Hey! It is I the Maelstrom with a new chapter for a story that may or may not continue depending on how it's received!.

So, at first, I wanted to replace the MC, but after some discussion, I decided not to. Hopefully, this is a good decision that sits well with you guys.

This is an OC story so I hope you guys enjoy the characters in their glory and see how they handled the first month of school.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: The weak and the botched shall perish: first principle of our charity. And one should help them to it. Part 1

Equality.

A state of being equal in status, rights, and opportunities.

It's a simple concept that encourages that nobody is born greater than another. That everybody viewed each other as equal from one another; therefore, everyone has the same opportunities in life.

A noble idea, but one that is not so easily achieved.

In fact, our world is hardly deserving of the concept of equality.

Between nations, groups in society, or people, there's always somebody who will be, without a doubt, born with higher rights, opportunities, and status as opposed to someone who is born with less. If they aren't, then they'll pretend to be superior by birth alone.

Then there are those who believe that merit is an apt measurement of equality...but unfortunately, that is not the case.

It is in fact, the very thing that disproves equality.

Because it is possible for someone to accumulate more achievements in life, thanks to their opportunities and standing in life.

A poor man with no way of climbing the ladder would have no way of gaining the same opportunities as a rich man. A talentless individual pales in comparison to a talented one.

The gap is too great for both of them, and too often the reality is cruel and unforgiving.

However, there are those that managed to close the gap between the talented and the talentless through sheer willpower and perseverance. That is, instead of talent and birthright; determination and merit are what close the gap.

I, however, don't truly believe in that notion.

Tensei Kamukura preferred sitting in the back of the bus for the simple reason that it was far more comfortable. He slowly focused outside the glass window of the bus, noting the reflection in the glass that revealed his features.

Sakura blossoms in spring, so it is fairly common for petals to fall and spread throughout the school road. The swaying and fragile petals swayed in the wind, along with the branches as they danced and fluttered.

'Hmmm...how boring.' He immediately grew bored of it, as his attention shifted slightly to his reflection in the window.

If one were to look at his face, no one would deny he'd be handsome in the eyes of many. His pale complexion, coupled with his angular and boyish features supported this notion. His long flowing black hair, stringy and reaching to his knees. despite having its feminine charm was certainly well-kempt since it reached to his lower back.

He wore his new uniform,

He had been told that he was handsome by the girls in middle school, but he never saw it that way. It was merely his appearance, and he didn't pay any attention to the looks he got from the women in the seats across from his.

They immediately averted their gaze with a slight blush, which was predictable as usual.

"Looks like you got the attention of some girls over there, Ten-chan."

Izuru looked at the seat next to him and Akira looked back at him with a sly grin.

Compared to Tensei, Akira was more mannish and broad-shouldered. His spiky black hair, with an under-cut giving him a unique appearance. Of course, he wore a hoody underneath his school blazer, as well as a chain necklace around his neck with his harsh and imposing appearance. People often mistake him for a delinquent.

At least, people who don't know anything about him. If anything, it couldn't be further from the truth.

Tensei stared at Akira and spoke with a monotone voice, "I don't see how I would've garnered their attention."

"C'mon, bro. I'm sure you know what I mean." Akira just sighed as he shook his head. "After all, you've been dealing with this since elementary school!"

"I see. Perhaps they are just shallow and uninteresting." Tensei bluntly stated, with no emotion behind his voice. "Predictable outcomes like that are why I ignore them."

"And this is why you don't have a girlfriend." Akira chuckled, elbowing him slightly before going back to his seat in silence.

Whatever, it matters little. Tensei simply focused on the cherry blossoms alongside the road. Even if they had been boring, it was the only thing that wouldn't give him too much of a distraction.

The conversations among the bus were brief and short, in whispers and chattering. That is until they reached their next bus stop. Unfortunately, it wasn't the destination Tensei hoped.

It had been a small stop where more students started taking their seats, among them a brown-haired girl and an eye-catching blond male. He took one of the priority seats with comfort as he crossed his arms. Still, the brown-haired girl stood alongside some old lady.

That's when the argument ensued.

"Excuse me… could you give up your seat?" The girl requested. "That's a priority seat, I think you should let this elderly lady sit there."

"My, My, pretty girl" He spoke in fluent Japanese, his noticeable accent signaling his foreign heritage. "While it may be a priority seat, there is no law requiring me to relinquish it."

"You want me to give up my seat just because I'm young?" The foreigner blustered with a laugh, before stating frankly. "Nonsense, pure and simple."

'Perhaps...but you could at least listen to your conscience.' Tensei boorishly thought as he witnessed the conversation continue.

"Even if I am young, standing consumes more stamina than sitting. Why should I do something so detrimental with no benefit to myself?" The foreigner's eloquent reasoning wasn't flawed. He brought up good points as to why he kept his seat, even if it gives him the appearance of an unsympathetic zygote.

"I think you'd be contributing to society." The chestnut-haired girl nervously smiled, likely to keep with her side of the discussion. "And this lady seems to be having trouble staying upright…"

'Appealing to his sense of pathos…' She formed her logic based on the actions of a samaritan. While altruistic, her argument couldn't possibly be anything other than flimsy.

"I have no interest in contributing to society." The foreigner stated his tone firm and with confidence. "Besides… What about those sitting in other seats? The difference between priority seats and others seems rather trivial to me."

