Sorry for the wait, I had stuff that I wanted to do in the meantime.
Could you guys leave some reviews? This chapter is a bit on the longer side so I think we should have enough content for you guys to like (or dislike)
.....
Ryusui Nanami brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve, then raised his hand high and snapped his fingers.
"I am here."
His declaration rang across the school courtyard with unreasonable confidence, as if the campus itself had been waiting for his arrival.
A sleek limousine rolled to a smooth stop beside him, polished to such an absurd shine that it reflected the school building, the sky, and the stunned faces of the students like a mirror. The rear door opened, and Francois stepped out, their uniform immaculate, posture perfect, not a single strand of their blond corkscrew curls out of place. Without hesitation, they bowed deeply toward Ryusui.
"Welcome, sir."
The crowd froze.
A second ago, they had been gawking at a high school student who had literally descended from the sky. Now, they were watching another student arrive in a luxury vehicle and bow as if greeting royalty. Murmurs rippled outward like waves.
"Did they just call him sir?"
"Is this some kind of drama shoot?"
"No way he's a normal student…"
Ryusui smiled. Not a modest smile, nor a smug one, but the wide grin of someone who believed the world existed purely to entertain him.
The awe, however, lasted only a moment.
Reality struck back swiftly, in the form of several teachers rushing forward with expressions that ranged from disbelief to genuine horror. They stared at Ryusui as if unsure whether to scold him or check if he was concussed.
"And what exactly do you think you were doing?" one of them demanded, stopping just short of grabbing him by the collar. "You put yourself in a life-threatening situation just to arrive at school!"
Ryusui let out a long, exaggerated sigh, as if deeply disappointed by the question.
"As the greediest man on earth," he declared, spreading his arms wide, "I refuse to arrive alongside ordinary folks. Someone like me must draw all attention to himself. ALL of it! Hahaha!"
Several students visibly recoiled.
One teacher pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is not a performance stage."
"Oh?" Ryusui tilted his head. "Then why does it feel like everyone is watching me?"
He snapped his fingers again and turned slightly toward Francois.
"Francois, show me to my first lesson. I am very interested in what kind of entertainment this school can provide."
Francois remained bowed for a moment longer before straightening. "Sir, there appears to be an issue we must resolve first. My apologies, but rules are still rules."
Ryusui waved dismissively. "Every inconvenience has an answer. Every answer has a solution."
"Do not ignore me, young man!" the teacher barked, stepping closer. "You are going directly to the principal. Think carefully about your actions."
Ryusui did not even look at him.
"So, Francois," he said thoughtfully, tapping his chin, "what exactly is the issue? Did my emergency suitcases fail to arrive? Is there insufficient cash stored in the briefcases? Or perhaps the school failed to prepare suitable accommodations for us?"
He rattled off the possibilities as if discussing trivial grocery items.
"The problem, sir," Francois replied calmly, "is standing right in front of you. But do not worry. I will accompany you to the head of this institution."
They gestured politely toward the furious teacher.
Ryusui burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! That fly?" He waved his hand. "Such a thing could never be a problem for me. If the principal truly wishes to see Ryusui Nanami, then surely he should come to me."
"Sir," Francois said gently, "the easier option would be to visit the principal."
Ryusui sighed dramatically, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick bundle of cash. Without hesitation, he pressed it into the stunned teacher's hands.
"There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved with money," he said confidently. "I simply do not feel like walking all the way to the principal's office. It sounds exhausting."
The teacher stared at the money, then at Ryusui.
"…This is as meaningless as handing money to a caveman."
He dropped the bundle onto the ground.
Ryusui gasped, clutching his chest in mock pain. "How cruel. Money will always have value as long as I am alive."
Snap.
The teacher exhaled sharply. "You're really testing my patience, kid. Fine. I will overlook the stunt. Just go to the principal's office. Now."
Ryusui blinked. "If not the stunt, then what exactly is the problem?"
The teacher hesitated, then spoke through gritted teeth. "Your guardian warned us you might attempt something… dramatic. But jumping out of a helicopter instead of landing properly is crossing the line."
