Classroom of the Elite, A Hypocritical Gray Life Chapter 6

The entrance ceremony, for most freshmen, is a tedious and boring affair they are long accustomed to, yet for me, the experience felt quite novel.

Well, that makes sense; not many schools would make such a big fuss over this.

The content is always the same: high-ranking officials delivering lectures, followed by a hasty welcome and dismissal.

"It's no different from middle school, is it?" Ichinose shared her thoughts after it ended, and I offered a symbolic reply regarding my own inner feelings.

"Is that so? I actually found it quite fresh, though the content was a bit dry and flavorless."

"Fresh? How did they hold entrance ceremonies at Raku's old school?"

"We didn't really have an entrance ceremony stage, I think..."

"Eh, you didn't?!"

"Yeah, if I remember correctly, it was just a few words of welcome, and then we went straight into our studies."

"That's so intense..."

"I had assumed everyone was like that."

"The school Raku attended really was unique. I wish I knew the name."

"Sorry, I really couldn't remember. Perhaps after graduation, I can look into it."

"I didn't mean to blame you; I just wanted to know what kind of school wouldn't have an entrance ceremony. But then again, maybe things like this are common, and I'm just unaware."

After the ceremony concluded, our class began to form into small cliques, with almost no one left standing alone. This couldn't help but trigger a sense of crisis in me.

I felt as though I had missed a very important, albeit unclear, social networking phase, but after confirming Ichinose was walking right beside me, I felt I hadn't made a mistake.

Is my perception flawed, or is this class just that thick-skinned? I tried to greet my neighbor, Kanzaki Ryuji, but he immediately found a direction and quickly left the area.

...Hesitation leads to defeat. That saying really is the truth.

"Does Raku have any plans for the next while?"

"...I'm planning to head back to the dormitory first to check things out."

"What a coincidence, that's what I was planning too. Let's head over together, then."

Well, regardless, I should first figure out what daily necessities I'm missing.

Following the map, I arrived at the first-year dormitory building. I received a room card labeled '301' from the counter manager on the first floor, along with a handbook detailing the dormitory rules and regulations.

There were quite a few students heading toward the dorms. Ichinose and I read through the handbook while waiting for the elevator.

"Oh, the dorms at this school are co-ed."

Although it is co-ed, the dividing line is quite clear. The boys live on the lower floors, and the girls live on the upper floors. At the same time, the handbook strictly prohibits any romantic relationships that exceed the boundaries of high school students.

However, as long as there are no cameras, those kinds of things wouldn't be discovered, right?

Just as I was fantasizing about a wonderful married life, Ichinose asked me a question.

"What's your room number, Raku?"

Is this really a question that can be asked?!

Looking at Ichinose's indifferent expression, for a moment, I didn't know if this world was just too crazy or if I was too out of touch.

Anyway, should I try answering?

"301... Why do you ask?"

"301, I've got it. As for the reason, I want to memorize everyone's room number so that if something happens, we can quickly arrange for classmates to help."

As expected of Ichinose; she's already considered things to this extent.

"My room number is 1401. If you run into any trouble, come find me."

"I will." It seems it was just a simple question after all...

"There's even gas?" I noticed the gas stove in the kitchen layout on the map and was surprised.

"This... and it seems there are no usage limits on electricity, water, gas, etc.; they just ask us to be mindful of conservation," Ichinose added from beside me, sounding incredulous.

I had originally thought there would be point deductions for these things, but life is turning out to be much smoother than we imagined.

"Isn't this just like living independently?"

"Perhaps the school just wants us to adapt to society," I replied to Ichinose's shock, not really caring.

If that's the case, then all sorts of things will be much more convenient.

Before long, it was our turn to take the elevator. After arriving at the fourth floor, I bid farewell to Ichinose. Due to our different personal circumstances, our subsequent activities would likely not overlap.

After exiting the elevator, I checked the dormitory hallway for cameras; there was full, blind-spot-free coverage. Unless they were destroyed or covered, there was no way to hide one's movements.

I used the room card to open the door. The room was four tatami mats in size, which is about 13.3 square meters. It had an independent kitchen equipped with basic cookware. There was a private bathroom, though it lacked any toiletries. A single bed was placed against the left wall, a window was set in the wall directly opposite the door, and on the right were a desk, a small sofa, and a wardrobe.

It's truly luxurious.

Although I warned myself time and again that this school was not as simple as it appeared on the surface, I couldn't help but think this way. To the point where I felt absolute doubt that this school could actually cultivate outstanding talent.

After confirming there was nothing abnormal in the room, I opened the window to let in the fresh air from outside, while simultaneously trying to calm my surging thoughts.

I did not rush to confirm the items I needed, but instead began to ponder the information gap I had encountered so far. The crux of the problem lay in the meaning behind the classification of classes A through D, the massive monthly point allowance, and the most mysterious competitive mechanism known as the S System.

Regarding the first issue, I could only confirm that it possessed a certain degree of balance. This was an inference drawn from what he told me about the contents of changing classes. However, I had no clue about the latter two issues; no matter which angle I approached it from, I could not find how the school could impose such extreme differences on our account points, nor could I find any details regarding the S System.

I stared out the window, lost in aimless thought for a long time, but ultimately failed to confirm any effective information, so I began to check the items I needed to purchase.

Toiletries, grooming supplies, clothing, stationery...

There were surprisingly many things to buy.

After confirming and organizing everything, it was already past one in the afternoon, and I left the dormitory, heading toward the convenience store. The prices of items inside the convenience store were not much different from the outside world, and in another sense, one could say it was "small but complete."

