CHAPTER 6
682 Words
The morning air was still crisp when Akira walked through the school gates. It felt weird being there before the first bell. Usually, the sun was much higher by the time he showed up, but he had woken up restless and couldn't stand sitting in his room anymore. The hallways were mostly empty, save for a few overachievers and the janitors.
Akira headed toward the back of the gym. It was his usual spot, a quiet corner where the security cameras didn't quite reach and he could have a smoke in peace. He reached into his pocket for his lighter, looking forward to the quiet, but a loud, frantic voice cut through the silence.
"Hayase! Wait! Stop right there!"
Akira turned his head and saw Mr. Yamada, his homeroom teacher, sprinting across the courtyard. Yamada was a middle-aged guy who looked like he hadn't exercised since the nineties. His tie was tossed over his shoulder, and his face was a bright shade of red.
By the time the teacher reached Akira, he was doubled over, hands on his knees, gasping for air. He looked like he was about to pass out.
"Give... give me a second," Yamada wheezed, holding up a finger.
Akira just watched him, unimpressed. "You're going to have a heart attack, old man. What's so important that you're running like a track star?"
Yamada finally straightened up, still panting hard. He wiped sweat from his forehead with a crumpled tissue. "The Principal... and the department heads.
They’ve been looking for you since yesterday. The regional Quiz Bee tournament is next week. They already put your name on the list."
Akira rolled his eyes and leaned against the gym wall. "I told you guys before, I’m not interested in those nerdy trophies. Get someone from the honors club to do it."
"We can't," Yamada said, finally catching his breath but still sounding desperate. "None of them have your scores. You’re the best we’ve got, Akira. The school needs this win, especially with all the... well, the trouble you and Kozuki cause. If you do this, the higher-ups might actually stop breathing down my neck about your attendance."
Akira looked at the cigarette in his hand, then back at the sweating, stressed-out man in front of him. He didn't care about the school’s reputation, but he knew Yamada was the only teacher who didn't treat him like a complete lost cause.
Before he could answer, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed nearby. Both of them looked over to see Takiro strolling up, looking as messy as ever with a lopsided grin on his face.
"Yo, Akira! You're actually early? I thought I was hallucinating," Takiro laughed, ignoring the teacher completely. "And look at Yamada. You okay, Teach? You look like you just ran a marathon in those dress shoes."
Yamada sighed, looking between the two delinquents. The intensity of the situation was rising. The school was quiet, but the pressure of the upcoming competition was already starting to weigh on the atmosphere. Akira wasn't just a fighter anymore; he was a weapon the school was desperate to use for its own gain.
Akira tucked his cigarette back into the pack and looked at the gym roof. "Fine. I'll do your stupid quiz. But tell the Principal to stay out of my way for the rest of the month."
Yamada looked like he wanted to hug Akira but thought better of it. "I’ll tell him. Just... try not to get into any fights until then, okay?"
As Yamada walked away, still trying to fix his messy suit, Takiro bumped Akira's shoulder.
"A Quiz Bee, huh? Our big bad monster is going to go save the school with his brain this time?"
Akira started walking toward the main building. "Shut up, Takiro. It’s better than sitting in class listening to him talk for an hour."
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