『』『』『』『』『』
Kumagawa Misogi sat by the bus window, dressed in his usual black uniform from Suisou Academy. His chin rested on his palm as he watched the scenery pass by. His expression remained the same as always—a faint, unreadable smile.
The bus made several stops, picking up more passengers. Most were students wearing identical uniforms. There were also office workers, elderly people, and others just going about their day.
The boys wore red blazers over white dress shirts, with dull green pants and brown shoes. Some had blue ties, others burgundy. The girls had the same red blazers but wore short white skirts instead.
Kumagawa's gaze wandered across the bus, stopping on certain details. His eyes lingering on certain details with a gaze that could only be described as… impure.
『School uniforms, huh? A wonderful invention. So short, yet not short enough. So tight, yet not tight enough. So revealing, yet—』
"You're saying that out loud," a voice interrupted.
Kumagawa blinked and turned to the boy sitting next to him—a completely ordinary teenager with brown hair and an expression so neutral it almost offended him.
『Huh? I did?』
The boy didn't answer immediately. He just stared at Kumagawa, his face unreadable.
"Yeah. Word for word."
Kumagawa tilted his head slightly, processing the information. Then, he let out a small chuckle.
『Well, what can I say? I'm just an honest guy.』
The boy said nothing. His gaze didn't waver, nor did he react to Kumagawa's nonsense. Kumagawa, on the other hand, looked at him with interest. He kind of reminded him of someone from his world—but without the fun part, of course.
The boy next to him kept sitting quietly, his face expressionless.
Kumagawa extended his hand with a bright smile.
『Ahaha, sorry about that! I didn't even introduce myself. Kumagawa Misogi. Nice to meet you!』
Ayanokōji glanced at Kumagawa's outstretched hand. His expression remained neutral, but something about the gesture felt… off. He hesitated for a brief moment, then grasped it lightly.
After a brief pause, he finally spoke.
"Ayanokōji Kiyotaka."
The second their hands touched, a strange sensation ran up Ayanokōji's arm. It was deep and uncomfortable, spreading from his palm like something rotten had brushed against his skin. The feeling lingered, cold and invasive, as if it were seeping into his very nerves.
His face twisted slightly before he even realized it. Almost on instinct, he pulled his hand away.
『... 』『Hmmm? What's wrong? 』
Kumagawa didn't seem the slightest bit offended by Ayanokōji's reaction. Most people would feel at least a little awkward or defensive if someone pulled away from them like that, but Kumagawa just grinned, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"It's nothing…"
『Ayanokōji-kun, huh? Hmm… Yeah, I don't like it. Can I call you something else? Maybe Ayanon? Kiyoppy? Kiyotaka-tan?』
"No."
Kumagawa chuckled, completely unfazed by the blunt rejection. 『You're no fun. But that's okay. I'm used to making friends with people who don't like me.』
Ayanokōji didn't respond. He simply turned his gaze back toward the window, signaling the end of the conversation. For some reason, he didn't want to associate himself with Kumagawa any further. Even without proof, he could feel it—the person beside him would bring all kinds of trouble to his peaceful school life. And Ayanokōji had no intention of letting that happen.
『Hmm, ignoring me already? That's fine too. I've always been good at talking to myself. 』
Ayanokōji remained silent.
The bus continued its route, steadily making its way toward Advanced Nurturing High School
"Excuse me, but should you offer up your seat?"
『Hmm? 』
Suddenly, their attention was caught by a drama unfolding at the front of the bus. Kumagawa turned his head to get a better look.
He saw a young, well-built high school boy sitting in one of the priority seats. An elderly woman stood next to him, clutching the overhead rail for support. Beside her was a young office worker, who seemed to be the one speaking up.
"Hey, you there! Can't you see that this elderly woman is having trouble standing?" the office lady said.
She seems want the young man to offer up his seat. Her voice loud enough to draw the attention of everyone on the bus.
"That's a crazy question, lady," The boy said.
"You're sitting in a priority seat. It's natural to offer it up to the elderly."
"I don't understand. A priority seat is just that—a priority seat. I have no legal obligation to move. Since I'm currently occupying this seat, I should be the one determining whether or not I move. Am I supposed to give up my seat just because I'm young? Ha! That reasoning is nonsense."
Kumagawa watched the boy with interest. He reminded him of Miyakonojō Ōudo—not as severe, but cut from the same cloth. The type of person who believed he was born a king and that everyone else existed to serve him. The kind of person who compared watching the sunrise to how other people looked in the mirror each morning—the sun was the only thing on par with him.
The situation itself was nothing special. A self-important guy refusing to give up his seat, a frustrated office lady trying to shame him into doing so, and an elderly woman caught in the middle, saying nothing.
