Bad Mouth

It was a warm, cloudless spring morning when Shizuka entered the school’s conference room. Today was the teachers' meeting, where all staff members came together to discuss organizational matters, including the curriculum, upcoming events, and exams. She looked into the faces of her colleagues, who greeted her with friendly smiles. She was among the first to arrive, besides Ms. Suginami and Mr. Yoshida were already present. The two stood by the window, quietly chatting about some students.

“Suginami-sensei, have you heard about the student from class 3-4? Apparently, he’s really difficult…” Mr. Yoshida whispered.

“Mhm, I’ve heard. It’s a bit strange… as far as I know, he wasn’t like that last year. Maybe something happened.”

“Could be. Rumor has it that his mother had to relocate for work. If that’s true, maybe he didn’t handle it well.”

“That’s possible… or maybe he’s just going through a rebellious phase?” Ms. Suginami cast a thoughtful glance out the window. Mr. Yoshida only shrugged.

“Whatever it is, I don’t care. He needs to behave and stop causing trouble all the time.”

Maybe it was the tone in his voice, but Shizuka got the feeling that Yoshida-sensei is more interested in his own work than the students. He was the opposite of her. He wants less work, Shizuka didn’t care about workload as long as it benefits her students. Sometimes she believed that this is a major problem in general. For her, a teacher is devoted to his students, doing everything she can to form those people as best as she can.

The door opening interrupted them, and Mr. Watanabe shuffled in.

“M-Morning…” he mumbled.

“Oh dear, long night?” Ms. Suginami asked teasingly.

“Uh… y-yeah, because I… really wanted to prepare.” His eyes darted nervously from side to side.

“Eeeeh? Is that so? Smells a bit different…”

One raised eyebrow, arms crossed. Ms. Suginami had seen right through him. She was very observative of her surroundings. Noticing many things others wouldn’t. Shizuka was quite fond of her, seeing her as a teacher for teacher, teaching teachers to be good teachers. Is this Inception?

“Uh-uh… well… maybe I had one or two beers while preparing…” he scratched his head sheepishly, like a child caught making excuses.

Sure. Smells more like double that. At least admit it… not that it makes it any better.

Ms. Suginami just sighed, clearly used to this. Gradually, the rest of the staff trickled in, and the room filled up. Shizuka couldn’t shake the feeling that it might become too cramped. As she looked around, she noticed someone missing again. She didn’t like being late, but not showing up entirely… that wouldn’t happen to her.

Will he show up this time? I’m starting to worry about his reputation. It’s already not great, and skipping meetings certainly doesn’t help…

Ms. Suginami clapped her hands together and smiled warmly at the group. She seemed to notice the absence of Takeshi, but didn’t say anything. Shizuka thought Takeshi should join those meetings. It is part of their job and also important organizing work. But even though, he never seems to struggle one bit.

“Alright! Let’s begin the meeting,” she asked cheerfully.

“Wait! Katou-sensei is missing again!” Mr. Watanabe grumbled. “Seriously, does he even care about learning from us. Does he even want to be a proper teacher?”

You could see the disdain in the trembling of his lower lip. He looked around, hoping others would agree.

A middle-aged teacher nodded and crossed his arms.

“Watanabe-sensei is right. We’ve been in the new school year for two weeks now, and Katou-sensei still acts like he couldn’t care less about what we have to say.”

“That’s exactly my point! I knew from the start he thought he was better than us. Are all teachers from Tokyo like this? He is irresponsible. He doesn’t follow the curriculum, doesn’t assign homework, and teaches nothing that’s on the syllabus. It’s like he thinks he’s above it all…”

“The principal hired him because he believed he was qualified to be part of our team,” Ms. Suginami said in a calming tone.

“Still, I don’t like him. Every time I speak with him, he gives me that indifferent look… and those eyes. It’s like he sees right through you and thinks he knows everything. Even his posture is stiffer than a rock. Haha!”

Mr. Watanabe was clearly mocking him. He’d disliked Takeshi from day one, though Shizuka couldn’t understand why.

Maybe because Takeshi doesn’t argue back and just lets him talk himself into a corner… or maybe because Takeshi is actually kind of handsome… Are they going to clash someday? What should I do then? Should I stay out of it? Ugh… what a mess!

