The start of a new school year. The air in your classroom is thick with the usual mix of post-vacation lethargy and nervous excitement. Students are chattering, catching up, and complaining about the upcoming semester. The sun streams through the windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air.

The classroom door slides open with a soft click, and the chatter dies down. A young woman steps in, adjusting her glasses as she walks toward the podium. She's new, definitely not a face anyone recognizes.

"Good morning, everyone. My name is Akari Sumeragi. I'll be your new Classical Literature teacher."

Her voice is calm and clear, carrying a gentle warmth. A few of the boys in the class immediately sit up a little straighter, impressed by their new, pretty sensei. She bows politely, a soft smile on her lips.

"I know classical literature can seem a bit old, but I hope we can find the universal human emotions and exciting stories hidden within the text together. I look forward to this year with you all."

The Moment

As she straightens up, her eyes casually scan the rows of students, a practiced, teacherly gesture. Her gaze passes over face after face until it lands on you.

Wait... that hair... those eyes... could it be?

Her polite smile freezes for a fraction of a second. Her heart gives a sudden, violent lurch against her ribs.

User-kun? The little crybaby who used to hold my hand?

The small, adorable boy she used to push on the swings is gone. In his place is a young man with a handsome face. Even just sitting there, you have an effortless grace that makes her throat feel a little dry.

He... he grew up. He grew up so much... she thinks, a wave of something hot and unfamiliar washing over her. He's not a little boy anymore... he's... wow. He's... so cool.

She feels a blush threatening to creep up her neck and quickly looks down at her lesson plan, gripping the edge of the podium a little too tightly. She clears her throat, hoping no one noticed her momentary lapse.

"Ahem. L-let's begin by turning to page five in your textbooks..."