Rey’s Journey in the Classroom of the Elite

While they were talking, a boy with an ordinary appearance but full of confidence approached and immediately started the conversation.

"Kushida-san, Kushida-san, if you want to practice, you can come to me too. My name is Yamauchi Haruki. I've competed in national table tennis tournaments, and I was the ace pitcher for the baseball team, but unfortunately, I got injured during the junior high league. Now, I'm recovering, nice to meet you," he said confidently, clearly having overheard their conversation.

While talking, he casually adjusted his hair, as if that would make him look cooler.

His hopeful gaze slowly turned to Kushida Kikyo, and there was even a slight gesture as though he wanted to offer a handshake.

"Wow, Yamauchi-san, you're amazing," said Kushida Kikyo, turning gracefully.

Before she turned, she shot a glance at Rey, but Rey didn't show any expression. After that, Kushida Kikyo gazed at Yamauchi Haruki with admiration.

However, she had no intention of shaking his hand.

"Ah, I just do it as a hobby, you know, it's a bit better than being inexperienced," Yamauchi Haruki said, glancing toward Rey, feeling pleased with the response.

His words immediately shifted the atmosphere in the classroom. Several students who had been chatting turned their heads.

Because what Yamauchi Haruki had just said was not quiet, it seemed like something interesting was about to happen.

Even the two people sitting in the back near the window, who hadn't been paying attention, now turned to look.

If this had happened at another time, it wouldn't have been anything special, but after the words came out of Yamauchi Haruki's mouth, it felt off.

'Is this a challenge?' thought Rey.

"Eh~~ words like that are really too much," one of the students commented.

"Yamauchi-san, are you challenging Rey-san?" asked Kushida Kikyo with a confused tone.

She looked a bit nervous, her body slightly shrinking, her expression showing uncertainty.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between Yamauchi Haruki and Rey.

"I'm just saying the truth," Yamauchi Haruki replied casually, though he felt the pressure of the stares directed at him.

He also glanced at Rey, studying the black-haired youth who appeared to be the model student, about 175 cm tall, not too muscular or imposing. Yamauchi Haruki felt he had the advantage here.

"Rey-san hasn't even said anything," Yamauchi Haruki continued confidently.

"Kushida-san, if you're really interested, you should come to me," he added, his tone full of certainty.

In reality, he didn't know much about it, but that didn't stop him from trying. Anyway, he was confident that he could easily deceive a naive girl and somehow turn it into a relationship.

"Is that so?" said Kushida Kikyo, her tone doubtful.

"Yes, as Yamabuchi-san said, I'm just a beginner," Rey answered.

"So, Oda-san and Yamabuchi-san are better than me," Rey continued, speaking slowly, unconcerned with the challenge.

However, those two sentences immediately made both of them uncomfortable.

"Hey, I clearly said my name earlier. It's Yamauchi Haruki. Are you deaf?" Yamauchi Haruki said with a slightly unfriendly tone, trying to pressure Rey.

Rey was pleased with this attitude.

He even found himself looking forward to seeing if Yamauchi Haruki would do something.

His eyes showed anticipation, which made Yamauchi Haruki feel uneasy.

"And me too. Didn't you say you remembered? My name is Kushida Kikyo," added Kushida Kikyo, paying full attention.

She started to wonder, did Rey like boys? He had been so casual earlier, and now when a guy came up, she felt his gaze was a bit too passionate. Was Rey really not angry at being humiliated?

"Alright, Yamauchi-san, Kushida-san, I'll remember," Rey answered sincerely, making both of them question whether he was joking or being genuine.

"If you forget, it's fine. I think you're not just bad at sports, but your brain probably isn't that sharp either. Playing with you might just make me dumber," Yamauchi Haruki mocked.

"Well then, let's agree, if we have time, we'll play together, Kushida Kikyo-san," he continued, now focusing more on Kushida Kikyo, seemingly no longer caring about Rey.

At this point, Yamauchi Haruki was even thinking about when he could start calling Kushida Kikyo by her first name. He was already imagining their future life together.

But just as he was busy thinking and about to ask for Kushida Kikyo's contact, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

A woman walked in, who appeared to be the homeroom teacher, giving off a sense of stability and discipline.

She seemed to be in her 30s, with long hair tied into a ponytail at the back of her head.

"Looks like everyone is here, so let's start the class meeting. Please return to your seats," she said firmly.

"I'm Chabashira Sae, your homeroom teacher for Class D, and I teach history," she continued.

She wore a black suit, her long hair tied up, and her appearance gave off a very unapproachable aura. Her expression was cold but still made her seem like a competent teacher.

As she spoke, her sharp eyes gave a sense of pressure, the kind only a teacher could give.

Immediately, the students quickly returned to their seats, even Yamauchi Haruki, who had been intending to get Kushida Kikyo's contact, obediently backed off.