Mission: Overview Part 2

As the two of them left the principal’s office, Shizuka released a long sigh.

Understandable. The situation must have been uncomfortable for her. I’m impressed how well she handled it. Clearly, not the first time for her.

“You seem experienced with people like that,” Takeshi commented, eyes focused on the hallway ahead.

“I am. It happens quite often, actually,” Shizuka groaned, clearly annoyed.

“Huh, sounds exhausting…”

“Yes, sometimes it is…”

Most people probably aren’t aware of the impact their stares and comments have. A single glance like this can throw someone completely off balance. He didn’t even care…

Takeshi slid his hands into his pockets, lost in thought. Silence settled between them.

Shizuka looked as if she wanted to say something. She bit her lip slightly and ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to calm herself.

Does silence unsettle her?

Their footsteps were the only sound echoing through the hallway.

With stiff shoulders, her voice interrupted the silence.

“So… um… what did you think earlier? When you saw me?”

“Should I have thought something?”

“Well, when I was sitting there. I mean… you must’ve thought something when you saw me, right?”

He shrugged lightly. “Nothing relevant.”

Shizuka opened her mouth, closed it again, and her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. Her hands hovered in front of her chest.

“N-No! I mean… I didn't… I wasn't… I didn't mean to fish for compliments or anything…”

Takeshi registered the slight blush and her nervous movements.

Overreaction. No need.

“I understand,” he replied calmly.

“Oh… okay.”

She looked at him briefly before continuing onward, clearly eager to leave the awkward moment behind.

“Well… I think I handled it pretty well. Despite the… uh… looks…”

“No irregularities. You behaved within expected boundaries.”

“Oh, I see…i-i guess that’s a good thing?”

A small, uncertain chuckle slipped out, barely masking her uneasiness.

“Neither bad nor good. Just an observation.”

She seems unsure. The situation is uncomfortable for her. Overreaction leads to insecurity. No meaningful conclusion.

Brief silence again. Shizuka touched her chin, eyes looking upward before she asked another question.

“So, tell me… what exactly do you teach?”

“Ethics.”

“Oh! Ethics sounds exciting!”

She looked at Takeshi with sparkling eyes. Anybody who sees her right now could feel her excitement.

Takeshi shrugged.

“I took a class at university. It was amazing!”

She ignored his reaction as if she hadn’t seen it.

“Matter of perspective.”

Silence once again.

Takeshi noticed the strand of hair she kept twisting between her fingers. And again, she bit her lip.

A coping mechanism. Unplanned silence creates discomfort. Lack of conversational flow.

Shizuka sighed lightly, almost inaudibly.

She made another attempt to lighten the mood, hoping it wouldn't fail this time.

“Well, I teach Japanese and Cultural Studies. Maybe we'll see each other in the teachers’ lounge sometime!”

“Inevitable,” Takeshi responded curtly.

Shizuka furrowed her brows slightly, seeming unsatisfied with the answer, and finally gave up. They walked silently to the gym.

It was packed with students from all grades. The noise was deafening. Many chatted about summer break. Some were greeting friends they hadn't seen all summer, while others exchanged the latest rumors. Second-year students eyed the newcomers curiously.

It was hot. The crowd radiated body heat, filling the hall with a stifling atmosphere. It felt like glue between your fingers. Sticky, uncomfortable, and you never get rid of it completely.

Takeshi scanned the room, looking for the path behind the stage. He had no issues with large crowds but preferred to keep an eye on everything.

Shizuka noticed the small side door next to the stage and tugged on Takeshi’s sleeve.

“Ah! We can go in over there! Hurry, or we'll be late!”

Shizuka started to move faster as she locked in her target. Right before she reached the door, she almost tripped over her own feet but managed to avoid falling.

“Phew, close call,” she whispered, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Takeshi walked toward the entrance unfazed. He felt slightly annoyed. It was tiring for him to put expressions on his face, and speaking in front of a large crowd required a certain expressive effort. Takeshi could do it, or so he believed, but it always left him drained afterward.

As they slipped behind the door, it became pitch dark. It was nearly impossible to see anything if not for the slit in the curtain letting in dazzling stage lights. Takeshi noticed Shizuka nervously fidgeting with her fingers and clothes.

“Nervous?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, though the answer was obvious.

“Um, yes, a little. Aren't you?” Shizuka seemed surprised by his calm demeanor and scratched her cheek. His aura was calm and composed, almost as if he had considerable experience speaking in front of a large audience.

The clumsy type. The students probably give her a nickname by tomorrow. Shouldn’t affect her anyway. Classic case of pretty privilege.

“Don’t worry too much. After the principal’s speech, half the students stop listening, and with any luck, the other half will be just about to fall asleep,” Takeshi replied with a stern face. He intended to reassure her, but knew his expression wasn’t convincing.

Before she could answer, Principal Ishida stepped onto the stage, greeting the students with enthusiasm. The speech was typical, exactly as Takeshi remembered from his own school days, covering organization, an overview of the year, and an appeal to students.

“…Of course, we have new teachers at our school this year as well. Please warmly welcome them and allow them to introduce themselves briefly,” the principal announced, stepping back.

“H-Here we go…” Shizuka murmured with a tremor in her voice.

As the two stepped onto the stage, a wave of murmurs spread through the audience. Many students tapped the shoulders of their neighbors and the room filled with mumbling.

“Whoa, they both look amazing…”

“Are those really the new teachers?”

“Hey, check out the new teacher! She’s seriously cute,” one student whispered to his friend seated on the right.

“What? You thinking of hitting on a teacher now?” his buddy replied jokingly, raising an eyebrow.

“Pfft, no way I’d do that… probably.”

“Still, gotta admit, the new guy looks pretty good too. I bet the girls are gonna go wild for him.”

“Because he is blond with blue eyes? Maybe a half-half?”

As Takeshi walked across the stage, he was the first to approach the microphone.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Takeshi Katou. Starting today, I’ll be teaching Ethics at this school. I look forward to working with all of you.”
He gave a calm, practiced bow before stepping back. His demeanor was composed, like someone used to standing before a crowd.

Then it was Shizuka’s turn. Her nervousness was written all over her face.

“G-good morning… I-I’m Shizuka Maki. N-nice to meet you all. I’ll be your new teacher for… um, Japanese and Cultural Studies. This is my first year teaching, so please be kind to me…”
She bowed hastily, almost frantically.

Nervous energy, clumsy delivery… of course she’ll be popular. Especially with the boys who think that’s cute. Not sure why, but it is how it is.

Once the introductions were over, the two stepped back as the applause trickled in. The principal then moved to wrap up the opening ceremony. Next step, the staff room.