I'm not someone special.

Sure, I've got a decent brain, but I've never cared much for studying. That's why my grades are always subpar.

For a while, I lived on my own, working part-time jobs to get by. But that's behind me now. I'm starting at AHNS, hoping to enjoy a real student life—though I'm not exactly sure if that's going to happen. The one thing I hold in higher regard than anything else is my friends. My mother used to say, "Friends are more valuable than money," and I've never forgotten that.

April. The school entrance ceremony. I was on the bus, heading to school, my seat bouncing and shaking with every stop. As I gazed out the window, watching the cityscape change, more passengers boarded.

Most of them were high school students, like me, all dressed in their uniforms.

There was also a frustrated salaryman, the kind of person who probably had a habit of accidentally brushing against someone in a crowded space. An elderly woman stood unsteadily in front of me, wobbling as if she might fall any second. I had expected the bus to be this crowded, so I knew I was getting exactly what I deserved by choosing to get on.

I was fortunate to have found a seat, but it was still crowded. I forgot
about the unfortunate elderly woman and patiently waited to arrive at my
destination, my mind clear as a passing stream. The weather was especially
fine today, with not a single cloud in the sky. It was so refreshing that I nearly fell
asleep then and there.

However, my gentle respite was promptly obliterated.

"Excuse me, but shouldn't you offer up your seat?"

My eyes, which were about to close, snapped back open. Huh? Could
this person be angry with me? But I realized that it was someone else being
scolded.

A young, well-built blond man of high school age had sat down in one
of the priority seats. The elderly woman stood right next to him, and another
woman stood beside her. This second, younger lady appeared to be an office
worker.

"Hey, you there. Can't you see that this elderly woman is having
trouble?" the office lady said.

She seemed to want the young man to offer up his seat.

Her voice carried quite well throughout the quiet bus, attracting several
people's attention.

"That's a crazy question, lady," the boy said.

"Why should I offer up my seat? There's no reason for me to do so." he grinned broadly and crossed his legs.

"You're sitting in a priority seat. It's natural to offer up those seats to
the elderly."

"I don't understand. Priority seats are just that: priority seats. I have no
legal obligation to move. Since I'm currently occupying this seat, I should be
the one who determines whether or not I move. Am I supposed to give up my
seat just because I'm young? Ha! That reasoning is nonsense."

He didn't speak like a normal high school student. His hair was dyed
blond, which made him stand out.

"It's f-fine, ..." the elderly woman mumbled.

"I'm sorry..." Desperately fighting back her tears, the office lady
apologized to the elderly woman.

"Um... I think that the lady is right."

The woman received unexpected support from someone standing
alongside her. The helper, a girl wearing my high school uniform, gave her
brave and frank opinion to the boy.

The boy's haughty attitude remained unchanged. However, the girl didn't back down.

"Everyone, please listen to me for just a moment. Won't someone give
up their seat for this woman? It doesn't matter who. Please."

"Excuse me. You can have my seat," I said, standing up and offering my place.

The office lady smiled in relief as she guided the elderly woman to the vacant seat.

"Thank you so much! Um, I'm Kushida Kikyo," the girl said, offering a grateful smile.

"Katagiri Yuuichi," I replied.

"It was nothing. Anyone would have done the same," I said, brushing it off. But Kushida seemed like the kind of person who was always cheerful and full of energy.

"So, we're both heading to AHNS. Which class are you in, Katagiri-kun?" she asked.

"I'm in Class C. What about you?"

"I'm in Class D!" she said, her tone still upbeat. "But we'll probably cross paths a lot!"

"I see. Well, good luck in Class D," I said, giving a polite smile.

"Likewise!" she replied.

The bus soon arrived at the destination, and stopped at the school. As I got off the bus, I saw a gate formed from natural rock waiting for just a head. All the young boys and girls dressed in school uniforms were passing through this gate Japanese government created the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School with the express purpose of developing future leaders. This would be my school from now on. Okay, stop for a moment. Take a deep breath. All right, here we go!

"Wait!"

The instant I tried to take my first courageous step, someone called out to me. Oops, never mind it's just the long black hair girl calling for the boy.

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I disliked the entrance ceremony, and I imagined many others did as well. It felt like the same routine every year—just like in junior high and elementary school. They were probably going to repeat the same old speeches and formalities. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to it.

I started walking toward Class C, the classroom I would be spending the year in. When I finally reached it, I saw the 1-C sign on the door. I opened it, and to my surprise, the room was empty. So, I was the first one here. It was eerily quiet, and one thing I couldn't help but notice was how clean the classroom was—just as expected of the best high school.

Looking around, I walked toward the seat with my nameplate. It was located in the middle of the last row. The classroom had eight rows of desks, with five desks in each row. With a quick calculation, I realized that there were 40 students in total in our class.

About 5 minutes later,

As I looked around, I noticed that the room was already halfway filled with students. Some were absorbed in their class materials, while others were deep in conversation with one another. It was hard to tell whether they had been friends for a long time or had only just gotten acquainted.

