TTIGRAAS: Predator

Chapter 21

I had arrived several weeks after classes had started, so my new job began immediately the next day. Walking down the dorm lobby, I saw Yuuki waiting for me on the couch.

"Oh, Rimuru!" He sat up excitedly, "you ready?"

"...yes." I eyed him suspiciously, Yuuki's enthusiasm was a little much for just picking me up to meet Class S... and it seemed to have something to do with the folded bundle of cloth I could see behind his back with [Magic Sense].

"Great!" Yuuki beamed, "I figured you might need a hand to get those kids' trust. They're a real tight bunch after all, but I brought just the thing to help!"

Yup, here it comes.

Whipping out a school uniform with great fanfare, Yuuki said excitedly, "look! If you dress like them, I'm sure they'll warm up to you in no time!"

All I could do for a moment was stare.

"...that's a girl's uniform," I said flatly.

"Uh-huh!" Yuuki's false innocence was really getting on my nerves.

"Dude, I already have an outfit!" I gestured to the long-sleeved white shirt, black vest, and black slacks I had made with [Material Creation]. "A teacher's outfit. I thought we'd already decided on this?"

"Well, you don't have to be a student to wear the uniform!" Yuuki smiled, though a pout was audible in his voice.

"For the last time, no!" I hissed, striding towards the door. "Put that thing away and start acting like an adult."

"Ooh, feeling touchy?" He laughed as he followed me out, "are those nerves I can sense from you?"

"No, it's annoyance. Learn to recognize it." I shoved the arm Yuuki had tried to sling over my shoulders away. Thankfully, his annoyingly familiar antics calmed down as we entered the school halls. I guessed Yuuki didn't want to put on a show like that in front of all the students he was over.

"Alright," Yuuki led me to a door labeled 'Class S,' "last chance to back out."

"Over my dead body," I huffed. "Let's do this."

Yuuki cracked a grin at my determination, and gestured for me to take the lead.

Opening the door, I stepped into the room wearing my classic salesman's smile–only to be met with a flaming sword to the face.

"Well," I deadpanned, grabbing hold of the burning blade and disarming the kid who'd tried to toast me alive. "I think I see why everyone else was scared off."

Yuuki was laughing behind me, while the spiky redheaded 8-year-old stared at me in shock.

"Nice going, Kenya!" A blonde girl started taunting him, "that didn't even work!"

"H-hey! It's not my fault the guy's fireproof!" Kenya, apparently, turned red and immediately began arguing back. Turning to me, he yelled, "that doesn't count! You cheated!"

First, I was really glad I'd created these clothes instead of buying them, or they'd be singed now. But second...

"So trying to maim someone the moment you meet them is a game to you?" I scolded, taking control of the magic on the sword so it stayed burning. Running a hand along it, I invoked my skill [Black Flame] and changed the color of the fire before holding it in front of me. I thought showing off a little might help earn me some respect.

Thanks for the assist, sage!

[[Confimed. It is not a problem.]]

"Woah!" The redhead, Kenya, stared in complete awe. "You gotta show me how to do that!" He jumped up and down eagerly, "please please please please please!"