My name is Shiroyanagi Akira, and I'm sixteen years old. Today is my first day at a new high school, so I woke up earlier than usual. Instead of making preparations, I found myself engrossed in playing games. I sat in my chair, moving my fingers swiftly on the keyboard, striving for victory.
"Just one more hit... Yeah, close... Yes, I won." I muttered to myself, feeling somewhat dissatisfied with the matches. They had become boring and repetitive. I sighed, realizing I had grown tired of them.
I reached for my favorite candy on the desk and brought it closer to my mouth, savoring its sweetness. These little indulgences always helped me feel better.
"Guess I should head to school now." I stood up from my chair, ready to get ready.
I recalled that the academy had informed me they would send a car for me. So, I waited outside my door, not content with just standing there. I took out my mobile phone from my pocket and began playing games to pass the time.
As I focused on the screen, my expressionless face transformed into a smile. Winning every match effortlessly, it was all too easy for me.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a car approaching. A man in a black suit stepped out of it. He had an air of authority, almost like a bodyguard, but I dismissed the thought. I put my phone back in my pocket and adjusted my posture to a more formal stance.
"Do you have business with me?" I asked the man, who stood before the back door and opened it, signaling me to enter.
"Yes, I have come to pick up Akira Shiroyanagi on behalf of the academy," he replied.
"Is that so? I suppose I'll come along then." I replied, noticing a smile forming on my face as I began walking towards the open door. His behavior intrigued me.
After getting in, He decided to tell me something"You shouldn't trust strangers so easily. I could be anyone, a kidnapper or someone with ill intentions," He warned, looking at me who seemed to think I was a naive kid.
I smiled and turned off the game on my phone, looking directly at the man before responding. "Do you really think I got into the car because I believed you?" I asked, challenging his assumptions.
He paused for a moment, seemingly caught off guard. "Yes, that's what I assumed. Is there something else?"
I looked at him intently, realizing he still didn't fully comprehend my actions. I decided to explain myself. "You see, my name isn't Akira Shiroyanagi, it's Shiroyanagi Akira. I purposely gave a reversed name to the academy for situations like these. No one here calls me by Akira, but you did. That confirmed that you are indeed from ANHS, otherwise you wouldn't have known about it." I smirked as I delivered the final blow.
The man was utterly shocked, unable to believe what he had just heard. "You took precautions in advance, assuming a scenario like this could happen?"
I nodded confidently. "Yes, indeed. A victory is often determined by the first move you make. I also analyzed your behavior, the car, and used some money to add authenticity to the situation," I explained, holding up my phone to show him a page with all his information. "And yes, I bought this information. After all, I come from a wealthy family, so I can buy anything I want."
"Sorry for testing you." The man said.
"It's okay," I reassured him, realizing that my test had caught him off guard. "Besides, I always keep my guard up, no matter what the situation. That's why I gave a reverse name in the first place."
With the tension diffused, I resumed playing my game on the phone, feeling a sense of satisfaction in my victory. I didn't have to use my trump card, the contingency plan I had prepared in case he turned out to be an enemy.
However, I knew I had to be cautious. My relationship with my father was strained, as he saw me as his enemy. I needed to navigate the complexities of my family life while finding a way to break free from this monotonous existence.
After a while, the man informed me that we had arrived at the academy. He opened the door, and I stepped out, fully aware that I couldn't bring any personal belongings inside.
"According to the rules, we're not allowed to have any outside items, right?" I confirmed.
The man stopped in his tracks and nodded. "Yes, that's correct. No personal belongings are allowed."
"In that case, you can have this." I turned off my game and tossed the mobile phone in his direction. "I have no use for it now."
He caught the phone, clearly surprised by my gesture. "Thank you, but why would you give it to me?"
I smiled, feeling a sense of liberation as I entered the academy. "I don't need it anymore. Besides, I always adapt and find new ways to entertain myself."
As I walked through the halls of the academy, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. The academy didn't officially start until the next day, but I had arrived early to investigate and familiarize myself with the surroundings.
