To be honest— I'm tired, and this is just the beginning.
It's not that I'm physically and mentally tired, but it feels like I should complain like that.
Well, forget it— I have a lot of things to do from now on anyway.
"Keichi-kun, you can't waste any more time. Hurry up and follow me!"
"Yes, alright."
I was lost in my daydream from complaining earlier, then I was brought back to reality by Rikka-senpai.
She was right, as I had wasted a lot of time this time.
Of course, all I had to do now was go to my own class.
I walked following Rikka-senpai behind while taking in the surroundings.
Apparently, this school did look very sophisticated with several digital boards floating around— the boards read about the current time and some weather forecasts.
What time is it?
Umm.. eight minutes past fifty?
It looks like I'm already late, I hope I don't get any punishment when I go to class later.
By the way, the number of students who were outside the classroom during class time turned out to be quite a lot— maybe it was because the teachers were still busy taking care of many new students.
They couldn't be from the first year, so my only conclusion was to assume that they were Senpai— either second year or third year.
I'm usually too quick to jump to conclusions, but this time I really thought about it— aqnd I'm sure that I won't be wrong this time.
Well, at least I've learned something.
"Get ready, you're almost there!"
"Yes."
Rikka-senpai looked back and informed me of the imminent existence of first grade.
I was a little curious, about how my life would be in this school.
It's not that I'm afraid, but everything feels very bland if I keep thinking about what I have to do in first grade.
If I could, I wanted to be in the same class as Rikka-senpai— but that was impossible and highly unlikely.
Unfortunately, the system of sudden promotion for being too smart had been eliminated in this world— because they thought that it was unfair.
Well, it seems like there's no other choice.
I have to act like a normal first-year student while helping Rikka-senpai become queen.
I have to do it well without any loopholes that could be fatal mistakes.
"H-hey."
Rikka-senpai stopped her steps and called out to me, like she wanted to talk about something.
During the trip, we didn't speak to each other— probably because of the awkwardness between us.
But now, I was sure that Rikka-senpai had something to say to me.
"What's wrong?"
I responded to her call and asked.
Then Rikka-senpai turned around to face me, and looked into my eyes.
"You know? It's like this."
What's wrong with her?
She seemed to be having trouble getting her words out.
I guess I had to press her.
"Just say it, I don't mind it!"
"Umm? Ah, fine!"
Her voice trembled slightly, but at least she seemed braver than before.
"Look, Keichi-kun."
"Say it slowly, I'll listen!"
"Thank you! Then, do you hate the way I look like this?"
"Eh?"
Why is she asking like that?
So all her trouble is just to ask about her own appearance?
Do I hate her appearance?
No, I don't think so.
But I shouldn't jump to conclusions too quickly.
"Keichi-kun? Why are you silent? I thought you hated my appearance."
"Uh, sorry. That's not it."
I was confused.
I can't understand Rikka-senpai.
I guess I can only tell the truth now.
Moreover, Rikka-senpai has much sharper intuition.
"Alright, I'll be honest with you."
I sighed a little before saying it.
For some reason, I also had a little trouble getting my words out.
"You must hate me, right?"
"No, I don't hate you, whether it's your appearance or your nature and attitude."
"Re-really? Then why do you look like you hate me?"
"I hope you're not angry after hearing this. Rikka-senpai, when I first saw your appearance, you looked like a ghost from a Japanese legend. It was just that, but I kept thinking about it."
Having finished telling the truth, I was relieved.
"Oh, is that so?"
"..."
I paused for a moment as Rikka-senpai's cynical gaze came back out, but I guess it was sharper this time.
Was she angry?
Well, that's only natural-considering I had said such a cruel thing to her.
"Whatever, I'll leave the rest to you!"
"Emm? What do you mean?"
"You're in Class 1-C, so just go in!"
Rikka-senpai left immediately after giving me that sardonic look, she also told me where my class was: 1-C.
She walked away very quickly, as if she was annoyed with me.
Honestly, I couldn't understand Rikka-senpai— neither her words nor her actions.
Is understanding women really this difficult?
I don't know, I've never tried this before.
Well, for now, it's better to put Rikka-senpai aside.
I have to enter Class 1-C as she told me.
The school's environment was vast, so everything still seemed unfamiliar to me.
I looked around.
Apparently without realizing it, I was already in the first grade environment.
The class board in each room was written in order from class 1-A to 1-D, which meant— in this school, there were four classes in first grade.
I guess the total would be twelve classes when combined with second grade and third grade.
Ah, I forgot.
I forgot that I had wasted a lot of time, because when I looked at the digital board— it was five minutes past nine.
I had to enter the classroom as soon as possible.
Not only that, but I also had to prepare some excuses to get out of punishment later.
Although it's still a possibility, I've been taught a lot to avoid the worst that will happen— so it shouldn't be ignored.
If I'm late, what are the possibilities?
Scolded by the teacher?
Getting hit by the teacher?
Taken to the teacher's office?
Or just being reprimanded?
Among those possibilities, which one is the worst?
Maybe getting hit by the teacher is the answer, but is that even possible?
Depending on how bad it is, it could happen.
Now, among those possibilities— which is the best possibility?
Of course the getting reprimanded part is the best, considering it's just a passing wind.
I know, it's confusing.
Everything I do is based on my own interests, and then I'll learn through it.
Now, why would I think of possibilities that haven't even happened yet?
Shouldn't I just go through with it and be prepared for any eventuality?
Yes, that's true— but I assume that it's all too common.
A person tends to choose to avoid the worst possibilities and choose the best way for their life to be fine.
So, right now I needed to do an unusual thing and was required to choose the possibility I had in mind: that of getting hit by the teacher.
In order for that to happen, I thought of several ways: one of them was to make a bet.
I bet that the teacher in Class 1-C is a horrible teacher.
That way, the worst will happen more easily.
Alright, I was very prepared.
I walked to class 1-C, and knocked on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
From now on, everything is at stake.