Chapter 1 #2
The words felt a little clumsy on her tongue—the accent not right yet—but Murasaki Shikibu had captured the very essence of her awe. She hoped she would master introductions with more grace, especially the one she’d rehearsed for her future students.
The urge to share this particular moment was overwhelming. Elyna pulled out her phone and angled it to catch the blossoms behind her. One selfie, then a quick message to Aksel: “Made it! Living in an anime ?? Miss you already ??”
The device chimed immediately—it was almost midnight in Britain! “You look mental grinning like that. Don’t traumatise the kids!”
Elyna chuckled and silenced her phone. Just another thread to sever before diving into her new life, no distractions allowed.
Compared to the sanitised, modern building, the Vice Principal’s office screamed traditions.
A temple to Japanese history. Elyna longed to explore every nook and cranny, every book that lined up the shelves.
Especially the scroll that caught her eye in the top left corner: it looked positively ancient!
Charmed, Elyna wondered what kind of man dwelt in that delectable den. Samurai or old scholar? Then Vice Principal Katayū lifted his head from his work and pierced her with an assessing look.
Goosebumps rose on her arms; his gaze felt sharper than a blade. His lean frame suggested explosive power beneath the perfectly pressed shirt and tie. Even seated, the man looked tall, all chiselled angles and coiled muscles.
His hair was black like ebony, pulled back in a severe ponytail that emphasised his intense gaze. Despite looking in his thirties—young, for a vice Principal—the man was the embodiment of authority.
“Trewith.”
No added vowel. Not an ounce of struggle.
His flawless mastery of her name surprised her as much as the lack of honorific; she was used to people struggling with the Cornish sonorities.
Especially since Japanese phonology worked in pairs of consonant-vowel in an almost romantic way. The Yin and the Yang.
“Give me a moment,” he rumbled, his voice akin to thunder on a distant hill.
It felt like a command, but devoid of insult. Just straight to the point. The Vice Principal gestured to the chair across from his desk. Elyna bowed respectfully and sat, acutely aware of his silent evaluation.
Long seconds stretched, the only sound the rustle of paper as he filled out a document with horrible chicken scratch. Finally, he set the pen aside with deliberate precision and leant back, fingers steepled.
“Welcome to Sakura Seishin Kōtōgakkō. I hope your transition has been manageable thus far.”
“Hai, Katayū-sensei,” she confirmed, thanking him with the traditional, “Arigatō gozaimasu.” Then froze. Is this one of those cases where I should offer an apology rather than gratitude?
When his eyes narrowed slightly, she feared she’d messed up. Then his features smoothed with satisfaction. “From the tests you’ve already passed, I know your Japanese is excellent…”
For a gaijin? Japan was known to be more lenient on foreigners than on their own people. But where would the line be drawn if she integrated the staff?
”… and your understanding of our cultural expectations appears sound as well.
” He marked a pregnant pause that left her hanging.
“You’re our first International Education Assistant.
This is new territory for us, but I trust you to bring your perspective and sensibilities to our institution without disrupting the established order. ”
Established order. A samurai indeed.
As he observed her reaction, Elyna bowed her head in assent. He stood, pushing his chair away. At once, she mimicked him.
“You’ll be shadowing Class 3-C primarily,” he continued, his tone becoming marginally less formal as he circled his desk with purpose. “Their homeroom teacher will guide you through our daily routines and expectations, he’s responsible for the class and will be your direct supervisor.”
Elyna nodded again, too insecure to voice anything.
“You’ll also assist with English lessons across the third-year classes, and we may involve you in cultural activities as opportunities arise.
” He trapped her under the weight of his attention; Elyna swallowed, feeling like a pinned butterfly.
“We’ll work as we go, for the sake of immersion. Yours and theirs.”
Immersion. There would be no hand-holding, Katayū choosing the good old sink or swim method.
“Don’t be revolutionary, ne?” he rumbled, a flicker of mischievousness passing through his dark gaze. A tentative smile bloomed on Elyna’s features, a bridge connecting two people embedded in traditions, but unafraid of new concepts. After all, it was the Vice Principal that had chosen to hire her.
Katayū’s features relaxed slightly. “And one last thing.”
A pause.
“Don’t trust anything Onishi Shūji tells you.”
Elyna blinked, craning her neck to find the taller man’s gaze. The name sounds awfully like sushi. Is he a teacher too?
“Shūji,” he repeated. “Troublemaker, and the class representative’s shadow, though how such opposing forces can blend remains one of life’s mysteries.” His mouth curved into a discreet smile that felt slightly bitter.
She could hear the poetry in his phrasing. Right—he doubled as the third-year English teacher. And kendō instructor. Damn, this man is a multitasker from hell! But again, to be able to knock down any teenager with a wooden sword probably gave him a fair advantage when disciplining unruly students.
“You’ll see him soon enough,” he added. “Consider yourself warned.”
The dismissal in his tone was unmistakable. Elyna bowed, preparing to leave when his voice stopped her. “Actually, I’ll introduce you to Class 3-C myself.”
“Katayū-sensei?”
He was already on his way, straightening his tie with military precision. “Come.”
Elyna followed him through sanitised corridors, half a step behind.
The last stragglers hurried to their classrooms, especially after spotting him.
Katayū’s presence commanded immediate attention, interrupting conversations and sending students scurrying with one sharp look.
Respectful bows followed in their wake, the world rearranging after the storm of his passage.
Elyna chased after him, her heart racing to keep pace as he hurried up the stairs. When they finally reached the 3-C classroom, she was so out of breath that her nervousness had quelled to more immediate concerns.
“I hope to see you in a sports club, young lady,” Katayū commanded. “You need to work on your stamina. Remember, a sound mind resides in a sound body. Actually, the kendō club has its first training session in two weeks, be sure to attend.”
He paused, studying her flushed face with that penetrating gaze. "And I don't just mean physical stamina. We are used to piling up long hours here, are you prepared for that?"
Flustered, Elyna nodded; she knew the work culture might drive her into the ground. Eventually. Perhaps she could she blame her short breath on anxiety? Cornered, she attempted to deflect, blurting the corresponding quote to his earlier statement. “Mens sana in corpore sano[2]?”
She watched his stern expression morph, lips curling into a smile. “Sano… Exactly. Ironic, isn’t it?”