"Don't you think so? Commoner boy?"
While Kumagawa was lost in thought, the conversation continued without him. Before he realized it, the blonde boy had turned to him, dragging him into the conflict.
『Huh? Me? 』
Kumagawa blinked, tilting his head at the unexpected label. He pointed at himself, as if confirming whether he was, in fact, the commoner boy in question.
『Wow, what an upgrade. I usually get called something worse.』
The blonde boy—who, if Kumagawa had to guess, was the type that looked down on people without even realizing it—was staring at him, waiting for an answer. The office lady, on the other hand, looked at Kumagawa as if he were some random bystander suddenly dragged into an argument he had no business being in. Which, to be fair, was exactly what had happened.
"Then, your opinion?"
The bus shifted its collective gaze toward Kumagawa, as if waiting for his answer. It wasn't every day he found himself at the center of attention—well, not for the right reasons, at least.
『You know, usually, when people ask for my opinion, it's just to ignore it later. 』
"It doesn't matter. I have decided that your opinion on this matter is valuable."
Kumagawa chuckled, his grin widening.
『I'm Kumagawa Misogi, the former class leader of Minus Class 13. And you?』
He gestured toward himself with a genuine smile, as if introducing himself to a new friend.
The other passengers on the bus stared at him like he'd just sprouted a second head. Even Ayanokōji glanced over, his expression subtly shifting to one of mild bewilderment.
The blonde smirked, running a hand through his golden hair. "Kouenji Rokusuke. The man who stands at the peak of all mankind."
『That's quite the title. 』
"Indeed, it's the only title worthy of me. But tell me, Misogi-boy, what is your take on this matter?"
Kumagawa tilted his head, his grin never wavering as he considered the question.
『Hmm, my take on this matter? Well, let's see…』
『I'd say… if this guy wants to sit there, let him. If the old lady wants it, she can fight for it. Survival of the fittest, right?』 He paused, his grin widening as he glanced at the office lady.
『Is that what they call it nowadays in society? 』
The office lady stared at him, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration. "That's not how it works! Priority seats are for those who need them!"
『Oh? Don't look at me like that, even though I'm like this, I still believe in equal opportunity for all.』
The elderly woman, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"It's… it's fine. I don't mind standing."
『See? She doesn't mind. But if you're so concerned, why not offer her your seat? You're young and healthy too, aren't you? Or is it only other people's seats you care about? 』
He then pointed to another young man sitting near Kouenji.
『See that guy over there? He's also a healthy young man, just like Kouenji here. But you're not yelling at him to give up his seat, are you? Why is that? Is it because he's not sitting in a priority seat? Or is it because you've already decided that Kouenji is the villain of this story?』
The office lady blinked, caught off guard. "That's… that's not the point!"
『Then let's talk about points! Specifically, yours. Since you're so concerned about doing the right thing, let's review all the ways you've failed so far. 』
He stood up suddenly, his presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone on the bus.
『First, you never actually offered your seat. You saw an old lady standing, felt guilty, and decided to ease that guilt by scolding someone else instead. 』
He took another step forward.
『Second, when I pointed out the obvious—that you could give up your seat too—you panicked. Why? Because deep down, you knew you didn't actually want to stand. You just wanted someone else to be the good person so you wouldn't have to. 』
Another step.
『And third… well, third is the funniest one. After all this, even after the lady herself said she's fine, you're still mad. Why? Because it was never about helping her, was it? It was about making yourself feel righteous. And now that your moment of moral superiority got ruined, you don't know what to do with yourself. 』
By now, he was standing right in front of her.
The office lady's face turned red, her frustration mounting as she tried to interject.
"I'm just trying to do the right thing!"
『Are you, though? Or are you just trying to make yourself look good? You're not thinking about the old lady—you're thinking about how righteous you'll feel after forcing someone to give up their seat? 』
The office lady's eyes began to well up with tears. Kumagawa's endless barrage of words was making her feel like she was in the wrong. Her hands clenched tightly around her bag, and her voice trembled as she tried to respond.
"I… I was just trying to do the right thing…"
The other passengers on the bus shifted uncomfortably, their gazes flickering between the office lady and Kumagawa. Some whispered to each other, their voices low but audible enough to convey their disapproval.
"That guy's really something, huh?"
"He's just picking on her for no reason."
"What a jerk…"
Kumagawa tilted his head, his grin never faltering.
『Eh—? Did I somehow become the bad guy here?』
His voice was light, almost innocent, as if he couldn't understand why everyone was so upset. The tension in the bus grew thicker, the passengers' disapproval now directed squarely at him.
"You can take my seat, ma'am."
