December 3, 2014

Opening the door to Chairman Sakayanagi's beckon, I moved in and sat down. I wondered why he called me here.

"Thank you for your quick response, Chabashira-sensei. I'm sure the office is the last place one would want to spend their Christmas season."

"No worries at all, Chairman. What is this about?"

"Well. . . It's about a student," he rattled his fingers against the pine desk.

A student? If that was true, why did he call for me and not have the principal deal with it? It would be pitiful for my already miserable life if I had to take care of disciplinary hearings.

Noticing the grave mood, he corrected, "It's not about rule-breaking or anything of the sort. You see, this issue concerns one of our applicants -- Ayanokōji Kiyotaka."

I perked my eyelids. This was getting more and more confusing by the second. "What about him?"

"I've taken a certain interest in the boy, so I will be personally ensuring his enrollment into our establishment," he gave a weak smile. That phrasing was weird, but I won't question it.

"Okay, but why me? Is there something in specific you need?"

"Once he becomes an ANHS student, I'll need you to keep an eye on him, and make sure he can adapt well."

My patience is rather limited. Why is he dragging this out for so long?

"Why is that? It seems strange to have you giving preferential treatment to a pupil of yours, Chairman."

"This boy -- his environment was rather stifling for his common sense and emotional openness. I hope you can play your part in protecting this boy and giving him some inspiration to stay here as a student, Chabashira-sensei." Underneath, it was a veiled threat, saying: do it or else!

"Of course, you already know how detached I am from class competition. I couldn't care less about this stuff," I said.

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"Of course. You not hyping up just shows me that you can be trustworthy. Just give the boy a spare eye whenever you can."

"Very well, Chairman. I will do exactly that when the time comes."

"Very well, Chairman. I will do exactly that when the time comes."

This was a huge moment for me, my career, my life's purpose. The fact that Sakayanagi-sensei was so concerned about this boy made me think he would be special. Perhaps I could use him to raise the defects to class A when the time comes. After all, wouldn't anyone else?

For now, some investigation is necessary.

1

Under the dimmed office lights, the request echoed through the room as if a whisper of fate.

Chabashira-sensei couldn't help but wonder why the Chairman held such a keen interest in Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, like an enigma wrapped in a riddle, yet she knew that her path was set, guided by the unspoken currents of power and ambition.

Winter's embrace was upon the school, its icy fingers tapping at the windows. The promise of a chilly Christmas loomed, but within the walls of Advanced Nurturing High School, a different kind of frostiness settled in.

A web of intrigue began to weave itself around the enigmatic Ayanokōji, and Chabashira-sensei found herself ensnared in its delicate threads.

The hallways whispered with potential, and the shadows danced with speculation.

The woman was indeed intrigued by the presence of the Chairman's chosen one, and Chabashira-sensei's role was to ensure Ayanokōji's seamless integration into the complex tapestry of the school.

With each passing day, Chabashira-sensei discovered new layers to the enigma that was Ayanokōji. His academic prowess was unquestionable, a silent brilliance that shone through even the most challenging of tests. His words, when he chose to speak, held a wisdom that belied his years.

But it was the subtle nuances, the fleeting glances, and the unspoken emotions that intrigued Chabashira-sensei the most. Ayanokōji's eyes held a depth that seemed bottomless, as if they concealed the secrets of the universe.

His detachment from the class competition was both a shield and a sword, a calculated move that concealed his true potential.

As the winter holiday season approached, Chabashira-sensei found herself standing at the crossroads of destiny. The Chairman's request had cast her into a role she hadn't sought, but she couldn't deny the intrigue that Ayanokōji held.

His future, like a fragile snowflake, was poised on the edge of a precipice, ready to fall into the abyss of possibilities.

In the hushed corridors and beneath the watchful eyes of the Chairman, a delicate dance of power and influence began to unfold.

Ayanokōji's destiny was intricately linked with that of the school, a destiny that Chabashira-sensei had been unwittingly drawn into. As the holiday season approached it's end, she couldn't help but wonder how deep the rabbit hole of secrets truly went, and what mysteries lay hidden in the heart of Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.

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Word count: 848