March 6th. 8:30 am.

Surprisingly, as I walked into the classroom, everything was normal.

Except for one thing.

Basara-sensei had returned.

Hell couldn't keep him there...

"Daniel, you're the last one left. You're thirteen seconds late, you retard!"

"Oh, um, sorry, I guess..."

I won't say I missed him but it's been a while since I've seen him. The very terrifying striking figure of the man who doesn't look that much older than the majority of us struck me with an odd sensation.

This supposed teacher, who uses a hitman suit, bluntly calls out his students the way he wants to every single time.

I took my seat immediately since Basara-sensei looked ready to say something.

"I've heard the news! Failure after failure! Fuck, who knew that even when you are paired up with someone that the chances of failure would increase! Unbelievable! Hahahaha!!"

Openly mocking all the pairings that had failed, Basara-sensei laughed carelessly regardless of how everyone felt.

"Moreover, someone got insensitive and decided to bully Ikkiri out of pressure. Hey, Ikkiri, any comments to the public? How are you feeling right now?"

This guy has no tact. I consider myself to be someone with zero tact, but it's like Basara-sensei goes beyond that!

What the hell!

"No...."

Ikkiri shily responded, per usual, without standing up for herself.

"Looks like that person did you good. It's like your attitude took a 180-degree turn. My incompetent acquaintance probably thinks that she's progressing smoothly but since I'm in charge again, that will change."

In charge again?

What is he talking about?

"Sensei, where is Yuka-sensei...?"

Hinagiku, slightly reluctant with her words, asked Basara-sensei that.

Accordingly, Basara-sensei should fulfill the first half hour and then be done with it.

"Oh! Yuka? Her bad work got herself the obvious reward of failing to get promoted and thus, I came back. Well, realistically speaking I was just taking a vacation. She'll be returning, of course! With a grand half hour per day!"

Basically, they switched schedules.

And by bad work, I'm assuming how the majority of us failed. Truly, this was partially Yuka-sensei's fault.

Her exam was way too illogical.

This isn't to say that this demon is better... He used an argument as a special exam... Demon!

"Regardless of that, the special exam already has been selected by her! How lucky for you all, to have such a weak exam! If it was me, we would be speaking a different language."

So we should be thankful for the upcoming exam even though it's a massive drag?

"With that said, we will not be having average classes until the spring festival is over!"

"W-What's that supposed to mean?!"

Yukishiro, unable to keep her silence, nervously asked. Strangely enough, I don't think there was anyone in this classroom that didn't share that sentiment.

"Since there is no point in having average classes, you will all be studying the festival's themes thoroughly. You have one week until I evaluate your knowledge. I'll be conducting a questionnaire type of exam, for the record. It will be an individual test, but since you are all such fucking dead weights, I'll give you the privilege of conducting paired work with your partner. Needless to say, I'll be watching how you behave during class. A single sign of bad behavior will earn you the rightful punishment. Enjoy."

It took me a while to process all of this, but essentially, we were just tasked with a very simple task.

Study the festival's themes. Given that there are 50 of them this will mean...

So much work...........

Ah, wait...

"Sensei, what happens if we fail the questionnaire?"

"Think of it as a mini-special exam."

Does this mean that the consequences apply as well?

If I fail this questionnaire just because I didn't want to do it out of laziness, then---

Ah, no. It's real.

That devious smirk of his tells it all.

No doubt. This is a trap.

"If anyone has doubts, then speak to me and only me. I won't care about other irrelevant opinions. Bitch and you are out of class. You've been warned!"

No one was used to his demonic imperial orders yet his return came clear to us all.

This wasn't like the times where Yuka-sensei was here. There was an actual degree of danger here.

"Also, Ikkiri. Come here. Let's have a talk."

"...."

Ikkiri did not speak but went to his desk regardless.

I'm curious to know how Basara-sensei will solve this situation. Assuming that he is aiming to solve her situation, that is...

Also, everyone began their work, but not me...

I... still had no clue what the festival themes were...!

Sincerely, I thought that the themes would be shared publically, but...

Are you seriously telling me everyone knows them from back to back!?

I get that the exam will happen but I thought that I could take it easy...

"..........."

Since I don't know the festival themes, I'll have to ask someone else... But...

This demon will send me to the shadow realm, also known as the principal's office...! Well... I've never been there though...

Hyunda mentioned the principal once and ever since then, I've been...

No. No. No.

That's not a priority right now!

Should I fail the questionnaire, that will mean that I will get a supply exam! I can't afford that.

Think... Think... 

..................