Suddenly, a young man stood up from his seat, offering it to the elderly woman. His voice was kind, and his gesture only served to highlight Kumagawa's perceived rudeness. The elderly woman hesitated for a moment before nodding gratefully and taking the seat.
"Thank you, young man," she said softly.
Koenji laughed, loud and amused, as if the whole situation was the most entertaining thing he'd seen all day. The way the passengers had all silently decided who the bad guy was, the way the young man's small gesture had instantly turned Kumagawa into the villain—it was all too perfect.
"Hah! How predictable. The crowd has spoken, and the role of the villain has been assigned. Truly, what a simple-minded world we live in."
Kumagawa, still grinning, let out a small sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly.
『No matter what I do, once again, I couldn't win. 』
His voice was light, almost amused, but there was something distant about it. He glanced around at the passengers—some still whispering, some avoiding his gaze entirely—and let out a small chuckle.
After standing for a while, the bus finally arrived at ANHS.
As the vehicle slowed to a stop, the passengers began gathering their things, eager to leave the tense atmosphere behind. The office lady quickly avoided Kumagawa's gaze, stepping off as if distancing herself from the entire encounter.
Koenji stretched, stepping forward with his usual arrogant stride
"Well, that was an amusing way to pass the time, You truly have a talent for making enemies without even trying."
Kumagawa just smiled, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he followed the flow of people off the bus.
『Yeah, well, I'm used to it. 』
Koenji glanced at him, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly in confusion.
"Why are you stepping out of the bus? This is Advanced Nurturing High School. You don't belong here."
『What do you mean? 』
Koenji gestured toward Kumagawa's uniform. "That uniform. It's not ours. You're clearly not a student here."
『Oh, this? Yeah, it's from my old school. Honestly, it's a better uniform than the one you guys are wearing. But don't get the wrong idea, even if I'm wearing different clothes, it doesn't mean I'm not a student here. It's plain racism. 』
Koenji laughed, his voice rich and full of confidence
"Hah! You're an interesting one. Well then, adieu, Misogi-boy."
Kumagawa watched him go, with his usual smile. There were already two people who had piqued his interest today: Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and Rokusuke Kouenji. Both were intriguing in their own ways.
『Now then, I wonder why Anshin'in-san brought me here. 』
He turned his gaze to the front gate of the school. In this place, he would spend the next three years of his life. It kinda reminded him of Hakoniwa Academy, though he doubted it would be anywhere near as chaotic. Still, he had a feeling this school had something special prepared.
But then again, it was hard to compare anything to Hakoniwa Academy. After all, that place was a melting pot of the bizarre and extraordinary.
『Without Medaka-chan or Zenkichi-kun around, things tend to get pretty boring…But then again, it's not fair to compare this place to Hakoniwa. 』
He chuckled to himself, recalling the sheer variety of people he'd met there.
As he stood there, staring at the school gates, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd have any fated encounters here.
『Heh, knowing me, that's pretty much impossible. Kumagawa Misogi is a veteran at losing, so it probably impossible for me to find my true love. 』
"Wait!"
Just as he was about to take his first step onto the school grounds, someone stopped him.
『Is this it? 』
Kumagawa paused, his grin widening as he turned to face the newcomer.
『Is this my fated love encounter? 』
He couldn't help but feel excited at the thought. After all, in romance manga, this was how it usually happened—a chance meeting, a sudden confrontation, and then sparks flying.
"Where's your uniform!?"
Of course, Kumagawa knew better.
『』『』『』『』『』
Not far from there, Ayanokōji watched as Kumagawa was dragged away by the school staff. The scene was almost comical—Kumagawa's smile never dissapear, even as he was being scolded for his lack of proper attire.
Judging by his different uniform, Ayanokōji had initially assumed Kumagawa wasn't a student here. But now, seeing him being dragged away by the staff, it seemed he was mistaken.
Well, it doesn't matter.
His goal was simple: to live a peaceful high school life. He just hoped he wouldn't end up in the same class as Kumagawa. Someone like him seemed like the kind of person who could disrupt the quiet existence Ayanokōji was aiming for.
Taking a deep breath, Ayanokōji turned his attention back to the school gate just ahead. He saw many young boys and girls of his age dressed in uniforms passed through the gate, chatting amongst themselves.
The Japanese government had created Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School with the express purpose of developing future leaders. This would be his school from now on.
Alright, here we go.
"Wait."
Just as he was about to take his courageous first step, someone called out to him. It was a girl who sit near him.
"Where's your friend?" she asked.
"Friend?"
"That black-haired boy. Aren't you friends with him?"
"Well… to call us friends would be a bit of an exaggeration. At best, we're just acquaintances. We only just met on the bus."
The girl raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconvinced.
