Mission: Overview Part 1

Sleep was like a time skip. He never remembered his dreams. The glaring brightness of the morning sun streamed relentlessly through the bedroom window. Slowly opening his burning eyes, he sat up without hesitation. Takeshi still had plenty of time, but he preferred to leave early enough to avoid arriving late.

After a quick shower, he dressed in one of his suits. A white shirt. Black pants, a tie, and a black jacket. The black gloves slid on with practiced ease. Black, form-fitting, unassuming.

Back in the old days, he was often teased for looking like an undertaker. Wearing gloves even during his free time had become a habit he couldn't quite shake. Takeshi was aware he appeared a bit peculiar wearing them. Old habits die hard.

On his way, he came across more and more students. Groups of them gathered on the front gate. One laughed too loudly, and others dragged their feet as if they had forgotten their motivation at home. Fragments of chatter swirled through the air, past him like scattered leaves. Complaints about unfinished homework or rumors about new and old teachers. Some were bragging about surviving summer cram school.

Next to the entrance stood a large stone engraved with the school's motto.

Strive for greatness.

Couldn’t be further from reality.

Overall, the school seemed to be in good condition, as far as Takeshi could judge.

A glance at his watch reminded Takeshi that it was time to head to the teachers' lounge. Just as he was about to go, a girl stopped beside him. Takeshi looked up, observing her quietly. She seemed unaware of his presence.

Her long, black hair was so silky it appeared almost unnatural, contrasting sharply with her porcelain-white skin. But it was her eyes that captivated him the most. Those lavender eyes that spoke much more than books ever could. They resembled amethysts left to freeze in the snow.

Beautiful, clear,

yet lifeless.

Attempts to conceal the dark shadows beneath them had failed. Her tiredness was obvious. It wasn't the color of her eyes, but their expression. Loneliness, fear, perhaps something more. Takeshi couldn't quite define it. But he clearly sensed the melancholy around her, like a chill that made the surrounding air feel colder.

She clenched her fists, seemingly gathering her courage, and forced herself forward. Her gaze remained fixed on the ground as she walked mechanically. Step by step.

Her aura… peculiar. Something isn't right here.

He found it puzzling. Usually, he had little interest in the people around him. Not due to arrogance but simply out of efficiency. But with her, it felt different. It seemed, for a brief moment, as if the weight of the world had shifted and the burden of the school had been redistributed. He watched her vanish into the building.

As if a switch had been flipped, normalcy returned, like a film frozen mid-frame suddenly coming back to life.

She reminds me of something...

A sharp voice called out to Takeshi, cutting through the air and drowning out the students’ chatter. A man stood a little further away from him. The spitting image of someone from the last century. He wore an old-fashioned brown suit paired with a checkered shirt. Completely out of date. Thick horn-rimmed glasses rested on his nose, and his thinning gray hair reflected the passage of time etched clearly onto his face.

"Ah, good day. You must be Takeshi Katou, correct?" the man asked in a gruff, monotone voice.

"Good day. Nice to meet you," Takeshi replied politely, offering a brief bow.

"The pleasure is mine. I'm Hayato Igurashi. I teach mathematics and natural sciences."

Oh man, if his classes are as engaging as his talking, staying awake might be challenging...

Igurashi reminded Takeshi of a teacher from his school days.

"Follow me. The principal awaits you." Igurashi ordered.

Takeshi followed him through the main entrance, where the grumbling old man showed him the locker containing slippers.

They weren’t exactly comfortable, but he wouldn’t complain, and they headed toward the principal’s office. The hallways bustled with activity, students chatting, some tapping on smartphones, and others buried in textbooks.

Mr. Igurashi barely spoke to Takeshi, who glanced out the window. He observed the tennis courts and the gymnasium beyond, where the opening ceremony would soon begin.

Suddenly, Takeshi was pulled out of his thoughts.

"Strange… fresh graduates usually look a bit younger. Must’ve been quite the detour until you ended up here, huh?" Igurashi asked skeptically, with an accusatory undertone.

I think your age might be the bigger problem here…

Takeshi maintained his usual expressionless face.

