*Kei Karuizawa POV*
This classroom was… kind of underwhelming.
I rested my chin in my hand, half-listening to the chatter around me while absentmindedly looking around the room. It wasn't like the girls around me were chatting about anything interesting anyway—but it gave me something to do.
Honestly, I expected more from this place. I mean, this was supposed to be that school, right? The elite one. The kind people brag about getting into. But the people here?
Some of them were loud while others looked like they didn't even know how to dress properly. And a few were already trying way too hard to act cool, which was honestly just… embarrassing.
I sighed quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. This is going to be annoying if I don't find decent people fast…
My eyes drifted across the room again. There were a few okay-looking guys, I guess.
That friendly one who'd already introduced himself—Hirata—was already talking to people like he'd known them for years. Easy smile, good posture… Yeah, he seemed nice. He was definitely the type all the girls would go for. I could already feel the gazes around me swooning at every glance of his.
But then there was—Ugh. That blonde guy.
His legs were on the desk and he was filing his nails like he was in some kind of salon instead of a classroom.
I frowned slightly. Who even does that?
Still… No one was telling him off which was kind of weird.
I looked away from him, only for my attention to get pulled back a moment later. Suddenly, the noise in the classroom dipped, and the girls chattering aimlessly around me quietened with an intensely curious gaze focused on where I'd just been looking.
I blinked, glancing around. What was going on?
That's when I saw him. The guy who walked in earlier and spoke to Kouenji. Or… not talked to? I don't know, their conversation seemed all cryptic to me. There was something about their interaction that I couldn't really explain.
"…Tyrant," I murmured under my breath, remembering the name Kouenji kept calling the new boy.
Such a weird nickname. And the way Koenji said it was like he actually meant it.
Like he actually meant it.
I found myself looking at him again without meaning to. He wasn't built like those gym types or anything—no obvious muscle—but he still looked… solid. Lean, tall, probably around six foot, with the kind of posture that made it seem like he was always in control of himself. His face was sharp too—not overly flashy, but the kind that sticks in your head after you've seen it once. And his eyes… they weren't cold exactly, just calm. Too calm. Like nothing in this room could actually surprise him. Honestly, he just didn't feel like someone you could casually talk to.
My eyes flicked back to the blonde again. That's when I noticed his legs weren't on the desk anymore. I paused.
Wait… weren't they…? I was pretty sure they were. He'd been so obnoxious about it, I couldn't not notice.
But now? He was just sitting normally. Well—more normally.
I looked between the two of them again. The blonde… And that guy at the back. He was just sitting there like nothing happened.
"…What a weird guy," I muttered quietly.
I couldn't tell what it was exactly but something about him felt very off.
Eventually, the classroom door slid open and an instant silence enveloped the room.
The teacher stepped in. She was a tall, straight lady, with an expression that made it hard to tell what she was thinking.
"Good morning new students. My name Chiyabashira Sae and I am in charge of class D this year. I teach Japanese history. This school doesn't rearrange the classes every year, so over the next three years, I hope I get to know all of you. Best regards. Although the entrance ceremony will be one hour from now in the gym, I will now distribute the list of special rules of this school and the matriculation guide."
She introduced the school and explained the system… honestly, I only half-listened at first.
I'm sure my face lit up at the mention of the mall and the shops around. Living alone was a kind of freedom.
And then—
"Student cards can be used by swiping them on the machines. Using the machines are really easy, so you won't have any trouble with them. The points will be automatically credited on the first day of the month. Everyone should already have 100,000 points on their card."
My attention snapped back instantly.
Wait—what?
100,000? Every month? Shopping. Cafés. Clothes. Status. That was all I could think about when I heard that that many points would roll into my account every month.
A big smile formed on my lips. Maybe this place was as good as everyone said!
Around me, people were already reacting excitedly. Honestly… same.
She started talking about why we deserved these points but I couldn't really focus on what she was saying properly. Eventually she got to the end of her bit.
"It seems like no one has any questions. Well then, please-"
"Are these 100,000 points guaranteed every month?"
A strong voice cut cleanly through the room.
I blinked. Turning slightly, I saw him again. That guy again.
He had raised his hand casually, like he was asking something completely normal.
But— That's a weird question, isn't it?
I frowned. Why would he ask something like that? It was kind of obvious, wasn't it?
But the teacher paused for a second, an imperceptible smile at the corner of her lips.
"…I cannot answer that," she said.
The class immediately stirred.
Wait—what? What is that supposed to mean? My smile faded slightly.
The room went quiet.
"Huh?" someone muttered.
I blinked. What does that even mean? Not answer? Why not just say yes? Or no?
"That's so vague…" I whispered under my breath, frowning.
Around me, people started murmuring.
"Maybe it just means yes?"
"Yeah, they wouldn't give it to us and then take it away…"
"Right?"
I nodded slightly.
Yeah… that made more sense. I mean, this school was supposed to be elite, not some scam.
"Then what determines the amount distributed each month?"
