The protagonist with student ID number 13. Today is the 14th, but since I was told repeatedly yesterday, 'Oh, well today is the 13th, so you, student ID number 13, answer this,' I felt relieved today, but for some reason, I am being told repeatedly, 'Oh, well today is the 14th, so subtract 1 from that, and you, number 13, answer this.' Please write a story about this.
"The protagonist with student ID number 13. Today is the 14th, but since I was told repeatedly yesterday, 'Oh, well today is the 13th, so you, student ID number 13, answer this,' I felt relieved today, but for some reason, I am being told repeatedly, 'Oh, well today is the 14th, so subtract 1 from that, and you, number 13, answer this.' Please write a story about this."
Of course! Below is a slightly unreasonable and comical short story about a protagonist with student ID number 13 who cannot escape the curse of 'Date = Student ID'.
"The Curse of Number 13"
Yesterday was hell.
"Today is the 13th, so you, student ID number 13, answer this!"
It wasn't just once that the teacher said that to me. In math, English, science, social studies, and even during physical education lectures, I, number 13, was called upon at every opportunity. It was as if the date and my student ID were linked.
"It's the 13th, so it's number 13"—where did that logic even come from?
But today is different. Today is the 14th. Freed from yesterday's curse, my heart feels light this morning. My steps as I enter the classroom are light, too. It's not me today. Today is number 14's turn.
First period, Japanese.
The teacher said while writing a poem on the blackboard,
"Well, today is the 14th, so... subtract 1 from that, and you, number 13, give me your thoughts."
...Huh?
Second period, math.
"Today is the 14th, so 14 minus 1 is 13. You, solve this."
...Again?
Third period, science.
"The 14th... subtract 1 and it's 13. You, explain the experiment."
...Why?
During lunch break, I complain to a friend.
"Why is it me again today? Yesterday they said it was because it was the 13th, and today they subtract 1 because it's the 14th... I don't get it!"
My friend laughed and said,
"Tomorrow is the 15th, so they'll subtract 2 and it'll be 13 again."
...Please stop.
After school, I was called to the staff room.
"Number 13, come here for a second."
"...Yes?"
"Give a greeting as a representative at tomorrow's morning assembly. Tomorrow is the 15th, so subtracting 2 makes it you, number 13, which is just right."
I realized it.
This is already a curse.
If you want to make this story longer or take it in a different direction, I'd be happy to write more! In what direction should we expand it?
"The protagonist who keeps getting called on for some reason or another after that. On the 26th, it was 'Well, divide by 2,' and on the 31st, it was 'Well, swap the ones and tens digits.' There was even, 'I just had an intuition that the number 13 came to me.'"
Of course, I will write it as a sequel! It is a story depicting even more chaotic days where the protagonist, student ID number 13, cannot escape unreasonable call-outs related to the date.
"The Curse of Number 13: Continued"
"Today is the 26th, so... divide by 2 and you, number 13, answer this."
The teacher's voice echoed in the classroom. I closed my eyes. Again.
Yesterday was the 25th. I was told, '5 times 5 is 25, so 5 squared... no, actually, you, number 13, are just right.' It was not just right.
And today is the 26th. Divide by 2 and you get 13. Don't derive me using a calculation formula.
During lunch break, a friend said,
"Tomorrow is the 27th, right? 2 plus 7 is 9... no, 2 times 7 is 14, subtract 1 from that and it's 13."
"Are you the teacher?"
The 28th. '2 and 8 is 10, subtract from that to get 3, and since you, number 13, were born in March, it's just right.'
I don't even know what they're talking about anymore.
The 29th. '2 and 9 is 11, but since it's cloudy today, add 2 and it's you, number 13.'
Don't add based on the weather.
The 30th. 'It's the 30th, so 3 and 0 is 3, and you, number 13, were born in March.'
Born in March again?
And then came the 31st.
"Today is the 31st, so swap the ones and tens digits, and it's you, number 13."
...Even if you swap them, it doesn't become 13.
"No, I just had an intuition that the number 13 came to me. So you, number 13, answer this."
Finally, even logic was abandoned.
I realized it.
This is no longer about the date. It's fate.
I am number 13. Even if it's not the 13th, even if it doesn't add up to 13, the moment the number 13 floats into this world, I get called on.
The teacher said,
"From tomorrow, I'll decide based on the total number of days in the month. February has 28 days, so... divide by 2, and you, number 13."
I shouted,
"That's 14!"
The teacher smiled.
"But I had an intuition that 13 came to me."
I slumped over my desk.
The curse of number 13 is not over yet.
This series could definitely continue. It might be interesting to have a development where I'm made into number 13 based on 'days of the week' or 'page numbers in textbooks.' Shall we write a continuation?
