"Good morning, Fu Li, Mei! Did you guys hear? The school got a new teacher. I heard she's going to be teaching our math class!"
"Hm? Kiana, where did you hear that from?"
In the classroom, Fu Li looked at the excited Kiana and couldn't help but feel a sense of exasperated fondness.
What else would you expect from a Paramecium? How could something like a new teacher arriving get her this worked up?
"It's true! I heard the new teacher's name is Sakurajima Rin. They say she's a big deal. I even saw the principal personally welcoming her this morning."
Unexpectedly, Mei also joined the discussion, a rare occurrence. She, too, seemed quite interested in this new teacher.
Sakurajima Rin...? I know a 'Rin' and a 'Yae Rin'.
Fu Li thought to himself, his fingers subconsciously twirling a pen, creating a series of beautiful, colored arcs.
After spending this period of time together, the three of them had grown closer, forming their own special little group.
Mei's impression of Kiana had also been upgraded from 'pervert' to 'a silly but very enthusiastic person'. However, Mei still always intentionally or unintentionally positioned herself between him and Kiana, for reasons he couldn't quite figure out.
The morning clamor eventually came to an end. As the classroom bell rang, a very beautiful woman with white hair walked in. Her strong aura silenced the entire room.
Looking at her perfectly exquisite features, coupled with the sophisticated air of a foxy older sister, she instantly captured the admiring gazes of the students.
They knew, naturally, that this was their new teacher.
Putting everything else aside, just looking at such a gorgeous woman lecture would be a treat in itself. And on top of that, this new teacher was a genuine professor-level academic.
"Good morning, everyone. Your previous teacher was urgently transferred to a post in Tokyo due to certain matters. I am your new math teacher. You can call me Sakurajima Rin."
As the new teacher, Sakurajima Rin showed no stage fright. She took a piece of chalk and, with a few swift strokes, wrote her name on the blackboard in extremely neat script, a clear testament to her solid fundamentals.
Sitting below the podium, Fu Li looked at this beautiful figure and couldn't help but tilt his head and frown.
Why was it that the more he looked at this new teacher, the more familiar she seemed? He had a strange feeling he had seen her somewhere before.
Sakurajima Rin... Yae Rin... Rin... No, that can't be right. Rin was supposed to have red and white hair, how could she have a full head of white hair?
Besides, how could that tiny,懵懂 little white-haired fluffball from back then possibly turn into this sophisticated woman? I must be overthinking things.
Moreover, the system had repeatedly stated that the life simulations would not affect the current reality. This meant that the Rin of this world didn't know him at all.
After reassuring himself, Fu Li lowered his gaze to the grain of his desk, a momentary melancholy welling up in his heart with nowhere to go.
The Elysian Realm, huh? As long as I follow the original plot, I should be able to see them all again sooner or later.
With the contributions of my companions, the Elysian Realm must be a place full of joy and sunshine.
"Hehe~ That concludes my self-introduction. Mmm, I've already looked through all of your files. You are all excellent children."
A faint smile played on Sakurajima Rin's lips. Her slender fingertip slid across the grade sheet on the desk, and when she saw a particular name, her smile widened.
"Since you have a new teacher, I'll be re-selecting the math class representative based on the last monthly exam. Let's see... first place is student Fu Li, with a perfect score."
"Student Fu Li, are you up to the task?"
What just happened?
Fu Li, having his name called, looked up and met a pair of eyes that seemed to be smiling yet not smiling. For some reason, a layer of goosebumps suddenly rose on his back.
It wasn't a threat to his life, but a strange feeling that was hard to describe. However, considering the reason for choosing him was legitimate enough, Fu Li couldn't very well refuse and nodded, accepting the position.
He did indeed need some real-world responsibilities to help him reintegrate into this peaceful era.
After this initial introduction to the students, Sakurajima Rin entered work mode and began to lecture in earnest.
The class periods in Changkong were the same as in Shenzhou, forty-five minutes long. Rin was considerate enough to stop her lecture the moment the bell rang.
"Alright, class is dismissed. If you have any questions you don't understand, you can find me in the office. Also, student Fu Li, please come find me in my office after school. There are some things I need to discuss with you."
"Yes, I understand, Sensei."
It's probably just about my duties as the class rep.
Seeing Fu Li's completely unguarded appearance, Sakurajima Rin suppressed the delight in her heart, smiled, said her goodbyes, and left the room.
However, just as Fu Li was about to head out for a walk, he met Kiana's admiring gaze.
Kiana made no effort to hide her awe. "Wow, Li, you actually became the class representative! You're amazing!"
Fu Li replied modestly, "Er... there's nothing amazing about it. It's just a class rep."
"Of course there is! The only thing I've ever been is the PE rep," Kiana sighed and slumped onto her desk, which prompted Mei to tease her.
"That's because you're a genius at sports, Kiana. You did break a lot of records during the monthly exam, you know."
"Ugh... Mei, don't say it... Is my body really all I'm good for? Sigh."
"Er... actually, you have many other good points..."
"Hm? Then hurry and tell me, Mei! What other good points do I have!"
"Well... you're optimistic? Energetic? Full of life?"
"Hmph, hmph, I knew it! I, Kiana, am definitely the best! Don't you agree, Li?"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes. Kiana is the best."
Clapping lightly, Fu Li looked at Kiana's sunny, silly grin and couldn't help but smile from the bottom of his heart.
Her infectious cheerfulness—that was another one of Kiana's strengths.
---o---
School in this part of Japan always ended early. At just five o'clock, the members of the "go-home club" were already on their way.
"By the way, are you sure you don't need us to wait for you?" Mei looked at Fu Li and asked considerately.
"Yeah, Fu Li! It's no big deal for us to wait a bit," Kiana added cheerfully, raising her hand.
Fu Li shook his head with a light chuckle and refused. "It's alright, you two can go on ahead. I have other things to do after I'm done here."
"Well, alright then."
Seeing that Fu Li was insistent, Kiana and Mei didn't press the matter. They waved goodbye and started on their way home.
After the two of them had left, Fu Li shouldered his bag and, humming a tune Eden had taught him, slowly made his way to the teachers' office.
Inside the office, Rin, having sent everyone else away, sat in a teacher's chair, nonchalantly placing a pen imprinted with the Anti-Entropy insignia on her desk.
Is the fish about to bite the hook, or is the hook about to kiss the fish?