Basara-sensei said that we could have the privilege of doing paired work since we were useless dead-weights, according to him...

But...

Every time I look in her direction, all my hopes are stripped. I know for a fact that it's not going to work... She's so egotistical and prideful...

She's even already studying the festival's themes. She most likely did research as soon as the exam's theme was announced.

Meanwhile, I....

"Desperate?"

How did she...

"No..... Mind your own business..."

Probably not the best choice of words, honestly. She's the only one I can rely on given that I do bother myself enough with this stupidity.

I can just simply wait until it's lunchtime and get the necessary knowledge to apply myself to this...

No need to go out of my way to get the knowledge early...

"Ara, you are desperate. Let me guess, you don't know anything about this, do you? You even asked Basara-sensei what would happen if you failed the questionnaire. I'll additionally guess something else too. The reason you asked this was because you didn't want to do this, at all."

Why is she going through all this trouble...

Does she realize that I don't need to depend on her...? What gives?

"You're hallucinating. As I said, mind your own business. Don't give yourself too much relevance. Your delusional ideas will increase."

Assuming that she hasn't hit the apex of her delusions.

"Except I'm not being delusional here. You have nothing to study! Otherwise, you'd apply yourself at this instant yet look at you! Who's delusional now?!"

Wow...

How can someone get this happy over something like this...? That's just sad.

It's sadder than it actually primarily seems because she doesn't realize that it's sad to be happy about something like this.

"I don't care about the questionnaire though. Henceforth, you are delusional."

"Stubborn, are we? I guess I'll have to prove my point. If you want, I can give you ten themes for free."

Now, this is just pure baiting. Was she always the type of person to be this sincere and straight-forward?

No way, no way. There's a catch here and she expects me to play right into it.

"By the way, if you don't accept them now, then I win."

"What...."

She's getting more and more delusional with every single sentence.

"I bet you don't know a single theme, do you? Therefore, when it's lunchtime, you will most likely invest yourself in the exam and get to know the themes. It wouldn't be a coincidence if you suddenly knew the themes after lunch. That's why, if you don't accept them now, I win!"

So her reasoning is that; she gets a 'win' if I don't accept her second-handed generosity right now because I actually have no way of knowing the themes right now. Ultimately, if I suddenly know them after this timespan, then I lose...

I hate how she's actually right.

The real question is, do I care enough to hold a grudge and be prideful here? Is it really worth it losing time over this?

Well, yes it is.

Her victory is out of the question...

Which is why I'll change my approach here.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

"You know what. You are so right. I just don't know anything regarding the exam. I was simply trying to hide it, but it's useless!"

"....What... You are strangely humble right now... Fishy..."

Of course you'd act like that.

It's unusual for me to show such a selfless attitude, isn't it?

"It's the truth though. Your points were truly right. Therefore, I'll take your generosity. 10 themes, was it? Thank you so much!"

I never noticed.

Being sarcastic against her feels incredibly good. An indescribable feeling of happiness is flowing through my veins right now.

I'm trying to hide this abundant smile by forcing my mouth to stay still but I honestly don't know for how long I can keep this up.

However, this can't be it. I'll step things up.

"Ah --- It's just such a shame though. There are overall 50 themes, right?"

"Yes, that is the case."

She's totally buying it. I'm purposely putting a sorrowful expression which indicates my supposed despair to the current situation.

I bet she's feeling eager and confident right now.

"I was thinking about how nice it would be to have all the fifty themes in just one go."

"Don't be absurd. I'll give you ten out of pity. Give me a second, I'll write them down."

Out of pity huh?

Alright then.

"Just ten? Truly a shame... I was willing to trade information for the rest too... What a bummer..."

This caught her attention. Her attention drifted away from writing the themes that were still not visible to me due to the fact that she's blocking the sheet with her forearm, all the way to me.

"You? Information? You're being too greedy. And besides, there is no way that you have information that I would want. All this time, you were prideful and stubborn but now you are stepping so low! Back to your origins?"

So confident. So arrogant.

She really thinks she's in the lead.

Good. No, seriously. Really good.

I couldn't ask for more, honestly.

Honestly, honestly.

This smile of mine is like a slave waiting for salvation to come; it just can't help itself. The physical shackles I'm applying will soon turn out to be useless.

Gotta make my move now!

"That's weird... What was that that you asked me the other day....? Ah yes, birth dates? I got a few. Oh well. Only 10, was it? I suppose you gotta be content with what you get."

"Wait, wait, wait. What did you just say? Birth dates? Tell me all about it."

