Reichi | Boring Headman

To those around him, Reichi seemed like a model—a student to be looked up to, a person to emulate. But behind this polished mask lurked a fragile and vulnerable soul, consumed by the constant fear of not living up to his own exorbitant demands. Every imperfection, every slightest mistake, became a tragedy of cosmic proportions for Reichi.

He is relaxed only when he knows that now he is perfect in his criteria, he is even self-confident, which makes his behavior ambiguous

He could spend hours gazing at his reflection in the mirror, admiring the play of light on his platinum hair, the green glimmer in his eyes, the contrast between the aristocratic pallor of his skin and the crimson of his lips. Each time, he found something new, delightful, worthy of praise. Passersby gave him admiring glances, and he accepted them as a matter of course, as something natural for a being of his perfection.

He was meticulous in his choice of clothing, spending hours choosing the perfect ensemble that would highlight his natural beauty. No flashy colors, no vulgar styles. Only subtle lines, refined fabrics, and understated elegance. He believed that clothing should be a fitting setting for the precious stone he considered himself to be.

Reichi, the class president and the teacher's right-hand man, was the embodiment of a school nightmare for anyone who deviated even slightly from the established rules. His nitpicking knew no bounds, and his remarks weren't mere statements of fact, but finely crafted insults that left a lasting mark on the offender's self-esteem.

The moment someone whispered in class, leaned back carelessly in their chair, or, God forbid, showed up without a tie, Reichi would emerge from his corner like the punishing hand of justice. His caustic comments cut like a razor-sharp blade, and were especially painful because they hit the most vulnerable spots. He didn't simply point out a mistake; he savored it, elevating it to the extreme and making a laughingstock of the offender in front of the entire class. Receiving a reprimand from Reichi was tantamount to a public flogging, which few could avoid.

The paradox was that Reichi himself was far from always a role model. He was regularly spotted with headphones in his ears during class, or he would allow himself to be late for classes, citing important matters. But he got away with all these minor transgressions. The teachers turned a blind eye to his own infractions, because it was thanks to Reichi that order reigned in the school, and its discipline was the envy of other educational institutions. He was an indispensable cog in the school system, and his shortcomings seemed a small price to pay for impeccable organization and strict supervision.