As Catherine and Kanna gracefully performed the warm-up exercises in front of our class, their movements synchronized and precise, the atmosphere in the room became charged with energy. Applause erupted as they finished, and they took a bow, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
"Good, that's excellent," Nana Sato praised, her voice filled with genuine delight. "Next!"
Nana shook the box containing our paired names, a mix of anticipation and anxiety evident on her face. She reached inside, her hand rummaging through the slips of paper as she mumbled to herself.
"Another student paired again. Why can't I draw that fine young man, Adrian? Is he really as rare as he claims?"
Her worried expression did not go unnoticed. It was as if a crack had appeared in her professional facade, revealing the vulnerable side she tried so hard to conceal. The countdown to the end of the activity intensified the pressure on her, and the realization of her potential defeat in our bet loomed over her.
With only ten minutes left on the clock, Nana drew another slip from the box, her fingers trembling slightly. She unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the names.
"Kaito Yamazaki and Hayate Tachibana," she announced, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and determination.
Kaito and Hayate stepped forward, their expressions brimming with confidence. They flawlessly executed the warm-up exercises, their movements showcasing their agility and strength. As they finished, our class erupted in applause, recognizing their impressive performance.
Pair after pair performed their routines, and with only two minutes remaining, there were only three papers left in the box. Nana smiled, seemingly resigned to her impending loss, and stated, "Last one."
Shaking the box one final time, Nana reached in and drew the last paper. The tension in the room was palpable as we waited to hear and with bated breath, I watched as Nana drew the final slip. Time seemed to slow down, and my heart pounded in my chest. What would the outcome be? Would fate align with my desire to escape the tutor sessions with Nana?
"Our last pair is Yana Hoshikawa and Renko Sakomoto," Nana announced. While the applause and applause greeted Yana and Renko, Nana's disappointment was evident.
Yana and Renko approached the front of the class, their determination evident in their eyes. They began the warm-up exercises with a burst of energy, their movements fluid and precise. As they completed their routine, the class erupted in applause, appreciating their efforts. Yana and Renko returned to their seats, their faces flushed with a mix of exhaustion and accomplishment.
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and as my classmates and I prepared to leave, we stood up and bid Nana farewell.
"Goodbye, and thank you, Ms. Nana," we chorused.
She nodded, a sad expression on her face. It was clear that she felt defeated and disappointed. As she opened the door to leave, I suddenly rushed toward her, grabbing her hand and stopping her in her tracks.
"Wait, Ms. Nana," I blurted out, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Adrian, you win. I'll mark your small sheet of paper with your paired score as 50/50, even though you didn't perform because I didn't draw your paper from the box," she said with a tinge of sadness.
"That 50 mark wasn't in our rules, but it's fine. However, in exchange..." I paused, my gaze sweeping across our classmates who were now eavesdropping on our conversation. Closing the distance between us, I leaned in closer, my words intended only for her ears
"Don't be sad. You already won, too. You made me feel excited like I've never felt before. That's what you've won, Ms. Nana. You've fulfilled your role as a teacher. Just contact my parents and let them know that you're busy with other commitments. I'm sure they'll understand. They know you're a respected teacher here at Ouran Academy."
"I hate seeing you sad and disappointed, Ms. Nana," I admitted, my voice filled with sincerity.
She looked at me, her eyes revealing surprise and gratitude. She whispered back, her voice barely audible to anyone else.
"Because you're sad, too, deep down, Adrian? Being the perfect puppet heir of your family, you always wear a mask and act like everything is fine, even when it's not."
I nodded in agreement. "That's right. But there's one thing I don't want to see..."
She leaned in, waiting for me to continue.
"I don't want to see you sad, Ms. Nana."
A hint of a smile appeared on her face as she replied, "You really know how to sweet-talk, Adrian."
"I need to go now. I have a meeting with the other teachers at Ouran Academy before heading home. You, Adrian, can go home with your classmates."
"I understand, Ms. Nana."
As she left the classroom, I returned to my seat. My classmates were eager to know what I had whispered to her, but I diverted their attention.
"What did you say to her, Adrian?" Catherine asked curiously.
"Hmm... Nothing important. Just a friendly chat. Let's just say we played a game, and she lost," I replied with a mischievous smile.
"I don't understand what you mean, Adrian," Catherine admitted, clearly intrigued.
"We're going home now. Let's gather our things and prepare to leave the classroom," I suggested, changing the topic. My classmates nodded, including Catherine, Kanna, and Aina.
As we exited the classroom and stepped out into the Academy building, I spotted my car service waiting. I waved goodbye to Kanna, Aina, and Catherine, bidding them farewell.
"Goodbye, Catherine, Aina, and Kanna! See you tomorrow. I had a great time!" I called out happily, waving to them.
"Goodbye, Adrian! We had a great time too. See you tomorrow," they replied in unison.
Heading toward my car, I couldn't help but reflect on my first day as a high school student at Ouran Academy. It had been tiring, yet I felt a sense of happiness deep within, even though I was merely a puppet heir of the Asendorf Family.
[End of Chapter 11]