"So this is the school from the handbook? Looks decent enough." Miyako Amane stepped out of the car.
She gazed curiously at the imposing school gate not far away.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
A name that sounded rather unremarkable, aside from being a bit of a mouthful.
Amane pulled out her enrollment invitation.
She carefully compared it to the school's name. Showing up at the wrong school on the first day would be downright humiliating.
"Yep, this is definitely the place."
Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Miyako Amane headed towards the school.
The school had informed students beforehand not to bring any luggage.
It seemed considerate on the surface.
The school had prepared everything thoroughly for everyone.
But from another angle, this requirement forced everyone to start from the same line.
Whether a student came from a wealthy family or had nothing to their name.
From the moment they stepped through this gate, everything began from 'zero'.
How intriguing.
"You must be Miyako-san, correct?"
She hadn't gone far past the gate when a tall, handsome young man approached her.
Amane looked at him curiously. She wondered how he had recognized her. Did the person checking enrollees have to identify her from a photo for every student passing by?
That seemed a bit far-fetched.
"I am Miyako Amane. And you are…?"
"No need for such formality. I am Horikita Manabu, the student council president of this school. On behalf of the school, I welcome you."
Though his words were welcoming, there was no joy in Horikita Manabu's eyes.
He was only here as a favor to the school administration.
"Thank you for the welcome, President Horikita. Though I don't believe I merit any special reception. Once I passed through that gate, I became just another student here."
"I hope I can rely on your guidance in the future, President Horikita."
Amane gave a slight bow.
Horikita Manabu promptly returned the courtesy.
"Anything is permissible, as long as it remains within the school's rules."
Horikita offered this ambiguous piece of advice.
The school's rules.
And anything is permissible…
Did that mean even things that would get you arrested outside, like hurting others, wouldn't be punished here as long as it was within the rules?
Or was it…?
Amane sensed a hint of hostility.
The girl with the bun hairstyle nearby was looking at her with clear unfriendliness.
"This is Secretary Tachibana, my classmate."
"Tachibana Akane."
"Miyako Amane."
They merely nodded at each other, a bare minimum acknowledgment.
Since Tachibana Akane seemed to hold some unexplained animosity towards her, she saw no need to try and get chummy.
"If there's nothing else…"
"Please, feel free to go. I need to report to my class."
Horikita Manabu nodded and disappeared with Tachibana Akane around a corner in the school street.
"Do you know Miyako-san?"
"No, I don't. Why do you ask?"
Tachibana Akane seemed unaware of the issue with her earlier behavior.
"It's nothing. Just try not to show such obvious displeasure next time." Horikita Manabu mentioned it briefly.
"Understood. But I just can't bring myself to feel kindly towards those refined, high-society types. They aren't here to change their destinies."
Horikita Manabu didn't respond.
Destiny?
Could coming here really change one's destiny?
He didn't think so. There were many ways to change one's fate; this was just one of the more convenient ones.
Besides, the school didn't guarantee everyone would get what they wanted.
He hoped these newcomers would discover this harsh reality soon.
And accept it.
Meanwhile, Miyako Amane walked along the route indicated in the handbook, while reading the school's introduction.
A 100% university advancement rate and guaranteed job placement.
Truly a school backed by the state. With such enticing promises, it was sure to attract those desperate to gamble on a better future.
Most of them probably came from poor economic backgrounds, but possessed some unique skill or talent.
Through the school's training, they would be transformed into well-fitting cogs for the great gear of society.
How truly…
Remarkable.
The ability to mold anyone into a functional part of society. Wasn't that the very meaning of 'nurturing'?
The school championed merit above all?
Well, that probably meant life here wouldn't be too boring.
"I'll be studying here from now on. Coming to a place where no one knows me… I should be able to relax a little, right?"
Amane patted her chest, took a steadying breath, and stepped into the classroom.
Class 1-D.
If classes were divided by ability, then she had undoubtedly been placed in the worst class.
But what did it matter to her?
She just needed to enjoy these three years of school life to the fullest.
As Amane looked for her name on the empty seats, she unexpectedly overheard many people seemingly discussing her.
Was her outfit too plain?
Had she done something rude?
Having lived a rather sheltered life, mostly staying indoors, Amane began to feel a bit unsettled.
She finally found her photo on a desk in the second-to-last row.
Thankfully, it wasn't too close to the front. She wasn't exactly a model student who could focus intently on lectures.
Of course, she could become one if she needed to.
Soon, the classroom was nearly full.
It was then Amane realized her seat location was rather unfortunate.
In front of her sat a blue-haired girl who seemed very reserved. Probably also the type not great at socializing.
Behind her was a boy with a gloomy expression.
He wasn't bad looking, but his plain expression definitely cost him points.
To the left…
To the left was her dear friend, the wall.
To the right was a chubby boy.
There was no way to integrate into the group from this position.
Front, back, left, right.
Except for the left side, all three were types who probably struggled with socializing.
And she was stuck right in the middle of them.
Wasn't this a disastrous start from the get-go?
Watching as many boys and girls already chatted familiarly with each other, Amane grew anxious.
She was a chatterbox. Putting her here was pure torture!
Suddenly, the girl sitting diagonally behind her to the right, who had been reading a book, looked up.
Her eyes met Amane's.
"Can I help you with something?"
She actually!
She actually initiated conversation!
"Hello, I'm Miyako Amane. Nice to meet you!"
"Horikita Suzune."
!!!
We actually exchanged names properly!
Mom, Horikita-san must be an angel!
"So, what did you need, Miyako-san?"
"I want to be friends with you, Horikita-san."
Driven by her desperate lack of someone to talk to, Amane went straight to the point.
"Not interested."
With that, Horikita Suzune lowered her head and went back to her book.
Mom, Horikita-san has turned into a devil!!
How could she reject me so bluntly?
Amane felt as if she had taken a critical hit, her spirit utterly crushed.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.