Exposition Exposition
(Rem's POV)
The library was quiet-peaceful, even. A rare sanctuary within the walls of Seirei High, where the distant murmur of pages turning and the faint scratching of pens against paper provided a rhythm that lulled me into a state of tranquility. The scent of old books and polished mahogany filled the air, blending into an atmosphere that made it all too easy to drift away.
Sleep...
An activity revered by some, neglected by others. To me, it was neither indulgence nor necessity-it was escape. A passageway to either blissful dreams or distant memories, both of which were far more enticing than the mundane reality that surrounded me.
Everything in that realm was precious. And that's why I-
"Kotsuki."
A sharp, unwavering voice cut through the quiet, jolting me from my thoughts like a sudden gust of wind snapping a delicate thread.
I let out a slow, almost exaggerated blink, my mind sluggishly catching up to the intrusion.
Ahh, who's interrupting my peaceful monologue this time?
With practiced laziness, I lifted my gaze, cracking open one amber eye to meet the source of my disturbance.
Violet.
Fierce, unrelenting violet eyes bore down on me, their intensity sharp enough to carve through steel. Her posture was impeccable-arms crossed, shoulders squared, every inch of her radiating the kind of authority that most people would immediately shrink beneath.
Most people.
I, however, was not most people.
Ahh... I really did piss her off this time, huh?
A slow smirk curled at the corners of my lips as I took in the sight before me, amusement flickering through me like a gentle breeze. There was something almost... entertaining about ruffling her feathers.
Still lounging against the mahogany table, I stretched languidly, letting my arms lift above my head before falling back into place, my usual easygoing grin never faltering.
"Ahh, if you keep staring at me like that, Nanase-san..." I drawled, my tone laced with faux innocence. "I might get the wrong idea."
A flicker of something-irritation, maybe-crossed her expression for the briefest moment before it vanished behind her usual composed mask.
Heh.
For those of you wondering how exactly I ended up in this situation... well, let's just say this wasn't our first run-in.
And it sure as hell wouldn't be our last.
But to understand how we got here... we'll have to backtrack. To where it all began.
-- Several hours ago...
(Tamaki's POV)
"Good morning students, my name is Shinomiya Tora, but you may refer to me as Shinomiya-sensei! I'm the homeroom teacher for the students of Class 1A."
The hum of murmurs filled the classroom as Shinomiya-sensei, our homeroom teacher, introduced herself with an air of confidence and warmth. She was stunning-there was no denying that. A poised woman with striking features, her charisma effortlessly commanded attention.
"Is she a model or something?"
"Beats me! I couldn't tell the difference."
"And she's nice to boot."
The whispers of my classmates blended into the background noise. I paid little mind to them, instead watching Shinomiya-sensei closely. For a split second, I thought I caught something-an amused smirk ghosting her lips. Yet, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Had I imagined it?
She soon moved on, lifting a register in her hands.
"Now we'll be moving on to roll call. Please reply with 'present' once your name is called."
Her voice was smooth, practiced, yet carried a certain lightheartedness.
The roll call proceeded in an orderly fashion. Names were called, voices responded, and everything continued as expected.
"Aizawa Haruto."
"Present."
The boy who answered-Aizawa-grinned as he waved. His energy was palpable, even in this brief interaction.
One by one, the names continued. I answered mine without hesitation.
"Tamaki Nanase."
"Present."
My voice carried the same unwavering composure it always did. Controlled. Measured. Perfect.
Everything was progressing smoothly. That is, until Shinomiya-sensei reached the final name on the list.
"And last but not least, Rem Kotsuki."
Silence.
I frowned slightly, my fingers idly tapping against the desk as I watched the teacher lift her gaze. A soft, puzzled smile touched her lips as she repeated, "Rem Kotsuki?"
Again, no response.
The classroom stirred. Students exchanged glances, whispering among themselves as they searched for the missing student. Was this a joke? An attempt at attention? Whatever it was, it wasn't funny.
