Nanase-sensei watched the boy shuffle to the podium, head bowed, his voice barely above a murmur as he introduced himself. For a moment, she assumed he was just shy.
But when he said nothing else, awkward silence spreading as whispers rose from the class, she quickly clapped her hands together, leading the applause.
Before it even finished, the boy hurried off the stage, retreating to his seat like he couldn't stand being up front.
Nanase's brows furrowed slightly. That wasn't just shyness. A problem child, perhaps… or at least someone carrying a heavy weight.
The chatter about him lingered even after he sat down.
"Alright, next person," Nanase clapped, breaking the mood. "Let's keep it moving."
Soon, the rhythm of introductions smoothed out again, and Ishida Shouya's odd moment was pushed to the back of everyone's mind.
"Akira, what's wrong?" Shouko whispered beside him, noticing his gaze fixed on Ishida's back.
"Nothing," Akira shook his head. "Just spaced out."
"Oh." Shouko turned back toward the podium.
She didn't feel anything in particular about being in the same class as Ishida. To her, they'd likely just remain classmates for the next three years. Anything beyond that… she couldn't imagine, and didn't want to think about.
The introductions continued. Some students rushed through theirs in a minute, others—more talkative—dragged them out for three.
When his turn came, Akira rose reluctantly, nudged forward by Shouko's reminder. Really… couldn't she have just said my name for me?
As soon as he stepped up, hushed murmurs rippled through the room—his appearance alone already a topic of conversation.
"My name is Miyamura Akira."
He scanned the rows, pausing briefly on the girl with the bandaged eye Shouko had pointed out earlier. Not "Rikka Takanashi" from the anime of his past life, just a classmate who happened to be injured.
Down below, Ishida suddenly lifted his head. For a split second, their eyes met—then Ishida looked away, almost flinching, as if he couldn't bear the sight.
"I hope we can get along over the next three years," Akira finished. He gave Nanase-sensei a small nod and stepped down.
This time, the first clap came not from the teacher, but from Shouko, her hands meeting in steady rhythm until the class followed suit.
By the time he sat down, it was her turn.
Encouraged by Ayumi and the others, Shouko steadied herself. Just like in middle school, she mentioned her hearing impairment openly. A wave of surprise and whispers surged through the room—until Nanase-sensei cut it off with firm authority. She had anticipated it.
Even so, Shouko could feel the sting. As long as her hearing loss remained, it would always be a thorn lodged in her heart. But when her eyes found Akira's, her resolve steadied.
It will be cured. One day soon.
"I hope we can get along well these next three years," she said with quiet confidence, bowing slightly before returning to her seat, head held high.
The rest of the introductions blurred together: Nishikata stumbling nervously over his words, Takagi finishing in two blunt sentences, Ayumi radiating her sunny charm.
Each left some impression, big or small.
Finally, Nanase-sensei tapped her desk. "Everyone, line up in the hallway. We'll head to the auditorium for the entrance ceremony."
Chairs scraped, voices overlapped, and soon the class filed out.
The auditorium buzzed with hundreds of new students. The principal welcomed them with a long speech, followed by an education board official, then the school song. An hour and a half slipped by before they were led back to their classroom.
Nanase gave them a ten-minute break. Akira leaned back, tempted to nap, but Ayumi and Shouko were already swarmed by curious classmates, their chatter filling the room. No chance for quiet.
When the break ended, upperclassmen arrived carrying stacks of heavy books. One boy in particular—a buzz cut, darker skin—caught Akira's eye. He felt a vague familiarity, but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came.
Soon, each desk was stacked with fifteen thick volumes: Modern Japanese, Classical Japanese, Chinese Classics, Basic Math, Probability & Statistics, English grammar and reading supplements, Modern Society, Geography, History, Physics, Biology, Home Economics & Technology, Physical Education & Health, plus the school handbook.
Shouko stared at the pile, her head already spinning.
Nanase leaned against the blackboard, reminding them to check for errors. "Also—phones are allowed, but only during breaks. If you're caught using them in class, we'll be calling your parents."
"Sensei," Ayumi raised her hand, "when will we vote for class monitor?"
"Next Monday," Nanase replied after a pause. "Once everyone's gotten to know each other a little better."
Ayumi nodded, clearly interested.
The schedule was posted on the classroom door, and the rest of the day was spent touring the labs, gymnasium, cafeteria, and other facilities before finally returning.
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