Mission: Substitute

Gray clouds obscured the usually blue sky, and the light raindrops stretched like fine threads through the morning air. It was a bit cooler than in recent days, though Takeshi didn’t find it cold. On his way to school, the light raindrops disappearing on his shoulders, leaving small dark spots.

Students were rushing by, frantically debating some TV show. He really wasn’t well-versed when it came to television. Unable to even remember the last time he turned on a TV.

Back when he was in the military, Takeshi barely had time to watch TV or engage with media at all.

He was well aware of the power of social media and television, but he had never started consuming them himself.

Just as he began to sink into his thoughts, a voice pulled him back into the present.

“Katou-sensei! Wait!”

What does she want from me this early in the morning?

The sound of quick footsteps reached his ears, accompanied by the splash of puddles being stepped in.

Takeshi stopped, turned around, and saw Shizuka Maki running toward him.

The rain had already soaked her sleeves and the hem of her skirt, and in her right hand was a large, transparent umbrella, opened to prevent more of her clothes from getting wet.

“It’s raining, and you don’t even have an umbrella!” Shizuka scolded him, placing her free hand on her hip and giving him a reproachful look.

“Uh, I’m impressed by your observational skills…” Takeshi countered with a sarcastic undertone.

“Grr, you know what I mean!”

No need to pout right away...

“What if you catch a cold?!” scolded Shizuka with narrowed eyes.

“Won’t happen. I’ve been through worse.”

“You’re impossible! Urgh, come on, we’ll share my umbrella. It’s big enough for both of us…”

Without a warning, she shifted closer. Their shoulder nearly touched. Shizuka raised her umbrella over Takeshi’s head as well.

She was much shorter than him, and the position of her arm looked uncomfortable.

Silently and without looking at her, he placed his hand over hers.

Shizuka felt his fingers through the gloves, gently wrapping around the handle.

“H-Hey, w-what…?” Shizuka asked, clearly flustered.

“If you’re letting me under your umbrella, then I might as well carry it,” he said in his usual emotionless voice.

Her gaze rested on him for a moment, but in the end, she handed over the protection from the rain.

For a few minutes, they didn’t say a word. She tired to avoid his gaze.

But it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, more of a peaceful one.

Eventually, the silence was broken.

“Tell me, Katou-sensei, why are you… like this?”

There was a certain melancholy in Shizuka’s eyes as she stared at the path ahead of them.

He didn’t answer right away. Just looked at her, one brow raised.

Not a question he’d expected, especially not with such seriousness.

What happened to your look just now? Weren’t you full of energy a second ago? And where did that question come from all of a sudden?

“Not sure what you mean…”

“Sometimes, you’re so… cold and distant. You seem like you’re constantly on alert… like a machine. But sometimes I see… well… a flicker of humanity. It’s hard to describe. You’re strange… I just don’t understand you…”

Shizuka fiddled with her fingers, trying not to insult him.

“You’re not the only one.”

“Somehow… that’s comforting…”

Shizuka tried to put her thoughts into words, gaze lowered.

“N-Not that I-I don’t understand you… more like… well… um…”

“Yeah, yeah…I get it,” he interrupted her flatly.

Takeshi sighed inwardly.

Most people feel that way.
Even though there were once people who did understand me…

They both remained silent for a few minutes.

The wind shifted, and a sweet scent danced around his nose.

“Something… hmm, do you smell that too?” Takeshi suddenly asked out of nowhere.

“Eh, what? I… wait… d-do I smell weird?!? Oh no… what do I do now… maybe I should go back home. I even showered especially today… ugh, this is bad…”

Takeshi was amused, though it didn’t show on his face, by her slight panic.

"Take it easy. I noticed it earlier. New perfume, huh? Coconut. Mild. Sweet. Suits you."

"Eeeh?! Uhm… so… I bought it yesterday…"

His attempt to calm her backfired. Instead of regaining her composure, Shizuka panicked even more. Her face turned bright red, and she instantly fell silent, purposefully staring in the opposite direction. The embarrassment was written all over her face.

And you call me weird... getting flustered just because someone says your perfume suits you... or did I say something wrong?

"Come on. We should hurry," he ordered.

Uhm, yeah… sure!”

The two picked up their pace, heading toward the start of their workday.

It was unusually quiet when the two entered the teacher’s lounge, too quiet. Something felt off. Normally, it was rather lively, especially because Mr. Watanabe was once again trying to impress some teacher. He was always loud and obnoxious. Even the faint coughing of Mr. Igurashi was missing. Takeshi had heard that Mr. Igurashi had suffered lung damage from a chemistry lab accident a few years ago.

Something's wrong here. I only see Ms. Suginami, and apparently there are a few other teachers around, judging by their jackets.

Shizuka also noticed the silence. Her curiosity couldn’t be contained, and she went straight over to Ms. Suginami.

"Good morning, Suginami-sensei," Shizuka said politely, her posture almost too perfect.

"Ah! Good morning! I hope you didn’t get too wet. Oh? Katou-sensei... did the two of you come here together~?"

A mischievous smile spread across her lips, as if she were hinting at something.

"Coincidence. We ran into each other on the way."

"Eeh~? Is that so~?" Her smile only grew wider.

A pastel pink hue spread across Shizuka’s cheeks. She stood next to Takeshi and tried to change the topic hastily.

"Um... Suginami-sensei, did something happen? It’s unusually quiet at this hour..."

"Ah! Yes... well, a few colleagues called in sick this morning. Apparently, some virus is going around or something."

"Hopefully it’s nothing serious..." Shizuka added with concern.

While the two women became engrossed in a longer conversation, Takeshi stood still like a statue. At some point, he stopped listening, and the two teachers faded into background noise.

