Sobu High was considered a fairly well-known school in the area.
To be precise, Sobu High and several other schools were known as some of the most famous high schools in Japan.
There was the elite Shuchiin Academy, famous for its aristocratic education; the Advanced Nurturing High School that produced the pillars of the political world; Hyakkaou Academy, known for gambling addicts; and the inexplicably sports-strong Seishun Academy.
Compared to these, Sobu High didn't seem to have any standout features.
Its athletic ability couldn't compare to Seishun Academy, and its graduates didn't seem to accomplish anything major.
Yet it somehow forced its way into the list of the most famous schools.
Few people knew the real reason, but no one cared.
Its academic requirements weren't high, the learning environment was relaxed, and the school facilities and teaching staff were decent.
Most importantly, the tuition wasn't high. It was actually very low.
A school like this was extremely popular among ordinary families.
Sobu High could be considered the dream school for many students with modest family backgrounds.
"Good morning."
Opening the classroom door, Rojin gave a symbolic greeting.
A few boys chatting in a group answered without looking back, then continued excitedly discussing their previous topic.
Even though they had only just gone through class placement, they had already formed their own little groups.
Shoving his bag into the desk, Rojin took out the textbook for the first period and stared out the window.
His seat wasn't the classic second-to-last by the window, but instead the third-to-last.
The seat right in front of the protagonist's seat.
"Good morning, Rojin."
The boy sitting in front of him turned around and spoke.
He adjusted his glasses naturally as he talked, the beauty mark near his eye very noticeable.
"Ah, good morning, Sakamoto. Long time no see."
Rojin, who had been spacing out while staring at the cherry tree outside, came back to his senses and looked at his friend.
They were both among each other's few friends.
"To be precise, we saw each other yesterday."
"Same thing. Being too serious means you lose."
"I've never dated anyone, but I know that line is used for romance."
"I said, being serious means you lose."
Time passed slowly as they chatted.
Ding—
The bell rang, and the boys who had been gathered together all returned to their seats.
Even after sitting down, they craned their necks toward their new friends, sharing stories they thought were interesting.
Sometimes they even made self-deprecating jokes to attract the attention of the girls.
Some of the more handsome boys were quietly labeled by the girls as humorous and charming.
The average-looking ones were labeled as idiots.
This was youth.
"Quiet down."
A middle-aged, balding teacher walked in holding the lesson plan he had worked so hard on the previous night.
He slammed the notebook fiercely onto the podium and shouted:
"We're already behind schedule! We need to speed up the lessons!"
It was only the second day, old man.
Some girls whispered complaints.
Who falls behind schedule during the second day?
"Report!"
Just as the teacher was about to begin, Tomoya burst through the door looking disheveled.
"You there, what's going on?"
The teacher lowered his chalk and looked at him with dissatisfaction.
How Tomoya answered would determine the teacher's attitude toward him for the entire semester.
Being late during the second day of the school year was truly unforgivable.
If he didn't have a good reason, he'd be standing outside.
"Well…"
Tomoya struggled to speak.
What was he supposed to say?
That a long-haired beauty suddenly called him darling on the way to school and chatted with him for a while?
There was no way he could say that!
Even though he claimed to have no interest in real-life girls, she was too cute!
Cute enough to look like she stepped right out of a 2D world.
So Tomoya hesitated.
"I… was confessed to?"
Tomoya spoke uncertainly.
The whispers in the classroom abruptly stopped for a moment, then exploded in laughter.
"Is he joking?"
"Maybe he's still half asleep."
"Did that idiot confuse last night's fantasy with reality?"
"What an idiot."
Yes, even though it was only the second day of school, everyone already knew Tomoya's otaku identity.
Not because he slipped up, but because the idiot stood on the podium yesterday before class and proudly recommended a light novel, announcing:
"I have no interest in 3D women. I only love 2D."
Something like that.
To ruin your reputation on the first day of school—what a talent.
"Go back to your seat. We'll deal with this later."
A vein pulsed on the teacher's forehead as he struggled to contain his anger.
He really wanted to throw this idiot out.
"Eh? You actually believe me?"
"...Get out."
"I was wrong! I was wrong!"
Under everyone's judging eyes, Tomoya returned to his seat.
The seat immediately to the right of Rojin.
"So you say you were confessed to. What happened?"
Taking advantage of the moment when the teacher wasn't looking, Rojin whispered.
"It was a super cute girl who suddenly called me darling, then asked where the keepsake she gave me went."
Scratching his head in distress, Tomoya felt as if his brain were mush.
What was going on with his life?
Why did everything feel off?
"Was she a long-haired beauty?"
"Yes! How did you know?"
Tomoya looked at Rojin in surprise.
"I saw."
"Ah…"
For once, Tomoya felt embarrassed.
It was like someone had discovered his precious little secret.
"Ahem. Students who aren't studying, be quiet. Don't distract others."
The teacher's cold voice cut in, and Tomoya instantly drooped like a wilted eggplant.
Seeing this, Rojin stopped talking.
'Still clinging on?'
Touching his chin thoughtfully, Rojin took out his phone and sent a message.
{That person from last night appeared again}
A few seconds later, a reply came.
{Received}
Seeing the message, Rojin put his phone back.
He was a good student after all. How could he not listen properly in class?
The middle-aged teacher glanced back and was pleased to see Rojin taking notes.
Yes, this student was decent.
Just influenced by someone.
Thinking of this, the teacher shot a fierce glare at Tomoya.