Part 4: The Shape of Each Student
Break time buzzed through the room as students moved around freely.
Naoko crossed her arms and turned toward Sanae, her expression sharper than usual. "So," she said quietly, "I heard what happened this morning."
Sanae stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
Naoko leaned in just enough to make her point clear. "Daichi. Don't do that again."
There was no shouting. No drama. Just a warning.
Sanae scoffed and looked away. "I didn't do anything."
Naoko didn't push further. She simply held her gaze for a moment, then turned back. Sanae clicked her tongue, irritated but silent.
A few desks away, Amaya tapped her fingers lightly and glanced at Souta. "With Class 2 here… should we still play?"
Souta grinned without hesitation. "Does it matter? Come on."
He grabbed an eraser and a sharpener, tossing one to Haruto. "You in?"
Haruto caught it. "…Yeah."
The three spread out, crouching behind desks, sliding erasers like kunai, flicking sharpeners with exaggerated seriousness.
"Left side," Souta whispered dramatically.
Amaya smirked. "Too obvious."
Haruto ducked just as an eraser skimmed past him. "Hey!"
From nearby, Sanae watched and scoffed. "Haruki," she muttered, "look at them. Playing like kids."
Haruki glanced over. He didn't answer at first—just watched as another eraser clattered across the floor.
"…Kids look like they're having fun," he said finally.
Before Sanae could reply, Riku and Hina from Class 2 approached.
"Can we join?" Riku asked, eyeing the desks.
Hina leaned forward. "Looks intense."
Souta grinned. "Sure. Pick a side."
As Hina stepped closer, her gaze flicked toward Haruto—only for Amaya's eyes to lock onto her instantly.
The stare was sharp.
"Don't," Amaya said flatly. "Try to pull Haruto."
Hina blinked. "I'm not interested."
Amaya paused, then exhaled. "…Oh. Sorry."
Hina shrugged. "Relax. I'm here to throw stuff."
Souta clapped his hands. "Alright—teams!"
At that moment, Haruki stepped forward, pulling a sharpener from his pocket. "If we're doing this," he said, "I'm not sitting out."
He slid into position, smirking. "Try not to cry."
An eraser flew instantly.
And just like that, the game began—erasers flying, sharpeners clattering, laughter filling the room as desks turned into cover and classmates into shinobi.
For now, it was only play.
For now.
The bell rang, sharp and clear.
Students groaned as they slipped back into their seats—break was over. Conversations died down slowly, chairs scraping as Daigo walked to the front.
"Books out," he said simply.
The next period began like any other. Daigo continued the lesson without wasting a second, writing across the board while the class followed along. Some students listened carefully, some barely did, but the room stayed controlled—his presence made sure of that.
The bell rang, sharp and clear.
Students groaned as they slipped back into their seats—break was over. Conversations died down slowly, chairs scraping as Daigo walked to the front.
"Books out," he said simply.
The next period began like any other. Daigo continued the lesson without wasting a second, writing across the board while the class followed along. Some students listened carefully, some barely did, but the room stayed controlled—his presence made sure of that.
Daigo placed the chalk down and faced the class.
"Since this is a mixed environment," he said calmly, "it's better you understand each other now than later."
A few students straightened. Others exchanged looks.
"Let's begin."
His eyes moved to the front row.
"Amaya—troublesome. You act before you think."
Amaya scoffed lightly but didn't deny it.
"Arashi—a silent observer. Sharp. Smart. Probably the best listener here."
Arashi didn't react at all.
"Ayame—smart. You know when to speak and when not to."
Ayame gave a small nod.
"Daichi—innocent. Nervous. You doubt yourself too much."
Daichi froze, then awkwardly looked down.
"Haruki—loud. Even when you don't need to be."
A few chuckles broke out.
"Haruto—innocent troublemaker," Daigo said, his tone softer. "And… strangely disarming."
Haruto blinked. "Huh?"
"Hina—joyful. Cheerful. You lift the room without trying."
Hina smiled brightly.
"Izumi—a complainer. You question everything, whether it matters or not."
Izumi clicked her tongue.
"Kaito—overconfident. Confidence is good. Yours borders on recklessness."
Kaito smirked anyway.
"Misaki—you overdo things. Passion is useful, excess is not."
Misaki stiffened.
"Naoko—an upstander. Cold on the outside, heated inside."
Naoko's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Raizo—two-faced," Daigo said bluntly. "You hide intelligence behind foolishness."
Raizo laughed. "Ouch."
"Riku—you overthink. By the time you decide, the moment has passed."
Riku swallowed.
"Sanae—you act like you know everything. Always trying to be ahead, even when it's obvious you're stretching it."
Sanae's lips pressed into a thin smile, clearly pretending innocence.
Daigo glanced at the last few students. "Shin—observer. You notice more than you speak."
Shin said nothing.
"Souta—troublesome, but honest."
Souta grinned proudly.
"Tetsu—quick to anger."
Tetsu cracked his knuckles.
"And finally, Yuna—a carer. You look after others before yourself."
Yuna's expression softened.
Daigo straightened. "These traits aren't insults. They're reality. Remember them."
The final bell rang. Students scrambled, chairs scraping. Bags swung over shoulders.