Thirty six seconds…

Thirty five seconds…

Thirty four—

Nakajima Atsushi is nearly late for a job that he had only been called in earlier that morning. In one of the lesser known schools in the region, one of the math teachers had fallen ill. Of course, being a recently graduated teacher still looking for a permanent job, he had jumped at the opportunity. This was going to be exciting! Students younger than he was, a new environment, and expectations that he would be sure to meet.

Even though the job was only for a few days at most, Atsushi was prepared to give it his all.

As he stares straight into his—his!—classroom's door, he sees all of his students idly chatting and horsing around. It'll take some time to gain their trust, but it will be all worth it.

Atsushi straightens the satchel that he hangs over one of his shoulders, breathes in a deep sigh, and walks through the door with a bright smile on his face.

"Hello everyone, I'm Nakajima Atsushi!" Atsushi manages not to stammer. "Today, I will be substituting for Mr. Kunikida. Please, behave well in this class!"

Elsewhere, Kunikida curls into himself, his thoughts a million miles away from his duties.