The Sound of a Silent Life

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Chika walked over to Miu, placing herself between her and Tsuna before he could object, and said, "Okay, Miu, don't embarrass Tsuna."

She wasn't as careless as Miu. They'd been in the same class for five years. Anyone paying even the slightest attention to them could tell they had never been separated from first to fifth grade. All kinds of subtle signs hinted at something deeper.

"Let's go, Miu. Don't you have to go back and review?" Tsuna gave Chika a thankful glance, grabbed 'Shouko's' schoolbag, slung it over his shoulder, and headed toward the door.

"Don't mention scary things like studying after school, okay!?"

"Come on, Miu, Yuzuru is still waiting for us downstairs." Chika chuckled, took the hand of the still-grumbling Miu, and followed the pace of the two walking ahead.

Yuzuru, who was waiting at the left staircase on the first floor, finally saw the four of them coming down and couldn't help but complain, "Sis, you're all so slow."

Shouko stepped forward, rubbed Yuzuru's head gently, and said softly, "Sorry, Teacher Minagawa kept the hall open today, so I came down late."

"Hehe." Yuzuru gave two light snorts, grabbed her older sister's hand from atop her head, and asked curiously, "Was it something important? Teacher Minagawa opened the hall again?"

Last year, my mom also enrolled me in the same school as my sister. When I first joined, my grandmother still worried about me and wanted to pick me up every day. But starting in the second half of first grade, she let me commute to and from school with my sister.

On our way home, I often heard Sister Miu grumble to me about their homeroom teacher, Teacher Minagawa. I clearly remember her saying the only good thing about her was that she never kept students after class. The other three completely agreed.

Tsuna reached out, intending to hold Shouko's hand, but she dodged and glared at him with her beautiful eyes, eyes she thought looked fierce. He could only chuckle and quickly changed the subject. "It's nothing major. We'll just be in different classes in sixth grade."

"Huh? Then won't you two be separated?" Yuzuru turned her head to look at Tsuna in surprise. That didn't sound like a small thing at all.

"Let's go, Yuzuru. We can talk while walking, it's not good to block the stairs," Chika interjected, pulling Miu down the steps behind her to stop someone from explaining too much.

On the way, Tsuna explained to Yuzuru that although he and Shouko would be in separate classes next year, it wouldn't truly separate them. He also reassured the visibly excited Miu walking beside him, explaining that while the four of them 'wanted' to be in the same class for sixth grade, it ultimately depended on how the school decided to divide the students. Hearing that, she instantly looked deflated.

"I believe in fate! We'll be in the same class no matter what!" But as soon as she stepped out of the school gate, Miu's spirits revived completely, and she clenched her fist with determination.

No one refuted her. They all silently agreed with her words. Just as Tsuna crossed the school gate, a small, soft hand slipped quietly into his.

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"Hehe... I'll assign Miyamura Tsunayoshi to your class next year. You better behave yourself, Takeuchi."

In the principal's office, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a round belly that even a black suit couldn't hide sat on a black leather sofa. He grinned as he addressed a young man across from him, one with medium-length hair, black-rimmed glasses, and dressed in blue-and-white sportswear.

The young man, Takeuchi, was so excited he nearly leapt to his feet. "Really?! Minagawa doesn't object?"

This was a student who had ranked first in the grade for five consecutive years. If he stayed at the top through sixth grade, Takeuchi could proudly say he had taught the number one student for six straight years. And more than that, he was the son of President Miyamura. If Takeuchi ever faced difficulties in the future, he could just mention that he taught his son, and any door would open. There was nothing but benefit‌, no downside at all.

The principal stopped him from standing up and said with a smirk, "Don't get too excited yet. I'll speak to Minagawa. Miyamura Tsunayoshi will be in your class, yes—but Nishimiya Shouko will be with him too."

Takeuchi paused. He picked up his cold tea from the table and took a sip. The name Nishimiya Shouko didn't ring any bells. He racked his brain but came up empty. Still, he hesitated to ask.

"Nishimiya Shouko is the hearing-impaired girl. She's also Miyamura Tsunayoshi's childhood friend and the goddaughter of President Miyamura's wife. You've seen her before, right?" the principal added quietly, watching Takeuchi's awkward expression.

"Hearing-impaired?!"

The principal narrowed his eyes at Takeuchi's reaction. "What? You think that's going to be a problem?"

Takeuchi quickly waved his hands. "No, no, not at all!" He was terrified that the opportunity was slipping through his fingers.

The principal, seeing his flustered face, snorted. He picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, took a puff, and said slowly, "I know you're worried, but I've seen the girl myself. Despite her hearing issues, she communicates just fine with others."

Takeuchi remained silent. He was sure the principal was downplaying it. He had taught hearing-impaired students before. They were always more difficult. You had to speak more slowly, sometimes repeat yourself, and use writing or sign language. Half the time, they couldn't articulate clearly. Even scolding them had to be done slowly so they could catch every word. Worse still, these students were often bullied or excluded. And when that happened, parents stormed in, blaming the teacher. It was always a thankless job.

The principal, noticing his hesitation, tapped his cigarette into the ashtray with an irritated sigh. "Put those dumb thoughts away. This child is different. She's been trained by Miyamura Tsunayoshi since she was little."

If it weren't for that connection, he would've kicked her out of the school long ago.

Takeuchi sensed the principal's growing irritation and laughed stiffly. "Haha, of course! Even if she has hearing issues, I'll do my best to teach her."

The principal didn't reply. Instead, he waved his hand dismissively. "If you've got nothing else, get out."

Takeuchi stood, mumbled a quick goodbye, and stepped out of the office. He wanted to curse out loud, but remembering the security cameras, he could only grumble silently.

Once Takeuchi left, the principal pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Teacher Minagawa," he said smoothly once the call connected, "come by my office. We need to discuss the sixth-grade class assignments."

"Mm," Minagawa responded curtly and hung up immediately. She stood from her seat in the staff room and walked toward the principal's office—passing Takeuchi without even glancing at him.

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