And then-
A sound.
A soft, rhythmic noise broke the silence, and the realization dawned upon me instantly.
Is that... snoring?
As if drawn by an invisible force, every head in the room turned in unison, their eyes settling on the very back of the classroom.
There, by the window, sat a boy. His posture was utterly careless-head resting on folded arms, raven-black hair messily draped over his face. And sure enough, the culprit of that absurdly out-of-place sound... was him.
I felt my brow twitch.
Unbelievable.
Shinomiya-sensei, rather than appearing annoyed, simply allowed an almost imperceptible tilt to her lips before raising her voice slightly.
"Rem Kotsuki!"
A low groan escaped from the boy as he shifted. Slowly, almost painfully, he lifted his head, a long yawn escaping his lips.
"Ahh..."
His eyes blinked drowsily, adjusting to the sight before him-an entire classroom of students staring at him expectantly.
And then, finally, his gaze landed on me.
Our eyes met.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then-
A slow, lazy smirk stretched across his lips.
"...Ahh, I'm awake," he said, his tone utterly casual. "What did I miss?"
I felt my patience waver.
Of course it was him.
The boy from the opening ceremony.
What a pleasant coincidence.
The murmurs of excitement filled the room as Shinomiya-sensei continued with her announcements.
"Ahh, I'm sure you're all already aware, but this is high school. You have the freedom to make friends with whomever you wish, go on outings, and explore the many facilities our campus has to offer-karaoke lounges, cinemas, an array of stylish cafés to choose from, and even a bowling alley, among many others."
A wave of exhilaration swept through the classroom.
"No way!"
"That's insane!"
"I know, right?!"
"I'm totally checking out the karaoke building this weekend!"
The chatter swelled in volume as students animatedly discussed their plans, enthralled by the sheer freedom that awaited them.
But I remained unfazed, my focus sharp as I listened intently to the next part of the announcement.
"Ahh, and to ensure that school life is never dull... you all will be able to enjoy several events exclusive to your year-like the upcoming Spring Festival next week. And to organize things, I will be selecting two class representatives for this class."
The atmosphere shifted in an instant. The once lively chatter fell into a hushed anticipation. Some students straightened in their seats, eager at the prospect.
As for me?
My composure did not waver. It was expected. I was well aware of my standing. I would be chosen. There was no doubt about that.
The only question that remained was-who would be my partner?
Shinomiya-sensei smiled knowingly, as if sensing the tension that had settled over the classroom.
"Oh, and for the selection... it will be based on the two most capable students in this classroom, according to the school's available data."
Almost instinctively, several gazes turned towards me. I did not react. I had long grown accustomed to these expectations, to the weight of responsibility placed upon me since childhood. It was neither daunting nor unfamiliar-it was simply natural.
But my partner... If Shinomiya-sensei's words were true, then surely my vice representative would be someone competent. Someone reliable.
Someone I could work with.
"And the student representative for Class 1A is none other than... Tamaki Nanase."
A moment of stillness settled in the room. It was not a surprise. The outcome had been inevitable.
But then-
"And the one to be supporting Tamaki Nanase will be..."
I watched as Shinomiya-sensei's gaze swept across the room before finally settling-
No.
My stomach twisted in the briefest moment of disbelief.
No way...
"Rem Kotsuki! You will be supporting Tamaki as the student vice representative of Class 1A."
The reaction was immediate.
"Wait... Rem Kotsuki?!"
"No way... that's impossible!"
"You mean that guy who was literally sleeping earlier?! That doesn't make any sense at all!"
Confusion, disbelief, even shock-expressions of varying emotions rippled through the class. But none could match the sheer incredulity that swelled within me, though I ensured not a trace of it showed on my face.
My violet eyes shifted, landing on the source of the commotion.
There he sat, entirely unfazed.
