A Different Perspective

Okay. Calm down. This is just a dream. A really weird, vivid, and lucid dream. What did they say about escaping dreams like this? Oh! Turn the light switch off! I'll do that. Arakaki scrambled out of the bed and looked for a light switch. He found one by the door and flipped it on. The center light in the room came on but nothing else happened. He flipped the switch off and the light likewise switched off. AHHH! Why am I still here?

He walked back to the bed and sat down as he hyperventilated. Slowly he calmed down. When he looked up he saw an envelope on the table next to his bed. Was that there before? He picked it up and opened it. Inside was a letter that read:

Dear Arakaki Shuji,

Welcome back to school! Your education resumes and there is much to learn! As you can see, I've reverted you back to your teenage self. It's now time to walk in the shoes of your students as one of them. You believe that living the life of a teenager is so easy, huh? There is much you have forgotten from your own past and there is much you don't know about the modern lives of your students. Consider this a chance to really see things from a different perspective.

There are some terms and conditions however! First, your principal has already been informed of your absence. It's been approved and everything. Your coworkers all think you are returning home to undergo a medical emergency procedure. I even supplied a replacement teacher! Rest assured, your job will still be secured once you return to work if you want it. 

Second, you are still 34 years old. So any romantic or sexual entanglements with students is strictly forbidden! Additionally, you look 16 so drinking and smoking are also forbidden! Really bites, huh? The negatives of being an adult and a teenager all at once! 

Third, all your bills and payments will be handled while you're on your "vacation". I even hired someone to clean that filthy apartment of yours! Enjoy this new apartment while in teenage form. As far as school is concerned, I've enrolled you in your own class! I've also taken the liberty of naming your teenage self Arakaki Shugo, a nephew of Arakaki Shuji. The story is that you are staying near your uncle while your parents are away on a long trip. Doesn't mean you should miss school though, right? 

Lastly, you can return to being an adult at any time. In the envelope are two tablets. Put them in a glass of water and drink before bed. The next morning all will be back as it was. However, I want you to really give it your all as a teenager so I'm issuing you a challenge. I know about your mounting debt. It's tough being an adult after all. The new quarter at school is about to start. If you are able to get one S rank grade and the rest A rank grades then I'll award you with 20 million yen! That should carry you over for five years if you decide to quit your job after this experience. As you said, being a teenager is easy though, right? It shouldn't be a problem to achieve such results! 

I truly hope you learn from this experience. It will make you a better person and teacher if you let it. Just remember that you are a teenager now. Have fun! Enjoy yourself! Make friends and study hard! Class is now in session by boy! Welcome back to the world of teenagers!

Yours truly,

Shirogumo Tarou

20...20....20 million!?! All I have to do is get good grades and I'm set for five years? I could go get a different degree, travel abroad, or jump start my savings! You're on, Shirogumo Tarou! You better pay up once I succeed at this...wait, hold on. How can I trust this? Sure, I'm clearly a teenager again and he's clearly got the money and influence to make this all happen. If I were to go to an adult and tell them I'm actually 34 they'd laugh in my face. I'm going to do this. I just have some questions. I know, I'll head to Shirogumo's establishment now and ask him directly.

Arakaki opened the closet on the wall opposite his bed. The small leopalace apartment had just enough space for a bed, desk, closet, and washroom areas. Inside the closet were a few sets of clothes. He recognized the student uniform from his school. It was clean, pressed, and ready to wear. Aside from that were some pairs of denim pants, t-shirts, and a few button up short sleeve shirts. Summer was coming up so Shirogumo naturally didn't see fit to include winter clothing.

After getting dressed, Arakaki grabbed his wallet from atop the shoe cabinet by the door. Inside all of his ID's were changed and he had several IC cards but his bank cards were gone. There was a note next to the only bank card in his wallet. It read: This has all you need. The pin is the date of your first day of teaching. The IC cards also have more than enough for transport and food. Enjoy!  So, he took the wallet, put on the new pair of tennis shoes in the cabinet and left.

This new apartment was close to his old one. They were on the same street so he stopped by to see a sign on his door that read: Cleaning in Progress come back later! What? Does he think this is all one big joke? He continued on to the train station. The entire time he was waiting to wake up from this weird dream yet that never happened. He finally arrived at the stop where he and Shou's usual izakaya was close by. It was still closed like the night before but when Arakaki turned to walk towards Shirogumo's place he froze. Instead of the small eatery that he had entered last night there was a two care parking area instead. No small establishment. No Shirogumo. Nothing but two empty parking spaces. 

This can't be happening. He felt his pulse quicken as he finally came back to reality with one giant gut punch. This was real. All of it was real. He was a teenager and he was being tasked with getting good grades in order to win 20 million yen. Arakaki closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Okay! Nothing left but to give it my best!

-- Monday Morning--

"Everyone! I would like to introduce a new student to your class. His name is Arakaki Shugo. Yes! Your teacher Arakaki-sensei is a relative of his. Please do treat him well." The principal announced to the class. They were quiet but Arakaki knew they weren't listening.

He bowed and said politely, "It's nice to meet all of you. Let's work well together." No one even acknowledged him. He was directed to sit at an empty seat next to Suzaki Toma, a boy who also transferred in soon after the school term started. Arakaki felt so self conscious for some strange reason he couldn't place. The principal gave a few more announcements and then left the room.

As soon as the door slid closed, Arakaki's desk was swamped by the other students.

"You're related to Arakaki-sensei? What's he like outside of school?"

"Where are you from Arakaki-san?"

"Your hair is really short! Do you play a sport? You should join the baseball team!"

"No! You should join the art club! We'd love to have more members!"

"Are you dating anyone, Arakaki-kun?"

He was overwhelmed. Their questions came from all directions and were more personal than the last. Before he could even begin to answer them the class rep cried out, "The teacher is coming!" The students all quickly disengaged and returned to their seats.

For a brief moment, Arakaki was relieved. At least he would have time to ease into this weird set of circumstances during the lectures. Or so he thought.

Arakaki's jaw dropped as the classroom door slowly opened. The Proprietor, Shirogumo Tarou, walked in wearing a short sleeved white button up and black slacks. He stepped behind the podium and locked eyes with Arakaki for a brief moment before he addressed the class.

"Hello students, I'm going to be your homeroom and mathematics teacher while Arakaki-sensei is away. My name is Shirogumo-sensei and I'm excited to get to know you!"