The class bell rang, and a beautiful, mature adult woman stepped into the classroom.
She wore professional black work attire. Her pair of alluring beautiful legs were wrapped in black stockings. Her beautiful black hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her chest was at least C-plus cup size, with an incredible figure—slim where it should be, and full where it ought to be.
This type of woman must be liked by all men. She looked like someone who could be both dominant and submissive.
"Eh?"
"Is this just my imagination? Why does it feel like she's looking at me?"
Instantly, Ryunosuke recalled Suzune's sharp intuition from earlier that seemed able to read minds. He immediately corrected his sitting posture to be upright. Sure enough, the teacher averted her gaze, making him breathe a sigh of relief.
(What exactly is it with you women's intuition? How can you sense what I'm thinking in my heart?)
Chabashira Sae turned her gaze away from Ryunosuke and swept across the entire room. Before long, everyone felt the teacher's sharp stare. The commotion in the class subsided.
It was then that Ryunosuke realized the target of that gaze wasn't just him, but the entire class. That firm stare made the students instantly tense. The previously noisy class became dead silent.
Seeing everyone had calmed down, the teacher nodded satisfactorily and began introducing herself.
"My name is Chabashira Sae, your homeroom teacher."
Her voice contained not a shred of emotion, instead filled with the authority of an educator. She deliberately paused for a moment so everyone's attention would focus on her, then continued.
"This school will not conduct class reassignments. This means that for the next three years, I will remain your homeroom teacher."
"Our school is very special. You are exempted from all educational fees. In exchange, for the next three years you are required to live in the dormitory and are prohibited from contacting the outside world."
"Of course, for physical and mental health as well as living comfort, the school provides a large-scale shopping center. Almost all daily necessities and entertainment items can be purchased there. Entertainment facilities such as karaoke, movie theaters, and cafes are also fully available."
After saying that, Sae paused briefly, again drawing the masses' attention, then continued explaining the school rules. Actually, she hoped the students would notice something strange, but she wouldn't give special warnings. Perhaps after years of trying and failing, she had reached the stage of resignation. She didn't care whether the students in this class noticed the problem or not.
She continued explaining the school rules like a machine.
"With the student cards being distributed now, you can use all facilities at the school and shop. However, remember, this card is similar to a credit card. Using it will consume something called 'Personal Points'."
"Anything at the school can be bought. How to use it is very simple, you can learn it yourselves later. Points will be automatically deposited every first of the month. Currently, you have each been given 100,000 points, equivalent to 100,000 yen."
As soon as Sae finished speaking, the classroom atmosphere immediately erupted. However, that couldn't be blamed. They were just high school kids; anyone would surely be happy to receive such sudden wealth. Combined with the complete entertainment facilities, they were surely fantasizing about how to spend that money.
However, no one considered that there's no free lunch in this world. The money given must have a price to be paid. As the saying goes, where there's value there's reward; that's a law that applies everywhere, except for fools.
Sae looked at the enthusiastic faces of the students below the podium with a bit of disappointment. Although she no longer held high hopes, she still hoped a class would emerge that had the ability to climb up. Currently, her feelings were very contradictory: she wanted to move up in class but didn't want to help her students. Finally, she stopped thinking and returned to carrying out her duties as a teacher.
"Surprised that the school gives this many points? This school measures you based on ability. So, you who could enter here have comparable value. Points represent the school's evaluation of you. Use them as you please."
"If anyone wants to transfer points to someone else, that's permitted. However, don't threaten or extort others. The school is very firm in handling bullying issues."
"As a note, the new student admission ceremony will be held in the gymnasium in one hour."
After saying so, Sae left the classroom without looking back. Once the homeroom teacher left, the atmosphere became noisy again. They had clearly already planned a shopping spree.
Suddenly, a young man who looked like the sun stood up. His golden blonde hair shone brightly, as if sunlight was illuminating the earth. He stood slowly with a warm smile like a spring breeze that immediately captivated the girls around him.
Seeing this, Ryunosuke felt a bit of envy in his heart.
(What's so great about being handsome? What's the big deal!)
The blonde young man, like a noble prince, stood from his desk and began an elegant self-introduction.
"Hello everyone, my name is Hirata Yosuke. I like soccer. Since we just entered this class, how about we each introduce ourselves? That way, we can get to know each other better."
Ryunosuke could only sigh. He was truly envious of handsome men; those girls' eyes even looked like they were sparkling looking at him.
He stood calmly, intending to leave this noisy classroom. At the same time, Suzune also stood up.
The two of them looked at each other in surprise. Don't misunderstand, this wasn't love at first sight; they were just shocked at standing up at the same time.
Seeing their synchronization, Ayanokouji thought for a moment then also stood up. Ryunosuke and Suzune stared at him confusedly, making the atmosphere awkward.
Suzune immediately grabbed her bag and walked past Ryunosuke without hesitation. She seemed to have not the slightest interest in the self-introduction session in class.
Ryunosuke hesitated for a moment, seeing Ayanokouji who looked awkward and alone. He decided to invite him to the supermarket together, because someday he would need this "big boss's" help.
Ryunosuke stepped forward and whispered softly, "You're Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, right? Let's go to the supermarket together to shop."
Ayanokouji's expression didn't change, but a flash of light seemed to pass through his eyes. He immediately nodded and answered calmly, "Alright, let's go together."
Instantly, Ayanokouji grabbed his bag as fast as the wind and looked at him. Seeing the other party's speed, Ryunosuke was silent for a moment. He then took his bag and prepared to leave.
