“A lot of you seem to have a mental block about English, but everyday conversation is actually simple. You know the type, right? The kind of person who can keep a conversation going with nothing but ‘seriously awesome’ and ‘seriously bad,’ approach it with that same mindset. Alright, Kimura, repeat after me.”

“Really.”

“L, leally?”

“No, wrong! You’re mixing up the L and R sounds. I said it’s not that hard, but if you can’t tell the difference between these two pronunciations then you won’t make it. Sure, it might be a set of sounds that doesn’t mesh well with Japanese speakers, but if you keep running away you’ll never be able to do it. The more you hate something the more you need to challenge it!”

I see, she says some surprisingly good things.

Even though it hasn’t been long since she started working as a teacher, it already feels like she’s settled into the role.

So it looks like it’s true that she’s an expert at ‘challenge.’

While I was thinking that, the end-of-class chime rang.

* * *

Irina POV

“Ahh, seriously! Teaching is such a pain!”

“For someone who says that, the students seem to like you. Why don’t you just make teaching your main job?”

“That wouldn’t be anything to brag about and my job is to kill this thing as soon as possible!”

While staring at my chest, the octopus sipped tea elegantly, so I drove a knife into him.

“Don’t rush, that’s just how I am.”

“…Tch.”

Clicking my tongue, I left the classroom.

I can’t afford to get stalled in a place like this…

How am I even supposed to kill a monster like that!?

I was too caught up in my thoughts and didn’t notice the wire trap right in front of me.

As I struggled desperately, a familiar voice reached me.

“I’m impressed, Irina. Watching you happily teach kids was like some kind of comedy skit.”

“…Sensei?!”

“Hey… who the hell are you? And wiring up a woman like this isn’t exactly a gentleman’s move.”

“It’s fine. I already taught her how to defend against it. Oh, excuse me, Irina. If I say I’m the one who recommended Irina Jelavić to the government, you understand who I am, don’t you?”

“…Assassin Lovro?! I see, so for the Japanese government that has nothing to do with assassins, you’re valuable manpower. But why are you here?”

“Talk later. Where is the target right now?”

“He went to Shanghai to eat almond tofu. He left thirty minutes ago so he should be coming back soon.”

“I see… he really is a monster just like I heard. I’m glad I came here. Now for the main point, Irina, withdraw as of today. This job is too heavy for you.”

“Sensei! With my power, I can do it! No, I will see it through!”

“Everyone has things they’re good or bad at. Isn’t this your L and R?”

“Half right and half wrong. It’s true she’s not to be underestimated as an assassin, but from my point of view she’s trash! But… that assassin is exactly the right fit for this classroom. Why don’t you have them compete and see which is the better assassin?”

“The rule is simple! The time limit is tomorrow, one day, whoever kills Karasuma-sensei first wins.”

“Hey, wait, why is it assumed I’m getting dragged into this?”

“Because if it’s me, I can’t kill anyone at all, right? Haha.”

“I see, so it’s a mock assassination… fine, it sounds interesting as a rehearsal before the real thing.”

With that, Sensei vanished into the darkness.

* * *

Ayanokōji POV

The next day during P.E., Karasuma-sensei told me about the match with Bitch-sensei.

This man really never catches a break.

When I imagine I’m a coworker of those two teachers, I can’t help feeling sorry for Karasuma-sensei.

But… this match is going to be harsh for her.

As I was thinking that, speak of the devil, Bitch-sensei approached with a smile.

“Karasuma-sensei〜♪ Good work〜 you’re thirsty, right? Here, a cold drink♡”

“……”

“Come on, chug it! Chug! It’s good!”

‘There is absolutely something in that.’

In that moment, all of our inner voices became one.

“It’s probably a muscle relaxant, she wants to immobilize me and put a knife to me. I’ll say this now, I won’t even let you get close enough to hand it to me.”

Karasuma-sensei was obviously on guard too and Bitch-sensei’s assassination ended in failure.

Yes, you could say this is her weakness.

She told us she was a pro at challenging things.

But in assassination, failure is never allowed.

If you challenge something, you have to succeed.