"Oh," Ryusui said, eyes lighting up. "So it was anticipated."
"That does not make it acceptable."
Ryusui laughed again, completely unbothered. "Then I suppose I should apologize."
The word alone caused several teachers to stiffen.
"…Later," he added cheerfully. "Francois, let us go. I would hate to keep the principal waiting."
As they finally began to walk, whispers followed him like shadows.
"Is he insane?"
"Is he rich?"
"Is he both?"
.
.
.
"You really are an interesting specimen, Nanami Ryusui."
The man seated across from him spoke calmly, fingers folded together atop a polished desk. His name was Sakanayagi, the principal of the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School. His posture was relaxed, his expression unreadable, yet his eyes were sharp enough to suggest that nothing escaped his notice.
"To think you would pull such a stylish stunt simply to announce your arrival."
Ryusui leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head as if he were lounging on the deck of a yacht rather than sitting in the office of one of the most elite institutions in the country.
"Thank you," he replied without hesitation. "A proper entrance is everything. First impressions are worth more than gold."
Sakanayagi smiled faintly, the kind of smile that never quite reached his eyes.
"That much is clear. However, there is something I must ask first." His gaze shifted slightly, landing on the figure standing beside Ryusui. "If you are the sole problem today, why is another student accompanying you?"
Francois stood silently at Ryusui's side, posture straight, hands neatly folded in front of them. Their expression was as composed as ever.
Ryusui glanced over his shoulder as if only just remembering their presence.
"Francois?" He chuckled. "They are the most important thing in my life. You could say they are an extension of my will itself. Where I go, they go."
Francois nodded once, neither confirming nor denying the statement.
"But if we are done with introductions," Ryusui continued, snapping his fingers, "I have classes waiting for me. Chop chop."
Sakanayagi let out a quiet breath. "Considering you jumped out of a helicopter onto school grounds, I cannot exactly rush this conversation."
"Details," Ryusui said dismissively.
The principal leaned back in his chair.
"Tell me, Ryusui. Do you know why you were accepted into this school? One of the top educational institutions in the world, if not the very top."
"I do not," Ryusui replied easily. "But that hardly matters. I was worthy of being here regardless."
Sakanayagi studied him for a moment.
"I expected you to answer that your family forced their way in," he said. "Or that your wealth opened doors that should have remained closed."
"Those are merely partial contributors," Sakanayagi continued. "Not the real reason."
Ryusui clicked his tongue. "You are wasting breath telling me things I already know. My money, my family, my influence. If I did not know, I could easily find out. None of that is interesting."
He waved his hand, clearly ready to move on.
Instead of reacting, Sakanayagi calmly raised a thin file from his desk.
"Then let me be direct," he said. "It was your ingenuity that brought you here. Your ability to adapt quickly, to make decisive moves under pressure, and to turn unfavorable situations into profit."
He placed the file down.
"Even when your own family placed restrictions on you, froze your assets, and attempted to limit your influence, you continued to rise. You did not complain. You did not retreat. You found new ways forward."
Ryusui's grin widened.
"In short," the principal continued, "you thrive when constrained. That is why I was interested in you."
He slid the file across the desk.
"This environment is far harsher than the one you are accustomed to. Your accounts are frozen. Your influence is limited. Your resources are restricted. I wanted to see whether you would break… or flourish."
Ryusui picked up the file, flipping through the pages at an almost insulting speed.
"Hah. A quick and tidy summary of who I am," he said. "Fascinating, if you are someone who is not me."
He handed it to Francois without another glance.
"Dispose of it."
Francois accepted the file, though their eyes widened slightly as they skimmed the contents.
"I would recommend reading that more carefully," Sakanayagi said mildly. "It is not as simple as it appears."
"There will be time for that later," he added. "Now, onto the actual reason you were summoned here."
Ryusui leaned forward slightly.
"Do you understand what it means to jump hundreds of meters from the sky without authorization?" Sakanayagi asked.
"I do," Ryusui replied. "I just did it."
"That is one interpretation," the principal said. "But do you understand the danger involved?"
Ryusui stared at him blankly. The look on his face suggested he was questioning whether the man across from him was serious.
