“I’m sure everyone here’s ready for the first day of class!” the man said with an easy grin, stepping in front of the teacher’s desk and planting his hands on his hips. “Oh—right! Guess I should introduce myself first!”

He flashed a bright smile, his amber-gold eyes gleaming under the sunlight pouring in through the window. “The name’s Arata Takigawa,” he declared proudly. “And starting today… I’ll be your homeroom teacher.”

A small pause followed.

“Homeroom teacher?” Aoi repeated under her breath, brow raised.

Ayane leaned back in her chair, one hand resting on her seat’s headrest. “That’s right. Remember, Sayonaki still keeps up with academics—even with our role as Sokyoshi’s protectors.”

“Exactly,” Mei added, turning from her window seat to glance at Aoi.

“Fine,” Aoi sighed. “I just didn’t expect us to actually have… a normal school routine.”

“Oh, speaking of routines—here!” Ayane said, sliding a notebook into Aoi’s hands. “This is our class schedule! Two days of lessons, three days of patrols and other activities. Pretty balanced, huh? And we’ll even cross paths with some third-years sometimes!”

“Of course you’d sound excited about that,” Aoi murmured, flipping through the timetable. Her gaze lifted to the teacher again, eyes narrowing slightly. “Still… he doesn’t even look old enough to be our teacher.”

Ayane’s eyes sparkled as she straightened up dramatically. “Age doesn’t define wisdom! Remember— ‘Education is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world!’ A quote by Nelson Mandela himself!”

The five turned toward her.

Aoi gave her a deadpan stare. “Wow. Her knowledge just leveled up.”

“She even went international,” Mei added with a small chuckle.

“Impressive, Ayane,” Mitsuru said with a grin.

“I’ll second that,” Rikuya added.                                           

Meanwhile, Raito just sighed, sweat-dropping as he muttered, “...And she’s quoting world leaders now.”

“It’s really great to meet you all! Honestly, I’m just as excited—since I get to be your new homeroom teacher!” Arata said with a bright laugh, rubbing the back of his head in slight embarrassment.

“Well, good to have you with us, Mr. Arata,” Hikaru grinned.

“Yeah, welcome aboard,” Kazuki added with a nod.

Arata’s amber eyes lit up at their words. “Thanks! I’ll do my best, so go easy on me, alright?” He flashed a thumbs-up, earning a few chuckles from the class.

“Wait, hold on…” Ayane said, raising a skeptical brow. “You’ve never actually taught before, have you?”

Arata blinked, then let out a nervous laugh. “You got me there. Nope, this is my first time teaching. I’m still a part-time college student, actually. But when Sayonaki offered a volunteer position, I figured—why not take a chance?”

“So basically,” Mei said with a faint smile, “we’re your first class.”

“Exactly!” Arata grinned proudly, “And you all get to be my test subjects—uh, I mean, students!”

The class erupted in laughter, while Aoi just sighed quietly, muttering under her breath, “Great. A rookie teacher. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Some of you are probably wondering why I decided to take up teaching here,” Arata began with an easy smile. “Let’s just say I owe a debt of gratitude to the top dogs of this school. They had my back once when I really needed it, and this is my way of returning the favor.”

“Now that’s pretty awesome,” Sayaka said with a grin, crossing her arms. “Helping out your friends in style.”

“Well, since this is our first day, let’s keep things light.” Arata walked over to the blackboard, picking up a chalk. “Before we dive into any serious lessons, let’s start with something simple—goals.”

He scribbled the word ‘GOALS’ in bold letters across the board.

“Now, I know Sayonaki isn’t your typical school,” he continued, turning to face the class, “but even for students who can fight, strategy and discipline come from the mind first. So tell me…” he pointed at the class with the chalk, “…what do you hope to gain while you’re here?”

A few hands went up.

“I wanna be the best fighter in Sokyoshi!” Hikaru said proudly, thumping his chest.

