I'm Watching Him Play with a Rubik's Cube

Everyone on the bus turned their eyes to Kikyo Kushida, then looked over at the boy playing with a Rubik's Cube.

They all had the same thought...

Was this guy an idiot?

She'd already given up her seat. Why was he still nitpicking? Was he going to let anyone ride the bus or not?

Still, they kept watching the two of them. They were bored sitting there anyway, and a little drama made for good entertainment.

Some were even wondering if the two would come to blows—and whether the seemingly kind Kikyo Kushida really was the hypocrite the boy claimed she was.

"So... is that really what you think?"

Kikyo Kushida didn't argue. She forced a smile and shook her head, looking a little strained.

"It's okay. Maybe you're right. I'm not that noble, either. I just thought of my grandmother, so I couldn't bear to see her standing. I thought it'd be nice if the old lady could have it a little easier."

She really did have her own reasons.

Kikyo Kushida's words carried that implication, but her motives were still kind.

The passengers glanced back at the boy with a hint of disdain.

Give me a break. How could such a pure, kind little angel be a hypocrite?

"It's fine."

The boy didn't seem to care. His expression was indifferent as he said,

"I'm not trying to expose who you really are and embarrass you. I'm not going to pass moral judgment on you, either, and I'm not picking on you because I dislike you. In fact, I admire you."

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kijima Tsukur."

Sitting in his seat, he rested his right hand, which held the Rubik's Cube, against his left shoulder and bowed slightly.

"I came to this school to inherit an organization. It's a small test for me, but that's not important."

"What matters is that I'll need a team once I inherit it."

"I admire your social skills, your courage in putting yourself forward, and your low moral standards. Kushida, would you be willing to become my subordinate?"

"..."

Huh?

Kikyo Kushida's strained smile twitched, then slipped.

What the hell?

What was this guy even going on about?

An organization? A test? Subordinates? And he'd just called her immoral?

Was she dreaming?

He'd backed her into this corner, nearly gotten her exposed and despised by everyone, and now he was asking if she wanted to become his subordinate?

Fine, so he wanted to recruit her!

What about the salary? The benefits? The perks?

Couldn't he at least explain what he was offering?

He hadn't said a word about any of that, and he expected her to become his subordinate just like that?

Was something wrong with his head?

"Heh..."

Just then, the girl beside Kiyotaka Ayanokoji let out a derisive snort, as if she looked down on him. This was all Kijima Tsukur's doing.

It was like some chuunibyo kid playing out his delusions.

But nobody on the bus cared what she thought—not even Kijima Tsukur, who sat across the aisle from her.

"Um..."

Coming back to her senses, Kikyo Kushida forced a smile.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to discuss it with my parents first."

"That's fine."

Kijima Tsukur didn't mind.

He had already seen it. This woman would become his subordinate.

That was her destiny!

Kicking off the story of the author's new novel! Please add it to your favorites!

Chapter 2: I'm Watching Him Play with a Rubik's Cube

Advanced Nurturing High School.

Kijima Tsukur walked along the paved road leading to the school building.

He toyed with a Rubik's Cube in his right hand and flipped through the student handbook in his left.

It contained a map of the entire school, a brief history, an organizational chart, and information about some of the school's administrators.

According to the handbook,

there were 160 new students, divided into Classes A, B, C, and D. All three grades had just 480 students in total.

Apart from the school buildings, the campus also had Keyaki Mall for everyday needs.

The entire campus was almost as big as a town.

In other words,

the entire staff of Advanced Nurturing High School served those 480 students.

Keeping the school running normally each year must cost an astronomical sum.

Generally speaking,

the government wouldn't fund projects that brought in no returns.

Even educational projects didn't receive such enormous investments.

Of course, it was possible that this was just a way for certain powerful figures to line their pockets. But since that person had recommended this school, Kijima Tsukur ruled out that possibility.

There was only one explanation.

Whether it was talent, experimental projects, data, or the environment...

those 480 students were the return on the investment itself!

If so,

attending this school probably wouldn't be an easy experience.

Thinking this over, Kijima Tsukur put away the Rubik's Cube and followed the map in the handbook to find his classroom.

Class 1-A!

By then,

quite a few students had already arrived.

The students in front and behind each other chatted, testing the waters and figuring out where they stood with one another. A few sociable ones had even formed small groups of three or four.

There were also a few loners.

And yet,

the classroom wasn't noisy at all.

Everyone spoke in hushed voices, at just the right volume—a clear sign of the class's high overall caliber.

Just then,

Kijima Tsukur stepped into the classroom.

The whole room fell silent in an instant.

There was no particular reason. He simply stood out too much.

It was the first day of school. Whenever someone came through the door, everyone took a look, forming a first impression and deciding whether they might want to bring that person into their group.

But

with nearly all of Class A already there, this man was completely different. The moment he walked in, the entire class fell silent.

His tall, imposing build and handsome face went without saying.

What really stood out were his eyes, dark as obsidian. His gaze was sharp and fixed straight ahead, making him seem arrogant and giving off an inexplicable sense of menace.

Kijima Tsukur found his seat by checking the nameplate.

Right in the middle of the classroom!

Once seated, he took out his Rubik's Cube again.

He propped his chin up with his left hand and stretched his right hand, still holding the cube, into the aisle. It took up nearly half the space, and he paid no attention to those around him.

This school had ties to the government.

Since that person had recommended it, he must have seen an opportunity for Kijima Tsukur to fulfill his wish here.

Even if the school couldn't help him fulfill it, at the very least, it could give him a chance.

The question was,

what would he have to do to qualify for that chance?

That was what he needed to think about next.

The students who had just formed small groups watched Kijima Tsukur from the corners of their eyes and started whispering.

"Hey... what's up with that..."

"Is he even in our class? What's he doing?"

"What a weirdo..."

"But he's so handsome."

"Yeah... I bet he comes from a really good family!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Can't you see how arrogant he is? He looks like he's used to ordering people around. He's just like one of those aloof male leads on TV. So freaking cool."

"He's really handsome, but he doesn't seem easy to approach~"

"That's what makes him so handsome~"

Most of the boys frowned at his inconsiderate attitude, but quite a few girls seemed to like him.

Kijima Tsukur's pose really did get in the way of anyone trying to use the aisle.

But it was their first meeting, and most people were cautious. No one came over to stop him. They'd put up with it for now and see how things went.

There was, however, one exception.

The girl seated beside him on the right had a slender figure and waist-length purple hair. Her pale purple eyes were fixed on him with obvious annoyance. Her nameplate read Kamuro Masumi.

"Kijima Tsukur?"

Kamuro Masumi glanced at the nameplate on his desk, her pretty face full of irritation.

"Do you realize how annoying you are? Your hand's blocking the aisle and getting in everyone's way. If you want to play, at least do it on your own desk."

"Is that so? Sorry about that."

Kijima Tsukur nodded, not the least bit bothered. "Then please bear with it. Anyone who needs to use this aisle can take one of the other two instead."

"Huh???"

Kamuro Masumi froze for a moment. Then she caught on, slammed her hand on the desk, and turned to glare at Kijima Tsukur, who sat beside her, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I don't know what kind of young master you are, but this is a three-year boarding school. Don't think everyone here is going to indulge you. If you don't move your hand... I'll—"

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