Tensei sighed in what anyone would mistake for annoyance. The foreigner's steadfast, and stubborn in keeping the seat he claimed. Now, he's brought the public seats in attention for the others.

'How inconvenient...'

The old lady who had been silent this entire time, only about half-height of the girl merely spoke with a steady and understanding smile. "Really, I'm fine, dear."

The brown-haired girl shifted, downcast as she stood alongside the old lady. She turned around and called the passengers. "Um, excuse me. Is there anybody willing to give up their seat?"

Silence followed the girl's plea, as the passengers all averted their gazes. Some with indifference and others with hesitation. Nobody spoke a word for seconds, and only the rumbles of the bus echoed. Tensei noticed two specific students who didn't move.

He couldn't get a good look, but the young male who sat a couple of seats in front had brown hair and remained silent ever since he got on the bus. Not once did he speak a word, nor did he even glance at the small argument that occurred right in his sight.

The same could be said for the female, who had more distinguishable features. Similar to his own black hair, a sense of elegance and care was put into hers. Long and only about upper back length, but he had noticed that she focused on the book she read in her frail hands. She radiated the same aura as the male from before, only with more density.

"Tch, rude piece of shit…" Hissed Akira, already clenching his armrest as he trudged from his seat.

"You're not seriously going to get involved aren't you?" Tensei closed his eyes and rested his head on his open palm.

Akira didn't reply back, merely marching until he stood in front of the foreign student. The brown-haired girl stepped back, but her eyes flickered between him and the seat-taker.

"Hey, asshole." His delinquent of a friend glowered down at the foreigner who merely kept his eyes closed and arms crossed in defiance. "Move."

"Oh? Straightforward, are we—" His words were cut off when Akira gripped the collar of his uniform and lifted him up with force. "What the...?"

"I said, MOVE." Akira pushed the guy off his seat and pushed him back to stand up startling most of the passengers, except for the two previously mentioned students. "Nobody taught you to respect your elders?"

"How dare you…" The foreigner replied with displeasure, but regardless of such brute force he stayed calm and laughed a haughty laugh. "Ah, well...guess there's no working around it."

Akira kept giving him a scolding glare, before turning back to the old lady. "Here, you have an open seat."

He lowered his voice to a compassionate and understanding tone when moments ago he had been aggressive and demanding. Everybody, minus two, couldn't help but stare in a stun.

Tensei just rolled his eyes, unsurprisingly. This occurs almost every time they had spent time together in middle school.

"A-ah…" The elderly woman balked for a single moment, fumbling before smiling wholeheartedly in appreciation. "T-thank you so much, dear."

"Don't mention it." Tensei could tell that Akira smiled genuinely. If there was an obstacle obstructing his view, then he would still guess that his friend helped the elderly with a dumb smile.

"U-um…" The brown-haired girl hesitated to speak, being in a daze if her awe sight wasn't a giveaway.

Akira glanced at her, blinking. "Yeah?"

"O-oh! Forgive me, I'm just a bit surprised." She sheepishly smiled, before turning sincere and warm. "Thank you very much for helping!"

"Oh, no big deal. Have a good day." Akira shrugged it off, walking back to his seat. The foreigner just gave him a look, receiving a glare and relegated to standing on the bus.

Once he took his seat, he sighed in relaxation. "Welp, my job is done."

"Was it absolutely necessary for you to get involved in matters that don't concern you?" Tensei rubbed his temples, his voice monotone but with layers of ranging vexation.

"Oh come on, don't tell me that you wouldn't do the same thing yourself?" Akira remarked, craning his head.

A silence followed after that sentence, Tensei blinking in unnoticeable disbelief. His friend always assumed things like this. Sometimes he forgets they are not the same person.

Tensei sighed to himself, his eyes peering Akira's unquestioning and honest expression. "Do you want me to deny that statement? Because I won't."

"Hehehe, of course not! You don't act like it, but I could tell that bastard's attitude irritated you too!" He laughed confidently, putting his arm around his friend's head to put him in a headlock.

"Please let go…" Tensei said, though more bored than irritated. It could be due to the fact that they both haven't arrived at their destination yet. Something they both shared an equal determination for.

Tensei's willing to argue it's more a goal that Akira thrust upon him, but he's not one to deny his friend anything. Even if it's the pleasure of going to the same school.

After their conversation, the rest of the ride went on in silence. Everybody minded their own business, usually on their phone or reading a book. Nobody mentioned the argument, and those that were involved acted as if they never did.

The foreigner stayed standing and surprisingly chipper despite his initial steadfastness in not moving from his seat. The brown-haired girl did the same, and her mood lightened up along with her stance.

As for the two other students, not much changed aside the glance coming from the male when Akira intervened.

Finally, while Akira hummed to himself as he put on his headphones that blared Maximum The Hormone, Tensei leaned his head on his palm and continued to watch the falling sakura petals in respite.

It wasn't long before the sparkling waters came into view, meaning they were crossing the bridge to their destination. Which means that they wouldn't need to wait any longer.

The wheels turned and turned on the asphalt road, the vehicular transport continued as it slowed down and parked in front of the sidewalk leading to the gates. One by one, the students walked out of the bus, making their way into the gates of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.

Practically leaping out of the door, Akira landed with a firm pep in his step and took in the sight of the gates to his new high school. A school established by the Japanese government to nurture young people who will support the country in the future.

