Going to Class A (Six Updates) / Attending Classes in Different Classes, the Junkyard (Seven Updates)

"Morning, Hanada."

He tossed out a perfunctory greeting and dutifully returned to his seat.

"That was so rude."

"He definitely did that on purpose."

"How could he not even remember her name?"

"Hardly anyone even talks to him."

The girl beside Kushida Kikyo spoke, glaring at Kageya Shinjitsu.

Kageya heard her, but paid no attention.

"Honestly, Kageya, I already told you. I'm Kushida Kikyo."

"Is remembering my name really that hard?"

Unlike her friend, Kushida Kikyo continued explaining with a gentle smile.

"Okay, Kushida. I'll definitely remember next time."

Kageya had lost count of how many times he'd promised that. He didn't know himself.

Usually, all it took was for him to get someone's name wrong a few times, and they would leave him alone.

This girl sure is persistent.

What a little vixen.

"Again?"

Kushida Kikyo looked helpless, too.

"I'm telling you, he's definitely trying to get your attention this way."

"Exactly, Kikyo. Don't fall for it."

"That Kageya Shinjitsu looks like a closet pervert."

"He's pretty handsome, and looks refined, but he can't hold a conversation. Plus, he gives off such a gloomy vibe, and he thinks way too highly of himself."

Kushida Kikyo's friends pulled her back, then spoke just loudly enough for Kageya to hear, putting him down.

"Do you really think so? And calling him a closet pervert and gloomy is too harsh."

Kushida Kikyo spoke softly.

She even glanced at Kageya a few times, looking bashful.

Is he really trying to get my attention?

"Kikyo, you're way too honest."

"Stay away from him, stay away."

"He's a sleazy closet pervert."

Then the girls started playfully bickering.

Most of the other students in the class were much the same, gathered in groups of two or three. It was clear that many of them had already gotten to know one another yesterday. Even Yamauchi Haruki, who'd been alone yesterday, had found himself a buddy; several sleazy-looking boys were gathered together.

Only a few, like Kageya, sat alone at their desks.

But he didn't give it much thought. He already knew the school's rules, and he knew it wouldn't be long before someone shattered this picture of harmony. Who knew how much of their pitiful friendship would be left by then?

Since it was the first day of class, most of the lessons consisted of explanations about study plans and the like. There weren't any strict classroom rules. In fact, the teachers were all so friendly that it was hard to believe this was supposed to be a prestigious school. It felt more like some low-grade school anyone could get into.

Sixteenth Chapter: Heading to Class A for Lessons

Class 1-D.

After just this morning's lessons, I bet they've already lost quite a few points.

Kageya observed his classmates.

Many were playing on their phones or game consoles. Some were even talking and disturbing others. The arrogant red-haired boy from yesterday must have gotten up to something last night, because he was already sprawled across his desk, lazily sleeping. He had no intention of paying attention to class.

The teacher had noticed, but showed no sign of reprimanding him. Whether to pay attention in class was each student's own choice, and the teacher wouldn't interfere.

Kageya had expected all of this. If the students were held to strict rules, how would the school calculate the points deducted from their class score?

They had to be allowed to let themselves go, too.

At this rate, their points will be gone by the end of the month.

The relaxed atmosphere continued into lunch break. Kageya had confirmed what his class was like, and it seemed that many of them were beyond saving.

Just as he'd learned from his earlier investigation, the students had plenty of problems. They were defective products: mostly people who disliked studying, lacked self-discipline, and liked to get carried away. They weren't putting on an act.

Even those who were good at studying and reasonably self-disciplined had their own issues. They looked down on others, or were loners who didn't talk to anyone.

Or maybe they'd been involved in some kind of nasty incident in middle school, like him?

Kageya thought of Hirata, the popular guy who seemed to have it all, and Kushida, the busty, adorable girl.

Those two seemed to be capable students. They paid fairly good attention in class, and they had no trouble communicating.

But that was exactly what made them seem like they had serious problems.

They probably had major issues, just like him.

Most of the students left the classroom and headed to the cafeteria with people they knew. A few had brought their own lunches, like boxed meals or sandwiches.

