This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 1
Ever since the field trip, my reputation among the students has apparently improved. I’ve been promoted from “Plain Glasses” to just “Glasses.”
Not that I’m thrilled about it or anything.
If anything, I wish they’d come up with a cuter nickname.
In both my past life and current one, I’ve always thought the nicknames students give teachers are brutally offhand.
Another change is that word of my engagement to Noel spread like wildfire. I was bombarded with questions from the girls for a while.
Having to repeatedly recite the ridiculously sweet setup Noel came up with was embarrassing, but terrifyingly, I’ve started getting used to it lately.
“That’s all for today’s class.”
No sooner had I said that than Donna, always quick on the draw, stood up and tried to head straight for the hallway.
Hey now, don’t jump the gun!
Just as I was about to scold her, a magnificent spiral—no, ringlet curl—swooshed across a shoulder as Isabelle stood up.
“You there. Leaving without even saying the end-of-class greeting? How disrespectful to the teacher. Back to your seat.”
Isabelle really is a good kid.
She corrects any student who disrupts order, regardless of their social status.
Whether noble or commoner, wrong is wrong.
As expected from a duke’s daughter.
She’s engaged to Alois, and I think that’s not just because of her noble lineage.
Engaged to Alois… gosh, I’m honestly jealous. (My true feelings.)
If we were the same age, I might’ve been seriously envious of Isabelle.
“Tch. Look at her, all high and mighty just ’cause she’s a noble.”
“That’s absolutely not my intention. I was merely addressing what it means to behave properly as a student!”
When Donna grumbled, Isabelle’s friends came to back her up.
“Oh my! After Isabelle-sama was kind enough to offer advice, you talk back? Commoners really do lack manners, don’t they.”
And naturally, Donna’s group jumped to her defense.
“See?! You are looking down on us because we’re commoners!”
Ugh, my head hurts.
But I have to step in and stop this now. I might need to brew a headache remedy later.
“Everyone, quiet down. Let’s finish class properly with our end-of-day greeting. You can talk afterward.”
When I clapped to get their attention, the bickering students reluctantly returned to their seats.
Actually, class tensions like this are a long-standing issue at this academy.
Most of the students come from wealthy families, so conflicts with commoner students flare up regularly.
Growing up in this world, it used to seem normal.
But now that I’ve regained memories of my past life, this class system just feels incredibly tedious.
They’ve all come together to learn under the same roof. I wish they could get along better.
Because of that, I end up giving lectures like this more often than I’d like.
This last class of the day left kind of a bitter aftertaste.
◇
“I just wish everyone could be united.”
“If that could be done so easily, social discrimination would’ve vanished centuries ago.”
Jill’s not wrong, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore the problems right in front of me.
On the way to the prep room, I rack my brain for a good idea.
If only my teaching experience from my previous life could help.
Back in that world, schools had things like sports festivals and matching class T-shirts that brought people together.
But in this world, there’s no such thing as printed shirts.
Then—lightbulb moment!
“We don’t need printing. If everyone wears matching outfits, that’s enough.
How about… potato tracksuits?”
Yes, those wonderfully awful, potato-sack-style sweatsuits!
They’re unified, comfy, and easy to move in. They scream “team spirit!”
If I put everyone in those and have them do mini-games or something, maybe they’ll get along.
Yup. This idea is gold.
Wearing that kind of design will strip away pride and ego.
People will have to open up.
Plus, this gives me a perfectly legitimate reason to make Alois cosplay. That’s the real win.
“Well, if that’s the plan, I need to buy supplies.”
Maybe I’ll go into town this weekend.
Stop by a bookstore while I’m at it.
While I was daydreaming happily about the weekend, Noel happened to walk by. He must’ve just finished his own class.
“Ah, Noel! I’m heading to the prep room. Wanna come with?”
“The prep room, huh… Sure, I’ll join you.”
Surprisingly, he agreed easily.
Maybe it’s because the magic pharmacy prep room holds memories of his mentor, Professor Roaek.
He might’ve wanted to visit it again.
“Use that chair over there.”
“…This place hasn’t changed.”
He said that as he traced the carved backrest of a chair with his fingers.
Truth is, I became the teacher here right after Professor Roaek left, but I liked the atmosphere of the room when he was here, so I never changed the décor.
Warm-toned wooden desks and chairs, matching herb shelves, a tiny kitchen and dish cupboard, floating stone-mounted flower pots, and even doll-sized furniture for the occasional visiting fairies.
I love all those features, but more than anything, I love the lush greenery filling the room—it feels like a miniature botanical garden.
“I’ll make some tea.”
As I moved to the kitchen, Jill started flailing at my feet.
“Hey, brat! I want milk!”
“Yes, yes.”
“And not too hot or cold, got it?!”
“Yes, yes.”
A flick of the fingers ignited the stove—one of the perks of this world:
basic spells don’t even need chanting.
It makes me feel like I really am in a magic world.
I got so into cooking because of it, I think I annoyed the chefs at the manor.
While the water boiled, I warmed up some milk for Jill in another pot.
As it cooled, I got out teacups and herbs.
Glancing at Noel, I saw him staring quietly around the room.
He looked a little lonely—
Wait, hold on. This is a chance, isn’t it?
Like in stories where the heroine takes the emotionally guarded guy out and helps him open up.
He’s still wary of me now, but if we go out together, he might start to feel closer to me.
I’m on fire today! What a great plan!
I’ll call it… Operation: Open⭐︎Heart!
I’ll knock on the door of Noel’s heart with a fun outing and BLAST it open!
Now that I’ve decided, it’s time to act. No time like the present.
“Noel, let’s go on a date this weekend! I’ll come pick you up! I’m gonna knock on your (heart’s) door!”
“…Huh? Door?”
For a split second, I saw his eyes and mouth pop open in perfect sync.
He quickly covered it up and returned to his usual expression, but still—
That totally unguarded, rare look of his was priceless.