Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School—the same background school mentioned across all four previous simulations. This prestigious institution boasts an almost perfect graduation and employment rate, its greatest allure.
Sponsored by the state, the school enforces rigorous instruction and supports students in achieving their dreams. In fact, they advertise this heavily. Many graduates have gained fame due to having studied here. Unlike most schools which focus on one or two specialties such as sports, music, or computer science, this school offers a broad spectrum of pathways.
"No wonder people accuse them of hogging public resources..."
Kitagawa Ryo observed his fellow first-year students entering the school gate. Most bore radiant smiles, optimistic about their futures. It was as if, by being accepted here, they had already been validated; all they had to do was graduate peacefully to attain their dream lives.
"The incoming students don't seem that exceptional. Maybe the school has faith it can mold even average kids into elites?"
Just a glance was enough for Kitagawa to spot two students who looked like delinquents. He'd encountered many such types in junior high. Despite the clean uniforms, their language and subtle mannerisms betrayed their true nature.
[Even though I experienced the entrance before in a flashback during the last simulation, I can't remember much...]
"But I know this school won't be simple. Better stay alert."
He changed into his indoor shoes, counting the lockers as he did. 160 total. That meant 160 new first-years. Four classes, 40 students per class.
Locating his classroom—Class 1-C—he saw that most students were already seated, albeit quietly and awkwardly due to unfamiliarity. A glance at the blackboard revealed two familiar names. With a sigh, Kitagawa walked to the far-left seat by the window in the back row and pulled out a book to kill time until the teacher arrived.
About five minutes later, as he was getting absorbed in his book, he sensed someone watching him. The previously empty seat in front of him was now occupied by a girl with silky silver hair and amethyst eyes. Her gaze was so close he could see his reflection in her pupils.
"Wuthering Heights. Want to read this?" he asked, lifting the spine.
"I want to look at you."
Shiina Hiyori's voice was soft and low, less sweet than it had sounded in previous videos. It made her blunt words feel less flirtatious and more matter-of-fact.
"Rejected."
He tapped her forehead with the spine of the book.
"Didn't expect to be in the same class."
"...I thought about it. A lot."
She pouted slightly, rubbing her forehead.
"Alright, you win."
Others in the class had started to sneak glances at them, but Kitagawa's attention shifted when he noticed someone resembling a teacher enter.
"Talk later."
He gently turned Shiina back around. Their relationship had carried over from the previous simulation as "book friends." If not for the bizarre flashbacks from last time, he wouldn't have worried about getting close to such a seemingly innocent girl.
But he had seen the sheep turn into a wolf before.
As he watched the teacher hand out materials, Kitagawa noted the distribution of student ID cards and school-issued phones.
This didn't surprise him—students were required to live in on-campus dorms and were cut off from outside contact unless special permission was granted, even with family.
Just as he expected to receive his items from Shiina, he instead got a slip of paper:
"Ryo's current favorite mystery novel?"
Apparently, Shiina had confiscated his phone and ID.
He sighed, knowing she was still curious about the year he disappeared in junior high. Still, she would likely return his stuff as long as he didn't show irritation.
He scribbled: "The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler."
She handed back another note.
"Read it."
He replied: "Smoke, Soil or Sacrifices by Maijou Otaro."
That seemed to please her. As she returned his items, she whispered:
"I've also been reading Maijou Otaro—Love Love Love You, I Love You."
Just from the title, Kitagawa decided to drop Maijou from his reading list.
The homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma, finally introduced himself and laid out the school rules—including the 100,000-point monthly allowance.
This sent the class into a frenzy.
"100k yen? Every month?!"
"This school is insane!"
"Want to go shopping later?"
Sakagami didn't intervene, simply watching. Then, a girl named Manabe Shiho suggested everyone do introductions. Just as she started hers, a purple-haired boy interrupted:
"No one cares about small fry. Shut up."
The teacher looked at his roster.
"Ryuuen Kakeru, right? You have something to say?"
"Of course. Someone's gotta lead this class."
Another boy, Kaneda Satoru, asked, "You mean run for class rep?"
Manabe retorted that introductions should come first. Ryuuen clicked his tongue and stood.
He walked up to her menacingly.
"Gonna hit me?" she challenged.
He didn't. Instead, he turned to Sakagami.
"That surveillance camera is real, right?"
"Of course. Violence will be punished."
Ryuuen grinned. "I'm shy on camera. Got a balloon for me to play with?"
To everyone's surprise, Sakagami handed him a balloon. Ryuuen let it float to cover the camera.
Then he sat on the podium.
"My name is Ryuuen Kakeru. Just remember this: Do what I say."
Someone charged at him—Ishizaki Daichi—and got kicked into the desks. More fights broke out. Ryuuen beat them all until he stood before the massive Yamada Albert.
"Obvious transfer student..."
Ryuuen placed a foot on his desk.
"You gonna obey?"
Yamada stood and, unflinching, punched Ryuuen back.
Ryuuen wiped the blood and grinned.
"Let's go again!"
Meanwhile, Shiina pulled a chair over to Kitagawa and held out a book: "Love Love Love You, I Love You"
He sighed.
"You're banned, Maijou."
Then came the thud of desks toppling. Ryuuen was pinned again, bleeding and ranting threats.
Kitagawa finally had enough. He stood up and smiled.
"Hey. I'm in a hurry."
He looked at Ryuuen and Yamada.
"How about you both come at me together?"
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