Glancing around, I realized that I was the only one present. It wasn't unexpected; after all, no one else had discovered the loopholes in the rules. I had hoped to find someone who could match my abilities, someone who could break through the monotony of my life.
"Is this all it takes to be on top? These easy games are a waste of my time. Isn't there anyone better around here?" I mused to myself, my eyes fixed on the sky.
Lost in thought, I turned around to continue exploring when a sudden gust of cold wind caught my attention. I looked towards the source and saw someone standing at the top of the stairs. The sunlight made his brown hair glow, and he exuded an air of indifference.
In that moment, I felt an unfamiliar sensation—an exhilaration that made my heart race. The more I looked at him, the more convinced I became that he was the one I had been searching for.
"I finally found you, my rival," I whispered, a genuine smile spreading across my face. For the first time in my life, I felt a genuine excitement, as if he held the key to breaking free from this monotonous existence.
I started running towards him, and he stood there, waiting for me to approach.
"What are you doing here? The academy starts tomorrow, doesn't it?" he asked, looking at me with curiosity.
"Oh, I just came for some early investigations," I replied casually.
"Did you find any flaws?" he inquired.
I realized he had also figured out the flaws in the rules, prompting his presence here. He was sharp, just as I had expected.
"Yes, I did. It seems you did too," I nodded, returning his question.
He confirmed my suspicions with a simple statement. "I'm just here by coincidence."
I couldn't help but smile, knowing that he wasn't being entirely truthful. Even if he had come by coincidence, this doesn't change the fact that how he knew, that he can come inside after entering the academy. Since normally students would think that they won't get permission.
Coming to all this thoughts, my answer is confirmed at this point.
"Sorry. I won't believe in what you said."
His expression didn't changed, even hearing my answer.
I smiled seeing it since I passed his little test.
"Well done. I guess you are really good, by the way my name is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka." Introducing himself he extended his right hand for a friendly shake.
I then extended my right hand and took his hand and expressed a smile.
"My name is Akira Shiroyanagi,
Good to meet you. Ayanokouji."
After introducing we removed our hands and started walking together.
As we continued walking together, I noticed that there were no upperclassmen present in the academy. It seemed unusual, considering that the first year had just been completed and there should have been an opening ceremony. Most students were restricted from accessing certain areas until the ceremony, but we had managed to find our way around.
"You're right. All the senpai should be in places we can't access," Ayanokouji remarked, seemingly sharing my observation.
I couldn't help but be impressed once again. Ayanokouji had keen perception, picking up on the same details as me. It was as if we were in sync.
As he paused and turned to face me, I could tell he had something on his mind, something he wanted to discuss.
"Your name... it isn't the real one, is it?" Ayanokouji inquired, his eyes focused on mine.
Surprised by his astuteness, I debated how to respond. Playing dumb seemed like the appropriate move to gauge his reaction and ascertain his intentions.
"What do you mean?" I asked, feigning innocence.
Ayanokouji took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "Since we started walking, you've been observing everything closely, paying attention to every detail. And in addition to that, you solved my little test. Based on all of that, I believe you're a person who keeps their guard up at all times. And that alone is enough to tell me that your name is fake, right?"
I couldn't help but be impressed by his deductions. Ayanokouji had seen through my facade, just as I had seen through his. We were both players in this game, testing each other's abilities.
I smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "Congratulations, Ayanokouji. You're the first person to figure it out on your own."
Ayanokouji's posture shifted slightly as he closed his eyes, lost in thought. After a moment of contemplation, he responded, "So it was your test for others, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was," I admitted. "I wanted to see anyone is good enough to find it." I told the reason for doing so.
"Meaning I passed your test.. seems like we are equal now."
First he tested me and now I tested him, and we both also passed in eachother test. This makes us even now.
"Anyway, what's your real name."
"Oh, sorry. My real name is Shiroyanagi Akira, it's just reverse."
"Akira Shiroyanagi," Ayanokouji repeated, as if committing my name to memory. The way he said it felt significant, as if he recognized the weight behind those words.
From that moment on, a new game had begun for me. I could already feel the excitement building up inside me. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had brought a spark of entertainment back into my life.
Chapter 1 ends here