Raiden sat back in his chair, letting Mei's warning sink in. His conversation with Sora had seemed genuine enough, but now he couldn't help but wonder if there was something more beneath Sora's easygoing smile. Glancing back at the table where Sora had been sitting earlier, he found it empty.
"I'll keep that in mind," Raiden finally said, though uncertainty lingered. He didn't know what to believe anymore.
Mei smiled reassuringly. "Good. It's just something to be aware of. Class A is full of smart people, but not everyone is as transparent as they seem."
Raiden nodded, grateful for the heads-up. "Thanks for the warning, Mei. I'll be careful."
They shifted to lighter topics as they finished their meal, but Raiden's mind kept wandering back to Sora and Mei's words. Was Sora testing him during their chat? Watching him closely? He couldn't be sure.
After they finished eating, Mei stood and gave him a friendly smile. "Well, I need to head to my study group. But seriously, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Raiden stood as well, returning the smile. "Thanks, Mei. I appreciate it. See you around."
She waved as she left, and Raiden found himself alone once again at the table. He stared out of the window, his thoughts swirling. Between Airi's coldness, Sora's potential manipulation, and now Mei's cryptic warning, it was clear that Class A was far more complicated than he had anticipated.
It's not just about keeping up with the coursework, he thought. It's about navigating all these personalities, figuring out who to trust.
With a sigh, he cleared his tray and decided to take a walk outside to clear his head.
When class resumed, Raiden sat at his desk, focusing on the lesson. The teacher's pace was relentless, covering material quickly, but Raiden did his best to keep up.
Why do the teachers in Class A always move so fast? he thought, feeling the pressure of the accelerated pace.
Just then, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
Tap! Tap!
Raiden turned around to see Airi standing next to his desk, her usual cold expression unchanged. She held out a small piece of paper, barely looking at him.
"There's a trick," she said quietly, her voice as neutral as ever. "You don't need to try so hard during the lesson."
Raiden blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Airi glanced at the teacher, making sure they weren't being watched. She leaned in slightly and continued in a hushed tone. "The lessons are just a preview. The real learning happens after school. We're expected to go over everything on our own."
Raiden stared at her, surprised by the revelation. "Wait, so they don't expect us to fully understand everything right away?"
She shook her head. "No. Class A's pace is fast because they assume we'll take the initiative to study independently afterward. That's how everyone keeps up. If you try to absorb it all during class, you'll just burn out."
Raiden's mind raced as he processed this. It made sense now—why the students didn't seem as stressed during the lessons. They were all in on the trick.
Airi straightened up, her face still impassive, but there was something in her eyes—an acknowledgment, maybe even a faint hint of concern. "Just don't fall behind," she said softly before turning to leave.
Raiden watched her walk back to her seat, a strange mixture of gratitude and confusion washing over him.
So that's how they do it... he thought, feeling a little less overwhelmed now. He made a mental note to adjust his strategy.
As the lesson continued, Raiden found himself a bit more relaxed, knowing he didn't have to keep up with every detail in real-time. The hard work would come later, after school, when he could dive deeper into the material at his own pace.
For the first time since transferring to Class A, he felt like he had been given a small glimpse into how things really worked—and it had come from the most unlikely person.
Maybe Airi isn't as distant as she seems...
The rest of the lesson flew by, but Raiden no longer felt the pressure to keep up with every word. Airi's advice had eased his anxiety, and he found himself following the lesson at a comfortable pace, mentally bookmarking concepts to review later.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Raiden packed his things and glanced toward Airi. She was already meticulously gathering her books, her movements as efficient and calculated as always. He thought about going over to thank her, but before he could make a decision, she was out of her seat, walking toward the door without even a glance back.
Guess she's back to her usual self, Raiden mused, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Despite her distant demeanor, he felt like he'd gained a small insight into her world—just a fraction, but enough to know there was more beneath the surface.
He slung his bag over his shoulder and started heading home. "Thinking about Airi... maybe she's just shy to talk," he murmured to himself.
