Third person POV
Later, during class, Akira was asked to solve a math problem on the chalkboard. Despite being in the future, the majority of Japanese schools still use chalkboards and chalk for teaching. But Akira finds it better than whiteboards and whiteboard markers. Akira did so, and he stood up and went to the chalkboard to answer that math problem. The math problem was advanced algebra, and Akira knows very well how to do it. So, he grabbed the chalk from his teacher and started solving it, step by step.
Then, in just less than 2 minutes, he solved it correctly, and this causes his teacher to be stunned at his speed. He knows that Akira was very smart since his first year in high school. But, Akira is smart at almost anything, and this includes problem solving and analysis on situations. Rumor has it that his IQ was above 210, but it was never confirmed because Akira refused to take an IQ test. The reason why is that he studies a lot, both on textbooks and on the internet. His secret to his high intelligence is analysis on a specific problem and situation and determining the solution to it or interpretation of it. He was so smart that the top universities in the country compete with one another to offer him a spot once he graduated from high school. But Akira wasn't sure about it so he'll be pondering on those offers for a while.
After that, his teacher said to him, "Impressive, Cruz-san. You solved it right. You may go back to your seat."
"Thank you, sensei," Akira replied, before going to his seat.
This really makes most of his classmates envious of him, especially Aiko.
She was jealous of his intelligence and that's another reason why she makes fun of him.
Later, at lunchtime, Akira went to Hachi's classroom, just to tell him to eat lunch with him at the school rooftop. Hachi agreed and went to the school rooftop with Akira. There they both opened their bento lunchboxes, revealing a very delicious meal Kae prepared for them. They both do a prayer gesture. "Thanks for the food."
After that, they both eat up.
Akira had a Japanese-style omelette with diced potatoes and ground pork sandwiched in it while Hachi have fried cheese and porkchop sandwich.
They both had water as drinks.
"Wow, your mom was good at cooking," Hachi commented to him.
"This sandwich...is so delicious."
"Yeah, she loves to make delicious food at almost every meal time," Akira replied to him while eating. "My favorite is Japanese omelette and Chicken Curry with rice."
"Chicken Curry? As in, curry?"
"Yes, from the Philippines. My father is a Filipino who migrated here in Japan after he graduated from college to become a factory worker."
At that time, Akira didn't reveal to Hachi his family background yet.
But he'll do that once the time was right.
"Is that so? So that means you're a biracial, right?"
The young biracial then nodded, before eating.
Then, Riho came with her usual bento lunch made by her mother. "There you are. I knew this is your typical place to eat lunch." They then looked at her upon hearing that.
"Oh, hey there, Riho," Akira greeted.
"Nice food," the delinquent commented back, before sitting next to her childhood friend.
She then looked at Hachi. "I heard about your current state. Is that all true?"
Hachi doesn't want to lie so he just confirmed it instead.
"I see. That was cool."
"You think so?" Hachi asked back. "I'm like a monster."
"No, not really." Riho giggled a bit.
"Me and Riho-chan likes to watch supernatural and action movies in our free time," Akira explained.
"Oh, that's why."
Hachi then turned away a bit, looking at the floor. "Thanks, for everything."
"Yeah, you can rely on us, too," Riho responded. "We'll do anything for you."