**Tokyo's Complex Subway System**
**Morning**
Tokyo boasts an extensive and complex subway system, operated by multiple companies, including Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, JR East, Odakyu Electric Railway, Keio Electric Railway, Seibu Railway, Tokyu Corporation, and others.
Each subway service offers different train types with varying speeds, such as express trains, rapid trains, local trains, and more.
Depending on one's budget, there are different travel options. Changing trains after just one or two stops is also a common occurrence.
For tourists visiting Japan for the first time, navigating the countless subway lines can be dizzying.
However, for long-time Tokyo residents, this is nothing out of the ordinary.
**Beep Beep~**
Shindai Hakuka used his transit card to pass through the gate, entering the subway station.
He quietly followed behind Erina, the two of them walking in silence, keeping some distance from each other.
Before long, they arrived at the platform, waiting for the subway to arrive.
Thanks to advanced technology, the subway arrival times displayed on smartphones were usually accurate.
Shindai Hakuka opened his phone and checked his map app, noticing the train would arrive in three minutes.
The ride from Shibuya to Hibiya Station would take about 20 minutes.
After getting off the train, it would be about a five-minute walk to Shujin Academy.
Overall, the trip from home to school should take around thirty minutes.
Not too close, but a reasonable commute time.
It was currently around 7:30 a.m., and school started at 8:30 a.m.
He calculated that they still had plenty of time.
While Hakuka was lost in thought, Shindai Erina quietly sidled up to him, seemingly wanting to say something.
Glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, she spoke in a low voice without making eye contact.
"This is our first time attending the same school."
"And... when we get to school, don't go around telling people we're siblings. Explaining our situation is too complicated."
Shindai Hakuka nodded indifferently. "Don't worry. I hate trouble too."
Hearing his response, Erina snorted lightly and said nothing more.
After a while, Erina stole a glance at Hakuka.
Looking at his clean-cut, handsome profile and those calm, composed eyes, a surge of confusion welled up in her heart.
Lately, it seemed like Hakuka had changed a lot.
He used to appear much gloomier.
And he didn't use to be this handsome either. How did he get so good-looking all of a sudden?
Was it because of all the exercise lately?
Or maybe she was just getting used to seeing him?
How strange.
Suddenly, the voices of other students filled the air around them.
Startled, Erina immediately moved away from Hakuka like a frightened little bird.
Hakuka noticed that the other students were wearing the same uniforms as them.
They were probably from the same school.
After scanning the group, he didn't recognize anyone and decided to pay no further attention.
Meanwhile, the girls had spotted Erina and were overjoyed, rushing over to greet her.
"Oh, isn't that Erina? You're attending Shujin Academy too?"
"What a coincidence, we're going to that high school as well!"
"I can't believe you're going there too! That's awesome; we can go to school together from now on!"
Shindai Erina, now without her earlier haughty attitude, happily held hands with her friends, replying softly, "Oh, hello! So, you're going to Shujin too?"
From afar, the subway approached the platform.
People lined up in an orderly manner.
Hakuka stood on one side, while Erina and the other students stood on the other.
As the train pulled in, the automatic doors hissed open.
First, passengers disembarked, followed by those boarding.
Hakuka entered with the crowd, finding the seats already occupied, so he stood in a less crowded area.
Across from him, Erina and the other girls in Shujin uniforms were excitedly chatting away.
Before long, the subway began to move.
A gentle light and breeze filled the train car.
The scenery outside passed by swiftly, and in the soft wind, Hakuka's hair seemed to flutter slightly.
His hair was incredibly smooth, each strand like flowing silk, light and graceful.
The gentle wind made his hair dance in the air, creating an elegant and natural beauty.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over his dark locks.
The wind not only ruffled his hair but also caressed his face, making the whole scene look like it was wrapped in a dreamy veil.
Many passengers glanced his way, drawn by his clean-cut, handsome appearance.
Even the girls standing with Erina couldn't help but sneak glances at him, blushing as they whispered among themselves.
"Did you see that guy's uniform?"
"He's wearing the same Shujin Academy uniform as us!"
"Yabai, he's so handsome. Should we go ask for his number?"
"I think we should!"
"+1!"
"What do you think, Erina?"
That's her brother, though... were they seriously suggesting she ask her own brother for his contact info?
Erina felt a little awkward, her lips twitching. "Haha... maybe not. If we get rejected, running into him at school would be so embarrassing."
The girls nodded in agreement.
"True, true."
"Erina's right."
"Yeah, if I got rejected, I'd be too embarrassed to take this subway again."
These kinds of quiet conversations among high school girls were common on the subway, and everyone was used to it.
Shindai Hakuka saw that there was still some time before they arrived.
With nothing better to do, he figured he might as well study and level up his student career!
He pulled out a math textbook he had bought from the bookstore and began studying to grind some experience points.
**[You studied diligently for a while. Student Career EXP +1!]**
**[You studied diligently for a while. Student Career EXP +1!]**
**[You studied diligently for a while. Student Career EXP +1!]**
After about ten minutes of studying, the subway neared their stop.
Hakuka, seeing it was almost time to get off, put his textbook back into his bag.
He then checked how much more experience he needed to level up his student career to LV4.
**[Occupation: Student]**
**[Level: 3]**
**[EXP: 379/400]**
He was only about 20 experience points away from leveling up.
Hakuka had a feeling that once he reached LV4, he might unlock some kind of skill.