As he walked, Raiden couldn't help but feel like something had shifted, not just in his understanding of Airi but in how he was beginning to navigate Class A. It wasn't just about academics—it was about people, their complexities, and figuring out where he fit in.
In the late afternoon, Raiden arrived at his apartment. The walk home had given him plenty of time to think, but as he stepped into the entrance, his thoughts shifted to more immediate concerns. He noticed a pair of shoes neatly placed by the door—his younger sister's, signaling that she was home.
A small grin formed on his face. Living with his sister was usually calm, but Raiden enjoyed stirring things up by teasing her whenever he had the chance. She worked at a modeling agency, a job that kept her busy and often serious, but at home, Raiden took full advantage of their sibling dynamic.
He kicked off his shoes and padded into the living room, where he spotted her lounging on the couch, flipping through her phone. She was still in her work clothes—stylish, as always—her long hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. Without a second thought, Raiden crept up behind her.
"You know," he said in a mock-serious tone, "you're slacking off on your model training. How do you expect to maintain that 'professional' image if you're just lying around?"
His sister, Aya, didn't even look up from her phone. "Oh, shut up, Nii-chan," she replied dryly. "I've been working all day. What's your excuse for being a slacker?"
He smirked, leaning over the back of the couch to peer down at her. "I'm not the one who's supposed to be a 'perfect' role model for the youth, am I?"
Aya rolled her eyes, finally glancing up at him. "You have way too much time on your hands. Don't you have some homework or something?"
Raiden shrugged, feigning innocence. "Homework can wait. Annoying my little sister is way more important."
Aya gave a dramatic sigh but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "You're lucky I'm too tired to deal with you right now."
Raiden grinned. "Lucky, huh? I'll take that as a win." He plopped down next to her on the couch, feeling a sense of ease settle in. Annoying his sister might have been his favorite pastime, but it was also his way of showing he cared.
"You know, you could make me dinner as a reward for being such a supportive brother," he added, stretching out dramatically.
Aya raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "How about you cook for yourself and save us both the trouble?"
Raiden chuckled. "Worth a shot."
Raiden couldn't resist. With a mischievous grin, he quickly poked Aya's waist and dashed toward his room.
"Nii-chan!" she yelped, jumping slightly as she instinctively swatted at him. Her voice echoed through the apartment, half-surprised and half-exasperated.
Raiden laughed as he disappeared down the hallway, calling back, "You'll never catch me!"
Aya, still sitting on the couch, sighed and shook her head, but she couldn't suppress a small smile. "One of these days, you're gonna regret that," she muttered, but the warmth in her voice betrayed the usual sibling dynamic—equal parts annoyance and affection.
Safely in his room, Raiden leaned against the door, grinning to himself.
Raiden walked into the kitchen and saw that Aya had already changed into casual clothes and was cooking. The apron she wore was a stark contrast to the stylish work attire she'd had on earlier.
"Already changed?" Raiden asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aya glanced up from the stove, her expression a mix of annoyance and relaxation. "Yeah, just took a quick photo for an endorsement."
Raiden nodded, observing her with interest. "Looks like you're still working hard, even at home."
Aya shrugged, stirring the pot with practiced ease. "Gotta keep up appearances, you know? And I'm always ready for the next shoot or event."
Raiden leaned against the counter with a smirk. "So, if you're cooking, does that mean I get a free meal?"
Aya shot him a playful look but couldn't hide her smile. "You better be grateful. And don't think you can dodge cooking duties forever just because you're cracking jokes."
Raiden chuckled. "Fair enough. I'll just consider this my opportunity to be the official taste tester."
Raiden peered at the stove, trying to get a glimpse of what Aya was cooking.
Without looking up, Aya answered quickly, "It's just simple curry instant."
Raiden raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Instant curry, huh? Not exactly a gourmet meal, but I guess it'll do."
Aya shot him a sidelong glance, her smile widening. "Hey, it's quick and easy, and it tastes good. Plus, I've been too busy for anything more complicated."
Raiden grinned. "Fair enough. I guess I'll just have to settle for being a curry critic tonight."
Aya rolled her eyes and continued cooking.
