//------------------------------// // Before Meeting the New Teacher... // Story: Assassination Club // by Tythen //------------------------------// "Do di doo..." A Janitor whistled as he wiped his mop from side to side, cleaning the vast and empty hallways of the school. It was a very quiet experience, and something the Janitor himself felt... Peaceful, yet lonely. To him, he understands that when the most annoying students decide to 'accidentally' litter or stick gum in the hardest to get places, it makes his life and job harder. It's not just moping the floor as seen by the students all the time. But it's no fun when no one's around. Were they here, he'll be thrilled to teach them about littering and how important it is to keep the school clean for themselves and future generations. Keyword being 'teach' of course... A student getting followed and pestered by a hungry rolling-and-talking garbage can is a great learning experience for remembering to put your trash in the bin. In fact, anything that tears any form of logic apart for the kids is always a learning experience for them, to never underestimate the small things in life. *Tap* *Tap* The janitor paused. A certain sound was not meant to be here. Could it be a little pigeon made its way into here and is walking on the floor? Eh... I'm sure the little tyke will get out on its own. Birds are smart animals too, except when it comes to food that is... It's fun to just tweak a batch of bird seed for one day, and see them becoming the secondary predator to nearby students! *Tap* *Tap* The Janitor stopped thinking about his past deeds. There's that tapping again... SOMEONE must be here. Definitely not Celestia or Luna, their walking sounds are too loud, especially when they're wearing high heels. No... The Janitor suspiciously narrowed his eyes. This tapping belongs to another person... Someone very unfamiliar. "Who's there?" The Janitor snapped, darting his head towards the empty hallways. The tapping stopped, but there was no sign of any shadow or silhouette to be seen. "Well, I'll be." The Janitor croaked, "must be getting old. But that won't be helping the floor anytime soon." 'Phew' A dark figure whispered to himself behind a cardboard box. 'That was close. This guy must be really perceptive. I'd better avoid contact at all costs. It peeked over the corner once again, noticing that the Janitor has finished mopping the crossroad of hallways. 'Great. Now that the cleaner is walking to the left area of this crossroad, I just need to go straight ahead. I'll be able to find the room necessary.' After a few seconds of further waiting, it could hear the sound of footsteps and wheel creaking fading away. 'Great, coast is clear.' The Shadow rose from its hiding spot and strode across the hallway intersection right behind the Janitor's back. Or so he thought... The moment his first foot touched the area of the intersection was the moment where it got stuck. By the time the shadow realised that his first foot was somehow glued to the floor, it was too late to retract his other. Uh-Oh. The shadow's feet were stuck in the middle of the intersection, and beyond comprehension, it began panicking. 'How is the ground so sticky!?' The Shadow huffed and puffed, eager to get out, 'If anything, it should have been slippery! And where's the warning sign for a wet floor anyway!? If the janitor leaves a floor so sticky like this, he must be doing a bad--' 'WAIT A MINUTE...' A sudden realisation crossed the shadow's mind. He briefly turned to see the Janitor 5 metres behind him, shaking and chuckling on his spot. "Did you ever think for a moment you could sneak around the school during holiday periods oh-so unnoticed?" The Janitor spoke and slowly turned around to give a devious, toothy grin. "You're quite mistaken sonny boy!" "W-Wait!" The Shadow raised his hands in surrender, "I-I'm not trying to sneak around! I-I'm just trying to get to the Principal's office!" "Then why the sneaking? It's very much suspicious to some." The Janitor walked closer to his shadowy prey. "Your actions belie your intentions!" "I-I-I-I just don't want any trouble!" The shadow yelped, "I'm just heading to an interview by the Principal and Vice-Principal!" "Ooooohhhhhh..." The Janitor responded with relief, his smile and body calming down. "Then you really don't have to sneak around here then! I mean, it's certainly tension-filling and it gives the peace a much-needed break, but we're a School, not a top-secret HQ ripe for plans to steal!" "S-Sorry. I've only arrived in Equestria last week, and I'm still very unsure about the people I'm living with. I'm sorry!" The Shadow bowed, "Then that clears things up! Let me guess. You're here for the newly established Neighponese Class for the upcoming terms right?" The Janitor asked, "Y-Yeah. Name's Nagisa Shiota. Nice to meet you!" He bowed once again. "Ah yes, the Neighponese greeting. If you ask me, your manners and behaviour will suit you just fine for our school. But good luck anyway!" "A-Actually," Nagisa stopped, "I'm still stuck here. C-Can you get me out?" "Right! Just a moment." The Janitor grabbed a spray bottle and sprayed water around Nagisa's feet. "Better?" "Y-Yeah." Nagisa pulled out his foot as an answer. "What's your name?" "Me? Well... I'm the Cleaner, Caretaker, Groundskeeper, Landscaper, Handyman, Garbageman, the man that is responsible for all of the maintenance around the school. If you really want a name to my gorgeous face, just call me The Janitor. I assume you know where to go?" "Yeah..." Nagisa nodded, "is the uh... Floor still sticky?" "The moment the stuff gets dry, the stickiness wears off. If you happen to get stuck before the stuff dries up, then just put some water on it!" "The Janitor?" Nagisa questioned, "are you the only one working here? That's a lot of responsibilities!" "Oh no no no, there are plenty of others that do maintenance around the school, some better than me. But if I'm on the premises, it's just me and me only..." He showed his toothy grin once again. "O-Okay then. Thanks once again!" Nagisa nodded, offering his smooth young hand to shake. "Word of advice sonny," the Janitor continued, shaking his hand "we may seem like a boring school here, the students mostly, don't let that fool you. There are some secrets that the school has, secrets that defy all form of logic, and are just as life-threatening... When that happens, or when I'm around, expect things to get pretty... Chaotic. Toodle-loo!" Nagisa nodded at that advice and made his way to his destination, no longer being sneaky. "Oops," The Janitor noticed the soles of Nagisa's shoes coloured in Blue, Pink and White. "I forgot about to tell him about the other effect of the stuff. Oh I don't mind!!! I enjoy surprises, especially the unpleasant ones!!!" "Come in!" Celestia responded at the knocking of her door. "Principal Celestia?" The Azure-eyed teacher walked into the office. "Mr Nagisa Shiota, a pleasure to meet you." Celestia bowed, "Oh no." Nagisa bowed back, "the pleasure is all mine." "Please have a seat." Celestia offered. "I must say, you write a very convincing message in your personal letter to me." "Well..." Nagisa sat down, "I forgot to proof-check it days after you received it. My bad." "We all have clumsiness in our lives, I can overlook that." Celestia answered, "do you have your teaching portfolio?" "Here," Nagisa pulled out a large file filled with all his merits and credentials as a teacher. It included a copy of his Secondary Education Degree at the University of Tsukuma, his details, conduct records, a reference letter, and student-teacher photos of his former school in Neighpon, Paradise High. One peculiar thing he brought to the table were a set of special details and records written by a teacher that goes by the name of Korosensei. Celestia felt absorbed by the numerous information of the foreign Neighponese teacher. "Thank you once again for coming. As you know, establishing a Neighponese classroom is a big step into uncharted territory, and as such, we are looking for a teacher who can help support that step." "Of course." Nagisa nodded, "it goes both ways for our countries." "I'm curious. Why did you become a teacher?" Celestia asked, "It was back when I was still a Junior High School Student, or Middle School in Equestrian school terms. And the big form of inspiration came from my teacher. His teaching really brings the students together and allows them to cooperate easily. This collective view and teamwork is a culture thing, but the team building stemming from it is valuable for any teaching institution regardless." "I see, that explains why you brought your Junior High School records along. Korosensei was his name?" She inspected the Junior High School file. "Yes." Nagisa nodded, "to be honest, he changed my entire life and perspective of myself and the future. If he was not part of my life as a teacher, I would have been somewhere else, and somewhere worse. The same goes for all my classmates at that time too." "Then I'm sure he's done a really good thing." Celestia smiled sympathetically, "for a teacher to mean a lot to the students' hits very close to home. It reminds me of when Canterlot High School was just a small building, and I was one of very few Teachers." "Yeah." "Next question. What do students look for in a teacher?" "Well." Nagisa confidently replied, "Teaching can be problematic. Having the study material ready for your students is one thing, but getting them to listen is another. The best way to teach your kids is getting their attention. I know of students who would slack off, or threaten their own teacher with death or harm. Not only is it rude, but it will completely hinder their knowledge that they should take into consideration for the future. You could say that a teacher could be passionate, but at the same time, students look up to those who are respectful, willing to lend an ear, and trustworthy for many things. Someone that they can lean on." "Interesting. To follow that up, what should a