(Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the classroom had reached its peak.)
The classroom of Class 2-4 was like boiling water, with discussions about the mysterious transfer student, "Phoenix-in Chinatsu," reaching a fever pitch.
Itsuka Shido was restless, worried about his friend Koushi's injuries, yet intensely curious about his suddenly appearing younger sister.
His gaze inadvertently glanced toward Tobiichi Origami, who was sitting diagonally in front of him.
Unexpectedly, although Origami maintained her perfectly upright posture, she also seemed to be paying attention to the movement at the classroom door.
(Classmate Origami... seems to be paying attention too?)
Perhaps sensing his lingering gaze, Origami suddenly turned her head and looked at him calmly.
"!" Shido jumped, instinctively wanting to look away, but then deciding that would be too deliberate. He braced himself and spoke softly:
"Um... Classmate Origami, did you hear? About Koushi's sister..."
Origami nodded slightly. Her voice was flat but not cold: "Yes. It's very sudden."
"Seriously... Koushi never mentioned it." Shido scratched his cheek.
"And the timing is strange—something happened yesterday, and she arrives today..."
"Mhm."
Origami agreed, then added a sentence, her tone carrying a faint thread of concern typical of her style:
"He is injured. A sister alone would be uneasy."
"Exactly!"
Shido immediately resonated with the sentiment. "She just transferred here, it must be difficult for her. We should help her..."
Origami nodded again, redirecting her gaze toward the classroom door, seemingly having already filed "helping Koushi's sister" into her to-do list.
"Yes. We need to... confirm the situation."
Just then, the classroom door slid open slightly, and the class representative poked his head in, shouting excitedly:
"They're here! Ms. Tama-chan is bringing the transfer student!"
Boom!
The entire classroom instantly erupted! Everyone stretched their necks, their eyes locked firmly on the classroom door.
"Quiet! Everyone quiet down!"
Teacher Okamine Tamie walked into the classroom first, attempting to maintain order, but with little success.
Then, under the focused gaze of countless expectant eyes—
The classroom door was pushed open again.
All the noise and chatter were suddenly choked off, as if by an invisible hand.
Phoenix-in Chinatsu stood in the doorway.
She did not lower her head, nor did she deliberately shrink away. Perhaps it was a result of giving up, or perhaps it was the residual instinct of the herrscher core of reason driving her.
She faced the countless gazes with an almost cold and arrogant posture. Her icy blue long hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, with a few strands brushing against her fair, almost transparent cheeks.
Her sapphire blue eyes lifted slightly, sweeping calmly across the classroom, like a wind passing over a deserted snowfield, carrying an aloof and untouchable aura.
She stood there, her figure tall and straight, her neck gracefully curved like a swan's, possessing an indescribable sense of solitary pride and purity, like a high-mountain flower, seemingly incompatible with the restless youthful atmosphere surrounding her.
However, everyone's attention was uncontrollably fixated on the school uniform—a perfectly standard uniform that, when worn by her, seemed to produce a catastrophic chemical reaction.
The white undershirt was stretched into breathtaking curves by her full and impressive bust, the fabric so taut that every fiber seemed to be groaning.
Dangerous gaps stretched between the buttons, clearly outlining a suffocating curve.
The thin red tie hanging between them did not divert attention; instead, like a streak of blood on snow, it glaringly and temptingly emphasized her stunning presence, drawing focus to the amplitude that shifted with her breathing.
The purple-black jacket with white trim could not be closed and hung open. This casual way of wearing it unexpectedly added a touch of wild charm, while also allowing the slender waist outlined by the shirt to be subtly revealed.
The dark sky-blue pleated skirt was pulled even tighter by her full, perky hip line and the roundness of her upper thighs. The hemline consequently rose, making it appear shorter than ever.
The ratio of the Absolute Territory was maximized. Black thigh-high stockings tightly encased her straight, long, jade-like legs, with the cuff creating a subtle indentation above, forming a stark visual contrast with the small sliver of snow-white thigh skin exposed beneath the skirt hem.
She merely stood there quietly, without any provocative movements, her expression even cold and aloof. Yet, the school uniform, which had been thoroughly "conquered" by her figure, spontaneously exuded a pure-yet-sensual, almost sinful allure.
The innocent uniform attire and the sensual charm of her mature body created an incredibly strong contrast, assaulting everyone's visual senses.
A cold expression and a hot body, an austere design and taut fabric, the aura of a high-mountain flower and an imminent voluptuousness... these contradictory qualities coexisted on her in an uncanny yet harmonious manner.
The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone, both boys and girls, was stunned. This was a shock that went beyond merely being "pretty."
Itsuka Shido felt his cheeks flush, his heart rate inexplicably accelerating, and for a moment, he didn't know where to rest his gaze.
(Koushi... his sister... she's like this...? )
The doubts in his heart still lingered, but they were overshadowed by concern for his friend's sister and a strange sense of familiarity.
Even the habitually expressionless Tobiichi Origami let her gaze linger on Chinatsu for a few extra seconds, seemingly analyzing and evaluating something calmly. However, there was no sign of alertness in her eyes, only a confirmation of this "strong presence."
Origami's gaze also fell upon Chinatsu. What she noted was the other girl's slightly tense posture and "lowered head" (a perception caused by the mask's effect), which fit the image of an uneasy sister who had just arrived and whose older brother was injured.
There was no wariness in her eyes, but rather a calm observation and analysis, as she considered how to offer assistance.
"E-Everyone, quiet down!"
Ms. Tama-chan tried hard to raise her voice.
"This is the transfer student who will be temporarily studying in our class starting today! Classmate Phoenix-in Chinatsu! She is the younger sister of Classmate Koushi Hōoin, and due to some special circumstances, she will be attending classes in place of the injured Classmate Koushi for a period of time. I hope everyone can get along well!"
She gestured for Chinatsu to introduce herself.
Then, Chinatsu moved.