[424] Fist
Seated at the central desk, Natsuki diligently organized her teaching materials. As a teacher, she carried out her duties with meticulous care.
However, not far away, sprawled across a sofa, a man leisurely sipped tea, snacked on potato chips, and played on his phone. The contrast between her industriousness and his apparent idleness was glaringly evident.
Crunch.
The sound of a chip being bitten into rang out. Today's snack of choice happened to be potato chips, and each crunch echoed crisply in the office, disrupting the otherwise quiet atmosphere.
Crunch.
Natsuki's forehead already bore a vein pulsing in irritation.
August, entirely oblivious to her growing annoyance, continued munching, sipping tea, and scrolling through his phone as though utterly detached from his surroundings.
Crunch. Crunch.
Finally, in a burst of frustration, Natsuki's pen snapped in her hand.
"You insolent fool! Get out of here this instant!"
"Huh? What did I do?"
"If you can't contribute to my work, at least have the decency to remain quiet while I'm busy!"
"Oh, you mean this? Fine, I won't eat anymore."
Crunch.
Even as he spoke, August stuffed another chip into his mouth, the unmistakable crunch ringing out.
This final act of defiance thoroughly incensed Natsuki. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" she growled.
Boom!
In one swift motion, August was flung out of the office, landing unceremoniously in the hallway.
With a loud slam, the office door shut behind him.
Picking himself up, August dusted off his clothes. He muttered to himself, "I didn't even mean to make her mad this time. All I did was eat some chips..."
Over time, the two had grown closer, having lived under the same roof. Natsuki, understanding August's personality better, had shed some of her initial apprehension toward him. Nevertheless, moments like these made her patience waver.
"Oh? Are you Natsuki's boyfriend? Got kicked out again?"
A sultry voice broke his train of thought. A red-haired beauty with twin buns walked over, dressed in a cheongsam that radiated allure.
This was Misaki Sasazaki, the physical education instructor for Saikai Academy's middle school division and one of Natsuki's oldest acquaintances. The two had been friends since their student days and were among the academy's most notable alumni.
Like Natsuki, Misaki was both a teacher and a certified demon enforcer. Known as one of the Wizzard of the Four Fists, she was a martial artist whose prowess included demolishing criminal organizations single-handedly and unleashing energy beams with bare hands. Her reputation made her a living legend.
"Oh, Misaki-sensei, hello there," August greeted her with a wry smile.
"Another spat with Natsuki?" she teased.
"It's not my fault. She was working, and I was just having some snacks. Next thing I know, I'm out here."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Misaki smirked knowingly. "Looks like Natsuki's hit that age…"
"What age?"
"Menopause~"
Looking at Misaki Sasazaki, who was brimming with confidence, August couldn't help but feel exasperated.
Thud!"You silly dog, get lost immediately! Who's menopausal? Say another word, and I'll show you what happens!"
The office door flew open, and a book sailed through the air, hitting Misaki squarely on the forehead, sending her sprawling to the ground.
With remarkable swiftness, Misaki turned on her heel and bolted, leaving August standing there, speechless.
"She's behind a closed door, and yet she dares to act so recklessly. She totally deserved it," August muttered.
"Natsuki-chan, I—"
Before August could finish, the door slammed shut again with a loud thud.
His lips twitched into a faint smile. She was truly angry this time.
Still, it didn't faze him. He knew her temper would cool soon enough—it always did.
Since August moved into Natsuki's home, her temper flared frequently, like a kettle that constantly boiled over.
Now, August was a well-known figure at Saikai Academy, his reputation spreading like wildfire.
He was known as the boyfriend of the academy's most perfect girl, Natsuki, the older brother of middle school saint Kanon Kanase, and the dream guy of countless upperclassmen and underclassmen alike.
Of course, August couldn't care less about such gossip. In fact, he had deliberately spread the rumor about being Natsuki's boyfriend, purely to tease her.
To his surprise, she didn't react much. Apart from scolding him harshly once, she seemed unbothered.
As for the rumors surrounding Kanon, they arose from her calling him "nii-san," which led her countless admirers to idolize him as the "brother-in-law." Though August never confirmed it, the rumors persisted.
Then there was August's innate charm. As someone practically designed to appeal to the female gaze, his very presence captivated the academy.
Fortunately, his refined taste spared the academy from complete chaos. Otherwise, who knows how many hearts would have been broken?
Thud!
While turning a corner, August accidentally collided with someone, sending them tumbling to the ground.
"Hey! Watch where you're going! That really hurt!"
Looking closely, August froze in surprise. The person he had just bumped into was someone he recognized all too well.
It was Asagi Aiba.
A classmate of Kojou Akatsuki, she was a computer genius often referred to as the "Empress of Electronics." She worked for the state-run company managing Itogami Island and was also the "Priestess of Cain."
As a programmer, her abilities were top-tier. When paired with "Mogwai," the supercomputer controlling Itogami Island's five artificial islands, she could accomplish in three days what would normally require dozens of elite programmers and months of work.
"Mogwai" itself was a creation of Cain, who had attempted to breathe life into it and change the world's laws but ultimately failed.
Years ago, during the construction of Itogami Island, Mogwai was brought to the island, waiting for the arrival of the "Priestess of Cain."
To think August would meet Asagi Aiba under such unexpected circumstances. Fate worked in mysterious ways.
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