2 Second day

It was the second day of school. Since yesterday was the Entrance Ceremony, today would be the official start of classes.

By listening to the conversation around me, I came to know about the names of my classmates. I took note of it in my mind.

There was a guy named Sudou, he had red hair and looked delinquent. He's already made a big show of himself by sleeping in the middle of class. I'd thought the teachers would come and scold him for it, but it seems they're letting him be. Is this school really the top high school in the country?

While I was worrying about how this school was so strangely unique than any other schools, the school bell rang for lunchtime.

Students stood up and left with their new acquaintances, disappearing from my view. And just like I've always been, I haven't made a single friend.

Subconsciously I also took a look at the neighbor beside me.

"What is it?"

"No, it's nothing. It just sunk into me that you really are a loner through and through."

"I see."

"I thought it was such a waste especially since you look so pretty. I'm sure you'll be really popular if you just smile from time to time."

"What a shallow way of thinking."

"Just take it as a rambling of a really unpopular guy, cause his looks scare a lot of ordinary people."

"In other words you're just envious of me, how childish."

"..."

I didn't say anything anymore as that part really hit me on the bullseye. Horikita really is quite honest isn't she, makes me think if her tongue is a sharp knife.

Guess I'll go cry in the corner.

"By the way Horikita, how did you fare in your entrance examination?" I asked.

"What's with that question all of a sudden. I answered nearly all of the test questions. I'd scored rather highly." she confidently said.

Even though the results of the exams weren't made public, she really thinks she scored high. She also looked really capable in studying too.

"I'll ask you the same question, how did you fare with your entrance exams?"

"Me? Well, the night before I slept in so I haven't been able to study. But I guess I did okay."

"I see."

Points used as money. A hundred thousand Yen at the start of the month. Class distribution of students. Student selection method....

I pondered about such things as the class begins.

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I went to the cafeteria to buy some lunch. When I got there people noticed the terrifying aura I gave off dropping the temperature of the entire room by several degrees.

With each step the crowded cafeteria parted. It's basically like what Moses did in the Red Sea.

I sat down on an empty seat and ate fast in under a minute. I decided that I'll buy a lunchbox container after and start cooking my own food. I don't want to go here next time.

When I was about to return to the classroom, a rather cute girl approached me in the hallway. I know this girl, she's one of the popular students in Class D along with Hirata. The students in Class D really adored her because of her friendly aura. I think her name was Kushida Kikyou?

"Hello, my name is Kushida Kikyou. You're my classmate in Class D, right?" she asked.

From what she just did, this girl really doesn't seem to be afraid of me. As expected of the most prestigious school in the country, people here are really something.

"Ah yeah, you're right. My name is Hanma Yuuji." I said.

"I see, so your name is Hanma Yuuji-kun. Nice to meet you!" she said.

Kushida really looked so cute when she smiled. It felt like a haunted ghost like me would be purified from all of my Demonic aura being near an angel. She's a total cutie.

"Yeah, I guess. Do you need something from me?"

"To tell you the truth, there's something I wanted to ask you. It's just one little question. Hanma-kun, are you on good terms with Horikita-san?" she said.

"No, not really. We just sat next to each other, that's all. What, did she do something?"

"Oh, no. Well, do you remember when I said I wanted to get along with everyone in class? That's why I wanted everyone's contact info. But... Horikita turned me down."

Damn you Horikita. Here I am being so sad and lonely not making a single friend, and there you are wasting any opportunity to have one. I feel the urge to scream it out of my lungs.

"I was just wondering what kind of person Horikita-san is," Kushida continued. "Is she the type who'll talk a lot when she's with a friend?"

Horikita? Talking a lot? And with friends? I only just met her yesterday so I don't really know her all too well. Kushida seemed to want information on Horikita, but I couldn't give her any answers.

"I don't think she's very good at interacting with others. Why are you asking about Horikita, anyway?"

"Well, during our introductions, Horikita-san walked out of the classroom, right? It seems like she hasn't talked to anybody yet, so I'm a little worried about her."

Kushida had said that she wanted to get along with everyone when she introduced herself.

"I understand what you're saying, but I only just met her yesterday. I can't really help you."

"Hmm. I see. I thought that you two must have been old friends before starting school here. I'm sorry to have asked you such a strange question."

