I can hear the bell signifying the end of a school period. In the process, the bell awakens me from my nap. Sounds of gunshots, explosives, and the instructors screaming are replaced with a momentary calm. After a couple of minutes, the calm silence is replaced with the voices of students leaving the campus or preparing to head to their clubs.
If I had not studied here for around eight months already, I would have found this transition a bit jarring. But it looks like even someone like me can get swept up by Gunkanjima Academies schizophrenic pace.
In one moment, this place looks like a normal school, and then it turns into a full-blown military academy. Seeing is believing, nothing shows the truth better than just witnessing it.
Still woozy from my nap, I wobble a bit as I sit up upright on the rooftop bench. The sun is a bit lower on the horizon than I expected. Probably as a result of me sleeping longer than I wanted. It still being winter, the days end quicker and the air is chillier. But it not that bad when you get used to the weather.
I reach for the cell phone I have in my pocket and check the time.
5:00 pm.
It looks like I did not only skip my final class for the day but also slept through the eight period. I would not expect any less. Great work as always me, really great work.
Well, it's a good thing that the students here don't fall under the conscription law. If we did I would probably get a beating by my commanding officer for such a show of laziness.
Since we're still kids who are under 18, the instructors expect that we will act like children. Although that might just be me and my wishful thinking.
I put my phone back into the pocket of my pants and relax on the bench.
The roof has a nice view of Hashima island and Gunkanjima Academy. Students are forming a big blob as they make their way through the campus.
It's hard to believe that an island which mostly survived on extracting coal, would turn into a giant Academy for training super soldier, with almost 50 thousand students attending. And the constant need to expand the island is ridiculous as well. The academy is already its own city on everything but paper.
It almost sounds like someone got too drunk when they came up with this idea, which was what probably happened.
As I watch the ground a significant group of the students, but not the biggest one is heading towards the docks to catch a ferry and return to Nagasaki. They are either going home, planning to spend time with their friends. Though most of the students reside in the school dorms due to the sheer annoyance of taking the ferry every day. On-campus there are a lot of cafes and leisure facilities owned by private companies.
No doubt it's profitable since a lot of students here come from rich families.
I can relate to people who don't really like to take public transport or get up earlier just to be at school on time. But living in the dorm is more annoying than waking up a bit earlier every day.
Other students are heading to the various school buildings for their clubs. The gym, outdoor sports field, indoor sports field, the archery range, the shooting range, and so on. The sheer number of buildings is staggering, ranging from multiple outdoor and indoor sports fields among other more militaristic facilities. There are even helicopter pads for emergency situations and military exercises. If one thing is clear, these people want to enjoy youth while they can. Or maybe the school is getting a bit overcrowded.
I turn my attention towards one of the dorms that is decorated with various banners, signs, and people in mascot costumes. Probably the work of some clubs, wanting to welcome new people to the dorm.
It looks like they finished the expansion for one of the dormitories. The building itself is located in the southern part of Hashima. It is a seven-floor building with a big garden, the most notable thing about it is the artificial beach. Since a lot of those who reside on the island are too lazy to even leave this place. A lot of entertainment facilities are run by various private and state companies. The artificial beach is mainly used for aquatics training: swimming, diving, emergency situation training among many other things.
Although we use multiple pools for training, the beach is still necessary to train the students here for real-life situations.
Also sunbathing, girls love that. I remember just how many people bring their swimsuits on the weekends during the summer.
They have been expanding the school dorms since I enrolled here and the majority of the students and even some teachers live in the various dormitories around campus. Since the birth-rate of superhumans shot up in recent years the Academy has had issues dealing with the increased student enrolment rate. Therefore, making some of the dorm co-ed was basically a necessity.
Naturally, with such high numbers of people in those buildings, I avoid the dorms and the people who reside there like a plague.
It looks like Japan's overpopulation problems can even affect this school. A school that has deep pockets and is basically funded by the League itself.
Heck Hashima island is at this point a mostly artificial island considering just how many times the school needs to build new facilities here. Since expanding the already huge campus is annoying everyone. Both for the students and the faculty there are plans to expand the underground facilities in recent years. Building new shooting ranges, storages, and even classrooms.
Personally, building a new cafeteria would be my priority. Just considering how the students need to fight each other to eat lunch on time, is causing the principal to have a mental breakdown. And it would make things more convenient for me too.
Imperial calendar Heisei 31. January 2019, my first day back at school after the winter break and I'm already skipping lesson while complaining about other people not doing enough to make life more convenient for me… To myself.
