At the far end of the vast Underwater Tunnel, the light suddenly brightened. Tokyo Koudo Ikusei High School came into view before all the new students, like a futuristic fortress suspended above the deep blue sea beneath the brilliant morning sun. A grand collection of modernist buildings stood in carefully planned formation across the Artificial Island. Their glass facades reflected the sky and sea, greenery lined the wide roads, and in the distance, they could even make out the standard sports fields and the outline of a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
The air carried the sea breeze's distinct salty freshness, mingled with the scent of freshly cut grass. The bus rolled smoothly across the enormous bridge connecting the island to the tunnel entrance, finally pulling up at the plaza in front of the imposing main school building.
The new students filed off the bus, wearing expressions of wonder, nervousness, or eager ambition as they joined the bustling crowd. Shimiya Kuki moved quietly with them, his gaze calmly sweeping over the school that would be his home for the next three years. Its pristine appearance, immense scale, and meticulous sense of order were unlike any environment he had known before. To him, the excitement and anticipation in the air were more like background noise to be observed and analyzed.
"Shimiya-kun!" A clear, cheerful voice called from beside him. Shimiya Kuki turned and saw Kushida Kikyo hurrying to catch up, a sunny smile on her face that seemed to dispel the unfamiliarity of arriving somewhere new. "The school is so big! It looks even more impressive than in the pictures!" she exclaimed sincerely, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.
"Yeah," Shimiya Kuki replied simply. They naturally walked side by side toward the imposing main gate. Its design was simple yet powerful, with the prominent School Emblem and school name above it.
"We'll be living here for the next three years. I wonder what it'll be like. Anyway, I hope we get along!" Kushida Kikyo said as they walked, her tone sincere and friendly, without a trace of ingratiation. "And thank you so much for helping me on the bus earlier, Shimiya-kun. I didn't know what I would've done otherwise." Her words flowed naturally, like a warm stream.
"It was nothing." Shimiya Kuki answered calmly. He looked at the Brown-haired Girl beside him. Her social skills were indeed as penetrating as the smile she showed. In just a few minutes, she had already nodded and smiled in greeting to several unfamiliar classmates they passed, as if she had known them for years.
The crowd gathered at the school gate, where the new students had to follow the class signs to their respective assembly points. A throng had already formed around the Notice Board, where the class assignments were posted.
"Oh, the class assignments are over there!" Kushida Kikyo pointed toward the Notice Board. "Let's go take a look, Shimiya-kun!"
They approached with the crowd. Shimiya Kuki calmly scanned the list and quickly found his name in Class B. At the same time, he heard Kushida Kikyo let out a cheerful "Ah!" beside him. "Found it! I'm in First Year Class D." Her voice was still bright, but her gaze lingered on the names in Class B for a moment. A hint of disappointment flashed through her eyes, only to be replaced almost immediately by her signature warm smile.
"What a shame, Shimiya-kun. We're not in the same class!" she said sincerely, turning to him, her smile as bright as ever. "Well, we'll have to split up here. I'm heading to Class D's assembly point. See you after the entrance ceremony!" She waved to Shimiya Kuki, her gesture natural and full of energy, then turned and slipped into the crowd heading for the Class D assembly point like an agile fish. Before long, he saw her chatting enthusiastically with several girls who were headed to Class D as well.
Shimiya Kuki watched her disappear into the crowd. Class D. He calmly turned his gaze away and followed the signs to Class B's assembly area.
The entrance ceremony was held in the school's Central Auditorium. It was astonishingly large, with a high vaulted ceiling and austere lines that lent it a modern, futuristic feel. A huge electronic screen hung above the stage, playing a promotional video that showcased the school's cutting-edge facilities, outstanding university and employment records, and students' achievements in competitions and activities. Soft, cool-toned lights illuminated thousands of neatly arranged seats below.
The new students sat in their designated class sections. Shimiya Kuki took his seat in Class B's section, surrounded by unfamiliar faces dressed in crisp new uniforms. He could sense a subtle tension in the air. His gaze swept across the Class D section, where he easily spotted Kushida Kikyo. She was chatting quietly with several girls beside her, smiling and completely at ease.
The ceremony officially began. The Principal stepped up to the podium. He was a middle-aged man of average height, with a stern face and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit. His voice carried to every corner of the auditorium through the high-quality sound system, steady and forceful, with unquestionable authority.
"Welcome, new students of Tokyo Koudo Ikusei High School."
His opening words were brief and direct.
"You are the best of the best, having risen above countless competitors from across the country. The pass you hold in your hands is your ticket to Japan's and the world's top universities and elite circles." His gaze slowly swept over the young faces below.
