The first day of school rarely involves real classes, especially at the start of a new academic year. Most of the time is set aside for new students to get to know one another.
Sato and his two new friends had a great time chatting. None of them were particularly talkative types, but they had a way of coming up with interesting topics for discussion.
Their chemistry was surprisingly good.
At the same time, Sato kept an eye on Nishimiya Shouko.
Perhaps because Private Mixed High was a competitive school, most students were fairly decent. Aside from a handful who got in through connections, most were strong academically, and such students rarely engaged in bullying.
The school's discipline was strict, getting into trouble here would be a serious matter.
Shouko seemed to be getting along well with the other girls. Especially with Iroha Isshiki in the mix, a girl with the combined traits of a social butterfly and a gossip machine, the classroom was constantly filled with laughter.
"Nohara, you seem pretty concerned about Nishimiya-san," Kirigaya Kazuto said suddenly, turning toward Sato.
Even the usually silent Kusuo Saiki looked over with mild curiosity.
"What are you two thinking?" Sato sighed, catching on to their meaning immediately.
"Well," he explained, "Due to some unfortunate circumstances, Nishimiya-san has a congenital condition. Since we're neighbors and classmates, I just want to look out for her a bit. Especially... lately. School bullying's been gettin' way more common."
He shrugged casually.
"Huh…"
Kirigaya and Saiki glanced at Shouko and finally noticed the hearing aids she wore.
"Hearing aids?" Saiki asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, apparently she had a severe illness as a kid, and it left some lasting damage," Sato explained.
Both of them sighed quietly, a hint of sympathy appearing in their eyes.
Sato quickly reminded them, "Don't show that kind of expression in front of Nishimiya-san."
"Got it," they nodded.
Ding-dong, ding-dong…
The sweet sound of the dismissal bell rang through the hallways. The teacher, Mr. Kurugi, stood up from the podium, pulling at his perpetually drooping pants and clearing his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Please review your lessons when you get home. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin formal classes. I hope you all work hard in high school. If you can get into the University of Tokyo, that would be ideal."
Groans echoed around the room.
"Ugh, Todai? That's way too hard!"
"Only about twenty students from our school get in every year, and most of them are from the international elite program."
"Yeah…"
Mr. Kurugi smiled encouragingly. "It's not impossible. Compared to other schools, we already have a high admission rate."
"Alright, class dismissed. Students on duty today, please stay behind to clean up."
After he left, the classroom buzzed with afterschool plans.
"Sato, we're heading out," Kirigaya and Saiki waved after packing up. Sato, unfortunately, was one of the unlucky few left behind for cleaning duty.
As for the other one…
"Ugh! Just when I wanted to hang out with my new friends after school, I'm stuck cleaning with you, Nohara-kun," Iroha Isshiki grumbled, pouting dramatically as she shot him a disdainful look.
Sato sighed, handing her a broom. "Sorry about that. But let's hurry up. Don't you want to go home early?"
She eyed the broom, her eyes flickering mischievously. Then, using the softest, most flirtatious tone she could muster, she said, "Um… Nohara-kun, I'm not feeling well today… Would you—"
"Ugh, that's disgusting. Can't you act normal for once?" Sato cut her off before she could finish.
Iroha froze, puffed out her cheeks, and glared at him with bright, honeyed eyes. "You're the worst, Nohara-kun. You have no idea how girls think."
"Heh." Sato let out a dry, mocking laugh. After sweeping the trash into a neat pile and dumping it into the bin, he glanced up at the moody girl in front of him. "If I really didn't understand girls, I wouldn't have said no."
"Ew!!"
Iroha recoiled several steps, crossing her arms dramatically like she'd just seen something revolting. She fled to the podium.
"Nohara-kun!" she cried, looking at him as if he were a cockroach.
"Huh?" Sato raised an eyebrow, wondering what nonsense she was about to spout now.
"Why are you acting like I confessed to you or something?! Are you some kind of otaku? You're seriously gross!"
"…"
Sato's lips twitched. Well, she's not wrong. I am an otaku. But so what? It's not like I'm bothering you.
He kept sweeping the floor, calmly replying, "By the way, Isshiki-san, your acting's a bit over-the-top. You've got a long way to go if you want to be a real actress."
"And another thing…"
"Don't think you can slack off and make me clean the whole room. I'm only doing this half. The rest is on you."
"If you don't want to be stuck cleaning alone, you better get down here."
"Ughhh!"
Iroha's face collapsed with frustration. Her boots clicked loudly as she stomped down from the podium, grabbing the broom with an exaggerated glare.
This guy is totally immune to charm!
She gritted her teeth in frustration.
"I'm done with my half. The rest is up to you, Isshiki-san," Sato announced as he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door.
Iroha froze. Looking down at her untouched half of the room, she panicked.
"Hey!! Nohara Sato, you jerk! Can't you help me out just a little?!"
"And how did you finish so fast anyway?! What was all that earlier even for?!"
"Ahem, yeah, no thanks," Sato replied without looking back. "I have great respect for women. Equal rights, remember? I wouldn't dare insult you by treating you any differently."
With that, he paused at the classroom door and flashed a radiant smile over his shoulder, waving goodbye.
"Well then, see you tomorrow, Isshiki-san! Do your best!"
What an interesting girl, he thought as he left.