Same Class Again This Year
The new semester had begun, and Harmony High School, where I would be spending my second year, didn't bother with online class assignments. Instead, they stuck to the old-school tradition of posting paper notices on the bulletin board in the schoolyard. The principal called it "romance." By the time Hana and I headed over to check, a huge crowd of students had already gathered. They were packed so tightly around the board to see their class assignments that there was barely any room to squeeze through.
It would've been nice if I were tall like the other demon races or could fly like a harpy. Then I could've figured out my class without having to fight my way to the front. Unfortunately, as an ordinary human, I had no choice but to dive into this human wave and carve a path to the bulletin board myself.
"Well then, shall we go ride the flow... Hey Hana, tell me your student number. I'll check yours too while I'm at it."
As I rolled up my sleeves and prepared to charge toward the board, Hana grabbed the back of my shirt collar from behind and yanked me to a stop.
"You're seriously gonna push through with your own body when you've got a Balrog standing right next to you? Just stay put. Nuna will handle this."
With those words, Hana lightly snapped her fingers in the air. A single large eye appeared beside her. It closed immediately, and she began to concentrate. I couldn't help feeling jealous of how demons could just use magic like that.
"I see it, I see it. Second-years are in the middle... Yoon Seha, Class 3. Kim Yohan, Class 1. Lee Hana... Class 3! We're in the same class again, Seha! Hehe."
Hana opened her eyes and jumped up and down like an excited kid.
"Does this mean we'll be in the same class in third year too?"
"That'd be even better~. Let's hurry up to the classroom. Seats are first-come, first-served, so if we want to sit together we need to move fast!"
She grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the building. Looked like this second year was going to be just as noisy as the last.
When we reached the classroom, a few students who'd already checked the board were claiming their seats. Some were sitting alone scrolling on their phones, while others—like me and Hana—were chatting excitedly with their new classmates.
"The middle seats are taken. Do you prefer front or back? I'll accept either one♡"
Hana drew a heart shape with her tail and whispered the question into my ear. She was asking about seats, right? There wasn't some other meaning behind it... was there?
"Don't use wording that could be misunderstood on the first day. Let's take seats in the back. I'm not exactly the type who studies hard anyway."
I sat down and set my bag beside me. Today was just orientation, so it would end quickly. We hadn't received our textbooks yet—maybe they'd hand them out all at once tomorrow? It'd be nice if lunch service started tomorrow too.
"I'm gonna run to the bathroom real quick~. I'll be right back, so don't get lonely and wait for me!"
"It's not like I'm the type to get lonely that easily~"
After Hana left, I looked around the classroom. While we'd been claiming our spots, several more students had trickled in. Including me, there were about five humans—three guys and two girls. Factoring in the latecomers, maybe six to eight total? Our school made sure to balance the ratio of humans and other races in each classroom. Usually there were more humans, but this year the numbers seemed pretty even.
The most eye-catching one right away was a male angel with striking golden hair and sharp features. Wasn't he the freshman representative last year? The king of the popular kids had arrived. There was also a girl who looked like a succubus, judging by the distinctive pattern on her shoulder. Even though she wore the same uniform as everyone else, the aura she gave off made her seem strangely seductive.
A female hellhound who looked like a total gym rat was there too. She was doing curls with dumbbells, ears perked up like she was doing her morning workout. Wait, was that seventy kilos? Did I see that right? Besides them, I spotted a minotaur, a cat beastman, and even a gumiho. It was surprising there wasn't a centaur though. There was usually at least one per class. Still, it was interesting that no two of the same race were in here. Normally they'd at least put one or two of the same species together.
"Huh? Seha, you're in this class too? Nice to see a familiar face. You're not in the same class as Hana this time? You two were always stuck together before."
"Hey Seongtae, good to see you. Hana's in the bathroom right now. We're in the same class again this year."
I pointed at the bag Hana had left on the desk beside me. Kim Seongtae, the brown cat-eared boy who'd been in the same class as us last year, had come over to say hello.
"Three members from last year's Class 1 already? The classroom capacity is eighteen, right? That's one-sixth... which is twenty-five percent!"
"Of course the guy who sucks at math gets the calculation wrong immediately. It's not twenty-five percent, it's about sixteen percent, you idiot."
"Math is only necessary when you're counting fish in a can. And if I got the front part right, that's half the battle, isn't it?"
The miracle mathematician had arrived.
"It's too tiring to argue with you. We'll just say you're right."
"Heh heh, after school let's hit the PC bang. That guy Yohan was bragging in our chat this morning about how he got a flag."
"I heard him talking about it on the way to school too. But sadly, PC bang is a pass for me today. I've got stuff to do."
"What, are you a celebrity or something? Acting all busy on the first day of school. Or is this some kind of push-and-pull tactic?"
