**Tokyo in Early April**
**Morning**
In Japan, a new high school year usually begins in early or mid-April.
April is springtime in Japan, with the weather gradually warming up and the temperature difference between day and night becoming smaller.
In places like Tokyo, the average temperature in April typically ranges between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The days can be comfortably warm, with the nights a bit cooler.
It's also cherry blossom season, one of the most popular times of the year in Japan, with the trees in full bloom.
**Step, step, step.**
The sound of youthful footsteps echoed along a long slope as high school students, faces filled with energy, walked slowly up the path.
Cherry blossom trees on either side swayed gently in the breeze.
Some of the delicate petals drifted down onto Shindai Hakuka's shoulders.
"What beautiful cherry blossoms."
Hearing this, Hakuka shifted his gaze from Erina, who was chattering with other girls, to the two very striking individuals nearby.
One was a fierce-looking girl pushing a high school girl in a wheelchair.
If they hadn't both been wearing Shujin Academy uniforms, Hakuka might have thought the fierce girl was kidnapping the one in the wheelchair.
Sitting in the wheelchair was Chitanda Mirai, her face lit gently by the soft light, giving her an elegant aura.
Her hair was black as ink, tied neatly into a ponytail, revealing her neck with an almost sacred purity.
Chitanda Mirai, around 160 cm tall, had bright and clear eyes that radiated intelligence and liveliness.
Despite being in a wheelchair, her posture remained upright.
She wore her school uniform, the skirt falling naturally, and her snow-white stockings added a touch of elegance and purity to her overall appearance.
The uniform's color complemented her beauty, highlighting her grace.
However, her skin had a sickly pallor, giving her the fragile beauty of a porcelain doll.
Sitting in the wheelchair, she extended her delicate hand to catch a falling cherry blossom, her face lit up with a joyful smile.
"This path is really pretty. It feels like I could walk it every day and never get tired of it."
"How about we collect some cherry blossoms later and make sakura mochi?"
"No!" the fierce-looking girl, Ubahara Junko, responded coldly as she pushed the wheelchair.
"Aw~ I haven't had sakura mochi in ages. Just let me have it once!"
"No."
As they spoke, Ubahara Junko's sharp gaze kept darting around at the surrounding students, as if threatening them.
Anyone who caught her intimidating glare immediately felt a wave of terror wash over them, breaking out in cold sweat and quickly averting their gaze. No one dared to look at Ubahara Junko or Chitanda Mirai.
Despite her fierce demeanor, Ubahara Junko's appearance was no less striking than Chitanda Mirai's.
Standing about 165 cm tall, her figure was perfectly proportioned, with not an ounce of excess weight on her toned waist, and her plump thighs were encased in black thigh-high stockings.
Her steady gait made her skirt sway slightly, obscuring the mysterious area known as the "absolute territory."
Her long, smooth blonde hair draped lightly over her shoulders, its subtle sheen giving off a natural yet alluring charm.
Her features were well-defined, with a high-bridged nose and sharp eyebrows that accentuated her unique appearance.
But her eyes were fierce, her entire presence radiating a terrifying aura.
People often judge others based on first impressions, and to most, Ubahara Junko appeared to be nothing less than a delinquent high school girl.
Even Shindai Hakuka felt her menacing gaze as she stared directly at him.
After a short walk, the students turned the corner and entered through the large gates.
Hakuka paused in front of the entrance, looking up at the towering structure before him.
Shujin Academy was one of the most prestigious high schools in Tokyo, known for its excellent faculty and its history of producing notable students.
The campus was vast, with only a small corner visible from the entrance. Only a drone could capture the entirety of the school grounds.
The main gate was grand and imposing, with ancient, solemn stone pillars standing tall on either side. Above the gate, the school emblem and motto were engraved, exuding a sense of dignity and deeper meaning.
Beyond the gate, a wide, clean path led deep into the campus, lined on both sides with neatly arranged cherry blossom trees, making it feel like entering a dreamland during the sakura season.
The main building was the school's iconic structure, with slightly weathered walls that spoke of the history it had witnessed.
The architectural style combined classical and modern elements, with the old clock tower announcing the start and end of each school day.
The various academic buildings were scattered throughout the campus, each with its unique name and purpose, providing students with a diverse range of subjects and extracurricular activities.
Shujin Academy emphasized the development of culture and the arts, with its art gallery and music hall serving as key highlights of the school.
In addition to these, the school also encouraged students to explore their individual talents through various clubs and activities.
Hakuka walked over to the main building and noticed a large group of students gathered around several bulletin boards.
Curious, he approached and saw that the boards displayed class assignments and maps showing the locations of the buildings and classrooms.
Unsure of which class he'd been assigned to, Hakuka squeezed his way through the crowd and searched carefully.
Soon, he found his name listed in Class 1-A, with his seat assigned near the window in the far-left corner of the room.
**[Mizuno Maki]**
**[Ubahara Junko]**
**[Shindai Hakuka]**
**[Chitanda Mirai]**
"So these are the people sitting around me?"
"I don't recognize the other names, but Mizuno Maki... why does that sound familiar?"
Hakuka frowned slightly, unable to recall who Mizuno Maki was.
After thinking about it for a moment, he decided not to dwell on it.
He'd find out soon enough once they met.
Having learned his class and seat location, Hakuka didn't rush off. He continued scanning the list to see if his stepsister Erina was in his class.
After a quick search, he found Erina's name in Class 1-B instead of his own.
It seemed they weren't in the same class, which suited Hakuka just fine. Less hassle that way.
With nothing left to do here, Hakuka headed off.
Not long after he left, Erina arrived, her expression a mix of anticipation and anxiety as she looked up at the class assignments.
Upon seeing that Hakuka wasn't in the same class as her, her face seemed to show both relief and a hint of concern.
"At least I don't have to worry about our sibling relationship being exposed."
"But Hakuka doesn't seem like the social type... I hope he doesn't get bullied."
"Well... I'll keep an eye on him when I can."