Boasting a 100% employment and college entry rate, it spares no effort in pursuing the nation's desired future for its students. To him, it was a perfect start towards his dream.

"Yeah-hea! Here we are!" Akira said, stretching his arms one by one.

"I must say, this is rather impressive…" He heard his best friend flatly say, who merely rolled his shoulders. "For a government-funded school that is."

"Well, that's what happens when you're the best of the best." Akira laughed, as he put his hand on Tensei's shoulder. "Alright, Ten-chan! Let's not waste time, and head to the entrance ceremony!"

For most of his life, things like this excited him. The prospect of being a graduate from this school said to be one filled with the elite, is an opportunity that he hoped to take and were lucky enough to be chosen for this school.

An opportunity which their families encouraged, and which Akira convinced Tensei to agree to join. He's always been a distant individual to anybody that wasn't family, or him.

"Please don't call me that…" Tensei passed by Akira, shaking his head. "Isn't that what you're supposed to do on the first day anyway?"

"Well...yeah. I just wanted to say that out loud." Akira rubbed the back of his head, before noticing a brown-haired boy standing and probably taking in the sights of the school the same as them.

Though, his plain expression didn't show anything at all. In fact, it's actually plainer than Tensei's own expressions. He's used to be hard to read at times, but after years of knowing each other, it became easier to understand what he wants and what he means.

Only seconds passed before the boy's eyes glanced at Akira, and he turned his head. "Can I help you?"

His eyes were a golden brown, and he looked tired, as well as in a constant state of aloofness.

"Uh, no actually. Sorry for staring, forget about it." Akira laughed sheepishly, attempting to brush off the slight slip-up. Tensei who had stayed next to Akira merely peered at his friend with a questioning look.

"Why did you get involved?"

Akira blinked, confused. "Excuse me?"

"Why did you force that guy to move instead of offering up your seat?" He asked bluntly, but not with any judgment. Instead, it seemed like he was curious if anything. "You know, it could have escalated into an altercation if he didn't take your actions kindly."

The delinquent knew what he meant and immediately remembered back to the bus where he lifted the pretty blond to give up his seat. That's what he was referring to, and he couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed by the question.

He buried that sentiment immediately.

"Right, I forget you saw that shit." Akira sighed. He expected someone to bring it up sooner or later. "Being completely honest here—"

"Excuse me." A cold voice cut through the conversation, gaining the attention of the three boys.

Whatever the intention behind the voice, it was more of a command than a request. Up the stairs stood a long-haired beauty, who bore an eerie resemblance to Tensei. Compared to Tensei's unruly and long locks of hair, her hair was well kept to her back, with a singular braided strand of hair tied to a pink bow.

This raven-haired girl had piercing gradient red eyes, that formed into a stern expression with an odd sense of cold that put a gap between her and the three men. Being of a slim figure, she surprisingly is well-endowed.

"You were looking at me on the bus. Why?" She asked, briefly sending a narrowed glare directed at the sullen-faced teenager.

"Oh. Sorry." He apologized, though he sounded like it was a chore to say it. "It's just that… you didn't seem interested in giving up your seat. Just like me."

Akira narrowed his eyes, disapproving with him and sending his own glare at her, Tensei on the other hand just closed his eyes, which usually meant he found the conversation pointless. Trust him, he can tell.

"So you don't like to get involved in stuff like that either, huh?"

"Don't compare yourself to me." She dismissed his question, her cold expression unshifting. "I merely held onto my seat as a matter of conviction."

"Tch." Akira's frustrated chuff, which in this case was rather strong, cut through the discussion as the raven-haired girl did before. "Doesn't that make you any worse?"

"You." The raven-haired girl shifted her narrowed vision to the delinquent, and bluntly said, "You never answered his question. What is your answer?"

'That's none of your business.' He would've said, if not for the fact he remembered she witnessed the affair on the bus. Sighing heavily, he cracked his neck a few times.

"I saw an asshole refusing to respect his elders, so I decided to get physical to make him move." He started with his explanation, his voice rough but firm. "Still, a fight didn't break out, and that old lady got her seat. Ya happy?"

Tensei remained silent, as he listened to the conversation slowly. The golden-eyed boy did the same, but the raven-haired girl closed her eyes briefly

"I see. Then if that is all." She then turned away from the three, heading to the gates.

"What? You got nothing to say to that?" Akira taunted her, frustrated with her dismissive attitude. "Just because you didn't do the sensible thing, doesn't mean you just ask and then leave!"

"Yet you still resorted to violence. Typical for a miscreant." She dismissed him, leaving the group of three alone as she made her way to what they assumed the entrance ceremony.

"The hell's that supposed to mean?" Akira grunted, before stomping up the stairs.

"I believe she's talking about your appearance." Tensei followed suit with a more calm and steady pace. That said, they left the brown-haired boy alone.

"Ooh, I see…" He nodded, before widening his eyes and shouting, "Oh, that bitch!"

He had not expected his first conversation with a fellow student to go south so quickly, especially to someone so high-and-mighty. Whatever, there's no way they would see each other too much in this high school right?

Right?

Setting aside that thought, he followed his best friend up the stairs, a determined smile on his face.