"Really? You two seemed pretty close earlier."
Ayanokōji shook his head. "It's not like that. I just happened to sit next to him. That's all."
The girl studied him for a moment before asking another question.
"Why didn't you step in earlier."
She was referring to the situation on the bus.
Ayanokōji had considered the scene objectively. Kumagawa hadn't forced anyone to agree with him—he had only stated his perspective. The office lady, on the other hand, had imposed her own sense of morality onto someone else. Stepping in would have meant needlessly inserting himself into a pointless argument.
"Why should I? It's not like I can force my opinion on someone else. Kumagawa just stated his view. It's not like he was forcing it on her. Besides, getting involved would've been a hassle. I dislike trouble."
"You dislike trouble?"
"Yes. If you were so concerned about the whole thing, why didn't you offer your seat in the first place?"
If even one person had given up their seat, Kumagawa wouldn't have needed to say anything. The whole situation would've never escalated, and the office lady wouldn't have ended up in tears.
"Hmph. I didn't give up my seat because I thought it would be pointless."
"But isn't that just worse?"
"Perhaps. But unlike you, who stayed quiet just because you dislike trouble, I was acting on my belief. I don't want to waste my time with people like you."
"I feel the same way."
Is that how girls normally behave? Based on his knowledge, a conversation wasn't supposed to go like this. Or was this just how things were nowadays?
They both sighed at the same time before walking in the same direction.
『』『』『』『』『』
Kumagawa got scolded for not wearing the proper uniform. But it wasn't like it was his fault. It just happened to be his bad day.
First, his uniform was supposed to be delivered to his adress, but due to a mix-up, it got sent to the wrong adress. Then, when he call the administration office to sort it out, the staff responsible for uniforms had not picked up. By the time they answered, it turned out that his uniform had been mistakenly given to another student. And, of course, when he tried to ask for a spare, all the extra uniforms just so happened to be out of stock.
So, he had no choice but to show up in his usual attire. It's not like he hate it, objectively speaking, Kumagawa thought his uniform were better.
The staff who heard his reasoning were definitely not convinced. One of them even sighed and rubbed their temples, as if listening to him had drained them.
And so, he got stuck in the staff room for a pretty long time.
By the time they finally let him go, he went to the auditorium where entrance ceremony would take place. Standing at the front of the auditorium, Kumagawa stared at the empty hall.
『Hmmm… This is troubling.』
He scratched the back of his head, looking around as if expecting someone to pop out and tell him what to do next. But there was no one.
『I guess that means I'm officially late for my own school life. Ahaha, what a great start.』
He took a step forward, his footsteps echoing slightly in the empty space. There wasn't really any point in sticking around, but at the same time, he didn't know where he was supposed to go next.
"What are you doing here? And what are those uniform?"
He then heard a voice call out to him. Not surprising, since he was the only one still here. Kumagawa turned around and saw a black-haired man with glasses.
『Ah, are you talking to me? 』
The man adjusted his glasses slightly. "Who else would I be talking to?"
Kumagawa turned his head left and right, scanning the completely empty auditorium.
『Well, you never know. Maybe you were talking to a ghost? Or just thinking out loud? I'm not exactly a person's first choice when it comes to conversation. 』
"Enough with the nonsense. Why are you here? It's supposed to be class time. And why are you not in the proper uniform?"
『Ahaha, well, about that…』
Kumagawa didn't have much of an answer. So, he decided to explain his circumstances. The man in front of him listened silently. Given his presence here during class time, he was probably someone important. A student council perhaps?
"I see... I can't tell if you're lying or if you're just really unlucky."
『Why not both? 』
"…Right."
The man sighed again, rubbing his temple as if he was already exhausted dealing with him.
" It should be time for class now. You should go to your own class."
『Ahaha, well, you see, I also don't know my own class. 』
His uniform, dorm information, and even his class assignment was supposed to be sent to him before school started. But, thanks to a series of unfortunate coincidences, none of it ever reached him.
"Unbelievable…"
Then he turned his attention to the woman standing slightly behind him.
"Tachibana, bring him to the staff room, and help him find his class."
"Yes, President," the woman replied.
Tachibana gestured for Kumagawa to follow her, and he obliged. It wasn't like he had anything better to do. He was already late, after all.
As he started to walk after her, the man called out one last thing.
"What's your name?"
Kumagawa paused, his grin widening. He turned around slowly and gave his response.
『Ah, right. I forgot to introduce myself. Kumagawa Misogi. Nice to meet you, Student Council President-san. 』
The man gave a curt nod, but didn't seem too interested in much else. Without another word, Kumagawa followed Tachibana.
『Um…Tachibana-senpai? Was it? 』
"Yes, what is it?"
