Chapter Text
CLAPPING hands were heard inside the hall. A roaring thunder that refused to abate.
The silver-haired director of the Nagoya High School was all smiles, pride etched on his face.
The high-schooler Inori also couldn’t contain her excitement. She was so proud of her best friend Hikaru, whose project was chosen for the Science Koshien that won a top prize. She took her left hand and squeezed it. The two giggled sharing that beautiful moment.
The director onstage was beaming.
“We owe it to our own resident scientist, Dr. Jun Yodaka, for giving our school the opportunity to win a prestigious award for this year’s science cup again. So I’d like to call the wizard himself. Jun, come up here and give us a nice ol’ speech.”
The man of the hour, whose hair was as black as the raven with white tufts on his left head and had eyes that shone like golden peridots, stood next to an exchange teacher from the United States, the English teacher Riley Fox.
“Congratulations, Teacher Yodaka!” She embraced him and kissed his cheek much to the detriment of the taller man, who happened to be Inori’s class adviser. He was also the sports and PE teacher. Tsukasa Akeuraji was his name. He stood next to the American woman.
“Hikaru, check out Teacher Tsukasa.”
“Oho!”
Tsukasa narrowed his eyes toward the American colleague, who appeared affectionate to Jun. The woman was being touchy-feely to the science teacher.
“Ahh, look at his murderous face!” Whispered Hikaru to her friend.
“If looks could kill…” Inori snickered then covered her mouth to stop the others from hearing their voices.
Sir Jun onstage was a commanding figure. While Ms Fox gushed at the science teacher, Sir Akeuraji could only watch. His lips a straight line. His cheeks bore reddish dots under the eyes.
When the ceremony program had ended, Inori saw the group of faculty teachers whisked Dr. Yodaka away walking in the arms of Ms Fox. Teacher Akeuraji was a few steps behind, his head down and clenched hands.
What could he be thinking? The two girls wondered.