She’s definitely top-class as an assassin, but only against opponents who don’t know her tricks.

Once her tricks are known, her assassination is amateur level.

Honestly, Terasaka is still better.

Now that she’s lost her greatest weapon, seduction, this will become the fork in the road between growth and failure for her.

* * *

Irina POV

There’s no way I can do this.

Karasuma beat Lovro-sensei head-on…

Can I really land a knife on Karasuma?

While I was spiraling alone like that, the one person I wanted to kill more than anything spoke to me.

“There’s still time left, Irina-sensei. If you give up there, the match is over! Ah, I’ve always wanted to say that line, I’m so moved!”

“Are you seriously saying you think I can land a knife on Karasuma?”

“Of course. I don’t know what you were taught under your master, but I think I know what you’ve been working for here. Please show your strength, to your master and to Karasuma-sensei and most of all to the students…”

Getting encouragement from the target makes me an unfit assassin.

I’ll pay this back several times over, no matter what.

And for that, I have to win this match.

I took a big breath and started walking toward Karasuma.

“Hey, Karasuma, can I have a moment?”

“What. Even if it’s a mock assassination, I won’t go easy from here, even if the opponent is a woman.”

“Hey, Karasuma, alright? I want to stay here no matter what, you get it, right? I’ll give you something good♡ I’ll give you the best service you’ve never had in your life♡”

As I said that, I slowly took off my clothes one by one.

I won’t let anyone realize.

Slowly, until my prey lets his guard down… I’ll take my time.

“Fine. Do it.”

Karasuma said that, but out of the corner of my eye I caught his hand touching the ground.

He looked completely at ease, like he could flick my knife away whenever he wanted.

The more an opponent looks down on you, the more that ease becomes an opening.

As an assassin, I will not miss that opening.

I dashed forward, used the wire I’d hidden under my clothes to fling my clothes and steal Karasuma’s vision.

Karasuma’s reaction was a fraction late from the unexpected move, but he dodged the flying clothes with superhuman reflexes and took my knife-hand head-on, grabbing my arm.

“A plan that uses your own weapon as bait, impressive.”

As he said that, Karasuma released the hold and my knife touched his chest.

“See, that’s why I told you, Lovro-san. She stubbornly challenged even the close-range fighting she’s bad at and tried to overcome it. If the students learn ‘challenge’ from seeing her like that, it will raise each person’s level as an assassin. That’s why, if you want to kill me, she is necessary here.”

“…I see.”

* * *

“Irina.”

After the fierce fight with Karasuma, Sensei called out to me.

“You’re a terrible student. You’d still be better off teaching. …Do it for real next time.”

“Of course, Sensei!”

And just like that, my staying in Class E was decided.

The one who kills him won’t be the students or Karasuma.

It’ll be me.

* * *

Ayanokōji POV

So Bitch-sensei stayed…

That’s fine for us too, since it means our classmates’ morale won’t drop.

While I was thinking that, Korosensei decided to treat us with what little salary he had to celebrate Bitch-sensei staying.

Of course, I tried to go home immediately, but Korosensei cried and stopped me, so I ended up joining reluctantly.

“Alright, everyone! To celebrate Bitch-sensei staying〜”

“Cheers!”

The star of the show, Bitch-sensei, seemed thrilled that she’d managed to land her knife on Karasuma-sensei and she kept bragging while tipping back her glass.

I didn’t have anything to do, so I was looking for someone I could talk to, when someone suddenly grabbed the back of my collar.

When I turned around, Bitch-sensei, already drunk, had wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“So, Ayanokōji〜 did you see my strike?”

“Yes, I saw it. Landing one on Karasuma-sensei is amazing.”

“Right〜 Well, for me that was easy.”

“Seriously, as expected, I respect you.”

I replied in a way that was genuinely as bothered as I felt.

When I looked around with a ‘someone please deal with this drunk’ kind of intent, my eyes met Kanzaki’s, who’d been talking happily.

Maybe she understood what I wanted because she wrapped up her conversation and came over.

Right now, it felt like there was a goddess in front of me.

“Sensei, Ayanokōji-kun is having trouble.”

