Vol. 1 Chapter 3: Seating Arrangement
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Volume 1, Chapter 3: Seating Arrangement
-A Moment of Silence
As Yuto settled into his seat, he felt a gaze on him.
Turning his head slightly, he found Yuna looking at him, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Their eyes met.
Yuto's face grew warm. Why is she looking at me like that?
"W-What?" he stammered, shifting awkwardly in his chair.
Yuna tilted her head innocently. "Nothing."
Her smile deepened.
Yuto quickly looked away. This girl…
But before he could overthink it, a voice cut through the moment.
"Oi, Yuto," a familiar voice called.
Yuto flinched and turned to see Teacher Uehara standing by the doorway, arms crossed.
"Come to my office. I need to talk to you."
Yuto let out a quiet sigh. What now…?
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-Teacher Uehara's Office
Inside the faculty office, Teacher Uehara leaned against his desk, watching Yuto with a smirk.
"You look tense, Yuto. What's wrong? Not happy with your new seat?"
Yuto blinked. "It's not that. I'm just tired."
Teacher Uehara's smirk widened. "Ah… I see now. You pulled an all-nighter, didn't you?"
Yuto scratched the back of his head. "Not exactly, but… yeah. I had to do the homework alone."
Teacher Uehara sighed, shaking his head. "Are you an idiot? I told you guys to do a group study!"
Yuto groaned. "I tried! But my friends didn't even reply to my messages. I think they all knocked out after school."
"Those three didn't do their homework, huh?" Uehara muttered, rubbing his chin.
"I don't know for sure… Maybe Ren did his, but I couldn't reach him either."
Teacher Uehara clicked his tongue. "Those idiots… Are they really your friends?"
Yuto crossed his arms. "Of course they are. They were just exhausted."
Uehara sighed in defeat. "Well, whatever. Are you fine with your seat arrangement?"
Yuto thought back to Yuna's bright smile. His face heated up again.
"…It's fine," he muttered.
The teacher raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Alright then. Let's head back."
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-Back in Class
As Yuto returned to his desk, he noticed Yuna watching him again.
Her gaze was steady, her expression unreadable.
"…Why are you staring?" Yuto mumbled, feeling self-conscious.
Yuna's lips curled into a smile. "No reason."
Yuto turned away, his heart beating a little too fast.
Seriously… This girl is dangerous.
Meanwhile, at the front of the room, Teacher Uehara cleared his throat.
"You three! Meet me in the office after class," he announced.
Across the room, Daiki, Souta, and Ren froze.
"…Yes, sir," they muttered in unison.
Daiki's face twisted in exaggerated horror. "This is bad…"
Souta paled. "Oh no…"
Ren, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, completely unfazed. "Relax, guys. Uehara-sensei just likes messing with us."
Daiki and Souta turned to glare at him.
"Easy for you to say!"
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After School: The Reckoning
After the final bell rang, Daiki, Souta, and Ren dragged themselves to the faculty office.
Teacher Uehara was already waiting for them, arms crossed, a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Well, well," he mused. "I thought you guys were Yuto's friends?"
Daiki gulped. "Uh… w-we're sorry!"
Souta nodded furiously. "Really sorry!"
Uehara let out a dramatic sigh.
Then—
"By the way," Ren suddenly chimed in, his expression smug, "these two didn't even do their homework."
Souta's eyes widened in betrayal. "Hey! You traitor!"
Daiki snapped his head toward Ren. "You idiot!"
Teacher Uehara raised an eyebrow. "And what about you, Ren? Did you finish yours?"
Ren puffed out his chest. "Of course!"
The teacher smirked. "Then why the hell didn't you help Yuto!?"
His voice boomed through the office.
"AAAGGHHH!"
Daiki, Souta, and Ren flinched at the sheer volume.
Uehara crossed his arms. "Well? I'm waiting."
Ren chuckled nervously. "U-uh… my phone died."
Souta and Daiki exchanged a glance before mumbling, "We… were both sleeping."
Teacher Uehara let out a long, exasperated sigh. "You two…"
"We're sorry!" they chorused.
"Sorry won't cut it," Uehara said, shaking his head. "As punishment, you're going to clean the school grounds."
Daiki and Souta groaned but nodded in defeat. "Yes, sir…"
Then, their eyes locked onto Ren.
Ren blinked. "Huh? Why are you guys looking at me like that—"
Teacher Uehara smirked. "Ren, you're going too."
Ren's face twisted in horror. "EH?! WHY ME?!"
Daiki and Souta cackled as they dragged him toward the door.
"Looks like someone isn't so lucky anymore," Daiki teased.
"Have fun, buddy," Souta added, snickering.
Ren groaned in despair. "I regret everything."
And so, the day ended with three exhausted boys stuck on cleanup duty while Yuto remained in class… sitting next to a girl whose smile was making his heart race a little more than he cared to admit.
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End of Chapter 3.