Chapter 34: The New English Teacher

“Haruka, have you noticed that you’ve changed lately?” Yoji Heisuke reached up to rub his chin, scrutinizing Haruka Harano with great seriousness.

“Changed?” Apparently reminded by Heisuke’s words, Kazunaka Kunitada also reacted.

Imitating Heisuke’s gesture, he stroked his chin and pretended to ponder thoughtfully.

The two of them began circling around Haruka, muttering under their breath.

“Why does it feel like this guy’s gotten a bit more handsome recently?”

“Wait, hold on, let me have another look.”

“No, he doesn’t seem that different... Maybe just a tiny bit more handsome than me.”

“Damn it, could it be the ‘Throne of Kings’ taking effect?”

“Then what role do I play in all this?”

...

Haruka felt awkward. Had he really changed? Wasn’t it just that he’d become more handsome? Was it really something so mysterious? But he was used to it; it would be more bizarre if Yoji Heisuke and Kazunaka Kunitada weren’t acting crazy for once.

It was only when the bell rang for class that these two “chuunibyou” finally returned to their seats.

He took out his English textbook. Class hadn’t begun yet, but he was already stifling a yawn.

Recently, during lunch breaks, Rina Kiyosuzu had been joining him, throwing off his biological clock. He hadn’t had a proper nap in ages.

He really couldn’t understand that Japanese girl—he’d already given her lunch money, so why did she insist on eating with him every day?

Because of her, he found himself fighting sleep through the first afternoon class. Haruka was convinced that the delinquent class slacker was just trying to drag him down with her, using her youthful charms to lead him astray!

Bah! Femme fatale—little witch, how dare you disturb my inner peace! I must never let this happen again!

At the thought of those delicate, fragrant feet in black stockings during lunch, and Rina Kiyosuzu’s perpetually disdainful gaze, Haruka hurriedly recited a calming mantra in his heart.

What a sin...

[Mission Progress: 7/100 (Stocking Slayer)]

“Click, click!” The sound of high heels echoed through the hallway.

Everyone turned their eyes toward the door.

The first thing that caught their attention was a pair of long, shapely legs in black stockings—smooth and flawless. Clad in a black office suit, her stunning figure set the hearts of every teenage boy aflutter. She wore black-rimmed glasses, her shiny dark hair was tied back, and her cherry lips were painted a vivid red.

She carried books in her arms, swaying her hips as she walked.

The boys in the class were instantly excited; the girls looked on with envy.

Haruka glanced over curiously.

Legs: 8 out of 10.

Waist: 8.5.

Bust... wow, impressive!

Face... what the—!

Haruka was startled. He would never forget this woman, not even if she turned to ashes. In fact, they had only just seen each other this morning!

On the train!

Was it fate or just a case of paths crossing at the wrong time?

The English teacher stood at the podium, her warm smile a stark contrast to her earlier behavior on the train—it was as though she were a completely different person.

Her gaze swept the classroom. When her eyes passed over Haruka Harano, there was no change in expression, as if she had forgotten him entirely.

“My name is Kaori Yasukawa. Starting today, I’ll be your English teacher. I look forward to working with you all.”

Watching Kaori Yasukawa speak confidently from the podium, embodying the image of a proper, exemplary teacher, who would ever guess that she had laid hands on one of her own students on the morning train?

If Haruka hadn’t been the victim himself, he never would have believed it.

The class period slipped by slowly. For once, Haruka didn’t nap, but he didn’t absorb any of the lesson either.

His attention was fixed entirely on Kaori Yasukawa, searching for any cracks in her façade.

Unfortunately, her disguise was flawless—so flawless that Haruka momentarily doubted his own eyes.

After class, the students erupted into chatter, especially the boys, who howled like wolves as if they’d never seen a woman before, all vowing to study hard from now on.

“Is this really necessary? Bunch of geeks,” Kanna Terashima sneered as she watched the boys, “She’s not even half as pretty as my Rina.”

Rina Kiyosuzu didn’t respond. She also thought the English teacher looked familiar, as if she’d seen her somewhere before.

She considered asking Haruka Harano, but noticed he was being mobbed by those two “chuunibyou” and decided against it.

“That’s it! From today on, I’m going to study English hard!” Kazunaka Kunitada declared loudly.

“You? You were practically drooling on your desk just now. Look at Haruka—he’s the one who’s really serious. Sixty minutes in class and not a single sign of distraction!” Yoji Heisuke adjusted his glasses and spoke coolly.

“Huh? How would you know that?” Haruka was startled. Was he that obvious?

“Because I watched you for sixty minutes straight!” Yoji Heisuke said proudly.

“Ugh!” The thought of a bespectacled boy staring at him for over an hour made Haruka’s skin crawl.

“Haruka Harano, Kaori Yasukawa wants to see you in the office.”

At that moment, the class rep walked over and delivered the message.

Me?

Haruka was surprised, but nodded to show he understood.

In the office.

“Haruka, your English grades are really dragging down the average,” Kaori Yasukawa said, adjusting her black frames as she studied the grade sheet, sounding somewhat troubled.

Haruka’s eyes were on the teacher. For some reason, two buttons of her white blouse were undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of pale skin mixed with black fabric.

The allure of ambiguity was always the deadliest.

Kaori Yasukawa didn’t seem to notice Haruka’s gaze. She shifted position, causing her collar to open even further.

“Are you listening, Haruka?”

Haruka quickly looked away.

“Ms. Yasukawa, I’ve always struggled with English. I hope you’ll guide me well.”

Kaori Yasukawa set down her books, raised her head, and smiled at Haruka.

“Don’t worry, I promise I’ll teach you well.”

“All right, I’ll leave it to you, sensei,” Haruka replied politely with a nod.

“Oh, and be sure to come see me after school this afternoon.”

Just as Haruka was about to leave the office, he heard her voice behind him.

He turned to see Kaori Yasukawa sitting in her chair, those long legs in black stockings crossing and recrossing.

Bathed in sunlight, the sheer fabric glimmered faintly.

Haruka smiled and nodded, then exited the office.

After the last class of the day, students in the room gathered their things in small groups, preparing for their various club activities.

[Today seems to be unusually eventful. I wish I could try every option, but what should I do? If only I had a save-and-load function—I could experience every route. Alas, the great system can only list your choices for you. You decide:]

[A. Do nothing and walk home with Rina Kiyosuzu.]

[B. Ask Rina Kiyosuzu to wait a bit while you go see Kaori Yasukawa.]

[C. Go alone and search for the letter writer.]

[D. Head to the gym to look for Mrs. Eri Momotani.]

[Please make your choice.]