136 Past’s Melody (1/2)

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Unaware of another plot that involved him, Kazuya's pocket vibrated with a report coming from Ika. He had just entered the music room along with the students of class 2-B.

”[I don't know if it is relevant but Kurogane Tenma was looking into the whereabouts of Stockton Jonson]”

”(Stockton Jonson?)” Kazuya pondered. He didn't know why Kurogane Tenma wanted to know such a thing. His advances towards Stockton International was rejected by them multiple times so it was strange for him to make a move now.

”[Kurogane Shishio also booked a reservation for the same restaurant tonight]” an additional message was sent. Since Kazuya had Ika monitor what the two were up to, this was the first update he got. The Kuroganes were confident in their private network so they made use of this to get in touch with their shady contacts. Kazuya's infiltration of this private network was what led him to discover the hidden cards that the Kuroganes had inside the Kouzuki Corporation.

As Kazuya was lost in thought, he failed to notice Hikaru who was silently observing him from the teacher's stand. The bad impression she had on him was increasing further. She was relatively a new teacher in the academy still so she didn't know about Kazuya until he arrived in her classroom.

After asking a few of her colleagues who were more than happy to tell her the tales of such a legendary student, she felt that he had a reputation that was too perfect. She couldn't believe it when the other faculty members showered him with praises while she on the other hand thought that he was like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Perhaps the only shortcoming that they told Hikaru about Kazuya was that he didn't pay attention to any of the lessons. He would read different kinds of books concerning various topics. Each teacher said a different book when she asked what he was reading about. Law, Forensics, architecture, technology and various other books that gave no specific pattern.

Though he acted as such in class, what surprised Hikaru the most was when they said that Kazuya had the right to do so because he was only attending class because of his mother's wishes. The boy actually had intellect that already surpassed his various levels when he was first admitted to the academy. He was only attending school now because he lacked empathy and social skills.

”(Hmm?)” Kazuya felt a strange gaze looking at him and found that it had been coming from his teacher. She already noticed him fiddling with his cellphone which he believed annoyed her.

”[Right, I want you to send me information about a person. Her name is Hamasaki Hikaru, a new teacher in the Sacred Forest Academy middle school department]” Kazuya sent another message to Ika. He was curious to find out why this person's fate had changed in this life.

”[Is she a babe?]” it was almost an immediate reply.

”[What does it have to do with anything?]” Kazuya frowned. Ika was trustworthy and capable but he tended to babble on about mundane things.

”[Does the lady boss know that you're looking into another woman?]” another prompt reply that made Kazuya even more annoyed.

”[Just do it. You'll find out whether she is a babe or not after you look her up wouldn't you? Stop spouting nonsense and just do the work I told you to!]” he replied.

”[So domineering! You're definitely hiding something! Perhaps this person will lead me closer to your mysterious identity!]”

”Student Kouzuki! Would you care to share some of your skills with instruments with the class? I heard from the other teachers that you have many hidden talents” Hikaru was quite bothered with Kazuya's lack of attention and wanted to see for herself if this student was indeed as talented as he was advertised.

Kazuya on the other hand was quite annoyed. Hikaru had let it slip that she had asked about him from the other staff members. He wondered if it had anything to do with why she was paying more attention to him specifically.

”(Is she perhaps making trouble for me?)” he thought as he stood up and stepped in front of the class. He had still been concerned about what Tenma and Shishio were up to since Kurumi didn't show up for classes after he had rejected her. Meeting into those two devious men wouldn't be very good for her or him.

”Is there a specific piece and instrument you would like me to play sensei?” Kazuya came up with an idea. He wondered what her reaction would be if he played a song that this person wrote from his previous life.

”Since this is your first time attending my class, I won't make it hard for you and will see how your abilities are” Hikaru gave him free reign as she couldn't wait to pick out any mistake he would eventually make.

”I see…” Kazuya moved towards the grand piano on the end of the platform. ”Then I will play a piece that I believe was entitled 'My Love from Another World'.”

Hikaru only instructed him to play so he didn't use his voice to sing the lyrics that was on his mind. This song was composed and performed by this beautiful teacher of his from his previous life so he hoped to get some sort of reaction from her.

This song was used as one of the songs in a story that revolved around a protagonist that had gone to a new world and found love. Though he believed that the Hamasaki Hikaru didn't make it for such a thing, he always wondered why she had written such a song. Kazuya hadn't grown attached to this song when he first listened to it but after he went to Edea, he had used this specific song to make an impression towards one of his companions.

Kazuya felt a glare behind his back which meant that he had gained some kind of reaction from Hikaru after playing this song. What Kazuya didn't realize until he had finished his performance was that it wasn't only Hikaru who showed a reaction. His classmates were also looking at him in a strange way.

”Huh? Why is everyone looking at me this way?” Kazuya couldn't help but ask. Even Takaya was giving him the same look. The only ones who had different reactions were the usual expressionless Tomoyo and the somewhat upset glare from his teacher.

”Where did you learn this song from?” Hikaru finally broke the silence and asked.

”It was a piece that was composed by a person I look up to” Kazuya replied without hesitation. This made Hikaru's glare grow sharper.

”A person you look up to? Are you kidding me?” Hikaru tried to control her temper. ”Are you playing dumb or do you really don't know why your classmates are looking at you in a strange way?”

”I really don't understand. Can someone please enlighten me?” he looked towards Takaya who was usually the person who wasn't afraid of speaking up.