As the chime of the school bell faded, Kawashima Toya stepped into Class 1-3.
He quickly realized this was the very room where the late Ito Makoto had once sat. Glancing over the rows, he recognized Saionji Sekai, Kiyoura Setsuna, and the blond Sawanaga Taisuke.
"Listen up," Toya began, his voice calm and level. "I'm your substitute PE teacher, Kawashima Toya. Everyone, gather at the athletic field."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed out, leaving the students to change. Behind him, the classroom erupted into cheers from both the boys and girls.
.....
Athletic Field
Five minutes later, Toya consulted the notes provided by the regular PE teacher, Imaizumi Ryohei.
"Following your regular teacher's curriculum, you'll start with a one-kilometer run," Toya announced. "Once you've finished your laps, you're free to use the rest of the period for independent activities."
With the instructions delivered, Toya found a comfortably shaded spot under a tree and sat down. The life of a PE teacher was remarkably similar to that of a school nurse; once the initial organization was handled, it was mostly a matter of passing the time.
He watched the students of Class 1-3 run under the sun, a slight smile on his face. Youth is a fine thing, he mused.
His relaxed attitude didn't go unnoticed. Several students felt a twinge of annoyance; their new substitute looked to be around their age, yet he carried himself with the weary detachment of a retiree.
As the laps were completed, the students dispersed into their own social circles. Toya remained leaned against the trunk, looking perfectly content in his solitude.
"Kawashima-sensei, do you have a girlfriend?"
A girl with a playful wink and chin-length black hair approached him. Every movement she made radiated a bright, cheerful, and approachable energy.
Toya offered a dry smile. "I do."
He was well-versed in these social maneuvers. He knew exactly what she was angling for, so he decided to shut down the topic before it could even begin.
Saionji Sekai's expression faltered. She clearly hadn't expected such a blunt, immediate answer.
"Go play with your classmates," Toya said pleasantly. "Don't waste my break."
Sekai was momentarily speechless. Were all substitute teachers this dismissive?
"Have a good time," Toya added, closing his eyes as if preparing for a nap. He looked nothing like a responsible educator.
Sekai didn't leave. Instead, she sat down right next to him, her eyes crinkling into a mischievous smile. "Sensei, would you mind having an extra girlfriend?"
"I would mind quite a lot," Toya answered without a second's hesitation.
Though she hadn't introduced herself, Toya didn't need to guess. This was undoubtedly Saionji Sekai. In the original story, she was the one who had ended Ito Makoto with a blade.
Toya had a strict policy of keeping his distance from the "yandere" type. Compared to the relatively manageable Katsura Kotonoha, Saionji Sekai was someone he intended to avoid entirely.
"Don't disturb me. Cherish your gym period." Toya waved her away.
"What a cold teacher," Sekai muttered, pouting as she finally stood up to return to her group.
Toya cracked an eye open to watch her retreat. Did you really think that would work?
A girl like Saionji Sekai never approached someone without a hidden agenda. Her first question being about his relationship status was a glaring red flag.
If he had humored her, he likely would have found himself facing a "social death" scenario within the halls of the academy.
Sekai wasn't one to give up so easily. After a brief discussion with her friends, she concocted a new plan and marched back toward Toya with renewed determination.
"Back again?" Toya asked, seeing her standing over him. "Is there a problem?"
Sekai clutched her ankle with an expression of exaggerated agony. "Kawashima-sensei, I think I hurt my foot. It hurts so much... I feel like I'm going to die. Please, help me."
"Is it that serious?" Toya sat up slightly, glancing at her ankle. After a moment, he leaned back again. "Stop faking. You don't look injured at all."
Her white socks were pristine—not a speck of dirt indicated a trip or a fall.
"Sensei, you didn't even check! How can you say I'm faking?" Her voice was thick with fake distress; her acting was truly impressive.
"Fine. Don't move."
Just as Sekai thought her trap had finally snapped shut, Toya calmly pulled out his phone. "Hold still. I'm calling the Dean's office right now so he can arrange an ambulance."
"Wait! No! Sensei, I was kidding!" Sekai's performance vanished instantly. She pressed her hands together in a frantic apology. "I was just playing a prank! Please, don't call the Dean. I'll be in so much trouble!"
Toya tucked his phone away, looking more amused than annoyed. "Why are you so obsessed with making me look like a fool?"
"I'm sorry, Sensei," Sekai explained sheepishly. "I just thought, since you're the new sub, we should give you some 'exciting' memories so you'd remember us."
"Well, mission accomplished," Toya said, his tone softening but remaining firm. "But keep in mind, if I had made the wrong choice, it would have been social suicide for me. A male teacher checking a female student's bare foot in a secluded spot with no witnesses? No amount of eloquence could explain that away."
A blush of genuine embarrassment crept onto Sekai's face. She looked at the ground, muttering, "It... it wouldn't have been that serious, right? It was just a joke."
"You're too young to understand the stakes."
Toya didn't feel like explaining further. It wouldn't have mattered much to him—his real identity was the savior of this era, after all. No one could "fire" him from that.
"I accept your apology," Toya said with a shrug. "Now, go on. Stop bothering me."
Sekai bit her lip and turned away, feeling a sudden blow to her self-esteem. Am I not cheerful enough? Not cute?
Toya watched her go, finally returning to his rest. Peace and quiet was a much better alternative. After all, you never knew when a girl like that might be hiding a knife.