『 Bad Habits 』

〖Chapter Three〗

"Good morning class" I greet, as students walk into the tech room.

Stretching, I grab my laptop from the podium and head to the blackboard. There, I write today's objectives. I finish that quickly, before turning back to the class, "now, I heard there was going to be a new student today, and I know you probably already introduced yourself to this class, but would you mind introducing yourself to me" I smile, eyes closed, "if not it's ok, I just like putting a person behind the name on paper."

A kid with light blue hair gets up from his seat near the back, "hello, I'm Hasegawa Langa."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Miss Satou" I smile at the boy, "I enjoy computer programming, which is why I'm here. What do you enjoy?"

He just shrugs, seemingly hollow. I can't help but feel like I'm looking at something familiar. Something scarily familiar. Like a reflection of my teenage self after the incident. Poor kid.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

I sigh as Reki skates into the room, "one more time this week, Reki, and I will have to write you up. One more detention and I'll be calling your mother."

"Sorry, Miss Satou" He chuckles awkwardly before walking to the only open seat, next to the new student. I nod, seeing everyone in their seats, before turning to the board.

"Today we'll be pairing up. This class is project-based, and since all of you are learning, I thought it would be a good idea for you to all pair up. Two brains are typically better than one."

The class erupts in murmurs, but I'm quick to silence them, "now, normally I'd encourage you to pair with a friend or someone you know. However, for the next few projects, I'd like you to pair up with someone who shares at least one common interest with you. It will make projects much easier when you both can agree on creating one thing. Today can be used to get to know each other, however by tomorrow I do want everyone paired up."

With that, the students begin getting up and talking to each other. I rest my laptop back on the podium. Sometimes, being a teacher is a lot of work. Other times, it gives me the free time to be able to work on some code so that I don't have to stay up so late.

Before I know it, class is over. Students pile out of the room to go to their normal classroom as another batch walks in. I repeat my words from earlier, set the class 'free' to talk, and head back to coding.

I bow before my last class, "thank you all very much for your time. I hope you all have a great day," and with that, I pack my things up and leave the classroom. Time to unwind at home with Typo.

"Wait!" I hear a familiar voice, "Miss Satou!"

I sigh, slowing my pace for Reiki to catch up with me, "come to ask about finding a partner? I really don't want to be pairing students up myself. That's no fun for anyone."

"Actually, I was wondering" he scratches the back of his head as we walk, "how hard would it be to create an AI for something like a skateboard?"

I just look at him, eyes wide. Why? Why is he asking me this? Maybe he's just curious. I mean, after all, he is really into skateboarding. Maybe he wants to attempt to create an AI for a board?

I swear he flushes as if he can hear my thoughts, "I've been curious cause I've only seen two ever in my life, so I'm thinking it's rare. But maybe it's not and maybe there are just a few people who know how to do it?"

I sigh looking at the kid, "that depends on what all you'd want the AI to do."

He seems to think about this, as he walks beside me. I can't help but notice how tall he is. Only in decently high heels am I able to match his height. It's crazy how even kids can just tower over me.

"Well, how hard would it be to scan the surrounding area, and calculate the speed for jumps" he questions, "or change the color of lights on a deck?"

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose, "for someone with no experience in programming, it'd take a really long time, so that might just be too ambitious of a goal for you."

"But what about someone who knows what they're doing? Or someone who wants to buy something like that – how much would that even be?"

"For someone who knows what they're doing," I hum, "to have a fully fleshed out AI, with a camera to scan the area with enough insight to calculate speed. It'd take a pretty decently long time too, but you could probably do it in a year or three if you're very lucky. Maybe less if you really know what you're doing. And buying price on something like that, well it's no doubt going to be expensive. That's all up to the seller though. Considering skating AI's aren't that popular, it'd probably be even more than whatever you're thinking."

He nods, smiling, "thanks! I've got to go to work now, but I'm looking forward to next class" and just like that, he hops on his skateboard and speeds off into the distance.

I sigh, wishing that I too could just skate off like that. Unfortunately, I have to take the bus or walk.

My stomach grumbles, obviously having different plans. I hop on a bench, taking my heels off and putting them in a bag, before taking out a pair of black sneakers and putting those on my feet. I can't wait to get home and out of these thick tights, pencil skirt, and long-sleeved blouse. With a groan, I get up from the bench and begin making my way to a nearby ramen shop. First I'll eat. Then, I'll go home and relax with Typo. After that, I can do some more work before passing out and doing everything all over again. 

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A/N: Typically I write much longer chapters. But I decided to experiment with shorter ones. Hopefully this isn't too terrible of an idea.