It didn't take long to find the school auditorium, in fact as soon as they arrived students were lining up in four separate squares. Four separate classes, it would seem. For a freshman orientation, the lines were neatly organized, barely any student's uttered a sound or a word.

That is to be expected, soon enough they would be welcomed by a representative of this school. They all wanted to give the best impression as freshmen. Though it'd be more accurate to say most of them cared about giving an impression good enough for freshmen.

Tensei had been the first to notice this, and he figured Akira was the second. Most of the students in his own lined square seemed drowsy, inattentive, disruptive, or all of the above. Like they were unwilling to take this orientation seriously, or rather they didn't try to.

Zygotes. Tensei identified them as zygotes, merely by look alone. As of now, he considers them zygotes.

He knows Akira tried to get him to ease up on that term when it comes to people, but he never really stopped Tensei considering that he insulted people more often.

He calls them 'assholes', Tensei calls them 'zygotes'.

To his left, he noticed the same golden-eyed boy stood there with a bored face. Something felt off, not his appearance but rather his presence. He wasn't particularly striking, but it came to Tensei's mind that he hid something behind that mask.

To his right, Akira stretched his neck, the chain necklace dangling around it. He wore a relaxed, but firm expression. He stood casually, but straight. Despite his eyes wandering for seconds at a time, they immediately reposed when the intercom blared.

"And now, a few words from our student council president"

Turning his eyes to the podium onstage, Tensei took in the student's scholarly presence. His hair well-combed, and with square-rimmed glasses that accentuated his appearance, there was no mistake that anybody could tell you he's the student council president.

"I am the student council president, Horikita Manabu." He introduced himself with a strong, professional tone. Every student's ears were open and took in his words. "As a representative of the upper classes, I would like to extend words of welcome to our newest students."

Slowly, but surely the speech continued to the usual reminder of the school they have chosen, and the fact that they boast a high employment rate as well. The pride of their school, being accomplished through hard work, of its students and alumni.

The same monotonous speech that Tensai has tuned out various times before. Twice during orientation from elementary to middle, and many times before when it came to blustering zygotes attempting to put him down.

Three times out of 10 did he put those zygotes in the hospital, for minor fractures. Four times lectured for 'going too far' as they put it.

He peered down to his watch, Seiko branded and noted that soon they would be taken to their classrooms. While he tuned out the repeated speech from times before, he listened particularly to the last few words before the speech ended.

'Everything in this school is decided by merit…' Out of all the things to end a speech, that sentence brought with it an omen that Tensei foresaw. The specifics are still unknown but surely to be later explained.

Well, he expected them to be explained later on.

Soon after the speech in the auditorium, Tensei and Akira had made their way to the class they would be attending for the next three years: Class D.

The chattering, and conversations that followed were typical for a school environment, especially before the teacher arrives. People start conversing, then they socialize, and soon enough they start to form friendships. Typical, and rudimentary.

A group of girls started talking about their favorite kinds of manga, while others seemed to mind their own business. Then there are people merely waiting in their seats, waiting for the teacher to show up before they start their first day of classes.

It only furthered the concept with the classroom being neat, and silvered on the inside. Square tiles on the back wall and the school desks were high-quality wood with leather cushions in the seats.

Tensei sat in the far left row, the second seat in the back and next to the window. Akira sat in the seat right of him, fiddling around with a set of dice in his hand. Metal dice, with skulls for the accessory.

"You seriously brought those dice with you?" Tensei pointed his finger.

Akira looked at his friend funny, before pointing his own finger. "You seriously need to ask me that?"

"Touche." He did in fact, not have to ask that. "Akira-kun—"

"Apupupup! We've talked about this before, bro! You're supposed to call me Aki-chan!" He snickered, crossing one leg over the other.

"I told you before...I'm not calling you that." Tensei shook his head. Annoyingly, being close friends Akira had decided to call Tensei 'Ten-chan', and recently has been insisting that he call him Aki-chan as well.

Let it be said...he will never call him that ever,

"I believe there are at least 3 people that we've seen before in our classroom."

"Really, huh?" Akira nodded dumbly, but leaned his hand on his desk and rested his head on his palm. "Leave it up to you to be perceptive. Like, a predator hounding for its next prey perceptive. It's almost scary."

"I merely perceived three individuals, and kept the memory of having seen them." He pointed out, closing his eyes and shrugging. "Nothing impressive about it."

"…sure." Akira rolled his eyes. "By the way, is it just me, or is the teacher not here yet?"

"It's not just you, I assume they must be on their way or busy with other business." It's very common for some teachers to be late on the first day, after all. Tensei's familiar with this situation, and if the social theory proves right...it's only a matter of time before the students start introducing themselves.

'How annoying.'

In 3...

"Guess you're not wrong…" Akira hummed, wondering exactly where said teacher could be.

2...

"Why of course. I'm never wrong. " He closed his eyes, not in triumph but in understanding.

1...

"Yeah, yeah." He brushed off the comment and went to put back on his headphones.

"Everyone, may I have your attention?"

'Right on cue.' It didn't take long for the class to pay their attention to the one student, who had already stood up from his seat.

Immediately he radiated an aura of confidence, layered with a kind and approachable demeanor that spoke volumes. His hair bore the shade of sunny olive, and his crystal blue eyes looked to his classmates in assurance. As opposed to a few students, particularly three of them in the furthest right-back of the classroom, he wore his uniform properly and neatly that he resembled very clearly a class-president.

