Isamu was standing in front of what appeared to be an ordinary family home, holding his mobile phone in hand.
The features of the house were simple, yet they conveyed a sense of warmth and familiarity. Next to him was a large bag, indicating it mostly contained items he had bought for his move and entry into school.
"Teacher, I've arrived at the address," he said.
The voice from the phone replied in a formal tone, "Alright, the house has been arranged for immediate accommodation. Also, all the documents and information you need are ready. You can go to school tomorrow."
Isamu glanced around the area, wondering about his new school. "Teacher, I don't think it's necessary to move from the dojo. There are schools nearby that I can join." He said this while still standing, trying to understand the motives behind this decision.
Mikumo responded firmly, "Stay away from the dojo at the shrine. From now on, communication will be one-sided, that is, from me. Only call if you have questions about your training." The call ended abruptly, leaving Isamu feeling lost.
.....
The school bell rang, announcing the start of the first period. The students settled into their seats, while the morning noise filled the classroom with familiar chatter and smiles.
A month and a half had passed since the beginning of the school year, and the students had gotten used to the daily routine.
Class 1-B was known for its lively spirit in past years, and Ms. Takahashi was always a source of positive energy. She entered the classroom as she did every day, with a calm smile that reflected her confidence for her students.
But on this day, there was something unusual. Ms. Takahashi seemed more excited than usual, and that excitement swirled around her like an aura. She stood before them, looking at them with sparkling eyes, as if she carried a secret announcement.
"Students, , before we begin today's lesson, I have an exciting announcement," she said in a tone that carried a thrilling note.
Instantly, silence fell over the classroom, and curiosity levels rose. Even the students who usually didn't care about the small details began to focus. Something extraordinary was happening, and the teacher's words seemed to herald an important event.
"Today, we have a new classmate joining us," she announced, pretending to be serious.
With those words, the students exchanged uneasy glances. "How can a new student arrive now? The school just started a month and a half ago," one of them whispered.
"I wonder if he will be a handsome boy!" a girl whispered while watching Isamu with sparkling eyes.
"The boys in our class can't do anything about that," another replied sarcastically.
"Yes, the dead fish eyes of Hezato-san are scary," commented one boy, making the girls giggle.
"Ah, I saw that!" shouted the boy with glasses sitting in the front row, excitedly: "He's wearing the black school uniform; he looks like a boy."
"Oh! Wow," another girl responded, emphasizing his appearance. "I wonder if he will be a bully!"
As the chatter rose in the classroom, Ms. Takahashi had her finger pressed to her forehead, expressing her frustration.
Click! Snap!
Takahashi slapped her hands on the podium, creating a loud noise that shocked the students and froze them in place for a moment.
That was the moment they realized there had to be order.
"Everyone! You are now middle school students, stop acting like elementary school children!" she said in a firm voice.
After a month and a half of integration, the social circle in the classroom had begun to solidify, and everyone enjoyed playing in small groups. However, the unexpected arrival of a transferred student felt like something out of a light novel or comic book, making the younger students in the class excited.
Therefore, all eyes turned to the door with anticipation, waiting to see the new student.
At that moment, the door opened slowly, revealing Isamu standing at the entrance. He was perfectly dressed in his school uniform, with his dark black hair neatly falling into place, highlighting his youthful and strong appearance.
His deep black eyes sparkled with sharp colors, reflecting his seriousness. His facial features had a clear attractiveness, with prominent cheekbones and a handsome face. His skin was smooth, carrying a hint of innocence that contrasted with his serious personality. His bag hung over his shoulder, completing his school look.
"He really is handsome," a girl whispered.
"This is Isamu, and he recently transferred to our school. I hope you all welcome him warmly," Ms. Takahashi added, motioning for him to come closer.
Isamu stepped slowly toward the front of the classroom, feeling as if everyone's eyes were devouring him with curiosity. Some students whispered, while others remained silent, wondering about the new arrival.
"I hope you can introduce yourself to everyone, Rin," the teacher kindly requested. "Isamu, please come and introduce yourself."
"Yes, teacher." Isamu walked up to the podium, where he wrote his name neatly and then bowed slightly, his voice clear and confident.
Taking a deep breath, Isamu said in a quiet but audible voice, "Hello, my name is Uchiha Isamu. I just moved here from another city. I look forward to getting to know you all."
Once again, silence fell. Some students stared at him in confusion, while slight smiles appeared on the faces of others.
"Yes, he looks different from the boys in our class," one of the girls said.
"His way of speaking is different and better," another added.
"..."
As the girls began to admire the new boy and compare him to themselves, the male students' gazes toward Isamu began to turn disdainful. In the back of the classroom, a group of boys exchanged looks as if they were plotting something.
Seeing the girls starting to like the new boy and comparing him to themselves, the male students' gazes toward Isamu became filled with aversion.
The teacher spoke after Isamu finished introducing himself and asked calmly, "Alright, Isamu, where would you like to sit?"
In the classroom, there were 35 seats arranged in five rows, and some seats were empty. Isamu pointed to the last seat in the middle row. "Can I sit here?"
The teacher tried to ensure his comfort. "But the last row is far from the board. Can you see the words clearly?"
Isamu confidently replied, "I have no problem seeing, but if that's not suitable, you can arrange a seat for me, teacher."
After thinking for a moment, the teacher suggested, "We change seats every month. How about sitting in the front to get used to the atmosphere here?"
"That sounds good," Isamu said as he moved to the new seat in the front row.
The teacher prepared to start the lesson, but the girls couldn't resist talking about Isamu. "Did you see his face? He looks like a boy from the series that appears on TV!" one of the girls whispered, with admiration sparkling in her eyes.
As Isamu sat and contemplated the classroom, some male students felt the flames of jealousy igniting in their chests. They exchanged glances of suspicion and disdain.
"He doesn't look that special to me. His face looks like a girl's face. I doubt that if he gets hit, he will cry like them," one of them said, adding mockingly.
"Let's see what happens," another replied, a sinister smile on his face, as if planning something.
In the back of the classroom, a group of boys exchanged glances as if they were planning something.