The next morning, I was getting ready for school.
"Lala, I'm heading out. If you need anything, just tell Craftbot," I said.
"Okay."
"Then I'm off."
"Be careful on the way."
On my way to school, I saw my friend, Kuze Masachika, the protagonist from the anime Roshidere.
"Yo, Masachika!" I shouted.
"Ace? How are you?" he asked.
"I'm good, no problem. What about you?"
"Same as usual," he replied.
We walked together while chatting. When we arrived at the school gate, we saw some Yakuza members bowing their heads to a student.
"Be careful, young master," I heard one of them say. It reminded me of how Raku used to get escorted like that in our first year.
"Wow, I still can't believe there's a Yakuza kid in this school," Masachika said.
"I'm not surprised. He was like that even back in first year," I replied.
We continued walking to check our class list.
"Looks like we're in the same class again, Ace," Masachika said.
"That's good news."
We entered the classroom and went straight to the back. I sat behind Masachika, near the window, the protagonist's seat.
"Who do you think our homeroom teacher will be?" I asked.
"No idea. I just hope it's not someone strict like Kirisu-sensei," Masachika said.
When the bell rang, everyone took their seats. A few minutes later, our homeroom teacher entered. A man with a sharp face and broad shoulders. I immediately recognized him.
"Alright, everyone. I'll be your homeroom teacher for this year. My name is Ogami Ryo," he said while writing his name on the board.
'Just as I thought,' I said to myself.
"Before we continue, we have a new transfer student this year," Ogami-san announced.
'I already know who that is,' I thought.
"Come in, Deviluke-san."
The door opened, and a pink-haired, green-eyed girl walked in. It was Lala.
"Alright, Deviluke-san, please introduce yourself," Ogami-san said.
"Hello! My name is Lala Satalin Deviluke. I'm from overseas, but due to family issues, I'll be studying here," Lala said cheerfully.
The class immediately erupted in noise.
"Deviluke-san, do you have a boyfriend?"
"Deviluke-san, where are you from?"
"Deviluke-san—"
Boom! Ogami-san clapped his hands loudly.
'What kind of hands are those? Are they even human?' everyone thought.
"Alright, quiet down, kids. Deviluke-san, you may answer if you wish."
"Sure. I don't have a boyfriend, but I do have a fiancé," Lala said.
"Nooo!"
"My love story ended before it began!"
Some boys looked heartbroken.
"Ace! How's my surprise~?" Lala shouted.
I froze.
"Yeah, I'm surprised," I said flatly.
"Don't tell me Lala's fiancé is—"
"Alright, Deviluke-san, you can take that empty seat," Ogami-san interrupted.
"Ogami-san, can I sit next to Ace?" Lala asked.
"Call me Ogami-sensei at school, and no, that seat's already taken," he said.
"Okay~" Lala said, moving to the seat in front of Kato Megumi. I just realized we were in the same class.
"Now that things are calm, let's continue the introductions. When it's your turn, tell us your name and your favorite animal," Ogami-sensei said.
"Why do we need to tell our favorite animal, sensei?" one student asked.
"A teacher must understand their students. A favorite animal can reveal personality."
'That's a lie. The author just made that up.'
(Hey, don't break the fourth wall! Repairs are expensive!)
Everyone introduced themselves one by one. Many classmates were anime characters Kato Megumi, Nakano Nino, Ichijo Raku, Alisa Kujo, Masachika, and others.
"Akashi Ace."
Finally, it was my turn. I stood up and introduced myself.
"Some of you might already know me, but for those who don't, my name is Satoru Ace. I'm 18 years old. I live on the outskirts of Kuoh City. I'm not married and have one fiancée. I go home every day by 8 PM if nothing gets in the way. I don't smoke or drink. I sleep at 11 PM after drinking a glass of warm milk and doing some stretches for twenty minutes. I make sure to get eight hours of sleep, no matter what. I wake up fresh and stress-free every morning. My last check-up said I'm healthy. I just want a peaceful life. I avoid getting caught up in things like winning or losing that might disturb my sleep. That's how I live. But if I have to fight, I won't lose to anyone."
I introduced myself the same way back in first year, some students looked me strangely.
"Good. And your favorite animal?" Ogami-sensei asked.
"Footless bird."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because it has no legs. It must keep flying. If it lands, it means its end."
"Are you trying to sound philosophical?" Ogami-sensei said.
"No. I think that's enough, sensei."
"Fine. Sit down."
"Wow, you really haven't changed. Since when did you get a fiancée?" Masachika whispered.
"I'll explain during break," I replied.
When the bell rang, Ogami-sensei said, "That's enough for today. See you tomorrow," and left.
As soon as he was gone, students surrounded Lala but somehow, she was already beside me.