"I was hoping we could all introduce ourselves to get a jump on getting better acquainted." He spoke with a strong tone, smiling all the while. " The teacher doesn't seem to be here anyway, so what do you guys think?"

"I'm in!"

"Sounds fun."

"Yeah, I mean we don't know anyone's names."

One by one they agreed without question, making it clear to Tensei who this man was in the class social circle.

"Very well. I will go first."

The 'leader' of this classroom put a hand to his chest to introduce himself. "I'm Hirata Yosuke. Feel free to call me Yosuke, no formalities needed. I play all kinds of sports, and I intend to join the soccer club at this school. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

The atmosphere in the air lightened up with a jovial, and pleasant air. Yosuke's rhetoric presented him as assertive, but kind, confident but humble, that he already had won the approval and respect of most of his peers purely by charisma. How unexpectedly boorish, if it weren't for Yosuke being a competent student with enough responsibility.

"I'll go next!" A feminine, bubbly voice chirped with excitement, and Tensei's eyes traveled to the girl from the bus. Now that he had a better look, he noticed her figure, well-endowed body, and considerably that beaming smile. Her hair brushed, with bangs separated to the side, and her resplendent eyes peered with kindness, vibrant and full of life.

"My name is Kushida Kikyo. My goal is to become friends with each and every one of you!" Her resplendent pink eyes glanced at her classmates with a warm, friendly, and predictable tone to her voice and eyes. "I'd like to make lots of good memories, so don't hesitate to invite me anywhere!"

Following the positive comments from both male, and female students, Tensei knew she would be the class idol. In middle school, it was Kirei Naomi, and in elementary it was Makoto Kaguya. It seems that in High-school, it's Kikyo Kushida.

So, nothing really changed this time. He didn't need to look Akira in the face to know that he wasn't impressed either. It wasn't out of boredom, however.

"Alright, I'll go next then!"

He wanted to blow his introduction out of the water in style.

While Tensei could care less about introductions like these, Akira lapped it up with enough bravado and confidence. Standing from his seat, his silver hair gleamed and his posture taller than most of the students.

"Da name's Akira Mikazuchi!" He pointed a thumb towards himself, grinned widely, and brushed his hair in a swagger matching his rambunctiousness. "I'm a bit of a sports buff, I won 3 basketball trophies from back in middle school, and last but not least…"

Taking the moment to further annoy him, Akira pulled Tensei up from his chair and put an arm around his neck. "This guy and I have been best friends since elementary school! I just call him Ten-chan!"

"Regrettably…" Tensei muttered under his breath.

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that!" Yosuke politely smiled and chuckled slightly at the 'camaraderie' Akira displayed, which was followed by a few other comments from some of the students.

"Man, those two look pretty tight don't you think?"

"Yeah, and winning three trophies?! I'm already jealous, man!"

"But who calls their best friend 'Ten-chan'?"

"Mmmmm…" Let it be known he never was fond of attention from his lesser peers, but his 'best friends' never let him go unnoticed beyond his years of school that it became rather routine for him to be dragged into these situations.

"Well, since he mentioned you are his best friend, would you like to introduce yourself?" Yosuke asked, with a tone that if it were anyone else would be comforting.

"Yeah, Ten-chan! Go ahead and tell them a little bit about yourself!" Akira patted him on the back, ignoring the untouchable frown on Tensei's features, disappearing as quickly as it came.

Why is this such an important thing to them? If it were up to him, Tensei would rather be unknown to most of these zygotes, leaving them to their own devices and him to his own. But Akira wouldn't let him, and it's egregious for him to refuse someone stubborn as him.

They'd be arguing for hours on end, and it'd be just the first day of school.

'Oh well...guess I just have to play along.'

"I'm Tensei Kamukura." He introduced himself, taking the act itself like a chore as he sighed. "Let's see... I consider myself to be a genius... I participated in a calligraphy club, and…"

Everybody looked with a raised eyebrow, wondering why he paused for a moment. A few of the boys in the back looked at him with slight frowns, the red-spiked individual scowling unsubtly.

Unsure whether or not to say it, he turned to Akira to answer it for him. He had a dumb smile on his face, which made Tensei put a hand to his face and sigh in exasperation."...and I have a pet cat back at home…"

"Eh?' Everybody but two uttered, and Tensei dug into his shirt pocket, which left them all in even more surprise.

"Her name is Felicia." Felicia's a black cat, with amber eyes to match that 'bad luck' superstition, but the thing that stood out was that the picture was Felicia playing with a cat toy. Presumably, the picture had to be taken by Tensei himself.

Which was enough to get most of the girls, and some of the guys in class to complement and even awe at what Tensei considered...terminal cuteness.

"Awww, she's so adorable!" One of the female students came up and fawned over the picture along with a blond girl, her hair styled into a ponytail, with her school uniform tied around her waist with a blue dress shirt. "I've always wanted to have a cat, but my parents wouldn't allow it!"

"Wow, you actually surprised me." Another female student with long burgundy hair wearing an orange cardigan commented while a smirk on her lips expressed something behind it. "Never expected you to have a cat."

"Why would you not expect that I have a cat?" Tensei asked, less of confusion and more because he expected the same answer from her.

"Yeah! Besides, he likes to take Felicia out of the house every once in a while!" Akira came to the rescue, relieving Tensei of any more interaction with the others. "Don't mind him, he's just kinda socially awkward is all."

