"This is your new teacher, Ishi Kitsune. Please be good to her…"
After introducing Kitsune, the principal left. The whole class stood up to greet her.
"It's our pleasure to meet you."
"Okay, you can take your seats…"
That woman... what is she even thinking? While I was cursing the hell out of her inside my head, I overheard some boys talking about her.
"Isn't she a hottie?"
"Right? And she looks so young… does she have a boyfriend?"
"I wonder how old she is…"
"Why don't we ask her? She looks kind, so I think she won't mind it."
"Uhm, Ms. Ishi, how old are you?"
This kid has a death wish...
"I'm sorry, but I lost track of my age... though I'm sure I'm around a billion years old…"
Everyone in the class laughed. Of course, no one would believe such a thing. At least she wasn't lying about her age.
"Then are you already someone's girlfriend?" one of the boys asked.
Oh crap!! I just remembered, last night I said she's my girlfriend!!
"Hey, don't you think it's wrong to hit on your own teacher?" I hoped this would stop him from asking.
"Huhhh??!! Don't get involved with this, Misaki. You're already hoarding all the girls in this school... or are you still not content and want to add a teacher to your harem??"
"Uh, I don't get what 'hitting on' or 'harem' means, but there's nothing wrong with what he's asking, Misaki."
This primitive, stupid woman!! I should have killed her!! This is it... my happy school life is over.
"If you're asking if I'm already someone's girlfriend, then I think I'm Misaki's girlfriend?"
A sudden eerie silence filled the classroom, and my classmates turned their eyes on me. Okay, my school life is finally over... Let's see what the whole class will say:
"You scumbag!!! When did you hit on her?"
"Ohhh, that's why she didn't bother to read my love letter... she loves older women."
"Straight to the jackpot, aren't we?"
"Hey, Misaki, this ain't a shota R18 manga of yours!!"
"You freak!! You were just hitting on Himeko earlier!!"
"Two-timing freak."
"Go to hell."
I'm not a masochist, but I don't care about what they say... I'll just transfer schools. I think Tokyo isn't for me. And that Kitsune, she's just standing in front like an idiot.
Oh, Himeko suddenly stood up—was she going to slap me?
"Wa- wait, guys, I think there's a misunderstanding here…"
"What now, Himeko? This guy is clearly cheating in front of you!"
"No, no, my relationship with Misaki is not like that... uh, Ms. Ishi loves to joke, so maybe what she means is 'girl friends'... like they're probably close like siblings or childhood friends, right?"
"Is that true, Ms. Ishi?" one girl asked.
"Hmmm... we are indeed like siblings. I don't get why you're angry at Misaki, but in this class, I won't favor anyone, even if that person is close to me…"
The whole class finally settled down. Himeko looked at me, and I smiled at her. Thank goodness, the misunderstanding was cleared up... I don't have to relocate now.
Her subject period went smoothly, which I didn't expect. I guess she's still used to teaching. Back in the old days, she often appeared in front of humans who wanted to ask for her guidance.
The school day finally ended. I decided to find Kitsune for a "smooth talk," but Ms. Kyoko came to say something to me.
"Misaki, Ms. Ishi wants to have a word with you. She's waiting in the faculty."
I immediately went to the faculty. I also decided to bring Himeko, since I promised to introduce her to Kitsune.
"Sit here, Misaki…"
"You!! You almost ruined my reputation here!!"
"My, my, but it looks like all the boys have already taken a 'liking' to you since I came?"
"By the way, that girl— is she Himeko?"
"Oh, yeah... Himeko, this is the person I want to introduce to you. She's my shop assistant. Like us, she can also see spirits…"
"Uhmm... nice to meet you."
Kitsune ignored her greeting. I guess she really doesn't trust Himeko.
"Anyways, I read about how this school works, and I noticed that teachers and students can form a group called a 'club.' I want you to be the president of the club I will form…"
"Uhmm, Ms. Ishi, you're not familiar with clubs?"
Ah, here we are, with Himeko's preemptive questioning…
"Well, I didn't join a club before, and I rarely interact with people, so I don't know much about it."
"Is that so…"
To think that Kitsune's honesty would make her less suspicious.
"What club do you want to form?" I asked.
"I want to form the Spirit Hunting Club. The girl here can be your right hand, and I'll be the club adviser."
To think that she already knew the rules and terms of clubs... I guess she's looking forward to teaching here. Of course, I agreed to her proposal, and we registered with the student council too.
But there is one problem.
Himeko and I are not enough to formally establish the club. They said that we need at least five members to form a club. So I asked Kitsune if it's okay to invite some of my friends.
"Well, that would be pretty risky. They can't see spirits, right?"
"I already have a solution, Misaki. Though, I need to talk to you alone... By the way, uh, Himeko, right?"
"Uh, yes?"
"Misaki mentioned your spirit pet... where is it now?"
"I left her at my house... I'm afraid her current size might affect people around me."
"Don't worry, humans won't feel nor sense your spirit. It would be more dangerous if you leave her alone."
"O-okay, I'll bring her tomorrow."
After talking, the three of us left the school together. Himeko separated from us after a while because she needed to take the train home. As for us, my apartment is just a few streets away from the school, so we walked.
While walking, I was thinking of asking Kitsune about her solution from earlier. It's pretty intriguing because why would she need to talk to me alone? But before that, there was something I felt I should really ask first…
"Oi, Kitsune... how the hell did you manage to become a teacher??!!"