"Good. I'm Hirata Yousuke from Class D. I hope we get along." Hirata held out his hand amiably.
"Toudou Shizuka, Class B. I hope we get along." Toudou Shizuka reached out and gave his hand a light shake, smiling shyly. He could clearly feel that Hirata's grip was just right, warm with genuine sincerity. Hirata's B-Rank Emotional Soothing and Mediation was shining through naturally. He was a born peacemaker and unifier.
"Class B, huh? I heard Ichinose is amazing, and the class atmosphere is great, too." A girl's voice, tinged with envy, chimed in from nearby. Toudou Shizuka looked over and saw Karuizawa Kei, who had also been looking at the Notice Board. Her gaze lingered for a while on Ichinose Honami's name on the Class B roster.
[Target Scan: Karuizawa Kei]
Reading People (Cliques): B-Rank (Active)
Attachment to the Strong and Seeking Protection: C-Rank (Tendency Emerging)
Basic Fashion and Styling: C-Rank
Self-Positioning (Within a Group): C-Rank (Seeking an Advantageous Position)
"Yeah, I hope so." Toudou Shizuka gave a vague reply, his tone carrying a touch of a new student's bewilderment and anticipation.
Karuizawa Kei glanced at him, apparently deciding that this boy from Class B was utterly ordinary and not worth paying special attention to. She quickly turned her attention back to the Notice Board, searching for names she recognized.
Toudou Shizuka didn't linger. He turned and squeezed his way out of the crowd. Class B... He silently mulled over the label. A seemingly neutral zone might be the perfect hunting ground for a "Skill Hunter" like him. Far from the sharp edge of Class A and the fierce conflicts of Classes C and D, it would be easier to stay hidden beneath the relatively peaceful surface—and more convenient to observe and approach targets with valuable skills.
His gaze passed over the shifting crowd and precisely picked out a solitary figure near its edge. Horikita Suzune stood with her arms crossed, her cool eyes fixed on Class D's roster. Her face was expressionless, marked only by a distant coldness that kept everyone at arm's length—and a hint of something difficult to discern... disdain? Was it for the label Class D, or for the fate of being grouped with the people on that list?
[Target: Horikita Suzune]
[Skill Tree Refreshed: Learning Ability (Theoretical Absorption and Logical Deduction) A-Rank... Self-Discipline and Focus A-Rank... Social Skills (Proactive) D-Rank (Pronounced)...]
A-Rank Learning Ability... Toudou Shizuka's heart beat a little faster. For a soul that had once studied itself to death, this was practically a dream skill! Far more appealing than Fighting Style! If he could master it, then with the system's help, the speed at which he absorbed knowledge would break through the limits of human potential!
He tamped down his longing and slipped like a ghost into the stream of new students heading for the Teaching Building. In the upper-right corner of his vision, the pale-blue System Light Spot flickered faintly, like the opened eye of a hunter.
[Current Simulation Points: 150.]
[Talent Shop: Locked (Unlock Requirement: 200 Simulation Points).]
He was 50 points short. Toudou Shizuka calmly swept his gaze over each student who passed by. Kushida Kikyo's two other A-Rank skills? Kouenji Rokketsuke's aristocratic bearing and language skills? Or... Horikita Suzune's A-Rank Learning Ability?
There were plenty of targets, and points were precious. Who should he set his sights on next?
The Class B Classroom was spacious and bright. Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows lay neatly trimmed lawns and the outline of a sports field in the distance. Sunlight poured in unhindered, gilding the brand-new desks and chairs with a warm glow. The air was filled with the scent of fresh ink and the vibrant energy unique to young people. Compared with the disorder that might await in Class D or the invisible pressure of Class A, the atmosphere here really was as relaxed and harmonious as the rumors suggested.
Toudou Shizuka chose a seat by the window, slightly toward the back. It offered a good view of the whole class without drawing too much attention. He stowed his shoulder bag under the desk and calmly watched as his new classmates filed into the room.