"Oh, by the way, how's homeschooling going?" Raiden asked, curious. Aya was a model and had switched to homeschooling to balance her career and education.
"This week, I'm going to real school," she replied with a tug of a smile.
Raiden frowned slightly, puzzled. Real school? What does she mean by that?
"I'm going to be your junior, at the real school."
Raiden's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you're going to be a junior at my school?"
Aya nodded, stirring the pot. "Yep. Mom and Dad thought it would be good for me to experience a normal school environment for a change. Plus, it'll help balance out the modeling gigs."
Raiden stared at her, processing the news. "So, you're going to be at my school? That's... unexpected. How do you feel about it?"
Aya glanced up with a playful smirk. "A bit nervous, to be honest. I'm used to the modeling world, but school is a different beast. At least I'll have you there to show me the ropes."
Raiden chuckled. "Well, I'll do my best to help you out. Just don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're my sister."
Aya laughed, the tension from earlier easing. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, you wouldn't want to be accused of favoritism."
Raiden grinned. "True. Just don't expect me to let you off the hook if you're late or skip classes."
Aya rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll try to keep up with your standards, Nii-chan. But you better watch out. I'm good at surprising people."
As school began, Airi settled into her desk, glancing to the side where Raiden usually sat. Noticing his absence, she wondered,
Huh... where's that guy?
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office, Raiden and Aya were discussing the new term.
"I'm glad Ms. Aya chose our school," the headmaster said, looking between them. "But why didn't you bring your parents? Why is your big brother here instead?"
Raiden shifted awkwardly, glancing away. "Well... our parents are really busy, so since they couldn't come, I stepped in to help."
The headmaster nodded, understanding. "I see. Well, I hope you'll both have a good year here. Also, you can go to the teacher's room and meet Ms. Miyako. She's the teacher for the freshman grades."
Raiden and Aya bowed, thanking the headmaster for his time. As they left the office, Aya nudged her brother. "Well, that was awkward."
Raiden chuckled. "Yeah, a little. But at least we're both here now."
They walked through the halls, Aya looking around with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "This place is so big," she muttered.
Raiden smiled. "You'll get used to it. I can show you around later. Let's head to the teacher's office."
They navigated the hallways, with Raiden leading the way to the teacher's office. Aya followed closely, her eyes scanning the bustling environment. The contrast between her glamorous modeling world and this more ordinary setting heightened her sense of novelty and curiosity.
When they reached the teacher's office, Raiden knocked gently on the door before opening it. Inside, Ms. Miyako was sorting through some papers at her desk. She looked up with a warm smile.
"Hello! You must be Ms. Aya," she said, standing to greet them. "I'm Ms. Miyako. Welcome to our school."
Aya smiled, her nervousness easing. "Yes, that's me. It's nice to meet you."
Raiden, standing beside her, gave Ms. Miyako a casual smile. "Sensei, take care of this idiot sister of mine. I'll head back to my classes now. Bye!" He dashed out of the office, leaving Aya and Ms. Miyako behind.
Ms. Miyako chuckled softly. "Ah, it seems Raiden-kun is quite close to you."
Aya sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "He's my idiot brother."
"Then, should we go to the class? They've been waiting," Ms. Miyako suggested, glancing at her watch.
Aya nodded, still trying to shake off the awkwardness from her brother's departure. "Yes, let's go."
Ms. Miyako led the way, guiding Aya through the hallways towards her new classroom. As they walked, she offered a few words of encouragement. "You'll find that the students here are quite welcoming. It may take some time to adjust, but I'm sure you'll do great."
"Hmmm… what kind of class am I going into?" Aya asked.
Ms. Miyako smiled reassuringly. "You'll be joining Class B. It's a well-balanced class with a mix of students who are both focused and friendly. I think you'll fit right in."
Aya nodded thoughtfully. "Class 10-B, got it. Thanks for letting me know."
Ms. Miyako led her to the door of Class B and opened it, revealing a classroom full of students chatting and getting settled for the next period. "Here we are. I'm sure they'll be excited to meet you. Good luck!"