“Of course you do,” Kazuki muttered, smirking.

Arata chuckled. “That’s a bold answer. Confidence, I like that. Anyone else?”

Mei raised her hand slightly. “To learn how to balance both strength and wisdom.”

“Very nice,” Arata nodded approvingly. “You sound like someone who thinks before she strikes. That’s a skill even adults struggle with.”

Ayane shot her hand up next. “I just wanna make sure everyone sees that learning can be fun!”

Arata beamed. “Now that’s the kind of energy I like in a classroom!”

Then his eyes drifted to Aoi, who wasn’t raising her hand. “And you? Any goals?”

Aoi blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… survive the semester?” she said flatly.

The whole class broke into laughter again, and even Arata couldn’t help but grin. “Fair enough! That’s a solid goal, too.”

He turned back to the board, underlining GOALS. “Well, no matter what you all aim for, remember—Sayonaki’s not just about fighting. It’s about understanding yourself. Power without control is chaos, but control without spirit? That’s just an empty technique.”

His tone softened, his earlier goofiness giving way to sincerity. “So while we’re learning together, don’t forget—your strength starts up here.” He tapped his temple.

The class grew quiet, his words settling in.

“…Huh,” Aoi muttered, resting her chin on her palm again. “Maybe he’s not so bad after all.”

Arata clapped his hands, returning to his cheerful tone. “Alright, enough of my dramatic wisdom! Let’s get started with your first lesson before I accidentally sound like an anime mentor.”

Laughter filled the room again as the class leaned forward, already warming up to their quirky, earnest teacher.

……………..

Everyone focused intently as Arata’s voice carried through the air, the steady rhythm of chalk against the board blending with the soft rustle of pens. Silence filled Class 1–3 as the students jotted down notes while Arata explained linear equations, algebra, and systems of expressions with practiced ease.

Most of them — especially Hikaru — couldn’t help wondering how someone so young, still a part-time college student, could teach with such confidence and clarity.

Aoi sat gracefully, one leg crossed over the other, her dangling foot swaying now and then. She bit lightly on her pen before twirling it between her fingers, her subtle lavender eyes fixed on her notebook as she followed every detail of Arata’s explanation.

“Alright then…” Arata turned from the board after finishing a new problem. “Aoi, mind solving this one for us?” He had earlier asked the class to do some introductions, and within minutes, he knew everyone's names.

Her head lifted, gaze flicking toward the board. The room seemed quieter. After a brief pause, she answered calmly, “X = 2 and Y = 1.”

Arata’s brows lifted in approval before a warm smile tugged at his lips. “Perfect. That’s correct.”

The class murmured in admiration, a few students clapping lightly. The unexpected gesture made Aoi’s eyes widen for a moment.

“Wow! That’s amazing, Aoi!” Ayane cheered softly. 

“Incredible,” Mei added with her gentle smile.

Aoi’s cheeks tinted pink as she turned slightly away. “It was pretty easy, honestly,” she mumbled, twirling her pen again.

Arata chuckled under his breath. “Good to see some confidence in this class.” He checked his wristwatch— 12:30 p.m., earning the students’ attention once more. “Alright, that’s all for today. Make sure to review lesson two before next time. And remember—math only gets easier the more you practice it.”

“See you, Mr. Takigawa!” Kazuki called as Arata waved, exiting the room.

The moment the door shut, the class erupted into chatter.

“Ahhh~ finally done!” Hikaru groaned dramatically, slumping onto his desk. “I swear, I didn’t understand half of what he was saying!”

Kazuki laughed, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve always been like this, Hikaru. Sometimes I wonder how you even survived middle school.”

“Hey! Don’t underestimate my genius!” Hikaru protested, looping an arm around Kazuki’s neck in a playful chokehold as the rest of the class laughed.

Mei couldn’t hold back a quiet laugh, her usual serene smile softening.  “The class seems livelier. That’s a good thing.” 