Well, it's not like I can complain to anyone but me.
The cool wind continues to annoy me. It seems like the island of Kyushu is trying to convince me that it's winter, even though it's there is no snow.
Nagasaki has a rather mild winter by the standards of an average person who lived in Japan for their whole lives. Yeah, it's not as hellishly hot like it is during the summer, there is a chilly breeze from time to time but that's it. By my standards, this barely counts as winter. No snow means no winter in my book.
Sometimes I really wish there was a Highschool like this back home. Maybe I would complain less.
I stretch my body for a bid still feeling a bit stiff.
"My neck hurts." It is a good idea to probably find a way to sneak a couple of cushions to sleep on the bench, sleeping like this is bad for my neck and butt. Although I do not think people would appreciate me just sleeping here on a whim. So that's a no go, I guess.
After stretching for a bit I feel fully awake, the 'winter' weather, and the people watching seem to really wake me up.
I reach for the half-finished canned coffee I placed near the benched. Taking the can I gulp down the content in seconds. Refreshing my dry throat.
This is bliss.
The peace on the rooftop and the ruckus from the campus ground intertwine and become one. But to me, they are two different things. This place to me feels like time does not move. Time and eternity do not contradict each other. Just me lazing around and not thinking of anything important. Nothing for me to chase after and nothing to chase after me. I wish it would be like this forever.
The roof gets cleaned every day and has a vending machine with drinks and snacks. I could practically live here if not for the weather. Typhoons and rains can even keep me of this place.
But man, I sure wish the roof was always this quiet even during the lunch break. If that would happen this peace and quiet could last for an eternity, but something always must end it.
The roof is open for the students makes it a popular spot to have lunch at. Or a spot to confess to someone you like, or just spend time with a person dear to you. People even have clubs here, the Astronomy is here almost every night, although light pollution probably does not do them any favors. So today is a rare day when I am up here alone.
What could stop people from coming here and leave this spot for me to laze around? I don't know.
Maybe someone getting murdered here would keep the people away. Although the faculty will probably just restrict the access to the roof, so that might be bad for me. And it's not like killing anyone in this school would be easy. Everyone is here a superhuman, their bodies are tougher and their strength superior to that of a normal human. The whole student body is training to take advantage of their power so they can fight for the notion of 'world peace'. Or alternatively just for some rich guy to hire them as bodyguards. There are no easy targets here.
Well…
Except for me, I would probably be a very easy target.
As I continue to enjoy this small peace the door leading to the roof opens. Making my mood which was on a heaven high level to plummet.
Because I know who came here.
"Kaito-kun you're here after all." A friendly voice calls out to me.
That voice makes me instinctively crash the coffee can in my hand, a habit if you will. My mood is in the shitter now.
Also do not call me Kaito-kun. We are not friends.
I throw the can into a rubbish bin with practiced motion and the can lands with a clang into the garbage bin.
"If only you would put as much effort into your school life as you do in making life convenient for yourself."
He is still standing by the door to the roof not moving.
If I keep setting here than he's just going to stare and if I leave, he's going to follow me. Got to figure out how to shake him off.
"What do you want?" I do not really hide my annoyance from this guy. Not like that would be enough to make him hostile, he is either dense or just doesn't care about how much he bothers me.
"Can't I invite a friend to go home together?"
"No."
And I am not your friend also you live in the dorm, damn creeper.
I get up from the bench and grab my school bag. Wandering on how quickly things can change. Peace quickly turns into annoyance when someone you dislike gets involved.
"Well, then I'm just going to follow you around." Not taking a no for an answer he persists.
"That's stalking, you can go to prison for that."
"Not really. It's the student council's job to look after delinquent students." The threat of lawn does not faze him either. Like usually he is persistent.
I refuse to look at him directly, if I do he's going to say something like.
'Ah, you looked at me.' In a happy tone. And that is going to piss me off.
I'd rather eat a grenade than stare at his face willingly. And no point in saying what kind of uniform he's wearing. He's just wearing his gakuran like every male student in this school does. The school has a sailor-style uniform, nothing special about it. Well, the only difference is that the color of the girl's uniform ribbon, and color of the tie for the male students, show what year they belong to. It has something to do with how after the Second World War this island became an Imperial Navy base.
So, I just stand up close my eyes and head for the door without looking.
Some people would say that I am being a bit extreme right now. That not looking at someone out of annoyance is petty. And I don't disagree. But I tried many things to drive him away with nothing working.