As they were about to exit, a voice stopped them. A girl with shoulder-length brown hair and reddish-purple eyes approached. She was Kushida Kikyo, who looked very friendly and cute.
"Hello, Ayanokouji-kun, and also Akasaka-kun. My name is Kushida Kikyo."
She blinked her beautiful eyes and spoke in a sweet tone.
"Since none of my middle school friends entered this school, I'm alone. So, I hope to quickly remember everyone's faces and names, and become friends."
"So Ayanokouji-kun, Akasaka-kun, would you like to be friends with me?" Kushida blinked her lively eyes, looking very sweet.
If it were normal guys, they surely wouldn't refuse. But unfortunately, neither Ryunosuke nor Ayanokouji were normal people.
"Hello, Kushida-san. My name is Akasaka Ryunosuke. Please take care of me for the next three years. I have urgent business at the minimarket to buy living necessities, so I'll go ahead." After speaking, Ryunosuke shot past Kushida like the wind.
Kushida's body stiffened instantly. She didn't expect to be rejected so harshly. She reflexively wanted to stop him, but held back. In her downcast eyes, a flash of indescribable light glinted.
Kushida then turned toward Ayanokouji who had been motionless all this time.
Currently Ayanokouji's heart was slightly stirred because he felt he could gain another new friend. He stared at Ryunosuke who was getting farther away, feeling conflicted. If he didn't chase, he might lose a friend (Ryunosuke), but gaining a new friend (Kushida) wasn't bad either...
In the midst of Ayanokouji's confusion, Ryunosuke's voice was heard from the distance.
"Ayanokouji, you stay there first to get acquainted with the others. Don't worry, we're already friends, so don't think about trivial things like this."
Hearing that, Ayanokouji felt relieved. That way, he didn't need to choose between two friends.
Kushida stared at Ryunosuke's receding back with a cunning gaze like a fox. For some reason, she felt very curious about that man, as if Ryunosuke was a mirror that could reflect her true self.
Ryunosuke always skillfully avoided her, and that actually triggered her curiosity. Kushida decided to follow him secretly like a leopard stalking prey.
Ayanokouji, who saw Kushida secretly following Ryunosuke, only stroked his chin while thinking.
(Is this what's called "push and pull" in books? Hmm, this is a very valuable lesson...)
Soon, the self-introduction session began led by Hirata and the others. Ayanokouji also joined in, intending to find a few more friends at this school.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Ryunosuke walked slowly toward his dormitory.
This school dormitory had six floors; three upper floors for the girls' dormitory and three lower floors for the boys' dormitory. His room was on the third floor, right at the boundary between the boys' and girls' dormitories—a very strategic location.
He took out his access card, scanned it, and opened the room door. The inside was very clean, clearly having been cleaned beforehand. Remembering the cleanliness of his old dormitory, Ryunosuke felt very grateful to get his own room.
The shared room at his old university often smelled foul because his roommate liked to eat snail noodles or stinky tofu.
The room was about 40 square meters. Equipped with a single bed, writing desk, computer, and TV. There was also a bathroom with shower and bathtub, as well as a kitchen.
Ryunosuke was impressed by this government-supported school's facilities. However, aside from the bed, there were no other basic necessities yet. He had to go to the supermarket immediately.
Upon arriving in front of the supermarket, Ryunosuke met Suzune again. Seeing that girl, the corner of his mouth twitched. Why meet again?
Suzune crossed her arms over her chest, stepped back two steps warily, then stared at him with her beautiful reddish-purple eyes.
"Are you following me, Pervert-kun?"
Ryunosuke could only remain silent. Fate was indeed hard to explain. Once or twice might be coincidence, but this was already the third time. To avoid misunderstanding, he immediately explained.
"I came here to buy living necessities, just happened to pass by..."
The two of them were silent for a moment. Finally Suzune sighed and walked into the supermarket.
Ryunosuke followed behind, but Suzune deliberately kept her distance from him, which made him feel mentally struck.
(Does she have to be that wary of me?)
Ryunosuke searched for the items he needed until he found a remote area labeled "Free."
His eyes immediately sparkled; the genes from his previous life in China seemed to activate.
Only a fool wouldn't take advantage! Who wants to pay when there's something free?
Ryunosuke rushed to the free goods area. However, when about to take free toothpaste, Suzune's hand also reached there. Their hands accidentally touched. Both reflexively pulled their hands back and looked at each other.
Ryunosuke asked calmly, "Unexpectedly Horikita-san is actually very frugal. Despite having 100,000 points, still this thrifty."
Suzune snorted softly. "Don't you realize there's something strange about this school?"
"Oh? Strange in what way?"
Suzune continued calmly, "This school gives students 100,000 points, yet still provides a free goods area. Even the dining area has free options. This school radiates strangeness everywhere."
Ryunosuke admired inwardly.
(Indeed impressive, she has talent. Unfortunately, if only that cold nature and 'anti-social' aura of hers were eliminated, she'd be perfect. But well, there's no perfect human, right?)
While Ryunosuke was busy with his thoughts, Suzune spoke again.
"I came to this school not to play, I have a goal. I want to stand at the peak of all students at this school to prove myself. I'm not interested in playing house with you all."
Suzune stared at him seriously. Ryunosuke just shrugged.
"Is that so? Then do your best. Amazing people at this school aren't just you."
"Hmph, you don't need to remind me."
After finishing selecting free goods, they prepared to leave. But in front of the door there was a commotion. Turned out Sudo Ken was involved in a dispute with an upperclassman.
"Well, all that is useless." Said Ryunosuke as he walked away. He intended to put his shopping items in his room then go to the admission ceremony.