I Became a Time-stopping Narrow-eyed Character

Chapter 11

"Differentiation is a term from English language, coined by considering the relationship between points and lines, lines and planes, and planes and solids, which is similar to calculus."

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

Yamamoto Baki, the homeroom teacher, grade head, and math teacher, swiftly moved the chalk.

His forearm muscles, which earned him the nickname "The Murderous Tank," were brutally rugged, but the handwriting produced by the chalk was as pretty and cute as a young girl's.

"In other words, when a plane is divided layer by layer, the tiny parts of each layer are called 'differentiation,' which is the origin of the term..."

However, while shocked by the thought, 'He can write such beautiful letters with chalk?!', the immersion breaks when you glance at the muscular man beside him.

It was simply regrettable that the divine foresight of the 'Apocalypse Love Comedy' god had placed mismatched talents together.

'Or could this be an unexpected gap moe point?'

While I wasn't sure how much commercial value existed in the gap moe of "The Murderous Tank," Baki was actually good at teaching as a math teacher.

Perhaps it's better to say that he explained things in a way that was surprisingly easy for students to understand.

His deep voice carried a certain magical power that made people's hearts shudder.

"Hey, stop goofing around and look forward."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Of course, since math class had the most dropouts, there were quite a few who zoned out.

Initially, many students focused intently out of fear that they might be killed, but perhaps due to realizing they wouldn't actually die...

The number gradually dwindled, leading to the current situation.

Even now, during the third period, Kenichi, who kept glancing at me, was also a member of the "math quitters."

"Oh dear, oh dear, thinking about something else during class? Truly a delinquent student."

"...You've been doodling in your notebook this whole time too."

Oh no, did I get caught?

Sitting right next to me, Sawamura Sento, who had been directly observing my fantastic drawing show, spoke up.

She frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with the croquis of "The Murderous Tank" I had drawn in a three-dimensional style.

I made an excuse for no reason.

"No, I'm different. I've already perfectly grasped all the lesson content. Perfection itself, you could say!"

Before entering this game, I was a science student from a high school in South Korea, known for its academic fervor.

While my grades weren't top-tier, they were always above average, and I even went to an engineering college.

Even though my memories of high school were fuzzy, differentiation was a breeze.

"...You sure talk a lot."

Sawamura Sento, perhaps realizing during our time as seatmates that my intelligence was unexpectedly high, didn't add anything further.

She clicked her tongue and turned her head back forward.

Glancing at her notebook beside me, even though it was content she must already know, it was filled with notes.

Every step of the math problem-solving process was written down without omission.

'She's such a model student.'

Anyone would agree, and so did I, which is why all the teachers adored Sento.

If one had to live their entire life behind a mask, perhaps this level of effort was necessary.

If it were her, even if she zoned out all day, the teachers would just assume, 'She must not be feeling well.'

On the other hand, I was the type who always wore a silly grin and spaced out but could answer well if asked.

I'd never been caught slacking off, so I guess I had an honor student badge by default.

Still, my classroom image was different from Kenichi, who kept sneaking glances at me from the front row.

Seriously, isn't this guy afraid of the consequences?

Just then, Yamamoto Baki, who had finished writing problems on the board, noticed Kenichi, who kept glancing backward.

"Kitagawa Kenichi."

"...Y-Yes?"

"Come up and solve problem number five."

"...Ah."

Kenichi, seemingly accepting his fate, walked up with slumped shoulders.

It was an inevitable death.

Well, better than actual death, I suppose, though a few glares from "The Murderous Tank" would be terrifying enough.

Yeah, much better.

Resting my chin on my hand, I watched Kenichi trembling as he solved the problem, continuing my thoughts.

'I have to take responsibility since I was greedy.'

If it really doesn't work out, I'll survive alone, but for now, that's the plan.

It seemed that my very existence had already caused a butterfly effect.

Originally, I intended to interfere as little as possible, just subtly nudging the episodes, but now I planned to foster a few key players more definitively.

To save them?

No, to ensure my own survival.

In the early episodes, even if it ends in a bad ending, only the protagonist Kenichi dies, but from the middle, the entire world gets completely destroyed.

It was necessary to increase survival options as much as possible.

The starting point of that survival and fostering plan was Sawamura Sento, sitting right next to me.

"Kenichi! What on earth have you been paying attention to in class?!"

I used the homeroom teacher's thunderous shout as white noise and began reviewing my plans for the future.

***

After all the classes ended, Sento, carrying her schoolbag on her shoulder, waited for Ichimaru Shiki.

Apparently, it was her turn for cleaning duty.

She grumbled internally about how she had cleared her entire schedule, even the library committee work, for that man's single word.

"Latecomer."

Sawamura Sento stared blankly at the stairwell where Shiki was supposed to appear.

