Chapter 73: Giving Hiratsuka-sensei a Shock
Nighttime.
Haruka lay on his bed, playing with his phone in boredom.
To be honest, on the first day of the Simulator update, he felt bored for the first time in a long while.
In the past, he could ponder what the simulation would bring, why the "him" in the simulation changed so much, and whether that kind of scenario truly existed within his potential, among other questions.
But now, the simulator was updating, and offering no response at all.
For the first time, he was channeling his energy into reality—refusing the teacher, discussing plans, teaching Shoko.
How should he put it?
It felt… slightly wonderful.
He felt an inexplicable sense of groundedness.
Maybe because the current development was similar yet different from the simulation.
Haruka shook his head, pushing these messy thoughts aside, and continued scrolling through his phone.
Technology in this era seemed slightly behind compared to his previous life.
Many things had developed, but they hadn't reached their peak yet.
Livestreaming, short videos, web novels, and other technological advancements.
It looked to be about five to ten years behind his previous life.
Of course, because things were different, Haruka still found it quite interesting to watch.
Naruto, One Piece, Bleach…
Each had its own merits.
After watching some anime for a while, Haruka checked the time. It was past ten o'clock; still early.
Haruka switched to MeTube.
Before long, he found a hidden gem of a video.
The comments below were full of praise, and the like count was high.
With curiosity, Haruka clicked on it.
Inside was an audio clip of rock music.
Thump-thump-tss, thump-thump-tss...
This was an early upload. Later videos started featuring the uploader's own guitar accompaniment, followed by cover songs...
It couldn't be denied. The progress was massive. On a video site, this was definitely skill-based content, and the fans were active.
A whopping thirty thousand fans!
And they were real! Not Bots!
He clicked on the profile page.
"This is..."
***
Deep night.
The clock struck twelve.
Haruka had already entered dreamland.
Although the current him only needed four hours of sleep a day to stay energetic, sleep wasn't just about maintaining energy.
While he slept, deep in his subconscious:
[Update Time: 1/3]
Haruka remained completely unaware.
Time ticked by, bit by bit.
The sky gradually brightened.
When Haruka woke up, he habitually called out to the Simulator.
As expected, the Simulator gave no response.
After staring blankly at the ceiling for a while, Haruka got up and started making breakfast.
***
Tuesday.
The second day of the Simulator update.
Also the second day of the Alliance of Outcasts' concrete operations.
Haruka encountered a surprise move from Shizuka Hiratsuka.
Inside the faculty office.
Mafuyu Kirisu was grading assignments nearby. However, she seemed troubled by something, spacing out from time to time.
When she spaced out, usually maintaining a strict image, she looked inexplicably cute.
Unfortunately, no one could see this scene. Including Haruka.
Because Haruka was currently negotiating with his dear, "young" Hiratsuka-sensei.
"I heard you've been at the Service Club recently, Haruka?" Hiratsuka said with a smile.
'Haruka? Not Kasugano-kun? So formal?'
Haruka kept a straight face. "No, I just went to the Service Club for a friend's matter."
"..."
'Slippery brat.'
Hiratsuka's face fell, and she couldn't be bothered to pretend anymore.
"You guys want that thing? Fine. But I need you to focus on your grades in addition to helping each other. After all, a student's main job is studying. This is very important."
Hiratsuka had already decided to give the roster to Haruka and the others. Saying this now was just setting a condition. Moreover, the condition of studying was genuinely for their own good. It could be said that Hiratsuka's intentions were truly well-meaning.
Looking at Hiratsuka, a strange idea suddenly rose in Haruka's mind.
To give Hiratsuka an epic study shock, and then…
"Sensei, I don't think you need to worry about my studies." Haruka spoke these seemingly humble but actually arrogant words.
"..."
Hiratsuka was stunned for a moment.
Beside them, Mafuyu Kirisu reacted as if a keyword had been triggered. Studying? What studying? No need to worry?
She turned her head directly to look over. The corner of Hiratsuka's mouth twitched. She knew Haruka's background. It couldn't be called bad, but it really couldn't be considered good either.
How did he dare to say such a thing? Just based on his studying during this period?
"Haruka, big talk shouldn't be spoken lightly."
Haruka smiled. "Hiratsuka-sensei, I have confidence. You can test me however you want."
"Fine."
Hiratsuka was a little annoyed.
With a dark face, she pulled out a difficult mock exam paper from the previous year from under her desk and slammed it onto the table.
"Sensei."
"What?"
"If I do well on the test, can you give me the Principal's contact information?"
"..."
Hiratsuka's movements paused.
Her brain, which had been slightly irritated, instantly cooled down.
Something was wrong.
'Could he be doing this on purpose?'
'Just to get the Principal's contact info?'
'But on what grounds?'
'His grades couldn't have improved that fast.'
'But given his current personality and what just happened, it doesn't seem like empty arrogance. That wouldn't make sense.'
Hiratsuka's mind was confused. But she agreed anyway.
If this kid really asked her for it, given the relationship between their parents, it wasn't like she couldn't give it to him. So she simply agreed.
'But why does this kid want the Principal's contact info?'
Unknowingly, Mafuyu Kirisu walked over, watching Haruka and Hiratsuka.
Haruka took the paper and pen, lowered his head over the desk, and began writing furiously.
Hiratsuka frowned, staring straight at Haruka.
Mafuyu Kirisu also focused her gaze on the exam paper.
As time passed, the expressions on the two women's faces changed.
Hiratsuka's eyes widened slightly, her gaze toward Haruka filled with disbelief.
She knew Haruka's grades from a month ago. Looking at his current answers, it felt like a dream.
'Is this fake?'
'Not a single wrong answer!'
'How is this possible?!'
'Perfectly standard answers. No, some parts are even simplified—faster, more detailed, easier to understand!'
Beside her, Mafuyu Kirisu watched silently, but she couldn't hide the shock in her eyes.
She didn't know Haruka's previous grades, but she saw that Haruka hadn't gotten a single answer wrong.
"..."
Finally, Haruka put down the pen.
"Sensei, want to check it?" Haruka looked at Hiratsuka with a smile.
The shock on Hiratsuka's face hadn't faded yet.
"Ahem."
Hiratsuka picked up the paper, then took out a piece of paper, wrote down the contact information, and tossed it directly to Haruka.
"Shoo, shoo. Get out of here."
Haruka smiled and left.
Watching Haruka leave, Hiratsuka finally dropped her act and sighed.
"Another monster..."
"Monster? Hiratsuka-sensei, what happened with Kasugano-kun just now?"
"..."
Hiratsuka briefly explained Haruka's peculiarity.
Only then did Mafuyu Kirisu understand why Hiratsuka had lost her composure earlier.
"Then why did he want the Principal's contact information?"
"How should I know? But knowing that kid's personality, there will probably be some action soon."
Outside the building.
Haruka held the contact information in his hand, a smile spreading across his face.