"Kirisu-sensei!"
The moment Hayakawa Shiro heard that thunderclap of a decree, his face went pale. He shot to his feet, blurting out in panic, "The time is way too short! You know their grades better than anyone—there's no way those two can pass the next monthly exam!"
"Excuses."
Her waist-length wine-red hair gleamed under the fluorescent lights. With her cold, flawless beauty, she was one of the most popular teachers on campus, adored by an entire flock of masochistic students. The icy mountain herself—Kirisu Mafuyu—spoke with a voice as frigid as her reputation.
"That's your problem. If you can't bring them to that level, then what business do you have being their tutor? The only reason the principal and I entrusted those two to you is because we believed in you. But if their grades don't show results, neither of us can allow this arrangement to continue."
"…"
Shiro had no words.
"If that's all, then leave."
Kirisu organized the stack of documents in her hands. Without a shred of mercy, she dismissed him and turned her focus elsewhere.
"…Yes, ma'am."
Shiro muttered, then trudged out of the office.
Damn woman, damn woman, damn woman…!
Outside the school building, Shiro slumped against the trunk of a tree, his body sagging with despair.
That woman had taught them before. She knew perfectly well how hopelessly thick-headed those two were outside their natural talents. And yet she still had the gall to demand this of him?
Ridiculous! Even she couldn't do it, and now she expects me to pull off a miracle?
"Aghh…"
Shiro let out a low, pitiful groan, covering his eyes with one hand. At that moment, the sunlight above felt cruelly harsh, the world unbearably cold and merciless. Everything was pain.
What am I supposed to do? Only two weeks left…
It was over. With their current progress, getting those two to passing scores in such a short time was impossible.
And the thought of losing his position as their tutor—of watching them abandon their struggle and retreat back to their original fields, leaving him in the dust once again—made Shiro's hands tremble uncontrollably.
I don't want to be crushed like that! I don't want to suffer!!
For a fleeting moment, he wished for death. Shiro clenched his fist, raised it, and nearly slammed it into the tree in frustration—but at the last second, his hand dropped limply to his side.
Maybe I should just transfer schools.
But no—that would be running away with his tail between his legs.
"Ughh…"
He cursed his own weakness under his breath, yet he couldn't suppress the cowardly urge to flee.
And then—
"I like you!"
A boy's voice rang out suddenly. "Please go out with me!"
Wha—?! An impure boy-girl relationship?!
Shiro's already fragile mental state snapped completely. His face twisted into a monstrous snarl as he whipped his head toward the source.
"WHERE?! Who's doing this?! I'll slaughter them both!!"
But when his eyes fell on the figures in the distance, he froze.
That girl with the pale blue hair tied with a white ribbon…
Who else could it be but Furuhashi Fumino?
"…Hah?"
Shiro's eyes went hollow and black.
Here I am, worrying myself sick over your grades, and you're off indulging in an unclean romance?!
You dare smear filth on my face like this? You really have the guts, don't you…
A sinister aura radiated off him, as if a vengeful spirit had taken shape at his back. A murder scene was seconds away.
But then—
"I'm sorry," Fumino said, bowing slightly. Her voice was calm but firm. "Right now, my heart is focused on studying. I don't have any intention of dating anyone. Please give up, Tanaka-kun. You'll definitely meet someone better."
Ahhh~ what a good girl!
The darkness clinging to Shiro evaporated in an instant. His gaze softened, turning angelic as he beheld Fumino.
Yes, yes, that's exactly how my ideal student should be! A pure focus on studying—wonderful! We'll always be the best of friends, won't we?
"I see…"
The boy—Tanaka, with fairly decent looks and some popularity—gave an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of his head. Then, with a sly grin, he said, "So that means… I still have a chance, right?"
"Eh?" Fumino blinked. "No, what I meant was—"
"Good enough for me!"
And before she could clarify, Tanaka bolted off with a shout over his shoulder: "I won't give up! I'll confess again in a few days!"
"…Eh."
Fumino sighed, helpless. "Please don't come back…"
"Fumino-chan!"
