Why the Hell are You Here, Teacher!? — Monologue of the Shadow Operator
Sanshokuin Sumireko is invisible. The plain library committee member with thick glasses and a braid—too pretty to approach, too quiet to notice, alone since middle school. She's spent three years perfecting the art of being unremarkable, and she has exactly one hobby: watching Kisaragi Amatsuyu.
She knows his gentle smile is a fabrication. She knows the kind, pure-hearted boy everyone adores is a mask for a cunning, calculating schemer who rains silent curses on his childhood friend even as he
Why the Hell are You Here, Teacher!? — Monologue of the Shadow Operator - A Convenient Tool and Invisible Devotion
The library after school was quiet, as always.
From beyond the windows came the sound of tennis club rallies and the baseball team's shouts, muffled by the thick walls into distant echoes. The library on the first floor of the main building, second row of seats from the window. That was Sanshokuin Sumireko's usual spot.
Her thick, black-framed square glasses cast a shadow over the open book. Her black hair, braided into a plait, curled tightly against her shoulders. A long navy skirt that fell twenty centimeters below the knee hung quietly along the chair legs.
To anyone looking, she was just a plain, unremarkable library committee member.
That was the perfect mask she had constructed for herself at this school.
Sumireko glanced at the library entrance from the edge of her book. Today was the second study session. Exactly one week had passed since the last one.
(I wonder how he's been since then.)
She murmured it in her mind and opened the notebook on her lap. Her observation log. The past week of Amatsuyu's activities was recorded in meticulous handwriting, filling page after page.
【Observation Log — September, date unspecified to date unspecified】
【Subject: Kisaragi Amatsuyu】
【Notes: Since last week's study session, frequency of library visits has increased (3x/week → 5x/week). However, he continues to borrow only new light novel releases. Not a single study-related book.】
【Inferred internal state: The ulterior hope that if he comes to the library, he might run into Cosmos-senpai. Or alternatively, building an alibi in case Himawari asks about the study session. Either way, zero intention of actually studying.】
Having written that much, Sumireko let out a small breath.
(...Well, within expectations.)
His behavioral patterns were already transparent to her.
Sumireko closed her notebook and lifted her head.
At that moment, the library door opened slowly.
The one who appeared was a boy with sleep-tousled black hair. Kisaragi Amatsuyu. A hundred and seventy-two centimeters tall. Gentle brown eyes. A trustworthy, somewhat unreliable smile.
Something deep in Sumireko's chest gave a small throb.
(He's here.)
Amatsuyu paused for just a moment at the entrance, scanning the library. Then, spotting Sumireko, he trotted over.
"Sanshokuin-san, sorry to keep you waiting. Himawari and Cosmos-senpai are coming today too, right?"
Amatsuyu scratched his head, his brows drooping apologetically.
(...He's thinking this right now.)
Sumireko reproduced his inner voice perfectly.
("Last week I didn't know those two were coming — I wasn't prepared. Today I fixed my bedhead properly and practiced my refreshing smile. This'll earn me points with Cosmos-senpai. If I play my cards right, I'll be sandwiched between Himawari and Cosmos-senpai for a blissful study session.")
(...Predictable as ever.)
Sumireko smiled wryly in her heart.
But her expression didn't change.
"Yes, they should be here soon. Shall we start without them in the meantime?"
She indicated the seat across from her.
"Oh, yeah. Sure."
Amatsuyu awkwardly pulled out the chair and sat down.
Sumireko quietly arranged her textbook and notebook on the desk. Her movements were efficient and precise.
"Today we'll do English long-form reading comprehension and quadratic functions in math. You're good at English reading comprehension, aren't you, Kisaragi-san?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I mean, about average, I guess."
Amatsuyu laughed, looking embarrassed.
("About average" — not quite. Your English grades are among the top of the class. And yet you hide it. If you keep your self-evaluation low, no one expects anything from you. It's your survival strategy — to avoid getting dragged into troublesome things.)
Sumireko analyzed coolly in her mind.