"Ace, does this uniform look good on me?" Lala asked.
"Of course. Anything looks good on you," I said.
"Ehehe~"
"Look at them being all lovey-dovey. I'm jealous!"
"Same here."
"What are you looking at!" I shouted. They instantly turned away.
"Scary, Ace," Masachika said.
"They're annoying. I'm not a show," I said.
"But you are entertaining," Masachika replied.
"Whatever. Anyway, Lala, how did you enroll? Don't tell me you hypnotized the principal?" I whispered.
"No, Mei-san and Rintaro-san handled it," she said.
"I'll have to thank them later," I said.
Masachika stood up. "Want to grab lunch?"
"Sure. Lala, want to come?"
"Of course. Megumi, you too?" Lala asked.
"Is that okay?" Kato said.
"Is that okay, Ace's friend," Lala said.
"Kuze Masachika. Don't call me that," Masachika muttered.
"Alright, I'll come," Kato said.
We walked to the cafeteria. It was crowded with students eating and chatting.
"Lala, Kato, find us a spot. Masachika and I will get the food. What do you want?"
"Something tasty!" Lala said.
"I'll have the same," Kato said.
"Got it. Let's go, Masachika."
After getting the food, we joined them.
"Here you go. Sorry for the wait."
"No problem," Kato said.
"Let's eat," Lala said.
While we were eating, some girls approached.
"Masachika-kun, can we sit here?" a black-haired girl asked.
"Sure. You guys don't mind, right?" Masachika looked at us.
"Go ahead," I said. Lala and Kato nodded.
"Thanks," the girl said.
"Ace, you know her, right? This is—"
"I know. Suou Yuki, from the student council," I interrupted.
"Are they famous, Ace?" Lala asked.
"Of course," I said.
"Oh? And who's this?" Yuki asked.
"Akashi Ace. This is Lala and Kato Megumi," I said.
"Hi~" Lala waved.
"Nice to meet you," Kato said.
"Well then, since you've already introduced me, I don't have to," Yuki said with a smile, sitting in front of me while Alya sat beside Masachika.
"Wow, we ordered the same thing, Masachika-kun," Yuki said.
"Ace got the same, too," Masachika added.
"Oh? You can handle spicy food, Akashi-kun?" Yuki asked.
"It's not that spicy. You know that, suou-san," I said.
"No need to be formal, Akashi-kun. We're in the same year," Yuki said.
"Alright, I'll call you suou then," I said, eating my food.
"How can you eat something that spicy?" Kato asked.
"Because it's good," I said.
"Speaking of spicy food, Ace, you said you'd make extra-hot mapo tofu," Masachika said.
"Yeah. Want me to bring some to school?"
"No thanks. I'm not eating a guy's bento," Masachika said.
"Oh, what about me, Akashi-kun?" Yuki teased.
"If you want, I can bring some," I said.
"Eh? Are you trying to get closer to me, Akashi-kun?" Yuki smirked.
"You should be careful. Don't accept food from someone you barely know. I could slip something in," I said.
"Hm... Would you really do that, Akashi-kun?"
I clasped my fingers together in front of my face, my thumbs touching under my chin, my eyes locked on hers.
"Who knows," I said coldly.
'Ka-ching!' That strange feeling again.
'That's the third time already,' I thought.
'System, are you serious that's not weird?'
[No, Host.]
I noticed Yuki's face turning red. 'Is she... eating something too spicy?' I thought.
"Suou, if it's too spicy, you should drink something," I said.
"Y-yeah, thanks for reminding me, Akashi-kun," she said shyly.
We kept chatting until the bell rang. The next class was with Hiratsuka-sensei pretty much the same as in the anime. After a few more classes, the final bell rang.
"Finally done," I said, packing my books and walking over to Lala.
"Lala, wait a bit. I've got something to do."
"Okay~ Don't take too long," she said.
I went to another class and called out a student. Once we reached a quiet spot, I used Fenghuang Down to hypnotize him, revealing his true alien form. After questioning him and finding where he had hidden the real student, I subdued him and called Zastin to take him away. Then I went to free the real student, erased his memories of what happened, woke him up, and told him he must've fallen asleep there.
"All done," I said, heading back to Lala. She was talking with Suou.
"Hey Lala, did you wait long? Hi, Yuki," I said.
"No, Yuki kept me company," Lala said.
"Yeah, Akashi-kun. And call me Yuki," she said.
"Alright. You can call me Ace," I said.
"Then, I'll get going. See you tomorrow, Lala, Ace," Yuki said.
"Bye~" Lala waved.
"Let's go home," I said.
"Yeah."
We walked home together, hoping tomorrow wouldn't bring too much trouble.