"School has started, and it's great to be in the same class again."
"This year, I'm still in the same class as Yowane-sama and Queen-sama. There's nothing luckier than this."
"Being in the same class as the two esteemed ladies is the happiest time of my life."
Amidst the discussions of the young ladies, Yowane and Shokuhou finally made their appearance. The entire class watched with reverent and adoring eyes as the two walked into the classroom from the doorway.
"Good morning, Yowane-sama, Queen-sama Xn"
"Hello, everyone."
Yowane replied with a helpless sigh. She really couldn't help it. Looking at those watery, eager eyes that seemed to want to devour someone, Yowane felt immense pressure, but she ultimately bit the bullet and responded to everyone's expectations.
Then, under the gaze of a group of infatuated girls, Yowane led Shokuhou to sit at the very back. Sitting in the front always felt like a bunch of eyes were staring intently at you; at least the back was safe when sitting in the back.
She suddenly noticed that the Queen next to her seemed a bit off. Usually, she was the most talkative, so why was she silent today?
"It's nothing? It's just that you… forget it."
'It's just that you, did you and that 'stray cat' do something behind my back?' How could Shokuhou say such a thing? Wouldn't that make her seem a bit jealous and overreacting? But truthfully, she was a little jealous. What should she do? She wanted to ask her good friend if there was a third party. What should she do? How should she ask? Waiting online, 'urgent'.
"Really, how inexplicable."
Giving the somewhat disingenuous Queen a subtle glance, she immediately labeled her with an 'inexplicable' expression, which instantly made the originally calm Queen's face fall. The baby felt bitter, but the baby just wouldn't say it.
After lingering in the classroom for a while, the teacher came to announce that everyone should go to the auditorium to welcome the new students.
"Aren't you at least a little excited?"
Walking at the very back, Shokuhou finally broke the silence and asked Yowane.
"Excited about what?"
Could it be that besides 'One-shot Railgun' and a certain 'Kuroko (hentai)', there are other interesting people or abilities? Tokiwadai only has these few characters with the most screentime, but anime and novels can only depict a microcosm, not the entire world. Perhaps, there really are 'very interesting people' out there.
"It's nothing, don't you see how excited they all are? Don't you want to help take care of a junior?"
That way, I can see her memories, what you're doing, and who you're interacting with, all openly.
"I'm not very good at taking care of people, so I'll pass."
Unfortunately, Shokuhou's plan backfired. Firstly, Yowane doesn't like having people follow her, and secondly, she sees further ahead. If she were exceptionally kind to a little girl, those around them would become resentful, leading to ostracization. At that point, good intentions would truly turn into bad outcomes.
Hearing Yowane's perfunctory reply, Shokuhou lost the desire to continue the conversation. The two slowly walked into the auditorium, sat in the second-year section, and began to wait for the event to start. After all, their first year had been like this, so they were already used to it.
"First…"
After waiting for almost half an hour, and everyone had taken their seats, the director began to speak on stage. Seeing him, Yowane was reminded of the school leaders in her previous life, who would give long-winded, tedious speeches that felt like a hypnotic device, spouting all sorts of nonsense whether relevant or not, as soon as they got to the podium.
However, in this world, it was different. After the director on stage finished his twenty-minute speech about his expectations, the principal announced the start of the banquet. She never spoke too much; obedience was enough. School rules were taught on the first day of class, so there was no need to repeat them here.
This banquet was quite special. This school was a place that cultivated talent, aiming to develop students' social skills. So, when students first gathered at the school, the school would organize a party similar to an upper-class ball, also called the 'Freshman Welcome Banquet'. Yowane didn't actually dislike such events, but she still found them rather annoying.
"I swear, this dress is a pain to wear, and these high heels too."
Dressed in a white evening gown, like a goddess descended to the mortal world, Yowane complained to Shokuhou with a disgusted expression. Well, she actually just disliked such elaborate clothing.
"There's nothing we can do about it! But you look truly beautiful in this."
Wearing a black dress that matched Yowane's, Shokuhou had her long hair styled up, looking like a beautiful noblewoman. Her eyes, filled with adoration, gazed at Yowane's current appearance. She walked over to help Yowane gather her hair, and under her nimble hands, a hairstyle full of noble elegance took shape.
"So troublesome."
Yowane kicked the crystal high heels on her beautiful feet, encased in white stockings. She wondered where Shokuhou had gotten these two perfectly matching dresses. Shokuhou's kind gesture was accepted by Yowane, who no longer rejected women's clothing. Although she rarely wore it, this change made Yowane exclaim in admiration at a certain master's words: 'Wearing women's clothing is addictive.'
"Let's go, my goddess."
Shokuhou playfully pulled Yowane up from her chair and led her towards the prepared venue. With her excellent adaptability, Yowane quickly mastered walking in high heels, realizing she didn't need to be so cautious; a slight sway of her hips was enough.
The appearance of the two instantly silenced the lively banquet. Most people cast gazes of admiration and enchantment towards Yowane, and even the attractive queen beside her was completely overshadowed by Yowane's presence. However, the queen was very pleased, and she puffed out her chest, thinking, 'Isn't my 'wife' beautiful!'
There were no teachers present; it was all organized by the students themselves, which also served to train them.
Although a little awkward being watched by so many people, Yowane calmly walked into the hall, while Shokuhou slowly followed behind her.
"I'm not gay, I'm not gay, I'm not gay."
Misaka Mikoto, dressed in a blue cocktail dress, watched Yowane's magnificent 姿態 from a corner. After a moment of shyness, she squatted in the corner, muttering dejectedly. Fortunately, everyone's attention was drawn to Yowane, so no one noticed Misaka Mikoto's abnormality. Otherwise, there would probably be more gossip.
Yowane slowly walked to the center of the hall, where a piano had been prepared for her. The school had informed her in advance, hoping she could play a piece as an opening salute.
Under everyone's gaze, Yowane sat down, thought for a moment, and finally decided on a song she had loved deeply in her previous life.
Her slender hands, adorned with white gloves, began to dance across the piano keys. A melody from another world was born at that moment.
"Edward, isn't what you're doing called 'peeping' in the outside world?"
In this windowless building, a voice suddenly spoke, addressing a person hanging upside down in the center.
"How could that be? I'm just concerned about the students' growth."
Someone with a face as thick as a city wall shamelessly denied that he was using 'Stagnant Air Lines' to conduct a 360-degree, no-dead-angle surreptitious filming, recording, and collection of Tokiwadai Middle School's freshman welcome ceremony.
"You've changed, Edward."
Without answering the female voice, the upside-down person began to listen and watch Yowane's performance.
This was a very ethereal piano piece. Originally, it had lyrics, but Yowane had no intention of singing; the piano alone was enough. It was the theme song from an anime called "Angel Beats!", titled "My Soul, Your Beats!" It sounded very ethereal and moving, giving the feeling of one's heartbeat pulsing along with the music.
After the song concluded, symbolizing the start of a new semester and the unfolding of a beautiful life, Shokuhou quickly led Yowane aside while everyone was still lost in the ocean of music. Although they couldn't leave the venue, she could ensure that her and Yowane's 'two-person world' wouldn't be disturbed by anyone. She remembered last time she had to hypnotize a large number of people to successfully maintain it, but because of that, she offended a certain electric-wielding individual.
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