Two days later, Jindai High School.
The former Class 2-4 had become Class 3-4 two years later. Advancing a grade every two years was hardly normal, but it had become normal within the Tokyo area. With all kinds of school suspensions totaling more than half a year, the students had attended school only a handful of times during the previous year, forcing them to restart the current academic year's curriculum.
Class 3-4 was as noisy and lively as ever. A blue-haired girl sat lazily at her desk, looking as though she had not slept at all. Propping her chin up with one hand, she stared blankly at the blue sky beyond the window. Behind her sat a stern-faced boy whose eyes darted rapidly from side to side, surveying everything around him. His right hand rested inside his jacket against his chest, and he remained tense at all times.
The bell rang, and everyone in the class returned to their seats, waiting for the teacher to arrive. The blue-haired girl withdrew her gaze from the sky outside and blankly turned her eyes toward the blackboard ahead.
Teacher Kagurazaka entered through the front door of the classroom. The two girls following behind her instantly turned the previously quiet classroom lively again. Whistles, desk-thumping, and cheers rang out.
"Quiet, quiet!" Teacher Kagurazaka forcefully set the books in her arms on the podium. The loud bang quieted the classroom, but it could not stop the students from continuing to stare at the two girls who had entered with her.
"These two are new students transferring into Class 3-4 today." Kagurazaka looked helplessly at the students below, whose attention had completely wandered, then clapped her hands. "Starting today, they will be your classmates for your final year of high school. Now, let the two of