Tuesday: 2nd day
~Aron POV~
It was late morning, and while I was walking around campus I received a notification from the principal telling the students to join the polling station. I then opened the campus map to find my destination and started analyzing it. In the center is the school, in the north there are the elite sector dormitories made up of 3 buildings, the 2 buildings side by side have 12 floors and the fact that there are two is to separate the girls from the boys. Each floor can accommodate 10 individual rooms, making a total of 120 rooms per building, so 240 students in the elite sector, the third building is a cafeteria so that students can eat right next to it. In the South there are dormitories for students who are part of different sectors other than that of the elite and which has many more dormitories because there are many more of them, around 7,000 students. To the east there are the dormitories of the school's teachers and staff. And to the west there is a large leisure area with shops, restaurants, sports halls, cinemas, etc... The polling station is located in the school, therefore in the center.
As I headed towards my destination I found myself thinking about the principal's speech he gave after the exam ended yesterday. It had been just as boring as the first speech, nevertheless it had allowed me to have some information. Firstly, the school year is divided into 3 semesters, and at the end of each semester there is a new special exam to see if you are able to continue in this sector. Secondly, out of the 500 students enrolled in the first year, only a hundred had passed the mock exam and were therefore in the mouse team, and there were only 75 survivors left. I also learned how the school system works. First of all, the remaining 75 students are divided into 3 classes of 25 students. And there is a points system, class points which allow you to have a ranking between the 3 classes, and student points which allow you to buy anything through the different stores and restaurants there. is on campus. The students' points are useful because, in addition to our phones, our wallets were taken away.
Class and student points are calculated in different ways.
-Class points: Each week there is a written exam marked out of 100, the class average on the test corresponds to the number of class points awarded.
-Student points: the total number of points for the class is multiplied by 100 and this result is distributed individually to each student in the class at the beginning of the month.
To start the first week, each student received 10,000 points which appeared in the Bank application on the phone.
The classes are listed in this order:
-Alpha
-Beta
-Omega
It is important to be well classified because the class you are in will be marked in the school report.
Since I was already wandering around, it didn't take long before I arrived in front of the school. When I got home I noticed that the map on my phone automatically enlarged to show a detailed map of the interior of the school, which allowed me to find the polling station room.
When I came home there was no one there except me and a red haired boy with the same color eyes.
It's normal because I had already moved forward while walking around the campus, but how did he do it? Was he already close to school when the message was sent?
As I was thinking, a familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Aron! Hello!"
I turned around and saw Naomi with everyone else greeting me.
Naomi: Why didn't you join us so we could go to school together?
Me: Actually I was already near the school when the principal sent a message so I went there alone.
Haruki: Why were you so close?
Me: I was just walking around, that's all.
They seem rather serene for people who have seen corpses for the first time. Unless...
I was cut off from my thoughts again but this time it was by the director on the stage who began to speak.
Director: The reason I brought you all together is so that you can vote.
As the tension gradually increased and the students began to argue among themselves, he resumed.
Director: But don't worry this time there will be no losers, there are only winners. Those who pass the vote will have 10,000 points. Others will not be penalized. So it's easy, right?
The tension in the room subsided and the expression on the students' faces revealed some relief.
Director: I am going to ask a question and you must write the answer on one of the blank ballots that are being distributed and put this ballot in the ballot box in front of me. The question is how many students died during the previous test? You have 5 minutes to mark your answer, then line up in single file in front of the platform, you will put your ballots in the ballot box one by one.
The agitation resumed
Students 1: What is this question?
Students 2: He thinks I counted all the corpses I saw!
Student 3: No, but seriously....
None of us bothered to consult this and everyone had thought about it individually. After doing what the director said he announced the results.
Director: 9 students found the correct answer. Aron, Sora, Manon, Léna, Kenta, Shikaku, Akari, Naomi and Haruki.
The correct answer was... 0! ! !
Students: WHAT! ! !
Faced with the expressions of the students, the principal started laughing.
Director: Did you really think our school had the right to kill students? Even with the demands of the elite sector this would be unthinkable.
(However, hurting is allowed...)
Director: You are so stupid that it makes me want to fire you all except the ones who succeeded. But hey, I said there would be no sanctions, and I'm a man of my word.
The students, in shock, demanded an explanation. What the director prepared to do.
