ALL NOVEL Chapter 0: The Usual
The bell chimed lazily over Seiren Private Academy, its mellow sound drifting through the crisp morning air. Students shuffled into their classrooms, the usual mix of chatter and laughter filling the halls. In Class 1-B, however, one particular corner of the room was unusually quiet.
Masachika Kuze sat slouched at his desk, his head resting on a stack of books that he clearly had no intention of reading. His eyes were half-closed, teetering on the edge of sleep, while his hand idly doodled in the margin of his notebook. The latest chapter of his favorite light novel ran through his mind, and he found himself daydreaming about pulling the rarest character in his gacha game later.
Across the room, Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou—known to everyone as Alya—watched him with a look that was somewhere between exasperation and amusement. Her silver hair gleamed in the morning sunlight that streamed through the window, and her piercing blue eyes narrowed as she took in Kuze’s relaxed posture.
“Kuze-kun,” she called out in her usual crisp tone. The rest of the class knew better than to interrupt Alya when she was in one of her moods.
Kuze cracked one eye open, barely lifting his head. “Yeah, Alya? Can’t a guy catch some sleep before the torture begins?”
Alya sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You should be preparing for the quiz, not napping. You know, some people actually study.”
Kuze grinned, still half-asleep. “Studying’s overrated. Besides, I’ve got my secret weapon.” He tapped his temple. “Genius brain, remember?”
Alya rolled her eyes. “You mean your lazy brain. You’ll never change, will you?”
Just then, she muttered something under her breath, her voice soft and melodic as she slipped into Russian. “Какой же ты глупый, но такой милый...” (“You’re so dumb, but so cute...”)
Kuze felt his face heat up, though he did his best to keep his expression neutral. Does she really think I can’t understand her? he thought, his mind racing. Seriously, how am I supposed to defend myself when she keeps calling me cute in Russian? He quickly shook off the thought, realizing how embarrassing it was to even consider.
He sat up straighter, forcing a smirk onto his face. “Did you say something, Alya? I didn’t quite catch that.”
Alya’s cheeks turned a faint pink, but she quickly composed herself, her expression returning to its usual calm. “I said you misunderstood, Kuze-kun. My Russian is far too advanced for your level.”
Oh, sure it is. That’s why I understood every single word! Kuze thought, but instead of retorting, he just chuckled. “Right, right. My bad, I must have imagined it.”
Alya huffed, though the corner of her mouth twitched upwards. “If only you put as much effort into studying as you do into playing those silly gacha games.”
Kuze stretched his arms above his head, yawning exaggeratedly. “Gacha games are a form of strategy, Alya. You wouldn’t understand the thrill of pulling a five-star character.”
Especially when I have to spend half my allowance on it... but she doesn’t need to know that.
Alya shot him a sideways glance, her expression softening for just a moment before she resumed her usual composed demeanor. “Just don’t come crying to me when you fail the quiz.”
Kuze grinned lazily. “Don’t worry, I’ve got my secret weapon.” He tapped his notebook, where a few hastily scribbled notes were scattered among the doodles.
Which I copied from a walkthrough guide online... but hey, a win’s a win.
Alya shook her head, a small smile finally breaking through. “You’re impossible, Kuze-kun.”
He shrugged. “That’s what makes me so charming.”
Before Alya could respond, the classroom door slid open, and their teacher walked in, signaling the start of the lesson. Alya turned back to her desk, though she couldn’t help the small, lingering smile on her lips.
Kuze, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair, still grinning. As the teacher began the lesson, he sneaked a glance at Alya, wondering what other teasing remarks she might throw at him in Russian.
I really should tell her I can understand her one of these days...