Ren slid into his seat at the back of Class 1-D, the tension clinging to him like static.
Dr. Maruki...? No way.
He barely had time to process it before the sound of footsteps echoed across the front of the room.
Click, click, click.
A woman stood at the podium, arms crossed, posture rigid. Her sharp eyes scanned the room like searchlights. She was beautiful in a severe, untouchable sort of way—long black hair tied back neatly, lips painted in a tone colder than winter steel.
She looked right at him for a brief second.
Then she spoke.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin."
Her voice was calm but carried weight, the kind that demanded attention.
Cold and composed… She reminds me way too much of Sae.
Ren leaned back slightly in his chair, one hand tucked into his pocket. The resemblance was uncanny—same glare, same air of authority. It was starting to feel like some cosmic joke.
"First, I'll introduce myself," the woman continued. "I am Chabashira Sae. I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next three years."
Three years...? That's not how most schools do it.
He raised an eyebrow. In most Japanese high schools, students stayed in the same class for a year at most. Three years with the same people? That was... intense.
Chabashira didn't wait for reactions.
"At this school, classes are fixed. You will remain with the same peers throughout your time here. Whether you thrive or fall behind, you will do so together."
No one said anything. Not yet.
"If there are no questions, we'll move on."
She gave a small nod, then lifted something from the desk in front of her—a sleek, matte-black smartphone.
"To commemorate your enrolment, each of you has been awarded 150,000 points."
Gasps broke the silence like a dam giving way.
"What?!"
"You're kidding—right?!"
"Wait, that's real money?!"
Ren kept his expression neutral, but he could hear the stunned voices bouncing across the room. Chabashira raised her hand and the chaos was cut short by her next sentence.
"One point equals one yen. This will be your monthly stipend."
Now people were really losing it.
Whispers erupted, plans for spending already forming—new clothes, electronics, games, god-knows-what else.
Chabashira's tone sharpened like a blade.
"Quiet."
The room obeyed. Fast.
"Ordinarily, students receive 100,000 points upon entry. However, due to certain circumstances, this year's amount has been increased to 150,000. Consider it… a one-time offer."
Ren's eyes narrowed.
Certain circumstances, huh? Sounds like something's off already.
"You'll find a folder and phone your desks," she continued. "Your folder contains the complete student handbook. It outlines our rules, systems, and how the point economy functions. Read it. You'll need it."
She raised the phone higher so everyone could see.
"This is your ID, wallet, and communication device. It tracks your point balance, allows purchases anywhere on campus, and verifies your identity. Keep it on you at all times."
There was a moment of quiet as students checked under their desks and began pulling out the items.
Ren flipped open his folder, eyes skimming over the neatly printed pages.
So this is how they run things here...you can't have a job
"And one last thing," Chabashira said, stepping aside.
"This is Dr. Maruki Takuto. He's the school's counsellor. If you ever feel stressed, overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to, he's available. He is a new teacher at our school so please be kind to him."
Maruki gave a soft, warm smile and raised a hand in greeting.
"Nice to meet you all. I look forward to supporting your time here."
He just stared, uncertain if what he was seeing was real or another cruel trick of fate.
First Kushida, then Sumire, now Maruki and a beautiful cold woman named Sae. What is this place?
…no Maruki was real, he was certain of it. He isn't a cognitive being.
Chabashira's gaze swept across the classroom again before it stopped squarely on Ren.
"It seems someone here already knows about Dr. Maruki."
Her finger pointed.
Directly at him.
Ren blinked.
"…What?"
"How about we start introductions with you?" she said, her tone casual but firm, like she was daring him to refuse.
Ren sat up a little straighter in his seat, caught off guard.
"I'm sorry?" he asked.
Chabashira didn't miss a beat.
"We have roughly thirty minutes before the director's welcome speech. Due to some new guidelines, all first-year students are now required to introduce themselves in front of their class. Isn't that right, Dr. Maruki?"
"Ah—yes," Maruki replied, adjusting his glasses with a soft smile. "Amamiya-kun, would you mind going first? It'll help everyone ease into things."
Ren let out a quiet sigh and stood up from his seat. He could feel a dozen eyes turning his way.
Why me…
"My name is Amamiya Ren," he said simply, his voice calm and even. "Nice to meet you."
Some of the students gave polite nods. Others just stared.
Before he could sit back down, Chabashira cut in again.
"How about you tell us a little more? Hobbies, interests… and maybe how you know Dr. Maruki?"
Ren froze for a split second.
"…Excuse me?"
A faint murmur rippled through the class.
Chabashira raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting.
"I didn't ask for a novel. Just a few details to help your classmates understand who they'll be spending the next three years with. And since you seem familiar with the school counsellor, I'd say you're already a little… unique."
Ren glanced toward Maruki, hoping—maybe—he'd intervene.
The man gave him an apologetic look but didn't intervene.
Ren sighed again, hand brushing through his hair.
"…I like reading. Cooking. Coffee. Uh… gymnastics, a bit." He hesitated. Then added, "And… I…uhm…used to work as Dr. Maruki's intern. Helped with his research and more."
For some reason internsounded better thantherapy patient dealing with the collapse of reality.
The room didn't react right away.
Then came the ripple.
"Intern…?"
