Tsukito was sitting leisurely in front of his homeroom teacher Ms Endo.
"Ikehara-kun, are you aware that I can get you expelled for this?"
She was in the process of reproaching Tsukito about what he did today. This was the first time he had ever been scolded by someone aside from his parents. Honestly, it was a nice change of pace.
Tsukito decided finally lift up his head to look at his teacher.
In front of her, stood a woman that was in her early twenties. She was angrily crossing her arms while looking at Tsukito. She had olive green eyes and short black hair.
She was a little on the shorter side of the spectrum so because of that she was subjected to a lot of ridicule from her students. Tsukito was only a second year in high school but he was already taller than her.
"Why don't you answer, Ikehara Tsukito-kun?"
Sh*t. Now that she started to call him by his full name Tsukito stood up straight and examined her angry expression. Maybe he had bitten off more than he could chew?
If Endo sensei called your full name, it was known as a death sentence in this school.
"... I am sorry sensei... I was deeply thinking about my shameful actions"
Tsukito tried to play off his crime as something minor. Now that he had shown his willingness to repent, she shouldn't fault him that much... right?
Upon hearing his words, Ms Endo smiled slightly but looked troubled at the same time. It was a good thing he was repenting but she couldn't gloss over his crime either.
"I appreciate that you are willing to admit your guilt, but I can't quite accept the rest."
She looked Tsukito straight in the eye and tried to guess what he was thinking by doing such a thing.
"I want you to explain to me why you did such a thing."
"Ugh... I just felt like doing it?"
"Just felt like doing it, huh?"
She didn't seem like she was convinced in the slightest.
"Anyway, that's not important now, is it sensei? You got your suspect, so you can just give me my punishment. Again, I would like to stress that I am very sorry for the trouble I have caused for you and my fellow schoolmates. So I am willing to accept any punishment you might give me."
After finishing what he wanted to say, Tsukito lowered his head once again. He wasn't planning on saying anything else, lest he made a mistake and let something else slip from his mouth accidentally.
Seeing his attitude Ms Endo sighed to herself once more. Brought out a folder from under her desk and slowly opened it.
"Ikehara Tsukito, Class 2-E, attendance number 18."
Hm? Was she taking notes of her students and writing memos? Was thing something that teachers were required to do? If so it was the first time he was hearing of it.
"Grades; above average. Attitude; polite and respectful. Weaknesses; doesn't take initiative in anything. Always gets dragged along by his surroundings. He is an honest and kind student but needs to work on his social life and find a way to assert more of himself to his environment instead of living like a ghost. Membership; Isn't part of any committees or clubs."
Tsukito looked surprised about her assessment. She was generally correct about him but there were key points she forgot to mention. Like the fact that he had a twin brother...
"... That seems very detailed? Sensei... don't tell me you are stalking me!?"
*Smack*
Due to his distasteful joke, Ms Endo gently hit Tsukito's head with the folder she was reading.
"Well, there is still more," Ms Endo said with a cheeky attitude.
Tsukito suddenly started to feel uncomfortable.
"Soft-hearted and can't turn down any requests from his family and friends. He has close friends, but hadn't had any significant relationships with the opposite sex."
Tsukito's eyes opened wide.
"Why did you write that there!?"
"The girl he is currently thinking about is..."
"Sensei there will be a bloodbath!"
"Kidding! Kidding!"
Seeing Tsukito's panic Ms Endo started to laugh.
".... I wanna sue you for harassment."
"Well, I am your homeroom teacher, after all. So I should at least know this much about my students."
"I still think that was pretty excessive...."
"All the teenagers say that 'Adults don't know anything, they can't understand us' etc., but we know more than you think," said Ms Endo while winking one of her eyes, trying to connect with Tsukito.
What he didn't know that was Tsukito wasn't even listening to her.
Maybe it was because of his hormones but he was actually thinking along the lines of what Ms Endo said. Only, you have to switch adults with anyone. Even the closest person to him, his twin, could never hope to understand his inner thoughts. And here she was thinking that she could?
Tsukito was older than her grandfather! How could she even hope to understand his feelings?
"I won't deny that I was talking like that so allow me to apologize"
Still, it was better to give in now instead of trying to correct her. If he started to talk about his past lives, and his identity as a Perpetual Reincarnator he would be sent to a mental asylum. Now that he had lived two lives, it was taking a toll on Tsukito's psyche.
Who was he really? Was he Ogden the failed author? Or was he Glen Rhodes the Night Rider? What about his current identity Tsukito?
"Good... anyway, if I were to summarize the boy called Ikehara Tsukito it would be 'Harmless and doesn't stand out' I guess. Granted, I know your brother but still compared to him you are way too normal... suspiciously so"
Ms Endo started to inspect Tsukito from head to toe again while squinting.
"He must have gotten the better genes of the family..."
Tsukito didn't elaborate and just shrugged his shoulders while making a random excuse.
"You guys are literally identical twins!"
"Environment could play a factor in a child's development."
"You haven't been separated ever since you were born!"
"... You got that in your files? Okay... I wasn't shown much love at home..."
"Your mother literally calls every week to check up on your progress specifically!... Anyway, stop making excuses. I won't ask about the reason why you want to stay that way," said Ms Endo while sitting down.
She didn't know when but at one point while they were quibbling, she had stood up in agitation and was leaning on her desk.
Tsukito sat down on his chair and awaited her verdict.
Ms Endo was thinking about how to punish him. This offence was not enough to get him expelled like she threatened to, but it was still enough to get him suspended for at least a week. On the other hand, he had no priors and his marks were above-average so she had some leeway about how she could handle this. Most importantly, she didn't want this cheeky guy to get away with it. If anything she wanted him to suffer a little so that he can see the truth of their society.
*Click* *Click* *Click*
As she was deep in thought Ms Endo was hitting her finger on her desk. This was something she would do once she was deep in thought.
When Ms Endo lifted her head and looked towards Tsukito again her eyes had a weird shine to them.
"I have decided! Your punishment will be to join the literature club!"
"...Excuse me?"