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"At five pm today, we will be holding a student club fair in Gymnasium No. 1. Students interested in joining a club, please gather in Gymnasium No. 1. I repeat, at—"

A voice of a sweet girl can be heard from the speakers with an announcement. Come to think of it, I'd never joined a club before. People would use any chance to avoid me cause my face looked like of a criminal so I never had any chance.

I looked at my neighbor eating her lunch peacefully while reading a book.

"No."

"I didn't even say anything yet."

"I could already guess what you want to say just from the look in your face. You're going to ask me if I'm interested in joining a club, right?"

Really, how can she be so sharp. Predicting what I'm about to say, did she had Katakuri's Advanced Observation Haki or something?

"You guessed correctly. Are you joining?"

"Do you have a dementia, or are you an idiot? Didn't I just told you I'm not interested?"

"That doesn't mean you won't join, though." I replied.

"Now you're just splitting hairs. Don't argue for the sake of arguing."

"Alright then."

If only there was an Occult Club to the schools I've been to, maybe they would be interested on recruiting me. They would then start of by extracting my blood and dissect me to pieces on what species of monster did I originated from.... Sounds creepy and painful.

"Guess I'll go check it out later."

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#

"There's really a lot of people here."

Although this place is quite crowded, there were some people who actively create some distance away from me. Most of them were first years and they make sure not to make any eye contact with me.

Though there were some curious gazes sneakily looking at me. And there were even some that weren't bothered at all.

From the look of things, each club had some luxurious equipment like oxygen chambers and stuff. Every club had their stations which is in order.

"Thank you all for waiting, first-year students. We will now begin the club fair. A representative from each club will explain their function. My name is Tachibana, the student council secretary and the club fair's organizer. It's nice to meet you all."

So the name of the owner of the voice from earlier was Tachibana huh. And she's actually the Secretary of the Student Council.

Representatives from each clubs lined up on the stage. It has a wide variety of people coming from athletic and cultural clubs.

The first to introduce was the Archery club. Looks interesting, but I'm more into guns than bows really.

There's also the tea ceremony club. It looks like the club is filled with some pretty senpais too!

Then comes the baseball club. Baseball is a really popular sport in this country. Though I don't really get the appeal of watching the game, but I've read some manga about them.

The Gardening club also exists. Taking care of plants and flowers sounds peaceful. Can I learn to communicate with the spirits if I started gardening?

Looking around I was quite sad. It seems the Occult Research Club doesn't exist. It would be nice if a Crimson haired beautiful girl and senpai would reincarnate me as a Devil. With my horrifying looks, I would be extremely fit as a Devil. Though I would console myself emotionally with the club president's busty chest... Anyway why am I bringing up that classic erotic novel?

Speaking of that series, the rival club of the Occult Research Club was the Student Council wasn't it? Since the Occult Research Club doesn't exist in this school, should I join?

My mind started wandering trying to make a choice in such a crucial time that will influence my Highschool life. Choosing the right club for me is basically just trying to win an SSR draw in a Gacha game. My future is that bleak.

"I'm the student council president. My name is Horikita Manabu." When I was in the middle of my thoughts, I heard the stern voice of a guy on the podium.

'But did he just say Horikita? Is she secretly cosplaying as a male genderbend of herself? No that can't be right...' I laughed at my stupid thoughts internally.

"The student council is looking to recruit potential candidates among the first-year students to replace the graduating third years. Although no special qualifications are required for candidacy, we humbly ask that those considering application not be involved in other club activities. We generally do not accept students involved elsewhere."

"Furthermore, we in the student council do not wish to appoint anyone who possesses a naive outlook. Not only would such a person not be elected, he or she would sully the sanctity of this school. It is the student council's right and duty to enforce and amend the rules, but the school expects more than that. We gladly welcome those of you who understand this."

"Thank you all for coming. The club fair has ended. We will now open the reception area to anyone interested in signing up. Also, registration will be open until the end of April, so if any student wishes to join at a later date, we ask that you please bring the application form directly to the club you wish to join."

The student council president really knows how to make a long winded speech. I nearly dozed off sleeping while still on my feet.

Looking around it seems the event came to an end. Various students came to apply to the clubs they were interested in. Me on the other hand was just here standing in the corner.

"Guess I'll head home."

I left the gym building resolved to my solitary lifestyle in this upcoming three years of high school.

"So it's just me again huh."

If only I had a handsome face...