Two girls who had been hiding nearby rushed to her side, one on either flank. Their eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You turned Tanaka-kun down again, didn't you?"
"Yes…" Fumino admitted awkwardly. "I really want to focus on my studies."
"A shame, though," one of them swooned. "Tanaka-kun's actually pretty good-looking… and so popular, too."
"Right?" the other chimed in. "It wouldn't hurt to give him a chance."
Fumino shook her head. "Stop joking around. Let's just head back."
The three girls walked off together, chatting.
Meanwhile, hidden at a distance, Hayakawa Shiro listened, his brows furrowing.
An unstable element.
Students shouldn't be dating at all. It's absurd. The only righteous path is to devote oneself wholly to study.
Chewing his bread roll and flipping through his vocabulary book at the same time, Shiro passed through the courtyard walkway—only to run into two boys coming from the opposite direction.
One of them was none other than Tanaka.
Shiro's brow twitched. He kept his face blank and walked past them without a word. He had no interest in speaking to boys obsessed with impure relationships.
"You might as well give up, Tanaka," the other boy muttered. "It's hopeless. That girl's way out of your league."
Shiro's steps faltered.
"You don't get it," Tanaka said smugly. "Girls like Furuhashi are easy to handle. As long as I keep confessing, she'll eventually feel guilty and cave in. Give it a couple more tries, and she's mine."
He smirked knowingly. "And once that happens… you know what comes next."
Both boys chuckled with vulgar implication.
"Hey."
A voice rang out behind them.
Meanwhile, Fumino was carrying a bread roll back to class, her nose buried in a pocket-sized formula book—a habit she'd picked up from Hayakawa.
Suddenly—
"What the hell is your problem?!"
A furious shout split the air. "Why the hell are you butting into my business?!"
"Because it is my business."
That voice—familiar, unmistakable.
"Eh?"
Fumino froze, then hurried toward the commotion. She peeked around the corner—
And gasped.
Two boys were sprawled on the ground. One lay face-down, groaning weakly. The other sat on his back, his face swollen red with the mark of a fist, his chest clearly bruised from a kick. He was screaming in rage.
It was Tanaka.
And standing over them with arms crossed, looking down with cold disdain, was none other than Hayakawa Shiro.
What—? A fight? Hayakawa-kun fought these two? Why? Because of an argument? Should I… should I get a teacher?
As Fumino hesitated in confusion, Tanaka roared again.
"Who the hell do you think you are?! What's your relationship with Furuhashi Fumino?! What gives you the right to interfere?!"
Me?!
Her mind blanked at the sudden mention of her name. Lightning seemed to flash across her brain—
And then she heard Shiro's reply.
"Isn't it obvious?"
He jabbed his thumb at his own chest and declared with absolute seriousness:
"Furuhashi Fumino belongs to me."
"…"
Fumino's brain short-circuited.
"What…?!"
Tanaka's expression contorted. He'd just lost every scrap of ground to stand on.
"You still don't get it?" Shiro's voice dropped into a dangerous growl. He seized Tanaka by the collar, his eyes sharp enough to pierce through steel. "Listen carefully. Don't let me catch you bothering Furuhashi again. Otherwise… I'll be very, very troubled."
"Do you understand?!"
A few minutes later, Shiro brushed the dust off his clothes. He'd taken a couple of hits himself during the scuffle, but nothing serious.
That should do it. He won't dare pester Furuhashi again, not after what I said.
After all, he'd made things perfectly clear:
Furuhashi Fumino belongs to me (my student—and rival).I won't give up (on forcing her into science).Don't bother Furuhashi again (and ruin her studying).Otherwise, I'll be troubled (by her grades dropping).
I've expressed her dedication to studying beyond doubt, even threatened him. He should understand now. He should back off…
Still, Shiro sighed.
Damn it. As if the looming exam wasn't headache enough, now I've got this to deal with too…
"Troubles never end…"
He shook his head and turned back toward the classroom—only to spot Fumino standing not far away, her cheeks tinged pink, her expression grave.
"…Hayakawa-kun."
She met his eyes.
"Let's talk."