Sakanayagi sighed. "Why did I even ask? Every time something like this happens, the school must cover the consequences."
"Is this not a private island?" Ryusui asked. "What consequences could there possibly be?"
"Public transportation still passes nearby," Sakanayagi replied. "Civilians recorded your fall. Some may believe a student nearly died. Others saw an unauthorized helicopter hovering above school grounds. All of this draws attention."
"So this is a warning," Ryusui laughed. "How thoughtful."
"No," Sakanayagi said calmly. "This is me explaining your punishment."
Ryusui's interest sharpened slightly.
"Before that," the principal continued, "there is something fundamental you must understand about this school."
He tapped the desk once.
"Cash and credit cards have no value here. Within these grounds, money exists in a different form."
Ryusui raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"All students are issued school smartphones. These devices manage a digital currency known as points. One point is equivalent to one yen."
"I see," Ryusui said. "Efficient."
"Students are normally granted one hundred thousand points per month," Sakanayagi continued. "Housing, food, and daily necessities are tied directly to this system."
Ryusui's smile returned.
"And I assume my punishment involves that number."
"Correct. Due to your reckless entrance, you will begin with twenty thousand points."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then Ryusui laughed.
"Eighty thousand yen," he said. "You believe that is enough to make me struggle?"
He snapped his fingers sharply.
"Challenge accepted."
Sakanayagi's expression did not change.
"You will find this far more difficult than you imagine."
Ryusui stood up, straightening his blazer.
"I appreciate the warning," he said. "But if this is the best this school can do, then you will never manage to hold my attention."
He turned toward the door, Francois already moving to follow.
Behind them, Sakanayagi watched quietly.
Another POV:
Trying to make new friends was exhausting.
In the first place, was I even supposed to be trying this hard? Did friendships really form because you forced yourself into awkward conversations, or were they meant to happen naturally over time? My thoughts were in complete disarray, swirling around like a chaotic summer festival with no clear direction.
While I remained lost in my head, the classroom steadily filled with students. Chairs scraped against the floor, bags landed on desks, and voices overlapped as people greeted each other. The noise alone was enough to drain my motivation.
Well, I had no choice but to try.
After a long internal struggle, I forced myself to stand up. This was supposed to be my chance. The moment where I took initiative and made my first friend.
However.
Just as I rose from my seat, I noticed a chubby boy wearing glasses laughing with another student. They were already deep in conversation, smiling like longtime acquaintances.
I gave a bitter smile.
So much for that.
Good for you, glasses-kun.
You made your first friend.
Meanwhile, I was left standing there like an extra who missed his cue.
"You, from before."
The sudden voice startled me. Feeling perplexed, I found myself doing some serious soul-searching. Before I could stop myself, a deep sigh escaped my lungs.
My high school life already felt bleak.
I looked up and noticed that the classroom was nearly full. At that moment, someone placed their bag down on the seat next to mine.
"That's a heavy sigh, even though the semester hasn't even started yet," a calm voice remarked. "Meeting you again makes me feel like sighing too."
The person sitting beside me was the girl I had argued with after getting off the bus.
"…So we're in the same class," I muttered.
There were only four first-year classes, so it was not impossible. Still, the timing felt inconvenient.
"I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Nice to meet you."
She turned toward me slowly.
"A sudden self-introduction?"
"Even if it feels sudden, this is our second conversation," I replied. "An introduction seems reasonable."
To be honest, I had no way of introducing myself to anyone else. Even this sharp-tongued girl. If I wanted to survive here, I needed to start somewhere. At the very least, I wanted to know the name of the person sitting next to me.
"Do you mind if I reject your greeting?" she asked bluntly.
"I think it would be awkward if we sat next to each other without knowing each other's names."
"I think it would be perfectly fine."
She glanced at me once, then calmly placed her bag on the desk and sat down. It seemed she had no intention of telling me her name at all.
She showed no interest in the rest of the classroom, sitting with perfect posture like a model student.
"Is your friend in another class?" I asked. "Or did you come here alone?"
"You're a curious one," she replied. "You shouldn't talk to me. You won't find me interesting."
