Kazuma sat in the backseat of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a luxurious sedan gliding smoothly through the city streets. The car's interior was elegant, upholstered with soft black leather and polished mahogany wood accents. Advanced features adorned every corner—from the touchscreen on the dashboard to individual climate controls that kept the car's temperature comfortable. The cabin felt remarkably quiet, the hum of the road seemingly unable to penetrate. This car was undoubtedly a symbol of wealth and power, designed for those at the top of the social ladder.
Kazuma stared blankly out the window, watching the fast-moving scenery outside. Skyscrapers loomed in the distance, while sidewalks bustled with pedestrians—people occupied with their own affairs. Some were hurrying toward the train station, while others sat in small cafes enjoying the quiet morning. The hustle and bustle of city life seemed untouched by his presence in this exclusive world.
The car passed a red light, and Kazuma saw a group of students in school uniforms walking together on the sidewalk. Their faces were cheerful, chatting and laughing as if the burdens of the world had not touched them yet. The sight momentarily made Kazuma feel more alienated from the body he now inhabited. 'They all live normal lives... whereas I'm... I'm trapped in the body of a criminal.'
From the rearview mirror, Yoshida, the loyal head butler of the Shinoda family, observed his young master with a calm yet sharp gaze. Something was different today. Young master Kazuma usually sat with an imposing presence, exuding a powerful and dominating aura, even if he didn't speak much. But today, that aura was gone—or rather, changed.
Yoshida narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss. Young master Kazuma seemed more... calm, but not in a reassuring way. There was a newfound force he felt, a power that suggested his young master might have done something more ruthless than usual. Yet, as a loyal servant, he dared not question. His duty was to serve, nothing more.
"Is there anything I need to prepare for later, young master?" Yoshida asked without turning, his voice calm, even though his mind was filled with speculations.
Kazuma looked up from his reverie, "No, there's nothing that needs preparing." His answer was short and somewhat stiff, not like usual. However, Kazuma tried to mask his nervousness by maintaining a cold demeanor, in line with the role of the man he now replaced.
Yoshida nodded without further comment, but his mind continued to work. There was something strange about this change. Kazuma was usually not this quiet, he thought.
The journey continued. The car traversed the bustling city streets. Around them, tall buildings and modern apartments stood side by side. Some neon lights began to flicker on even though the morning had not fully ended, giving the impression of a metropolis that was always active, never sleeping.
As the car neared the school, a luxurious building dominated by modern architecture came into view. This elite school is where the children of the richest and most influential people in Japan spent their time. A place more akin to a palace than a school.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class stopped at the main gate, where many other luxury cars queued to drop off their students. Chauffeurs stood beside their cars, opening doors for the young masters and mistresses of these wealthy families. Kazuma exited his car, standing tall while taking a deep breath. The sight of the grand school building before him should feel familiar, yet now, everything felt different.
"May your day go smoothly, young master," Yoshida said from behind the window before the car slowly left the parking area.
Kazuma just gave a slight nod before stepping towards the school gate. His mind still filled with chaos, evil memories that kept haunting him, and the strange feeling of being trapped in the body of a man he once thought only existed in manga, but now, it became a reality he must live.