After giving me his account name he left. At last I finally went back to class just before the bell rang despite the fact that there was no need to rush as there was no class.
However, something I noticed on my way back to class that really surprised me was that no one was to be found in the hallway, not even the new students. Moreover, no class was noisy.
Wow! I'm surprised that everyone is so well mannered on the first day. I suppose that's what you'd expect from an elite high school.
After entering class and reaching my seat, I checked my phone to see my account balance—92,000 RP.
Since RP was equivalent to yen, that means they gave me 100,000 yen at the start of the term. I wasn't sure if that was a lot or not, but I assumed it was.
"Hey Suzuki."
"Yeah?"
"Weird question, but… Is 100,000 yen large or small?"
"Obviously large."
I'm sure that must have sounded weird to an average high schooler.
"O-Oh I see," I blushed slightly as I turned to see her and her top button was open.
"Why'd you as—"
"Aiya-chan!" A friend came to her, and they began to talk.
Since my presence wasn't needed, I dozed off again and was later awoken by Kagurazaka.
"Nakamura, wake up! It's already 3:20!"
"Huh?! Kagurazaka?"
"Wake up sleepy head."
"Huh? Oh. Thanks for waking me up."
"I can't believe you slept through the whole day. You're really something else."
I laughed nervously, unsure if she was joking or serious.
"Also, it's Kagura, KA-GU-RA. It's just three syllables, it's not that hard."
"Sure, thanks again."
"You're welcome. Try not to sleep like this during class."
"No promises," I arranged my stuff into my bag.
"I'll try to think of that as a joke."
It was a joke. I thought it was funny, was my execution wrong? Let's try another joke.
I looked up to try another joke, but Kagura had already left. I sighed and left for the dorms; I used the map on my phone.
Today has been really good I guess, even though I'm still friendless.
But at least I got someone's account name, right?
As I was approaching the dorms, I walked past a convenience store but quickly turned back to check it out and buy some important stuff.
When I walked in, I saw Kagura and Suzuki talking. I went over to talk to them.
Wow, she got here fast.
"Hey Kagura."
"Oh, hey Nakamura-kun."
"You used an honorific?"
"Or should I call you sleepy head?" Kagura grinned.
I laughed nervously–it seemed she was behaving friendly towards me. At this rate I could get another account name.
"Hey, what about me," Suzuki pouted.
"Oh, hey Suzuki."
"Nakamura, you know Suzuki?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Mhm," Suzuki nodded. "He's my neighbor."
After Suzuki said that Kagura's expression changed for a second.
What was that? Hmm...
"Well, me and Kagura are going to the mall. So, see ya," Suzuki waved goodbye.
"Bye. See you two, tomorrow."
Why was she… I guess it doesn't matter.
I grabbed a basket and headed for the food section. I had packed toiletries, but didn't pack food.
I found the food section and saw some noodles and got them.
Throughout my life, I'd only eaten healthy food and only tasted noodles once when I went to Hiro's house, so I had been craving to eat them again.
I bought a lot, ranging from cup noodles to instant noodles. I bought some chicken, fish, oil, spices, rice and other food items.
I also bought some cleaning equipment; my total was 20,000 RP.
I went to the check-out and paid. On leaving the store I held my receipt in anger.
Damn. Seems like I spent a lot. So, my balance now is 72,000 Rp. I should be careful from now on how I spend these points.
"I need some points, please," an orange-haired girl begged on the floor.
I watched silently from afar trying to understand what was going on.
Huh? What's going on? Is she getting bullied…No, she's begging?
"How can you already not have enough Rp? The term just started," the girl towering over her replied.
"It's because of what happened last year."
I left because being caught as an eavesdropper wasn't on my bucket list.
What do they mean? From their conversation, it seems there's some correlation of RP with what she did last term.
Did she get a punishment from school? Anyway, all of that doesn't really matter to me, because now I'm free!
I grinned from ear-to-ear as I walked to the dorms. On arriving at the dorms, I went to the front desk office but on my way there I saw some girls entering an elevator.
It seems the dorms are co-ed.
The front desk was behind the lobby so I had to knock before entering.
Clank, Clank, Clank.
"Come in," the front desk officer said.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. I would like to know where my room is."
"New student, right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Name?"
"Nakamura Eiya."
"Oh, so you're Nakamura Eiya," she said with a faint smirk, scanning me like I was some kind of exhibit. "You're in room 273, it's on the second floor,"
Did someone tell her about me? Does someone know my past? No, it's too unlikely.
"Ma'am, did someone tell you about me? Particularly anything bad?"
