The next day, during lunch break.
With everything finally settled, Onizuka found himself with an unusual amount of free time.
Just as he was planning to settle into a routine of dormitory, school, and cafeteria, a girl with short grayish-yellow hair came over to him.
Her bright, sparkling eyes gave her the air of a lively, capable girl. Her lips were thin and rosy, and she was quite adorable.
Onizuka clearly remembered her name-"Kikyo Kushida."
Kikyo Kushida ran over and widened her eyes in surprise.
"Wow, Onizuka, you remembered my name? That's amazing!"
"Would you mind adding me as a friend? Do you remember what I said my ideal was during introductions? I want to be friends with everyone!"
Looking into those sparkling eyes, Onizuka thought it would be hard for anyone to refuse a girl like her to her face, regardless of whether they were a boy or a girl.
"Of course."
The two exchanged contact information, but Kikyo Kushida didn't leave. Instead, she looked at Onizuka with a troubled expression.
"Hey, Onizuka, your seat is so close to Horikita's. Are you two close?"
Onizuka furrowed his brow. "We're not very close. We've only exchanged names. Why?"
"It's nothing, really. It's just that Horikita rejected my friend request, and I thought I might've done something wrong." Kikyo Kushida fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, looking utterly pitiful.
"Mm, that's her problem. Don't take it to heart."
After hearing Onizuka's reassurance, Kikyo Kushida seemed pleased. "Thank you. Maybe Horikita has something to take care of. I'll try again. See you!"
"See you."
As he watched Kikyo Kushida walk away, Onizuka's gaze grew deeper. Ever since the start of the school year, he had sensed a strong feeling of discord about her.
Whenever Kikyo Kushida talked about Horikita Suzune, that feeling grew even stronger. It was the stench of malice, as if she wanted to crush her, tear her apart, and swallow her whole.
It was utterly foul.
Leaving their affairs alone, Onizuka headed for the cafeteria. Kikyo Kushida had already delayed him quite a while, and if he waited any longer, he might not make it in time for lunch.
Then again, Onizuka reconsidered. He didn't actually have to attend class that afternoon. He'd already skipped an entire week of classes since the school year began, so skipping another half day probably wouldn't matter.
After changing his mind, he stopped rushing and strolled over to the cafeteria counter, where he ordered a seafood platter with rice.
Honestly, the cafeteria food was the only thing at this school that Onizuka had approved of so far. Tender and juicy, absolutely delicious.
Just as he was struggling to tear into an octopus, gentle music suddenly came over the school loudspeakers, announcing that the students had a notice.
"At five o'clock this afternoon, there will be a club orientation in the First Gymnasium, hosted by President Horikita. All first-year students interested in joining a club should gather in the First Gymnasium! I repeat, today at five o'clock..."
Clubs, huh?
Under normal circumstances, he'd be pretty interested. But...
He was the man who had wrested nearly two million points from his seniors. His reputation had probably spread far and wide by now, too.
Given that, Onizuka couldn't imagine there was a club where he'd still have a place.
Of course, that was the price he'd paid for obtaining all those benefits. He'd known that from the very beginning.
So Onizuka decided not to go and make himself a nuisance. He'd just head back to his dorm and catch up on the sleep he needed to recover from his recent mental exhaustion.
...Early the next morning...
Onizuka arrived in the classroom early. He'd slept from the previous afternoon until now, and he felt refreshed and full of energy.
Then Ayanokoji Kiyotaka entered the classroom. After greeting Onizuka, he sat down at his seat.
Onizuka had always felt that this boy was definitely not as simple as he seemed. He could sense the abundant strength hidden beneath the boy's uniform.
After staring blankly out the window for a while, Onizuka came back to himself and noticed that the few least serious students in the class all seemed very excited.
What were their names again? Ike and Yamauchi, or something like that.
He thought about it again. Was there anything special about today? He didn't think they'd announced anything.
Then he heard them talking about swimsuits and things like that, and Onizuka finally understood. So a normal swimming lesson was enough to get them this excited? He really didn't understand how these people's minds worked.
Onizuka sat at his desk and let his mind go blank. It was his favorite way to relax. Lazing in the sun without thinking about anything made him feel at ease.
Soon, the bell rang, and everyone returned to their seats.
After a morning of easy, simple lessons, swimming class followed. It was the class that Yamauchi and the others looked forward to most, though Onizuka couldn't relate to their feelings.
Onizuka quickly changed into his swimsuit and went to the pool.
It was a standard, indoor, fifty-meter pool. The water was clean and clear, and he couldn't help wanting to get in and swim a couple of laps.
After all, in weather this hot, who wouldn't want to soak in the water for a while?
The boys in the class gathered into several groups to chat. Onizuka wasn't among them, of course. After skipping an entire week of classes at the start of the school year, he'd basically lost his best chance to make friends in the class.
Clearly, Onizuka didn't care about that.
But someone did. Yosuke Hirata walked over to Onizuka and greeted him.
"Tsukasa, want to come hang out with us?"
"Yosuke, since you're calling me by my first name, there's no need to add 'classmate,' is there?" Onizuka pointed out, sounding a little dissatisfied.
"Sorry, sorry. Tsukasa, then. Want to join us? They seem pretty interested in you."
They? Onizuka looked in the direction Yosuke Hirata pointed.
Oh, it was the group of flashy girls in their class. He'd wondered why girls would be so bold. If it was them, then it made sense.
Onizuka had always been exceptionally good-looking, and because of his appearance, he'd been popular at his middle school. Naturally, nothing had changed now.
"No. I'd rather be alone."
Onizuka still turned down Yosuke Hirata's invitation. Making friends with more foolish people would only become a burden. It was pointless.
Soon, all the students had changed into their swimsuits and gathered in the swimming hall, ready to begin their swimming lesson.