Doing my best to ignore him is my only option.
After walking for a few seconds, I reach my hand for the door handle, grasping it and opening the door to leave the roof. Already used to this routine I leave.
He follows me from behind, so I open my eyes and head downstairs.
"Ah yes I wanted to inform you about something."
I don't care.
I keep my silence as I quicken my walking speed.
"Were getting two new transfer students tomorrow. Seems like their foreigners."
What kind of special person do you need to be to transfer in this late into the school year? Plus, why should I care exactly?
We reach the third floor where the third-year students study. It seems like there is no one in the hallway.
"And one of them is going to be in your cla-"
"I need to go to the bathroom." I cut him off as we stand before the two bathroom doors.
Before the winter vacation began, I used the excuse that I needed to go to the bathroom to shake him off. Using the window to get myself to the campus. He waited for me before the bathroom for an hour. Not realizing that I already was drinking tea back at my apartment.
I move towards the bathroom door.
"Then I'll go with you."
…No dice huh? It seems like he just can't give up on following me around.
Then…
I move to the other bathroom door, the one meant for people who lack certain male aspects.
"Wait that's the girl-" and now he sounded embarrassed. It looks like this is my way out.
I open the door and enter the girl's bathroom. The lack of urinals catches my attention but that is it. I move towards the window. Sliding it to the side and preparing to make my escape. I look down.
Some students are wandering around but no one I could directly land on.
Well shit, looks like I have to do this landing this without a cushion. Things can never go my way, huh.
But as I prepare to jump out of the window a sound from behind me draws my attention.
I turn my body to face the sound.
A girl is standing there who probably just finished her business. Around her black sailor styled bloused there is a red ribbon. Which means she is a second-year student, a year my senior.
Our eyes meet and her face gets red as a tomato. She probably thought that another girl was here not some fucking guy who wants to jump out of the bathroom window.
Shame, I could not catch her in a more risqué situation, but entering the girl's bathrooms just for that isn't exactly a hobby anyone should have.
Now that I think about it, a guy entering the girl's bathrooms for anything is a bad idea no matter the reason.
Not waiting for anything I dive out of the window with my back facing the outside and start free falling to the concrete campus ground. The girl reacts a few seconds later.
"Pervert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" a scream resounds from the bathroom I just left and resounds throughout the campus.
It takes second for me to fall from the third floor and the ground is closing in fast. As my feet make contact with the ground, I bend my knees slightly. With my hands at the sides, I proceed to fall to my rear and roll for a bit. Making sure I executed everything properly without doing much thinking, I get up to my feet.
It looks like that paratrooper class is good for something.
As I stick my landing I look around. There were some students doing chores, just talking, or making their way somewhere. But of course, my landing and the girls scream draw their attention. Most of the student body knows my face and does not pay me any attention, while others who are less familiar with me start talking.
For example, one of the conversations is going like this.
"Did that guy just jump out of the girl's bathroom?" I overhear some guy sounding surprised.
"Hmm, oh that's Suzuki." A girl answer in return, maybe one of my classmates.
"Suzuki from the student council? I didn't know he was a pervert."
"No not the one from the student council. You know the Suzuki with the lowest fighter ranking in our school."
"Ohh, you mean the one the student council vice-president has a crush on?"
"…Wait, the vice-president is gay?" She sounds heartbroken, maybe one of his admirers?
Usually, I would not care what people say about me, but the last comment disturbs me on a psychological and ideological level. Not that it is important at the moment.
Getting away from vice-president-sama makes it all good.
Since with that guy out of the way now I might as well enjoy going back home in peace. If someone keeps constantly whispering in my ear, relaxing becomes impossible. Now with him gone I can probably have a leisurely walk.
Although he can probably catch up to me if I take things too slowly. I should probably make my way to the terminal and take the ferry before-
"Heeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyy." A familiar voice. Far away yet getting closer. He really is persistent.
It looks like I'm making a run for it. There really is no rest for the wicked.
///
"Your thoughts."
A youthful voice spoke from the phone. The voice sounded like it was coming from someone who was still in his early twenties. A clear voice, with no tiredness or any sight of the person losing his youthfulness.
But at the same time the delivery, the tone, and intonation contradicted the youthful impression. Just by hearing how stern and authoritative the speaker, is made him seem much older than the man's voice implied.
