COTE:SHATTERED BONDS

[3] THE NEW TEACHER

▪︎◇
The New Teacher
◇▪︎

The halls of Advanced Nurturing High School buzzed with excitement and speculation. Whispers spread among the students about the unexpected announcement of a new teacher. Anzai Kazue was set to teach humanities and social sciences-subjects that hadn't been part of the curriculum before. The surprise was palpable.

In Class A, students gathered in clusters, debating the implications of the new subject. "Humanities? What does that even mean for us?" a student muttered, flipping through the course catalog. "Are we going to have to analyze novels or something?"

"I heard he's young-like, really young," another chimed in, leaning closer to catch the latest gossip. "They say he looks like he walked out of a painting or something."

Meanwhile, in Class B, the students were just as intrigued. "Is this new teacher some kind of prodigy?" one girl asked, glancing over her notes. "How did he even get hired here?"

"It doesn't matter," a boy scoffed. "As long as he doesn't make us do group projects. I can't stand working with some of these idiots."

Class C was filled with a more skeptical energy. "A new teacher, huh?" one student said with a smirk. "Let's see if he can survive this place. They're just setting him up for failure."

"Yeah, especially with how ruthless Ryuen can be," another added, casting a wary glance at the gang leader who was already plotting how to manipulate the situation to his advantage. "I wouldn't want to be in his shoes."

In Class D, the students were equally curious but felt a sense of unease. "What if he's actually nice?" one boy wondered aloud. "It could be a game changer for us."

"Nice doesn't matter when you're up against Class C," replied another student, shaking his head. "But I hope he is; we could use someone like that."

◇◇◇

As the day progressed, an official announcement was made about a special ceremony in the hall. All students were required to attend, and anticipation filled the air. The school's auditorium, usually a place for heated debates and discussions, was charged with curiosity about the newcomer.

As students filed in, they took their seats, buzzing with chatter. The headmaster stepped onto the stage, his voice booming as he addressed the crowd. "Students, today we introduce a new member of our esteemed faculty. Please welcome Mr. Anzai Kazue, who will be teaching humanities and social sciences."

The students erupted into applause, and Kazue stepped onto the stage, a confident yet warm smile spreading across his face. He was striking, with his white hair gleaming under the bright lights and sharp golden eyes that seemed to hold a wealth of knowledge. Kazue exuded a noble aura that immediately drew attention.

"Thank you for the warm welcome," Kazue began, his voice steady and inviting. "I'm excited to join this incredible institution and work with all of you. My goal is to help you understand the world through different perspectives, and I hope to make our classes engaging and thought-provoking."

As Kazue spoke, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Students exchanged glances, surprised at how young he appeared. "Is he really just twenty-four?" a first-year whispered in disbelief.

"He looks more like a model than a teacher," a second-year chimed in, clearly captivated.

Even the third-year students leaned forward, their previous disinterest replaced with curiosity. "This might actually be interesting," one of them noted, nodding toward Kazue.

In the corner of the auditorium, the student council president, a composed and observant figure, scrutinized Kazue closely. "He seems different," he remarked to his fellow council members. "There's a sincerity in his demeanor. We should keep an eye on him."

The faculty's reactions varied. Some teachers exchanged skeptical glances, questioning the decision to hire someone so young. Others, however, felt a spark of hope. A few seasoned teachers nodded, recognizing the potential in Kazue's approach.

As Kazue wrapped up his introduction, the applause thundered through the hall, echoing the mixed emotions of anticipation and skepticism among the students. He felt a sense of fulfillment; he had taken the first step toward building a bridge to his brother.

◇◇◇

After the ceremony, Kazue made his way through the throngs of students who were still buzzing with excitement. As he walked, he could hear snippets of conversations. "Did you see how he looked at us?" a girl exclaimed. "He's like a prince or something!"

Kazue couldn't help but smile at their reactions. He was determined to show them that he was not just a pretty face but a teacher willing to challenge them and support their growth.

Little did they know that this young teacher was not just a newcomer but someone with a deep-rooted connection to the very heart of the school's struggles. And as he settled into his role, Kazue knew he was one step closer to finding Kiyotaka.