I almost let loose the laugh I'm seriously containing as soon as she dropped her pen just to hear what I had to say regarding the topic.

The truth is, I don't actually know any more birth dates. I could just ask around, but that would mean that I would become her slave.

Nonetheless, nothing says that I can't just make it up. She also mentioned that she was searching for air signs.

So, I'll feed her ego a little bit.

"Actually... I found four air signs in this class... Can you believe it?!"

"What?! Tell me, tell me!!"

Her enthusiasm is overflowing. Just like a child when their parents tell a night story.

Oh god, I can't contain myself, I seriously can't.

"W-Well, you s-s-s-see...! Sagasuga was born on June 1st! Tateyana was born on June 17th... Akimiyashika was born on October 19th! And Kanawari was born on January 28th! Amazing, right?!"

Honestly, I have no clue if I nailed a single one, but something tells me that I didn't.

Nevertheless, her irrefutable happiness was swiftly formed as soon as I said that.

Therefore, I added something to that.

"I know more. But only if you give me the rest of the themes..."

"Yeah, I don't mind! Wow, you were actually useful and not completely useless! Impressive! I'm so impressed! Ah--- wait just a second, this won't take long...."

"Hm...?"

What's wrong with her? Her sudden enthusiasm vanished completely at the end of her sentence.

She even claimed to be impressed yet for some reason she turned around and grabbed her phone.

Is she texting someone?

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. Just making sure of something..."

.........?

Weird... What exactly could she have realized?

Well, it doesn't matter, does it?

She has no way of verifying it. She's socially selective, so she has no choice but to trust my opinion on this.

What a stupid girl though! She'll never realize that I actually lied to her and that those birth dates are actually all lies!

Unless I purely and coincidentally nailed all of them. Honestly, that would be tragic.

"Oh..."

Uttering that small word, she started to tremble a little bit. Her phone was shaking too.

It appears that whatever information she got was devastating for her.

"That's funny... I just asked Kanawari something... How odd!"

"Hm? What did you ask her?"

"Her birthday! Am I reading this correctly?"

She slammed her phone on my face just so I could read the message.

Furthermore, the hard screen collided with my nose, causing a small pain in return.

And on the screen it said...

"W-Well... She's lying, you know? I'm positive that her birthday is...!"

Um, what was her made-up birthday again?

I didn't bother to decorate it.

"Is.......?"

She's pressuring me.

This is bad, this is bad.

Come on, brain! Function! Function now that I need you the most!

Those eyes are exactly like a starved wolf looking for food to prey on!

"Do me a favor. Call Sagasuga, please. He's not that far away. You should be able to do it."

......................

"...Pass..."

Unfortunately, I know where she's going with this.

My carelessness got the best of me! I can't believe this!

"Oh, I see. You won't call him? Well, that's fine. I'll do it instead. Sagasuga!"

She literally shouted that.

Awkward attention was attracted in our direction. Fuck, this is so awkward.

Don't look at them, don't look at the rest of your classmates, Daniel. She'll endure this embarrassment alone.

I don't know her, I don't know her, I don't know her!

"Lus, what the hell did I say about misconducting yourself in class?"

That's right, Basara-sensei, tell her how it is!

Send her to the principal's office right away! Get this leech off me!!

"Oh... Sorry about that... I just had a doubt regarding a certain theme and I thought of asking Sagasuga for a little help. My partner isn't exactly cooperating."

"Make it quick. You got thirty seconds. Sagasuga, get your ass in there."

What the fuck! You're supposed to reprehend her! What is this shit?!

No, Sagasuga, don't come here! Stay there on your seat! Can't you see how Tateyana is fuming?! She's gonna explode, damn it!

Your insensitiveness might cost me my life, damn it!

"Yo. What part are you troubled with?"

"Ah, Sagasuga. That was a lie, sorry. If you don't mind me asking... When is your birthday?"

It's just thirty seconds, I have to do something.

"Sagas----!!!!!!"

My fucking toenail!! What is this bitch thinking?! She literally stepped on my toenail with all of her might!

God damn it!!

"Daniel? What's wrong dude, you alright?"

"Forget him. We have little time. Can you answer my question please?"

"September 25th... Ah, I was born in 2004. Why though?"

Damn it, Sagasuga! Can't you literally just tell that something happened?!

This malicious wretch crushed my toenail without any mercy whatsoever!

"Oh, that's---"

"30 seconds have passed. Sagasuga, return to your seat."

Basara-sensei spelled my doom essentially.

