The sudden intrusion of Hirasawa Yui startled Takamatsu Akari, causing her to take a step back.
"Ah… h-hello, Hirasawa-san."
Still, Akari tried her best to greet Yui politely.
This girl… she was so cute!
Like a little animal.
From such a close view, Yui noticed something.
"Just call me Yui. Qiu and I are good friends, you know!"
Bai Qiu rolled his eyes.
Silly Yui clearly didn't realize that her over-the-top enthusiasm could unsettle the introverted Akari.
Bai Qiu grabbed Yui's ahoge and gently pulled her back.
His movements were practiced, clearly not the first time he had done this.
"Yui, doing that will trouble Takamatsu-san."
"Eh? My hair…"
Yui instinctively protected her head with her hands.
Watching their amusing interaction, Akari shook her head slightly and said,
"It's okay, Yui. Do you want one?"
She held the bandage out to Yui.
Bai Qiu had already picked out a few, but there were still plenty left.
"I want it! I want it!"
Yui clearly took gift-picking very seriously.
Her pure expression made Akari feel that Yui genuinely liked this.
Akari smiled happily in return.
Perhaps at this school, she could have a fresh start.
A moment later, Yui finished selecting her bandages.
She had chosen the ones she found the cutest.
Akari felt a twinge of regret that she couldn't give them all out.
Just as Bai Qiu thought the matter was settled, Yui's next move left him dumbfounded.
In a blink, Yui tore off the bandages and carefully stuck them on each of her ten fingers.
She wiggled her fingers toward Bai Qiu and Akari, wearing a self-satisfied smile.
"Pretty cool, right?"
Wow—when did… Yui's movements get so fast?
Bai Qiu's brow twitched slightly.
"Yui, this is…"
This was such a waste.
And wouldn't Takamatsu-san get upset?
As Bai Qiu racked his brain for a solution,
Akari didn't mind at all. Instead, she leaned closer to Yui's hands, her cheeks tinged with an excited blush.
"Mm! So cute!"
Then Yui cupped her hands around Akari's face.
Akari pouted, her pale cheeks turning even redder.
Yet she didn't resist.
Ah, so it was fine?
This was a bit different from what he had imagined…
Takamatsu-san really was a good kid.
Bai Qiu hadn't expected things to develop like this.
But at least there was no conflict.
Could it be that natural airheadedness subdued everything?
"Oh, by the way, Qiu, what were you about to say?"
"Uh… hehe, never mind…"
...
"Ding ding ding…"
The bell rang, signaling the end of playtime.
Everyone gradually returned to their seats.
The classroom was nearly full.
Yui still wanted to play with Akari,
But Bai Qiu stopped her.
[Became friends with Takamatsu Akari, gained 200 Notes.]
Suddenly, the system's voice echoed in Bai Qiu's mind.
Bai Qiu froze for a moment—this was his first reward.
By the way… where was the newbie gift pack?
Bai Qiu pouted but let it go.
[Completed first interaction with a music girl, bonus 1000 Notes.][Current Notes: 1200]
1000?
Bai Qiu's lips curved upward. Not bad.
Time to exchange for rewards!
Ah, so Takamatsu-san was a music girl after all.
He hadn't realized it.
A pleasant surprise.
Let's guess—what instrument did she play?
Probably guitar or bass.
Judging by her personality, she surely wasn't a vocalist.
Ahaha, class had started. He'd find out next time.
But… why didn't Hirasawa Yui give a reward?
"Yui, let's get along from now on too," Bai Qiu suddenly said seriously.
Yui looked puzzled but replied,
"Mm, don't worry, Qiu. Having new friends won't make me forget about you."
Bai Qiu twitched his lips.
Still no reward…
Yui, what's your deal?!
She didn't even consider him a friend?
No, no, Yui wasn't that kind of person.
Bai Qiu shook his head, smiling wryly.
Deep down, he chastised himself for his mean assumptions about her.
But soon, he smiled again.
His clever brain circuits had processed it.
Right now, Yui and music were… completely unrelated.
After all, she only knew how to play the tambourine.
Back in kindergarten, even.
Clearly, she didn't meet the system's definition of a music girl.
No problem. He had plenty of patience.
Clearing his thoughts, Bai Qiu looked up.
Ready to face the first class of the new semester.
Then he saw a face so familiar it was impossible to forget.
Long black hair, perfectly mature features.
Though her expression now looked a little stern.
Under her black uniform, her chest was notably full.
Yet she wore a white lab coat over it for some reason.
Still… she looked cool.
Wasn't this Hiraizuka Shizuka—Shizuka-sensei, so cute!
Had Bai Qiu transmigrated ten years earlier, he might have tried to marry her.
But… why was she here?
Could it be she was going to recruit him into the Servant Club?
Nooo, Shizukawaii, I'm a model student!
Bai Qiu was surprised but not panicked.
After all, this school had no Yukinoshita Yukino.
At least, she wasn't on the new student roster.
And besides, the Light Music Club was a better choice.
Humph. His mind was on the band girls.
"Cough, cough!"
Hiraizuka Shizuka coughed, successfully drawing everyone's attention.
Looking at the energetic students, she felt a rush of emotion.
She had been a teacher in Chiba, left her job last year, traveled the country, and visited old college friends in Tokyo.
One of those friends was still single, just like her.
Somehow, her family had persuaded her to come teach at this school…
And so she had.
Was she truly unable to escape the fate of being a teacher?
But now that she was here, she had to take her responsibility seriously.
Looking at the lively children, Shizuka-sensei smiled.
She still loved this carefree environment.
"Hello, students. I'm your homeroom teacher, as well as your Japanese literature teacher—Hiraizuka Shizuka."
She announced her name and wrote it on the blackboard.
From below, the students applauded warmly.
Bai Qiu clapped perfunctorily, Yui enthusiastically, and Akari slowly.
Shizuka-sensei waved, signaling everyone to calm down.
Then she said they would take turns introducing themselves.
The self-introductions went smoothly.
When it was Bai Qiu's turn, he drew some attention.
His unique name made everyone guess he was a foreign exchange student.
He explained that he was indeed from China, but had lived here since childhood.
Shizuka-sensei also lingered a bit longer on Bai Qiu.
Plus, the seat in front of him was empty, making him more noticeable.
Next was the election of class officers.
One had to admit, the students in this music anime world were very enthusiastic.
Each position had volunteers immediately.
When it came to the class president, Yui's face lit up. She whispered to Bai Qiu:
"Oh, Hehe is in our class too! That's great!"
Bai Qiu rolled his eyes.
You're only just noticing? You've been childhood friends for over a decade.
The class president, Manabe Hehe.
Yui's neighbor and childhood friend.
A responsible, hardworking guy who always looked out for Yui.
Of course, because of Yui, Bai Qiu also knew him.
This class ended perfectly.
Shizuka-sensei smiled, satisfied.
No problematic students in sight.
Time to head to the office and celebrate with a smoke.