Noticing that Kushida Kikyo was clearly trying to approach him, Kageya quickly left first.

"..."

Kushida Kikyo could only watch his disappearing back, at a loss for words.

Is he really just shy? It doesn't seem like it.

Or does he simply dislike girls?

Kushida Kikyo was beginning to question her whole understanding of the world.

But as she'd said, she wanted to be friends with everyone. The harder someone was to win over, the more interested she became.

She ate with her friends, then returned to the classroom early, planning to strike up a friendship with Kageya. But she waited all afternoon, and he never showed.

That's right. After eating lunch, Kageya hadn't gone back to the classroom. He'd skipped all of his afternoon classes.

And he'd already chosen where he was going to spend the afternoon.

Class 1-A.

Now that he'd figured out what Class D was like—and how much freedom they had—Kageya naturally wasn't going to pass up the chance to learn about the other classes.

The bell had already rung. When Mashima Tomoya, Class A's homeroom teacher, entered the classroom, he saw a strange sight.

A group of students had gathered around someone.

When he entered, most of the students looked his way.

"Hey, you're not in this class, are you?"

"Teacher, there's a student from another class here, and he won't leave."

When they saw Mashima Tomoya arrive, the Class A students dutifully reported what was happening.

Mashima Tomoya looked at the student who didn't belong to his class.

"Which class are you in? Lessons have started, so you should get back to your own classroom."

Mashima Tomoya didn't make much of it and simply asked him to leave.

"Hello, teacher. I'm Kageya Shinjitsu from Class 1-D. Could I stay here? I promise I won't disturb anyone."

Kageya introduced himself at length, speaking politely.

As for the stares from those around him, he could just ignore them.

"Only Class A students are allowed in this classroom."

Mashima Tomoya said so outright.

His refusal was crystal clear.

"Okay, I understand."

"Then I'll stay by the door."

Ignoring Mashima Tomoya's darkening expression, he went to the doorway and leaned against the window, watching what was happening inside the classroom.

He looked just like a peeping tom.

A few Class 1-A students sitting by the window were clearly uncomfortable, too.

"Hey, can you get lost already?"

"Teacher, this guy's distracting us."

Mashima Tomoya heard them, but took no action.

Instead, he looked at Kageya, hoping to make him leave just by staring.

But Kageya remained perfectly still, as if he hadn't noticed how unwelcome he was.

"Teacher, let's just get on with the lesson. It's not every day we get an interesting classmate."

"Just let him watch."

A delicate-looking girl with fair skin, an adorable face, and short silver-white hair spoke softly from among the Class 1-A students.

Beside her desk, there was also a cane, which she might have used to help her walk.

"Then let's get started."

At her words, Mashima Tomoya stopped paying attention to Kageya.

And so, a strange scene unfolded.

The Class 1-A students dutifully attended their lesson inside the classroom, while a student from another class watched from outside, looking thoroughly entertained.

They'd thought the boy would leave after a little while, but he stayed for the entire lesson.

He kept peeping at them the whole time.

When class ended and the Class 1-A students were about to give him a hard time, he said, "It was nice meeting you all. I'll get going. Let's hang out sometime."

Kageya had already said goodbye and left.

He left behind a group of Class 1-A students and their teacher.

Seventeenth Chapter: Taking Classes in Different Classrooms, a Dumping Ground

"What's that guy even trying to do?"

"Are all the students in Class 1-D that weird?"

The Class 1-A students were all thinking the same thing.

Even Mashima Tomoya looked perplexed, but he didn't say much before leaving and letting the students discuss it among themselves.

The silver-haired girl from earlier didn't join the discussion. She listened to the others as if she were an outsider.

That afternoon, every class except Class D had an extra student sitting in on one lesson.

It was incredibly strange.

Class B.

"We're happy to have you here."

"But won't your homeroom teacher punish you for this? Skipping class isn't good."

The atmosphere in Class 1-B was a little different. A beautiful, youthful-looking girl named Ichinose Honami noticed Kageya Shinjitsu and introduced herself. She even asked if he'd get in trouble.