Nagasaki Port was bustling, as a property of the Imperial Shipping Company it was the main gateway to the west of Japan for the Asian countries that used it. With multiple terminals and ships working at maximum capacity, causing some annoyance to the people who live around the area. But not much could be done about that due to overcrowding.
It also holds historical significance to the people of this city and the country. As it was the port where the relief to Okinawa was sent in 1945. Some say that without that relief the Allied forces would have overtaken the small island, the push towards the mainland would be inevitable. The soldiers that arrived in Okinawa from this port were proof of concept as well, proof that humanity still did not reach its limit.
The woman who was holding the phone stood out on the pier, looking towards the distance. Her clothes were that of Gunkanjima Academy student, even though she is yet to attend there. A black sailor fuku with a red ribbon together with black knee sock, as per academy standard. The woman's skin tone was brown, showing her mixed heritage and her hair was that of a blond. Unlike some youths that hair color was natural. Elize's face was wearing a calm dignified expression, which didn't portray the emotions that the woman held inside herself. She was foreigner without a doubt.
Still, something seemed off about her looks, like the man on the other side of the phone, something didn't click. Her posture contradicted her young-looking appearance, the way she spoke was dignified, respectful lacking the inexperience of someone who was still not entirely an adult.
She stood near the terminal specifically meant for the use of Gunkanjima Academy students. Three large ships that could reach high speed continued to arrive and leave the terminal. Students either going to Nagasaki after finishing their clubs or boarding the ships after spending some time in the city. And tomorrow the woman will embark on one of those ships together with the crowd.
Her objective in Japan, for now, was to study the country, it's people, their beliefs, and their way of life. She was not sure why her master took an interest in this country specifically and only did as told. This mission will continue for a while, and honestly, she was thankful. All she needed is to look for potential employees who will be a good hire for the future and make sure that a certain someone behaves. Although the latter part was just a formality, there was no doubt that everything will be done as needed. Though Elize had personal reasons for being here as well.
"This country seems peaceful." She answered an honest impression. Compared with her homeland and the previous posts her master sent her to, this country was a paradise.
The people of Japan seemed to have a lot of pride in what they had built and rebuild after the Second World War. There was barely any poverty, violence, or racial discrimination that she remembers from her childhood. Even though the people of Japan had their fair share of issues, without a doubt the people were satisfied with what they had.
"It is, since the Defence of Okinawa and the Bombing of Tokyo the Empire has taken its place as one of the four Leading Nations. An undisputed leader in the Asian region. Few countries in the region live in such calm as people here do." The man's voice remained dispassionate as if he had said these words many times. The woman understood that he was tired, too tired but his life's work pushed him forward. "With the Emperor as a direct descendant of the sun goddess leading Japan into its place under the sun. The people worship him as a leader with few equals. The Empire of Japan, the British Empire, the United States of America, and the Soviet Union - are the hegemons that rule this world. Making sure that no one else oversteps and uses the military or technological developments to put the world into another war."
And as a result, all attempts on their complete control are uncontested by other nations.
The man stopped for a moment as if not really believing what he said in the first place. Elize already knew most of this was just an illusion, but since the lie needed to be the truth, she had no interest to put that into doubt. This peace will fall apart in just a matter of time.
A peace built on threats of retaliation and subjugation will never last.
Elize's master continued to talk.
"Any perceived slight against the Emperor is severely punishable." again he reminded one of the cornerstones of the belief that the people of Japan had. "The Kenpetai do not have tolerance of such talk and will arrest anyone from a whiff of doubt. Informants to the Kenpetai are numerous, each for their own reason. Whether monetary or ideological they will not stay silent. I have no intention of saving anyone from a trivial mistake such as showing disrespect."
There was no one around. So Elize did not really need to worry about being overheard. But the man on the other side of the phone was making a point. Do not disrespect the people of this country. Do not arise any suspicion. Just do as your told and everything will turn out well.
"I understand. I will respect the customs of this country for as long as I'm required."
"Good. Anything else?" this time it seems he wanted to hear a personal opinion of the woman's on something else. Not sure what exactly he wanted to hear, Elize just continued to speak her thoughts.
"The curry here is good. It seems I might enjoy going to school for a while." Maybe he wanted to hear her talk about something personal. So Elize gave her two cents on the food she took a liking to, calming the man down.
"I see. It makes me happy that this mission will give you a partial view of what we are striving for."
"I will try my best to play the role of a normal student to understand the people better."
"Good. Any questions before we cut contact?"
