Facing Hiratsuka-sensei’s greeting—which was far too abstract for a homeroom teacher—Hojo Yoru simply claimed the corner window seat for himself.
He leaned back, eyeing her as she sat on the desk with her legs crossed like a delinquent, and spoke in a teasing tone.
“Are you here to say hello, or to collect protection money?
Trying to reach the top of Sobu High?”
As a passionate enthusiast of hot-blooded manga, Hiratsuka Shizuka instantly recognized the Crows Zero reference.
A flicker of kinship lit up her eyes—but then, restrained by the dignity of her position, she cleared her throat twice and pivoted.
“As a young teacher, I prefer to blend in with my students.”
Hearing this, Yuuki Asuna, who had already settled into a nearby seat, let out a soft, inward sigh.
Blend in?
She glanced at Hojo Yoru, who was now casually surveying the classroom.
Do you know how terrifying it is to watch someone throw a heavy grenade like a baseball—with enough speed to leave afterimages and pinpoint accuracy—and then act like it was nothing?
Come to think of it, did Hiratsuka-sensei even know Hojo-san’s true identity?
She seemed completely oblivious.
Then again, the identity of a Devil Hunter was probably meant to be kept secret, wasn’t it?
At that moment, Yuuki Asuna made a silent resolution.
She would never reveal Hojo-san’s true identity to anyone—not even her parents.
It wasn’t nearly enough to repay him for saving her life, but it was a start.
“Alright, that’s enough for now.”
Hiratsuka Shizuka checked her watch, then hopped off the desk and strode behind the podium.
“Time to head to the gymnasium for the opening ceremony.
You’re all high schoolers now, so I won’t make you line up holding hands like kindergarteners.”
With that, she walked out of the classroom on her own.
Through that brief interaction, the students of Class 1-A had all formed a similar impression of their homeroom teacher.
Isn’t she a bit too casual for a teacher?
At that moment, Hojo Yoru rose from his corner seat and walked out alone.
Watching him go, Yuuki Asuna’s thoughts began to race.
Hojo-san’s going to the auditorium alone?
He’s not planning to go with anyone else?
Could it be…
Even though he seemed extroverted in front of her, was he actually the type who could only open up to people he already knew?
The kind who resisted interacting with strangers in a new environment?
Socially anxious?
The thought struck her like a revelation.
She immediately rose and chased after him.
They had only just met, but she didn’t want Hojo-san to walk to the auditorium alone while everyone else was in groups, laughing and chatting.
That would be…
lonely.
“Hojo-san, wait for me!”
Hearing the call from behind, Hojo Yoru stopped.
He waited for her to catch up, then resumed walking, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
“What, not used to the first day of school, so you’re clinging to me?
Yuuki-san, you’re not socially anxious, are you?”
“Hmph…”
Yuuki Asuna lifted her chin and flicked her long flaxen hair.
She’d originally planned to fire back with you’re the one who’s socially anxious, but the words died on her lips.
Instead, she changed tack.
“If that’s how you want to see it, then sure.
Let’s just say that’s how it is.”
Yuuki Asuna’s emotional intelligence was sharper than she let on.
She’d already decided that Hojo Yoru leaving the classroom first was because he felt awkward around strangers.
If she said it outright, it would only hurt his pride.
There was no need to spell it out.
Just being there was enough.
At that exact moment, Hojo Yoru was thinking the exact same thing about her.
Asuna-san is socially anxious?
It made sense.
Since they’d been delayed at the train station, they’d arrived relatively late—she hadn’t had time to get acquainted with the other students.
Walking with him was only natural.
When they reached Sobu High’s indoor gymnasium, Yuuki Asuna noticed that Hojo Yoru wasn’t heading toward Class 1-A’s designated section.
Instead, he kept walking forward.
“Hey, hey, where are you going?
Our class is over here.”
Hojo Yoru replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“I’m going backstage.”
Yuuki Asuna felt a twinge of helplessness.
“What are you going backstage for?
Planning to give a speech later?”
“Actually, yes.”
“Huh?”
At her adorable, dumbfounded expression, Hojo Yoru’s smile widened.
“I’m this year’s Freshman Representative.
Otherwise, why do you think I left the classroom first?
Had to get backstage early to prepare.”
“Ah?
Oh—uh—I see…”
Yuuki Asuna tried to play it cool, but a vivid blush had already bloomed across her fair cheeks.
A girl’s blush is better than any love confession.jpg.
She was so embarrassed she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
What was she even thinking?
She’d actually convinced herself that Hojo Yoru had social anxiety.
She’d chased after him to “keep him company,” mentally casting herself as some kind of savior.
White Knight Syndrome, much?
“You want to come backstage with me?”
At Hojo Yoru’s question, Yuuki Asuna waved her hands frantically.
“No, no, no—I’m fine here!”
“Hmm~?”
Hiratsuka Shizuka’s voice slithered in from the side, dripping with insinuation.
Her beautiful face was currently twisted into the expression of a gossip-hungry old woman.
“Yuuki, Hojo—could it be…
you two are dating?”
“Not at all.”
Hojo Yoru’s denial was immediate and flat.
He glanced at the grinning Hiratsuka and added bluntly.
“And that expression of yours is way too creepy.
You’re not projecting some fantasy romance onto yourself and imagining you’re in a relationship too, are you?”
“Yo—”
Hiratsuka Shizuka’s eye twitched.
Hojo Yoru’s “unintentional” jab had landed squarely on a very sore spot.
She clenched her fist, shaking it at him with a forced, dangerous smile.
“Hojo-san, could you please watch your tone a little?”
“Heh, threatening me now?
Guess you’ve grown up.”
“If you say another word, I’ll really punch you, you know.”
She said it, but she clearly had no intention of following through.
After all, she was a mature—well, at least in terms of age, a mature adult.
If they were close friends, a bit of roughhousing would be fine.
But they’d only met today.
Their relationship hadn’t reached the point where physical contact was appropriate.
Verbal jabs would have to suffice.
Meanwhile, Yuuki Asuna was still frozen in shock, as if caught in a Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu.
Hojo-san is the Freshman Representative?
For real?
He doesn’t look like an honors student at all…