With Sagasuga returning to his seat, I was still clinging on to the base of my desk while enduring the crucial pain of having my toenail crushed.

I want to bend her spine in fucking half right now.

Despite that, I refused to face her direction.

Something tells me that I'm massively screwed.

"I knew something was up. You? Being genuine? No way. And of course, on top of being ingenuine, you lied to me. Not once, but twice. I suspect it's actually way more than that. Alas, I have enough evidence to blame you!"

This massive pain wasn't exactly making it easy, so I let the laugh I was trying to keep hidden loose.

Still not facing her direction, I rejoiced now that she realized she had been tricked.

"Hahaha..."

"You're laughing? Did I just hear a laugh?"

This time around, I turned back to her and faced her closely.

"Yeah, you dumb bitch. You got tricked. You fucking thought that I would just ask all of that? Fuck off. But hey! You literally bought my words for a second! You said something about being impressed, didn't you? You should've seen the look on your face Legit priceless, hahaha!!"

Her delusional happy smile almost brought tears to my face.

It was a scenario where I would probably have to pay billions just to get a glimpse of it yet I completely saw it for free!

But... She's looking down now.

Oh, I get it. I so get it! Too hard to accept that the almighty majesty herself got tricked by someone who she considers inferior?

Well, well, would you look at that? How the mighty have fallen!

Except you were never mighty in the first place!

"I hate liars...."

"You must hate yourself a lot since you tell yourself lies constantly then!"

Noticeably, I was insulting her on a low-voice, otherwise, this would get me caught immediately.

Only a loud voice would get caught. Plus, midst all this chatter going on between the pairs, it's only normal that this isn't being made out of a big case.

"Hahahah! You're right! Ooopsie! My bad there! Silly me got too confident! What a moron I just am! Oh well! Hey, here! I finished writing them down! Just for you! Take them!"

Smiling widely, she softly handed me the white sheet that had all of the themes.

Naturally, I used my two hands to receive it. However, I failed to predict something crucial.

"Oh, than--- FUCK!!"

Deep staggering pain infiltrated through my right leg's nerves instantly as soon as I felt a sharp edge connecting.

Accidentally, I ended up cursing out loud and attracted the attention of just about everyone.

This bitch, she...!

"Oi, Daniel. Who said you could curse out loud? Only I get to curse!"

"N-No, Basara-sensei, she.....! Gaaaahh!!"

How triggered do you have to be to stab someone in their leg with a pioneer out of rage!?

"You know what happens now, right?"

"Please I can actually explain..."

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

This pain is excruciatingly staggering! It's like I just got stabbed by a sharp spear! The equivalent of a lion's legs being rendered useless and weak in face of a firearm!

"Daniel, you know the rules and so do I."

Stabbed by a pioneer and getting Rick Rolled by your own teacher?! Damn it, it's the other way around for fuck's sake!

Only teachers are supposed to get Rick Rolled, not the other way around.

Officially the worst day I've had in a while.

Shamefully stepping out of the classroom, before I could leave, I made a small smirk.

Can't let the bitch think that she actually won the whole thing.

Yet that smirk vanished as soon as I crossed with Yulia.

Her dreadful expression spelled disaster for me later on.

Principal's office.

Still holding onto my leg, I entered the principal's office and for the first time ever, I came face to face with the renowned principal of this prestigious school.

The very person and reason as to why I'm not in juvenile now.

"1-F?"

Very much like Basara-sensei, this person was wearing a suit. Truly fit of a principal.

His bald head was his most noticeably preference alongside his firm glasses.

A very stoic and undeniable peerless sensation came forth as soon as he asked me that question.

"Yes..."

"What's your name, student from class 1-F?

Starring me down like a pinpoint, his eyesight was fully consumed of me.

It was as if a raging bull was marking me as his target...

"Daniel Lead."

"I see."

Although he said that, he typed something on his computer literally the second I said my name.

Is he searching my name on some sort of database or something?

"You're American. Why are you here, Daniel Lead, student of class 1-F?"

What the hell is this weird formality...

He's addressing me like I'm just a student and not a human being...

"Um... Sorry, would you be more specif-"

"I'm asking why you are here at this school. You clearly have this school's student uniform therefore you are undoubtedly a student here. However, how exactly did you get into this school?"

Is he asking me how I'm here?

I thought that out of all the people in this school that he would know this the best...

Feeling stiff in this uncomfortable chair, I awkwardly replied.

"...How do I say this... A cop drove me here and said that I would be attending this school from now on, which happened to be the case...."

Probably the worst choice of words.

And I just had a sense of déjà vu suddenly.