There were a couple, but asking them was pointless. Her master understood what needs to be done, at any price. But usually, there was no need to worry about what he thought, the master never failed or fed Elize and her siblings to the wolves. It seems that Nagasaki was a wakeup call for them. With Unit Four gone or even worse dead, this city was not to be underestimated.
So, there was one thing that she needed to know.
"Yes, I have one."
A silence came from the speakers, which meant that he was willing to answer.
"Is removing the heir of the Suzuki corporation in such a…" she paused looking for words that would best describe what Elize wanted to convey. "…blunt way acceptable?"
This was too straightforward from what Elize excepted. More discreet measures would probably send a clear message as well as this one. And even then, the one who will do the deed will keep attending the school.
It's not that Elize particularly cared about what would happen with the girl, it was the opposite of that. The fewer people cared about her, the more chances that the one Elize treasures will get to live after all is finished. But the question was still worth raising.
"The Suzuki patriarch doesn't realize his place. His grandson will be made an example to make him understand, that his family and their wellbeing do not come before his duties. A straightforward example is necessary for all individuals within the Emperor's inner circle." It didn't matter if the Suzuki patriarch opposed the United Industry Corporation, but doing so openly was unforgivable. An eye for an eye, for an open act of resistance a clear act of retaliation was necessary. They must understand that they will always be punished. And further Suzuki's grandson's killer will go completely free to do whatever she wants. Just to make them understand how truly helpless they are, wealth or power will not do anyone any good, if they go against the master.
But to be fair in this case the killer did not want anything. She just did as she was told.
"Michel will visit the patriarch after the deed is done tomorrow. To make sure we and Suzuki-dono understand each other. You need not worry, just know what role I need for you to fulfill."
"Then what is the purpose of attending the school after that. Is the Nagasaki site really that important?"
The raid was unexpected and as a result one of the 'artifacts' was lost. While a necessary asset for the plans to move forward was gone, it was not a terrible loss.
"It doesn't seem that whoever has raided the Nagasaki site is associated with any of our known or potential adversaries. The person or group is acting independently and therefore their motives and actions are unpredictable. Someone like that is a wild card that needs to be removed from the equation. Otherwise the irreversible might happen." The man clarified, bothered by something, but not showing it in his voice. "Additionally, you have a personal interest in Unit Four's safety, so I will leave the search of this area to you."
The men went quiet for a moment and then added.
"Find whoever raided the site and return the 'artifact', I leave the perpetrator's in your hands. Now get rid of the phone."
"Thank you for your kindness." The man's kindness and generosity knew no bounds. For all she was given by him, nothing Elize does or will do will be enough to pay him back.
Unit Four could easily be replaced but the man considered Elize's feelings. Allowing her to search independently. The one responsible for the incident was also left for Elize to deal with.
So, this was Elize's real mission here. The rest was just a formality that her master used for her to relax in this city.
And with that, the call ended. As the speakers went silent Elize took the phone and with a precise motion threw the phone towards the water. It was an expensive model made in Korea, a Japanese protectorate, but for Elize that did not matter. It was bought only to keep in contact for a short while. After that, all contact will be held in person.
Elize watched as the ferry arrived from Hashima island into the terminal. From the academy, she will have to attend soon.
Some students started to disembark and head out of the terminal.
As she turned to leave, she could hear footsteps as the students began to leave the terminal. Then someone shoved her to the side.
"Excuse me." Elize immediately apologized to instinct. People in this country were polite, so it's only fair that she answers with courtesy.
But the person did not even turn around or give a quick apology and just ran. He seemed to be running away from someone, even though no one was chasing after him.
She recognized that uniform was the one used specifically in Gunkakujima Academy. That was only natural as no civilians could visit the island on weekdays. But still, she expected better of people in the academy. Although he was just a child the student should have been taught better manners.
Elize didn't get a good look at the running student and could only catch a couple of details about him. His dark brown hair was a mess, as if he had got out of bed, and walked like that for the entire day. Or maybe the student ran around a bit too much and ruffled his hair in the process. His height was a bit higher than the average Japanese person about 171 or 173 centimeters and compared to the people of her country he was quite tall.
The student just ran without looking back, he seemed out of breath.
"That was rude," Elize muttered to herself. Soon enough more students in black uniforms came out of the terminal and she blended in with them without any issue. Playing the role of a normal superhuman would probably be easier than Elize thought.
With nothing else to do she decided to head back for dinner. There was a nice place where they served delicious shrimp curry and Elize wanted to eat more of it.