He had barely reacted to the announcement, as if it was nothing more than a passing remark. Instead, he lounged at his desk, his head tilted slightly toward the window, his expression unreadable save for that infuriatingly lazy smirk.
Insufferable.
My grip on my pen tightened ever so slightly.
This... This was going to be a long year.
Shinomiya-sensei smiled warmly, bowing slightly before addressing the class.
"Both of you should feel free to discuss with each other and plan accordingly to ensure that the Spring Festival turns out a success. That will be all for homeroom. Have a wonderful day."
With that, she turned on her heel and exited the classroom, leaving behind an atmosphere far more subdued than when she had first arrived.
I remained still, my fingers lightly resting on the smooth wooden surface of my desk as my gaze instinctively flickered toward the boy who had just been announced as my partner.
Rem Kotsuki.
The name was now etched into my mind, though it still felt foreign on my tongue. He, however, seemed entirely unaffected by the weight of his sudden appointment. He simply watched as Shinomiya-sensei disappeared down the hall, his expression unreadable before he turned away, his attention shifting back to the window as if none of this concerned him in the slightest.
I frowned ever so slightly before turning back to my desk, methodically arranging my belongings.
No time to dwell on unnecessary thoughts.
The words echoed in my mind like a silent command as I focused on the familiar, comforting routine of organizing my things. If I simply kept myself occupied, there would be no room for pointless distractions.
Minutes passed in quiet efficiency, my hands moving with precision as I stacked my last notebook neatly atop the others.
And then-
A presence.
Rem Kotsuki walked past my desk, his posture relaxed, hands buried deep in his pockets. His face, though still touched by that ever-present lazy smirk, held something else-something more difficult to decipher.
I hesitated for just a fraction of a second, my fingers pausing over my neatly arranged books.
A slight frown crept onto my features as an unfamiliar tug of curiosity took hold. But I shrugged it off just as quickly.
He could do whatever he wanted. It was none of my business.
Resolving to push any unnecessary thoughts aside, I leaned down, reaching into my bag to retrieve my stationery. The sharp scent of freshly sharpened pencils greeted me as I focused on the task at hand.
(Rem's POV)
I stepped out of the classroom, my movements as unhurried as ever, my hands shoved deep into my pockets. My lazy smirk remained in place, an effortless mask, but my eyes-
My eyes carried a weight they hadn't just minutes ago.
Shinomiya-sensei... she knew exactly what she was doing.
That much was obvious.
And I needed to know why.
It made no sense. My grades were average at best-intentionally so. I had done nothing to warrant being chosen as vice representative, especially not over the dozens of eager students who would have gladly taken on the role.
Which meant-this wasn't a coincidence.
With that thought pressing against the edges of my mind, I moved with quiet determination through the halls, making a sharp left turn toward the teachers' lounge.
The door was slightly ajar.
Peering inside, I found Shinomiya-sensei reclining on a plush couch, her posture entirely at ease as she took a slow, deliberate sip from a glass of amber liquid-whisky, if my guess was right.
She looked... completely at peace, as if she had anticipated this moment.
I narrowed my eyes slightly, just as I lifted my hand to knock-
"Ahh, Kotsuki... come in."
I stilled.
For the first time in a long while, my body locked up in sheer, unfiltered surprise.
How the hell did she do that?
I hadn't made a sound. I hadn't even stepped inside yet. And yet, she had known I was there.
My fingers twitched slightly before I forced my body to relax.
There was no turning back now.
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, closing it behind me with deliberate ease. My usual smirk slipped back into place as I leaned against the frame, my tone light, teasing-carefully masking the curiosity simmering just beneath the surface.
"Shocking how you managed to sense my presence, sensei... are you an undercover spy or something?"
Shinomiya-sensei didn't even glance back at me as she spoke, her voice carrying the kind of quiet certainty that sent an uneasy ripple down my spine.
"Ahh, once you can read how people's expressions change in response to certain actions... predicting their next moves becomes second nature."
I stilled, the ever-present smirk on my lips twitching slightly before I schooled my expression back into place.