"But remember, Ikusei High School is no comfortable cradle. The principle we uphold here is absolute 'Survival of the Fittest'!"
He deliberately stressed the word "strength," as if hammering it into everyone's heart.
"You have been assigned to different classes. This is merely a preliminary arrangement based on your entrance evaluations, made for the sake of organizing instruction." His words were cold and realistic. "But Ikusei High School has only one core principle: Competition!"
"There is no place here for meaningless sympathy or handouts. Want better resources? Want greater recognition? Want to prove your worth?" The Principal's voice rose. "Then use your strength to earn them! In every competition, every activity, every occasion that calls for you to demonstrate your abilities, give it your all. Surpass others, and surpass yourselves!"
"Your starting point is not your finish line. Class composition is not set in stone. Your future performance and your results in competition will define your place and worth here!"
"Ikusei High School is a microcosm of society, and a furnace that tempers true gold. Here, you will learn the harshest rules of survival: only strength can earn you respect and a future. I hope that three years from now, when you stand at your graduation ceremony, you will be proud of the path you chose and graduate with the glory you forged through your own strength!"
The Principal's words doused many students' excitement like a bucket of ice water, while igniting a fire in others' eyes. A heavy silence fell over the auditorium, broken only by the echo of the Principal's final words: "I wish you all luck in battle." The sound faded into the chilly air. Competition, survival of the fittest... These words set the tone for life at Ikusei High School.
After the ceremony, the new students followed the signs to their respective classrooms. Shimiya Kuki calmly left the auditorium and followed the signs to First Year Class B. In the corridor leading to the School Building, he spotted Kushida Kikyo again. She was walking with several girls from Class D, apparently comforting one who seemed a little dejected. When she sensed Shimiya Kuki's gaze, she looked up and gave him a warm, encouraging smile from afar, waving lightly as if to say, "Good luck." Shimiya Kuki gave a slight nod in response, then joined the stream of students heading to Class B.
The First Year Class B classroom was on a middle floor of the School Building, with plenty of natural light. It was spacious and equipped with the latest multimedia teaching devices and height-adjustable desks and chairs. The whole room was clean and bright, with a practical, efficient feel. By the time Shimiya Kuki entered, quite a few students were already seated.
He quickly and calmly surveyed the room. Most of the students seemed fairly reserved, their faces showing curiosity about their new surroundings and a hint of caution. No one stood out as especially flashy or attention-grabbing; the overall atmosphere was restrained and practical. He chose a seat near the window, toward the back. It offered a broad view, allowing him to watch the podium and see most of the classroom without drawing much attention.
Before long, light footsteps sounded at the classroom door. A young woman walked in, immediately drawing everyone's attention. She looked no older than twenty, with smooth, shoulder-length dark brown hair whose ends curled slightly. Her face wore a sweet, exceptionally approachable smile, and her eyes curved like crescent moons. Her skin was fair, and she wore a well-fitted business suit, yet she gave off a lively, adorable air that was a far cry from the stern teacher they might have expected.
"Good morning, everyone~!" Her voice was clear and cheerful, brimming with unrestrained delight. "I'm your homeroom teacher for the next three years, Hoshinomiya Chie! I hope we get along!" She bowed energetically, her smile bright enough to melt ice. The mood in the classroom immediately lightened.
"Ah, seeing all your youthful faces makes me feel younger too!" Hoshinomiya-sensei clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "From now on, we're one big family! Let's all work together to make Class B a warm and enthusiastic class!"
She introduced herself enthusiastically, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual support, her words filled with hopeful visions of the future. She seemed more like an energetic big sister than a strict guide.
However, behind Hoshinomiya-sensei's sweet smile and lively words, Shimiya Kuki keenly sensed something else. As her gaze swept across the classroom and passed over each student, a sharp glint would occasionally flash through her smiling eyes, like a precision instrument scanning its surroundings. The glint vanished in an instant, so quickly it was almost easy to mistake for a trick of the light, yet it carried a sense of appraisal and insight. This hidden sharpness was subtly at odds with the lighthearted, lively image she carefully presented.
Shimiya Kuki calmly watched Hoshinomiya Chie, who was brimming with energy at the podium. This homeroom teacher didn't seem as simple as she appeared. The amount of "trouble" she could cause might be considerable. He silently added her to his list of things to observe. Hoshinomiya-sensei began explaining the school rules in detail. Shimiya Kuki listened quietly. Outside the window, his new and challenging life at Ikusei High School was slowly beginning.
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