"What about my brother? What class is he in?" Aya asked again.
"Ah, your brother is quite intelligent," Ms. Miyako replied. "He's in Class 11-A."
Aya raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference between the classes?"
Ms. Miyako leaned against the doorframe, considering her response. "Class 11-A is for students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and leadership qualities. It's considered the top class in terms of academic rigor and is often seen as a stepping stone for more advanced studies. Class B, on the other hand, is more balanced and diverse, focusing on a mix of academic achievement and personal development. It's designed to be supportive and encouraging while still challenging students."
Aya nodded, absorbing the information. "I see. So, Class A is more competitive and Class B is more... supportive?"
"Exactly," Ms. Miyako confirmed with a nod. "Both classes have their strengths, but they cater to different aspects of student growth. Your brother will be in a more rigorous environment, while you'll find Class B to be nurturing and collaborative."
Aya glanced at the classroom with renewed interest. "Thanks for explaining. I'm looking forward to seeing what Class B has to offer."
Ms. Miyako smiled warmly. "I'm sure you'll do great. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
The students inside the classroom exchanged curious glances as Ms. Miyako stood outside with an unfamiliar girl who looked strikingly familiar.
"I-Is that… Midorikawa Aya?" one of the students whispered, her eyes widening in disbelief.
The classroom buzzed with murmurs of excitement and surprise. Aya's reputation from her modeling career had clearly made an impact, and seeing her in person was a shock to many of them. The chatter grew as students tried to confirm the identity of their unexpected new classmate.
"Who's she?" one of the guys in the class asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Oh, you might not know her," his friend replied, leaning in to explain. "She's pretty famous in Japan. She's a model—one of those fashion models who's often featured in magazines and advertisements. Midorikawa Aya. She's known for her beauty and elegance."
"Really? I've heard the name before, but I didn't realize she was this famous," the guy said, looking impressed.
"Yeah," his friend continued, "most of the recognition comes from the women's side of things, but she's got a pretty big following. It's not every day you get a celebrity in your class."
Aya took a deep breath and stepped into the classroom. The students' murmurs grew louder as they turned to look at her, their curiosity and excitement palpable.
Ms. Miyako cleared her throat, gaining the class's attention. "Everyone, this is Midorikawa Aya, our new student. She'll be joining Class B from now on. Please make her feel welcome."
The room buzzed with whispers as Aya walked to the front of the class. She offered a friendly smile, trying to ease her own nerves. "Hi, everyone. It's nice to meet you all."
As she settled into an empty desk, the students continued to glance her way, some exchanging excited whispers. Aya noticed a few students who seemed particularly eager to make her acquaintance.
One girl, who had been one of the first to recognize Aya, approached her with a wide grin. "Hi, I'm Nishida Yumi. I've seen you on TV! It's so cool to have a celebrity in our class."
Aya chuckled softly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Nice to meet you, Yumi. I hope we can get along well."
Aya took a deep breath and stepped into the classroom. The students' murmurs grew louder as they turned to look at her, their curiosity and excitement palpable.
Ms. Miyako cleared her throat, gaining the class's attention. "Everyone, this is Midorikawa Aya, our new student. She'll be joining Class B from now on. Please make her feel welcome."
The room buzzed with whispers as Aya walked to the front of the class. She offered a friendly smile, trying to ease her own nerves. "Hi, everyone. It's nice to meet you all."
As she settled into an empty desk, the students continued to glance her way, some exchanging excited whispers. Aya noticed a few students who seemed particularly eager to make her acquaintance.
One girl, who had been one of the first to recognize Aya, approached her with a wide grin. "Hi, I'm Nishida Yumi. I've seen you on TV! It's so cool to have a celebrity in our class."
Aya chuckled softly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Nice to meet you, Yumi. I hope we can get along well."
Meanwhile, the door to Class 11-A squeaked open, and Raiden finally arrived, looking slightly disheveled.
"S-Sensei, sorry I'm late," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Takahashi-sensei, visibly unimpressed, looked at him with a stern expression. "Stay outside until the class is over."
Chapter 2 – Finished.