So she's the type that sees through people.
Figures.
But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was-
"Then I assume you know why I'm here, right?"
The words left my mouth in an even tone, measured, revealing nothing.
Shinomiya-sensei finally moved, a knowing smirk curling at the edges of her lips as she reached for a single sheet of paper resting atop the long table at the center of the lounge. Without a word, she held it out for me to take.
I didn't move immediately.
I observed.
The way her fingers barely trembled against the thin sheet, the deliberate control in her movements-she wasn't just toying with me. She knew something.
Still, with practiced nonchalance, I stepped forward, my hand closing around the document with careful ease. My gaze lowered as I skimmed the contents-
My entrance exam papers.
My own handwriting stared back at me, and at first glance, there was nothing particularly strange.
My expression remained relaxed, lips curving into a slow, lazy smile as I leaned slightly on one foot.
"Ahh, isn't this a mistake, sensei? Clearly, you can see that I only scored 64 out of 100."
A deliberately average score. Carefully calculated to be good enough to pass but unremarkable enough to be overlooked.
But Shinomiya-sensei only chuckled, shaking her head as if amused by my attempt.
"Rem, the administration makes no mistakes... take a look at question 54."
Her words were pointed, unwavering.
My fingers tightened imperceptibly around the paper as I let my eyes trail down the page.
Question 54.
At first glance, nothing about it stood out. A complex problem, sure, but not anything that should have raised concern.
"Is there something I should notice?"
My voice was light, casual, as if I wasn't already piecing things together in my head.
Shinomiya-sensei's smirk widened, and for the first time, she turned to face me fully, her sharp gaze locking onto mine.
"Of course there is... that question was never meant to be answered by a high school student."
Something in my chest tightened.
She didn't pause, didn't give me an opening to derail the conversation. Instead, she continued, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"When the admins were creating the questions, they wanted to ensure that no matter what happened, no student would be able to get a perfect score. But the possibility of encountering a once-in-a-lifetime genius existed. As a precaution, they inserted a question taken from college-level calculus-several tiers above the expected capabilities of a first-year high schooler."
Her words settled like a weight in the room, pressing against the carefully constructed indifference I had spent years perfecting.
My fingers barely twitched as I let out a chuckle, slow and easy, my lips curling into a smirk that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"Ahh, it seems I must have gotten luck-"
"Luck is not a factor, Kotsuki."
Her voice cut through the space between us with quiet finality.
I exhaled slowly through my nose, my smirk barely faltering as I kept my posture relaxed, unreadable.
"The formula you used," she continued, her eyes gleaming with something sharp, "was a culmination of advanced theoretical applications and problem-solving methods that even a college student wouldn't have been able to decipher."
There it was.
The crack in my facade.
It wasn't visible-not yet-but I felt it. The way my mask had been tugged at, unraveled just enough to expose something raw underneath.
I watched as she placed her glass on the table, turning to fully meet my gaze, her smirk widening just slightly.
"Just who are you, Rem Kotsuki?"
I knew I had less than a second to respond.
To recalibrate.
To keep my walls intact.
A dozen answers filtered through my mind, each carefully constructed, each one a possibility-
And yet, in that moment, with her piercing gaze locked onto mine, I gave the only answer I could afford to.
A quiet exhale. A slow, easy smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"I'm just a guy who wants to live a normal life."
Lies.
But it was the only truth that mattered.
I studied Shinomiya-sensei carefully, my expression unreadable as I asked, my voice steady.
"What do you want from me?"
She only smiled, that same knowing look never leaving her face.
"Me? Oh, no... I was just curious as to why someone as gifted and talented as you would prefer to remain in the shadows and be seen as average."
My gaze remained locked onto her, unwavering.
She was lying. Or at the very least, withholding the full truth. Someone like her-sharp, perceptive, playing this conversation like a game of shogi-didn't get involved in things without reason.
