It was a shame that happy times were always fleeting, but now they had reached their end.
So there was nothing to regret?
Bang!
A loud crash rang out, followed by an explosive outburst.
"What introductions? Do you think we're little kids? If you like doing them, go do them yourselves!"
The speaker was a red-haired boy, who twisted his mouth into a scowl as he voiced his discontent.
From the looks of him, he was a bona fide delinquent.
So no one was the first to call him out for this extremely disrespectful interruption.
In that awkward moment, Shi Cheng, who was sitting nearby, was once again dumbfounded.
Wasn't everyone here supposed to be an elite? How could one person after another be so... unique?
Noticing that almost everyone's attention had turned their way, Shi Cheng understood once again.
With a cheerful smile, Shi Cheng stood up. "That was certainly a unique introduction. Looks like I can't fall behind, either."
Hirata Yosuke, who had been about to smooth things over with a calm approach, froze, then watched quietly.
"My name is Shi Cheng. I like swimming. I look forward to getting along with you."
After saying that, Shi Cheng sat down with a smile.
"My name is Ken Sudō. I look forward to getting along with you." Perhaps Shi Cheng's words had moved him. Ken Sudō's face turned faintly red as he looked away and spoke in a quiet voice.
Unfortunately, his voice was so low that hardly anyone heard him.
And since he had stayed seated, he hadn't made a good first impression. Add in what had happened earlier, too...
Almost no one paid him any attention.
Still, his introduction was officially complete.
Shi Cheng was just about to enjoy the next student's introduction when someone behind him poked him.
Shi Cheng turned around and asked, puzzled, "Can I help you?"
"My name is Kato Megumi. I look forward to getting along with you." Kato Megumi calmly withdrew her hand.
What a perfunctory introduction. Shi Cheng's eye twitched.
But that only made him pay more attention to her.
After all, she was a girl.
And after taking a good look around...
Shi Cheng suddenly realized something.
The girls in this class were all so attractive.
No wonder this school only admitted elites.
He wondered what the other classes were like.
Shi Cheng shook his head.
Why was he thinking about all that?
Wasn't one whole class more than enough to keep him busy?
"Is there something on my face?" Perhaps because he had been staring for too long, Kato Megumi asked in confusion as she reached into her bag for a small mirror.
Ah, what a calm reaction.
Her expression hadn't changed at all, either.
That was a blow to Shi Cheng's confidence, since he was a little handsome himself.
"It's nothing." Shi Cheng quickly composed himself and shook his head. "I was just wondering why you spoke to me specifically."
That could easily give him one of those three great delusions, you know.
Considering how calmly she had reacted just now, Shi Cheng came to his senses. The more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed.
"Ah, that's because..." Before she could finish, Kato Megumi abruptly fell silent and focused her gaze straight ahead.
He understood that look.
Shi Cheng hurriedly turned around and sat up straight.
Just as he'd expected.
A mature figure walked in from the doorway and headed for the podium.
A high ponytail, business attire, black stockings, and a cool, stern expression.
She had the whole package.
Too bad she was a teacher.
Shi Cheng quickly cooled down.
Chabashira Sae ignored the various gazes from below and calmly wrote her name on the blackboard. "I'm your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae. It's nice to meet you."
"You'll stay in the same class for the next three years, so I'll be your teacher the whole time."
That sounded strange.
With a teacher this easy on the eyes, who would want to switch homeroom teachers?
Unless there was something seriously wrong with her.
Shi Cheng gave her a careful once-over.
Then he made up his mind.
Even if she was an ancient hag who didn't look her age, he'd accept it.
After sharing the most basic information, Chabashira Sae passed a stack of papers to the student at the front of each row.
"Although you've already read these materials before coming here, I still need to explain."
After going over what everyone already knew, she moved on to the main topic.
After all, they would be spending three years in this fully enclosed school. How were they supposed to live?
Chabashira Sae held up her phone. "This month's living allowance has already been deposited here. The same goes for every month after this."
"One point here is equal to one yen."
"That much?" Shi Cheng turned to the side in astonishment, unable to calm down for a long time.
After taking the papers that had been passed over, Kato Megumi gently reminded him, "Shi Cheng, the teacher's still here."
"Oh, right. Thanks."
Shi Cheng turned back around, took out his phone, and looked at the hundred thousand points displayed on the screen.
It didn't feel real.
All expenses were covered, and now they were getting a hundred thousand a month to spend however they wanted.
Could something this good really be true?
Shi Cheng couldn't make sense of it.
Based on what he knew...
Never mind the upperclassmen. Just in his grade, there were four classes with forty students each.
That meant sixteen million yen a month.
Faced with such enormous spending—and such a tempting windfall—
Shi Cheng wasn't fired up with excitement.
Instead, he felt a chill run down his back.
Oh no. Had he ended up at some shady school?
Otherwise, how could they offer such generous terms?
Still, seeing was believing. Shi Cheng wasn't going to judge them too harshly just yet.
He'd wait and see.
If there really was a problem, the fox's tail would eventually show.
After dropping the bombshell, Chabashira Sae waited for the students to slowly take it in.
Only once the excited discussions had gradually died down did she speak in an inscrutable tone. "There's no need to doubt it. This is the school's decision. You deserve it, so feel free to spend it."
Having successfully set the mood, and seeing that no one had any questions, Chabashira Sae offered one final reminder before leaving the classroom.
"The opening ceremony will be held in the Gymnasium in half an hour. Make sure you go."
As Chabashira Sae left, the lively chatter, which had been somewhat subdued before, erupted.
After all, back in middle school,
having even a few thousand yen a month meant you came from a well-off family.
Now they were getting a hundred thousand. How could anyone not be excited?
The noise was starting to get to Shi Cheng.
Considering how long it would take to walk to the Gymnasium, he didn't want to stick around any longer anyway.
On his way out, he asked, "Kato, want to come with me?"
He figured it would be nice to have some company on the way, so he picked someone he already knew.
"Huh?" Kato Megumi paused for a moment, then quickly picked up the bag hanging to the side. "Sure, let's go."
Once they were farther from the classroom, it finally got quiet.
Making casual conversation, Shi Cheng said, "If you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to force yourself. I'm not so narrow-minded that I'd take offense over something like this."
"That's not it." Kato Megumi walked slowly beside him and explained softly, "I just didn't expect you to remember my name, Shi Cheng, or to still remember me."
What a strange thing to say.
It sent a chill down Shi Cheng's spine.
If Kato Megumi hadn't been so pretty, he might have been tempted to punch her in the face just to see if she was real.
Shi Cheng joked, "What's that supposed to mean? Are you telling me you're connected to the Ten School Legends?"
"Maybe I am," Kato Megumi said eerily.
Back in middle school,
she'd had the good fortune to add a touch of mystery to the school.
Before you continue