-atom 084- Ameri Ichinose — Sneaked Into The Room Pretending To Tutor Students

"Good afternoon, everyone," she said, her voice a decibel softer than expected. "I’m Miss Ichinose. I hear you're all having trouble with stoichiometry."

Room 204 was designated for "Advanced Chemistry Cram." Kenji Sato, the class president, had organized the session, dutifully noting that Miss Ameri Ichinose, the student teacher from the local university, had volunteered to lead it. What Kenji didn’t know was that Ameri Ichinose had never finished her teaching practicum. She wasn't a student teacher. She was an operative.

Taro didn't look up. "It's already balanced if you consider combustion," he muttered. "Glucose plus six oxygens yields six carbons diox and six waters. Boring." "Good afternoon, everyone," she said, her voice a

Taro stared at her. His eyes narrowed. He glanced at his laptop riser. Nothing. The drive was gone. His face went pale, then a dangerous red.

"Alright," Ameri said, straightening up. "I think the best way to learn is to get out of your seats. Pair up! Taro, you can work with me at the front. I want to go over some advanced reaction mechanisms." What Kenji didn’t know was that Ameri Ichinose

The door slid open with a soft whoosh . Ameri stepped in, clutching a worn chemistry textbook to her chest. Her wire-rimmed glasses were fake. Her sensible cardigan was borrowed. But the gentle, slightly flustered smile she wore was pure performance art.

The rest of the "tutoring session" was a masterclass in tension. Ameri continued explaining Avogadro's number while Taro seethed. The lookout girl typed furiously. Ameri knew she had maybe ten minutes before they realized she wasn't a teacher. Taro didn't look up

A murmur of protest. The lookout girl’s head snapped up. Taro hesitated. "I'm fine here."