Running into Professor Cage first thing in the morning was enough to ruin Alvin Satō’s entire day.
When Alvin was in a bad mood, the students inevitably paid the price.
“You two.” A boy and girl walking hand in hand froze.
“Separate.” “…What?” “I said separate.” “But we’re dating.” “So?” The couple stared blankly.
Alvin folded his arms.
“When I was in school for twelve years, I never dated once.
Why should you?” The students exchanged helpless looks.
“This school doesn’t allow dating.
First grade through twelfth.
If you’ve got enough free time for romance, you’ve got enough time to solve another stack of practice problems.” He pointed toward the disciplinary building.
“Keep arguing and you’ll both spend the afternoon in isolation.” The couple immediately let go of each other’s hands.
Principal Nelson happened to witness the exchange.
One look at Alvin’s expression was all he needed.
Without saying a word, he found an excuse to disappear before he became collateral damage.
Alvin continued his patrol.
“You!
Why are you running down the stairs?” The students stopped instantly.
“What happens if someone falls?
Back to your classrooms.
Read a book.” A few minutes later another unlucky student spat onto the hallway floor.
Alvin stopped dead.
“Who gave you permission to do that?” The boy turned pale.
“Get a mop from the supply closet and clean this entire hallway.” “But…
I didn’t make the rest of the mess.” Alvin raised an eyebrow.
“Exactly.” The student blinked.
“It’s called punishment.” “If you think that’s unfair, clean two floors instead.” The boy fled before Alvin could change his mind.
Further down the corridor, a group of teenage girls walked toward him wearing heavy makeup and brightly dyed hair.
Alvin rubbed his forehead.
“What exactly is this supposed to be?” The girls froze.
“Bathroom.
Now.” “But…” “Wash all of it off.” One of them looked ready to cry.
“Crying won’t help.” He pointed toward their hair.
“And tomorrow I expect every one of you to have your natural color back.
If I see fluorescent blue, neon green, or anything else that belongs in a comic book…” He paused dramatically.
“I’ll have JJ shave your heads.” The girls squealed in horror and sprinted toward the restrooms.
By the time Alvin finished terrorizing half the student body, his own mood had improved considerably.
His office finally came into view.
As principal, he at least enjoyed one luxury.
The office was spacious, divided into an outer reception area and a private office inside.
His secretary’s desk occupied the front room.
The moment Alvin opened the door, a large Black woman wearing a white floral dress looked up from a compact mirror where she had been applying makeup.
“Alvin!” She rushed over and wrapped him in a crushing hug before planting enthusiastic kisses on both cheeks.
“Oh, Olivia.” Alvin gently pried himself free.
“You’re looking even more beautiful today.
What’s your secret?
I should teach it to one of my waiters.
He still has no idea how to make himself presentable.” Olivia burst into booming laughter.
“You always know what to say.” She wagged a finger at him.
“If you came to the office every day, I’d enjoy work a whole lot more.” Then she lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“I heard that old fossil Cage came after you again this morning.” Alvin sighed.
“If he bothers you again, leave him to me.
Mrs.
Cage and I have become good friends.” She grinned triumphantly.
“I’ll make sure he suffers the moment he gets home.” Alvin shivered.
If Professor Cage ever found out he’d encouraged that…
His life wouldn’t be worth living.
“Let’s not do that,” Alvin said quickly.
“Anything important today?” He headed into his office and settled into the oversized leather chair behind his desk while Olivia began her report.
“We’ve had several parents call to complain that their children are being mistreated.
They want the school schedule relaxed.” She flipped through her notes.
“A few others just called to swear at us.” “And the Department of Education says they’ve received complaints and will be sending inspectors.” She smiled proudly.
“I yelled right back at every parent who cursed at us.” “As for the inspectors, I handed that over to Nelson.” Alvin nodded approvingly.
“Excellent work, Olivia.” “I knew you’d be the perfect person for this job.” “Oh.” She remembered something else.
