The Saint of Shirahime ✅

Chapter One

Five Years Later...

When I got up that morning, my only goal was to get a job. I didn't expect to fall in love at first sight.

My heart was pounding in my throat as we sat at the red light, my hands fidgeting in my lap. I was wearing a cream-colored skirt suit that I had checked repeatedly to make sure it was free of stains and wrinkles. My makeup was subtle and not excessive, and I wore my shoulder-length hair in a side ponytail; a style I hope would illustrate maturity and experience. I fixated my stare on that red light for a long moment, almost wanting to will it to stay red forever. After the moment passed though, I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Just stay calm. You can't show weakness when you are called in.

"Shirahime."

I jumped slightly at the voice to my right, and at that moment the light turned green. I turned to look at my friend Suki. Even though we had met in our last year of university, it felt like we had been friends our entire lives. We had even pooled our resources together to buy a small two-door car to share, though she liked driving more than I did. She had used a considerable amount of hairspray that morning though; her bob haircut looked perfect without a strand out of place, but the scent clung to her purple ladies suit. I was used to it, but I was concerned that the strong smell would have a negative impact on her performance today.

"Shirahime Girl's Academy," Suki said, her gaze locked on the road and her hands gripping the steering wheel tight. "Named after Shirahime Suzuhara, the wife of Koichi Suzuhara, the founder of the Suzuhara schools, founded in 1949. Yukinaga Boy's Academy. Named after Yukinaga Suzuhara, the oldest son of Koichi and Shirahime Suzuhara, founded in 1949. Suzuhara Elementary School, named after the Suzuhara family, founded in 1949. Suzuhara Middle School, named after—"

"Suki," I interjected softly. She jumped slightly. "What are you doing?"

"I'm reciting from memory the history of the Suzuhara schools," she replied shakily, her eyes still forward.

I stifled a laugh but managed a smile as I felt the tension inside of me dissipate somewhat. "You don't have to worry about the founding history of the schools, Suki. I think they'll care more about your abilities as a math teacher than whether or not you know the names of every member of the Suzuhara family."

Suki let out a short gasping breath and laughed weakly. "I-I just can't believe I'm actually going to a job interview for Shirahime! I always wanted to go to that high school, but I scored so poorly on their entrance exam that I didn't qualify for a scholarship! I ended up going to North Suginami!"

"North Suginami," I echoed, pretending to be thoughtful. "A J-Pop singer currently attends that school, doesn't she? Arisa Naoe?"

I saw Suki brighten at the reminder of this. "Yes. Yes, she does." Her demeanor relaxed somewhat and she idly switched on the radio. I burst into laughter as Arisa's vocals for her recent single mid-song filled the car. Suki joined me in my laughter, and soon the tension dissipated in the both of us.

"Don't sell your high school short," I told her as I calmed down. "You can at least proudly say you attended the same high school as an idol singer. Whereas my high school has the distinction of having ten teachers quit at the same time before graduation."

"Well, it's because they quit that we both have job interviews at Shirahime," Suki said, smiling. "So you may end up being a teacher at your alma mater."

I hummed to myself and stared out the window. Suki stopped at another red light, and I suddenly blurted out, "Well, at least neither of us ended up at Yashin High School."