I enter the prestigious high school that somehow accepted me being a science teacher here, despite my lack of job experience in this world. They may have felt intimidated back then. I don't blame them. It took a long time for me to learn how to move my face muscle and learn how to smile.
It's ten minutes before the class period starts, so it's a normal thing to see students spreading around the hallway, chatting and playing around.
I pass them all, hoping maybe some student will greet me.
No one did.
Am I really that unpopular? I remember the thrill of my first day here, setting a goal to be the coolest teacher or whatever. That really didn't work out.
I step into the office.
The teacher's office is… empty. The only sounds vibrating around the room are the air-conditioner (it's pretty loud for these past few days, I hope we can get that fixed soon) and a keyboard clanking.
Clanking.
Weirdly enough, there's no other teacher here except… Well, me and the flat, stony eyes of Alyssa.
I go to my desk, which is just beside the only teacher here. She appears to be immersed in her own work.
"You're wearing a gown today," I try to make small talk as I sit.
But as usual, Alyssa gives the most of her reply. "You're wearing your casual pants and a white shirt with the usual black jacket."
Too specific for a small talk. "I…" And realizes there's nothing to speak about, so I stop. This is how usually our small talk ends.
I look around, "It can't be I'm early, right?"
（ ;¬＿¬) "You're not."
"Then… Where's everybody else?"
She grabs a pen and stands up. "Waiting for you."
"Eh?"
"The others are waiting for you upstair..." she pulls out her phone and looks at the sleep-mode screen purposely. As if it's a mirror, she combs her brown hair straight with just her hand.
"So... did you stay to wait for me?"
"Kind of."
We get off from our seat and walk upstairs. I follow behind her because apparently she knows where they are and I don't. After a short walk and stair-climbing, we end up in front of the Black Book Meeting Room.
"Don't tell me… there's a meeting today?"
"Apparently so. They move the arrangement just a few hours ago."
"The principal had to stop with all these sudden meeting..."
"She's the boss we can't complain. Anyway," Alyssa twirls her slender body around and gazes into my eyes.
Her palm elevates and stays in midair as if she's a puppy asking for a handshake.
"Senpai…" her sharp hourglass lips say. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Do we have to bring something today?"
"Not we. You."
My head is itchy just trying to remember and solving Alyssa's riddle.
Then she gives a hint, "Chocolate."
Ah.
My hand feels empty. "Oh, that. The thing is… a monster ate it," was my best explanation for this.
She raises her eyebrow as if taking my words as a joke. "Please tell me you have the chocolate somewhere now." She bends toward my crotch and uses her white hand to… pat my pocket. "Is this it?"
"That's my phone, Alyssa."
(ʃ⌣́ ,⌣́ ƪ) She returns to a more comfortable pose. Apathetic as ever, she responds. "You suck. I'll get you next time."
We enter the meeting room.
And all the teachers are looking at me. Did I do something wrong?
The headmaster chuckles, her old-woman eyes lining. "Oh, here you are. We're just at the end of our discussion."
I guess she's not mad that we're late... "All right…?"
The headmaster beckons me, "Come sit, Mr-New-Occult-Club-Homeroom-Teacher. We should close this meeting properly."
I sat beside Alyssa, who refuse to look at me.
Wait, wait, I'm missing something. Hold on a second. What did the headmaster call me?
"Mr-new-occult-club-homeroom-teacher?" I repeat.
The headmaster gleefully replies, "Oh well, yes!"
I turn to my only friend here and she only give me her cheek.
"I really don't have a choice, do I?"
The headmaster gleefully says, "Yes, you don't have now. The meeting is already long enough. I officially appointed you… To be the homeroom of the Occult Clubroom."
She pumps her fist. "Let's do our best today, all right?"
Alyssa smiles at me as if she's a proud mother.
I really didn't ask for any of this.
If I have only one complain that is... I am assigned to take care of the weirdest club in this school.