I Have an Important Matter to Announce Today

The next day arrived, signaling the beginning of a brand new week.

Himari went to school as usual. After putting down her books, she made a cup of tea for herself before sitting back at her desk.

The teachers' room was filled with the other teachers. They were all waiting for their school principal to come. Not long after, the tall and lanky old man came inside the room. His usual calm temperament seemed a bit off today.

"Why does the principal look so nervous?" Himari glanced at the school principal from where she sat.

"It seems like there's something big that would happen today," Teacher Ayase who sat next to her whispered.

It was the period before the homeroom teachers went to their respective classes. Today, the school principal alerted them that they had to gather inside the teachers' office for an important announcement.

Not far from where Himari and Teacher Ayase sat, Yuina was focused on the principal as well.

Today was Monday, the day her husband said there would be a surprise for her.

He went out earlier because he needed to join the filming crew of Howling of the Deep Jungle. Ryuu didn't say where the venue was but Yuina thought it must be one of the studios in the city as he didn't bring any suitcase with him to stay overnight.

"Alright. I have an important matter to announce today," The principal clapped his hands once, gathering the other teachers' attention.

With everyone's focus on him, the principal said out loud with pride in his eyes.

"This comes as a sudden but, our school, Amamiya School of Early Learning has been chosen to be one of the shooting scenes for a film!"

His words caused a sensation inside the room.

"What?"

"How come?"

"What film?"

While everyone threw out questions one by one, Yuina was wide-eyed with surprise. The pen that was in her grasp almost fell on the desk.

"...What?"

Before Yuina could register her shock, the principal spoke again.

"The filming crew is already here. They would film a scene in a classroom, then a little bit around our school. I'm hoping for your cooperation. The students might feel overwhelmed when they come across the crew. So, it's our job to keep them in check."

This... Does it mean that... He is here?

While Yuina was immersed in her own thoughts, her surroundings were still filled with surprised gasps.

"Does we have to sign a confidentiality agreement as well?" One of the teachers raised up a hand and asked.

"It's placed on the school's stead, signifying all of our agreement. So, if you don't want your bonus to be deducted, behave," The principal's smile turned sneaky at the end of his sentence.

A burst of laughter filled the entire teachers' room.

"Principal, you haven't told us which film crew it is? Who's the male lead? Is he a top actor? A handsome man?"

The female teacher's question was welcomed with applause by the fellow young female teachers. The male teachers deliberately sighed, showing their jealousy.

"Hoho, he's a really top actor, you'd be surprised," The principal winked. He turned around, getting ready to leave, "Alright, I'll stop talking here. There's another thing but I'd leave it to the director."

"What?"

"The director?"

Once the principal finished speaking, the door of the teachers' room was opened from the outside. A middle-aged man in casual clothes entered, followed by another young man.

Someone gasped, "That's...! Director Aoyama!"

"It's really him!"

The man stood next to the principal. He quietly scanned the room. His face was without an expression but his gaze was sharp.

Yuina sucked in a deep breath.

This man... is really the renowned director!

Is Ryuu's surprise involved...

Filming the early scenes in this school?

Then...

I could see him in action?

For some reason, her heartbeat quickened.

"Ehem, good day, everyone," Director Aoyama coughed once.

The others were quiet as they anticipated what he wanted to say. A few of them waited in bated breaths with wild guesses popping in their heads.

"We're here for the filming of a film. Because of something that happened to one of the supporting cast, I would like to choose one of you, the teachers here, for a short scene in the film."

"What?"

"Wow!"

"Hey! The protagonist is Film Emperor Ishizaki, right? This must be the film!"

The young female teachers were exhilarated when they heard it. They didn't even expect to hear such good news!

Director Aoyama continued speaking without paying attention to the small commotion.

"For the sake of being as true as possible, I'd like to have a female teacher for Mathematics for Grade Three students to act in the scene. Of course, your appearance would be credited as well."

One by one, Director Aoyama mentioned the reason why he was here.

More whispers came out as they glanced at one another.

Why must it be a Mathematics teacher? Can't they use another subject as well?

"I think Teacher Masuda should be the one," The principal suggested, "She's a Mathematics teacher for third graders. The other female teacher is Teacher Subaru but she's on maternity leave while the rest are males."