"If I'm bothering you, just tell me to shut up."
For a moment, I thought the conversation was over. Then she sighed quietly and looked at me again.
"My name is Horikita Suzune."
I did not expect that.
For the first time, I really looked at her face.
…She was cute.
No, more than that. She was beautiful in a calm, refined way. Even though we were the same age, she looked mature enough to pass for an upperclassman.
"Let me explain myself briefly," Horikita said. "I don't have any particular hobbies. I'm interested in many things, but none deeply. I don't have many friends, but I think having some would be acceptable. That's the kind of person I am."
"That sounds like the kind of answer someone gives to avoid trouble," I replied honestly. "I don't think I'll ever like someone who thinks that way."
"It feels like my entire existence was denied in a single second," I muttered.
"I pray no further misfortune befalls me."
"I sympathize," Horikita replied flatly, "but I don't think that will happen."
She nodded toward the classroom door.
"The one standing there is proof."
The door slid open.
"The equipment in this classroom seems to be in order! It looks exactly like the rumors said!"
A loud, confident voice echoed through the room.
It was the blond boy from the bus.
"…I see," Horikita muttered. "That really is bad luck."
So not only us. That problem child was also in Class D.
The boy entered without sparing anyone a glance and sat down in the seat marked "Koenji." I briefly wondered if he even understood the concept of friendship.
Then he propped his legs onto the desk, pulled out a pair of nail clippers, and began trimming his fingernails.
The classroom fell silent.
He acted as if he were the only person there.
His behavior on the bus had not been an act. This was simply how he was.
In less than ten seconds, more than half the class subtly distanced themselves from Koenji. Chairs shifted. Desks moved. Even here, his overwhelming self-importance filled the room.
I glanced to my side.
Horikita had already lowered her gaze and was reading a book.
I forgot that conversations were supposed to involve back and forth communication.
Another chance to become friends with her slipped away.
Peeking at the title of her book, I noticed it was Crime and Punishment.
That was unsettling in its own way.
Whether there was a reason to kill someone or not, the book explored the act itself. I wondered if her interests aligned with its themes.
I decided not to pursue that thought.
After a few minutes, the first bell rang.
Almost immediately, a woman wearing a suit entered the classroom. She looked to be around thirty, with long hair tied back neatly in a ponytail. At first glance, she seemed like the type of teacher who valued strict discipline.
"Ahem. Good morning, new students," she said. "My name is Chiyabashira Sae. I will be in charge of Class D this year, and I teach Japanese history."
She surveyed the room carefully.
"This school does not rearrange classes each year. Over the next three years, I hope to get to know all of you."
She picked up a stack of papers.
"Although the entrance ceremony will take place in the gym in one hour, I will first distribute the list of special rules and the matriculation guide."
Even contacting immediate family was impossible without permission from the school.
Leaving the school grounds was also strictly forbidden.
On paper, those rules sounded suffocating. However, the school clearly anticipated that concern. To prevent students from feeling trapped, the campus was filled with facilities meant to replace the outside world. Karaoke rooms, theater halls, cafes, convenience stores, and even high-end boutiques were scattered throughout the grounds. Calling it a school felt inaccurate. It was closer to a small town designed exclusively for students.
Despite being located in the middle of a major city, the campus itself was enormous, spanning over 600,000 square meters. There was no sense of confinement. If anything, it felt excessive.
There was one more defining feature of this school.
The introduction of the S System.
"I will now distribute your student ID cards," Chiyabashira-sensei announced. "With this card, you can purchase goods and services from any shop or facility on campus. It functions similarly to a credit card."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.
"However, be mindful of how many points you use. There is nothing on campus that cannot be purchased. If it exists within school grounds, it can be bought."
The student card replaced physical money entirely.
This meant that all students would begin with the same amount of spending power and would be forced to manage their consumption carefully. The points themselves were provided by the school at no cost.
"Using the card is simple. Just swipe it at the terminal," she continued. "Points will be credited automatically on the first day of every month. Each of you should already have 100,000 points on your card. One point is equal to one yen. Further explanation is unnecessary."
For a moment, the classroom erupted in noise.