“Yeah, all thanks to our math queen over here,” Ayane nodded, glancing over to Aoi, who scoffed under her breath, her arms crisscrossed.

“That’s right,” Mitsuru and Rikuya echoed in agreement.

“It’s not like I did anything special. I just answered a simple equation.” Aoi replied.

“Easy for you to say, math queen,” Hikaru groaned, slouching again. “You were out here solving problems like it was breathing.”

Aoi tilted her head, tapping her pen lightly on her desk. “It’s not that hard when you actually listen.”

“Ouch,” Kazuki muttered with a teasing grin. “She got you there, buddy.”

“Still,” Mei said gently, glancing at Aoi, “You did really well. You’ve got a sharp mind, Aoi.”

Aoi blinked, turning away again.

A moment later, Raito’s voice cut through the chatter from his corner. “You guys really have this much energy after class?”

“Of course!” Ayane chirped. “It’s the first day! You’re supposed to enjoy it!”

“Enjoy it quietly,” Raito muttered, crossing his arms.

“Oh, come on,” Sayaka pouted. “Don’t be such a buzzkill, Raito. It’s not like we’re disturbing anyone.”

“You are disturbing my peace,” he countered flatly.

Aoi glanced sideways at him, resting her chin on her hand. “Peace, huh? Didn’t think you knew that word.”

Raito turned his head slightly, a muscle twitching near his jaw. “You looking to start something, Sakuraba?”

“Not particularly,” Aoi replied coolly, eyes half-lidded. “Just an observation.”

Ayane sweat-dropped, sliding between them. “Okay, okay, calm down, both of you! We just finished our first class; no need to start round two already.”

Before either could reply, a sharp knock came from the door. The classroom fell quiet.

The door slid open, and Misora stepped in, her usual composed demeanor carrying an air of authority. Her slate-blue eyes flicked briefly toward Aoi and Raito before scanning the rest of the class.

“Apologies for interrupting,” she began, her tone calm yet firm. “But Aoi, Raito, Mei, Ayane, Mitsuru, and Rikuya — you’re all needed immediately.”

“Wait— six of us?” Rikuya nudged his glasses up his nose.

Misora nodded. “Yes.”

Aoi let out a quiet sigh, rising from her seat and slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Guess break time’s over.”

Raito stood as well, sliding his chair back with a faint scrape. “About time,” he muttered, brushing past her as Mitsuru and Rikuya trailed behind him.

Mei followed with her usual soft smile, while Ayane bounced excitedly toward the door.

“Hey, don’t burn the classroom down while we’re gone,” she joked to Hikaru as she waved.

“No promises!” Hikaru called back, grinning.

As the six left the room, the rest of the class exchanged curious glances, the air buzzing faintly with anticipation.

Outside, Misora led the group down the hallway in calm strides, her heels clicking lightly against the tiled floor. She turned a corner and started up a narrow staircase, the sunlight above spilling faintly through the windows. Raito and his group walked beside her, while Aoi followed with her hands tucked into her shorts’ pockets, her bag hanging casually from one shoulder.

“I thought we were needed outside for another assignment,” Mitsuru said, raising a brow as they reached the next landing.

Misora replied, not looking back. “No. We’re heading to the rooftop instead.”

Ayane perked up instantly. “Wait—the rooftop?”

The older girl stopped in front of the door leading upward, glancing over her shoulder with a calm, serious look. “That’s right. You’ve all been summoned… by our top leaders.”

The words struck like a ripple through the group. Mei’s usual soft smile faded into curiosity, Rikuya straightened up, and Ayane’s eyes sparkled like a child hearing about a festival.

Aoi’s heart gave a small, steady thud. This is it… I’m going to meet Reina again, she thought, watching Misora grasp the handle. And also… the top leader too.

Misora slid the door open with a soft creak — and light flooded in. When the group stepped out, the rooftop wasn’t at all what Aoi expected.