Chapter 27: A Clash of Egos

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The classroom buzzed with excitement. A new teacher always meant new gossip, but today, the atmosphere was heavier than usual.

A tall young man with sharp features and an air of confidence walked to the front of the class. His dark eyes scanned the room, settling momentarily on Akira before he smiled.

"Good morning, everyone," he greeted. "Since this is my first class, we won't be studying today. Instead, you can ask me anything."

The students murmured among themselves. Then, to everyone's shock, a hand rose from the back of the classroom.

It was Akira.

The whispers started immediately.

"Did Akira just raise his hand?"

"This is the first time ever!"

"What's he going to ask?"

John's—or rather, Wang Shang's—eyes flickered with something unreadable before he nodded. "Yes?"

Still leaning back in his seat, Akira spoke, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and hostility.

"What's your name?"

The class blinked. That was unexpected.

Wang Shang smiled. "I am Wang Shang."

Akira's lips curled into a smirk. His voice turned sharp, almost mocking.

"What are you doing here?"

A tense silence filled the room. The students, who had been whispering just moments ago, held their breath.

John's smile didn't waver. "What do you think? Of course, I'm here to teach you Economics."

Akira exhaled slowly, turning his gaze toward the window. His tone was indifferent.

"Fuck off."

A ripple of gasps filled the classroom. Some students exchanged nervous glances, unsure if they had heard correctly. Did he just tell a teacher to fuck off?

John's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. Before he could respond, a girl's voice broke the tension.

"Sir, are you single?"

It was Saki.

John raised an eyebrow. "Yeah."

The entire classroom erupted.

"Oh my god, he's single!"

"If I were just two years older—"

"I swear I'd confess to him right now!"

Some girls even turned to Akira, whispering:

"Do you think he's hotter than Akira?"

"No way! Akira's mysterious vibe is way better."

While the girls gushed over the new teacher, Hinata suddenly stood up.

"Sir," she asked, her voice steady, "do you have a twin brother?"

John's eyes snapped to her. For the first time, his confident posture faltered. "No," he answered shortly.

The air felt different now—thicker. Akira smirked. He knew Hinata was starting to piece things together.

Before the silence could stretch, another girl stood up. "Sir, who do you think is cooler? You or Akira?"

John chuckled. "Who's Akira?"

A boy in the front row pointed toward the last bench. "That guy."

John's lips curled. "Oh? Akira, would you put some effort in and come to the front?"

Akira sighed, getting up lazily. He walked forward with unbothered ease, standing directly in front of John. The two stared at each other.

John smirked. "At least you have some manners."

Akira's gaze remained cold. Then, he tilted his head slightly and measured him with his eyes.

"You're two inches shorter than me."

The class exploded in laughter.

John's jaw tightened. He clenched his fist behind his back, but he quickly forced a smile. "Alright, let's settle this with a vote. Who do you guys think is cooler?"

A mix of cheers and hands shot up. Some sided with John, others with Akira. When the results came in, Akira won by twelve votes.

John chuckled, though his eyes lacked amusement. "I guess I lost."

Akira's smirk deepened. His voice was low, but only John caught the true meaning behind his words.

"I'm the winner… and I'll win this too."

John's expression didn't change, but something in his gaze sharpened.The real game had begun.

John dismissed the class early, announcing, "I'll be absent tomorrow, so you'll have a substitute teacher. Behave." With that, he left.

As soon as he was gone, Saki marched to Akira, standing directly in front of him.

"What do you think?" she snapped. "Just because you won doesn't mean—"

Akira yawned. "Shut up, you damn bitch."

Gasps. Whispers. Eyes widened in shock.

Saki's face burned with humiliation. "How dare you call me th—"

"Like this. Bitch." Akira's voice was emotionless.

Saki's hand flew up, aiming for his face.

But before it could land, Akira caught her wrist in midair.

A sharp gasp echoed through the room.

Then, with cold precision, Akira took his other hand out of his pocket and slapped Saki across the face.

The sound echoed through the silent classroom.

Saki stumbled back, her cheek red and eyes filled with tears. A second later, she turned and ran out of the room, humiliated and sobbing.

The classroom was dead silent for a few seconds.

Then, the gossip erupted again.

"Did he just slap her?"

"Holy shit! He doesn't care at all."

"Saki's not going to let this go!"

Meanwhile, Saki reached the phone locker, her hands trembling. She pulled out her phone, her breathing ragged.

She dialed a number.

When the other side picked up, her voice dripped with anger.

"You need to deal with Akira."

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