I got onto the bus. It was surprisingly empty. I took a seat in the front aisle and started listening to music. Heartbreak songs sure sound good while resting. I guess taking pleasure in others' heartbreak is an old habit. Will I ever bring myself to fix this, I wonder.
My sister, Maki, sent me to this school under the guise of a "much-needed vacation". Just send me to an island. Why do I have to spend my time with high-schoolers?
Not only are this school's 100% employment promises absolutely ridiculous, but the people who believe them and take admission are also idiots.
I mean, if the entrance exam was difficult compared to the normal high school standard entrance tests, I would think that they can indeed uphold their promises. But, only a few questions were really creative; the rest were standard textbook problems.
If I did something wrong, I will apologize, but please take me back, Maki-chan!!!
If she were just a little more aggressive, problematic, and angry, I would have thought of it as a rebellious phase.
But! Why would she have to have an aura behind her? I could see my mother's shadow, the only one who could make my father's resolve crumble, in her.
Before I knew it, the bus was full.
An old lady got on the bus. I decided that if someone were to give her a seat, I would not need to.
So, I waited for a bit, but when I saw her about to fall, let's just say that I was already holding her steady before anything could happen. I saw various glares on me at the moment, however, I decided to pay mind later.
(T/N: The MC does not want to make the old lady feel awkward standing under his grip whilst he dealt with those stares.)
"Please! Take a seat", I said, guiding her to my seat.
"Oh, it's okay, dear! Don't mind me."
"How can I not mind? Granny was about to fall."
An office lady also said, "Yes, ma'am, you should sit."
The old lady was hesitant. I really did not want to say this, but here goes: "If you were to fall, everyone here on the bus might feel themselves as pathetic. It might be best if you take a seat, if not for yourself, then for the people here."
Then, suddenly, the blonde, who was sitting so proudly on a priority seat, said, "Do you mind not including me in your little charade"
"What charade?" I asked him, whilst guiding her to my seat.
"The charade that assumes that I would be bothered."
"I see." Sighing, I continued, with a tone of disappointment, "I will keep it in mind."
Then, a blond girl wearing the same uniform as me said, "Are you really not going to say anything?"
I looked at her; her confused expression seemed genuine. "Why would I care?" I said, as I took hold of a strap.
Apparently, she was not done with me. With a grateful tone, she said, "Thank you for helping her."
"Is she your grandma? Why would you thank me?", I said, genuinely perplexed.
"I think that helping someone deserves some acknowledgement."
Then, just leave me alone. At this moment, the glares were getting unbearable. Boys were openly staring, jealous that she was talking to me. Also, her sense of personal distance is way off!
If I had not been stalked before, would I have found it appealing? I do not know. But right now, both her closeness and the glares feel unbearable.
I took a step back to regain a sense of control and calmly said, "I will keep it in mind. Thank you for your concern."
I said, hinting I want to be left alone.
As the situation slowly returned to normal, I saw a boy in our uniform looking at me. He was sitting at the back of the bus, seemingly inconspicuous. Brown hair, average face, no expression. Just observing.
He seemed a little suspicious, so I just noted it in my mind and then started to listen to the music more attentively.
IS THIS THE KIND OF BREAK YOU WANTED ME TO HAVE, MAKI-CHAN?
I guess thinking won't solve anything.
x-x-x
As the bus reached the school, and everyone got off, the blonde girl got off with me, trying to start a conversation. I just ignored her and went to the class delegation board. I am in 1-B. Apparently, the blonde girl, Kushida, is in class D. That is a relief. If I had to spend a year with her, it would be a disaster. Next year is a problem for future me...
The entrance ceremony was nothing special. Just institutions commanding respect and awe for easier administration. Taking note of 'Horikita Manabu' was a normal thing. They were the ones who wanted us to pay attention to him.
After it ended, I saw Kushida, and using my Z-tier sneaking skills, I managed to get out without being noticed by her. My alarms are blaring against her.
I headed to my class, set my bag down, and went to sleep.
Only to get woken up by a strawberry-haired girl. "Hello, Shikakoi-kun, is it? It is not good to sleep on the first day of school."
"Then, is it okay to sleep for the rest of the year?" I retorted.
She smiled and said, "We can joke around later. I should introduce myself first. My name is Ichinose Honami"
"Shikakoi Souta. Looking forward to working with you."
"You have a good face." She said, then suddenly blushed a little. If you are gonna blush, then do not say it. Urghh! This is why I did not want to deal with high-schoolers.
"Likewise," I said nonchalantly, then seeing her blush, I went to sleep again, head down on the desk, again. She won't bother me for a while, right?
After a few minutes, Ichinose gained her composure and announced, "Everyone, I think since the teacher is not here, we should introduce ourselves. I will go first. My name is Ichinose Honami. I am looking forward to working with you all."
She had a peaceful and energetic vibe. I bet she would be the most popular here. It is also pretty apparent that she is the one people would naturally trust, and that she will end up enduring too much and taking responsibility for failing on herself, or spreading it to everyone.
As the rest of the people introduced themselves, suddenly, someone entered the classroom. Everyone fell silent afterwards, and I also sat upright. The people who deserve respect must be paid in kind.
"Everyone, please be seated." She said in a cheerful voice. Everyone would be smiling if she were not in an authoritative position. Still, her tone eased the nervousness of many.
"I am Hoshinomiya Chie, your homeroom teacher for the next three years."
This made me somewhat ecstatic, I won't have to deal with that Kushida girl as a classmate ever, in the whole school life I will have here. Ahh! so wonderful.
"There will be no change in classes, so let's give it our all for the next three years!"
Her words were followed by smiles all around. A homeroom teacher like her is something everyone would feel at ease with. So, it was not hard to understand why.