A Glimpse of the Hidden

The Ancient Chinese class eventually resumed its normal rhythm, and the teacher began lecturing at a fitting pace.

Yet, at this very moment, I resembled a salted fish, my eyes vacant as I stared up at the recessed lights in the classroom ceiling.

As for the Ancient Chinese class, such a subject held no necessity for study. After all, to me, any course that merely demanded memorization barely qualified as a course at all.

Though the thought of simply abandoning the academy had crossed my mind, my parents would undoubtedly be displeased to see me take such a path.

‘What a bother…’

Within the electric lights, dark specks occasionally drifted, caught in the glow’s reflection.

Faintly, larger, shadowy forms could be discerned, crawling within the mist-shrouded lamp covers.

My vision, perfectly focused and free from any ailment, allowed even the most minute, sesame-seed-like ovular shapes to coalesce sharply on my retina.

Minute.

Clustered.

Drifting.

Like bats swirling in a cavern’s gloom.

Like wolves with glowing green eyes emerging from a dense, verdant forest.

A profound malevolence, emanating from the very world itself, directly infiltrated my central nervous system at that instant.

A shiver—

I instantly straightened, all traces of my previous languor vanishing. In that moment, even the Ancient Chinese teacher, standing at the podium, exuded an incredibly comforting aura.

“The essay details the lives of ‘Qing Dynasty students’ in Tokyo, along with recollections of a journey from Tokyo to Sendai…”

“…Very well then. Through this lesson, we have gained an initial understanding. We now recognize, through the writings of Teacher Zhou Shuren, the acknowledgment of Mr. Fujino’s educational endeavors and the profound kindness he bestowed. Furthermore, the text vividly illustrates the cultural discrimination prevalent in society during that era…”

The Ancient Chinese teacher had already removed the Renaissance-era spectacle frames from her face, which served a purely decorative purpose. This revealed a countenance that, despite bearing faint traces of time, still exuded a delicate, refined charm.

Even with the peculiar twin pigtails—a style that would undoubtedly exasperate any modern woman, effectively detracting at least twenty points from her overall appearance—her face still managed to just clear the passing mark, preventing it from being truly off-putting.

The folding fan in the teacher’s hand snapped sharply against the pure LCD touch display.

At this time, practical projector technology had yet to mature, and significant investment in educational applications was still lacking. Therefore, these LCD displays served as the only viable substitute.

This alone was a testament to Moonlight Hall Academy’s immense wealth and influence.

“So then… from the content discussed in this lesson, we have come to understand what constitutes ‘shining, noble qualities, much like your esteemed teacher before you.’ We’ve also grasped Mr. Zhou Shuren’s concerns and hopes for the future of our Heavenly Dynasty. Though these points aren’t explicitly stated in the text, I must elaborate…”

“Even if Mr. Zhou Shuren ultimately abandoned medicine for literature, this further elucidates the profound principle: ‘Heaven has endowed me with talents for a purpose, and I will find them again even if I squander a thousand gold coins’…”

[…]

“Student Shiratama over there, you seem quite knowledgeable, don’t you? If you’re so utterly confident, perhaps you’d care to reiterate the content I’ve just explained, before you continue to march… to… the… beat… of… your… own… drum! Alright?!”

Oh?

Capitalizing on the burgeoning chaos in the classroom, my latent illness chose that moment to flare up.

“Eek~ Ah~ It hurts so much~ My head aches~!”

I let out a soft, yet distinctly pained sound.

I immediately tilted my head to the right. The gap between our seats was simply too narrow, and given my delicate constitution as a sickly girl, I found myself with no alternative but to rest my head on the shoulder of my kind deskmate, Tenshouin Youli.

“Ah… Little Qi, we’re in class right now… you can’t… oh, it tickles…”

“It’s fine, Youli~ The teacher is currently bickering playfully with Student Shiratama~ The whole class is in such an uproar~ They definitely won’t notice us here, you know~”

“Then Little Qi, you should really rein it in!”

“No, I won’t, because I’m a sickly girl, you see.”

‘So, young lady, have you truly forsaken even your dignity for your girlfriend?!’

[…]

Meanwhile, the escalating conflict between the teacher and Shiratama had already reached a fever pitch.

First, what immediately caught the eye was a steaming coffee cup.

Next, Shiratama Manatsu was sprawled in a boss’s chair, one leg casually crossed over the other.

Then, on the table rested a thick, heavy Alienware laptop, weighing at least six kilograms.

From my vantage point, faint green lines crisscrossing the screen were barely visible, resembling a dense list of names. In the upper right corner of the website, a plain police emblem, devoid of any adornment save for a national insignia and chains, was prominently displayed.

Blessed with naturally keen eyesight, I could even discern the faint, intricate text subtly displayed on the left side of the laptop screen.

‘Was this truly a student?’

‘Had I genuinely come to the wrong place?’

Click.

The sound of a mouse click echoed.

“No problem at all. After all, even I have been ‘diligently’ listening to the lecture…”

‘If you’re truly diligent, then cease that restless right hand of yours!’