Chapter Four: The Death Flag (Please Recommend)

As the sound of the preparatory bell rang out, the once noisy classroom instantly fell silent. Everyone, almost simultaneously, returned to their seats, gazing expectantly toward the door as if awaiting something extraordinary.

It was the beginning of a new semester, and after being assigned to new classes, no one yet knew who their homeroom teacher would be.

As if responding to the anticipation in the room, the classroom door creaked open. A petite woman, wearing delicate framed glasses, stepped onto the podium with measured steps.

"It's Miss Kuma!"

"Wow! That's amazing!"

From the whispered voices around her, Su Mo finally confirmed that this woman—diminutive in stature, yet broad of heart—was indeed their homeroom teacher. Su Mo couldn't help but marvel at how teachers in this island country were so different: many, just like in anime, appeared in the form of adorable, doll-like figures, their beauty almost criminally enchanting.

In contrast, she recalled the teachers from her own homeland, most of whom were hefty and balding. If her high school teachers had looked like this, she would have certainly studied harder; Tsinghua and Peking University would have been within easy reach!

"Hello everyone, I am Zhu Hui Gangfeng, and for the coming year, I will be your homeroom teacher."

Speaking slowly, Zhu Hui Gangfeng, the social studies teacher, bowed her head. Perhaps because her glasses didn’t quite fit, they slipped down her nose, prompting her to fumble with both hands to adjust them. From these small gestures, Su Mo guessed that this teacher was the absent-minded type, yet clearly very popular among students.

Whether it was just her imagination or not, every time Su Mo glanced at the podium, she felt Origami Tobiichi’s gaze fall upon her. That prickling sensation on her back made her uneasy and stiffened her posture; she didn’t dare meet Origami’s eyes.

For the next three hours, Su Mo found herself restless and unable to settle. Even before crossing over, she’d been innocent, with no experience in romance—not even holding a girl’s hand. Now, being stared at by someone as formidable as Origami felt like being sentenced to a slow death; it was more than she could bear.

So, when the school day ended, Su Mo rushed out of the classroom like a man fleeing for his life.

The education system here differed greatly from that of her homeland. High school resembled university, with fewer daily classes and a wide variety of club activities. Especially today, the first day of the term, after the opening ceremony, school was dismissed before noon.

Su Mo felt fortunate. Though she was fluent in Japanese, that didn't mean she was well-versed in the island’s academic system. If she had to study and take exams in this state, she’d surely drive herself mad.

Luckily, this lifestyle wouldn’t last long. Su Mo remembered that Raizen Metropolitan High would eventually be destroyed by a spirit, plunging the school into an extended suspension. Then, she would be free.

“Su Mo, wait for me!” Just as she dashed out, Shido Itsuka’s breathless voice sounded behind her. He hurried over and said, “You don’t have any plans after school, right?”

“Plans? Of course not!” Su Mo shook her head.

“That’s good. This morning, Kotori kept insisting we go to a family restaurant for lunch. If you’re free, why don’t we all go together?” Shido smiled gently.

Hearing this, Su Mo instinctively rubbed her stomach. Usually, they ate together, so he had no reason to refuse. He quickly nodded in agreement.

At that moment—

Wailing sirens suddenly blared throughout the school, the windows rattled violently, and screams echoed from the streets.

“What’s happening?” Shido’s eyes widened in panic.

[This is not a drill, this is not a drill. According to observation, a spatial quake is imminent. Residents and students nearby, please evacuate to the nearest shelter immediately. I repeat—]

Instantly, all students fell silent, a suffocating sense of dread gripping their throats.

A spatial quake alert.

It had been a long time since such an event occurred in Tenguu City, and now it was happening right before their eyes. Anxiety and unease appeared on the faces of students, but since spatial quakes began thirty years ago, nations had built numerous shelters, and everyone had endured endless evacuation drills since childhood.

Raizen Metropolitan High also had an underground shelter large enough for the entire student body. So, though nervous, no one lost composure.

The corridor was already full of students, lining up orderly toward the shelter. Even Su Mo was dragged along by Shido. But Su Mo quickly noticed that among them, only one person ran in the opposite direction—Origami Tobiichi, whom he had just met today.

Yes, the girl with her skirt fluttering as she ran through the corridor was Origami Tobiichi.

Seeing her, Su Mo seemed to recall something. He stopped abruptly, ignoring Shido’s surprised gaze, and his mind whirred with memories.

Spatial quake. Spirit.

That’s right, a spirit was appearing today.

Su Mo remembered the three tasks assigned by the Lord God, one of which was to raise a spirit’s favorability to the maximum level. Originally, he’d planned to pursue Kotori, but romancing one’s own sister was too embarrassing—a perverse act.

Moreover, most spirits were problematic children. Only one was easy to approach: Tohka Yatogami.

Tohka was a naive, gluttonous girl with no memories of humanity, pure as a blank slate. She was the easiest to win over—just take her out to feast, and her favorability would soar.

And today, the spirit causing this spatial quake was Tohka Yatogami.

“Of course! How could I run? I have a mission to accomplish,” Su Mo thought. Today was Tohka’s first descent into this world; if he missed this opportunity, it would be much harder to win her over later.

Today was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“Su Mo!” Shido called, confused.

Facing Shido, Su Mo needed a reason to leave. Inspiration struck—he pulled out his phone. “Shido, you said Kotori asked you to go to the family restaurant this morning. Isn’t it possible she’s waiting for us there right now?”

“How could that be?” Shido muttered, but his expression changed quickly.

Su Mo activated the location feature on his phone—all three siblings had linked their phones for easy tracking. At that moment, Kotori’s location appeared on Su Mo’s screen, precisely in front of the family restaurant.

Seeing this, Shido nearly fell apart.

“No, I have to save Kotori! She’s being reckless—staying at the family restaurant despite the spatial quake—that’s insane!” Shido shouted, about to rush out, but Su Mo grabbed his arm.

“Let me go instead. After all, I’m the only man in the family,” Su Mo said, breathing a sigh of relief and flashing what he thought was a gentle smile.

Fortunate to know the plot, he was aware Kotori was right above the family restaurant.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have found an excuse.

“But—” Shido hesitated.

“No buts. Trust me, I’ll bring Kotori back safely.”

Having set up a death flag, he ran toward the school gates without looking back.