Chapter 16: White silk is the best in the world, what about black silk?
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Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School was a unique institution.
Because of its distinctive policies, even after discovering that Rin Matsuoka had taken the entrance exam on behalf of someone else, the school still allowed him to enroll. At any other school, he would have been immediately disqualified, regardless of the reason.
After several rounds of questions and answers, Narumori Sakayanagi decided to wrap up this unexpected segment. With a warm smile, he posed one final question to Rin.
"Matsuoka, you've mentioned a lot of good things about the school. Do you think there are any negative aspects?"
"No," Rin replied casually, but then something occurred to him, and he added, "Actually, there is one thing. The school has way too many surveillance cameras. It makes me feel like there's something suspicious going on here."
When Rin made this observation, most of the freshmen didn't react — many were yawning from boredom or too exhausted to care. However, Narumori Sakayanagi and the four homeroom teachers exchanged intrigued glances.
For someone who had only been at the school for less than half a day to notice the unusual number of surveillance cameras showed impressive observational skills.
[You have attracted the attention of the white-stockinged teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie.]
Rin perked up.
White stockings are quite classy!
White stockings are the best in the world!
[You have attracted the attention of the black-stockinged teacher, Chabashira Sae.]
Black stockings are even better!
Though white stockings are top-tier, black stockings add their own touch of elegance!
[You have caught the attention of the gloomy male teacher in a suit.]
Rin's mouth twitched slightly in disgust. A male teacher — and a gloomy one at that? Definitely not his preference.
[You have caught the attention of the calm male teacher.]
Even if this male teacher appeared calm and less intimidating, Rin didn't particularly enjoy being the center of his attention.
Rin glanced over at the four homeroom teachers, who were still focused on him intently. Their scrutinizing gazes made him feel like he was an animal on display at a zoo.
Hoshinomiya Chie, the homeroom teacher of Class B, commented with a bright smile, "Not only is he a handsome boy, but he's also sharp. I like him more and more."
Chabashira Sae curled her lips slightly and muttered, "You say that every time you see a handsome guy."
"His name is Rin Matsuoka, right? But he's not in my Class B. Is he in one of yours?" Hoshinomiya Chie asked, looking at Sae and the other teachers.
"There is no student named Rin Matsuoka in my Class A," replied Tomonari Mashima, the homeroom teacher of Class A.
"Nor is there a Rin Matsuoka in my Class C," added Kazuma Sakagami, the homeroom teacher of Class C.
All three teachers turned to look at Chabashira Sae, who had remained silent.
"Hey, Sae-chan, is Rin in your class?" Hoshinomiya Chie leaned closer.
"Yes," Chabashira Sae replied, pushing Hoshinomiya Chie's head away. Then, she added slowly, "But Rin Matsuoka is also a super problem student."
"A super problem student??" Hoshinomiya Chie exclaimed, her face showing confusion.
How could such a handsome young boy be a problem student? There had to be some misunderstanding!
Chabashira Sae knew all too well that her troublesome best friend, Hoshinomiya Chie, would certainly pester her for details until she got the full story.
In addition, Rin Matsuoka's test scores were not considered sensitive information, so Chabashira Sae stated directly, "Rin Matsuoka's scores in his student file are... zero in all subjects."
"Huh?" Hoshinomiya Chie let out a soft exclamation, and the other homeroom teachers displayed varying degrees of surprise.
"This can't be right, zero? And in all subjects?" one of them questioned.
"That's correct," Chabashira Sae confirmed, her gaze fixed on Rin. "Moreover, there is no explanation in Rin Matsuoka's student file as to why he received zero points in every subject."
"So that means..." Hoshinomiya Chie tilted her head, trying to appear young and cute, "Even with our authority as homeroom teachers, we can't access the reason why Rin got zero marks in all subjects."
"Exactly," Chabashira Sae replied.
"Could it be that his zero scores in all subjects are the reason the chairman called him in for a talk?" suggested Class C's homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma.
"What makes you think that?" Chabashira Sae inquired.
"My guess is based on the student files that we do not have the authority to access. While we can't see them, the chairman of the board certainly can," Sakagami Kazuma reasoned. "The chairman likely used his authority to review Rin Matsuoka's file, and then decided to call him in to confirm certain things he noticed."
Sakagami Kazuma's reasoning seemed plausible, and Chabashira Sae, along with the other homeroom teachers, nodded slightly, considering it a possibility.
If Rin Matsuoka and Sakayanagi Narumori were aware of their speculation, they would probably find it amusing. There wasn't any mysterious reason behind it all; it was simply because Rin had captured all of Sakayanagi Narumori's chess pieces during their game, and Sakayanagi had wanted to intimidate this troublesome boy in return.
That was all there was to it...
Chabashira Sae watched Rin as he made his way back down, growing increasingly curious about this handsome student. If his scores had been in the 30s or 40s, she wouldn't have given him a second thought. But zero marks across all subjects... that was unusual.
She didn't need to think twice to know there had to be a special reason behind it.
Now, Chabashira Sae was determined to uncover why Rin Matsuoka had received zero points in all his subjects and to gauge his true academic potential.
"I will find out why you scored zero in all subjects," she thought silently, "and see if you are a talent capable of realizing my long-held ambitions or just another problem student like the rest of the freshmen in Class D."
Chabashira Sae had already begun to formulate a plan to uncover the truth about Rin Matsuoka.
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi Narumori wasn't sure if Rin had only noticed the surveillance camera or if he might point out other irregularities. So, to avoid any further issues, he had simply allowed Rin to leave.
After Rin returned to Class D, Sakayanagi Narumori concluded the entrance ceremony and dismissed everyone.
Horikita Manabu watched as the freshmen gradually left the gymnasium. He first glanced at Rin Matsuoka, then at Horikita Suzune.
'The school's policy states that during the first month of high school, sophomores and juniors are prohibited from initiating contact or sharing any information related to the school with freshmen,' he thought.
'I'll wait a month and then speak with them.'
With that thought, Horikita Manabu turned and exited the gymnasium.
Rin noticed Horikita Manabu leaving and turned to Horikita Suzune, who was pursing her lips. "Horikita, let's go. Let's find your brother."
"...," Horikita Suzune remained silent.
She genuinely wanted to see her brother, Horikita Manabu, whom she hadn't seen for two years, but she was afraid...
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Give me some power stones