In Pursuit of Happiness, Starting from Sakurasou

After the self-introductions, everyone had a general impression of their classmates. In their minds, they were already starting to sort out potential friends, forming the early foundations of what would likely become their class groups in the future.

A few minutes later, the classroom door slid open with a bang.

"Alright, settle down!"

A commanding voice instantly silenced the room. A strikingly beautiful woman in a white lab coat strode in, exuding an aura of absolute authority. The moment she stepped up to the blackboard, she picked up a piece of chalk and wrote her name with a decisive flourish.

"I am Hiratsuka Shizuka. I'll be your homeroom teacher from now on. Additionally, I also serve as the campus life guidance counselor. In other words, all of you will be under my watch from today onward!" she declared, crossing her arms with a confident smirk.

The students gulped. The sheer presence she exuded left no room for argument.

"If you have any questions, come to me anytime. Just don't expect me to go easy on you. Oh, and one more thing—I teach Classical Japanese. In my class, no playing with your phones! Anyone caught will face... consequences."

A cold chill ran through the room. Clearly, this wasn't a teacher to be trifled with.

Hozuki Nozomi, sitting near the window, found himself more focused on something else.

(Her lab coat is really tight... she definitely wouldn't have to worry about her kids going hungry in the future.)

Shaking off that irrelevant thought, he straightened up just as Hiratsuka-sensei clapped her hands together.

"Alright, time for roll call."

She swiftly went through the attendance, her sharp gaze lingering on certain students as if evaluating them on the spot. Once that was done, she turned to the class with a new announcement.

"Next up, we need to elect class representatives. In this school, we have both a male and a female class monitor. Anyone interested in volunteering?"

A girl sitting near the back, Sagami Minami, immediately perked up, eager to raise her hand.

Before she could, however, another voice cut in.

"Sensei, since the class monitor is supposed to lead by example, wouldn't it make the most sense to choose the students with the best grades?" Tobe Shou suggested, barely hiding the fact that he was pushing for Hayama Hayato and Shiina Mahiru.

"Yeah, that makes sense!" "Shiina-san is top of the grade!" "Hayama-kun is third, he'd be a great leader!"

Support for the two spread like wildfire through the classroom. Meanwhile, in the corner, Sagami Minami lowered her hand awkwardly, her expression twisting in frustration.

(Tch. So only top students can be class monitors? What a load of crap!)

But before things got out of hand, Hayama Hayato raised his hand, flashing his signature gentlemanly smile.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, I really appreciate the nomination, but I plan on joining the school's soccer team. Between training and schoolwork, I won't have enough time to properly fulfill the responsibilities of class monitor."

A reasonable excuse. Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded in understanding before turning her attention to Shiina Mahiru.

"Well then, Shiina-san, what about you? Everyone seems to think highly of you."

Shiina Mahiru stood gracefully and gave a polite bow to the class, her perfect smile lighting up the room.

"Since my classmates believe in me, I'll do my best. I also have experience as class monitor from junior high. Please take care of me!"

Applause erupted throughout the classroom. With her charm and academic prowess, she had won over nearly everyone in an instant.

"Alright, Shiina-san will be our female class monitor!" Hiratsuka-sensei announced before turning back to the class. "Now, for the male class monitor—"

Before she could continue, Shiina Mahiru suddenly turned to Nozomi and pointed directly at him.

"I nominate Hozuki Nozomi."

A murmur spread through the classroom. Nozomi blinked in confusion.

("Wait, what?")

Shiina Mahiru smiled. "He's second in the grade. I believe he can help everyone improve academically. He seems like a reliable person."

("Oi, oi, don't just decide my fate like that!")

The entire class turned to look at him, their eyes full of curiosity and expectation. Even Hiratsuka-sensei was watching him closely.

Nozomi could already feel the trouble brewing.

("Shiina-san... you're really trying to drag me into this, huh?")

After hearing what Shiina Mahiru said, the entire class turned their attention to Hozuki Nozomi with expressions of surprise.

"He's actually the second-best student in the grade?"

"I heard Nozomi-kun say he likes light novels and anime, so I thought he was just a good-looking otaku..."

"I didn't expect him to be an elite too!"

Murmurs spread throughout the room. Even Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes lit up with interest as she turned to him. "Hozuki-kun, what do you think?"

At that moment, Nozomi could feel the sharp, envious gazes of the other boys. After all, this wasn't just anyone recommending him—it was Shiina Mahiru, the class idol. Didn't this mean she saw potential in him? Perhaps even held a favorable impression of him?

Nozomi glanced at Shiina Mahiru. Her golden eyes held a gentle expectation, her posture calm yet inviting.

"Tch... this is such a pain," he thought. But refusing outright would make him look ungrateful.

With a sigh, he nodded. "Alright. Since Shiina-san thinks so highly of me, I'll do my best as the male class monitor. Of course, if someone else is more suited for the role, I won't mind stepping down. Everyone, please take care of me."

Once again, Hayama Hayato led the applause, making Nozomi feel a strange sense of déjà vu. "This guy sure knows how to keep up appearances," he thought.

"Very good," Hiratsuka-sensei declared. "Shiina-san, Hozuki-kun, come to my office after class. I have some things to explain."

"Yes."

"Understood."

=================

After class ended, a group of girls led by Miura Yumiko immediately surrounded Shiina Mahiru.

"Shiina-san, you really are amazing," Yumiko said, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

But Mahiru only shook her head humbly. "Not at all, Miura-san. I'm just a normal student like everyone else. I hope we can get along well."

Her words were perfectly crafted—warm, friendly, and without a trace of arrogance. Yumiko blinked, momentarily taken aback, before smiling.

"Alright. Let's get along then."

That settled that. Mahiru's charisma was off the charts, and even the sharp-tongued Miura found herself disarmed.

Meanwhile, Nozomi was left alone in his seat, unnoticed by most. Well, almost.

"Yo, Hozuki," a familiar voice called out.

Nozomi turned to see Hikigaya Hachiman standing beside him, arms crossed.

"Didn't expect you to be second in the grade. With that self-introduction, I thought you were just another hopeless otaku."

Nozomi rolled his eyes. "Says the guy who copied my self-intro word for word."

Hachiman let out an awkward chuckle. "Yeah, I panicked. But hey, let's be honest—how many high schoolers don't like anime and light novels? The only difference is that some people pretend they don't."

"True enough."

At that moment, Hayama Hayato approached, flashing his signature charismatic smile. "Hey, Hozuki-kun. Thanks for stepping up as class monitor. You really saved me there."

Nozomi shrugged. "No problem. I figured it wouldn't hurt to try something new."

Hayama's friendly approach immediately eased some of the tension among the other boys. Those who had been envious of Nozomi reluctantly accepted his position, at least for now.

===================

Soon, the school day came to an end, signaling the start of club activities.

Nozomi and Shiina Mahiru made their way to the faculty office together. Along the way, Nozomi stayed silent, keeping a reasonable distance from her.

"Ignore her. If I act too friendly, people will start assuming things," he thought.

After all, in anime logic, a guy being overly nice to the class idol was basically a flag for trouble.

When they arrived, Hiratsuka Shizuka handed them the class duty roster and explained their responsibilities in detail. Once the meeting ended, the two left the office together.

The hallway was quiet, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. As they walked side by side, Shiina Mahiru suddenly turned to Nozomi.

"Um... Hozuki-kun, do you dislike me?"

Nozomi nearly tripped over his own feet.

"Hah? Where did that come from?"

**************

Attached is Shiratsuka, Sagami seems like an OG character who's irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.