In other words, simply by being admitted to this school, we were receiving a monthly allowance of 100,000 yen.
As expected from a school established by the Japanese government.
For a high school student, that amount was more than generous. It was enough to live comfortably without restraint.
"Are you surprised by the number of points?" Chiyabashira-sensei asked calmly. "This school evaluates ability. Everyone here has proven their worth by passing the entrance exam. The allowance reflects that evaluation."
She adjusted her glasses.
"Spend freely. However, upon graduation, all remaining points will be reclaimed by the school. Since the points cannot be converted into cash, there is no advantage to hoarding them. Use them on what you want or need. If you find you have excess points, you may transfer them to another student."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Bullying or coercing others for points is strictly prohibited. The school takes such matters very seriously."
She scanned the room once more.
"It appears there are no questions. In that case, I wish you all a fulfilling student life."
The class buzzed with excitement. No one could hide their shock at the size of the allowance.
"It's not as strict as I thought," I muttered.
I had meant to keep that thought to myself, but Horikita glanced in my direction, assuming I was speaking to her.
"It certainly seems lax," she replied.
Despite forcing us to live in dorms, forbidding us from leaving campus, and cutting off outside contact, the school compensated by giving us unrestricted access to a massive internal economy.
From one perspective, it was paradise.
The biggest selling point of Koudo Ikusei High School was its perfect employment rate. Under direct government supervision, the school poured limitless resources into preparing students for their futures. Many of its graduates were famous figures, people whose names appeared regularly in the media.
Most elite schools specialized in a single field, such as athletics, music, or technology. This school was different. It supported any path a student wished to pursue. That flexibility was its greatest strength and its greatest mystery.
Because of that, I had expected the classroom atmosphere to be tense and competitive.
Instead, my classmates looked ordinary.
Maybe that was the point. We had already been filtered by the entrance exam. Perhaps only students capable of adapting were allowed in.
Can we really graduate peacefully? I wondered. Or is that expectation naive?
"This level of preferential treatment is unsettling," Horikita said quietly.
I agreed.
The more generous the system seemed, the more suspicious it became. A school capable of granting any wish would inevitably demand something in return.
I decided it was better not to think too deeply about it.
"Hey, don't you want to check out the shops?" a girl exclaimed nearby. "Let's go shopping."
"Yeah! With this much money, we can buy anything. I'm so glad I got into this school."
Once the teacher left, the classroom grew restless. Excitement spread like wildfire.
"Everyone, could you listen for a moment?"
A male student raised his hand and stood up. He had neatly kept hair and a clean, honest appearance. He did not look like a delinquent, nor did he seem particularly intimidating.
"Since we'll be together in this class for the next three years," he said, "I think it would be good if we introduced ourselves and got to know one another. We still have time before the entrance ceremony. What do you think?"
The room fell silent.
He had said something surprisingly bold.
"I agree," someone replied. "We don't even know each other's names."
After that, hesitant voices began to overlap, gradually turning into agreement.
"My name is Hirata Yousuke," the boy continued smoothly. "Most people call me Yousuke, so feel free to do the same. I like all sports, but soccer is my favorite. I plan to join the soccer club here. Please take care of me."
His self-introduction was flawless.
You've got guts, I thought. Talking about soccer with that bright smile only boosted his popularity. The effect was immediate. I could practically see hearts in the eyes of the girls sitting nearby.
Just like that, Hirata became the center of the class.
I could already imagine his future. Popular, well-liked, probably dating the cutest girl in the room. Everything would fall neatly into place for him.
"Well then," Hirata said cheerfully, "if that sounds good to everyone, shall we begin introductions from the front?"
Although the first girl was visibly perplexed and nervous, she eventually made up her mind and stood up.
In other words, Hirata's unexpectedly confident proposal had completely flustered her.
"M my name is Inogashira K ko…"
Her voice trailed off midway through her name.
Whether her mind went blank or her thoughts tangled together, she could not push the words out properly. Her lips trembled, but no sound followed. As the silence stretched on, her face gradually turned pale with embarrassment. Seeing someone this nervous was surprisingly rare.
"Do your best."
"It's okay if you take your time."
