Even though the three had only just met, Sato, Kazuto, and Saiki unexpectedly hit it off. Their casual chatter was genuinely enjoyable.
It wasn't until the school bell rang that the three of them returned to their seats.
From the quiet hallway came steady, composed footsteps. Soon, a tall and slender figure entered the classroom.
He walked up to the podium, picked up a piece of chalk, and wrote his name with clean, deliberate strokes. Then, with a suave flick of the wrist, he tossed the chalk into the tray, his every move exuding effortless flair.
He looked up and swept his sharp gaze across the room. Adjusting his glasses with a fingertip, he said in a calm, cool voice, "My name is Sakamoto Ryuichi. Starting today, I'll be your homeroom teacher. You can call me Mr. Sakamoto."
"Whoa! The teacher is so handsome!"
"No way, those moves are straight out of a light novel protagonist's playbook!"
"But… seriously, he's really handsome."
The classroom buzzed with excitement as students openly gawked at the man who would be leading their class.
"His every move really is stylish," Sato had to admit. The guy radiated this quiet "boss energy", like his entire presence was a carefully curated aesthetic.
"Alright, first we'll elect class representatives. After the bell, we'll head to the opening ceremony."
…
Class A got to work in an orderly fashion. Sato, having no interest in class officer elections, didn't participate, and neither did his two new friends.
Private Mixed High School was known for its strong academic reputation and excellent facilities. In addition to outdoor fields, it boasted indoor gyms, tennis courts, and more. Even its student body size was among the largest in the area.
The opening ceremony was held on the sports field, no indoor space could accommodate the massive student population.
"Ugh, are we going to have to sit through a long-winded speech again?"
"Come on, it's high school. Haven't you gotten used to this by now?"
Voices of complaint murmured through the crowd. Even in high school, students couldn't escape this kind of formal event.
Boys and girls stood in separate lines, chatting quietly.
"Hi there!"
A cheerful voice pulled Sato's gaze back from scanning the crowd.
"Uh… hi."
He turned to see a surprisingly pretty girl smiling at him. Her delicate face was lightly made up with soft eye shadow, and everything about her radiated youthful charm.
"I'm Isshiki Iroha. What's your name?"
She asked in a hushed tone, eyes occasionally flicking toward the principal, who was still speaking on stage.
"I'm Sato. Sato Nohara."
"Nohara-kun?"
Iroha blinked her large, bright eyes. Sato couldn't tell what she was thinking, but the way her eyes darted around hinted at a mischievous personality.
She leaned closer and, with a slender finger, discreetly pointed at Nishimiya Shouko, who stood up ahead with perfect posture, watching the stage.
"Hey, Nohara-kun, are you and Nishimiya-san dating?"
…Huh? Dating?
Sato's eyes widened. Then the corner of his mouth twitched.
Already? The rumors are spreading this fast?
We've barely made it halfway through the first day of school! How bored are these people?
"Of course not. We're just neighbors, normal classmates, that's all."
"Neighbors? So… childhood friends, then?"
"Stop guessing. I've only known Nishimiya-san for, like, a week."
"Hmm, I see…"
Iroha let out a disappointed sigh, like a hunter who'd just missed her prey.
Sato couldn't help asking, "Isshiki-san… are all girls this into gossip?"
"Hmm?"
She gave him a playful wink and giggled. "Nohara-kun, you really shouldn't say that in front of a girl, you know."
"But… it's true. There isn't a single girl who isn't a little gossipy."
She said it with absolute confidence, as if stating a universal truth.
"Next, let's welcome our freshman representative to the stage."
The ceremony continued, but a sudden murmur swept through the crowd.
"So cute!"
"Who is that?!"
"She looks like she stepped out of an anime… and those twin tails, I want to touch them!"
"Creep!"
The growing buzz drew both Sato and Iroha's attention. They turned to look and saw a girl with golden twin tails, dressed in the school's uniform, gracefully walking toward the stage. Her short skirt revealed a pair of long, slender, porcelain-white legs. Every movement of hers drew attention.
Her blue eyes sparkled like crystal, her golden twin tails gleamed like art, and her fair, doll-like face was the very definition of kawaii.
But Sato's expression turned slightly strange. By coincidence, he recognized that dazzling girl on stage.
"Sawamura Spencer Eriri?! No way!"
He stared in disbelief.
She goes to this school too?
"Eh? Nohara-kun, don't tell me you're into delicate, cutesy girls like her?" Iroha teased, clearly noticing his change in expression.
There was a mischievous glint in her eyes. She seemed to really enjoy poking fun at people.
Not one to back down, Sato smirked and shot back, "So how close do you think you are to meeting that standard?"
"Nohara-kun, are you a pervert? Saying things like that to an innocent girl!"
"Sorry, but you seem more like a delinquent than a pure girl."
"That's so mean! Aren't I a sweet, delicate beauty?" Iroha pouted, lowering her lashes in mock shyness. The gesture had a strangely flirtatious charm.
Sato took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Isshiki-san, you should become an actress. You've definitely got the talent."
"Aww, can I take that as a compliment?"
"Whatever you like."
Sato's mouth twitched.
Are all city girls this bold?