Homeroom(1)

The principal's earlier unexpected R-rated outburst brought about the abrupt end to the opening ceremony. The crowded hallways buzzed with the energy of the students heading to their new classes.

Ren pushed through the throng of students, navigating the crowded hallways with the only goal his; finding his assigned classroom. The excited chatter and the stomping of feet on the polished floors surrounded him, but he barely noticed, his thoughts consumed by the singular name that had made his blood boil—Sakurakai; the group responsible for the death of his brother. 

As he approached a set of stairs, he noticed four upperclassmen lounging nearby it. They looked like they belonged, their confident postures, their spiked and dyed hair and casual demeanors marking them as seasoned students. Ren approached them, hoping they could be of help to him and help him navigate the prison halls of his new school.

"Hey, can you tell me where Class 1C is?" Ren said from afar, slowly approaching the group. 

"Huhhhhh??!! " One of the upperclassmen, a tall boy with a sharp gaze, closed the distance on him and looked him down before smirking. "What did you just say?" He growled. 

"Bruh, you gotta make an effort to brush your teeth sometimes. " Ren muttered to himself, clearly bothered by the smell. " I can guess what you had for breakfast. "

"Excuse me," Ren faked a smile and said, trying to sound a bit polite, "can you please tell me where Class 1C is. I've been going in circles and can't seem to find it. "

Another of the upperclassmen, a short boy with a relaxed smile, pointed up the stairs. "You're a first year, huh? Class 1C is upstairs, second door on the right, You can't miss it."

"Thanks," Ren replied, nodding in appreciation.

As he began to climb the stairs, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversation.

"...the new gang leader's not gonna be easy to deal with," one of them muttered, his voice low but clear. "He is taking some bold decisions."

"They are in turmoil. Heard some of the members are not happy with the new leadership change. "

"Yeah, I also heard that there has been a lot of tension. The internal conflicts are heating up, it's at a tipping point. " another added, sounding concerned.

"Am not taking any orders from some second year, especially not some shorty. I'm sure you guys and the other third years feel the same way too. "

Ren had paused once he heard their conversation, his interest piqued by their discussion. He knew that the gang scene was complex, but the mention of a new leader and internal strife hinted at deeper complications. He made a mental note of their conversation, wondering how it might tie into his own search for answers.

"Anyways if they do not prove themselves fast enough, there could be some serious power struggle soon."

"I just really hope it doesn't spill over into the school. The last thing we need is more fights breaking out here just like last year. "

Once he had gathered enough information that he could without them noticing him eavesdropping, he continued on his journey up. On the way, he passed two students coming down—a boy and a girl, both dressed in the school's uniform.

The boy wore a crisp white button-down shirt with the school emblem embroidered on the left chest pocket, a dark navy blazer with gold trim and the school crest on the breast pocket, matching dark navy trousers with a straight-leg cut, and black leather shoes.

His tie was dark navy with a subtle cherry blossom pattern, which Ren noted was a nice touch and would not mind trying it out. 

The girl wore a white blouse with a peter pan collar and the school emblem embroidered on the left chest, a dark navy blazer with gold trim and the school crest on the breast pocket, and a pleated dark navy skirt with a knee-length hem.

The uniforms gave off an air of elegance and tradition, aligning perfectly with the school's prestigious reputation. Ren couldn't help but think about how they looked like pieces of a puzzle, fitting neatly into the structured life of Naruse West High School—a life he was still trying to understand.

Reaching the second floor, Ren followed the upperclassman's directions and soon found himself standing in front of his assigned classroom. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping into the room filled with unfamiliar faces. His homeroom teacher was already present, greeting students as they took their seats.

He finally reached Class 1C and pushed open the door. The room was filled with the quiet hum of conversations as students settled into their seats. Ren scanned the unfamiliar faces, searching for a place to sit. His homeroom teacher, a kind-looking woman with glasses and a warm smile, greeted students as they entered.

"Welcome, everyone! Please find your seats; we will be starting the first roll call of the year soon. " She said, sounding excited.