A few classmates offered encouragement, but their words only made things worse. The moment they spoke, her throat seemed to tighten even more. The silence grew heavier. Five seconds passed. Then ten. The pressure in the room was unmistakable.
A few small giggles leaked out from somewhere among the girls. Inogashira froze completely, paralyzed by fear.
Then, one girl spoke up.
"It's fine to go slowly. You don't need to rush."
The words themselves were similar to the others, but the tone was entirely different.
To Inogashira, the earlier encouragement from the boys felt oddly forceful, as if pushing her forward. In contrast, this girl's voice felt gentle, telling her that it was okay to pause. That difference mattered.
She took a deep breath, then another, slowly calming herself.
After a brief moment of silence, she spoke again.
"My name is Inogashira Kokoro. Um, my hobby is sewing, and I'm good at knitting. P please take care of me."
From the first word, she finished her introduction without stopping.
With a relieved, delighted, and slightly embarrassed expression, Inogashira sat back down. Thanks to the intervention, her introduction ended without further trouble.
The class followed with more introductions.
"I'm Yamauchi Haruki. In elementary school I played table tennis at the national level, then I became the ace of my middle school baseball club. I wore uniform number four. But I got injured during Inter High recently, so I'm currently in rehab. Nice to meet you."
I tilted my head slightly.
Uniform number four did not mean much, and Inter High was a high school tournament. You could not compete in it as a middle schooler. Was that a joke, or did he simply exaggerate out of habit? Either way, he gave off the impression of someone loose mouthed and overly confident.
"Then I'm next, right?"
The cheerful girl who stood up next was the same one who had helped Inogashira earlier. She was also the girl who assisted the elderly woman on the bus that morning.
"My name is Kushida Kikyou. None of my friends from middle school came here, so I really want to get to know everyone and become friends."
Most students finished their introductions after a few words, but Kushida continued without hesitation.
"I want to be friends with everyone here. After we're done introducing ourselves, please exchange contact information with me."
Her words did not feel forced or rehearsed. I could tell immediately that she was the type of person who opened her heart naturally.
Her encouragement toward Inogashira earlier was not just polite phrasing. It came from genuine concern.
"During vacations or after school, I want to make lots of memories with everyone, so please invite me to different events. I think I've talked long enough, so I'll end it here."
She sat down smiling.
There was no doubt she would get along with everyone in the class, boys and girls alike.
Of course, it was not like I was critiquing their introductions or anything.
Still, I felt strangely restless.
What should I say during my introduction? Should I try to be funny? Should I raise the energy and make people laugh?
No, that would probably backfire. High tension was not my style. Pretending to be someone I was not would only make things awkward.
While I was lost in thought, the introductions continued.
"Next is…"
As Hirata looked toward the next student, the boy shot him a sharp glare.
With bright red hair and an intimidating presence, he looked every bit like a delinquent.
"You guys idiots or what? I don't want to introduce myself. Just leave me alone."
The tension in the room spiked instantly.
"I won't force you," Hirata replied calmly. "But I don't think it's a bad thing to get along with classmates. If I offended you, I apologize."
Hirata bowed his head slightly.
In response, several girls glared at the red haired boy.
"Isn't a simple introduction fine?"
"Yeah."
As expected, Hirata's polite attitude only strengthened his popularity.
At the same time, jealousy simmered among some of the boys.
"I'm not interested in pretending we're friends," the red haired boy said coldly.
He stood up, and several other students followed him out of the classroom. They clearly had no intention of participating.
Horikita also rose from her seat. She glanced in my direction, but when she saw that I was not moving, she quietly left as well.
Hirata watched them go, a faint loneliness crossing his face.
"They're not bad people," he said softly. "I was selfish to ask them to stay."
"You didn't do anything wrong," someone replied. "Let's just leave them be."
Despite the disruption, the remaining students continued their introductions.
"I'm Ike Kanji. I like girls, and I hate handsome guys. I'm always looking for a girlfriend, so nice to meet you. Just make sure you're cute or beautiful."
It was hard to tell whether he was joking or serious.
"Wow, cool," one girl replied flatly. "You're so smooth, Ike kun."
