"Everyone, let me introduce myself. I'm Chabashira Sae, the homeroom teacher for Class D. I teach Japanese history. You won't be changing classes during your three years at this school, so you'll be classmates for all three years, and I'll be your homeroom teacher for that time as well. Next, I'll be handing out your enrollment materials and student ID cards. Please pass them along from the front to the back."
The student in front passed back a handbook and a phone. It seemed this phone was the student ID they'd mentioned.
"This school has its own unique rules. You're required to live on campus while enrolled, and contact with the outside world is strictly controlled. Even if your family wants to visit, they can't contact you without the school's permission."
"Of course, the school also has a wide range of facilities for you to relax and have fun, and everything you need for daily life is readily available. When shopping, all you need to do is tap your student ID terminal to pay. Purchases are charged to the points on your terminal. One point is equal to one yen."
"On the first of every month, a certain amount of personal points will be deposited into each student's account. And this month—that is, your first month at the school—the points have already been deposited." The corner of Chabashira Sae's mouth seemed to curl into the faintest smile. "The amount is... one hundred thousand."
"Whoa, it's true! There really are a hundred thousand points in my account!"
"Every month?!"
"No way!"
The classroom erupted. Nearly every student wore an expression of surprise, excitement, or even delight. One hundred thousand yen! For a group of high schoolers, it was an enormous sum, enough to live quite comfortably at this school.
"Surprised by the hundred thousand points? Don't worry. This school has always upheld the principle of merit above all. The fact that you were admitted means you deserve these points. You can buy anything at this school with points, so go ahead and spend them freely."
One hundred thousand points...
Natsukawa knew all too well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. These hundred thousand points were merely the first net cast to weed out the weak. In a school that valued ability above all, people could only have wealth to match their abilities. If they let themselves get carried away by the gilded illusion of prosperity, he could almost see how brutally they'd be forced to wake up someday—the very people who were now cheering over those points.
After explaining the rules, Chabashira looked at the students below, most of whom were still caught up in their happiness. She fell silent for a moment, then finally asked, "...Well, does anyone have any questions?"
Natsukawa had the feeling Chabashira put extra emphasis on the word "questions."
No one raised a hand. Everyone was still caught up in the excitement of receiving a "fortune." They couldn't see the danger lurking beneath the rules, and no one wondered what price they might have to pay for this "gift."
A faint trace of disappointment flashed through Chabashira's eyes, but she said nothing. She simply announced, "If there are no questions, head to the gymnasium in one hour for the opening ceremony." Then she turned and left the classroom without a backward glance.
As soon as the homeroom teacher left, the classroom grew lively again. Everyone was excitedly discussing how to spend their hundred thousand points.
"Hey, Natsukawa, is this school really that generous? We get a hundred thousand points every month!"
Wang Meiyu turned toward him, eager to share her excitement.
"Hard to say. The teacher never said we'd get a hundred thousand points every month. You'd better spend carefully, Meiyu."
"Really? Then why didn't you ask the teacher about it just now?"
"Because I don't want to stick my neck out. And Ayanokoji thinks the same, doesn't he?"
"Ah, I guess so. An ordinary student only gets about five thousand yen in allowance each month. A hundred thousand is way too much."
Horikita Suzune, sitting behind Wang Meiyu, overheard their conversation. She glanced up at Natsukawa, who sat diagonally across from her. She seemed about to say something, but didn't want to join in uninvited. In the end, she lowered her head and continued reading.
Just then, a handsome blond guy with a distinctly popular-kid vibe raised his voice at the front of the classroom, catching most people's attention. "Everyone! Could I have your attention? Let's introduce ourselves so we can get along better from now on! I'll go first. My name is Hirata Yosuke. I like playing soccer, and I hope to join the school's soccer club. Nice to meet you all!"
Hirata's suggestion drew a few positive responses. Right after him, a girl sprang energetically to her feet and turned to face everyone. A sweet smile that could melt ice spread across her face, and her voice rang out, clear and pleasant.
"Hi, everyone! I'm Kushida Kikyo! My wish is..." She clasped her hands together, her gaze sweeping across every person in the class with heartfelt sincerity. "To become good friends with every single person in this class! So, no matter what it is, feel free to come talk things over with me! I'll give you my email and contact information later. Nice to meet you!"
Her words were like a stone tossed into a turbulent pond, sending ripples through the class. Many of the boys, and even some of the girls, eagerly began introducing themselves.
"My name's Yamauchi Haruki. I got injured during the national high school tournament in middle school, so I'm recovering now..."
"Who the hell competes in a national high school tournament in middle school..."
Kushida Kikyo was a woman with terrifying people skills. In middle school, she'd dreamed of becoming the most popular person in her class. With her sweet looks and gentle words, she'd managed to build good relationships with every classmate and become the person they all confided in. But she couldn't bear the constant stream of negative emotions her classmates poured out every day, so she vented anonymously online.
Then a student from her school came across the post online. The next day, her classmates cornered her in the classroom. Faced with being bullied or apologizing, she chose to bully the whole class. She immediately exposed all the nasty things her classmates had said about each other behind one another's backs. The whole class started tearing into each other, and everything turned into a complete mess.
Natsukawa had no desire to get involved with a human wrecking ball like her. So, while Kushida was introducing herself, he deliberately turned his head away, trying to keep some inexplicable force from drawing his gaze somewhere it shouldn't. But he'd overlooked one thing: in a crowd moving with the current, someone swimming against it was bound to stand out.
His unusual behavior ended up attracting Kushida's attention. She smiled at Natsukawa, then gave Horikita, seated diagonally across from him, a long look. After smiling at everyone, she sat back down.
Just as everyone had finished introducing themselves and the spotlight was about to reach Natsukawa, he looked hopefully at the redhead in the back-right corner of the classroom.
"Bang!"
The hot-tempered red-haired boy kicked his desk hard, making a loud noise that instantly silenced the entire classroom.
"Shut up! Introductions are a game for grade-schoolers, aren't they? Give me a break!" he roared, his face full of impatience and contempt.
The atmosphere in the classroom instantly turned icy. Hirata tried to defuse the situation, but Sudo wouldn't listen. Still grumbling, Sudo left the classroom. A few other students who didn't want to introduce themselves took the opportunity to leave as well.
"Ayanokoji, let's go too. We can look around campus early and get our bearings. Or did you want to give an especially memorable introduction?"
"...I think I'll pass. Let's go, Natsukawa."
Ayanokoji had actually prepared several introductions in his head, but he'd already made a friend—at least, as far as he was concerned—and could now enjoy an ordinary high school life at his leisure. There was no need to make trouble for himself.
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