teacher be like in order for success?" "Although it may be considered outdated, it never has fallen short of effective. They are shown what it's like to be threatened, to show them never to take things like death lightly. If anything, it would keep the students in line. At the same time, however, I show compassion and kindness whenever they do behave, as it's something they deserve. Whilst I know that students can look forward to learning if their teacher is compassionate, my priority is the conduct and discipline of the class. I believe that every teacher has their own ways of doing things and that they can succeed from it." Nagisa took a deep breath for a break and continued. "But at the same time, a teacher must be open, show compassion to each and every student with no favourites or hates, and most importantly be encouraging in the choices they make, while giving them advice for thought and wonder, like keeping an open mind. There are empowering strengths and glaring weaknesses when it comes to individuality and collectivity of students. I... I believe that a student needs both to cover for each other, the abilities that make them unique should work in tandem with other students with their abilities. A teacher has to be impartial to numerous views of the world, whether it's education or politics. As impossible as it is, a teacher would want to show his students that he or she will refuse to pick a side, or at least balance each side to maintain what it means for humans to cooperate with each other, not tear each other apart. I've learnt that through my experience back in Neighpon, and the various standards that I studied of the West. It's also what... Korosensei would say too." Celestia gazed at the petite teacher before him, her gaze completely absorbed into his, a gaze so serious, that it felt like Nagisa was being analysed. "You are right." Celestia finally broke the silence. "You truly are moulded by your teacher. All those questions answered, from your mind and heart, you have been thinking about him." "Uhh..." Nagisa stepped back a little, turning very red. "Following in the footsteps of someone very dear to them is very common. Whether it is your family, your siblings, your teachers, or an idol. But when people grow, they will no longer walk down that path and prefer to walk down their own. Such is how one achieves independence and individuality." "..." Nagisa's spirit began dropping. It seems that the Principal is not impressed or convinced. "Don't mope Nagisa." Celestia kept an observant eye, "there is absolutely nothing wrong in continuing to follow someone's footsteps even in Adulthood. Instead, I can say that your role model must be a great man, a great figure, a great human being." "H-Hah... Yeah." Nagisa agreed, his eyes darting to and fro, "As I mentioned before, he changed my life a lot. If not for him, I would have followed my own way, and that way is... Well... It's a dark path. His path, his footsteps... It leads me to a brighter future. Not just for myself, but definitely for others. Especially my students." "Mr Nagisa Shiota." Celestia announced, "thank you for your time coming to this interview. All you have answered and presented in this file will be important, should we consider your application." "No. Thanks for giving me this opportunity." Nagisa stood up and bowed back. "Be wary when you go out by the way." Celestia warned, "The Janitor is currently mopping the floor. He has a notorious reputation for the staff and students, so I'd suggest trying to avoid him." "A-About that..." Nagisa gulped, "I tried that, and I failed. He's a very nice person, despite his... Notoriety." "Oh dear..." Celestia gave a giggle, "my apologies for him. Granted, at least his behaviour is mellow compared to what he did when he was younger. By the way, I also suggest you check to see if he hasn't left any embarrassing mark on you." "I don't think he's done anything," Nagisa responded, looking all around his stain-free clothes and now dry shoes. "What about underneath those shoes?" Celestia suggested, "Huh?" Nagisa jumped in shock at the sight of his Blue, Pink and White soles, "How did that get here? Why did that get here!? What is wrong with him!?!?" "I see... He used his special stuff to mop the floor." Celestia sighed, "Aside from being as strong as superglue, it would also leave a visible mark on the stuck area. Speaking of which, those colours really do tell me more about you..." "O-Oh no no no!" Nagisa quickly shook his head, "I am what I have told you in my letters and papers!" "I see. In that case, would you like me to walk with you to the entrance? The Janitor won't dare perform any mischief when I'm around!" Celestia proposed, "Y-Yes please, that would be great. Thank you so much!" Nagisa accepted with a bow, After saying goodbye, Nagisa returned his newly bought apartment. Though the day around him was calm, anxiety was not enough to describe his shaking body. From the afternoon to the evening, he quivered as he did his usual activities