"Oh, you don't know. Let me not spoil the fun, I just happened to have heard about you from some colleagues. By the way, your phone is your keycard."
She heard about me from some colleagues, huh?
"Oh, thanks."
"You're welcome. Also, before I forget, here's the rule book. Could you help me give one of the rule books to a student I forgot to give?" she smiled warmly at me, baiting me.
That's low, very underhanded. Well, it's not like I have anything better to do.
I agreed; I was supposed to give it to a student in room 272, my neighbor. I went up the staircase because the elevator was crowded.
As I was going up the flight of stairs, I glanced outside a window.
I noticed a purple-haired girl talking to Suzuki, though I didn't hear what they said. The purple-haired girl was the person who sat in front of me.
I wonder what they're talking about. Maybe they're discussing their new classmate—me—and how handsome I am.
I wish!
I came to room 272 and knocked on the door.
"Coming!"
It was the voice of a female student—Hayashi.
This will be interesting, won't it? I wonder how she'll react when she sees me.
After 2 minutes, she opened the door.
"Sorry I took so long—Nakamura?" her cheerful tone cracked mid-sentence as her smile faded.
Her brows furrowed, and she stepped back slightly, her eyes narrowing as if I'd just tracked mud into her room. When she spoke again, her voice was curt.
"What are you doing here?" she brought her head out of the doorway checking if people were close by before speaking.
She doesn't want people to know, huh? Well considering she wants to join the student council maybe being a person who screams in the halls isn't really good for her resume.
"I was asked to give you the rule book."
"Ok," she replied plainly, snatching the book out of my hand.
"Uh, you're welcome."
"I never thanked you. Leave," she slammed her door.
"Bitchy much?" I asked sarcastically, expecting her not to hear me.
"I heard that!"
I hurriedly went to my room after she said that and unlocked the door by scanning a QR code on the door handle.
The door clicked open, and I stepped inside, taking a moment to absorb my new living space.
It wasn't just a typical dorm room—it was more like a compact one-bedroom apartment, no rather a studio apartment.
To my left was a small kitchen area with a sleek, stainless-steel countertops, a two-burner electric stove, a microwave, and a compact refrigerator.
A cabinet above the sink offered just enough storage for basic cookware and dishes which it already had.
Opposite the kitchen was the living room, furnished with a minimalistic gray sofa, a coffee table, and a wall-mounted TV.
The TV was already on, playing the school's dedicated news channel, hosted by a poised student in a sharp uniform with chestnut-brown hair and a yellow hairpin.
Her voice was playful yet professional as she reported on the day's events within the school grounds.
I grabbed the remote and flipped through the options, but the TV only had that one channel.
A small message at the bottom of the screen read: To access additional channels, subscribe to a cable package via your phone, I clicked on it to see what the price was.
A message was sent to my phone; the cable package cost 5,000 RP.
I was unsure when I would get more Rp, especially with what I saw at the convenience store, so it was best to guard them jealously.
Beyond the living room, a door led to the bedroom. Inside, a neatly made single bed sat against one wall, accompanied by a small study desk and chair under the window.
The bathroom was compact but functional, with pristine white tiles and a shower stall.
As I darted my eyes around, I noticed my travelling box (suitcase) neatly put beside my bed, blending subtly with the room's aesthetic.
I tossed my bag onto the bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling. Finally, I was free from him.
I exhaled deeply, sinking into the bed. "Ahh!" I moaned out of satisfaction.
Ok, that was a bit too high pitched.
Now fully relaxed, I turned on the A.C and began reading the dorm rulebook.
It mentioned how we don't pay for gas, water, or electricity but should use it in moderation.
There were 3 student living quarters; one for first years, another for second years, last for third years—the staff had special quarters.
Immoral relationships were banned, and those involved would be expelled.
However, as long as there was no proof, students could still be dating without consequence.
Also just like the school, this place is under constant surveillance, and you shouldn't be in another person's room after 10 pm.
I can't really believe I'm here but now that I'm here, I'm not just satisfied with making friends.
Maybe Satou-senpai fired me up, but now I have a bigger goal and that is to have many friends, at least 3, and to get a girlfriend.
But despite that, no matter what, one thing that cannot happen is I must not stand out—if I do that then I can be normal and not have to wear a mask and keep up this façade.
That is the only way someone like me can be normal.
***
Author's Note:
So, what do you think? If you read this chapter and still don't like this book, I advise you to drop it.
But if you did like it then just know it gets way better from here on out.
Also, I forgot to mention this in the first chapter but this Earth is not like ours. There are no special abilities but history is different.
Anyway, see you in the next one.