Great, he's still saying that?

"Now, now, everyone. Gives him some room to breathe!" Yosuke corralled the rest of the class with a charisma that everybody followed his instructions. He turned to Tensei with another cordial smile. "Thanks for introducing yourself, sorry about that."

"It's not a problem." He quickly dismissed before sitting down roughly, eager to avoid more questions and even more pestering. "Just make sure not to do that again."

Akira on the other hand returned to his seat and offered Yosuke a polite sheepish grin. "Sorry about him, he's just like that sometimes."

"I-I see." He could already sense Yosuke's trepidation, and it isn't really uncommon for people to do that. "Well then, you in the back. Would you like to introduce yourself?"

He pointed to the back of the classroom, and Tensei turned to see the same brown-haired boy from the bus. The same one who asked Akira why he intervened, and by far the plainest, and tired student by far.

And this is coming from someone who constantly looks like he's bored with his life.

"Me?" The boy hummed, his eyes turning to Yosuke, who simply smiled in encouragement.

Everybody turned to look at the boy, except for the raven-haired girl from before, who continued reading from her book.

For a moment, the boy closed his eyes before slowly and boorishly stood from his seat. He opened his mouth a few times, almost unsure of what to say, before finally introducing himself.

"Um...my name is...Ayanokoji Kiyotaka." His dull tone matched Tensei's but somehow felt even more lifeless, sloppy. While he wore the same school uniform, his tie loosely hung around his neck."I...look forward to studying with you all. Hmmm... I'm not particularly good at anything. I'll work hard to get along with everyone."

Already, the speech was generic and poorly thought out. Even with his limited interactions with people, at least Tensei could manage an introduction interesting enough. Ayanokoji could barely keep the class invested or entertained. Everyone merely gave him stoically, yet courteous glances, followed by a courtesy clap that didn't convey excitement but moreso...pity isn't the right word.

"Yikes...looks like we met someone even more awkward than you huh, Ten-chan?" Of course, Akira had to tease Tensei and more directly Ayanokoji for that. While he meant no ill intent, Tensei still subtly frowned at Akira for that remark who only raised his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay, sheesh! Just making an observation, nothing bad about it."

'Who even asked for that observation?' Tensei shook his head, knowing anything he said wouldn't get to Akira's skull at the moment.

"Nice to meet you, Ayanokoji-kun." Unlike everyone else, Yosuke clapped more eagerly and smiled all the same with authenticity. "Let's be good friends."

'Predictable…' If someone isn't indifferent, then they are kind and outgoing to the 'outcast' of the class, and Yosuke fits the bill perfectly. As Ayanokoji took his seat, a scoff didn't go unnoticed by Tensei. His crimson eyes wandered to the raven-haired girl from before, who had an unnoticeable smirk...with the hint of derision.

"Okay then, next up…" Yosuke began before the crash of a boot against a steel chair startled almost everyone in attention. The red-haired zygote from before scowled in irritation, and immediately Tensei sighed.

'There just isn't any limit to these amoebae'

"Introductions, seriously? The hell do you think we are, little kids?" He snorted with an upturned chin, his eyes glaring. "I don't care what you do, but leave us out of your stupid game!"

Akira stood up next to Tensei, and already he knew that something was going to happen.

"Akira-kun. Not now." He warned him in vain, clearly noticing Akira's frown as he glared back at the delinquent.

"What's your deal? We're all classmates just introducing ourselves, nothing childish about that!" Akira started with folded arms.

"Tch! Why do you care so much, looking like someone who belongs in the trash pile!" He took a jab at Akira's appearance, clear that he was referring to Akira's...delinquent-like appearance.

"Oh, wow, real original insult there. Where did you get it from the bargain bin that said 'delinquent insults for free'?" Akira didn't seem bothered as he half-lidded his eyes and smirked confidently.

"The fuck did you say!?" Immediately, the delinquent stomped from his seat and balled up his fists in anger.

"Everyone." Before anything could escalate, a female mature and stern voice cut through the tension. "Take your seats."

Arriving right on time, the voice belonged to a teacher who entered the door with a graceful and dignified posture. Her high-heels accentuated the authority, along with her apparel consisting of a black suit over a white dress shirt that fit tightly around her physical features. Her hair tied to a ponytail, but her bangs swept to the left along with a serious expression that fit a teacher.

While Akira and the delinquent glared for a second they went back to their seats reluctantly and turned their attention to their teacher.

She placed a stack of manuals and glanced the entire class. "I'm Chabashira Sae, and I'm the homeroom teacher for Class D"

'Finally…' Some structure to the madness.

"There will be no changing of classes in this school. I will be responsible for you for the next three years until you graduate." Chabashira resumed with her explanation while lifting up a manual from before and handing them out to the first in each row. "These are the school rulebooks. Take one and pass it back."

It didn't take long for every student to do so, and Tensei decided to take a peek into the rule book while listening to the teacher's instructions. Best to acquaint yourself, if you are to live here for the next three years.

"We have special rules here. First, you will live in dorms and, while at school, your ability to leave campus and contact the outside world will be limited. But don't worry, the school offers a variety of facilities. Everything you need can be found here, including entertainment."

