A Story Starting from Classroom of the Elite

He crumpled it into a paper ball and tossed it into the trash can.

This action drew the attention of the surrounding students and Chabashira Sae.

Seeing that everyone had received their materials.

Chabashira Sae began to speak.

"This school is a three-year program, and you will not change classes each academic year. Therefore, I will be your homeroom teacher for the next three years. The materials I just handed out contain the information the school wishes to convey to you. Of course, if you had observed carefully, you would have noticed that your middle schools already provided you with something similar when you received your recommendations."

"This school operates on a fully closed-campus system. During your time here, leaving the campus and any outside communication are restricted. You will remain at the school during winter and summer breaks as well."

"However, there is no need to worry about your daily life. The campus is equipped with comprehensive living and entertainment facilities. For example, a library, cafes, convenience stores, karaoke, bakeries... and so on. Basically, any daily necessities or entertainment you might use in the outside world can be found here on campus."

"For shopping and consumption, you will use the student ID terminal I gave you earlier, which you might think of as a smartphone. Of course, unlike using money outside, you use points for consumption at this school. One point is equivalent to one yen."

"In this school, you can buy anything with points, as long as you have enough of them."

"Now, open the personal interface on your student ID terminal. You will find that a personal account has been added, and it should already have 100,000 points deposited for this month. From now on, they will be deposited regularly on the first of every month."

The students were able to accept the previous information calmly.

But upon learning that one point was equivalent to one yen, the room instantly became lively.

A normal high school student in Japan receives between 5,000 and 20,000 yen in monthly pocket money. This is the standard range for an average family. Those from wealthier or poorer backgrounds are calculated differently.

So, what did having 100,000 yen already in hand, with more arriving on the first of every month, mean? Paradise!!!

Koenji Rokusuke scoffed at this.

As expected, these mortals, whose futures had been stifled by "happy education," were truly foolish.

They saw nothing and understood nothing.

To actually believe that in a country like Japan, there could be such a thing as money falling from the sky.

Chabashira Sae scanned the classroom, taking in everyone's reactions.

Most students were unable to contain their excitement, and the very few who didn't show it were still beaming with joy.

Is there no hope for this year either?

Not a single good seed?

Recalling what she had just witnessed, she quietly focused her attention on Tanaka Yukishin.

This boy did not join in the commotion with the other students, nor did he show an exaggerated reaction or a look of joy.

But the keen interest revealed in his eyes—surely he wasn't thinking about how to spend his points on entertainment later, was he?

Is he also a defective product? I'll keep watching.

Chabashira Sae gave a light cough, and the students consciously suppressed their excitement, causing the classroom to fall silent at once.

"I understand that you are all very excited right now; after all, I have taught many classes before."

"Do not be surprised by the large number of points the school is issuing, because this school measures students by their ability. Those of you who were able to enroll naturally possess corresponding value and potential. In this regard, these points represent the school's evaluation of you. Please feel free to use them. Of course, if anyone feels they do not need them, they can transfer them to others. Points are transferable. Any points remaining at the time of graduation will be reclaimed by the school. Therefore, there is no benefit to hoarding them. Finally, please do not engage in any behavior that intimidates others; the school is quite sensitive regarding the issue of bullying."

After speaking, Chabashira Sae waited for a moment, seeing that no one had any questions.

"It seems no one has any questions, so you are free to do as you please for the remainder of the time. However, remember not to play too late, as classes officially begin tomorrow. I wish you a wonderful school life."

Then, she left the classroom with a graceful air.

Once Chabashira Sae was far away, the students could no longer suppress the excitement they had held back while the teacher was present.

They began to chat in small groups about where to go and what to buy.

Hirata Yosuke had intended to organize everyone to continue the self-introductions that had been interrupted earlier, but seeing this, he abandoned the plan.

A good start had already been made, and surely they would get to know each other naturally as time went on.

Everyone was in high spirits now, so it was best not to be a killjoy.

Koenji Rokusuke stood up from his seat and walked toward Tanaka Yukishin.

He still wore that look of confidence so intense it bordered on narcissism.

"Tanaka-kun, you're free now. Why don't we find a club room and borrow the space to have a chat?"

"Sorry, I have to decline again. I have a lot of things to do today. How about we schedule our talk for after school tomorrow?"

"Of course, I'm not an unreasonable person. Then, see you tomorrow."

Having successfully made the appointment, Koenji Rokusuke left the classroom.

In his pursuit of "beauty," besides the physical beauty of Tanaka Yukishin, there was only the beauty of the girls' appearances left in the classroom.

During this initial period of forming cliques, it was clear that he, as a boy, couldn't easily insert himself into those groups.

Better to change locations and appreciate other forms of "beauty."

Having dealt with the nuisance, Tanaka Yukishin stood up and walked toward his prey.

Arriving at a small group of girls in the front row, Tanaka Yukishin greeted them.

"Hello, I'm Tanaka Yukishin. I'm an old acquaintance of Kei-chan. So, could you please spare some of Kei-chan's time for me?"

The girls who were chatting turned their heads to look at Tanaka Yukishin upon hearing his voice.

Black hair that just barely brushed his eyebrows, eyes like jewels shimmering with light, flickering like fireflies on a summer night. A high-bridged nose and the corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile. He possessed a languid temperament, looking at Karuizawa Kei with eyes that held a hint of amusement.