He asked again.
Seriously? I resisted the urge to sigh. Is he trying to show off or something…?
Chabashira's gaze lingered on him this time, longer than before.
"…I cannot answer that either."
Now that— that was weird.
The room became quieter again, everyone around me a bit more tense now.
I felt a small knot forming in my stomach. Why won't she just explain it…?
"If we behave normally," someone said, trying to laugh it off, "it'll be fine, right?"
"Yeah, no way they'd trick us like that."
I crossed my arms slightly.
"…Yeah," I muttered.
But I couldn't help but glance back at the boy in the back of the room for some reassurance.
He didn't look frazzled by the news at all, as though he expected her to say that.
"And one more thing," he continued.
I leaned forward slightly without realising.
"Will this remain our class for the next three years?"
That made the teacher pause again.
"…Yes," she said slowly. "In principle."
In principle? What was that supposed to mean? A weird feeling settled in my chest like something wasn't right.
But before I could think too much about it, he stood up.
"Understood. I'd like to address the class sensei."
I blinked. Seriously? Already? Ugh… I leaned back again, crossing my arms. One of those types, huh? Trying to take charge on the first day. So annoying~.
But everyone still went quiet, including me.
"Good morning everyone. My name is Ren Takahashi, but I'll cut to the chase. As you can see," he began, "this school is not what it appears to be."
My eyes narrowed slightly. What was he talking about?
"We are isolated on an island where we can't contact the outside world. They're being secretive about some pretty key details. And our every move can be seen by whoever is behind all those cameras." He said, pointing to the corner of the classroom.
The moment he said that, everyone turned to look and noticed the camera.
Sure, that was a bit odd but maybe it was for security purposes?
"This is not just any kind of school," he continued.
"So I propose something simple. That we select a leader."
Murmurs broke out immediately. Yeah—no, that was too much.
"I nominate myself."
"…What?"
I let out a small laugh. Okay, seriously? This guy!
"Um…" Hirata spoke up gently. "We haven't even introduced ourselves yet. Maybe we should—"
"That's understandable," he said, "but every second without a leader is a wasted effort."
The room fell quiet again and I frowned. That was… a bit much.
"Oi, what the hell is this?"
A chair scraped loudly at the back of the classroom where a red-haired delinquent type stood up, clearly pissed.
"Who do you think you are?"
I exhaled softly. Yeah… figures someone like that wouldn't want to be ordered around.
"Come find out."
The response, however, was unhesitatingly immediate.
The red-head didn't hesitate. He stormed forward fast and aggressive.
"Stop! You guys…!"
And for a second, I thought that things were about to get ugly.
But then it was suddenly just over, way too quick. I didn't even fully process what had just happened.
What looked like a simple step, interception of the first with his palm, and a twist, sent the red-head to the ground.
A sharp sound echoed as his body came into contact with the floor.
I flinched. My heart skipped… What?
Silence.
Sudou tried to get up but failed as he was being held down by an arm.
Just like that, the fight was over. I couldn't help but stare fascinatingly. It looked like the boy was in such control of the situation.
"Sit down." He said, an invisible pressure emanating, making me freeze.
Hirata, who had stepped forward, stopped mid-motion.
No one else moved or spoke, as though everyone just accepted his order. I wouldn't blame them after the shock of the moment.
"As you can see," he continued calmly, "I am physically and intellectually competent too. So, if anyone else objects, please raise your hand."
Silence.
"I want to be fair now."
No one moved. I didn't move.
"…If more than half of you object, I'll step down."
A pause.
"Otherwise—"
He didn't finish his sentence. He didn't need to. I swallowed lightly.
You wouldn't want to get on his bad side. That was the thought that came naturally to me at that moment.
"No objections?"
Silence.
"Good." He nodded once.
"Then it's decided."
Just like that we now had a leader. There was no vote or discussion. It was just taken.
I let out a slow breath. That was really intense…
No! It wasn't just that. I glanced at him again. He still appeared calm and collected like nothing unusual had happened.
He's reliable. That thought surprised me, but it made so much sense.
He understood things others didn't and he acted without hesitation. And most importantly, he was strong. Really strong!
If someone like that was the leader of my class for the next three years… I should be too worried about my situation, should I?
My gaze softened slightly. Better than okay, I felt safe and comforted following what had just happened.
"…I look forward to spending the next three years with you."
His voice pulled me back.
"Now—let's begin introductions."
The class slowly started moving again, but the atmosphere wasn't the same.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms, my eyes staying on him as though I couldn't draw them away.
If someone like him picked a girl… The thought slipped in quietly. She'd basically be untouchable.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
I mean—it's not like I'm scared or anything. It's just… practical. Yeah. That's all. Better to be on his good side.
My lips curved slightly.
Maybe… sticking close to him wouldn't be so bad. Honestly, it might actually be the smartest thing I could do.
And for the first time since entering this classroom, I felt like I understood something important.
In a new environment like this, you don't oppose someone like him, but you stand next to them.