Logical sense. Despite what he thinks about wasting his time on pointless hobbies, many others need a form of distraction that makes them feel like they live in a city and not a secluded Alcatraz. It 's rudimentary and practical, to say the least.

What followed, certainly brought a curious eyebrow to Tensei. "S-Points…?"

"To buy things, you'll use points stored in the school's official computer system." Chabashira raised what he assumed to be a school-issued phone, upon closer inspection being her regular phone. "At this school, you can buy anything using points. Points are allotted on the first of each month."

The emphasis on anything piqued Tensei even further and something that he took a mental note of for future reference. A ping from his phone and as he checked, everybody else did too. Flipping through the applications, he found the counter for how many points he had...and found 100,000 points underneath his school ID.

"One point is worth one yen. You have already been allotted 100,000 points for this month." Her words, though expressed with a serious and calm tone, contrasted with the vast exclamations of surprise and glee from the students.

"100,000 points!?" One of the students with a grey-haired mop of hair exclaimed.

"Are you serious?" The one directly behind his seat had golden-brown hair but with his bangs swept to the side, also breathed in surprise.

"Are you surprised by the size of your allotment? This school judges students based on merit." Chabashira continued to explain. "You are attributed significant value just for being accepted here."

'If that's so then...this means we are being given this much money on an allowance, every first of the month.' Tensei noted in his mind, looking to his left and seeing Akira who had a dumb grin on his face. Glancing to the side at him, he managed to whisper something in his ear quickly and shortly.

As always, he made up the rashest, most irritating ideas...if only they weren't effective and prudent.

"U-um...I'm sorry, but would you repeat that for me?"

"I said if you know any place that takes in part-time workers!?" Akira shouted in excitement, as he spoke to the lady behind the cashier of the minor convenience store. Of course, this was merely a routine already. He had done this with the previous years of middle-school, and this isn't anything new.

"W-w-well, I'm sure if you asked the right person you could find out where they allow part-time, but I'm not sure where they would be." The lady looked down nervously, her dainty appearance expressing exactly the current situation.

"Could you at least point me in the right direction?" Akira rubbed the back of his head, a grin on his face. "Preferably I'd like to work in an electronics store!"

"Why would you, an individual more fit for athletics, spend your time in a mundane electronics store?" Tensei asked with his usual monotone voice, not that Akira ever minded that. It's just part of the package when you have a talented individual as your best friend.

And that was by no means an over-exaggeration. Tensei truly is a super genius. Akira never let that get between them of course.

"Come on, Ten-chan!" Akira shrugged while earning a small glare from Tensei. "We've been through this so many times, you know exactly why we're doing this!"

His best friend sighed, putting his hand to his face like this was a big deal or something. "Because a part-time job is way better than relying on some allowance for our source of money…"

"Exactly!" How many times have they had this conversation already? Tensei's not as difficult with part-time jobs, especially considering that the two of them always took them on during middle-school. "So, again...is there any place you think would take in part-timers?"

"Well...I heard there's a small animal shelter within the confines that are taking applications…" The lady replied while glancing to her right, before finally sighing. "I'm sorry, but there's a customer right behind you."

"Huh?" Akira tilted his head before turning to where the lady glanced, to find Ayanokoji with a small basket of valuables. Looks like he still has that monotone face from before. "Oh, hey there Aya-chan!"

"Aya-chan…?" He asked, not looking really perturbed by it, but definitely curious. "Oh, you mean me."

"Well, of course, I do!" Akira rubbed the back of his head, before standing aside. "Sorry for holding you up, you can go!"

"Okay." Ayanokoji simply replied, putting his minimalistic items for the cashier to scan and register. When he paid, the brown-haired boy simply pulled out his phone and had it scanned for the transaction to go through.

"Thank you very much!" The cashier politely stated.

"It really does work like money…" Ayanokoji looked at his phone, in slight convenience.

"I know right? Honestly, it's pretty generous for them to give us that much money." Akira whistled, while Tensei followed up behind him. "Makes you wonder how much money they're giving away for every class."

"360 million points per year," Tensei answered the question with no surprise, which is typical. Akira knows this guy could pretty much pass any test they throw at him. Such a shame, he's not much of a people person.

"Always with the math in your head." The black-haired young man shook his head with a smirk.

"Say, what you said back at homeroom. About being a genius." Ayanokoji brought up the conversation casually, not surprised in the least. "Were you trying to be appealing or something?"

"Hmph, if you're suggesting I lied...then I can assure you I wasn't." Tensei folded his arms, bluntly stating his thoughts.

"It merely seems unlikely for you to be born a genius," Ayanokoji replied with his honest thoughts. "Akira-san, are you sure he's not lying?"

"Oh no, what he's saying is true!" Akira defended his pal, but he couldn't be offended by the question. Again like before, it's pretty typical for Tensei to say what he is without considering what others think. "I can vouch for him, besides we're best buds!"

"Only because you stuck around long enough to be considered one." Tensei dismissed it before walking out of the store on his own.

"Where are you going?"

"To the animal shelter." That was all he said before leaving the convenience store, leaving Akira with a small frown.

Ever since they arrived, Tensei has been acting pretty distant with every person he met. While Akira's glad to have gotten his best friend to share a bit during the introduction, he still couldn't help but wonder when exactly is Tensei going to finally open up to other people.

He can't live his entire life on his own...with Felicia, and he isn't even supposed to. That's no way for anyone to live.