I knew better than to trust vague curiosity.
A long silence stretched between us, heavy yet calm. I kept my scrutiny on her, waiting for something-anything-to hint at her true intentions.
Nothing.
With a quiet sigh, I let the tension unravel from my shoulders. I took a step back, dropping the exam papers onto the table with an absent flick of my wrist before turning toward the door.
My lazy smile returned, a well-worn mask slipping effortlessly into place. Pausing just before stepping out, I glanced back at her from the corner of my eye, my voice light yet pointed.
"Ahh, and could you make sure that this conversation doesn't get out? I'd hate to ruin my perfectly crafted image. You understand that, right, sensei?"
Shinomiya-sensei held my gaze for a moment, her smirk widening slightly as though she had expected me to say that.
"You're an interesting person... Rem Kotsuki... but fine."
Her voice was laced with amusement, but something about the way she said my name-slow, deliberate-made something tighten in my chest.
She nodded, then turned her attention back to her glass of whiskey, swirling the amber liquid absentmindedly.
"I'll humor you with that."
I didn't linger. With that, I stepped out of the teacher's lounge, my thoughts swirling in a way I didn't quite like.
The moment the door shut behind me, my expression shifted, the brief flicker of contemplation smoothing over into its usual nonchalant state.
I exhaled through my nose, already pushing the conversation to the back of my mind.
That was, until I turned the corner-
And saw her.
Tamaki Nanase.
Even leaning against the hallway wall, she held herself with a kind of effortless composure, her posture drilled to perfection, every movement precise and elegant. She wasn't just standing there idly-she was waiting.
Waiting for someone.
For me?
I pushed the thought away before it could take root, choosing instead to step forward.
As I passed by her, she didn't acknowledge me-not even a glance in my direction.
My lips curled into a knowing smirk.
Ahh, so that's how she wanted to play this.
"Ahh, aren't classes in progress right now? Don't tell me the student class representative is actually skipping out on a lecture. Color me surprised."
A barely perceptible twitch in her brow.
My smirk widened.
I stopped in front of her, tilting my head slightly, letting my amusement bleed into my voice as I gave a casual wave.
"Ahh, this would be our first time speaking to each other, wouldn't it?"
A flicker of something crossed her gaze, but it was gone just as quickly.
I leaned in slightly, just enough to let the briefest twinkle of mischief shine in my eyes as I added, voice smooth and calm-
"The name's Kotsuki. Rem Kotsuki. It's nice to meet you-again."
Tamaki raised a brow at my choice of words.
"Again?" she echoed, her voice even, measured. "What do you mean by that?"
I met her gaze, unfazed, my grin lazy yet deliberate.
"Oh, that?" I let out a light chuckle, turning on my heel as I strolled past her, hands sliding into my pockets. "Well, don't mind me. Just a figure of speech, that's all."
A figure of speech. A lie wrapped in truth.
Because she didn't remember, did she?
I felt it then, that strange pang deep in my chest-something heavy, something cold. It gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, an ache I couldn't quite place.
So she doesn't recognize me, huh?
I pushed the feeling down, forcing my feet to move forward-
Only to stop in my tracks when her voice cut through the quiet hallway.
"Kotsuki."
My shoulders stiffened before I could stop them.
I turned back to face her, my usual smirk in place, but something in my expression must have betrayed me.
Hope?
Or something else?
Tamaki hesitated for the briefest moment before her composure settled, her voice shifting back into something cool and professional.
"Seeing as we're both going to be partners for planning this Spring Festival, it would be best if we could find time to meet to discuss it. At the library after school, maybe."
I blinked.
For a second, I almost let myself believe-almost-before the reality set in.
Ahh, so that's how it is, huh?
The weight in my chest settled into something familiar.
With a slow, nonchalant grin, I let my mask slip back into place, hiding whatever had flickered in my eyes just moments ago.
"Sure thing, Nanase."
And with that, I turned away, walking down the hall without looking back.