"Please take your seats."

I sat up straight on my seat as I heard the class settle down. Today was my first day at Kunugigaoka Junior High and I was way too bubbly this morning. I don't really have close friends; I'm someone most people know and invite for fun with a group but nobody would call themselves my best friend.

"Welcome to the new year. I am Sakaba Hebina. You may call me Sakaba-Sensei. I will be your homeroom teacher for the duration of the year. I will now begin introductions. When I call your name I want you to introduce yourself, tell us your rank in the entrance exam and something about yourself. Now, Amahare Kyosuke..." My new sensei droned on like this. I, of course, listened because information is a useful tool.

"Hara Kotone" And now it's my turn.

"My name is Kotone. I was ranked 10th in the exam. I enjoy music. I hope we get along." I said with a cheerful smile. It's just such an exciting day and I can't wait to meet all these interesting people.

The class continued on like this for awhile until the teacher gathered us for a tour of the facilities. He showed us all the equipment class-A was granted, the fire exits, our different classrooms and the auditorium where we met with the other class-A.

"Now class, the board chairman will now give you a speech for making it into class-A. Please pay attention, he is the founder of this school and an incredible person." He stated all this as fact. It may as well be.

'A great man may not be a good one.'

As I thought this a red haired man stepped on the stage and faced us (Middle aged, intelligent, has political sway, physically strong, and cunning; Threat. Has authority over you till you graduate. Do not engage).

I noticed that his eyes drifted to the front, where a red haired teenager bearing an uncanny resemblance to the man lingered, obviously leading the others.

Well, I found Asano Gakushu-san. He looks very smug, having already become the leader of class-1A in the first hour of school. (Arrogant, strong, intelligent, inferiority complex, child; Potential Threat)

He then started his speech.

"I welcome all of you to Kunugigaoka. You are all exceptional to not only pass the grueling entrance exam, but to thrive despite it. All those here have been chosen to succeed in life above the mediocre workers of the world. If you continue to study you will be privileged in this school, though if your grades slip to rock bottom you will be sent to E-class, former A-class member or not. If you ever fall in that trap it will be the end of your school career. It is the End-class after all. I expect all of you to rise to the challenge! You are the future of Japan, the future of the world! I look forward to see all of you exceed my expectations."

Flattery, intimidation and inspiration. I could see the others completely enthralled in his speech and body language. He was definitely a pro. Too bad I'm also a pro at bullshit. Research suggests that only a third of the students here will be in A-class come graduation. Still his son looked pretty annoyed that he managed to entrance all his followers. He was looking around himself in disgust of all those who watched his father. I hope he didn't notice me yawn.

I don't even bother pretending to be affected; I'm in the back of the crowd, their line of sight is blocked by the people in front me and I have no reason to hide. To them I would simply be a black sheep in a herd of white ones; not worth noticing since I'm no predator.

If I ever feel the need to show them I'm a wolf, no, a monster, then that is my own choice.

They can continue their power struggle; it is none of my business how they interact.

This is a waste of time.

Months passed in monotone. I was a friendly acquaintance with most of my class; I have 3 sort of best friends (sweet girls). I had no interaction with the other classes and I was maintaining my 10th place.

I was a genius in my last life, I have the knowledge I need to excel in any university of my choice. I'm still fluently multilingual so basically the only thing I suck at is history.

In school I was fixing my gap in knowledge and finally the moment I was waiting for was here; midterms. I'm aiming for first place; I need a little leeway, considering that in a month I'm auditioning at a talent agency to start my singing career.

-Later that week-

There was a commotion at the scores board. People were looking at the first place ranking in confusion as if wondering; who the hell is that?

Asano Gakushu POV

He was shocked.

Because his name was in second.

Some guy called Akabane tied with him, and now a fellow A-class student named Hara Kotone got first.

The same Kotone he thought was going to fail with how little interest she had in studying.

The Hara Kotone that never took notes, read novels then slept in all the classes except history beat him by 3 points with an almost perfect score.

1- Hara Kotone A-class 499pts.

2- Asano Gakushu A-class 496pts.

2-Akabane Karma C-class 496pts.

4-...

'Was she hiding her intelligence' were his first thoughts but he then realized that no one had asked for her score in tests since she's in the other class. No one thought to ask her since she has very little presence in the first place. She didn't have to hide; he ignored her since the beginning, and now it came to stab him in the back.

'Careless!'

Now that he thinks back on it, Hara never seems to struggle in tests, she's friendly enough but seems to always stick to her initial friends... What if what he thought was a lazy gait was in fact a stride of absolute confidence! How could he miss the signs! He was going to have to keep an eye on her, he will not lose again.

There she was!

He pasted a polite smile on his lips "Well done, Hara-san."

She was beaming.

"Thank you Asano-san! You did great as well!"

Now that he was analyzing her properly, he noticed that her hair was slightly more of a purple color than the boring brown he assumed, her eyes a bright brown color looked right at him with real joy at having ranked first and her hands had calluses... an instrument perhaps?

More importantly, how did he miss this! This isn't just her attitude, he even misjudged her physical appearance which made his instincts sit up in alarm and take notice.

That just wasn't normal.

He swears that he will get to the bottom of this...

"Asano-san, are you alright?" There was something about her voice as well...

Right, he should probably stop staring now shouldn't he?

"I will strive to win next time." He vaguely challenged.

"I'm sure you will Asano-san, though I don't think that this will happen too often. I will, after all, be busy very soon." She replied with an edge of mischief.

Her words confused him but before he could question her she was already walking away from him.

What the hell.

End of chapter.