The [Target Scan and Analysis Zone] silently unfolded, like invisible radar waves sweeping over the entire space.
[Target Scan: Ichinose Honami]
Leadership Charisma (Affinity): A-Rank (Core Skill)
Team Cohesion Building: A-Rank (Core Skill)
Empathy and Compassion: A-Rank (Core Skill)
Communication and Coordination (Conflict Resolution): B-Rank
Basic Academics (Theory): B-Rank
Athletic Ability: C-Rank
[Target Scan: Kanzaki Ryuji]
Rational Analysis and Decision Making: B-Rank (Core Skill)
Financial Planning and Management: B-Rank
Logical Deduction: B-Rank
Communication and Expression (Precise): C-Rank (More Written)
Emotional Management (Reserved): B-Rank
[Target Scan: Shiranami Chihiro]
Attentiveness and Observational Skill: B-Rank (Core Skill)
Document Processing (Efficient): B-Rank
Information Synthesis: B-Rank
Affinity (Gentle): C-Rank
Presence: D-Rank (Low)
[Target Scan: Amakura Asako]
Computer Skills (Basic Applications): B-Rank (Core Skill)
Logical Thinking: C-Rank
Social Skills (Passive): C-Rank
Focus: B-Rank
Toudou Shizuka understood. Class B's core structure was clear: Ichinose Honami was undoubtedly the center of cohesion and its spiritual leader; Kanzaki Ryuji was the cool-headed strategist and executor; Shiranami Chihiro was reliable support and the hub for information processing; Amakura Asako provided technical support. It was indeed a well-structured team with great potential. The three A-Rank core skills Ichinose possessed were like a warm sun, naturally drawing people toward her.
"Wow, the lighting's so good in here!" A lively voice rang out. A petite girl with twin tails and a smile as bright as the sun bounced into the room. Her name was Kobashi Yume (original character), and she quickly struck up a friendly conversation with several girls nearby. The topic jumped from classroom decor to favorite idols, and the atmosphere instantly grew livelier.
[Target Scan: Kobashi Yume]
Infectious Vitality: B-Rank (Core Skill)
Topic Creation (Casual): C-Rank
Athletic Ability (Coordination): C-Rank
"I hope the seats are assigned by student number. Then I can sit with people I know." Another boy (an original character, tentatively named Morita), who looked a little bookish, murmured to the classmate beside him as he adjusted his glasses. He seemed somewhat reserved.
[Target Scan: Morita Ken]
Basic Academics (Theory): B-Rank (Core Skill)
Memory Techniques: C-Rank
Social Anxiety: D-Rank (Negative Trait)
Toudou Shizuka quietly observed everything like a detached record keeper. His gaze lingered on Ichinose Honami for a few seconds longer. A-Rank Leadership Charisma... If he could master it, then paired with Kushida's A-Rank Affinity, it would dramatically improve his weak interpersonal skills. But with points in short supply, he would have to consider his priorities.
Just then, the classroom door opened. A young teacher in a cream-colored professional skirt suit, with shoulder-length hair and an almost excessively sweet smile, walked in. She moved briskly to the lectern, set down the folder in her hands, and braced both hands on its edge. Leaning forward slightly, she surveyed the class with an infectious energy.
"Good morning, everyone! I'm your Homeroom Teacher, Hoshimiya Chie!" Her voice was clear and pleasant, and her smile radiated warmth, immediately drawing the attention of every new student. "Welcome to Kōdo Ikusei High School, and welcome to our warm Class B family! I look forward to spending the next three years with you!"
[Target Scan: Hoshimiya Chie]
Affinity (Teaching Profession): A-Rank (Active)
Emotional Engagement (Classroom Atmosphere): B-Rank (Active)
Information Conveyance (Obfuscation): B-Rank (Core Skill?)
Observational Skill (Student Condition): B-Rank
Toudou Shizuka raised an eyebrow.
Information Conveyance (Obfuscation)? That was an interesting core skill. (╮( •́ω•̀ )╭
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