Director: First of all, the chip in the cat's brain certainly sends a shock but it is not enough to kill someone, it only knocks out temporarily. Then the poison in the syringes was only a tranquilizer.
While the principal was giving explanations to the students I decided to join my group of friends.
Me: Naomi, Haruki, so you guessed it. That's why you were less tense this morning.
Naomi: And yes I guessed!
She said with a wink.
Haruki: It was on my mind so I spent all yesterday evening thinking about it and I finally came to this conclusion.
Naomi: Besides, why aren't you surprised about Kenta?
Me: Because he had already guessed it.
Haruki and Naomi: WHAT? !
Haruki and Naomi turned towards Kenta who seemed embarrassed.
Me: I analyzed your combat techniques and they are similar to those used by special military forces. So when I showed you the syringe containing the so-called poison I thought that if you had really been trained by a combat specialist he would probably have shown you the difference between a deadly poison and a simple tranquilizer. And with your mind for puzzles and riddles I figured you probably guessed.
Kenta scratches his head before answering
Kenta: Yes it's true...
Naomi: Huh, but why didn't you say that sooner? I was in tears, I remind you!
Kenta: Sorry, but I told myself that I needed to find strong allies who could pass the next tests without being a burden, so I wanted to test you. Isn't that what you did too Aron?
I started to smile at Kenta's comment. It's even more fun than I had hoped.
Me: Yes indeed, we can't hide anything from you, tell me.
Naomi wanted to get angry with us but after listening to this reason which was understandable she recovered.
Naomi: Yes I understand, and to a certain extent you have helped us to evolve our personal thinking...
Haruki: Yes and...
He cut it and resumed
Haruki: And you?
Me: I only read the entire school contract that I had to sign before registering. It was written that you could only be injured but nothing said you could be killed. I think that's also how the others who passed the vote must have done it.
Haruki: Okay, but how did the other 3 know that we were being tested by you? Léna told us about a 4th member who was killed and how did Manon know that we had to pretend to kill the cats?
Léna, Sora and Manon arrived and joined the discussion.
Léna: In fact He told us through a secret code that only we understand and which combines several gestures and discreet movements.
Besides, Kenta spotted our signs but he couldn't understand them.
After saying that, Lena looked at Naomi with an amused look.
Naomi: Oh okay. Can you teach us?
Léna: Mmmm... Why not.
Me: Well I...
I also wanted to respond to Naomi but the director cut me off again.
Director: Tomorrow you will be dispatched by class based on your mock test scores, you will get to know your new classmates and your new teachers. Thursday and Friday there will be various activities. And on Monday there will be the election of delegates and also the election of student council members. Now it's time to leave the establishment. It's going to be midday so take the opportunity to go for a walk around campus and eat something.
Interestingly, the following three days are designed so that the students can bring this together, create links between them and thus allow them to choose who to vote for in the elections.
**********
So we went to the west side of campus to find a restaurant.
~~
Haruki: Why didn't we just go to the cafeteria?
Naomi: The cafeteria is next to the dormitories for those who get a little hungry during the night or who are lazy, like you. I want to eat in a real restaurant, don't you agree, friends?
Manon: I don't care, as long as I eat I'm fine.
Kenta: I need food suitable for my body so I think a restaurant is a better option than a simple cafeteria.
Léna: The more expensive, the better.
Sora: I'm Aron.
Haruki turns to Aron
Aron: I don't like much, but I love eating, so I prefer to taste the best dishes in a real restaurant.
Haruki resumed with an air of resignation
Haruki: Okay, I understand, go to the restaurant.
After visiting a few restaurants they finally decided to go to "Golden Chicken tasty"
Aron: Great, I love chicken!!!
As Aron rushed inside Naomi seemed surprised by his reaction.
Naomi: I didn't think Aron liked to eat so much.
Sora came close to Naomi's ear and said.
Nova: It seems that Father took Aron in when he was only 7 years old, he was on the street and he hadn't eaten real food for so long that he didn't even remember it anymore.
Naomi: Oh I didn't know that...
Sora walked away and he continued talking to her with a charming smile, which made Naomi snap out of her sad expression.
Nova: But as you can see, he has evolved a lot since then.
Naomi: Yes, that's true.
Léna: Hurry up or we won't keep your seats.
Sora shouted towards the others who were already seated
Sora: Yes, we're coming!
Then he returned to Naomi.
Sora: Let's go.
Naomi nodded with a smile.
Naomi: Yes.
