Chapter 32: Fukuki Is Too Big; Asia Can't Handle It

A busy yet fulfilling weekend flashed by in the blink of an eye, and before anyone realized it, Monday had arrived.

With the start of a new week came the familiar rhythm of preparing for another weekend's recharge.

Keikain Fukuki returned to his classroom at his usual time. Most of the students had already arrived, chatting in small groups at their desks. Despite his relatively late arrival, he still had plenty of time before the first class began.

After all, there were still about 20 minutes before the official start of morning homeroom, which was entirely up to the class teacher's discretion.

Normally, if there was anything important, it would be addressed. Otherwise, students were free to do as they pleased until the first period started.

By now, nearly a month had passed since the start of the term. Any major announcements or changes would have been communicated long ago. It seemed highly unlikely that—

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The lively morning chatter in the classroom abruptly quieted as the sound of high heels approached from the hallway. Their homeroom teacher entered, clapping her hands as she walked up to the podium.

"Alright, everyone, back to your seats. It's time for morning homeroom."

Well… that was unexpected.

Just as Fukuki had convinced himself there wouldn't be any homeroom session, fate decided to prove him wrong.

But there was no other choice—since the teacher had arrived, it was impossible to keep chatting away as if nothing had happened. Everyone reluctantly returned to their seats and sat upright.

"Well, let me start with some good news: today, our class will be welcoming a new student!" The homeroom teacher announced cheerfully, clasping her hands together near her cheeks.

"Oh, and by the way, it's a very cute foreign girl!"

Huh?

Upon hearing this description, Fukuki raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

A foreign girl who is "very cute"? Based on that description, he felt he already knew who it might be.

"Now, let's give a warm welcome to our new classmate!"

The room instantly burst into applause, not even requiring the teacher's prompting.

After all, according to the teacher, they were about to meet a "very cute foreign girl"!

As the enthusiastic clapping echoed through the classroom, a slender, fair-skinned leg wrapped in a brown short boot stepped through the doorway. Following it was a head of soft golden hair that immediately caught everyone's attention.

It was pure, gentle, and radiated an angelic charm that felt neither overwhelming nor distant. Instead, it gave off an aura of serenity and sanctity.

"Ah! It's a saint—no, an angel! She's definitely an angel sent by God to save us single dogs!"

"Mom, I believe in love again!"

"My heart... it's so full…"

The thunderous applause reached new heights, joined by cheers and howls from the boys, which even the envious glares of the female students couldn't silence.

"Uh... Hello, everyone. My name is Asia Argento. You can just call me Asia... Please take care of me..."

The golden-haired girl's nervous and awkward self-introduction only added to her charm, making the already out-of-control applause escalate to the level of a rock concert.

In fact, the ruckus was so loud that it could be heard from the hallway. Anyone walking past would probably think this was the rehearsal for a ten-thousand-strong live show rather than a homeroom class.

Asia, clearly unaccustomed to such overwhelming enthusiasm, became visibly more flustered.

Even the teacher looked slightly troubled.

Welcoming a new student warmly was one thing, but the noise level was getting out of hand. If this commotion disrupted the other classes, there was a real risk of complaints being filed with the administration. As the class teacher, maintaining order was her responsibility, and she could not afford to be careless.

To resolve the situation quickly, the simplest solution was to seat Asia immediately.

But where?

Placing her among the overly enthusiastic boys was out of the question. While it was normal for their teenage hormones to surge, creating trouble for a new classmate was unacceptable.

As for the girls, most had already formed their own cliques. Forcing Asia into one could lead to bullying, especially since she had such a timid, rabbit-like demeanor.

The best option would be to seat her next to someone easygoing and understanding, ideally with another classmate on the other side who wasn't too "assertive."

"Well, Asia, how about sitting—"

"Mr. Fukuki!"

The excited voice of the golden-haired girl suddenly interrupted the teacher mid-sentence.

The teacher followed Asia's gaze and saw a boy sitting near the middle of the classroom by the window. He had his hands in his pockets and was leaning back in his chair like a retired old man. His expression was one of mild surprise as he looked toward the commotion.

"Wait, Asia, do you know Fukuki-kun?"

"Yes, yes!" Asia nodded enthusiastically, her face lighting up with joy.

The teacher hesitated for a moment but then nodded as well.

"Alright then, Asia, you can sit to the left of Fukuki. The girl to your right is Aika Kiryuu—if you need help with anything at school, feel free to ask them."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Asia bowed in gratitude and scurried off the podium to her new seat.

The applause that had filled the room came to an abrupt halt, replaced by collective groans and wails that echoed throughout the building. The dramatic lamentations seemed to ripple through the hallways, tugging at the heartstrings of anyone who heard them.

"Honestly, all this noise—don't they feel embarrassed?"

Aika Kiryuu rolled her eyes and ignored the wails of the small-minded boys in the class who were whining as if they'd suffered a great loss. Then she turned her attention to the golden-haired girl who had just taken her seat beside her after stepping down from the podium.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between Asia and Fukuki. Adjusting her glasses with a push, she smiled with a mischievous curiosity.

"Asia-san, right? I heard you say you know Fukuki earlier. But aren't you a foreigner? How did you two meet? Mind sharing?"

"We're—"

The kind-hearted Asia, devoid of any sense of suspicion, almost answered immediately. Fortunately, Fukuki interrupted just in time.

"Hey, hey, it's not cool to pry into someone's personal business right after meeting them," he commented, his tone leaning more toward teasing than reproach.

The twin-braided, glasses-wearing girl let out a chuckle. "Prying? I'm just concerned about our new classmate, that's all. Especially since Fukuki-kun's reputation at school isn't exactly stellar. Always hanging out with those glamorous upperclasswomen who are the top idols of Kuoh Academy... If someone as sweet and innocent as Asia-chan gets caught in Fukuki-kun's sights, she might be devoured in no time."

"Your sister," Fukuki shot back casually, flipping her the universal friendly hand gesture🖕.

Kiryuu smirked knowingly. Feigning surprise, she placed both hands over her mouth dramatically. "Wait... don't tell me Asia-chan has already fallen victim to Fukuki-kun? Oh no, no. That can't be it. With Fukuki-kun's size, I doubt Asia-chan could even handle it."

"Huh?" Asia tilted her head in confusion, a soft "?" practically floating over her head. Fukuki's size? What's that supposed to mean?

"Don't worry about her, Asia. She often mutters nonsense to herself," Fukuki remarked, casting a wide-eyed glare at the literature-obsessed girl sitting a seat away. Then he turned back to Asia.

"By the way, just call me Fukuki. No need to add any honorifics; it sounds weird."

"Alright, Fukuki!" Asia replied with a sweet, radiant smile.

Now she felt like she was part of the same circle as Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai.