Staring at the electronic billboard, I couldn't help but grin, for one simple reason.
I'm finally free.
I supposed those were the words any teenager or young adult wanted to say most but in truth, I embodied those words.
At any rate people dispersed, looking for their classes–some were in groups, it seemed some people already made friends.
I'm lagging behind in that aspect.
"Heugh," I sighed at my predicament and eased my mind by admiring the campus.
The campus was vibrant, blending exotic plants with traditional architecture–coupled with futuristic buildings, the campus truly combined all the right aspects of Japan.
Students filled the walkways, their chatter adding to the lively atmosphere.
That was to be expected as each grade level had 5 classes, and each class had 50 students. About 750 students in total.
There were a lot of cameras on campus despite the school promoting student autonomy.
Though it could possibly be because of their anti-bullying policy, it might as well be because of that point system that they didn't explain.
The school used the lower-case letter of the Greek alphabet to rank each class, from alpha(α)to epsilon(ε).
I checked my phone to see my class placement; it seemed I was placed in Class Epsilon, the lowest-ranked class.
There are probably delinquents in that class. Aww man! Guess I should stay clear from those types of guys.
According to rumors the school ranks you by how useful you would be to society; it seemed I was basically useless.
I supposed that was to be expected as I was more than likely the most useless and uninteresting person here.
Enough with the depressing talk, let me at least see the class.
With the help of the map on my phone, I managed to navigate around the school and find my class.
As I went to my class, I saw the girl from the train as she was entering a class—Class Alpha, the highest ranked class.
Wow, she must be super smart.
I entered the class through the back door, as it would be awkward to just enter through the front while everyone was seated.
On entering I was in awe. The interior of the classroom was surprising, having ambient lighting.
Though the term 'classroom' is an understatement, it was more of a lecture hall considering it had to house 50 students.
However, on entry into the classroom I found something that was a bit disheartening.
I found out that everyone was dressed similar to me—no one had a blazer on, the boys opened their shirts, while the girls raised their skirts to thigh level, some didn't even wear the school shirt.
Huh? That's weird, everyone is dressed cool? Is everyone here really a delinquent? Maybe the school's authority is shaky.
Nah, it's probably because the school allows us to dress how we want.
It seemed I failed at appearing special or different because everyone was in a conversation, and no one noticed me as I entered.
I went to the last desk on the left, the one beside the window, the famous chair known as 'The Protagonist Seat'.
But if I was the protagonist of a book would anyone read it?
Anyway, while sitting at my desk, I noticed my neighbor on my right side wasn't in their seat.
They're probably talking to a friend.
Ahh, a friend.
I wish I had one. I mean Hiro's my friend, but we haven't seen each other for 6 years so I'm not sure how things will turn out when we meet each other.
The students in my class all seemed well acquainted. Well, that's a given since it was the second term.
It seemed I was the only transfer student in this class which meant breaking into social groups would take some effort.
After some time, a blonde-haired woman with blue eyes entered the class and went to the podium.
I presumed she was our homeroom teacher, though she appeared way too small and squeamish.
She couldn't be taller than 4'10. Despite wearing an office suit and a pencil skirt with black leggings, she looked like a middle schooler.
You would probably think she was a kid, the only thing not childlike was her assets.
Wasn't it a mistake to put a small, probably weak-willed person in charge of a class full of delinquents?
With her entrance everyone went to their seat and kept quiet like she was some dictator.
Despite her stature and appearance, she somehow managed to command the room like a seasoned soldier.
I wonder what she did to make them like that.
"Good morning class, I hope you had a wonderful break. Now before I begin addressing the new term, we have a new student. Why don't you come and introduce yourself," she said in a tone devoid of emotion.
From her voice, she already sounds dead. She sounds like she's at a dead-end job.
Maybe no one complains precisely because they pity her, she sounds like she could collapse any second though she doesn't look pale in the slightest.
"Nakamura?" she looked intently at me, I wasted too much time thinking.
"Sorry, I'm on my way," I said, standing up from my chair.
This was a crucial moment; a first impression is what created most of your initial image.
This was especially in the case if your spectators were female. Therefore, I had to make a spectacular first impression.
I'm sure when I do this everyone will smile and wanna be friends with me.
As I arrived at the front of the class, I took a short bow and grinned.
"Nice to meet you everyone. My name is Nakamura Eiya and I'm open to accept love letters," I grinned, spreading my hands wide.
[So, basically I don't have an illustrator but there's supposed to be an illustration here so bear with me and imagine this:
Nakamura has a wide grin, with his hands spread wide. Keep in mind that Nakamura has very average anime character hair but has overly detailed eyes and a pretty face like a girl.]
I was quoting my favorite protagonist of the manga, Dating for Life.
His name was Shindou, he said this when he transferred to a new school, and when he said this everyone laughed.
In my case everyone stiffened up, no one even let out a chuckle or even a smile. All that was there was unwelcome silence.
Huh?
"You can go back to your seat now, Nakamura," she said, her voice still devoid of emotion, almost sounding robotic.
"Yes ma'am," I straightened up and went back to my seat.
Damn, tough crowd.
"I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Riko Jackson, I am British Japanese, and I am the homeroom teacher of Class 1-Epsilon," she took a deep breath and continued her speech.
"As we are all aware, this is the second term. I don't need to remind you that you are the bottom class. So, make my job easier and try to be more attentive and intentional in everything you do," she sighed, then continued.
"Enjoy your day, there isn't any class today however, it is mandatory to stay in class."
She took quick strides out of the class, as if in a hurry. After she left a boy with emerald-green hair came to the podium.
"As most of you are aware, I'm Ito Yuuto, the class president. Let's work together this term—and try not to break any rules. We lost Kobayashi Shin last term over something small, so let's not repeat that. Anyway, we have a new student—let's welcome him."
Everyone clapped instantaneously, who is this Ito guy? I suppose that question is redundant as he already answered that.
But I found it surprising that despite looking like he's a popular ikemen known for being snoobish, he carries a calm, mature aura.
Ito strode back to his seat with effortless poise, his shoulders squared and his gaze steady.
As he passed, a few girls leaned forward, whispering behind cupped hands, their glances lingering on him like moths drawn to a flame.
I glanced over at him, our eyes met for a moment but I quickly turned away.
Even I couldn't help but feel the weight of his presence—a mix of quiet authority and self-assured charisma.
I actually felt envious of his natural charisma.
After Ito left the podium, a girl with short red hair came to it.
She looked bubbly, charismatic, and, dare I say it, cute. She had a red hairpin—it was a rose.
"Yo, I'm Kagura, vice class prez. You guys already know, but whatever," she said.
Vice class president? I guess that is the class president's assistant.
To think she occupied such a role is astonishing, she looks way too nice for class politics, though that's just my opinion.
"I'm sure most of you already know all this, my hobbies are hanging out with people and... that's about it. I'm not particularly good at anything though that might be why I'm in this class. Anyway, that's all I wanna say so I'm going back to my seat."
It seems she's not as well put together as Ito.
After Kagurazaka went back to her seat, the classroom went into a chatter.
I wanted to make friends, but it felt too presumptuous of me to force my way into a conversation, so I sat quietly in my seat.
Moreover, I still felt kinda tired, so I rested for the time being.
"How was your break?" a girl asked my neighbor on my right side.
"I went shopping every day," my neighbor replied.
"Suzuki, what's up?" a red-haired boy came to talk to my seatmate.
"Hey Miyamura," my seatmate replied. It seems she's somewhat acquainted with the boy.
I didn't want to eavesdrop, so l took a nap. After some time, I woke up to some boys talking beside me.
"Dude, I got a new game," said a boy with glasses who looked like a textbook otaku.
"Which one?" replied a magenta-haired boy.
"Murvel's Spuder-Man 2."
"For real?"
"For real, for real. How much was it?"
"Oh, it was 15,000 RP."
"Dude I'm gonna borrow it from you."
They were talking about some games, I would have joined if I could but I'm not a gamer and I knew absolutely nothing about games, so I sat there.
I rested my head on my table about to drift back to sleep.
"So small, medium or big?" asked the magenta-haired boy.
"Big," replied the boy with glasses.
"Dude, medium is premium."
"Boobs are at their best when big."
"No, medium so they can fit in your hands"
"No, big so your hand will get sucked in."
"Medium!!!"
"Big!!!"
These guys are shouting this subject so loud in class. What the hell?
These guys switched from games to a woman's chest wayyy too quickly.
Not to add they talk about it so frivolously; do they not have shame? I mean I think about it too but…
I looked up at them just to see them still in an argument. The girls beside them looked at them with disgust.
I finally drifted to sleep. After some time, the bell rang and I awoke from my slumber, it felt like déjà vu from this morning.
"…Bland."
As I looked around to see who spoke I glanced at my neighbor on my right side, expecting her to be a quiet student considering her comment, but her appearance and etiquette said otherwise.
I didn't pay attention to her before, so I didn't notice. When she realized I heard her, she grinned.
"Bland?"
"Oh, sorry I was thinking out loud. Hey, I'm Suzuki Aiya. Nakamura, right?" she grinned offering me her hand to shake.
She looks like those gyarus that I've read about.
She had brown hair tied into a ponytail, secured with a pink hair tie and a matching hand band. She also painted her finger nails lime.
Her skirt was short, and instead of the school's brown bow tie with white stripes, she wore a pink one.
Her tanned skin and loose socks made it clear—she exemplified the word gyaru.
"Are you gonna talk or…"
"Oh sorry. So, what's up?" I shook her hand.
"It's just you were asleep for a long-ass time."
"I see, I'm just kinda tired you know."
"Were you doing something yesterday, maybe something naughty, eh?" she said using her shoulder to jab my chest.
"N-no, I was just sleeping like a normal person."
"Sure. Well anyway see you around, Nakamura," she waved leaving the class.
In truth, I never found out why she called me bland, at least not that day or anytime soon.
Not thinking much of what she said, I stood up and followed the biggest crowd, assuming they were heading to the cafeteria.
On reaching the cafeteria I was so flabbergasted that I could barely keep my jaw from falling.
It had soft cushions instead of metal seats. It smelled like a restaurant rather than a high school cafeteria. That's not all it also had—
Ahem. To put it simply, the cafeteria was the largest one I'd ever seen.
***
Author's Note:
Yo! You miss me? Hope you did, cuz you'll hear my annoying voice after every chapter from now on.
Yeah, I know I'm super broke, also about that spider-man reference, I used a fake name cuz I don't know how copyright laws work so correct me if I can use the real name.
And in case you were wondering, I'm not an old man. I'm actually hella young.
Like super young.
Hope you love this chapter. Anyway, see you in the next one. Oh, I almost forgot, keep the questions coming(not that I have received any), I'll answer most of them at the end of this volume.
Bye-Bye (Btw I'm male and straight).