“Professor Wilson stopped by earlier.
He asked me to let him know when you arrived.” “Please do.” Professor Wilson wasn’t the type to interrupt someone without a reason.
After Olivia left, Alvin leaned back with both feet on his desk and stared at the ceiling.
Money.
Everything came back to money.
The school devoured cash faster than he could find it.
Government funding, plus the five million dollars Kingpin had “donated,” still wasn’t enough.
Loans weren’t something Alvin liked relying on.
Back in his previous life, as Tanaka Kenta, he’d lived like an ordinary salaryman.
Borrowing money to finance everyday life had never appealed to him.
After arriving in this world, he’d taken stock of the people he knew who possessed truly ridiculous wealth.
There were exactly two.
Tony Stark.
Norman Osborn.
Iron Man.
The Green Goblin.
Both billionaires.
Both completely outside Alvin’s social circle.
He was just the owner of a Chinese restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen.
There wasn’t exactly a direct line to people like that.
The only superhero he actually knew was Matt Murdock.
Unfortunately, Matt was perpetually broke.
Every month, Matt and Foggy Nelson inevitably wandered into Peace Restaurant hoping Alvin would feed them.
Asking Matt for financial help was laughable.
Just then, Olivia returned with Professor Wilson.
Professor Wilson was nearly seventy, yet age had somehow made him more distinguished than ever.
The female teachers practically adored him.
Every time Alvin saw him, he was reminded of Sean Connery.
Some men simply became more handsome with age.
Alvin stood and welcomed him to the sofa.
“Olivia, would you bring us two coffees?” After she left, Alvin smiled wearily.
“Professor, what can I do for you?” He held up a hand.
“Please don’t tell me it’s about money.
Professor Cage is already driving me insane.” Wilson chuckled.
“Nothing like that.” “I’ve recently come across a rather unusual little girl outside the school.” “I believe she’s an undocumented immigrant.” “I’d like to enroll her.” “I don’t think a child of four or five should be wandering around Hell’s Kitchen alone.
It’s far too dangerous.” Alvin visibly relaxed.
As long as it wasn’t another expensive request.
“Of course.” “We’ll get her enrolled immediately.” “I’ll have Nelson handle the paperwork.” “If her immigration status causes problems, I can ask Michael to help.” Professor Wilson smiled and waved the idea away.
“That’s already been taken care of.” “I resolved her legal status.” “In fact, she’s been attending classes for the past two days.” Alvin blinked.
“…Then why are you here?” Wilson merely smiled.
Something about that smile made Alvin’s instincts scream.
He narrowed his eyes but stayed silent.
Professor Wilson looked slightly embarrassed.
“My wife and I completed the adoption process ourselves.” “We adopted the little girl.” He paused.
“Unfortunately, we’ve discovered that we simply don’t have the energy to raise such a young child.” “The school demands too much of our time.” “We can’t give her the attention she deserves.” He looked Alvin directly in the eyes.
“I was hoping…
you might raise her instead.” “She’s a wonderful child.” “I’ve even given her a name.” “Ginny Satō.” The old professor rose from the sofa and gave Alvin a respectful bow.
“I hope you’ll adopt her.” Alvin’s eye twitched.
The professor had already named the girl.
And somehow she’d ended up with his surname.
There was absolutely no way that was a coincidence.
Anyone claiming otherwise was insulting his intelligence.
For one glorious second, Alvin imagined punching the old professor square in the nose.
He swallowed the urge.
Wilson and his wife had devoted themselves to this school without asking for anything in return.
That counted for something.
With an expression that suggested he’d just signed away part of his soul, Alvin pinched the bridge of his nose.
“…Fine.” “I’ll pick Ginny up after school.” Professor Wilson smiled with obvious relief.
His mission accomplished, he straightened his collar, thanked Alvin with a nod, and quietly returned to work.