1 Chapter 1: Prologue (Edited)

In April, during the entrance ceremony, I found myself on the bus heading to school, swaying in my seat while lost in thought. Before I knew it, the bus had become crowded, with most of the passengers wearing the uniform of the prestigious Advanced Development High School, including myself. While there were no other students like me wearing a T-shirt under the uniform, there were a few students wearing black shirts or with their buttons undone.

After a while, a blond, muscular male student started arguing with a woman about giving up her seat for an elderly person. I thought it had nothing to do with me, so I continued to space out, but then a short-haired blond female student intervened and began to reprimand him.

Personally, I didn't think that the intervention of this female student would make any difference to the blond guy. His type tends to be arrogant and self-centered, believing that he can't be influenced by anyone regardless of what they say.

But I didn't dislike that attitude; in fact, I found myself empathizing with it. Furthermore, upon closer examination, despite the blond guy's speech making him seem like the worst kind of person to an onlooker, when you really think about it, his arguments are overwhelmingly logical and correct, so he wasn't saying anything wrong.

While I was impressed by this, the bus arrived at the Advanced Development High School.

As I got off the bus and walked through the impressive school gate, which seemed more like an Arc de Triomphe, I noticed the class bulletin board and glanced at it to confirm my class. As I tried to navigate through the crowd to avoid bumping into anyone, my eyes met with a female student.

"Are you also a freshman like me?"

It was the first time someone had spoken to me, and the owner of the voice, with its transparent kindness, was a long-haired female student with a light brown ear cuff, radiating both cuteness and beauty.

"Yeah, that's right. And we're the same age, right? No need for formal language, let's keep it casual."

"Okay, got it! I'm Chiaki Matsushita, nice to meet you."

 "Ah, I'm Jin Horagasaki..."

 "Haha, I didn't mean to make it formal. By the way, which class are you in, Horagasaki-kun?"

I didn't expect the conversation to start so casually, so I was slightly delayed and ended up using formal language.

"Uh... D class."

"Really? We're in the same class! It's nice that my first conversation was with you, Horagasaki-kun!"

"Thanks. Well, I'll be heading off now, what about you?"

"Then let's go together!"

"Sure thing."

With that, it seemed I had dispelled any notion of being socially awkward. Well, being a loner is fine, but it's probably better to make some friends. With that in mind, I made my way to my class, 1-D, as indicated on the bulletin board.

As I entered the classroom, I noticed that quite a few people were already there, and it seemed I arrived towards the back. The seats were assigned, but it didn't seem like they were arranged strictly by attendance number. In a typical high school, students with surnames beginning with 'A' would sit by the left windows, and since my surname is Horagsaki,' I thought I'd be towards the front, but I ended up towards the right side of the left row, where students with surnames starting with 'H' usually sit.

In front of me sat a very beautiful girl with long black hair, and next to her sat a cool-looking guy with brown hair. In other words, he sat diagonally in front of me. And then, the guy turned towards our side and began to introduce himself.

"I'm Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. Nice to meet you."

Upon hearing this, I responded in kind, extending my right hand for a handshake.

"Jin Horagasaki... Nice to meet you."

As I extended my hand, Kiyotaka seemed somewhat pleased, taking my right hand in his.

Although Ayanokoji remained expressionless, there was something warm about his demeanor.

"Did you want a friend?"

He asked, with a face that didn't seem entirely indifferent.

"Yeah, um, a friend... I guess?"

Ayanokoji maintained his poker face but seemed slightly anxious.

 "Hehe, isn't that so?"

"Thank you, Horagasaki."

(A/N : It seems like Ayanokoji is socializing for the first time so his behavior is quite weird to see that)

Feeling a bit embarrassed at being thanked, I chuckled inwardly.

"It's good, Ayanokoji-kun, you've made the friend you've always wanted."

"I'm a bit worried about the way you say it, but I guess it's true."

As the two conversed, I contemplated taking a nap. However, I sensed a certain presence.

Turning in that direction, I noticed surveillance cameras placed all around. I could somewhat guess why they were there. Probably to prevent violence or disruptions in class. Still, I wasn't entirely sure.

Soon, more students entered the class. Among them was the muscular blond guy I saw on the bus earlier. Once he settled into his seat, he propped his feet up on the desk, took out a nail file from his bag, and began casually grooming his nails while humming a tune.

He's quite something. In a way, I respect him.

Glancing around, I also spotted the short-haired blond girl from the bus and Matsushita, whom I spoke to earlier.

After a few minutes, a woman dressed in a suit, presumably the homeroom teacher, entered the room. She gave off an impression of valuing discipline.

She appeared to be in her mid to late twenties. Her moderately long black hair was tied into a ponytail at the back.

"New students, I'm Sae Chabashira , the homeroom teacher for class D. I usually teach Japanese history. There are no class changes each year in this school. You'll be studying under me for the next three years until graduation. Nice to meet you. In an hour, there will be an entrance ceremony in the gymnasium, but before that, I'll distribute materials detailing the special rules of this school. They were included with your enrollment information."

This school has rules that differ from the many high schools across the country. One such rule is that all students are required to live in the dormitories on the premises and are strictly prohibited from communicating with the outside world during their enrollment, except under special circumstances.

Even contacting family members without the school's permission is not allowed. Naturally, leaving the school grounds without permission is also strictly forbidden. However, on the flip side, there are numerous facilities available, forming a small town with amenities like karaoke rooms, theaters, cafes, and shopping malls. The vast campus spans over 600,000 square meters.

Another unique feature is the introduction of the S System.