"That's a very hard-to-believe story. I'm afraid I'll have to expel you for partial infiltration."

"H-Huh!?"

Is he serious right now?! Is this some sort of sick joke?!

Fuck, this day has been going so badly for me!

"Kidding. Relax! Hahahaha!"

"H-Hahaha........"

Fuck this guy.

Who the hell tells such a bad joke in this sensitive scenario!?

"I know why you are here. After all, I am the sole reason as to why you are here in the first place, Daniel. Which is why I'll politely ask you to cease your rude behavior such as cursing mid-class. Classes are upheld for the purpose of learning important matters that will contribute to a greater future society. You might've done some bad doings, but I believe you can reform your ways. That's why you should stop it."

"...Stop what?"

"Your behavior. Your behavior is based on your ideology. It's not rare for teenagers of your age to think that they are free to do whatever they please just because they aren't shackled by greater responsibilities. That's wrong. You're wrong."

What the hell...

Why is this guy assuming so much...? We just met yet this bald-head is speaking as if he knows me from back to front.

"Cursing mid-class is a serious offense. Simply because cursing defeats the purpose of proper manners. Furthermore, if you ever enter society, then upholding basic manners is an elementary essence and the ultimate foundation of plausible behavior."

"Yes..."

"Every class in this school behaves properly. Strictly speaking, this is a school that only accepts honor students so the fact that your class full of questionable individuals was formed in the first place brings up a lot of controversies. You're not an exception to this phenomenon, Daniel. Do you know what other students would give to be in this school?"

"No..."

So annoying...

"More than you can possibly imagine. Yearly, this school rejects more than 50,000 students aiming to enter this school. The selection is strict yet necessary. Now, tell me this. What gives you the right to behave like this when there are such people out there who have the authentic desire to be in your place? Don't you think you are being a little bit hypocritical, Daniel?"

"E-Excuse me?"

I get the feeling that this guy's viewing me so lowly....

What the hell is this...

"Forgive me. That was completely unnecessary. I forgot my basic manners. Allow me to apologize."

"........."

This is so confusing... It's as if this guy is using me as a stepping stone to uphold his personal philosophies...

Fucking hate people like that, man...

"Ah yes... I have something to ask you, principal..."

"Yes?"

It would be bad if I forgot this... I would beat myself up if I didn't ask the principal, who is coincidentally right in front of me, this specific question.

"This is strange to ask but... Why does every single student view me with some sort of fear or paranoia...? I can't walk normally without having students run away from me."

"That's strange. Are you sure this isn't all in your mind, Daniel?"

"What?"

How is this in my mind?

Does the principal think that I am delusional or something? I am telling him the truth.

"Pardon my rudeness.... But, I'm aware that you are someone that has questionable tendencies and has practiced actions that imply such. Therefore, once again, allow me to apologize afterward if I'm being rude, but, are you sure you aren't suffering from a psychotic disorder?"

"I am positive that I am not suffering from a psychotic disorder..."

I behave authentically fine considering the majority of the circumstances.

It's a miracle that I haven't killed that bitch yet.

"Just for safety, I'll advise you to check this school's psychiatrist. Usually, it costs money, however... Out of kindness, I will give you a free visit. Give the psychiatrist this signed paper, please."

Handing me a perfectly clean white sheet with his signature and formal text, the principal offered me the possibility of attending this school's psychiatrist.

Not a psychologist, but a psychiatrist.

I wouldn't be this mad if I knew the difference in both!!

"Please reflect on your misconducted behavior and the words I gracefully spoke out to you, Daniel. You can do better. In fact, you must be better!"

Without saying anything, I left the principal's office.

Not knowing what to do, at the exit of the block, I took a nearby seat on one of the benches.

I attempted to read the text that was in the sheet lying in my shaky hands.

Yet I could not.

"What the fuck is this...."

Mental illness? Delusion? Psychotic disorder?

What the hell?

Who do you think you are?

Do you honestly think you know me just based on some stupid database data?

"Desperate?"

Why are you here too? Shut up.

Shut the hell up. Every single one of you.

"Please reflect on your misconducted behavior and the words I gracefully spoke out to you, Daniel. You can do better. In fact, you must be better!"

Why the hell are you putting expectations on me?

Better? I don't care about better.

"God fucking damn it.......!"

Ripping the paper to shreds, I let loose some of my steam.

I know it's insufficient to be qualified as a bad day, but I can't help but feel like the world is against me today.

I wonder if everyone has one of those days or if it's just me?

Also...

"Eat shit, you bald-head."