Everyone refrained from striking up a conversation, maintaining a state of mutual noninterference, almost indifference.
Lin Mu found this state incredibly comfortable.
It seemed that as long as he kept up this lazy, low-profile approach, life in Class 1-D over the next three years might be a little more peaceful than he'd expected.
He turned his head slightly and glanced at Airi Sakura, who was still looking down beside him. After a moment's thought, he fished another milk-flavored lollipop out of his pocket.
He reached over and gently placed it on the corner of her desk, right beside him.
The movement was quick and almost silent.
Airi seemed startled by the faint sound. Her shoulders jerked, and she cautiously raised her gaze a little, spotting the still-wrapped lollipop on the corner of her desk.
Then she darted a glance at Lin Mu. (He had already withdrawn his hand and was looking straight ahead again, wearing an indifferent expression that said, "I didn't do anything.")
Her entire face turned bright red in an instant, like a ripe apple.
She stared at the lollipop, her fingers twitching. After what seemed like a long hesitation, she nudged it to the center of her desk, then lowered her head again. The blush on her ears lingered.
Suzune Horikita, seated to his left, seemed to catch the scene out of the corner of her eye. She gave an almost imperceptible snort.
Her lips curled, and the chill in her gaze—and the look that said "just as I thought"—grew stronger, but she still said nothing.
Lin Mu paid no attention to either of their reactions and continued savoring his grape-flavored lollipop without a care.
No bothering each other. Perfect. That was exactly what he wanted.
The introductions finally came to an end, and the classroom regained some of its reassuring quiet.
The students who'd been willing to introduce themselves had already finished. The few who remained were either shy and reserved or thought it was pointless and couldn't be bothered to join in.
Seeing that the activity had wound down, the students went back to fiddling with their phones, chatting with the new friends they'd made, or gazing out the window.
No one pressured the others any further. After all, not everyone enjoyed putting on a social performance. Some people loved a lively atmosphere, while others were used to keeping quiet.
With his nearly melted lollipop in his mouth, Lin Mu watched coolly as some of the Class D students gathered in small groups to keep chatting after the introductions.
All he could do was hope that Class D's mysterious homeroom teacher would show up soon and put an end to this long, boring pre-class session.
As if responding to his wish—and those of some of the quieter students—the classroom door suddenly flew open with a bang.
A brisk, upright figure strode inside, radiating a sharp, forbidding air that was impossible to ignore.
The newcomer was a woman around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in a simple dark gray business suit. Her long hair was tied neatly behind her head, revealing a pair of keen, hawklike eyes.
Her expression was stern, the corners of her mouth naturally turned down. There was no warmth of welcome for new students in her face; instead, she regarded them with the cool scrutiny of someone conducting official business.
The moment she entered the classroom, her eyes swept swiftly across the room, taking in everyone's posture and expression.
Then a cold voice, carrying unquestionable authority, rang out:
"Everyone, return to your seats at once and sit properly!"
Her tone was even, but the students who'd been chatting in the aisles or by other people's desks hurried back to their seats as if an invisible hand had shoved them along. They sat up straight, and even the whispers died away.
Only the faint scraping of desks and chairs remained.
Sae Chabashira didn't seem to approve of how quickly the room had quieted. She appeared to consider it only natural.
She walked straight to the lectern and slapped the thick stack of documents in her arms onto the desk.
The crisp sound of the papers striking the desk rang out clearly in the silent classroom, adding to the oppressive feeling of her arrival.
She placed both hands on the edge of the lectern and looked up, her gaze sweeping slowly and firmly across every young face below, each marked by nervousness or curiosity.
Then she began her introduction in a steady voice with almost no emotion:
"I am Sae Chabashira, your homeroom teacher for Class 1-D."
"Let me remind you," she said, pausing to make sure everyone heard what came next. "There is no system for changing classes at this school.
"You have been assigned to Class D. For the next three full years, as long as you remain at this school, I will be your homeroom teacher.
"I am responsible for all matters concerning you at school—your studies, daily lives, conduct, and, most importantly, your points."
Without waiting to see how the students reacted, she picked up the stack of documents on the lectern and handed it to the student in the front row, signaling for him to pass it back.
"These are copies of the Student Handbook for Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. Take one each and read it carefully.
"Our school operates according to special rules that are independent of the outside world. First, you need to understand a few basic points."
With her hands clasped behind her back, she paced half a step in front of the lectern, her voice ringing clearly through the room:
"First, this is a fully enclosed boarding school. While on campus, students are strictly forbidden from leaving the school grounds without permission.
"You are also forbidden from making any direct contact with the outside world in private, including with your families.
"All external communications must go through channels designated by the school and will be monitored."
"Whoa—"
Her words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake. A wave of stifled gasps and startled murmurs immediately swept through the classroom.
Many students looked shocked and disbelieving, exchanging uneasy glances. Completely enclosed?
Even contact with their families was restricted? For teenagers accustomed to the freedom of modern life, this was undoubtedly a bombshell.
Sae Chabashira paid no attention to the commotion below, as if she had expected this reaction.
She stopped walking and added, "There's no need to worry too much.
"The campus has all kinds of facilities, from supermarkets, cafeterias, and hospitals for daily necessities to cinemas, gyms, and cafés for entertainment and leisure. There are even some specialty stores.
"As long as you don't leave campus, you can carry on with your daily lives normally—and with even greater convenience, since everything is close at hand."
Her tone softened a little, though it remained cold. "Second, cash is not used for purchases on campus. All transactions are settled using the personal points in your Student Terminals.
"Points can be used to buy any goods or services on campus. One point is equivalent to one yen.
"On the first of each month, the school will issue points to every student's personal account."
At that, she deliberately paused. Her gaze seemed to sweep over a few students still whispering, and they fell silent at once.
Then she announced the news that made every Class D student's heart race:
"This month's points—one hundred thousand—have already been transferred to your Student Terminals. You can check your accounts now."
One hundred thousand points! The equivalent of one hundred thousand yen!
"Seriously?!"
"One hundred thousand? That much?!"
"Check your terminals!"
After a brief silence, the classroom exploded!
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