『Are you perhaps in love with Student Council President-san? 』
Tachibana froze mid-step, her face turning bright red.
"W-w-what are you talking about Junior!?"
she was not expecting the sudden question about love. In the first place, how does the first thing that he asked is about love anyway? It was just to sudden so it caught her off guard.
『It's obvious, you know? As a love expert such as myself, it's not hard to pick up subtle cues from a woman in love. 』
"L-love expert!?"
Kumagawa nodded sagely, as if he were imparting some great wisdom.
『Yes! Not that I have experience in having a girlfriend myself, but I do have experience in unrequited love. 』
Tachibana stared at him, her face still flushed. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. Then, she shook her head, regaining some of her composure.
"Let's just focus on getting you sorted out, okay?"
『Sure, lead the way, Tachibana-senpai. But if you ever need love advice, you can come to your beloved Junior. As an expert in unrequited love, I know all there is about what makes a love confession fail. So, you don't have to worry about failing! 』
Tachibana rolled her eyes but didn't respond, focusing instead on leading him toward the staff room. The few minutes it took to walk there felt longer than they should have, thanks to Kumagawa's relentless teasing.
They arrived at the staff room, and Kumagawa stepped inside. After a brief explanation from Tachibana and some paperwork, the issue with his class assignment was quickly sorted out.
『Thanks for the help, Tachibana-senpai. 』
Kumagawa smile as he gave her a small wave.
Tachibana gave him a curt nod, her expression a mix of relief and lingering exasperation.
"Just try to stay out of trouble, okay?"
With that, Tachibana turned and walked away, leaving Kumagawa to his own devices. Now that his class had been decided, it was time to attend.
『Let's see…Where is Class D…』
He glanced down at the map he'd been given
『Ah, there it is. 』
As he made his way to the classroom, he slowly opened the door, only to be met with a sharp reprimand before he could even step inside.
"You're late!"
The teacher, a young woman with a stern expression and a well-endowed voluptuous body, stood at the front of the room, glaring at him. The rest of the class turned to look, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and judgment.
『I'm sorry, teacher! As your future most disciplined student, from this point forth, I will not be late again. In fact, I'll be so early that I'll arrive before the school even opens. I'll camp out in front of the gates, rain or shine, just to prove my dedication. I'll even bring a tent and a copy of Shōnen Jump to pass the tim— 』
"That's enough!" the teacher snapped, cutting him off mid-ramble. "Just go to your seat."
The teacher and the rest of the students stared at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and amusement. His first impression was… well, unforgettable, to say the least. The Only one person in the class seemed to find the situation amusing is Kouenji Rokusuke who happened to be in the same class as him.
As he made his way to his seat, the whispers began.
"Who is that guy?"
"Is he for real?"
"He's so weird…"
Whispers filled the classroom as Kumagawa stepped inside, his black Suisou Academy uniform standing out like a sore thumb among the sea of red blazers. The students' eyes followed him as he made his way to his designated seat.
Kumagawa, however, seemed entirely unfazed by the attention.
『How unfortunate, it's not a main character seat. Lucky you, Ayanokōji-kun, to the point I want to kill you. 』
Kumagawa seat was just right in front of Ayanokōji. But the comment he made earlier, made the student who hear him look at him indescrunously, including Ayanokōji himself.
His seat was right in front of Ayanokōji, a fact that didn't escape the latter's notice. The comment Kumagawa had made earlier—loud enough for those nearby to hear—drew a few incredulous looks from the other students. Some whispered to each other, their voices low but filled with disbelief.
"Did he just say he wants to kill someone?"
"Is he serious?"
『Ah, don't mind me. Just thinking out loud. 』
The students exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsure how to respond.
『Well anyway, nice to meet you again Ayanokōji -kun 』
"Yeah, nice to meet you too."
After that, Kumagawa sit on his seat, as the teacher began to speak.
"Ahem. Since one of our students arrived very late, I'll have to explain everything from the beginning.
As she said this, her gaze locked onto Kumagawa with the intensity of someone trying to drill a hole through his skull. It wasn't the typical disappointed-teacher look—it was the kind of stare that screamed, 'How dare you waste my time on the first day?'
Kumagawa, however, didn't even flinch. If anything, he just smiled like he hadn't noticed—or rather, like he was completely used to this kind of treatment.
Compared to what girls had done to him in the past, this was nothing.
"Good morning to you student, My name is Chabashira sae and I'm in charge of class D this year. I teach Japanese history. This school doesn't rearrange the classes every year, so over the next three years, I hope I get to know all of you. Best regards. Although the entrance ceremony will be one hour from now in the gym, I will now distribute the list of special rules of this school and the matriculation guide."
