"You want me to be a teacher? Seriously?" Shichen stared at Natsuki Minamiya in disbelief.
"What's so unbelievable about that? Or did you expect me to support you?"
"Well, that wouldn't be so bad."
"Keep dreaming!" Natsuki rolled her eyes. "You said you can teach, right? That wasn't a lie, was it?"
"Of course not, but what about my identity?"
"Hmph." Natsuki let out a scoff. "Didn't you say you know who I am? Getting you an identity is child's play."
"All right then."
"Let's go." Right after speaking, a magic circle appeared behind her. It promptly swallowed her petite figure, which vanished from sight.
Shichen looked on enviously.
He decided that once he obtained mana, he would ask Natsuki to teach him her spatial control magic—how convenient that would be!
He also recalled the everyday life magic of his former master, Flamme (in the "Frieren" world).
When he finally had mana, he could revisit Frieren and his master too.
…
Shichen spent two leisurely days at Natsuki's place. Within that time, she fixed up his identity, making him her cousin.
Perhaps out of spite—or maybe deliberately—she had him listed as younger than her, even though he had previously said he was older.
Now Shichen had to call her "Onee-san."
Of course, back at home, he wasn't about to call her that—it was still "Natsuki-chan" for him. But out in public, he had no choice.
His refined aura actually fit well with someone from Natsuki's lineage; she was part of a noble bloodline, and he looked every bit the aristocratic type.
With his new identity set, the next step was work. Natsuki Minamiya had it all arranged: she got him a job at her own school—Saikai Private Academy.
Saikai Private Academy was located in the southern part of Itogami City—a combined junior-high/high-school coed institution. Most of the children of Itogami Island's research staff went there.
Incidentally, Natsuki had graduated from that same school.
Four days after arriving in this world, Shichen, escorted by Natsuki, breezed through an interview—thanks to her referral.
Unfortunately, nearly all teaching posts were filled, so the only available position was middle-school P.E. teacher.
Natsuki wasted no time installing him in that slot, giving him zero say in the matter—quite the big-sister move.
"Didn't expect you to have a younger brother, Natsuki-chan! He's so handsome—does he have a girlfriend?" Sasasaki Misaki sidled up to Shichen, giving him a playful bump of her shoulder.
Sasasaki Misaki had once been Natsuki's junior at Saikai Private Academy, now a middle-school P.E. teacher herself. She had dark-red hair styled into odango buns and wore a form-fitting qipao that showed off mesmerizing curves—a typical "Chinese girl" style.
She was entirely different from the chilly, serious Natsuki, with a perpetual bright smile. She'd been present during the interview, too.
Her relationship with Natsuki seemed pretty good—she even tousled Natsuki's hair sometimes. Natsuki would refuse, but without real hostility.
"Shichen, ignore that dumb dog," Natsuki said coldly.
"Got it, Natsuki…nee," Shichen replied, not so much as glancing at Sasasaki Misaki.
They'd agreed he had to call Natsuki "oneesan" in public—he still wasn't used to it.
"Ehh? Natsuki-chan, why? Are you some siscon? Then again, with such a good-looking younger brother, I can't blame you," Sasasaki teased, sidling over to nudge Natsuki again.
"You in heat, you dumb dog?" Natsuki asked, annoyed, shoving Sasasaki away.
"But he's just so good-looking! And since we'll be co-workers now, might as well keep that 'fertilizer in the family,' right?"
"You're just thinking with your hormones!"
"Can't we let feelings develop over time?"
"No, we can't!"
"Why not? Don't tell me you want him for yourself?"
"You… dumb dog!"
Natsuki, at her limit, caused her fan to vanish and then reappear above Sasasaki's head, smacking her hard.
"Ow…that really hurts!" Sasasaki pouted, rubbing the sore spot with teary eyes.
"Hmph! I was just knocking some sense into you," Natsuki retorted mercilessly.
"So mean~"
"Ugh, I'm done with you. Shichen, let's go," Natsuki turned toward the school gate.