Coffee. I need coffee. Now.

With the push of a button, he started the machine. A loud humming followed, then the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Outside, the rain tapped gently but rhythmically against the windows. Gray clouds, a hidden sun, and the cool wind created a gloomy atmosphere. Slowly, the white porcelain cup filled with black liquid. His eyes wandered through the nearly empty teacher’s lounge.

Each teacher had their own workstation. Some companies no longer offered fixed desks, only shared ones with minimal equipment. Employees could pick any available spot. The corporate elites hoped it would lead to more flexibility and improved project collaboration.

The humming stopped and Takeshi grabbed his cup, noticing a thin oil layer on top of his coffee.

He believed that a lack of fixed workspaces encouraged people to sit with those they liked. To chat rather than work. It added a layer of social pressure. What if no one sat with you? Maybe because they didn’t like you. Wouldn’t that make it obvious who was excluded?

It led to cliques. Unless necessary, no one would sit with a project team, only with friends.

People need a fixed spot, a sense of belonging. It’s like coming home. Routine brings calm, safety, and even identity. “This is MY desk. I’m in control here.”

Takeshi leaned on his desk, took a sip of his drink and let his gaze sweep over the others’ workstations.
They say a desk reflects its user.

Igurashi’s desk. Lots of old, dusty stuff. Files, folders no longer needed. A dried-up cactus. An old class photo, probably of himself. His desk was like a journey through time, back when teachers smoked in the lounge. Judging by his clothes, he probably missed the “good old days.”
Watanabe’s desk resembled a dump. Paper everywhere, broken pens, headphones, and a manga sticking out of a half-open drawer. Pure chaos. Not surprising. He lived day to day, no plan, no goals. How could he bring order to a class when he couldn’t even do it for himself?
In this case, it is indeed a reflection.

Takeshi turned his head. From his own seat, he could still see Shizuka’s.
Her desk... neat. Cramped with stuff, but neat. Stacked documents, color-coded. A small cat-themed calendar. A mug with a cat face. Guess someone likes cats...

Takeshi’s own desk? Bare. Almost unused. Sterile, clean, cold. Not even fingerprints. It looked like a showroom piece from a furniture store. He didn’t care for decorations or personalization. Everything he needed was digital. The only physical item? A container for coffee, any kind. Mug, cup, glass. It didn’t matter. It just had to work.

The clock ticked loudly, sometimes skipping a second before catching up to its rhythm. The dark green PVC floor had seen many spilled coffees and teas. It felt as old as Igurashi himself. Occasionally, Takeshi thought each workstation had its own atmosphere. Even the scent was different. Watanabe’s always smelled like sweaty gym clothes. Shizuka’s? Surrounded by coconut.

Just as he was about to sit down and review the day’s schedule, the door burst open. Heavy footsteps, loud panting, and the look in Suginami’s eyes gave it away instantly.

Hm... what’s the principal doing here so early? He never shows up this time... Wrinkled suit, crooked tie, dried shaving cream behind his left ear. His golden wedding ring was heavily scratched, disregard. That man wasn’t in a happy marriage. The loved ones would’ve pointed out the shaving cream, right?

The principal shuffled straight toward Shizuka. He rubbed his hands together, yellow teeth flashing beneath his grin.

"Good morning, Maki-sensei! I hope you’re well-rested!"

He leaned down to her, so close it bordered on harassment.

"Ooooh! You smell wonderful again today. You’re wearing the same perfume as on your first day, right?"

This guy is just... gross.

Shizuka’s discomfort was all over her face. She forced a smile, clearly disturbed by his closeness.

"…W-Well… good morning, and… yeah…" she stammered.

Didn’t she told me she bought it yesterday?

Principal Ishida smiled with such self-satisfaction, it was as if he believed he’d just made a groundbreaking discovery. He nodded, deeply impressed with his own “brilliance,” like a man who thought noticing perfume made him a genius.

“Anyway! Maki-sensei, I know you're probably very busy. However, as you’ve surely noticed, we’re currently having some staffing issues. Tomorrow, the students need to submit their future aspirations. Since the homeroom teacher for your class is absent, you’ll have to take over. But I’m sure a charming teacher like you won’t have any trouble with that, right?”

Ishida grinned broadly. Traces of his breakfast were still visible between his teeth.

“Eh?! M-me? But I’ve never done that before… I’m not sure if I can…”

“Oh, you’ll manage! Just need to go through a few papers. Hahahaha! And if you need any help, call me anytime… even at night if needed.”

His laughter echoed through the room, even the old PVC floor vibrated.

A few kids? These kids are our future… but what did I expect from him?
The principal was always like that. He made no secret of the fact that he wasn’t really interested in the students. He was already greedily eyeing his retirement. His only interest was himself. Sucking up when he had to, putting others down when he could.

“A-and… when should I do it?” Shizuka asked hesitantly, ignoring his offer.

“Just do it whenever you think it’s right. Now then! I need to practice my golf swing. Excuse me.”

Can he even see the ball when it’s right at his feet?

“Oh right. Katou-sensei! Same goes for you with class 2-3! Take care of it!”

He pointed at him with his finger, barking the order like a commander.

Future plans… it’s been a long time since I had to fill out that form. But even back then I knew my path would lead to the military. I can’t even say why. Somehow, I just felt that’s where I belonged. It’s paradoxical. We ask children to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives.

Before the principal left, he glanced one last time at Shizuka. Takeshi could see his fat eye squeeze, trying to wink.

The stomping grew quieter as Ishida left the staff room. An uncomfortable silence spread. Once again, only the soft rain against the windows and the ticking of the clock could be heard.