『Sae-chan Sensei! 』
Almost immediately, Kumagawa raised his hand. Chabashira Sae, the homeroom teacher of Class D, turned to look at him. Her gaze was sharp, not what you'd expect from a teacher addressing a student for the first time. But she relented, exhaling a deep sigh.
"What is it?"
『What do you mean by entrance ceremony? 』
Chabashira blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Huh…? It's an entrance ceremony. You know, the event where new students are formally welcomed into the school? Have you never been to an entrance ceremony before? Did you not attend one at your previous school? Did you skip them all? Or are you just unfamiliar with the concept altogether?"
Her words came out sharp and sarcastic. The other students watched in stunned silence, some stifling laughs while others looked at Kumagawa with a mix of pity and disbelief.
Kumagawa, despite being verbally stomped on, remained unbothered.
『I was just asking if the entrance ceremony's already over, but being trampled down like this is also quite new. 』
The classroom erupted into muffled laughter, though some students still looked at Kumagawa as if he were an alien.
Chabashira, meanwhile, looked equally confused. It wasn't like her to snap at a student like this, especially on the first day. But something about Kumagawa's presence irritated her in a way she couldn't quite explain.
"The entrance ceremony is in one hour. Please try to pay attention next time."
『Understood, Sae-chan Sensei. I'll do my best. 』
Chabashira, meanwhile, took a deep breath and tried to regain her composure.
"As I was saying, the entrance ceremony will begin in one hour. Until then, I'll distribute the list of special rules and the matriculation guide. Please read them carefully."
The student in the front seat passed back the document that Chabashira had distributed. It was a document that students should have received along with their uniforms and other information. Unfortunately, Kumagawa didn't have anything.
Kumagawa flipped through the document with mild interest. It mostly covered the school's general rules, nothing too surprising—except for a few things that stood out.
All students were required to live on campus. Contacting anyone outside the school was forbidden without permission. Even immediate family was off-limits.
『Wow, they really went all out with the whole isolation thing, huh? 』
Leaving school grounds was also against the rules, but they compensated with a variety of facilities: karaoke rooms, theaters, cafés, boutiques. It was basically a self-contained town, except you couldn't leave.
And then there was the interesting rules.
『S-system? 』
"I will now hand out student ID cards, With this card, you can buy anything from any of the shops and facilities around campus. It works like a credit card. However, be careful of how many points you use. There's nothing you can't buy at school. If it exists here, it's purchasable."
She handed out the ID one by one.
"The points will be automatically credited on the first day of the month. Everyone should already have 100,000 points on their card. Also, 1 point is worth 1 yen. Any more explanation is unnecessary."
The moment Chabashira finished speaking, the classroom erupted into chaos.
"Wait, 100,000 yen!? Every month!?"
"Is this for real?!"
"This school is insane!"
The students' voices overlapped, their excitement and disbelief filling the room. For high school students to receive such a huge amount of money as an allowance was unprecedented. Their reactions were justifiable—after all, this was a life-changing amount for most of them.
However, there was one person who didn't share their enthusiasm.
『To think that I will receive such money in my lifetime…』
Instead of excitement, Kumagawa's voice was filled with disbelief. Tears streamed down his face as he sat at his desk, his shoulders shaking slightly. The students near him turned to stare, their excitement momentarily forgotten.
Kumagawa wiped his tears with the back of his hand, his grin somehow still intact despite the emotional display.
『I've always been a loser, you know? I never thought I'd live to see the day when I'd get this much money just for existing.』
His words were met with silence. The other students exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond to such an odd reaction. Chabashira, meanwhile, sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose as if trying to ward off a headache.
"Kumagawa, please try to keep your emotions in check."
Kumagawa sniffled, wiping away the last of his tears, before instantly turn to his usual expression.
『Sorry, Sae-chan Sensei. This is the first time something good has happened to me in a while. I'm a little overwhelmed. 』
Chabashira's eye twitched slightly.
"Anyway, this school measures the abilities of students. Everyone here, who passed the entrance exam, has shown some level of merit and worth. The amount of money is a reflection of your skills. Use without holding back. After graduation, however, all the points will be taken back. Since it's impossible to change these points into cash, there's no point in saving up the points. How the points are used are up to you. Use it on things you like or need. If you feel that no use for some of your points, you can always transfer them to someone else. However, bullying other people for points is prohibited. The school is very strict on matters concerning bullying."
Chiyabashira-sensei looked around the room, her gaze lingering on Kumagawa for a moment longer than necessary. She let out a deep sigh, this time loud enough for the entire classroom to hear.
"What is it again, Kumagawa."