Sasasaki Misaki whimpered, "All right… Shichen, see you later." She waved reluctantly.
"See you," Shichen responded politely, giving a small wave.
With that, he followed Natsuki out of the school. The moment they'd exited the gate, she stopped, turning to glare at him.
"What's with that look, Natsuki-chan…er, nee," he corrected.
"In public, call me Oneesan!" she barked.
"Oh…"
"I have a question: were you showing interest in that dumb dog earlier?"
"Huh?" Shichen stared blankly.
"Huh, indeed! Why were you all polite to her?"
"All I did was say goodbye! And how did that suggest any 'interest?' It was literally our first time meeting."
Natsuki let out a cold snort. "Hmph! Who knows, maybe you're the type who falls for everyone."
"That's not it. I feel nothing for Sasasaki-sensei," he promised.
"…So you really just prefer loli girls?" Natsuki gave him a wary look.
"I'm not a lolicon—I just happen to like someone who's a loli."
"…" Natsuki was briefly at a loss for words; then she produced her fan and promptly teleported away.
"You can walk home on your own."
Shichen shook his head in exasperation, trekking back to the apartment on foot. He had no access to that spatial teleport of hers anyway. He could only hope he wasn't immune to his own spells if he ever learned them.
The apartment wasn't far from Saikai Private Academy, so he arrived in no time. Along the way, he drew looks from various housewives, but spotted no acquaintances.
He dared not wander anywhere else. Natsuki hadn't given him permission.
In these past days, now that he'd settled down a bit, he'd show his interest in Natsuki quite openly at home. Not by flat-out saying "I love you," but with remarks like "Don't always scowl like that—you're cuter with a smile" or "Be kinder to me."
Here in Japan, complimenting a woman as "cute" basically implied romantic interest, and Shichen truly did like Natsuki. But from her standpoint, they were still practically strangers, so she wasn't going to reciprocate in any romantic way. Plus, his open flattery made her suspect he might be the type who would flirt with anyone.
Given his imposing aura—and that True Ancestor energy—it wasn't a stretch.
So she'd made a rule that he couldn't go out much, lest he "spread his flowers" in an island that was full of open-minded women. A gorgeous young man like him… definitely a recipe for trouble.
"You're back—make me some black tea," Natsuki commanded the moment he entered.
"Sure," Shichen obediently answered.
Brewing tea for her didn't bother him. While he freeloaded, it seemed only fair to put in effort; after all, once he earned money, he'd regain some self-respect.
Once the tea was done, he sat across from Natsuki, quietly enjoying its aroma with her. Unfortunately, she was on a single-seat sofa, so no chance of sitting next to her. But someday, when they got closer, maybe he'd have her sit on his lap…
They didn't get to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere for long. Setting aside her cup, Natsuki turned her gaze on him. "You're not against teaching P.E., right?"
"I can handle it," he nodded.
"No problem?"
"Trust me."
"All right. You are supposed to be my 'younger brother'—it'd be embarrassing if you messed up."
"…Got it, Natsu—nee."
"You're so not cute," she grumbled.
"Haha, you didn't say I had to call you that at home," Shichen retorted smugly.
"Fine. I want to see how good you are at teaching."
"Don't worry."
His first day of classes arrived swiftly. On his third day of employment, he would start. Late March nearing April, the weather in Itogami City was downright hot. Yet students never lost enthusiasm for phys ed.
At the junior-high division, Year 1, Class B:
"Kojou, I hear we're getting our own P.E. teacher, so Misaki-sensei won't be subbing anymore," Yase Motoki, who sat at the back of the room, said to the boy on his right: Akatsuki Kojou.
"Whatever—just gimme basketball," Kojou replied without interest.
"Too bad the hot teacher's leaving… Hey, Asagi, do you know anything about the new teacher?" Yase Motoki turned to the girl on his left—Aiba Asagi.
"Doesn't matter." Asagi shrugged, equally unconcerned.
~~~
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