“What, Yukiko, it’s fine. This guy’s always expressionless and cocky. I’ll use this chance to teach him how amazing I am with his own body.”

“Hey, wha—!?”

Before I could finish, Sensei sealed my lips with hers.

My resistance was useless.

Her tongue stormed through my mouth and trampled me without mercy.

My first kiss turned deep, but I have to admit, her technique is something else.

“W-what are you doing!”

Kanzaki’s cheeks flushed red as she forced her way between me and Bitch-sensei.

“You’re not bad, taking my deep kiss without changing your expression even once.”

“It’s my first time so I don’t know, but… isn’t that more about your technique?”

“Hmph, you’ve got a mouth, still cocky as always. Fine, next time I’ll take you on seriously.”

“Don’t!”

“What’s wrong, Yukiko, your face is so red. Are you actually pretty innocent?”

“T-that’s not it! Ayanokōji-kun, don’t just sit there, say something!”

“Hey, I’m not the one at fault. She came over and did it on her own.”

“Hm… so you were happy you got to kiss Sensei.”

“That’s not what I mean, but… why are you in a bad mood?”

“I’m not mad, okay? Do I really look that grumpy?”

I want to say she looks grumpy and nothing else, but Kanzaki’s eyes weren’t smiling at all and I felt silent pressure.

“…Fine. What do I do for you to forgive me?”

“I’m not mad. But… yeah, if you go out with me next time, I’ll forgive you.”

“That much is fine.”

“Then it’s a promise♪”

After saying that, Kanzaki seemed to cheer up and walked back toward our classmates.

I thought that wrapped it up, but then the classmates swarmed me.

“Hey, Ayanokōji! What do you mean you’re going on a date with Kanzaki-san?!”

Sugino, who loves Kanzaki, glared at me with an intense expression, but that has nothing to do with me.

“Why are you saying it to me… I’m the one who got dragged in.”

“A date with Kanzaki-san is a once-in-a-lifetime memory! If I could, I’d want to switch places with you!”

I was about to say then do it, switch with me, but Kanzaki’s silent pressure hit me again and shut me up.

“Nuruhuhu, Ayanokōji-kun, you’re full of surprises. I thought you had a nice vibe since the school trip, but what’s the truth, hmm, hmm〜”

“The original cause is Bitch-sensei and unfortunately, Kanzaki and I don’t have that kind of relationship. Also, what would you even do with that information?”

“Actually, Sensei is very interested in the students’ love lives, so I’m thinking of using it as material to write a romance novel!”

“Please spare me…”

* * *

Somehow I survived the situation and the next day I headed to school like nothing happened, only to find Hayami waiting in front of the classroom.

“Morning, what’s up?”

“Come.”

Her voice sounded lower than usual.

For my own safety, I should probably just obey.

“What is this?”

Hayami held up a photo of me and Bitch-sensei kissing yesterday.

“How do you have that when you weren’t even there?”

“Yesterday, Karma sent it to me. Can you explain what this is supposed to mean?”

That bastard… I’ll kill him someday.

“There’s nothing to explain. Sensei suddenly kissed me because I’m ‘cocky.’ Also, it’s not like Bitch-sensei kissing someone is shocking at this point, right?”

“Then what’s the reason you’re going on a date with Yukiko?”

“You know that too… she got dragged into the kiss scene and got in a bad mood, so as an apology, I agreed to go out with her so she’d forgive me.”

“Huh. Then go out with me next time too. If you can date Yukiko then you can date me too, right?”

“Just the two of us?”

“Obviously.”

“Fine. If that settles it.”

“Good. That’s all I wanted.”

And like that, I ended up scheduled to date both Kanzaki and Hayami.

* * *

Bitch-sensei → Seriously cocky
Korosensei → You’re full of surprises, huh〜
Kanzaki → Looking forward to the date
Hayami → You womanizer

Bitch-sensei ← Don’t drag me into your mess
Korosensei ← Do you have no sense of privacy
Kanzaki ← Sorry I dragged you in
Hayami ← You won’t have fun going out with me
Karma ← Kill