『What happens if I get robbed by any chance? Like, say, during the day, some mean third-year kidnaps me, drags me to a secluded area, and starts bullying me? Punching me, kicking me, hitting my head with a rock, and leaving me half-dead before taking my points? 』
The classroom fell silent. Even Chiyabashira-sensei, who had been trying her best to maintain her composure, looked momentarily stunned.
"That's… an oddly specific scenario…But to answer your question, the school has strict anti-bullying policies. If something like that were to happen, you would report it immediately, and the perpetrators would face severe consequences."
『Got it. But what if I'm too half-dead to report it? Like, what if I'm in a coma or something? Do they have a system for that? 』
"The school has measures in place to ensure the safety of all students. If you're genuinely concerned about your well-being, I suggest you avoid secluded areas and stay with your classmates."
『Sae-chan Sensei, I have another question. 』
Chabashira paused, her expression wary.
"What is it now, Kumagawa?"
『You said we can use these points to purchase anything, right? Does that include… anything? Like, hypothetically speaking, could I buy your right on wearing a naked apron? 』
The classroom fell silent.
All eyes turned to Kumagawa. Some students looked confused, others horrified especially the female students. Even Chabashira, who had been dealing with troublesome students for years, seemed momentarily caught off guard.
"…It's sexual harassment, you know?"
『That's why it's hypothetical. 』
For the first time, Chabashira didn't immediately shut him down. Instead of exasperation, there was a flicker of interest in her eyes
"You can."
『Whoa! Really!? I want to buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Please let me buy it! 』
Her momentary curiosity and interest was instantly replaced with pure disgust. The same went for the other girls in the room. She had assumed he was just messing around. But the moment she confirmed it was possible, his expression shifted—serious, eager, completely sincere.
But, as a teacher, she knew better than to let herself get dragged into his nonsense.
"100 million points, That's how much it would take."
『Ehh? That much? That's way too expensive, Sae-chan Sensei. 』
Kumagawa pouted, slumping over his desk in exaggerated disappointment.
"If you have time to joke around, read the document properly. I don't want to deal with you complaining later because you didn't understand the rules."
『Ahaha, don't worry, don't worry. I've already memorized the important parts. 』
Chabashira shot Kumagawa a look, clearly unconvinced, but didn't bother arguing. She exhaled and scanned the room.
"Does anyone have any more questions? …Kumagawa?"
『None. 』
Without hesitation, he shut down the chance for further discussion.
"Well then, please lead a good student life."
With that, Chabashira left the classroom in a hurry, as if staying any longer might drag her into yet another one of Kumagawa's antics. Once she was gone, the students wasted no time breaking into groups.
After receiving such a huge amount of money, any teenager would naturally start talking about what they could buy and how they planned to spend it. The room buzzed with excitement, conversations overlapping as everyone discussed their plans.
"It isn't as strict of a school as I thought it would be."
『Right?!』
Before Ayanokōji could even blink, Kumagawa had already turned around, suddenly appearing way too close to his face. Ayanokōji didn't react outwardly, but internally, he noted how unnatural it was. He had barely spoken above a murmur, yet Kumagawa had somehow picked up on it.
He got a good sense of hearing.
"It certainly seems like a lax school."
the girl sitting beside Ayanokōji cut in on the coversation.
『Right?! Right?! 』
『As a student myself, receiving 100,000 yen as an allowance is kind of a big deal, you know? I mean, sure, if you're one of those elite, born-with-a-silver-spoon types, maybe this is just pocket change. But for a regular high schooler? This is the kind of money that makes you feel like a king.』
Kumagawa was speaking from experience. As the most unfortunate person in the world, learning how to enjoy even a little bit of happiness was a must.
"Everyone, can you guys listen to me for a bit?"
A student with a calm, approachable aura raised his hand and spoke. His hair was neatly kept, and he had the appearance of an honors student. He didn't look like a delinquent or someone with bad intentions—just the type of person people naturally trusted.
"Starting from today, we will be in the same class for the next three years. So, it would be great if all of us could introduce ourselves and become friends. We still have time until the entrance ceremony, so what do you think?"
Kumagawa glanced at him. From looks alone, he was destined to be a popular student. Even now, he could already spot several female students getting bashful around him. The reaction from the boys, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
"I agree! After all, we don't know each other's names, let alone anything about one another."
Once the first student agreed, the previously hesitant students began voicing their support.
"My name is Hirata Yousuke. Because I was often called by my first name, Yousuke, in middle school, feel free to use my first name. Although I like all sports, I enjoy soccer in particular and plan to play at this school. Please take care of me."
And just like that, Hirata naturally became the central figure of the class.
After his flawless self introduction, the other students followed. Some were nervous, stumbling over their words. Others were vague, careful not to reveal too much. A few were clearly lying. But in the end, everyone managed to finish their introductions.
