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[boldsimplicity]

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Hizumi Mizushiro

[boldsimplicity]

S-SUSPENDED?!?!

[They've reached the true horror now. Ishimaru has never faced such a terrible dilemma as this! The killing game has nothing on this.]

I-I can't afford to be suspended and miss class! I'll become a dunce in no time without a place to learn!!

[Of course, there's no school to be suspended from here. That point has not hit him yet.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Actually, you might have a hell of a time findin' a school in the first place...

[Mumble mumble ANYWAY.]

But! Usin' surveys or otherwise askin' people to go through their preferences instead of insertin' it smoothly into the conversation is an automatic fail! If you do it like that, you're obviously not even tryin' to understand the subject matter. You're just tryin' to match your results to what's on the test!

[boldsimplicity]

Ngh...!

[Teacher here has a point though!]

I-If I'm just trying to get results, then I wouldn't actually have learned anything...! It... it would be like cheating on an exam!!

[Ishimaru looks completely pale before he bows to Hizumi. To think that he might've gone down such a treacherous path!! He was saved just in the nick of time!]

I-I apologize! I'd never want to cheat on anything!! Thank you for showing me the error of my ways, professor!

[bondsofsuffering]

[This guy is way, way too easy.]

So what have we learned so far? Or am I gonna have to start over from the top again?

[boldsimplicity]

[He's being tested now! Okay, to recap on what he has learned and announce his answer clearly! Ishimaru stands up straight like a rod, just like how he'd answer in an actual high school.]

No, that's unnecessary! I have learned not to force questionnaires or any other material that will stop the 'flow' of the conversation! [He doesn't comprehend that fully, but he remembers the lesson still. Ishimaru just needs to reanalyze it over and over later on!]

I must ask my question at the perfect time, without obstructing anything!

[bondsofsuffering]

That's the basic idea!

[The... very, most basic one, anyway.]

Next time: how to lead into the question to create the right opportunity!

[boldsimplicity]

[He got it right...! One step closer in having actual conversations with people! Ishimaru truly must thank him for his help, so he bows to Hizumi.]

I look forward to your next lesson! This may be unofficial schooling, but I've still gained important knowledge! [He'll definitely study hard and practice before meeting him again!]

And in case you needed to know, my name is Ishimaru Kiyotaka!

[bondsofsuffering]

[There’s a slight, slight little twitch in his jaw at that name.

…Seriously? Of all the people to have a similar name…]

You can just call me Hizumi! [He waves off the unease and formalities in one fell swoop.] Nice meetin’ you… Kiyotaka.

[Actually, let’s just break all formalities while we’re at it.]

[boldsimplicity]

[S-so informal...!]

Are we already on a first name basis?! I did not realize that we've connected that quickly!

[bondsofsuffering]

Sure! How are we supposed to connect if we’re holdin’ each other at a distance?

Informal’s the way to go!

[Hizumi… Hizumi, no.]

[boldsimplicity]

I-I never thought of that! Another blind spot in my studies...

[He's not sure if can be this informal with everyone, but if Hizumi insists... Ishimaru can at least try with him!]

If you're certain about this, Hizumi-san! [...It's habit.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[...Oh, well.]

We'll work on that.

[Lesson 1.5, maybe...]

Anyway, so long as you get the rundown on this place, you should be good to go, right?