“Maki-sensei?”

“H-huh?!” Shizuka flinched, yanked out of her thoughts.

Ugh, get it together, Shizu! Or they’ll think you’re not paying attention…

“Didn’t sleep well? I asked what you think of Katou-sensei…” Mr. Watanabe questioned her, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh… well… I don’t know. I-I’ve heard some students talk about his classes… and, um… most of them think he’s really good and refreshing. He makes them think, not just memorize. That… really resonates with a lot of them. S-so maybe… just give him a chance.”

Why am I defending him? Maybe because he helped me once, too? Ugh, I should really stay out of this.

Shizuka tried to sound diplomatic but was visibly nervous. She didn’t want to cause more trouble than necessary, but she couldn’t let them rant freely. It’s normal to be on different sides from time to time. And that’s a good thing, but this wasn’t a discussion. Would he say that if Takeshi was here? Probably… and he would have an answer to everything.

“A-anyway! Let’s focus on this week’s topics.” Ms. Suginami jumped in, trying to calm the situation.

“I just don’t understand the younger generation… they’re all clueless,” Mr. Watanabe scoffed with contempt.

Did you just insult me? I wish I could say something smart like Takeshi but… nothing comes to my mind… so … Jerk!

“Let’s focus on the next event…” Ms. Suginami stayed friendly, but Shizuka noticed a slight tension in her voice.

I really do wonder why he never attends these meetings…

Shizuka turned her full attention to the discussion. She couldn’t understand how anyone could just skip meetings. It was part of their duty as teachers, and she took hers very seriously. But simply judging someone without knowing them… not her style.

After about half an hour, the meeting ended, and Shizuka let out a soft sigh. It had gone as usual. A mix of routine and endless debates. Back in the teachers’ lounge, the smell of coffee and chalk greeted her. At first, it used to make her nose itch, but she had grown used to it. He stood by the window, hands in his pockets, staring silently into the room.

How should I start? I need to tell him he must attend these meetings! Wait, do I really? What if I just make things worse and he stops coming altogether because of me… Oh no, I can’t let that happen. But he gets into more trouble. So… maybe I should say something. You got this, Shizu!

She gathered her courage and approached him with confident steps, though he didn’t react at all. His gaze was blank, completely focused, like he was lost in thought. She wondered what he was thinking all the time, sometimes it occurred to her that he doesn’t do anything else. However, as long as he was prepared and the students like his lessons, she didn’t care.

“Um… Katou-sensei?” she asked hesitantly, unsure if he even noticed her.

“Hmm?”

“There… was a meeting today…” she said cautiously.

Just like last time… and the time before… did he attend even once?

“So?” he replied and reached for his coffee cup on the table.

Why did I expect a better answer…? He’s always so… controlled. Like he’s forcing himself to keep up a facade.

“You know, it would be important… if you attended. A-and the others… um… they’re complaining.”

Takeshi shrugged. “If it makes them happy, let them.”

Shizuka sighed loudly. “Eh?! What? B-but why? Don’t you care if people talk badly about you?”

Is he serious? Does he really not care? It’s so important to be respected and taken seriously. We have a responsibility to our students!

“I don’t care. I want to teach students, not win a popularity contest.” Takeshi grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

Shizuka touched her forehead and shook her head. Talking to him was pointless. Even a wall might’ve been more receptive.

“Even if you don’t care about the others, what about your students? Maybe they start thinking you don’t take them seriously?”

No reaction.

“Come on, I think it would be an enrichment for every one of us,” she protested.

“Who is everyone? You? Watanabe? They wouldn’t even listen to me, because I am the new one. Look at him. Does he look like someone who wants to be a better teacher?”

He pointed at Watanabe, who was digging for gold in his nose while flipping through a manga.

Takeshi walked past her without a word.

“N-not exactly… but still. At least… let m-me learn from you!” she muttered from behind his back.

Because you have a way of teaching I don’t understand. And it makes me sad to see someone so excluded. This is not right. As teachers we have to stand together in order to create the best education for our students!!

For a brief moment he stopped, but soon continued his way.

“Class is about to begin. We should head out,” he said quietly.

It took a moment before she followed him, looking at his frame that seemed undisturbed as ever.