of lunch, shopping for supplies and a trusty pedal-bike, and dinner. He has saved up so much money to afford all this for a new country and had to say tearful goodbyes to the school and students he had been with for a long time. But he needed a job straight away, not just for the money, but in order to lay a foundation to understand what a whole new world was like. Especially for what is about to happen... If he doesn't do this, it's going to be back to painful job hunting, and Goddess knows how small opportunities there are for teachers in Equestria, let alone a foreign one. No. Don't think so negatively... Korosensei wouldn't have wanted that. Failure is a part of learning. Just like what had happened with Hayami and Chiba, we can always try finding another way, never get hung up on failure. No matter how small an opportunity there is, it is still an opportunity regardless. *Ring Ring* His phone... And that song... Hearing it always makes him jump to its beat. He looked at the number of the caller, it was Celestia's as what he remembered. The moment of truth has come... "Hello?" Nagisa answered, "Good Evening Nagisa, this is Principal Celestia of Canterlot High School." "Hello! Nice to hear from you again!" Nagisa greeted, his legs shaking even more. "Yes, after some serious consideration with other important faculty members about your application and interview, we have agreed on a unanimous decision." "A-And that is?" Nagisa gulped, "Your experience and authenticity with Neighpon, as well as your great efforts in reading through Western Education in order to bring out both its values and cover its flaws, is way beyond what I'm looking for, praise the Sun." "Wait." Nagisa froze, "does that mean?" "Welcome to Canterlot High School, Mr Shiota. A warm and radiant voice came from the phone. "Starting from the upcoming term, you are our Neighponese Teacher, and will be introduced to the entire student body in the beginning of the term." "YESSSSS!!!!!!!" Nagisa leapt to the air with tremendous joy, then abruptly stopped as he was reminded about professionalism. "I-I mean, thank you so much, Principal!" "I look forward to working with you in our future." Celestia responded, "And I hope that you will be able to fulfil your path as Korosensei." "I will." Nagisa acknowledged with determination, "Thank you so much." "See you soon. Farewell for now." "Bye!" Nagisa finished as he ended the call. Of all things, he did it. Well, he really should be confident, but... Yeah, he did it regardless. He can't wait to tell the news to everyone, "Hey, guys!" Nagisa opened up a video call to his friends, "I got the right job! I did it!" "Well done!" Rio Nakamura, one of the many geniuses in her class, now an interpreter working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Neighpon, applauded and congratulated. "Of course you'd pull through. Never doubted you for a second." Hiroto Maehara, a talkative playboy back then, now an even bigger loudmouth sensation as a TV and Radio Host. All of his former classmates around him said their own form of congratulations and compliments to another of their own landing a job in Equestria. "In that case," A sly and conniving voice spoke, "Looks like our 1st phase is going very smoothly. We now have two of Class E in Equestria." "Is anyone able to come over yet?" Nagisa inquired, "Not as of now, sorry Nagisa." Kaede Kayano, a professional actress known back then and today, sighed. "I wish I could come earlier, but you know what we have to do... As assassins." A sense of reluctance crossed Nagisa's mind. "Something wrong Nagisa?" Kayano noticed, "I may only have met her once, but..." He looked towards the window, where he could see a little of Canterlot High School. "The Principal seems really perceptive, and from what I heard, the students and teachers can get a little... Rough but bland. Like Nobodies." "Well, that's what we thought at the beginning of Junior High. Look at us now." Maehara chuckled, "Sooner or later, you'll be able to change those self-impressions, and the impressions from others too. And if they're too foolish enough to care, then it's their damn loss, not ours." "Nobody or Celebrity, we all share the same experiences. Success and Failure, Truth and Lies, Love and Hate, the list goes on and on." Nagisa spoke, "Yeah yeah, we all know who got marked by Korosensei the most." Taiga Okajima, a student that has a... Perverted mind, which successfully drove him to be a professional photographer today. "Anyways, I believe that sooner or later, they may find out. And if things get really unlucky here, I may have to spill the beans myself. For their sake mostly." "Like some prisoner of war or captured spy? That's not very assassin-like Nagisa." Karma shook his head in disappointment, "What would Korosensei say?" "He'd be very happy." Nagisa countered with a smile, "he'd be happy that as an assassin, I'm helping the school as a teacher, and to make sure that no harm befalls them. After all, he was a Teacher first and foremost."