**********
While everyone was eating Naomi stood up.
Naomi: I'm going to the bathroom.
The boy with red hair and eyes that Aron had seen earlier was sitting at the back of the restaurant and he stood up at the same time to follow Naomi.
When Naomi went to the sink to wash her hands she was intercepted by the boy.
??? : Hello Naomi.
Naomi: Um... Hello. Who are you?
??? : My name is Akari. And if you don't mind I'd like to ask you a few questions.
~Naomi POV~
Me: What kind of questions?
The boy started to blush slightly and avoided eye contact with me.
Akari: I wanted to talk with you but I see that you are already busy with your friends. So if you're interested... would you like to chat another time over a drink?
I dream where this guy asks me on a date!!! My heart is already set but why not? After all, it's not even sure that my love is reciprocated.
I tried to hide my excitement before answering him.
Me: Yes with pleasure. In a café tomorrow at noon, what do you think?
The boy gave a slight start of surprise.
Akari: REALLY!? Um sorry I meant, yes that suits me.
Me: Well, that's it until tomorrow.
Akari: Or... Yes see you tomorrow.
The boy left in a hurry.
Well, I didn't think I'd catch anyone's eye from day one. Guess I'm prettier than I think.
After that I went back with my friends.
~~
Manon: Ah well finally! What took you so long?
Naomi hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to approach this subject.
Naomi: Well, how can I put it... a boy invited me on a date.
At these words everyone looked at each other with an intrigued look then they all started to ask him questions. Lena started and winked at Naomi.
Léna: If you want I can teach you some seduction techniques.
Naomi answered without hesitation.
Naomi: No thank you, I'm not really trying to seduce him, I'm just intrigued.
Léna: Okay, it's whatever you want.
Kenta: I hope he's nice, if he hurts you don't hesitate to call me so I can break his bones.
Naomi: Um I don't think it's necessary...
Manon: I want a lover too, it's not fair!
Naomi: Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find one.
Naomi struggled to respond to everyone, but fortunately for her Aron was too busy eating, while Sora and Haruki said nothing and just listened.
After everyone had finished eating and Naomi finished answering questions, they all headed back to the dorms.
~Aron POV~
It was dark and when we arrived in front of the two buildings we separated from the girls. But as I was about to enter the boys' dormitory a notification vibrated my phone.
Sora: Who does Aron have? Come on.
Me: I'm going to buy something in the cafeteria so leave without me.
Sora: Uh OK. Good night.
Kenta and Haruki: Good night Aron.
I smile before answering
Me: Good night.
I pretended to head towards the cafeteria but when I sensed that they had returned I headed to the back of the girls' dorms.
Me: Did you want to see me?
Léna: Yes, I would like to warn you.
Me: About what?
Lena: About Father.
Me : ...
Léna: For the moment he is not aware that Sora senpai is with you and that he found you. But he will know sooner or later, and at this moment, to prevent Sora senpai from being punished too heavily by Father...
Léna paused for a moment before continuing in a more serious and threatening tone.
Léna: Then I will not hesitate to hand you over by hook or by crook. I know the rumors and I know what you did 7 years ago, but I'm not afraid to confront you.
At these words I let out a slight laugh.
Me: I had already guessed why you wanted to see me but I didn't think you would be so scary. I get it but now relax your expression or you'll get wrinkles.
At my words, Lena regained her usual expression, as if she had not just threatened me just now.
Léna: Yes, you are right. Okay, now that the message has been sent, I'm going to go to sleep. Good night Aaron.
Me: Good night.
Then she left as if nothing had happened.
After that I headed towards the boys' dormitory and went up to my room which was on the 3rd floor.
The 12 floors are distributed like this:
1/2/3/4: 1st year
5/6/7/8: 2nd year
9/10/11/12: 3rd year
And it's the same for the girls' dorm.
Arriving in my room I took a shower, lay down in bed and thought before sleeping.
I wanted to go to this restaurant precisely because I noticed that this boy was there. But I didn't think he was going to ask for a date with Naomi...
As I thought about that red-haired boy, I remembered the conversation with Lena.
Léna is very intelligent and she is a very useful ally after all she is part of the 8th generation and she is the only person from the 8th generation with Manon who managed to officially join the rosary and be able to carry out missions outside of the territory. Even Sora recognized his value.
But if she gets in my way,
THEN I WILL HAVE TO ELIMINATE IT.