next to him… who instantly returned his gaze with a disdainful one, making him shrink back. Her narrowed blue eyes spoke volumes: "Wow. Pretty bold of you to stare at another girl with me right here, you traitor…"
Alya crossed her arms tightly, her eyes narrowed, while her pencil still hovered threateningly near Isagi's ribs.
"Предатель."
(Traitor.)
Isagi blinked, confused for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh.
"What was that?"
She turned her face with a "hmph," slightly puffing out her cheeks. A sulky expression slowly and dangerously formed on her face, making her even cuter in his humble opinion.
"Я красивее. Ты должен смотреть только на меня."
(I'm prettier. You should only look at me.)
Isagi froze.
What…?
An awkward smile escaped before he could stop it.
"What do you mean 'traitor'? I didn't know I was in a relationship with you."
But then, his mind betrayed him again.
"…Actually, I don't think that'd be so bad…"
Alya kept her face turned away, arms still crossed, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside as if she wanted to ignore the entire universe.
Isagi looked away, a bit embarrassed for staring at Marin so long… but also for letting Alya's words affect him so much. Even if they were in Russian.
At that moment, the classroom door slid open with a soft clack, making everyone turn.
"Alright, everyone, that's enough break time," said Professor Hayashida, entering with a folder under her arm and her glasses slightly askew on her nose. She was a woman in her thirties, with a serious demeanor but a gentle voice. "Let's get back to our seats, please. Class is about to start…"
Immediately, the students moved as if switching to autopilot.
Conversations stopped, some boys standing by the windows returned to their seats, and even two girls who had just come back from the bathroom hurried in, whispering embarrassed apologies as they passed the door.
Professor Hayashida placed her materials on the desk and wrote the day's content on the board with firm handwriting.
"Open your books to page fifty-three. Today we'll review acid-base reactions before next week's practical activity."
"Hai…" some students mumbled in unison.
Isagi looked at the book lazily. Next to him, Alya had already marked the section with a star-shaped paper clip.
As expected of her.
"You've already studied all this at home, haven't you?"
Alya replied without taking her eyes off the book:
"Obviously."
"…Knew it."
"You should, too. I'm not planning to share grades with a slacker forever."
"You're really calling me a slacker?"
"Я шучу... немного."
(I'm kidding… a little.)
"…Huh?"
Isagi let out a nervous laugh, his shoulders slightly hunched as he looked forward, trying not to let the faint warmth rising to his face show.
Beside him, Alya glanced away from the book for just a second, observing his flustered and slightly defeated expression, her eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a guilty smile.
Her lips curved into a faint, genuine smile… perhaps a little too affectionate.
"Миленький."
(Cute.)
Isagi didn't understand right away, but the soft, almost tender tone of the word sent a shiver down his spine.
"Hm?"
"It's nothing," Alya said quickly, returning to the book with feigned indifference, though the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
Isagi stayed silent for a few seconds, but his heart didn't. It beat a little faster than it should.
The class continued normally, with Professor Hayashida writing formulas and explaining reactions on the board. The students took notes with varying levels of attention, some already yawning, others underlining everything as if studying for the end-of-the-world entrance exam.
But Isagi… he couldn't focus as much as he wanted.
While trying to force himself to copy the explanation about acid-base neutralization, his gaze wandered around the room. He started paying more attention to his classmates' faces… and then, he realized.
It wasn't just Marin Kitagawa there.
In the back row, near the wall, was a boy of average height and slim build, with brown hair and eyes, looking sleepy. Isagi was certain he'd seen that face in some anime TikTok clip. And he wasn't the only one—according to his predecessor's memories, it was Sakuta Azusagawa. He wasn't very popular due to a rumor that he'd been involved in violent activities that sent people to the hospital, dubbed the "Hospitalization Incident."
On the other side of the room was a handsome, though brooding, boy with a slim build, chin-length black hair covering the left side of his face, and a monotonous expression amplified by his dark eyes. That was Ishigami Yu, right? He was somewhat famous in middle school.
He had beaten up Ko Ogino, the drama club president, for not stopping his acts of betrayal against Kyoko Ootomo. In desperation, Ko framed Yu for attacking him out of jealousy over Kyoko being his girlfriend, leading to widespread rumors and overwhelming hatred from others, as well as a long-term suspension that didn't end until he wrote an apology. The hatred from everyone, the suspension, and its effect on his family relationships at home replaced his self-confidence and self-esteem with misery and negativity. In the end, he could never bring himself to write an apology letter because he refused to do so.
But when one of his competitors for middle school student council president, Miyuki, investigated and uncovered the truth about his suffering, he was the only one who understood and believed Yu was innocent.
Ishigami Yu then became Miyuki's "running mate," overcoming his fear and all the guilt during the speech to support him…
According to his predecessor's memories, the two had only talked a few times, nothing more.
Speaking of which.
His only friends were Kuze-san, who studied in the class next door with his sister, the soccer team, and Hotarou Oreki, who was apparently in class 1-F. When he wasn't with the team in the cafeteria, he usually hung out with Kuze and Oreki. The group sometimes included Kuze's friends, Hikaru Kiyomiya and Takeshi Maruyama, as well as Satoshi Fukube, Oreki's only close friend.
He and Kuze had known each other since middle school, and Oreki joined the group by chance one day in the cafeteria. From there, the three became close. While Kuze and Oreki were lazy by nature, Isagi lived and breathed soccer, always focused on the sport. Despite their differences, in an almost unlikely way, the three formed a solid friendship, which sometimes expanded to include each other's friends.
But they were just high school friendships and exchanged messages at best; they weren't extremely close.
In the class, Alya remained the closest to him.
But putting that aside, now wasn't the time to get distracted by this.
It was time to study!
…Or rather, try to study…
The class continued at a monotonous but steady pace. Professor Hayashida dictated chemistry concepts with the calm of someone who knew half the class would only memorize the basics for the next test. The sound of markers scratching on the board and the faint rustle of pages being turned filled the room, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Very different from Brazilian schools where students slapped teachers or girls went to the bathroom with boys… It was another level.
Isagi kept his eyes on the open book in front of him, but his mind wasn't exactly following the content. Every now and then, he risked a discreet glance at Alya, who remained focused, her posture impeccable as always.
Time seemed to drag, but finally, the familiar sound of the bell echoed through the building, signaling the break. Students got up immediately, chairs scraping against the floor, conversations resuming with excitement. The teacher gathered her materials unhurriedly, leaving the room with a casual wave.
Isagi let out the breath he'd been holding.
Break time.
A moment to breathe and try to organize the avalanche of information that only seemed to grow with each passing minute.
__________________
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