"One day, the protagonist catches a cold. Today, they decide to stay home from school to rest. Then, they get a call from school. Wondering what happened, they answer the phone and hear, 'Uh... today is the 18th, and if you subtract 5 from that, it's you, number 13.'"
Of course, I will write it as a follow-up episode. This time, it's a story where the 'Curse of Number 13' chases the protagonist even when they stay home from school.
"The Curse of Number 13: Side Story ~You Can't Escape Even If You Stay Home~"
My throat has been sore since this morning, and I have a fever. The thermometer read 38.2°C.
"...I'll stay home today."
Having decided that, I called the school and crawled under the covers. Today, I'll just sleep without thinking about anything. I'll finally be freed from the curse of number 13.
That's what I thought.
Past noon. My smartphone vibrates.
"...School?"
Thinking something might have happened, I lift my heavy body and answer the phone.
"Hello, is this number 13, [Name]-kun? It's your teacher."
"...Yes, is something the matter?"
"Well, today is the 18th, and if you subtract 5 from that, you get 13, right? So, there's something I want to confirm."
"...Uh, why am I the one for that?"
"Well, it's just, you know, the flow of things... number 13 is that kind of position, isn't it?"
"No, no, no, I'm staying home today! I have a fever!"
"Yeah, yeah, but you have the energy to answer the phone, right? So, could you send me your thoughts on that poem on page 42 of the Japanese textbook?"
"I told you, that's impossible!"
"Well then, by tomorrow is fine. Oh, and tomorrow is the 19th, so 1 plus 9 is 10, and add 3 to that, so I'll be asking you, number 13, again."
"Don't add them up!"
After hanging up the phone, I stared at the ceiling.
...Even if I stay home, I can't escape.
The curse of number 13 chases me across the airwaves.
We could make this a series where number 13 is chased everywhere, such as a 'School Trip Arc' or 'Graduation Ceremony Arc.' Would you like to see a continuation?
"Finally, graduating from this high school. Starting in the spring, I became a university student. (Due to being called on so much during class, my grades were good.) The protagonist lives a busy but fulfilling new life. Then comes the university entrance ceremony. During the ceremony, the university suddenly receives a call from a certain high school, and the protagonist is called out. Then, 'Ah, today is April 3rd, right? 4 plus 3 plus my birth month of 6 makes 13, so you, number 13.' The end."
Of course, I will deliver a final scene worthy of concluding the series. The title is—
"The Curse of Number 13: Final Chapter ~Even After Graduation~"
I graduated from high school and became a university student.
Those three years were filled with days of being called "You, number 13" almost every day. It was unreasonable, but thanks to that, I took my classes seriously, my grades improved, and I was able to get into this university through a recommendation.
A new city, new friends, a new life. Every day is fresh and fun.
And then came the university entrance ceremony.
In a solemn atmosphere, the ceremony proceeded quietly. I was adjusting my suit collar, my heart swelling with excitement for the university life about to begin.
That was when it happened.
A staff member on the podium spoke through the microphone.
"Uh... freshman [Name], please come to the staff room immediately. There is a phone call from [Name] High School."
──[Name] High School?
Thinking it couldn't be, I stood up anyway, left the venue, and took the call.
"…Yes, this is [Name]."
"Oh, is that [Name]? It's been a while, it's Mr./Ms. [Name] from [Name] High School."
"Eh... Teacher? What's wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to confirm something. Today is April 3rd, right?"
"…Yes."
"So, 4 plus 3 is 7. And my birth month is June, so that adds up to 13. That's why I called you, number 13."
"…No, I've already graduated."
"Yeah, yeah, but you know, in last year's modern literature class, when we studied Natsume Soseki's 'Kokoro,' where do you think the 'Sensei's' sense of loneliness was expressed most strongly?"
"…I'm at my entrance ceremony right now."
"Yeah, but the number 13 just came to me intuitively. Please, help me out."
Beep, beep, beep...
I gently hung up the receiver.
──Ah, as I thought.
The curse of number 13 doesn't end even after graduation.
But I'm not surprised anymore.
Because I am number 13.
The End.
I'm starting to get attached to this series. If you'd like to see a "University Edition" or "Working Adult Edition," I can continue it anytime!
Comment:
That's a classic classroom experience!
In high school, I had a math teacher who would pick randomly based on either the "month" or the "day," and I would always pray that my attendance number would be the "month" instead of the "day"! (lol)
Also, I was surprised that Copilot came up with more patterns for how to get to 13 than I imagined this time. It seems like Copilot is enjoying it too (lol).
※ The text inside the double brackets 『』 is my conversation, and everything else is Copilot's response.