It felt like he was a cat.

No, a prince.

Actually, to be precise, he was just a handsome guy—the kind that was incredibly, devastatingly handsome.

Aside from Karuizawa, the other girls exchanged glances.

Karuizawa Kei thought for a moment, only to realize she didn't seem to recognize the boy in front of her.

But, "Kei-chan"?

I didn't introduce myself just now, could it be that I really forgot?

Even if it were someone she knew, calling her that was far too flirtatious.

Karuizawa Kei prepared to refuse.

Before she could speak, the girl beside her had already chimed in.

"Wow, Kei-chan. Calling her so intimately, Karuizawa-san, could this be your childhood friend or your boyfriend? You're really something, keeping an acquaintance hidden and not saying hello right away."

"No, I..." Karuizawa Kei had barely started her explanation when the others swarmed in.

"Alright, alright, since you're old acquaintances, we can't really do anything about it, right?"

"That's right, that's right. Tanaka-san, we'll leave Karuizawa-san to you."

"Have fun later."

Swept up by the words of the group, Karuizawa Kei felt like crying. She really didn't want to go with Tanaka Yukishin, but since the members of the group she had just joined had all said so, she couldn't exactly refuse them outright.

Watching Tanaka Yukishin walk to the door and wave at her, then looking at the "assists" from the other girls' eyes.

Karuizawa Kei forced a smile, not letting her unease show.

She put on an expression that said "I guess I have no choice," then waved her hand.

"Then I'll head off first. See you later."

The sound of heels clicking against the stairs was exceptionally crisp in the emptiness.

Karuizawa Kei's fingers, gripping her skirt, tightened even further—the hallway at this hour was terrifyingly silent, to the point where even the sound of her own breathing felt amplified several times over.

"Ta, Tanaka-kun... when did we meet? And... where are we going?"

"To my dorm room." Tanaka Yukishin leaned against the railing and looked back with a smile, then leaned in close to her ear: "If you don't want to... Kei-chan, you wouldn't want to relive the wonderful times of middle school, would you?"

Her heartbeat seemed to stop for a split second.

She had clearly prepared to "debut" in high school...

Just like Mitsuhashi and Ito in Kyou kara Ore wa!!.

By deliberately changing her image and lifestyle, she could forge a brand-new self and start a school life different from her middle school days.

She had clearly worked so hard to pretend to be a gal...

Not only did she dye her hair and apply exquisite makeup, she forced her naturally introverted self to change her style of dress and try out miniskirts... she even learned to rely on exaggerated body language and a flippant way of speaking to create an "unapproachable" aura.

She had clearly put in the effort and seen results...

Even the other students hadn't noticed she was faking it.

Why, at a time like this, would someone from middle school appear?

What do I do! What do I do!! What do I do!!!!

Who can save me?

The more Karuizawa Kei thought, the more terrified she became, yet she was helpless.

After all, if she dared to resist, if she dared to resist regardless of the consequences.

She wouldn't have ended up in that state back in middle school.

And she wouldn't have to be disguised as a gal to protect herself now, nor would she be following behind Tanaka Yukishin.

Sensing Karuizawa Kei's emotional fluctuations growing increasingly intense, Tanaka Yukishin couldn't help but look back at her.

He saw that her beautiful face was deathly pale, her eyes unfocused and vacant.

She walked like a puppet whose soul had been extracted, utterly dejected.

The bangs on her forehead and the strands of hair on both sides were soaked with sweat, sticking to her neck and cheeks.

Beads of sweat slid down, eventually condensing into trails of water on her pointed chin.

Wait, was that one line—"you wouldn't want to"—really that lethal?

No wonder in those movies, the male leads who coerce the heroines always take them down so easily.

Tanaka Yukishin had no idea that his passive, multi-functional mental field, combined with his psychological pressure, could cause such immense distress to someone with past trauma.

However, in the current situation, it was necessary to immediately wake Karuizawa Kei from her state of terror.

"Kei-chan."

The affectionate call was like a mother's warm embrace, melting the icy cage Karuizawa Kei had imprisoned herself in due to extreme fear.

Coming back to her senses and looking into the concerned gaze of the boy before her, feeling the sincere kindness within it, she suddenly wasn't afraid anymore.

This was a sorrowful instinct; those who are bullied are extremely sensitive and insecure.

The shift in her mood allowed Karuizawa Kei to regain full control over her body.

Feeling the slight chill brought by the breeze, she lifted her head.

"Hey, Tanaka-kun, aren't we going to the dormitory? Why are you standing here?"

...How ironic.

Besides, you look really unattractive right now with your hair soaked in sweat and sticking together in strands.

After a stretch of walking, the two arrived at the dormitory building.

According to the serial numbers on their student ID terminals, they collected their room keys from the first-floor administrator, along with a dormitory rulebook.

Tanaka Yukishin was in 402, and Karuizawa Kei was in 605.

Inside the elevator, Tanaka Yukishin picked up the manual and gave it a routine glance.

Very well, it was just as much of a waste of paper as the enrollment instructions.

The standard introductions were fine, but things like don't waste water and electricity, don't litter, don't disturb others with loud noises...

It was indeed simple and straightforward, aligning with universal values.

But the fact that such things even had to be stated meant the author of the manual must have thought there were quite a lot of idiots among the students.

Because this was the same logic as needing to listen in class and not being late or leaving early.