Pairs of eyes looked at Yuina who was dumbfounded from the start.

"...Me? But, I don't really know how to act," Yuina pointed at herself in bafflement.

Director Aoyama's eyes lit up. He took a long stride to get to Yuina's desk.

"Have you acted before?" He caught the keyword in her sentence.

"I've acted in stage plays in university before," admitted Yuina, "But, it's already long ago."

"It's okay, it's okay! Just act like how you used to when teaching your students. It's just a short scene at the beginning of the film. Let's go now!"

"Yes, Teacher Masuda. You should take this opportunity to try a new matter," The school principal interjected, "Follow Director Aoyama. He is sincere enough to come choosing our teachers by himself."

Yuina was silent for a while.

To her, it was too far-fetched for a renowned director to come choosing minor role actors for his films. Even though he was serious with his work, he could just have his assistant coming here.

And, the role seemed like perfectly matched her job.

She couldn't help but be doubtful if this was Ryuu's doings. As the film emperor, his words carried weight when discussing the matters regarding the filming with the directors and the scriptwriters.

Was it really?

"Okay, I'll try it. Please take care of me, Director Aoyama."

Yuina agreed to the task. The director showed a satisfied smile while the principal was beaming in delight.

"Good! The scene would just take five minutes of your time. Let's go!"

Yuina followed behind the director and the school principal, feigning calmness when she was actually nervous and excited.

Envious gazes followed her as she walked out of the teachers' room. Not to forget nasty words from equally distasteful people.

"Tsk! Is the director blind for choosing her? She's not that young anymore."

"Why didn't he pick the younger ones?"

"I bet she would be chase out later. Haha, does she think she could really act?"

BAM!

The three young female teachers were startled at the sudden noise. All of them looked at where the sound came from.

"Oh, why does the air suddenly stink here?" Himari swept a gaze at the female teachers after dropping a stack of books on the desk. Her voice and gaze were cold as they were directed at them, "Does anyone forgot to shower for days?"

"Pfft!"

Teacher Goda snorted. Teacher Ayase who still sat next to Himari sneered. Before long, the other teachers began snickering.

"What... Watch your mouth!" One of them was Teacher Sagami, Art teacher for Grade Three, "We're not talking about you!"

Himari scoffed. She never had good impressions of these three teachers even though they were around the same age as her.

Teacher Sagami and her clique were the ones who often talked bad behind Teacher Masuda, no matter about her hidden husband or whenever they caught Teacher Masuda using low-key bags, clothes or shoes from high-end brands.

"It's time for homeroom session," Himari shifted her eyes from them to Teacher Ayase, "I'll go first."

"Ah, I'll just follow you," Teacher Ayase took her books then stood up, "It sucks to breathe the same air with this kind of people."

Another peal of laughter echoed in the room.

Teacher Sagami and her two friends flushed in anger. They harrumphed, turned around and left the room with their high-heels clicking on the floor.

Since their direction was the same, Himari and Teacher Ayase walked together. Class 3-2 and Class 3-3 were located next to each other.

"Don't mind them," Teacher Ayase glanced at Himari, "They don't have any substance. They only know to talk bad about people because they don't want the people they envy to shine."

Himari was in agreement with the older teacher.

"Teacher Masuda hasn't done anything wrong yet, they really love to badmouth her," She sighed in annoyance.

"Hehe, they are jealous," Teacher Ayase laughed funnily, "Even though Teacher Masuda is older than them, she's more beautiful than all three of them combined."

Teacher Ayase's words incited laughter from Himari.

In her own opinion, Teacher Masuda was a beauty. Even though she was aloof, she was kind and helpful if one needed her help. Himari saw it from the time they were together planning for the field trip.

Looking outside the window of the hallway, Himari murmured, "I hope Teacher Masuda could do the acting scene well."

The news of a film crew was shooting a film in this school came as a surprise.

If Film Emperor Ishizaki Ryuu was really here, would Teacher Masuda be able to meet him during the filming? Didn't she say she was a fan too?

It would be a really lucky scene!

Ah! It's a pity that Nanako was not here!