I efficiently placed the very cheap shampoo and other daily necessities into my basket.

"Whoa, we meet again, Raku."

"Ah, good afternoon."

As the convenience store's chime rang, Ichinose's voice followed right behind me. I hurriedly greeted her.

"Are you here to buy daily necessities too?" As she spoke, Ichinose picked up a basket from the entrance and came to my side.

"Yeah, I went back to the dorm and realized I needed quite a few things."

"What a coincidence."

Indeed, no matter how you looked at it, the coincidences between me and the girl in front of me were a bit excessive. After the greeting, I continued to pick up the items I needed, but I didn't expect Ichinose to keep watching what I was buying.

"Raku-kun seems to always pick the cheapest ones."

"Hmm, do I?"

I subconsciously glanced at the prices of the surrounding products and realized I was indeed doing that.

"It might be because my previous life wasn't very affluent; I seem to have subconsciously developed this habit." I recalled my past "barren" life, where to survive, I had to adopt the most minimal level of frugality.

No matter how small the edibility, it was still food.

"I see... I understand. My family's financial situation isn't particularly wealthy either," Ichinose nodded, then wore a wry smile. "I only came here because the tuition at this school is fully covered."

A wry smile?

But her expression quickly shifted back to her usual warm, "little sun" self.

"However, it's better to pick some higher-quality items now. After all, we get one hundred thousand points every month."

"That's..." I paused there. This was a slip-up; I shouldn't have let what I was thinking show on the surface.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just saying that's true." I immediately recovered and picked up a tube of the highest-quality toothpaste.

"Right? Even if the price is a bit higher, we need to ensure quality." As she spoke, Ichinose also began to look through the items.

After finishing with the daily necessities, I wandered over to the instant food section. Various types of instant noodles, snacks, and drinks were displayed there.

I picked up a bowl of mixed noodles with the large letters "UFO" written on it, covered in fiery red graphics; just looking at it, I could feel the intense spiciness contained in that portion. Out of physiological instinct, I swallowed hard.

Although I knew of the existence of such things, having seen them all over the streets and alleys, I had always been in the stage of "seeing the pig run without having tasted the pork."

Should I buy a bowl?

Just as I was hesitating, Ichinose suddenly popped out from around the corner.

"I knew Raku would be particularly fond of convenient foods like cup noodles."

"...Why would you say that?"

"Isn't it obvious? These things are filling and very convenient. From any perspective, it's very advantageous for an energy-saver, right?"

"When you put it that way, I feel like my actions are devaluing the term 'energy-saver'..." I awkwardly put down the instant noodles in my hand.

"Ah, sorry. I just meant that it's best not to eat too much of this stuff; it's not very good for your health."

Those are two completely different meanings.

Listening to Ichinose's warning, I ultimately decided not to buy the instant noodles—at least, not in front of her. Although I didn't know why I felt the need to be afraid, for now, I decided to endure it.

I cut off the lingering desire in my heart, yet stared unwillingly at the spicy text on the noodle packaging.

G cup, huh...

It looked like a very full feeling.

G should stand for Giga, right?

Are they classified by models similar to bra sizes?

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but glance at Ichinose's chest, but I was accidentally caught by her as my gaze shifted, and then she saw the "G cup" label on the noodles.

"Raku-kun... you wouldn't happen to be thinking about something strange, would you?"

"...If I said no, would you believe me?"

"If you hadn't paused, I might have believed you..."

"Sorry, I shouldn't have paused."

I reflected on my own behavioral error, then coordinated by shifting my gaze away and continuing to pick out items, trying to use that to ease the awkwardness.

As long as I didn't pay attention to the situation over at Ichinose, the one feeling awkward would definitely not be me. I held onto this mindset as I kept moving toward the distance, though perhaps it was just my imagination, I kept feeling like Ichinose was following right behind me.

Facts proved that this tactic was completely useless.

It seemed that no matter what, I had to apologize. After realizing this fact, I took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare at Ichinose's chest—"

"Waaah, what are you saying all of a sudden!" Ichinose hurriedly covered my mouth, stopping me from speaking further.

"Don't go blurting that kind of thing out."

What did that mean? Was I supposed to apologize in private? Could it be some kind of school bullying, where I'd have to kneel down and lick her feet or something?

"I have no intention of pursuing this, so Raku, don't go saying it randomly, you'll be treated like a pervert."

"Mm, so Ichinose has no intention of pursuing this?"

"O-of course not."

Ahhh, in the end, was I just fighting a battle of wits against thin air? This was just too awkward.

"Then, since Ichinose has been following behind me, was there something else you needed?"

In this cramped convenience store, unable to escape no matter what, I decided to go on the offensive.

"So that's why. Actually, there's nothing in particular; I just wanted to stick with a companion, because being alone is a little boring, isn't it?"

Ah, could it be that it was going to unfold like, 'I just wanted to head back with Raku~'? But 'I just wanted to spend some time alone with Raku' would have been okay too.

"Also, I was just a little curious about what normal people buy at convenience stores." Ichinose added with a smile, which completely shattered my fantasy of a sudden romantic development with a girl.

As expected, I was just being conceited.

"Do you mean to imply that you don't consider yourself a normal person?"

What, was she some kind of esper or something? If that were true, that would be super cool!

"Hmm, I suppose so. After all, my family is really poor, so I rarely come to places like convenience stores. Even when I do, it's only to buy daily necessities." Before this, she would have had a bitter smile on her face, but now, she had completely hidden that emotion away.