"I had a different job before. Guess I'm just a late bloomer," Takeshi replied.

"Hmm, the youth of today…" was all he got as a response before Igurashi turned away.

They didn't exchange another word until they reached the principal's office, which suited Takeshi fine. Igurashi knocked.

"I'm coming in!" he said and immediately bowed before the principal. Takeshi followed suit.

The office was large, and certificates decorated the walls. Most shelves were filled with books. At the far end stood a large oak desk, behind which a chubby man sat in an expensive-looking, brown leather chair. His hair was fully gray, or at least what remained of it. The face was framed by an impressively bushy mustache on his upper lip. It clearly needed better grooming.

Upon entering, Takeshi noticed another person. A young woman was already seated. She had shiny black hair with a bluish tint, almond-shaped eyes encircling deep-blue irises, and a sporty figure with pronounced curves. She smiled warmly as she saw Takeshi.

Another newbie?

"Good morning, Principal Ishida. I've brought Mr. Takeshi Katou, as requested," Igurashi announced with exaggerated enthusiasm. "You must be busy with important matters. I'd gladly instruct the newcomers myself," he offered.

"Hah, that’s no problem for me. You think I can’t handle that?” Takeshi sensed the principal’s eyes flinching to the other new teacher.

“Go back to work! the ceremony begins soon," Ishida replied firmly, causing Igurashi's smile to vanish immediately.

"As you wish." After a quick bow, Igurashi left.

The principal rose and took a seat next to the young woman. His gaze unabashedly fixed on her chest.

"Shall we begin?" Ishida asked with a lecherous look.

Takeshi immediately noticed how she dodged his gaze.

"Ah, yes! Mr. Katou, please have a seat," the principal instructed.

He smiled broadly. His eyes still glued shamelessly to Shizuka's chest. Takeshi observed her shoulders stiffen slightly. She seemed to struggle a bit, but she still maintained her composure.

"Allow me to introduce you. Mr. Katou, this is Shizuka Maki. She is also new here, from an elite university. I'm delighted to welcome her into our circle," Ishida announced, eyes shifting between her face and chest.

“T-thank you, hehe," Shizuka murmured, nervously brushing her hair back, maintaining her forced smile.

Takeshi looked at the principal. Not a direct stare but focused enough to command his full attention. Ishida noticed him, flinched slightly, and cleared his throat.

Shizuka Maki was undeniably attractive, innocent, and perhaps slightly naive.

"Pleased to meet you," Takeshi said in his typically emotionless manner.

"S-same here! I hope we'll get along well~!" Shizuka said, forcing herself to ignore Ishida’s lingering gaze.

“Well then, let me explain how things work at this school,” Principal Ishida began. “First, here is a map of the campus. We’ve marked the most important locations for you.”

He handed each of them a map.

Takeshi immediately scanned for both. The location of the staff room and the gymnasium, where the opening ceremony would soon take place.

“Here are your class schedules. These are the periods you’ll be teaching,” the principal continued, pointing at the slots.

“Ehm… thank you!” Shizuka chimed in, seemingly uncomfortable.

Most of Takeshi’s classes were scheduled for the afternoon, after lunch. That suited him just fine. He preferred having the morning to prepare.

In addition, the principal explained various points of contact, the general schedule for the school year, and the option of supervising club activities. The school offered a variety of club activities. It covered everything ranging from sports like kendo, track and field, and traditional archery, to music and calligraphy.

The conversation flowed past Takeshi like water in a stream. The words became little more than background noise. His eyes fell on a self-portrait of the principal, proudly holding a certificate.

Self-presentation. Self-esteem issues?

“Well, that should cover everything for now,” said the principal and rose from his chair.

Takeshi turned his attention back to Ishida.

“You can head to the opening ceremony now. I’ll be along shortly myself...”

As both Takeshi and Shizuka stood and made their way toward the door. The principal called out one final remark behind them.

“Oh, Maki-sensei, if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll grant your every wish,” the principal proclaimed with a sickening grin. He didn’t even try to hide his clear preference for the opposite sex.

“O-of course, sure…” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.