Her tone was completely emotionless.
It was obvious to everyone except Ike.
"R really? Haha, I guess I'm not so bad."
Suddenly, the girls burst into laughter.
"Wow, everyone, he's adorable. He's recruiting girlfriends."
No, you are being teased.
Ike waved cheerfully, seemingly oblivious. Still, he did not seem like a bad person.
Finally, it was Koenji's turn.
After checking his bangs with a small mirror, he carefully combed his hair.
"Can you introduce yourself?" Hirata asked.
"Fine."
Koenji did not stand. He kept his feet propped up on the desk as he spoke.
"My name is Koenji Rokusuke. As the sole heir of the Koenji conglomerate, I am destined to shoulder the future of Japanese society. A pleasure to meet you, ladies."
It was not an introduction to the class. It was directed exclusively at the girls.
Some of them stared at him with sparkling eyes after hearing about his wealth. Others looked at him like he was insane. That reaction felt far more reasonable.
"From now on," Koenji continued calmly, "I will not tolerate anything that inconveniences me. Keep that in mind."
"Eh… Koenji kun. What do you mean by 'anything that makes you uncomfortable'?"
Hirata asked again, clearly uneasy about Koenji's wording.
"Exactly what I said," Koenji replied without hesitation. "If I must give an example, I dislike unattractive things. If something unpleasant enters my sight, I will act accordingly."
As if to punctuate his statement, he calmly combed his hair upward.
"I see. Thank you for clarifying," Hirata said politely. "I will keep that in mind."
Red hair, Horikita, Koenji. Then Yamauchi and Ike.
During just this short span of time, I had already seen a wide variety of personalities gather in this single class. It almost felt intentional.
As for me, I suppose I also had an odd quirk.
No, that was wrong. There was nothing special about me at all.
I wanted freedom. I wanted to live like a bird released from a cage. But the truth was that I had flown out alone, without direction or purpose.
I did not even think deeply about what that freedom meant. I simply wanted to experience it.
If you looked outside, you could see birds gliding gracefully through the sky. Of course, none were visible from this classroom window right now.
That kind of vague thinking suited me.
"Um… next person, please introduce yourself."
"Eh?"
Before I realized it, my turn had arrived.
I was still lost in my pointless thoughts when several pairs of eyes turned toward me. The attention felt heavier than expected. Or maybe I was just imagining it.
Oi oi. Don't look at me with such anticipation. At least, not in my imagination.
Well, there was no escaping it now.
Alright. Stand up. Say something.
"I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Um… there's nothing particularly special about me. I'll try to get along with everyone. Nice to meet you."
That was it.
The moment I finished speaking, I sat down as quickly as possible.
Fu…
Did everyone see that?
My self introduction.
It failed.
I covered my face with my hands. I had not prepared anything in advance because I was too busy drifting off into my own thoughts. As a result, my introduction was painfully bland.
It was so unremarkable that no one would remember it five minutes from now.
"Nice to meet you, Ayanokouji kun. I also want to get along with everyone, so let's do our best together."
Hirata said this with his usual refreshing smile.
The class applauded.
I could not shake the feeling that they were clapping not because they liked my introduction, but because they pitied it.
.
.
.
"Don't you find it interesting, Francois?" Ryusui said casually. "This school simply hands out one hundred thousand yen every month."
"Getting admitted here is no easy feat," Francois replied calmly. "Perhaps that is their justification."
"Normally I would not even question it," Ryusui continued, eyes scanning the campus buildings as they walked. "But the cost alone is absurd. Maintaining facilities of this scale, providing free education, housing every student on campus, and then distributing money on top of that. Even with government backing, this would be difficult to sustain."
"You believe there is a hidden condition?" Francois asked.
"It is not anything concrete," Ryusui said with a shrug. "Just an intuition. The numbers do not line up unless something balances them out."
"I see. Still, sir, even though we missed the entrance ceremony, that does not mean you need to wander aimlessly like this," Francois added. "We can always ask for a map."
Ryusui laughed softly. "Francois, do you truly underestimate me that much?"
He stopped walking and gestured broadly at the surrounding area.