"Xia Chuan Yuan, you’re here already? Come sit!"

Tsurumi Misuzu’s face was flushed crimson as she waved him over. She pointed to the empty seat right beside her, bubbling with excitement:

"I saved this spot just for you! We’ve already eaten most of the food! We only started drinking while waiting for you—so you owe us a drink as apology~!"

Misuzu had clearly had quite a bit to drink. Though her cheeks were rosy, Xia Chuan Yuan noticed her eyes remained sharp and clear—definitely not drunk yet. A seasoned drinker, no doubt.

The other seven girls were too young, too naive. They’d fallen right into her trap. Beginners like them usually had paper-thin tolerance. Xia Chuan Yuan had already spotted the giveaway when he entered: everyone else had cups, but Misuzu’s drink came in a *can*. She clearly loved alcohol—and could hold her liquor.

"Okay, okay, got it!"

Xia Chuan Yuan walked toward the seat beside Misuzu. Just as he neared it, she yanked his arm and shoved him down hard.

*Thud!*

"Ow."

"A real man wouldn’t whine over a little bump! Pathetic~!"

"...Somehow, that lacks credibility coming from you."

"I’m a forever-youthful, eternally eighteen beauty! Why would your teacher lie? Trust me—I’m a *role model*."

"Hmm~ ‘Role model’? More like ‘role model my foot’."

"Are you implying something?!"

"Just your drunken imagination."

"Impossible! A woman’s sixth sense never lies. This much booze? Pfft—I’d never collapse here!"

*(This teacher’s seriously scheming!)*

"No dodging! You’re making everyone wait. As your elder, I say drink—and you *will* drink. Same amount as me. Consider it your apology!"

"B-But teacher, I’ve never touched alcohol! I can’t—"

"Nonsense! Look at them—all beginners, yet they drank!"

*(Yep. She’s deliberately getting them drunk to embarrass them. Now she’s targeting me. Crafty. Seriously impressive.)*

"Stop stalling! Are you even a man? When elders speak, juniors obey. Or do you prefer punishment over respect~?"

"N-No! Everything the teacher says is absolutely right!"

"*Absolutely* right? So you admit there’s sometimes wrong?!"

"Everything is right! Teachers never make mistakes!"

"*That’s* the spirit. Sweet talker."

"So... can I skip the drink?"

"Not a chance! Drink up!"

...

And so, the devious teacher Tsurumi Misuzu began matching me drink for drink. The other girls were already dazed, giggling stupidly at us.

*Damn. They’ll murder me when they sober up—dump my body in the ocean for seeing them like this!*

Misuzu kept spurring the girls on with fiery speeches, tricking them into another round. But honestly? I was grateful. The drunker they got, the better. If they forgot me entirely after waking up? Perfect.

Trapped and helpless—*forced into this like a cornered rabbit*—I still couldn’t escape Misuzu’s clutches. Not because she terrified me. No. Out of respect for elders. She’s the teacher. We obey. I *volunteered* to drink with her. Truly. It had nothing to do with her stomping my foot. Or pinching the soft flesh at my waist. All voluntary.

Since it was my first time, I gulped it down fast—chugged the whole bottle. Misuzu just smirked, sipping slowly. One sip. A pause. Another sip. When she finished, her eyes glinted with mischief as she challenged me to another bottle.

I felt nothing. Fine. You’re the teacher—you decide. Guess that ingrained respect for authority still runs deep. Back in school, teachers ruled my world. I *could* resist... but fear—no, *respect*—held me back. I must break these chains! Democracy! Freedom! I’m the successor of communism—wait, that’s not quite right. Whatever. You get the idea.

After two bottles, still nothing. The first gulp had burned slightly, but after that? Like drinking water.

The devious teacher Tsurumi Misuzu narrowed her eyes watching me finish both bottles. A sly smirk curled her lips as she stared, waiting for the show to begin.

I frowned back, confused.

She judged the timing was right. "Beginners never learn," she tutted. "Chugging two bottles? Kids these days..."

*(I TOLD you I’d never drunk before! YOU forced me! My fault?!)*

"Alcohol’s meant to be sipped. Gulping it? It’ll hit your brain soon. Then you’ll crash. I’m waiting for that."

*(Seriously?! You wanted to see me humiliated?! Why didn’t you warn me earlier?!)*

One second passed...

One minute...

Five minutes...

Ten minutes later—nothing. My head stayed clear. No dizziness. No flushed face. Heart steady. I felt weirdly energized—like I could sprint up five flights of stairs.

Misuzu’s theatrical "waiting-for-the-crash" expression faded. Seeing my calm eyes, steady hands, and sober face, she panicked.

She leaned close, holding up one finger:

"How many fingers?"

"One."

"Again?"

"Two."

"Who am I?"

"My ridiculous teacher, Tsurumi Misuzu!"

*Thwack!*

"See? You *are* drunk! Two bottles on an empty stomach? Unbelievable. Round three!"

"Teacher, give up. I know your game."

"Here. Drink."

...

Bottles later, I still felt nothing. But Misuzu? Her words slurred. I tried reasoning:

"Teacher, my body might lack the enzyme. Science says some people are immune to alcohol."

"I’m not listening! Again!"

...

"Teacher, that’s enough! I’m fine—you’re the one swaying!"

"Me? Drunk? I’m East Capital University’s *Drinking God*! I’ve toppled ten men! How could I lose to a shrimp like Xia Chuan Yuan?!"