BlackMangaka 005: The Delinquent Class Teacher
Nakahara Hiroshi restrained himself slightly.
"Is that so… Nakahara-san, I didn't expect you to say something like that."
Kato replied expressionlessly, "You actually want to see a girl's belly, Nakahara-san. How perverted."
"Tsk." Nakahara Hiroshi clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. "Kato, I'm talking to you! At least sound more emotional if you're upset!"
"Huh?"
Even Kato was stunned.
He's dissatisfied over that?
Nakahara-san is indeed an odd one.
Whether it's noticing someone like me or taking the initiative to befriend me…
"By the way, Kato."
"Hmm?"
"Did you see who helped me to the infirmary the other day? I'd like to thank them in person."
"You didn't see them?"
Given the answer Kato provided before class, there was no doubt...
"That's obviously a lie."
Judging from Kato's earlier apology, their relationship clearly runs deep.
If the situation were reversed and it were Kato lying unconscious on the ground, would Nakahara Hiroshi simply walk away?
The answer was obvious: No.
"Then why did Kato lie to me?"
The reason wasn't hard to guess.
"You don't want me to know who it was?"
But then another question arose.
"Why doesn't Kato want me to know?"
Nakahara Hiroshi touched his chin, a confused look in his eyes.
"Bang."
A crisp sound cut through the suddenly quiet classroom.
"Pfft."
"Hahaha!"
A wave of laughter erupted from the classroom.
"Bang, bang, bang."
The sound continued as if in response.
The laughing students immediately clutched their heads in pain.
"Ouch!"
"That hurts!"
Their complaints filled the air as the laughter died down.
Nakahara Hiroshi, the first victim, rubbed his head and grinned upon seeing everyone else share his fate. Somehow, even the pain in his forehead lessened.
"Find this funny, Nakahara?"
The voice was deep and filled with authority, immediately silencing the class.
Nakahara Hiroshi stood up straight, clutching the white chalk bullet that had hit him.
"Sensei Hiratsuka! Not at all!"
That was a close call. He almost called her "Shizuka" directly.
Standing before him was Hiratsuka Shizuka, her long black hair framing her delicate features. With her sharp eyes and intimidating presence, she was a beauty no less than any heroine he could imagine.
If not for the frosty expression on her face, she might have seemed charming. But right now, her aura was overwhelmingly oppressive.
Even so…
"Cute. I want to—"
"Hmm?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes narrowed, her expression growing more dangerous.
"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Nakahara Hiroshi immediately cut off his improper thoughts.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I was wrong!"
To avoid her infamous Iron Fist of Love, Nakahara Hiroshi confessed earnestly.
"I shouldn't have been distracted during class!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression softened slightly as she let out a sigh.
Why was Shizuka-sensei, who was supposed to be teaching at Sobu High in Chiba, here at Toyosaki Academy?
The answer? Because the plot demanded it!
"Come to my office after class. Pay attention from now on."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Whew! Crisis averted! No need to taste her Iron Fist of Love.
Though he had to visit her office, that was a minor inconvenience in comparison.
---
Class ended quickly.
As soon as Hiratsuka Shizuka left the room, the previously silent classroom erupted into noise and laughter.
After a brief pause, Nakahara Hiroshi rose from his seat.
"Good luck!" Kato said encouragingly.
Nakahara Hiroshi rolled his eyes but waved a hand in response, not looking back.
"Are you kidding? Why would I be scared of Hiratsuka-sensei? She's so cool and quiet!"
He walked to the teacher's office, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door.
Straightening his clean, wrinkle-free uniform, he buttoned every button and nodded in satisfaction.
"Perfect."
After knocking, he opened the door and stepped inside.
"It's Nakahara-kun!"
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Still feeling unwell? I can talk to Hiratsuka-sensei and get you a few more days off!"
"..."
The other teachers in the office greeted him enthusiastically, forcing Nakahara Hiroshi to respond shyly with a polite smile.
"I'm fine now, thank you."
Finally, he approached Hiratsuka Shizuka's desk.
"Take a seat."
Hiratsuka Shizuka gestured to the chair beside her.
Lighting a cigarette but hesitating, she eventually put it down and patted Nakahara Hiroshi on the shoulder.
"Sometimes, life throws accidents our way, whether we want them or not. No matter how painful, we have to keep moving forward."
"Nakahara, do you understand what I'm saying?"
So, she wasn't upset about me being distracted. She was just worried about me?
Sensei Hiratsuka truly lives up to her reputation. She's amazing.
A warm feeling bloomed in his chest, but he quickly shook off any improper thoughts.
"Don't worry, Hiratsuka-sensei! I've already adjusted!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka studied him carefully before nodding.
"If you say so, that's good."
"Actually, I had another reason for calling you here."
"Huh?"
"You haven't joined any clubs since last year, have you?"
This can't be happening!
A bad feeling crept over Nakahara Hiroshi.
"That's correct," he admitted, realizing it would be pointless to lie about something she could easily verify.
"Club activities help students develop skills, relieve stress, and improve communication and organizational abilities."
Before Hiratsuka Shizuka could finish her pitch, Nakahara Hiroshi interjected, "I'm sorry, Hiratsuka-sensei. I don't have the time to join any clubs right now."
"Is it because of your studies?"
"Partly, but I also have personal matters to attend to."
**
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