"Akira-kun." Ayanokoji's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, causing him to blink and look at the dull-faced classmate. "You said you were looking for a part-time job?"

"Wha? O-oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!" Akira flustered a bit while having a sheepish grin on his face. "I-I-was, actually."

"Would the school campus even allow that sort of thing?"

"I mean, it's just a hunch but it makes logical sense if you think about it." Akira put a finger to his chin in a sage-like fashion. "100,000 points every first of the month is pretty generous, but I've always been the kind of guy who likes to earn his keep. Besides, I have a feeling that there's something Sensei isn't telling us about this points system."

"I see…" Ayanokoji replied, though absent-minded while peering at another student that Akira recognized as…

'Oh, great. She's here.' The raven-haired bitch from before scanned the items she placed in her own basket, before glancing sideways to see both and close her eyes dismissively.

"Another unpleasant coincidence." Her dismissive tone irked Akira already.

"You don't have to be so twitchy," Ayanokoji remarked, clearly not so amused by her attitude either.

Despite the comments, she didn't bother responding and continued on to her own business.

"You could just introduce yourself at least. No need to be so cold." Akira grit his teeth.

"..." She continued ignoring them both, not bothering so much as a glance. Yeah, she's not getting on his good side at all.

"You can tell us that much, can't you?" Ayanokoji pressed the subject further.

"Is it a problem if I refuse to answer?" Her sardonic tone was like nails on a chalkboard to Akira, and he stepped forward with a frown on his face. Ayanokoji put a hand in front of him, gesturing to him to step down.

"Well, no. But it's unsettling not to know the name of the person sitting beside me." Ayanokoji reasoned with the raven-haired girl.

"Honestly, are you going to introduce yourself or are you going to keep acting like a bitch?" Akira cursed as his scowl, though clearly that earned himself an equally intense glare from the girl to both of them.

"...It's Horikita Suzune."

'Finally, she says her name!' He mentally groaned in his head, before realizing something. "Wait a minute. Aya-chan, isn't that the last name of the student council president?"

"Why do you keep calling me that?" He tilted his head, though it looked less like he was annoyed and more just confused. "We don't know each other all that well."

"To be honest, you look like someone who needs a friend." Akira honestly replied. He's always been the kind to make friends with the weird ones in middle school. He remembered hanging out with a kid called Tokoyami, who dressed like a delusionist...but after a few conversations were just the kind of fashion he was into.

It isn't much different from Tensei actually, and Ayanokoji to him is exactly like that outsider.

"Hmmm…" Ayanokoji hummed to himself, before noticing that Horikita went back to the shelves. "You're buying lots of cheap stuff."

"So?" She continued her business.

"You have a lot of money to spend, though." Ayanokoji picked up a brand-name shampoo, which is visibly more pricey than anything Horikiat has in her basket. "You could buy more expensive—"

"I don't need it."

"But—"

" I don't need it." Horikita's tone was firm but impatient, she barely glanced. "I already told you."

"...right."

Jeez, what's with this chick? Akira's twitching eyebrow, along with his frown did little to hide the disdain he already feels.

"You don't seem very good at interacting with people." She stated frankly.

"Oh, like you're any better yourself!" Akira scoffed, turning his head up, "At least he's trying to get along with you."

"Perhaps, but unlike him, I have no need to make friends with people." Horikita turned and gave a small but hostile glare to Akira in particular. "Especially if they're vulgar, crass, and snooping in business that isn't theirs."

"Heh, no wonder you look so lonely." Akira grinned, though his sarcasm could be felt in the air. "You're just anti-social."

"Nonsense." Horikita dismissed it before looking away and noticing a shelf, saying that the items were free. Up to three per month. "Free?"

"Maybe it's to help people who use up their points?" Ayanokoji wondered out loud himself, as he noticed the shelf himself.

"On top of 100,000 points a month? This school is quite indulgent."

While Akira didn't like Horikita already he did wonder exactly why they were giving out three items for free every month. If people were getting 100,000 points per month, every month, then why would the convenience store feel the need to give out items for free?

This school judges student's based on merit.

Chabashira-sensei's words rang in his mind, almost like a clue as to how this school works. He wasn't sure what she meant by that, but one thing is for sure. He definitely needed to ask her more about that during her free hours, instead of leaving it unchecked for it to bite him back in the ass.

"You're looking down on me! Huh!?"

'What?' He recognized that obnoxiously loud voice and turned to the doors outside the convenience store. He witnessed the red-haired delinquent from before shouting at somebody apparently.

But what surprised him was to see Tensei frowning, and looking...off.

'Tensei? Didn't he just leave for the animal shelter?'

And...I'm a dick! For leaving the story on a cliffhanger! I know, I know, but honestly, I think this works for me as a way to give you guys more consistent content without sacrificing quantity or quality. I may or may not post longer chapters from time to time, but I sincerely hope you guys enjoy it all the same.

Gotta thank my Beta and boy, TH3-VO1D for his proofreading skill and working with me on the story! I'm grateful for your cooperation!

I've been getting into COTE for a while now, and I'm still pretty new to the fandom and the story so if anything feels off or you guys have any suggestions you want to see in the story, then feel free to PM me about it, so long as you ask nicely I can consider it.

Welp, that's it for this post! This is the Maelstrom, and I'll see you on the horizon!