Inside the Room.
With a toothbrush in her mouth, Umaru quickly unbuttoned and slipped out of her hamster pajamas.
Her pale little feet padded across the floor as she walked toward the bathroom, yawning. She stood in front of the sink (and mirror) , comb in hand, tidying her messy bed-hair.
For her, going out without washing her hair was already routine. Still, she made sure to comb it every day—because by then, her silky locks would start to look oily.
After all, as a girl, loving cleanliness was still the most basic duty. (Not when she is at home)
She grabbed her mouthwash cup, swished down a few sips, spat, then wiped the foam clinging to the corners of her lips.
After finishing, Umaru began to rummaging through her wardrobe.
There were too many clothes stuffed inside, and it took her nearly a full minute before she finally found what she wanted.
Rustle—rustle.
The sound of changing clothes echoed through the room.
"Well then, the first day of a new semester… let's go."
Sliding into her black Sobu High uniform, she pursed her sakura-pink lips, which glistened faintly as though gloss had been applied.
Even in casual wear, Umaru's natural beauty made people turn their heads to look at her from time to time. But now, dressed in her crisp uniform with a touch of elegance, she exuded an aura of gentleness and quiet charm.
To classmates and acquaintances, she appeared to be the model student—a beautiful girl who was skilled in household arts and who practiced music diligently over holidays to enrich herself.
But the truth was…
At home, she was a certified Otaku.
Lazy to the core, Umaru's guiding philosophy revolved around three sacred words: eat, play, sleep.
Everything in the house had to be handled by her brother, and she was hopelessly attached to him.
Straightening her uniform in front of the mirror, she picked up her handbag and was about to step out when she suddenly froze mid-step.
"Oh—right. The amulet."
She hurried back to the bedside table and picked up the small charm resting there.
It was an amulet Gojo had given her a year ago, telling her that no matter where she went—outings, school, anywhere—she must always keep it on her.
As for what it actually did, Umaru hadn't asked. She simply believed it was for protection or luck.
Slipping the red charm into her pocket, Umaru opened the door and stepped into the living room.
"…Huh? Where's Onii-chan?"
The living room was empty.
On the table, only a plate of small sweets and a steaming cup of black tea remained.
.....
Sobu High School – Teacher's Office
"Wha—You?!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice almost cracked as she pointed at the white-haired figure before her.
"You bastard, why are you here of all places?!"
The casually grinning man with snow-white hair leaned lazily against the teacher's desk. His presence alone made the corners of Hiratsuka's eyes twitch uncontrollably.
Earlier, she had read the group chat announcement: a new teacher was joining Sobu High this year.
But never—Never—had she expected that the new teacher would be him.
"Don't tell me, Gojo Satoru… how much did you bribe the principal to get in here?!"
"What's with that tone, Shizuka-san?" Gojo said, clutching his chest dramatically. "Being a teacher has always been my dream! My noble dream!"
"…..And that face. That's the face of someone being disgusted, isn't it? Shizuka-san, you wound me. Truly, I'm going to cry."
Gojo whipped out a handkerchief out of nowhere and dabbed theatrically at the corners of his eyes, as though tears were ready to spill.
Hiratsuka's mouth twitched. Watching this clown act, she could only wave her hand with a tired sigh.
"Alright, enough of the nonsense. We've known each other for half a year already. Do you think I can't see through you?"
Her expression sharpened, eyes narrowing.
"Tell me the truth, Gojo. Why did you really come to Sobu High? Is there something serious going on?"
Others might not know this man, but Hiratsuka Shizuka certainly did.
....
Flashback – Six Months Ago
Half a year earlier, she had been suddenly pulled into another world.
The air there was thick with decay and oppression. The sky loomed, painted with red and black.
And worst of all…
The world was infested with monsters.
The moment they laid eyes on her, they howled with madness and bloodlust, rushing in to tear her apart. Even the weakest among them was far beyond more terrifying than anything.
She ran, stumbled, cry—but her strength were quickly drained.
Despair filled her chest as their claws were about to reach for her throat.
When suddenly—he appeared.
A tall man clad in black. His eyes hidden beneath a pitch-black blindfold. White hair like snow spilled behind him, accentuating the sharp beauty of the half of his face that was exposed.
He arrived without warning, like a phantom. Hiratsuka could only assume he was another person who had been pulled into this cursed dimension.
She had no strength left, no hope for rescue. Her instincts screamed only one thing:
Run, save yourself.
But, the man simply tilted his head and said lightly—
"It's fine."
What? Fine? What did that even mean?
The next moment—
The man blurred, vanishing from sight in less than a heartbeat.
And then—
Boom—!
The monster that had lunged at her was casually pushed aside. But that "push" tore the very street open, tearing apart the road, dust filling the air, pentagram-like sigils flashing into existence.
Even now, half a year later, Hiratsuka could still recall every vivid detail of that scene.
That shocking scenes, from the time where she truly filled what despair feel like, What it means to be truly helpless.
And the man who had saved her was none other than—
Gojo Satoru.
....
Back in the present.
Hiratsuka's expression hardened as she stared at him.
Gojo tucked away his handkerchief, his clownish smile fading into seriousness.
'…As expected.' Hiratsuka's heart tightened.
There was definitely something terrible going on here, He hadn't come here for nothing.
"Shizuka-san, actually—" Gojo began, in the most serious tone.
Her body tensed, She held her breath, ready to hear the crucial truth about this High School.
But then—
"I just got bored, so I decided to become a teacher."
"…Huh?"
Her face froze.
Speechless—
Gojo pointing his fingers at his cheeks with both hands, smiling innocently said,
"Yup. Totally bored. So, teacher life it is!"
"You… YOU—!!!" Hiratsuka exploded, her fist slamming into his snow-white head in an instant.
"OUCH! I WAS WRONG! I WAS WROOOONG!" Gojo yelped, clutching his head in mock agony.
...
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