"I'll now distribute student ID cards. You can use these to access all facilities on the premises and purchase goods like a credit card. However, be aware that you'll be using points, so use them wisely. There's nothing you can't buy within the school using these points. Anything within the school grounds is purchasable."

"You can use this card to access facilities or present it for payment. The usage is simple, so you shouldn't have any trouble. Additionally, your points will be automatically updated on the first of every month. You should all have been given an equal allocation of 100,000 points. Each point is worth one yen. The rest should be self-explanatory."

The classroom buzzed instantly. Essentially, we were being handed 100,000 yen as pocket money from the school. But thinking rationally, it all seemed too fishy. Getting 100,000 yen every month was too good to be true.

There were some students getting excited over the generous allowance, but I doubted it would be that easy. Around me, I could hear voices saying, "Shall we stop by somewhere on our way home?" or "Let's buy some games!" But could you really buy anything?

Amidst these thoughts, a distinctly well-groomed and bright-looking exemplary student raised his hand.

"We'll be spending the next three years together as classmates. So, how about we do voluntary self-introductions now? It'll help us become friends sooner. We still have time before the entrance ceremony, so what do you think?"

Wow, he casually mentioned something that most students were probably thinking but hadn't voiced. Ayanokoji seemed slightly moved, though still expressionless.

"I agree! We still don't know anyone's names or anything."

With one person taking the lead, all the hesitant students agreed to the self-introductions.

"Then, let me start. My name is Yosuke Hirata. In middle school, I was often called Yosuke, so feel free to call me by my first name. I enjoy sports in general, but I particularly love soccer and plan to play for the school team. Looking forward to the next three years with you all."

Hirata, the proposer, started his self-introduction smoothly, almost as if reading from a script. He's got some nerve. And of course, the classic line: "I play soccer" — a surefire hit. If there were a handsome guy like him around, even I might fall for him if I were a girl. As I observed the surrounding girls, it seemed like magic; all of them had heart eyes for Hirata.

"If it's okay, I'd like to start the self-introductions from the end of the rows. Is that alright?"

Hirata naturally sought confirmation. As the turn gradually came around, some people included irrelevant information about their middle school achievements, like being the fourth batter or the ace in inter-high competitions. As I listened to the self-introductions, the short-haired girl from the bus began her introduction.

"I'm Kikyo Kushida. I hope to learn everyone's names quickly and become friends with all of you. Once everyone finishes their self-introductions, please exchange contact information with me."

Ah, there are such power dynamics between groups even among boys and girls, huh? As it continued, it was the turn of a guy with bright red hair, who seemed somewhat like a delinquent.

"We're kids, aren't we? Let only those who want to do self-introductions do them."

The redhead glared at Hirata, almost as if he were about to attack.

"I can't force you, but I think getting along in class isn't a bad idea. If I've made you uncomfortable, I apologize."

Is Hirata genuinely nice or does he have a hidden agenda? I started to wonder. As I pondered, the girls with heart eyes for Hirata glared at the redhead.

"Self-introductions are fine!"

"Yeah, that's right!"

As expected from the handsome soccer player, he quickly gained the support of most of the girls. However, it seemed like he incurred jealousy or anger from half of the male students.

In the end, many people left without doing self-introductions, but the process continued. And then, Hirata prompted the muscular blond guy next.

"My name is Rokusuke Koenji. I am the only son of the Koenji conglomerate and will eventually be the one to carry the burden of Japanese society. Remember that, little ladies."

Hirata seemed puzzled by how to react.

"Furthermore, I will not hesitate to impose sanctions on anyone who performs actions that make me uncomfortable. Please be careful about that."

"Um, Koenji-kun? Actions that make you uncomfortable...?"

"I mean it literally. But if I were to give an example, I dislike ugly things. What would happen if I were to see such things, I wonder?"

"Uh, thanks, I'll be careful."

The students here sure have strong personalities. And then it was my turn.

"I'm Jin Horagasaki. I don't have any particular goals, but I look forward to working with you for the next three years."

I said whatever came to mind, and I received applause from the surrounding students. Was that okay? I wondered. Hirata also said to me, "Yeah, Horagsaki-kun. Let's get along!" With that said, I felt reassured that I did alright.

"Yeah, Horagasaki-kun. Nice to meet you!''

Finally, Ayakoji's turn came. I wonder what kind of self-introduction he'll do...

"Um...um, I'm Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. Um...I'm not particularly good at anything, but I'll do my best to get along with everyone, so please take care of me."

Man, that was a failure, wasn't it? He seems kinda smug, but well, he's expressionless. He received applause from around him, but it felt somewhat dry. That's embarrassing. Hirata's support was good, but without it, he would've been done for...

As the entrance ceremony was about to begin, I was approached by Matsushita, whom I talked to earlier this morning.

"Hey, Horagasaki-kun."

 "Yes?"

"Let's exchange contact information!"

I felt embarrassed at being asked, but I had no reason to refuse, so I agreed normally and got Matsushita's contact information. But of course, envy and admiration from the surrounding boys were common sights.

The entrance ceremony wasn't particularly rigorous, and after receiving words of gratitude from the higher-ups, about 80% of the students returned to the dormitories or left. I had things to do, so I decided to explore the school.

=========================================================

A/N: Hello everyone ShirooYuki here~~First of all, I would like to apologize for not providing any news regarding the continuation of my last novel. To be honest, I still don't know whether I will continue the previous novel or not because I feel now I have the intention to try to write a new novel.

So here's the first chapter of the new novel I'm trying to write. This is my test chapter because I am curious about the reactions of my loyal readers.

because I don't want to make a mistake like in my last novel where the upload schedule was very messy.