Editing Tasogare-iro no Uta Tsukai:Volume1 1st Play (section)

===Part 3===

“Thank you for your hard work. Well then, please excuse me.”

The bell declaring the arrival of the morning class resounded. After greeting the seniors at the club activity, Kluele charged full-speed into the first year’s school building. 

The space occupied by Tremia Academy was about three times the size of an average school. Walking from the clubroom to the first year’s school building took at least half an hour. 

“Woah, it’s already this late……”

Shooting a glance at her wristwatch, there were two minutes left until class started. She gasped for air as she climbed the stairs of the building. After that— the sign of her classroom ‘1-B’ came into her field of view. Putting her hand on the door handle, she maintained a running posture as she opened the door. 

Because she exerted too much energy, the door swung incessantly, shaking as if in an earthquake. However, the students did not find this unusual. If she did not do this, she would be late for class. All of the students in the class already understood this. 

“Kululu, good morning. Your record is pretty good; it was seven seconds faster than last month’s average.”

Mixed with a bitter laugh, Mio, who held a stopwatch in one hand, declared in a carefree manner. 

“……I don’t have time to care about that kind of stuff. Where’s the teacher? Isn’t she here yet?”

“Mm, she’s not here yet. It looks like you’re on time today.”

“You mean, I’m also on time today.”

Moving her gaze away from Mio, who seemed to still want to say something, she opened the backpack in her hand. Just when she was about to take out an energy drink, the door in front of her eyes opened.

Wearing a soft green outfit and with shoulder-length blonde hair dazzling in the sun, a woman walked smoothly into the classroom. She was the homeroom teacher, Kate.

“’Morning, everyone…… Ah, Kluele, you aren’t late today.”

The teacher taunted gently. She twitched her cheek for an instant.

“Is, Is this natural?”<!--Isn't this line kinda strange?-->

Kluele pretended to calmly sit down. Those words caused Kate to shrug her shoulders.
 
—I…… Am I wrong?

I’m confident that I arrive at school earlier than anyone else, but because the club’s morning exercise lasts almost until the preparation bell, I’ve earned the disgraceful title of ‘King of arriving late to class’.

“I look forward to you continuing to arrive on time tomorrow…… Ah, it looks like all the other students are already here.”

The teacher held back a laugh while beginning to take attendance of the students.

“There are also no special announcements today. We will conduct catalyst experiments in fifth block, so please gather at Laboratory One after finishing your lunch. This is the one thing you cannot forget. Next……”

Kate stopped and coughed lightly. 

“Even though we are close to summer vacation, ‘1-B’ has a new student. He is thirteen years old this year, and the youngest member of the class.”

The atmosphere in the class immediately became friendly. A boy sitting in a nearby seat made a small noise of surprise. In a seat a little farther away, the usually absent-minded Mio was also surprised. 

Because learning to become a Reciter isn’t compulsory education, everyone all studies the same common subjects before twelve years old. After that, each decides what to focus on studying. Recitation school is merely one of the specialist schools. 

As a result, there are no boundaries based purely on age. After finishing third year of middle school, and completing the fourth year of high school, one is able to obtain the qualifications to become a Reciter. Taking high school at only thirteen years old, means that at ten, he attended normal school and Recitation school at the same time? Although it wasn’t unprecedented in history, it was undoubtedly a rare case.

“Let me introduce you to everyone. Neight-kun, please come in.”

……Eh, Neight? Where have I heard that before?

As soon as the door opened, a boy wearing the white uniform of Tremia Academy came in. 

He had dark purple hair, with height average for a thirteen-year-old boy. Although he was nervous and somewhat stiff, it was still possible to see his innocent, childish face. When their eyes met—

“Eh, Neight-kun?”

Before Kluele could speak, Mio, sitting in the corner of the classroom, cried out. For a split second, he was startled because someone suddenly called out his name. However, he soon said:

“Ah…… Eh…… It couldn’t be Mio-san?”

“Mm, you still remember me. Ah, Kululu is here too!”

“Kululu?”

Seeing Neight’s puzzled expression, Mio voluntarily pointed over this way —Mio, that idiot. 

Kluele couldn’t help but lower her shoulders while sighing. She had purposely introduced herself as ‘Kluele’ yesterday, but in a split second, her words were made futile.

“……Good morning, Neight.”

“Ah, Kluele-san, good morning.”

To be able to receive such a serious response made her thankful, but because of this, the gazes of all the students in the class were on her. 

“—Well, Kluele, do you know this kid? Doesn’t he look cute?”

The friend sitting behind her poked her in the back with a pen. Students around her also said things like, “Eh? I didn’t expect Kluele to know him. How unexpected!” ……It really was humiliating. 

“Ah, Mio and Kluele, do you know this student?”

At hearing their conversation, question marks surfaced in Kate’s mind. 

“Yesterday, we met him near the dormitories.”

Mio answered right away.

“I see. It’s good that you already have people you know. Ah, but Neight-kun, because the other people aren’t familiar with you yet, could you please introduce yourself?”

“Ah…… Yeah, okay.”

Standing up straight, the boy on the stage bowed his head. 

“Eh…… I am called Neight Yehlemihas. I used to go to a school in my hometown, but because my mother is a graduate of this school, I have always wanted to come here……”

The teacher gently put her hand on the boy’s shoulder, surveying the classroom.

“There is still time before the first class starts. Does anyone have any questions for him? It would be tiring for him to answer questions individually, so please ask any questions that you have right now.”

“Ah - ! Me, I have a question!”

The one who immediately raised her hand was the girl who had poked Kluele with a pen, Ada.

“Um, what color of Recitation do you want to specialize in?”

After hearing that question— the boy suddenly looked at the teacher in dismay. 

“Um…… That…… Mine is…… a little different than normal.”

The teacher urged the embarrassed, mumbling boy to continue speaking. 

“It’s called Night Color Recitation…… I’m…… studying that field.”

The boy lowered his head in an embarrassed manner and said those words.

“Night Color?”

Rather than saying she had tilted his head, her whole facial expression was dumbfounded as Ada pondered those words. 

“Night as in Day and Night. Should I call it blackish-blue, or purple…… Either way, it’s that kind of color of Recitation.”

“The school that Neight-kun previously went to, did they teach that type of color?”

Looking at Ada, who had an unbelievable look on her face, he replied uneasily:

“Um, I don’t think any place teaches it…… Because that is the original creation of my mother.”

Original creation. Those words caused Ada to let out a small sigh. 

“In other words, it’s a new Recitation Color?”

However, he hurriedly waved his hand.

“No, it’s not that amazing, and no application has been sent for a new Recitation Color…… And plus, I myself still haven’t…… fully mastered it yet.”

His voice became quieter as he spoke. Well, having just transferred, it was only natural. 

Just when Kluele, who sat propping up her chin, was about to help him out of his embarrassment, the bell signaling the end of homeroom rang.