Chapter 11 – New Teacher

Monday mornings were never Haru’s favorite, but this one came with extra chaos. The staff room buzzed like a hive—teachers chattering, students darting in and out with festival cleanup sheets.

“Big news,” someone whispered near the coffee machine. “The new English teacher’s here today.”

Haru blinked mid-sip of her tea. New teacher? She’d barely adjusted to her own schedule—now there was someone new?

The door slid open, and in walked trouble dressed in a tailored suit.

“Good morning, everyone,” the man said with an easy smile that could have sold toothpaste in commercials. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with warm brown eyes behind stylish glasses. His presence filled the room effortlessly, like he belonged there already.

“I’m Shinichi Sato, looking forward to working with you.”

The female teachers immediately lit up like slot machines. A chorus of polite greetings followed, tinged with giggles and bright smiles.

Haru tried to stay invisible, sipping her tea. But when Shinichi’s gaze swept the room and landed on her, her stomach gave an odd twist.

“You must be new too,” he said warmly, crossing the room with that easy confidence. “Takamine-sensei, right? Social Studies?”

Haru blinked. “Ah—yes! That’s me.” She stood too quickly, nearly toppling her chair. “Sorry, I—welcome to Misora High!”

Shinichi chuckled, and Haru wanted to crawl into a hole.

---

Aya’s voice cut in smoothly from behind. “You’re settling in fast, newbie.”

Haru turned to find Aya lounging by the window, arms folded, expression unreadable. Her usual smirk wasn’t there—just cool neutrality as her sharp eyes flicked to Shinichi.

“Nice to meet you,” Aya said, tone polite but distant.

“Likewise, Kurozawa-sensei,” Shinichi replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her. Aya didn’t offer more, just turned her gaze back outside, jaw tight.

Haru felt something strange prick her chest at that brief exchange, but before she could unpack it, Shinichi was asking about her classes, her favorite historical periods, her reasons for teaching.

She answered automatically, laughing nervously at his jokes, all the while hyperaware of Aya’s silence behind her.

---

Lunch Break

Haru found herself chatting with Shinichi near the vending machine, mostly because he’d offered to walk with her on the way there. He had a natural charm—friendly without being overbearing. Easy to talk to.

“…So, first-year classes can be a handful,” Shinichi said with a rueful grin. “But I hear you’ve been managing well, Takamine-sensei.”

“Oh, I-I’m still learning,” Haru admitted. “Honestly, without Kurozawa-sensei’s help, I’d be drowning.”

At Aya’s name, Shinichi’s brow lifted slightly. “Ah, Kurozawa-sensei. The famous PE star, right? She seems… reserved.”

Haru hesitated, glancing toward the gym doors where Aya was probably running drills with students. “She’s… amazing, actually. Always calm, dependable. I really admire her.”

The words slipped out before Haru could stop them, and heat flared in her cheeks. Why did I say it like that?!

Shinichi smiled faintly. “Sounds like you two are close.”

Haru laughed nervously, trying to change the subject.

---

As they headed back, two students passed by, whispering just loud enough for Haru to catch:

“The new guy’s handsome…”

“…Even Takamine-sensei seems flustered.”

Haru froze mid-step, her entire body flushing. What?! No! That’s not—

Before she could recover, she caught something else out of the corner of her eye.

Aya.

Leaning against the stairwell railing, arms crossed, expression cool as ever—but her eyes? Sharp. Watching.

Haru’s pulse spiked for reasons that had nothing to do with Shinichi.

---

Aya pushed off the railing slowly, her jaw set as she walked away without a word. And Haru, heart thudding, couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d just done something terribly wrong—though she didn’t know why.