"Then, until Himawari-san and Cosmos-senpai arrive, I'll go ahead and prep the math material."
She said it smoothly.
(The truth is, I just want to observe you teaching the two of them.)
Amatsuyu relaxed his shoulders in relief.
"Oh, yeah. That'd help."
Then, a stretch of silence.
Sumireko kept her eyes on the open math workbook while observing Amatsuyu. He was restlessly tapping his fingertips on the desk. His gaze drifted toward the library entrance every so often.
(Ah, he's thinking this right now.)
("I wish Cosmos-senpai would hurry up. Seriously, this awkward air with this plain girl is killing me. What am I supposed to talk about? Oh, but if I'm rude here, the study session with two beautiful girls goes down the drain. For now — smile, smile.")
Sumireko chuckled inwardly.
(...You really are so easy to read.)
Just then, the library door flew open with force.
"Joro! Pansy-chan! Sorry we're late!"
Hinata Aoi came running in, her bright brown ponytail swinging. A petite frame with large amber eyes. Always smiling, always full of energy — the tennis club's ace.
"Sorry, I got held up. I stopped by the staff room and a teacher caught me."
Himawari stuck out her tongue and laughed.
"No worries, I just got here too."
Amatsuyu answered with a refreshing smile.
("Just got here" — not quite. You've been here for thirty minutes, fidgeting the whole time.)
Sumireko noted silently.
"What about Cosmos-senpai?"
Amatsuyu asked, casually.
(You think you're being casual, but your voice is a little too upbeat.)
"Oh, Cosmos-senpai said she'll be here soon too. Student council work is running long, apparently."
Himawari said as she took a seat.
"I see. Being student council president is tough."
Amatsuyu nodded along.
("Tough" — not quite. You're thinking, "Hurry up and finish your student council stuff and come see me, Cosmos-senpai.")
Sumireko reproduced it perfectly in her mind.
"Alright, let's get started then. Himawari, today we're doing English reading comprehension."
Amatsuyu opened the textbook.
"Ugh, English? I'm really bad at English."
Himawari puffed out her cheeks.
"It's fine. I'll explain it in a way that's easy to understand."
Amatsuyu smiled gently.
("I'll explain it in a way that's easy to understand"... That smile — a perfect-score refreshing-boy smile. But inside, it's this:)
("Tch, what a pain. Why do I have to look after her English too? And seriously, Himawari just wants San-chan to tutor her, doesn't she. Of course she does. Ahh, I'm just a convenient tool, aren't I.")
Sumireko listened to Amatsuyu's inner voice and quietly opened her observation log.
【Observation Log — September, date unspecified, after school】
【Subject: Kisaragi Amatsuyu】
【Situation: Second study session. Teaching English to Himawari.】
【Outward response: Teaching politely with a refreshing smile.】
【Inferred internal state: What a hassle, don't treat me like a tool, go get San-chan to teach you.】
【Notes: His teaching method is genuinely easy to understand. His choice of example sentences is precise, and he instantly identifies exactly where Himawari struggles. He has a talent for teaching. If only he'd recognize that talent in himself.】
Having written that much, Sumireko raised her head.
Amatsuyu was teaching Himawari English reading comprehension.
"The subject of this sentence is this, and the verb is here. So you translate it like this."
Amatsuyu explained, tracing the textbook with his finger.
"Wow, Joro, you're really good at teaching! You might be easier to understand than our actual teacher!"
Himawari said, genuinely impressed.
"R-really? Thanks."
Amatsuyu laughed, looking embarrassed.
("Really?" — not quite. "Obviously. Who do you think I am? I act like an idiot most of the time, but if I actually tried, I'd run circles around all of you. ...Oh, but if I get carried away here, it'll be a pain later. Act humble, act humble.")
Sumireko listened to his inner voice and smiled inwardly.
(...But he doesn't look entirely displeased.)
The corner of Amatsuyu's mouth had softened, just slightly.
Sumireko opened the scoring section of her observation log.
