Class D

Advanced Nurturing High School, Class 1-D

Takahashi Shinma watched his classmates with an impassive expression. He knew Rokusuke Koenji and had interacted with him a few times before. Takahashi's impression of him was that he was a free-spirited genius with exceptional powers of observation and analysis.

As for the others...

There was a cute girl with short hair who had already blended in with the people around her. She had excellent social skills and would probably have a lot of influence in the class.

In the corner of the classroom sat a boy with a blank expression, looking rather gloomy. He seemed to notice Takahashi watching him and looked back. After their eyes met for a brief moment, they silently looked away.

What a perceptive person. If nothing unexpected happened, he was probably a genius. Takahashi thought, but he wasn't concerned. He'd met plenty of geniuses, and they all called him one.

The bell rang, and a young woman in a suit walked in, her long hair tied into a ponytail at the back of her head.

She didn't comment on the noise the class had just been making and instead immediately introduced herself.

"Welcome to Class D, everyone. I'm your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, and I teach Japanese history. Our school doesn't change homeroom teachers, so barring anything unexpected, I'll be your teacher for the next three years. I look forward to working with you."

Takahashi noticed some of the students begin whispering about their homeroom teacher.

Cliques already? What a disunited bunch. But it doesn't matter, as long as they don't get in the way of me slacking off.

Chabashira Sae tapped on the lectern, signaling for the students to quiet down.

"The opening ceremony will be held in the gymnasium in an hour. Also, I'm going to explain the school rules, so listen carefully. You can think of the student ID cards in your hands as credit cards. The points on them can be used to buy anything at school. Of course, you can also think of points as money. You currently have one hundred thousand points. The school will issue a certain number of points at the beginning of every month, and the school will cover the cost of all of them. I should also mention that one point is equivalent to one yen."

After Chabashira Sae finished speaking, the classroom erupted into chatter.

For Japanese high school students, one hundred thousand yen a month was a considerable sum.

Takahashi paid no attention to the noisy classroom. Instead, he closed his eyes and considered Chabashira Sae's words.

Points can be used to buy anything at school. The school will issue a certain number at the beginning of each month. Anything? A certain number? Those are pretty vague terms. So points can buy more than just products at school, and the number issued at the beginning of each month isn't necessarily one hundred thousand.

Interesting.

"Once the points have been transferred to you, you're free to use them however you like. If anyone feels they have no need for their points, they can transfer them to someone else. However, don't threaten anyone. The school's punishments for bullying are quite severe."

Takahashi opened his eyes slightly. Severe punishments only matter if there's evidence.

Chabashira Sae looked at the lively class and chuckled.

"All right, if you don't have any questions, then class is dismissed. I hope you all have an unforgettable school life." With that, she left the classroom.

Was that a cold laugh? Tsk, how interesting. This is really interesting. Looks like school life is going to be quite eventful.

While everyone was still cheering over the one hundred thousand points, a handsome boy with yellowish-green hair stood up.

"Could I have everyone's attention for a moment?"

The whole class turned to look at him.

"Um... Starting today, we're all classmates. So that we can get along better in the days ahead, could everyone introduce themselves? That way, we can become friends more quickly."

"I agree."

As a chorus of agreement rang out, the boy began his introduction.

"My name is Hirata Yosuke. You can call me Yosuke. I really like playing soccer, and I hope we'll all get along."

A very standard introduction. He was good-looking, cheerful, and enjoyed sports. Girls would love that kind of guy. The girls around him practically had hearts in their eyes. Hirata Yosuke will probably become the class leader, Takahashi thought as he listened.

"My name is Haruki Yamauchi. I'm the Black House's finest creation, and I'm a Flying Mist."

Ahem, back to the point.

"My name is Haruki Yamauchi. I'm the ace pitcher on the baseball team, and my jersey number is four..."

"My name is Kushida Kikyo. None of my middle school classmates came to this school with me, so I'm all alone. I hope I can quickly learn everyone's faces and names and become friends with you."

So that girl's name is Kushida Kikyo. She seems really friendly. I wonder if she has another side to her.

"I'm not doing some stupid self-introduction. That's for little kids." The speaker was a redhead who looked every bit like a delinquent. After speaking, he stood up, kicked a desk, and left the classroom.

What a temper. That kind of attitude makes people hate you. Of course, it also makes you easy to manipulate. Heh.

After that, some more students left the classroom. A pretty girl who looked very aloof caught Takahashi's attention. She's the perceptive guy's deskmate, right?

The little incident passed after a few words from Hirata and Kushida.

"Hey, you're next. Could you introduce yourself?"

"No problem. Hello, everyone. My name is Takahashi Shinma. I have lots of hobbies, but I'm not 'dedicated' to any of them. I hope we'll all get along."

"Um... Uh... I... My name is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Um... There isn't really anything I'm good at. Um... I'll do my best to get along with everyone. I look forward to working with you."