"Then I'm next, right?"
A girl with a bright smile stood up.
"My name is Kushida Kikyou, and since none of my friends from middle school came to this school, I want to get to know everyone and become friends!"
Most introductions were short, but Kushida kept going.
"First of all, I want to become friends with everyone here. After all of you are done with your introductions, please exchange contact information with me!"
『Oh? 』
Kumagawa glanced at her, amused. From looks alone, she was the type to be popular with the boys. But that wasn't what caught his interest. Something about her reminded him of a certain junior from Hakoniwa Academy.
"Then, during vacations or after school, I want to make memories with many people, so please invite me to many events. I've been talking for a while, so I'll end my self-introduction here."
She sat down, still smiling.
"Then, the next one is───"
As Hirata looked at the next student, the next student shot him a sharp glare. With bright red hair, the boy looked like a delinquent and spoke in a manner that matched his appearance.
"You guys idiots? I don't wanna introduce myself, just leave me alone."
Red hair glared at Hirata. Tension hung in the air. Kumagawa leaned back in his chair, watching the situation unfold with amusement. If he had a bucket of popcorn, this would be the perfect time to dig in. A fiery-tempered delinquent versus the ever-popular Hirata
The red-haired guy, clearly the type who didn't care about school, clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Tch. This is a waste of time."
Hirata, being Hirata, didn't back down
"I understand that not everyone likes introductions, but wouldn't it be better if we at least got to know each other a little?"
The class murmured. Some nodded, others just exchanged glances. The girls mostly sided with Hirata. Some guys looked interested, but most didn't care.
『He really does have that protagonist energy, huh? 』
Ayanokōji stayed silent, watching. He looked more like an observer than someone actually involved.
The red-haired boy got up from his seat and stormed out of the room. At the same time, several other students followed suit, clearly uninterested in getting to know their classmates. The girl sitting next to Ayanokōji also stood up and left without a word.
Once the room had settled, the introductions resumed. Koenji was up next.
"Um, can you introduce yourself?" Hirata asked, trying to maintain a friendly tone.
"Fu~. Ok."
While smiling like a young noble, he showed glimpses of his impudent behavior. The others thought he would stand up, but Koenji kept his feet on the desk, and started his self-introduction while sitting like that.
"My name is Koenji Rokusuke. Being the only heir of the Koenji conglomerate, I am a man who will be responsible for Japanese society in the near future. Pleased to meet you, ladies. From now on, I will relentlessly punish anything that makes me feel uncomfortable. Be careful in that respect."
"Eh... Koenji-kun. What do you mean by 'anything that makes me uncomfortable'?"
Feeling uneasy at his words, Hirata asked him again.
"Exactly as I said. But if I were to give an example───"
He then pointed at Kumagawa in the back.
『Eh? 』
The rest of the class turned their heads toward Kumagawa, their attention now fully on him. Being the center of attention yet again, Kumagawa couldn't help but grin.
"That thing, is the most repulsive human I have ever met. But since he's interesting, I'll make an exception."
『Oh, I'm flattered, really. You think I'm repulsive? How very kind of you. 』
The students, unsure how to react, looked at each other in a mix of confusion and curiosity. Hirata tried to diffuse the situation, but it was clear that Koenji wasn't going to be easily swayed.
"Koenji-kun, that's not the kind of thing you should say…"
"I'm just speaking the truth. Don't worry, I won't hold it against him."
『It's fine, Hirata-kun. It's not the worst thing someone has ever said to me. In fact, it was pretty tame. While I'm at it, why don't I introduce myself?』
Kumagawa slowly rose from his seat. The students, already uneasy from the previous exchanges, stiffened as they tried to figure out what to expect from him. His unpredictable behavior wasn't something they were used to, and his sudden action only added to their confusion.
『I am Kumagawa Misogi, and I have transferred from a different world. I've upgraded myself to this world of seinen. Ladies and gentlemen of this famous high school, I hope we can become great friends. 』
The class went silent. No one knew how to respond. Some stared at him, others glanced around as if hoping someone else would make sense of what had just been said. They unsure whether to laugh or simply move on.
Kumagawa, however, seemed entirely unfazed by the lack of reaction. His grin widened as he continued.
『Instead of self introduction, how about I give you a quiz. Riddle me this! In the morning a short story. In the evening a deadline. In the night it ends. What is it? The answer is a new serial novel. 』
The silence in the classroom grew even heavier. Not a single person smiled. The joke was so horrible that several students looked as though they were about to puke. Even without his Minus, Kumagawa was still able to hurt people as easily as breathing.
『With my introduction out of the way, Nice to meet you all. 』
『END』