"Don't say stuff that'll make my breakfast come back up. I need to go grocery shopping for dinner. There's nothing to eat at home. Let's game tonight instead."
"If that's the case, I'll let it slide this time. Oh, look, your girlfriend's back. I'm out, bye-bye."
"I keep telling you, Hana's not my girlfriend..."
Yohan and all my friends say the exact same thing.
"I'm back~~. So? Don't I look a little different from before?"
Hana shoved her face right in front of mine, eyes sparkling as she begged for attention. It looked like flames were dancing in her pupils. How much could she possibly have changed in the few minutes she was in the bathroom...? Still, just to be safe, I gave her a quick once-over. Hmm. I have no idea.
Teacher, this year's college entrance exam is going to be hell.
Her hairstyle and clothes weren't any different. So maybe her nails? They were long enough to win a catfight in seconds, but other than that I was clueless.
"Sorry, I really don't know. Give me a hint, Hana."
"How can a guy have zero sense! I put a new ring on my third finger!"
"How was I supposed to notice that! Logically, if someone comes back from the bathroom you'd think makeup or hair, right? Even the Demon King back in the demon world wouldn't guess someone put on a ring!"
It felt like I'd ordered extra jajangmyeon at a Chinese restaurant only for the chef to bring out bibimbap instead.
"You're supposed to just sense these things! After all the years we've known each other!"
"If you're going to fight, please take it out to the hallway. Sohee couldn't sleep last night and is super sleepy right now..."
A dog girl with long, fluffy-looking ears perked up in protest. She'd been sleeping at her desk since morning and we'd apparently woken her up.
"Our class is already this rowdy in the morning? Everyone, please take your seats! This is our first morning assembly of the year."
Even the teacher had arrived, drawn in by the noise.
"Alright, looks like there's only one late student? Mm~ With this attendance rate, I'm very satisfied. Anyway, everyone here in this classroom, I'm truly glad to meet you all! My name is Seo Haena. As you can see, I'm a lamia! My subject is Korean. I'll be in charge of nearly all the Korean A classes this year. My special skills... well, there are several, but if I had to pick one, it'd be this?"
Teacher Haena picked up a touch pen with the tip of her tail. Then she wrote her name and phone number on the screen in an instant. Her handwriting was far prettier than anything I could do by hand. The seated students clapped briefly in admiration. Looking satisfied, the teacher adjusted her glasses and continued with the orientation.
"That should be enough for you to know for now. There isn't really anything else special... Oh, right. In two days, on Wednesday, we'll be voting for a class president to represent our class. One president, one vice-president... wait, no, the vice-president position was abolished this year. So it'll just be one class president. Anyway, anyone interested should give it a try! I'll make sure to note it nicely in your student records, so be proactive!"
They're holding the class president election really early. I wasn't the type to step up for that kind of role, so I didn't pay much attention. I wonder if Hana would run? As the daughter of a Balrog, she was already way beyond class president material. The most likely candidate I could think of was that blond curly-haired angel kid I'd seen earlier. But since being floor leader and grade representative couldn't overlap, he might not run after all?
"Whoops, I got so into explaining that it's already ten o'clock. We're supposed to finish at ten-thirty, right? Then let's finish by taking attendance. I only know your names so far and haven't memorized your faces yet. When I call your name, please stand up, look at me, and say a short greeting if you'd like~. Just make sure to make eye contact. I'll go in order. Kang Nayeon~."
Every time the teacher called a name, students raised their hands or wings in response. Some just gave short answers, while others said things like "Nice to meet you." One kid even created a stepping-stone bridge out of water from his palm and announced his race. The succubus girl I'd noticed earlier said she was currently recruiting a boyfriend. Even without using her charm magic, the way she mixed her unique tone and posture completely took over the classroom atmosphere. The teacher had to step in immediately to calm things down.
Among them was someone looking for gaming buddies. I play that game too! Maybe we could get closer later. Should I ask to eat lunch together sometime?
"Please take care of me too, teacher! Next is... Yoon Seha~!"
Finally my turn. I couldn't think of anything special to say. I simply stood up, said my race was human, and ended with a short "Please take care of me." It was much better to keep it simple than to overdo it and have it backfire.
"Alright, Seha, let's have a good year together. After Yoon comes Lee. Interesting—there aren't that many Lees in our country, are there? Looks like there's only one in our class this year. Lee Hana~!"
Finally, Hana's name was called. She stood up and spread her wings, igniting flames as if determined to leave an impression on the entire class. She introduced herself while wrapping me up in one of her wings.
"My name is Lee Hana! My race is Balrog. I'm childhood friends with Seha, who was introduced earlier. Please take care of me for the next year."
Like she was at an awards ceremony presenting herself in the most flamboyant way possible, Hana imprinted herself on everyone in the classroom. While completely wrapping me up in her wing, no less.