A Change of Air – Act Three

Wednesday, 04/25/2001, 8:14 a.m.

In a yellow-painted hallway on the second floor of Domino High School, two adults and a teenager stood talking near the dark brown door of classroom 2B.

They were Vice Principal Anzai, Professor Yamahara, and Shin Osako. Professor Yamahara was currently speaking, his expression thoughtful.

"I see, I understand… Very well, Vice Principal Anzai, I'll take it from here. Please go on with your duties. My student has to introduce himself to his new classmates. Let's not waste time with chatter, I have a class to teach. We'll talk more about all this later, sir… Now, young Osako, follow me."

With a nod, Shin followed Professor Yamahara into the classroom...

Meanwhile, in the classroom...

Yugi, Jonouchi, and the boy with the military-style haircut continued their conversation. Yugi was speaking, his gaze briefly landing on an empty seat near the front of the class.

"…So they moved the event to that new Duel Monsters theme park by Kaiba Corporation, right?"

Jonouchi exclaimed while picking his ear, his expression ecstatic.

"Yes, and it's amazing! You guys have to come see me next weekend, got it—?!"

At that moment, Professor Yamahara entered the classroom, followed closely by Shin...

The chatter gradually quieted down...

Professor Yamahara and Shin stood side by side in front of the class.

Professor Yamahara cleared his throat. A small smile appeared on his face.

"Ahem!"

He clapped his hands a couple of times.

Clap, clap!

Meanwhile, Anzu Mazaki, who had previously been looking down, lifted her gaze from her desk and now watched Shin with a strange expression on her face.

"All right, guys. This is nothing new for you, so I'll keep it brief. We have a new student… Osako, step forward and introduce yourself… Hm. Or would you prefer I do it for you, eh?"

Shaking his head, Shin stepped forward and spoke. His expression was calm and his voice firm.

"Hello everyone, nice to meet you. My name is Shin Osako, I'm originally from this city, Domino City. I like football, and I also love animals and all kinds of games. I don't like disrespectful people. Please be kind to me."

After a slight bow and a few encouraging words from the other students like "Let's get along," or "Count on us," the professor assigned Shin an empty seat at the back of the classroom and the class resumed...

The recess bell rang a little over an hour later...

Ding, dong, ding!

Noise took over the entire school.

Classroom 2B became a hive of activity.

Several students left the room. Others took out bentos and started snacking. Some formed groups and started chatting. Many began playing board games.

A multitude of aromas filled the air.

While Professor Yamahara gathered his things and left the classroom, a few students began to surround Shin at his desk, his bento open and an egg sandwich in plain view.

Conversations continued...

A tall, athletic boy with short black hair and brown eyes, dressed in a football tracksuit, commented in a low voice. A crooked smile was on his face.

"…Too bad. Another time, Osako. Let's go, guys."

Shin resumed his snack while exchanging comments with a few other students...

A girl with blue hair and dark brown eyes turned around in front of Shin.

Shin was left alone at his desk. The girl waved her hand while looking back near the classroom door. Shin nodded without showing much reaction. His voice echoed from a distance.

"…See you later, Osako."

Closing his bento and putting it away in his backpack, Shin glanced briefly around. His eyes passed over Yugi's table, where he was currently playing Parcheesi with the boy with the military-style haircut and Jonouchi, until they finally met Anzu Mazaki's gaze at her desk.

Shin's brow furrowed briefly before he nodded toward the girl. The doubt was clear on his face.

Anzu didn't look away from Shin, her expression uncertain...

A second or so passed before, taking a deep breath, Anzu stood up from her seat and then walked toward Shin's desk with her hands behind her back. Yugi turned his attention toward Anzu and watched. The boy with the military-style haircut was still engrossed in the game. Jonouchi muttered, his face showing confusion as he looked at Anzu.

"Huh? Anzu…?"

Anzu arrived at Shin's desk in silence.

Their gazes stayed locked for a moment.

Shin looked cautious, and Anzu doubtful.

Shin spoke, his tone formal but sharp.

"Something you want to say, Miss Mazaki?"

With a hesitant voice, Anzu opened her mouth but then closed it again, merely murmuring with her head bowed. Her face was hidden behind her short brown hair. After a moment of indecision, she spoke.

"Osako, I… Let's talk somewhere else, please."

Shin nodded and stood up from his desk silently. His expression remained calm as he said:

"Lead the way."

Without a word, Anzu turned around and began walking out of the classroom, eyes ahead.

Yugi, Jonouchi, and the boy with the military-style haircut watched with confused expressions as Anzu and Shin left the room. They looked at each other, nodded, and stood up.

Right after, the three of them left the classroom with serious looks on their faces.

AN/One chapter per day. 100 power stones today means one extra chapter the next day. Each chapter is made up of four acts, plus a prologue and an epilogue, and finally a special act — each ranging from 800 to 2000 words. Leave a comment and report any issues below. You can buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/s/8e7c3d4725