After the formal but essential self-introductions were complete, each student began to process their first impressions. They started mentally categorizing their new classmates, forming vague prototypes of the small groups that might emerge in the class in the future—a blurry social map, but one already beginning to take shape.
Not long after, the classroom door opened with a soft creak, and a beautiful female teacher in a white suit strode in briskly. Her sudden presence filled the room, drawing all eyes.
"Everyone, silence!" Shizuka Hiratsuka's voice was firm and serious, yet it held an undeniable resonance. Instantly, the lively discussions ceased, and the atmosphere became hushed, with only the rustle of breathing audible. The beautiful teacher, in complete control of the situation, wrote her name on the blackboard gracefully, her handwriting neat and clear, reflecting her composure.
"My name is Shizuka Hiratsuka. From now on, I will be your homeroom teacher. I will also be your life instructor during school." She paused, her sharp gaze sweeping over each student, but there was an underlying warmth. "In short, you will all be under my care from now on. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me." A faint smile graced her lips.
She added with a slightly threatening, yet playful, tone, "By the way, I teach Japanese. And in my class, you are not allowed to use cell phones!"
The beautiful teacher exuded a strong aura, clearly possessing rich teaching experience. Her white shirt and jacket seemed a little tight across her chest, a detail that did not escape Renji Kamisaka's notice. Seeing that, I feel that my child will never starve in the future, Renji thought, a small smile playing on his lips, a strange, spontaneous thought.
"Alright, now let's begin with attendance," Shizuka Hiratsuka said, shifting her focus. She completed the roll call quickly, as this part was mainly used to get to know the students, matching names with faces, and noting their presence.
After calling attendance, she began the process that often marks the beginning of small classroom dramas: the selection of class representatives. At Soubu High School, there were usually two team leaders—one male and one female.
Upon hearing that there would be a class representative election, a girl named Minami Sagami in the corner of the classroom eagerly looked forward to trying out, her expression full of genuine enthusiasm and hope.
"Alright, we need to choose a male and a female monitor. Are there any students willing to volunteer to serve everyone?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked, looking around the classroom, awaiting a response.
Minami Sagami was about to raise her hand, her face beaming. However, before she could, whispers immediately began to spread among the students, disregarding her existence.
"Mr. Hiratsuka, since you are the homeroom teacher, you should lead in learning. I think it would be better if this position was given to students with good grades," Kakeru Tobe said, his voice clear, with a slightly condescending tone. His intention was obvious—he almost mentioned Hayama Hayato and Shiina Mahiru by name.
"That's it, that's it!"
"Shiina-san has done a great job, she's the right person to take on this role!"
"Hayama Hayato-kun is not bad either, he's ranked third in his class!"
Voices intertwined, those who knew him immediately supported Hayato Hayama. In the corner of the room, Minami Sagami slowly lowered her hand, an embarrassed and disappointed expression clearly visible on her face. She felt wronged, her eyes welling up. Can't I be class representative if my grades aren't good? she thought bitterly.
However, the boy who proposed Hayato Hayama as class representative immediately caught the angry gaze of Yumiko Miura, her eyes blazing. If Hayama and Shiina Mahiru fall in love because of their positions as class representatives, what will Miura Yumiko do? she thought, jealousy clearly visible on her face.
Hayato Hayama, realizing the dynamics at play, immediately raised his hand. "Mr. Hiratsuka, I want to join the school soccer team. I train every day, so I don't have time to be class monitor." It was a good reason, a clever and undeniable refusal. Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded slightly in agreement, then looked at Shiina Mahiru.
"Um, Shiina-san, everyone recommends you to be the female class representative. What do you think?"
Shiina Mahiru stood gracefully, and bowed to everyone with a perfect sweet smile, radiating a calming aura. "Since everyone values me so much, of course, I am willing. I also have experience as a class monitor in junior high school. As class monitor, please give me your guidance in the future!" Her voice was clear and pleasant, full of amiability.
"Excellent, then it's you! Shiina-san will be the female class representative!" Shizuka Hiratsuka immediately made the decision, the gavel had struck. "So, the male monitor..."
Just as Hiratsuka Shizuka was about to ask, Shiina Mahiru suddenly pointed to Renji Kamisaka, her smile widening, and said in a convincing tone:
"I recommend Renji Kamisaka to be the male class representative. He seems to be the second-best student in the class. I think he can lead everyone to improve their academic performance."
Renji Kamisaka gasped, his eyes wide with surprise. Impossible? I'm going to be a monitor? Shiina-san, you really know how to get me into trouble. His mind reeled, feeling the sudden weight of responsibility.
After hearing what Shiina Mahiru said, everyone looked at Renji Kamisaka in surprise, whispers beginning to ripple through the classroom. He's actually the second-best student in the class? When I heard Renji Kamisaka say that he liked light novels and comics, I thought he was just a handsome otaku. I didn't expect him to be a high-achieving student?
Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at Renji Kamisaka, and her eyes sparkled, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Student Renji Kamisaka, what do you think?"
After she finished speaking, Renji Kamisaka could feel a wave of gazes—envious, jealous, even a little hateful—from the students, a wave of emotions he couldn't ignore. After all, it was Shiina Mahiru who recommended him to be the class representative. Didn't this mean Shiina-san was very optimistic about Renji Kamisaka?
Renji Kamisaka glanced at Shiina Mahiru and found that she was looking at him expectantly, her golden eyes radiating genuine conviction. Helplessly, he could only nod, a decision he couldn't avoid under social pressure.
"Alright, since Shiina-san values me so much, I will try to be the male class representative." He paused, his smile amused, adding a little jest to ease the tension. "Of course, if anyone can do a better job than me, I will gladly resign from the monitor position." He bowed slightly. "Dear students, please give me further guidance in the future!"
After he finished speaking, it was still Hayato Hayama who led the applause, a polite and strategic gesture. This good man truly saves face, Renji thought, subtly appreciating Hayama's attitude.
"Excellent. Shiina and Renji Kamisaka will serve as the class monitors for the boys and girls. Please come to my office after class. There's something I want to tell both of you," Shizuka Hiratsuka announced, her voice firm yet friendly.
"Yes," Shiina Mahiru replied with a cheerful voice.
"Okay," Renji nodded, his expression more resigned than enthusiastic.
After class ended, the atmosphere in the room immediately changed. Chairs scraped, bags were packed, and chatter resumed.
The girls, led by Miura Yumiko, immediately surrounded Shiina Mahiru, their chatter loud, full of admiration and a little curiosity.
"Shiina-san, you look so beautiful." Yumiko Miura's words expressed her dissatisfaction at her spotlight being stolen, but also a genuine compliment that slipped out. But Shiina Mahiru only smiled shyly and shook her head.
"No, Miura-san. I'm just an ordinary high school student like everyone else. I hope I can get along well with all of you in the future," Mahiru replied, her voice soft and sincere, a humility that charmed many.
These words made Miura Yumiko's eyes light up, she felt Mahiru was approachable and sincere. "Alright, please give me more advice in the future." Although she intended to find fault with her, once Shiina Mahiru showed kindness, Miura immediately fell for her. This was probably because Miura Yumiko wasn't a bad person, coupled with Shiina Mahiru's very friendly personality, creating a harmonious and friendly picture between them, despite a hint of underlying jealousy.
On the other side of the class, Renji Kamisaka's seat seemed quiet—a contrast to the crowd gathered around Mahiru. Hikigaya Hachiman slowly walked towards him. His expression was as flat as ever, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"I didn't expect you to be the second-ranked student in this class," he said, his voice calm but laced with his characteristic sarcastic tone. "From the way you introduced yourself, I thought you were the socially poor type—and definitely an otaku."
Renji Kamisaka rolled his eyes, laughing briefly. He knew that speaking style well—sarcastic comments wrapped in a flat delivery.
"You're also a socially poor student and an otaku. You introduced yourself almost the same way I did, didn't you?"
Hikigaya Hachiman smiled awkwardly, a rare reaction for him, scratching his head. He was too nervous at the time, so he just copied Renji Kamisaka and mentioned some hobbies. How many high school students don't like light novels and comics? Hachiman thought. However, when they reached high school, some people found it too childish, so they deliberately hid their interests and hobbies to be accepted by their group. Those who still said they liked light novel culture were even called otaku by others, a stigma he understood and sometimes felt himself.
"Hello, Renji Kamisaka, my name is Hayato Hayama. Thank you for being the male class monitor, otherwise I would have been in trouble," Hayama said, coming over and showing his amiability, his smile warm and sincere.
Renji Kamisaka smiled and waved his hand. "It's alright. I also want to challenge myself to be a team leader and gain a little experience."
Hayato Hayama took the initiative to speak, and the atmosphere immediately became friendly, a sign of acceptance among the students. Other boys who were unhappy with Renji Kamisaka also restrained themselves slightly, realizing that Renji had a good relationship with Hayama and Mahiru.
The full day of classes ended quickly, time seemed to fly by. Now, it was time for club activities.
Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mahiru walked together to Shizuka Hiratsuka's office. During this time, Renji Kamisaka did not take the initiative to speak, maintaining a distance and a cool demeanor he deemed necessary. If I show my politeness, the Angel will think I'm an NPC who has a crush on her, so the right thing to do is ignore her, Renji thought, a strategy to maintain his allure and avoid the trap of cliché romance.
Upon arriving at the office, Shizuka Hiratsuka asked the two of them to organize student tasks, and explained in detail what the monitors would do, then let them go. A short but concise meeting, information flowed efficiently.
On the way back, as the corridor began to quiet down, Shiina Mahiru finally couldn't help but speak. Her soft voice broke the awkward silence, a question slipping from her lips, her tone slightly hesitant.
"Um, Renji, do you hate me?"