A few students glanced in my direction, but I chose to stay quiet and avoid drawing attention to myself. It wasn't because I was shy, but because I didn't feel the need to make a big entrance. I wasn't here to be the center of attention. If anything, I preferred to remain unnoticed for now.

The door to the classroom suddenly opened, and a soft rustling of footsteps filled the air. I looked up to see a girl with mid-back length silver hair, tied neatly with black ribbons, entering the room. Her eyes, a light purplish hue, scanned the room for her seat. She was dressed in the school uniform like everyone else, her knee-high socks adding to the neatly put-together image she projected.

She seemed calm, almost reserved, as she stepped further into the classroom. Then, her gaze landed on the seat with her name next to me. As she sat down, her eyes briefly met mine.

I was unsure whether to start a conversation. After all, we were both strangers in this classroom, and starting conversations hadn't exactly been my strength. But something about her demeanor made me think that maybe this was a good opportunity. Maybe she was one of the few people in this room who didn't mind the quiet, just like me.

"Hey," I said, breaking the silence.

She turned to look at me, her eyes softening slightly. "Hi," she replied in a gentle tone, her voice carrying a quiet warmth.

I hesitated for a moment, then spoke again. "I guess we'll be spending the year in the same class. I'm Katagiri Yuuichi."

She nodded politely. "Shiina Hiyori ," she said simply, offering a small smile that was more subtle than I had expected. "I'm glad we're in the same class. I hope we can get along well."

I nodded in return, appreciating her words. "Yeah, me too. It's nice to meet someone who's not too caught up in all the noise." I paused, realizing how that might sound. "I mean, it's just... I like the quiet too, you know?" I added, trying to explain without overthinking.

Shiina smiled slightly. "Sometimes it's easy to get lost in all the chaos, but finding peace... it makes everything clearer."

Her words felt reassuring, like a quiet reminder.

"I'm glad we can both appreciate it," I replied, feeling a little lighter. Her calmness was contagious, and for the first time that day, I felt a sense of ease I hadn't expected to find in this classroom.

As the room filled with chatter, Shiina remained calm and composed. I admired her quiet presence, wondering if she, like me, preferred solitude. She pulled out a book, her focus deep, adding to the peaceful aura she exuded. It was refreshing, how effortlessly she avoided drawing attention.

The door swung open, and Ryuen Kakeru entered, his presence instantly dominating the room. His sharp magenta eyes scanned the classroom with an almost predatory gaze. Without a word, he strode to his seat, his confident steps making it clear he didn't care for anyone's opinion.

A few students exchanged uneasy glances as Ryuen casually threw himself into the chair, crossing his arms with a smirk on his face. It was evident he wasn't here to blend in—he was here to make a statement.

As I watched him enter, my first thought was how someone could carry so much arrogance without even trying. His every move screamed confidence, or maybe it was just a deliberate attempt to assert dominance. Either way, it worked—most of the class seemed either intimidated or uneasy.

Part of me was curious—was it all an act, or was he really as ruthless as he seemed? Either way, I made a mental note: this was someone to be cautious around. People like him didn't just demand control; they thrived on it.

Katagiri knew that in a place like this, it was best to keep a low profile. Let them fight it out, while I stay out of the way. In the end, it's all about how you use the game, not how loudly you play it.

The first bell rang. At that precise moment, a man of average height entered, dressed in a sharp gray suit. His graying hair and glasses gave him an air of authority, though his movements were calm and measured.

His sharp eyes scanned the room, ensuring all the students were seated. Without waiting for the noise to fully settle, he strode to the podium, his steps confident yet unhurried.

The man's presence immediately commanded attention as he stood at the podium, the silence in the room thickening. He cleared his throat, the soft sound cutting through the stillness. "Good morning, Class 1-C," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. "I am Sakagami Kazuma, your homeroom teacher."

His gaze swept the room, taking in each student with a sharp, calculating look. The weight of his stare made it clear that he wasn't here for idle chatter. "I expect you to treat this class with the respect it deserves. The rules here are simple: excel or fail. There are no excuses."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in before continuing. "This school is about results. Your performance will define your future—whether it's within these walls or beyond them. You'll be judged on your actions, your grades, and your ability to make the right moves in a game that has no room for weakness."

A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but Sakagami remained unmoved, his eyes unwavering. "In case you've forgotten, we are here to prepare you for the real world. So don't think of this as just another class. Think of it as a test, every single day."

He set the clipboard down on the podium and adjusted his glasses, briefly scanning the room once more. "I'll be observing each and every one of you closely. Do not disappoint me."

TIMESKIP

Without waiting for any further response, he turned on his heel and walked toward the door, his footsteps purposeful and resolute. Before he exited, he paused, looking back over his shoulder. "Make the most of your time here," he said, his voice low and pointed. "Or your time here will be a waste."

And with that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him. The room, already heavy with tension, seemed to hold its breath, the silence lingering long after he was gone.

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