【Today's Kisaragi Amatsuyu: 70 points】
【Deductions: His inner voice is leaking out as usual. His refreshing-boy act occasionally gets sloppy. Especially the embarrassed laugh when Himawari praises him — a bit too forced.】
【Bonus points: His English teaching is genuinely easy to understand. His choice of example sentences is precise, and he instantly identifies where Himawari struggles. He has a talent for teaching. Also, even while cursing internally, he teaches politely to the end. Deep down, he really is kind.】
Up five points from last time's 65.
Sumireko quietly closed her notebook.
At that moment, the library door opened again.
"Sorry I'm late."
Third-year Akino Sakura. The student council president — a cool beauty. Great figure, her long black hair swaying behind her. She carried her ever-present pink notebook tucked under one arm.
"Cosmos-senpai! Good work today!"
Amatsuyu stood up, his voice bright.
("She's here! Cosmos-senpai! Beautiful as always! And that pink notebook is adorable! I love that about her too!")
Sumireko listened to his inner voice and smiled wryly in her heart.
"Kisaragi-kun, Hinata-san, Sanshokuin-san. Thanks for having me today."
Cosmos smiled elegantly.
"Thank you for coming, Cosmos-senpai!"
Himawari replied energetically.
"Then, Cosmos-senpai, please have Kisaragi-san help you with quadratic functions in math."
Sumireko said quietly.
"Huh? Kisaragi-kun is going to teach me math?"
Cosmos's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes. Kisaragi-san is good at math as well."
Sumireko answered flatly.
("Good at it" — not quite. Your math grades aren't quite as high as English, but still top of the class. And yet you go around saying "I'm bad at math" to lower your own evaluation.)
Amatsuyu hurriedly waved his hands.
"N-no, I'm not really that good at it..."
"Kisaragi-kun, there's no need to be modest. If Sanshokuin-san says so, you must really be good."
Cosmos smiled.
("Oh crap, Cosmos-senpai has expectations now. If I teach badly here, my points drop. No — actually, if I teach well here, it's a chance to skyrocket my points! Alright, let's do this!")
Sumireko listened to his inner voice and laughed in her heart.
(...So simple. But that's one of the things that makes you good.)
And so the study session began in earnest.
Amatsuyu taught Cosmos quadratic functions in math, and Himawari English reading comprehension. Sumireko occasionally offered advice while observing his teaching methods.
"Kisaragi-kun, why does it become this here?"
Cosmos pointed at the workbook and asked.
"Ah, for this, first you complete the square on this expression..."
Amatsuyu explained carefully.
"I see. Kisaragi-kun, your teaching is very easy to follow. You're like a teacher."
Cosmos said, sounding impressed.
"R-really? Thank you."
Amatsuyu laughed, looking embarrassed.
("Like a teacher"... Cosmos-senpai praised me! Yes! My points are definitely going up! And honestly, Cosmos-senpai saying "like a teacher" makes my heart skip a bit. I'd be happy to be your teacher, Cosmos-senpai. In fact, how about a private lesson after school, just the two of us...)
Sumireko listened to his inner voice and sighed inwardly.
(...Your ulterior motives are completely visible.)
But she didn't say it aloud.
"Kisaragi-san, how's Himawari doing?"
Sumireko asked quietly.
"Oh, yeah. Himawari seems to be getting it now."
Amatsuyu turned toward Himawari.
"Yeah! Thanks to Joro, I feel like I kind of get reading comprehension now!"
Himawari said with a smile.
"That's good."
Amatsuyu smiled gently.
("That's good" — not quite. "The reason you get it is because I'm a good teacher. Be grateful.")
Sumireko noted silently.
After a while, they took a break.
Sumireko poured the tea she'd prepared into paper cups and handed them out.
"Thanks, Pansy-chan!"
Himawari accepted hers happily.
"Thank you, Sanshokuin-san."
Cosmos accepted hers gracefully.
"Ah, thanks."
Amatsuyu took his awkwardly.
("She even prepared tea — either she's thoughtful or kind of scary.
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