"Wait, for real?"
"Isn't he, like, our age?"
Whispers flared up louder now—some surprised, others sceptical.
Even Chabashira's eyes narrowed slightly, the faintest wrinkle forming at the edge of her brow. She hadn't expected that answer.
Maruki stepped forward with a sheepish smile.
"Uhm… yes, yes that's correct," he said, voice calm but proud. "Amamiya-kun was my intern last year. He helped me with research into emotional cognition and adolescent mental health. I was very impressed with his insight and dedication."
He gave Ren a brief nod of respect.
"And… if I'm ever unavailable for counselling, feel free to reach out to him. In fact," Maruki chuckled softly, "he is even better at this than I am."
Silence.
Ren didn't say anything. He just stood there.
Did he really just throw me under the bus like that, Maruki?
The counsellor let out a chuckle, clearly oblivious to—or ignoring—the weight of what he'd just said.
"Well, don't worry," Maruki added. "I won't ask Amamiya-kun to do any heavy lifting. But if you're having a tough time and I'm tied up, he's someone you can rely on. Or if you are unable to talk to me due to feeling unease because of the age gap, you can talk"
Ren closed his eyes briefly and exhaled through his nose.
Thanks. No pressure.
The whispers among the students grew louder now.
"No way, he worked with a doctor?"
"He doesn't look like it…"
"Wait—he said emotional cognition? What even is that?"
"…He kind of looks cool, though."
"I thought he was some loner."
"He's got that quiet, dangerous aura, right?"
There is something wrong, why would Maruki do this?
A councillor at a school like this...maybe normal but the chances of it being Maruki is weird, 150,000 points when normally the school gives only 100,000 according to Chabashira-san, this school being the strongest point of mementos of this world...there is something wrong here.
"Also, if you guys are feeling weird," Maruki said gently, "like experiencing intense headaches, fatigue, or a sense that your body's on the verge of shutting down… please come and see me. These can be symptoms of extreme mental strain or emotional fatigue. It's more common than you think, especially among high schoolers."
He paused.
"Sometimes, in rare cases, this kind of stress can even lead to minor hallucinations—like seeing shadowy figures out of the corner of your eye. You know some people think that all of the human unconscious are linked together. We tend to call it the sea of the unconscious."
"Amamiya-kun, you remember the research we did about the collective unconscious, don't you?"
Ren didn't respond immediately.
Every pair of eyes in the classroom turned toward him again.
He felt the pressure tighten around his chest.
He slowly nodded.
"…Yeah. I remember."
Maruki smiled as if they were just reminiscing about old times.
"You see, everyone," he continued, "our study centered on how emotions and trauma don't just stay locked in an individual—they ripple out. Sometimes, when they build up too much… they manifest. In dreams, in delusions… or in what we call cognitive distortions."
Several students tilted their heads, clearly lost.
"What I mean is, if you're seeing strange things—or even feeling like reality's a little off—you're not crazy. It's not uncommon in high-pressure environments."
A couple of students exchanged nervous glances.
"…So, like, ghosts?" someone mumbled near the front.
"Or urban legends?" another whispered.
Ren stood silently, gaze flicking between Maruki and Chabashira.
Why is he saying all this now? And in front of everyone?
…wait were shadows coming out of mementos from here? There is no way but based on what he is saying this may be what he is inciting.
"I don't want to scare any of you, so don't stress yourselves about what I am saying. Just know if you are feeling any of those symptoms, talk to me or Amamiya-kun."
Maruki must've felt it too, because he smiled softly and stepped forward again, lifting both hands in a gentle, almost playful gesture.
"Ah, sorry—my bad, everyone," he said, his voice like warm tea on a cold day. "I think I let my curiosity run away with me for a second."
Some students let out small laughs—awkward, but real.
"I didn't mean to scare anyone. Honestly, what I said earlier about symptoms and stress—those things are pretty common in most elite schools. You're all stepping into a very competitive environment, so it's natural to feel a bit off for the first few weeks."
He clapped his hands lightly.
"So—deep breath, everyone. Seriously. Inhale…"
He demonstrated.
"…And exhale."
A couple students actually followed along. About half the class surprisingly.
Maruki smiled again, brighter this time.
"You're not alone here. And this school might be strict, but it's also full of opportunities. You'll have fun. You'll make friends. And yes, you'll probably want to tear your hair out once or twice." He chuckled. "That's high school for you."
This time, more of the class laughed. A few of the girls near the front even relaxed their shoulders, exchanging relieved glances.
"If you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to come talk to me. No judgment. No paperwork. Just you, me, and maybe some tea if you're lucky."
Kushida giggled.
Even Chabashira, standing near the board with arms crossed, didn't interrupt this time.
Maruki glanced around the room, then nodded to himself.
"There. That's a better energy."
He smiled one last time.
"Alright. I'll be in the counselling room after orientation. You're all welcome to stop by—whether you need help or just want to chat about books, movies… or even snacks."
And just like that, the atmosphere eased.
"Thank you Dr Maruki." Chabashira said. "As the doctor said, everyone here is welcome for counselling so don't hesitate at all."
"And one more thing—if any of you are fans of the so-called Phantom Thief Joker, I suggest keeping that to yourself. The school discourages talk of such… disruptive fantasies."