"Peek-a-boo."

Yet, for some reason, he appeared right next to her.

Somehow, he had even changed into his indoor shoes.

Ichimaru Shiki, as always, shrugged with a smirking face and said.

"Ah, did I keep you waiting too long? My apologies. Kenichi, who was also on cleaning duty, got kidnapped by 'The Murderous Tank' teacher. I had to clean everything up..."

"Never mind about that."

He was probably just going to make excuses anyway.

Sawamura Sento shrugged unconsciously and retorted bluntly.

"Just hurry up, will you? To your house."

"Oh?"

With his usual smirk, Ichimaru Shiki began leading the way.

His house seemed to be a bit far from Karakura High, so they headed to the station.

"Haha, the housing prices around here are just too expensive. I have to live further out."

Indeed, unless one won the lottery, it was hard to live in central Tokyo.

'Even though the bubble burst, the housing prices are still too high.'

She remembered how shocked she was when she first searched for a place to live.

Quietly nodding, Sento followed Ichimaru Shiki onto the train.

Thinking it'd take quite a while, she didn't expect Shiki to speak so soon.

"Alright, we get off here!"

"...?"

Sento frowned.

The destination station was in Shinagawa Ward, just one district away.

While not as central as Shibuya or Minato, it was still a bustling area.

For a moment, she felt the urge to argue but suppressed it with just a slight furrow of her brows.

She wasn't foolish enough not to realize that the more she engaged in trivial conversations, the more disadvantageous it'd be for her.

"Come on, just a little further! Hang in there, partner! You can do it!"

After enduring his annoying cheer for a while, they arrived in a secluded alley.

It was far from suitable for a student's residence, unlike villas or studio apartments.

It was an isolated alley perfect for shady deeds.

"...You."

Her brain, shaped by a life of hardship, jumped to the worst conclusions.

'Could he be planning to kill me?!'

Newly alert, Sawamura Sento blamed herself for letting her guard down and braced herself.

She was determined to resist as much as possible.

On the other hand, Ichimaru Shiki waved his hand with an aggrieved expression and said.

"No, wait! Calmly, I've properly arrived at home, so please wait a moment."

Saying so, Ichimaru Shiki quickly entered the alley and spoke loudly.

"I don't know who's on duty today, but could you please open the door? It's me, Shiki. I've been freeloading here for several months now."

...What is this?

Sawamura Sento frowned deeply and watched what the man in front of her was doing.

With her sharp mind, she speculated that, given the absurd story she had heard yesterday, it might be related to 'Sorcery.' Yet, there were other questions as well.

'Didn't he say this was his home?'

Then what is with that pitiful behavior?

Perhaps, contrary to her initial thoughts, Ichimaru Shiki might be a low-ranking member of some organization.

While Sento nodded and organized her thoughts, Ichimaru Shiki suddenly said.

"Ah, thank you for opening the door."

At the same time, the scenery in front of her reversed.

"...Huh?"

The gloomy alley they had just been in was gone, and now the gate and stone wall of a mansion came into view.

It was an unrealistically grand mansion, the kind you'd only see in period dramas set in the Sengoku era.

Although they hadn't entered yet, it was clear that this mansion didn't fit in an urban city center.

'...Is this some kind of barrier?'

She had expected some sort of trick, but the sight was still astonishing.

Momentarily flustered, Sento froze in place and blinked her eyes.

Regardless, Ichimaru Shiki confidently walked up to the gate.

Tap.

When he knocked, the door soon opened.

"I'm back."

Creak. Through the opening door, the people inside the house became visible.

They all wore similar attire, as if they belonged to the same household.

As the gap in the gate widened, the number of visible people increased, and eventually, dozens of men and women were all staring solely at the man with the perpetually smiling face.

Overwhelmed by the countless gazes, Sawamura Sento could only watch from behind.

As always, Ichimaru Shiki crossed the threshold with his grinning face.

─Ichimaru Shiki-sama!

At that moment, dozens of people shouted.

The collective shout reverberated through the space like thunder, and Ichimaru Shiki nonchalantly passed through them.

The sight of numerous servants bowing their heads for one person was reminiscent of the Red Sea parting.

─Welcome back!!!

No, it was more like the reception for a savior.

'...What on earth is this?'

As Sento stood frozen with a dumbfounded expression, Ichimaru Shiki turned around with a smile and shrugged as he looked at her.

"Ah, sorry. The greeting is a bit over the top, isn't it?"

"...A bit?"

"It's a bit embarrassing, but since I'm technically a guest, I can't change it. Please understand! Anyway, welcome to this place!"

Among the dozens of people, Ichimaru Shiki still wore his grinning face as he bowed slightly, imitating a polite gesture, and said.

"Welcome to my mansion."

It was a fitting scene.