Chapter 12: Self-discipline, Teacher!

The lessons are over, and it's now lunch time. We still have lessons in the afternoon, though. I'm with Tanaka; he usually goes home to eat, but it seems this time he brought lunch. I've bought some rice meal from the nearest convenience store.

"Hey, Takahashi. I still can't forget the problem that you wrote on the first day of school," said Tanaka.

"What about it?" I asked.

"Have you been studying college materials?" asked Tanaka.

"I don't know if it can be called college materials, but I just study everything I can find on the internet and in the library," I said.

"Eh? That's kind of amazing," said Tanaka.

I looked at him for a while, and he wondered why I was looking at him. I pulled out my phone and opened an app that I use. I gave my phone to him to show the schedule of my regular weekday.

"You follow this every day?" asked Tanaka.

"Yes," I said.

5:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. = Jogging.

5:30 a.m. - 5:45 a.m. = Shower.

5:45 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. = Prepare for school.

6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. = At school.

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. = Play games.

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. = Study.

"Of course, I can't follow this perfectly every day, such as when I eat at dinner or take a shower. That's why I use an app to develop good habits," I said.

"You're making yourself self-disciplined," said Tanaka.

"Yes, I believe being the best starts with self-discipline," I said.

"You're amazing, Takahashi," said Tanaka.

"No, anyone can do what I can. I'm not special," I said.

"No, you are. Not everyone can do this stuff like you do," said Tanaka.

Here we go again. I'm hearing it again: people say that what I'm doing is something only I can do or something only selected people can do. It's sickening to hear such words come from people telling me that what I'm doing is impossible for them.

"So, if I copy what you do, I can also become like you. Is that right?" asked Tanaka.

My eyes suddenly widen as I hear what Tanaka has just said. Did he seriously say he could become like me? Did I hear that right? I should ask him to make sure.

"Um, will you repeat that, please?" I asked.

"I said, If I do what you are doing, can I be like you?" asked Tanaka.

I heard it right. This guy, this guy in front of me, is asking me if it's possible for him to be like me! He's not saying that it's impossible, but he's looking for the possibility that he can do it. This is the first time someone has said they can do what I can do.

"Yes! That's possible!" I said with excitement.

"Um, yeah. Could you tell me about that app?" asked Tanaka.

"Yes, for sure! I also have an app that can increase your memory, speed, attention, and reasoning! I highly recommend it to exercise your brain!" I said with excitement.

"Do you also have books to recommend?" asked Tanaka.

"Yeah!" I said with excitement.

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We're on our way back into our classroom, and I'm walking with Tanaka. I've been talking non-stop since a while ago, recommending a bunch of books, ways of meditation, ways of exercise, and so on. Right now, the topic is about psychics.

"Oh, it's so much more than that! I mean, think about the concept of time dilation in Einstein's theory of relativity. It's like time itself can bend and warp!" I said.

"Uh, huh," muttered Tanaka.

"And don't even get me started on the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. We can't even see them, but they make up most of the universe's mass and energy! The book I recommended you earlier tells all about the things we currently know about dark matter," I said.

"That sounds nice," said Tanaka.

"And then—"

"Takahashi-kun."

Before I got to finish my words, someone interrupted. I turned my head to look, and I saw Mei Shimizu. It caught me off guard, and I struggled to find the words to say to her. I've been looking for a chance to talk to her alone since earlier, but Tanaka has been with me the whole day.

"I have to talk to you," said Mei Shimizu.

"Hm, me?" I wondered.

"Yes," said Mei Shimizu.

I looked over to Tanaka, and he gave me a nod of approval.

"It seems important, so why don't you go?" said Tanaka.

"Alright, I'll tell you more about the books later," I said.

Mei Shimizu's eyes widened up once she heard the word 'book' come out of my mouth. This girl really likes books; she must be reading every time she has the chance.

"Please spare me," said Tanaka, with a forced smile on his face.

"Let's go," said Mei Shimizu.

"Right," I said.

Mei Shimizu started walking, and I followed her. We left Tanaka behind as he made his way back to the classroom.

"Dark matter, huh? Interesting," muttered Tanaka.

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We're now in front of a door, and Mei Shimizu opened it. In this school, teachers tend to have personal offices like they have for lawyers. Which is something the school is proud of. They have a separate building for teachers that teaches here and gives them their own office.

That's because only the most elite teachers are allowed to teach here. It's one of the reasons why Mei Shimizu is considered a genius. Despite her young age, she became a teacher at this high-end school.

"Come in," said Mei Shimizu.

I took a step inside and saw a black table with two chairs in front of it. Ai Shimizu is also here, which means it has something to do with the date we had yesterday.

"Good afternoon, Takahashi-kun," said Ai Shimizu.

"Good afternoon," I said.

Man, we'd seen each other earlier in the morning, but we ignored each other. Or maybe not; maybe she's been trying to get my attention all day, but I'm not looking her way at all. I even forgot that she existed.

I slowly took a seat in front of the table, and Mei Shimizu sat in the office-like chair behind it. It has black leather that's suited for an office—an office chair, to be exact.

"Well, what's the reason you called me here?" I asked.

Ai Shimizu didn't answer my question and simply gave Mei Shimizu a look. Mei Shimizu slowly placed her arms on the table and covered her face with her hands. Giving the atmosphere an intense aura, like she's going to tell us something important that might affect our lives.

"What do you think of my office?" asked Mei Shimizu.

"Huh?" Ai Shimizu and I wondered simultaneously.

"This office..." muttered Mei Shimizu.

She slowly stood up from her chair and slowly swiped her fingers on the table, as if checking for dust.

"This whole office belongs to the beautiful me only!" screamed Mei Shimizu.

So even Mei Shimizu has this kind of phase. This must be the day when she finally obtained her own office. I can clearly see the exasperated look on Ai Shimizu's face, covering her face with her hand as if she's had enough of her sister.

"This beautiful chair! This beautiful table! This beautiful wall! This beautiful floor! The air that you're currently breathing! Literally belongs to me!" screamed Mei Shimizu.

I sighed. This was the exact reaction of my mother when she finally got her own office too. Even when I'm still not studying here, my mom invited me to go to her office and flexed it right at my face. Her personality is similar to my mom's; she's so hyper.

I placed my arms on the table and rested my cheeks on my hand. I looked at the expression that Mei Shimizu had on her face. She's so happy. Her eyes are shining. She's so...

Beautiful.