Tadao got off his bike and took off his helmet, revealing a mess of cream-colored hair that stood out under the sun. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his movements relaxed yet rough around the edges, and strolled forward. "Hey, this is a damn beautiful school," he muttered with a smirk tugging at his lips. The air smelled faintly of cut grass and asphalt, and the distant chatter of students filled the campus. Feeling lost, he glanced around and spotted a group of students—Yuri, Kanae, and Airi—from the newspaper club. They might know where to go, he thought, his boots crunching against the pavement as he made his way toward them.
"Alright, Airi, your camera skills are improving at a rapid rate," Kanae said, impressed as she flipped through photos on Airi's camera.
"Thank you! I've been practicing the right angles and watching how the light hits the frame," Airi replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.
"Not bad, Airi. I can't wait for our next article," Yuri added with a smile.
A large shadow suddenly eclipsed the sunlight above Yuri. A chill raced down her spine. She turned around slowly, startled to find a boy towering over her with piercings in both ears and an unreadable grin on his face.
"Hoy, do you know where I can find the first-year classes?" Tadao asked, his voice low and gravelly.
"J-just turn left and walk straight. You'll reach them," Yuri stammered, her eyes fixed on his cream hair and the dangerous glint in his earrings.
"I see. Thanks," Tadao muttered as he sauntered off.
"That guy... is he a thug?" Airi whispered, clutching her camera tighter.
"I'm not sure, but it's the first time I've seen him around. And he's wearing our uniform. Maybe he's a transfer student?" Kanae speculated.
"His ears are pierced, and earrings aren't even in the dress code—not even for us," Yuri noted, still watching his retreating figure. "Hopefully, he didn't come here to stir up trouble."
Inside the classroom, the energy buzzed with excitement. The sun spilled through the windows, warming the desks as Hayami Sensei addressed the class.
"Okay, everyone, today we'll be going over the plans for our school trip since summer is approaching," she announced, her voice clear.
"Wow, our first trip as a class! I can't wait!" Naomi beamed, her voice bouncing with joy.
"Likewise, it's been a while since I went on one," Sachiko chimed in.
Makoto leaned back in his chair, uninterested, while Noboru smirked. "Finally, I can get away from Nanaho. Count me in."
"It'll definitely be a blast!" Shino said, a bright smile lighting up his face.
Rie stole a few glances at Shino, her cheeks tinged pink. "I hope we can visit the shrines there. There's a wish I've been meaning to make."
Sachiko glanced at Tetsuo, who sat quietly reading a book. His face was blank, his body still, as if untouched by the surrounding noise. "For the most part, everything seems to be back to normal," she thought to herself with a small smile.
The classroom door creaked open.
A tall figure with cream-colored hair stepped inside, his presence immediately weighing down the room like a storm cloud. "Wonder if this is the right frickin' class," Tadao muttered, his irritation hanging thick in the air.
Hayami Sensei's heels clicked sharply against the floor as she crossed her arms. "Excuse me? How dare you barge into my class like that?"
"Relax, Teach. I'm only here 'cause I'm a student," Tadao said lazily, his pierced ears catching the glint of the sunlight.
"That guy's huge..." Shino whispered, his voice trembling. "Not as tall as Liam, but the vibe he's giving off... it's dangerous."
Makoto's eyes flicked open, narrowing as he studied Tadao's leisurely movements.
Tadao's lips curled into a wicked smirk. "Gotta say, Teach, you're quite the looker for your age. Wanna grab a bite after school?" He reached for her hand, his fingers grazing her skin.
Hayami slapped his hand away, her voice like steel. "Not in your wildest dreams, runt."
Tadao laughed, his voice rough. "I see, you're a feisty one. I like that."
Naomi shot up from her seat, her chair screeching against the floor. "I'm going to kindly ask you to leave our class. I don't know what hole you crawled out of, but I won't stand by while you disrespect our teacher."
Tadao's grin widened, darkening. He grabbed Naomi's wrist, his grip firm. "And what are you gonna do about it, huh?"
"Let go of me!" Naomi hissed, struggling to yank her arm free.
"Watch yourself, punk! If you ever touch Naomi again, I'll kick your ass!" Noboru barked, slamming his palms on his desk, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap.
Tadao's blood buzzed with excitement. "Oh really? I'd love to see you try."
Hayami's voice sliced through the tension like a blade. "That's enough. Leave. I don't know what you're doing here, but you're not in this class. Try your luck somewhere else."
Tadao clicked his tongue and released Naomi's wrist. "Fine. I'll take my leave."
His sharp eyes swept the room, memorizing faces, reading the air. When they landed on Tetsuo, something flickered in his gaze. Recognition? Interest? "I see. That's the punk from the court the other day," he muttered under his breath.
Tetsuo met his gaze, unmoving, his face an unreadable canvas. No fear. No curiosity. Just a blank, impenetrable stare, as if Tadao were nothing more than a passing cloud.
Tadao smirked at that.
The moment he left, the classroom erupted.
"What the hell was that?"
"His ears are pierced, and he walks and talks like a total thug. Did he really pass the entrance exam for Toshigawa?"
"That's enough," Hayami Sensei snapped, regaining control. "Let's get back to planning the trip."
Noboru seethed, his fists trembling on his desk. "Damn that bastard. Who the hell does he think he is?"
The tension hung in the air even as the lesson resumed, but Tetsuo's mind stayed elsewhere. That look Tadao gave him before leaving—it wasn't the gaze of someone picking a random fight. It was the gaze of someone who had found something. Something that interested him. Something dangerous.