The Disastrous Life of Saiki

(Teruhashi Kokomi steps into the classroom, her usual perfect smile hiding the discomfort she feels when Iguchi-sensei glances at her. His eyes linger just a second too long, and she quickly looks away, heading to her seat.)

Teruhashi (thinking): That was… weird. But I can't make a fuss. I'm the school's angel, after all.

(She sits down and begins unpacking her bag when her attention is drawn to a pencil rolling onto the floor. It belongs to Saiki Kusuo, sitting beside her. Without thinking, she leans down to pick it up. At the same time, Saiki stretches his hand for it too, and their hands touch briefly.)

(Teruhashi freezes, her face turning red as she looks at Saiki, who remains as blank as ever. For her, this is a really important moment.)

Teruhashi (thinking): Saiki-kun… is this fate? Is this a sign? Maybe it's time… time to confess my feelings! Finnaly!

(Saiki puts his hand back, already regretting his decision to pick up the pencil.)

Saiki (thinking): I should've let her grab it. Now she's staring at me. Why does this always happen?

(Teruhashi sits back up, clutching the pencil, her heart pounding. She opens her mouth to say something, but before she can, a loud commotion interrupts her thoughts. Takahashi, running late, bursts into the room at full speed.)

Takahashi: I'm sorry I'm late..

(He doesn't finish. His foot catches on the edge of a chair, and he trips weirdly, flailing wildly. Before he can hit the ground, Iguchi-sensei swoops in, catching him in an overly dramatic fashion. The teacher ends up holding Takahashi in an awkward position, his arm wrapped around the student's waist while the other steadies his shoulder.)

Iguchi: Are you alright, Takahashi? That was a close call.

(Teruhashi's moment of love is completely shattered as the entire class bursts into laughter. She glares at Takahashi, her hands clenching the pencil tightly.)

Teruhashi (thinking): I hate you, Takahashi. I really hate you.

(Meanwhile, Saiki, watching the chaos unfold, sighs in relief.)

Saiki (thinking): Takahashi might be clumsy, but he saved me from that disaster. For once, his timing was perfect.

(Iguchi-sensei helps Takahashi to his seat, and the class settles down, though a few students are still giggling. Teruhashi, flustered and frustrated, glances at Saiki. He's already looking away, indifferent as usual.)

Teruhashi (thinking): This isn't over, Saiki-kun. I'll find another chance.

(Saiki, sensing her thoughts, rests his chin on his hand, resigned.)

Saiki (thinking): I'd rather you didn't.

(The lesson begins, but for Teruhashi, the day's mission has only just begun.)