Got a good weekend: Exams are over, got exempted from Computer Exam because I topped it, got a 3-day weekend with 2 more coming, and the internet's back! I feel like celebrating with a new chapter with multiple perspectives.
Shina Kina - Owned by Twirltheflag
Others more will follow for diversity.
The Motive and the Motivation.
"I think you and I are gonna get along juuust fine." Shina took satisfaction when the Goth boy recoiled, he definitely didn't expect her to say that at all. She really loves it when she gets a reaction from people whenever she says something, whether it ends up with people agreeing with her, or just gone pissed off because they were wrong. But the flustered looks, surprised shock, or just caught off-guard were the best ones ever.
"Hey, you two over there, be quiet." The Advisor reprimanded, hearing the podium being slammed a few times as a warning.
She felt a vein explode, Shina didn't really have a wide patience when it comes to bullshit, and she lost her limit the sooner she heard the homeroom teacher's voice. Using a fucking monotone to send a warning, the stupidity of it was almost unbelievable. How does that even work!?
Just as she was about to flip him off, the podium suddenly fell apart, the nails dislodging and the wood cracking the sooner she landed her eyes on it before she could land her glare on him. Now she was frozen on the spot, a pre-glare frozen on her face and her middle finger curled upwards from her fist, watching the construction fall apart until it ran out of joints and nails to untangle.
Everybody was very silent, watching the sudden occurrence with slight surprise. They knew how sucky their equipment was, but to this extent….it was almost unbelievable that even that much impact could cause a demolition.
The silence was immediately broken when several students started coughing from the dust that erupted from the table's untimely collapse, that didn't serve as a mild thing, however, to the ones allergic to it. As the dust practically became a sandstorm that it reached even the back of the class because of the open window that had a strong wind blowing, they were coughing or sneezing instantaneously. Nonetheless the Pink-haired girl gave a forced laugh and a forced smile at the spectacle that happened while the blonde frowned on the new factor that would make her impression of F-Class even worse.
To a few displeased students, they were reminded of one thing once again:
Their equipment was so crappy.
"I'll get a new table to replace it. Please be patient." The teacher monotonously said as he left the classroom.
The door closed.
*BANG!*
A bitter fist was sent flying towards a rusted, metal locker door, creating a very loud metallic explosion practically similar to the magnitude of a car crash, certainly surprising several students, if not the entire classroom. A weak hearted few nearly jumped out of their skin, Mizuki practically leapt to the air with a loud yelp, the first girl of F-Class reacted the same way, and Akihisa literally jumped to his feet. The sturdiest among them only reacted with a crinkle of their faces, specifically Yuuji and Shina. Hideyoshi merely winced and Kouta whipped his head to the source as a disguise for his surprise.
A second metallic and less louder 'clang' followed before everyone looked at the source of the sudden eruption. For one they see a locker door lying on the floor, somehow removed from its respective locker (and having a very obvious metal dent on the base that could no one could doubt to be knuckles). Secondly, they see a pale boy with poorly kept anger underneath raven-black bangs that was Rino with his left hand reared back against where the locker door should be before it was on the floor.
They stared before they talked amongst themselves about how surprised they were or sent complaints towards the man, or just gave simple glares, oblivious to the seething rage he blew out on the locker door that fell.
"….Twice this happened." The irate boy hissed to himself as he stood up and picked up the detached locker door before placing it atop the lockers alongside the first locker he detached. He was well-reminded of how lousy the F-Class was when he saw the podium collapse just by 4 lethargic slaps on the surface. And he didn't take it well, just like the other details he found. First, the worst classroom; second, the most annoying blonde he ever met; third, the teacher; and fourth, the classroom, again.
Shina glared hard at Rino before turning away and face palming with a grumbled sigh. "This classroom's basically fucked up." She said to herself without so much as muttering it for exclusion, unsure who to refer in general; whether it's the classroom itself, or the people in it. Probably both, she thought with slight admittance.
Knowing that the locker won't slip off and cause another ruckus by an accidental fall, Rino stepped back and inspected the overall damage of the entire rusted locker. Excluding the two locker doors that had been detached, he didn't really expect to make art: he made a spider web pattern of dent lines covering nearly half the entirety of 3 other lockers with the doorless locker as the center. He was surprised himself. He knew about rage empowering physical strength, but not to this extent just because of childish bitterness.
He sighed hoarsely, rubbing his red knuckles from the late-arriving pain that was actually held down by rage before it was sapped out. Walking over to the window, he leaned his back against the windowsill and allowed cool wind to lower the irate temperature of his body to the cool and sickly cold, his normal (abnormal) body temperature.
Rino was starting to lose his patience with the F-Class, stupidity presenting itself one after another, growing stupider after another. The details: Absolute idiot Yoshii Akihisa, advisor Fukuhara Shin, and lastly, some woman who thinks she can pry her own nose in his personals—all these just blatantly annoyed the fuck out of him.
He clicked his tongue inside his throat; the first day of school never felt so dreadful.
Just why was I even here in the first place?
He cursed himself for even asking, the reason why was another detail of this classroom that he damned so much above all else.
Just what is it that I could even consider 'good' here? He asked himself, desperate for a positive attitude to take over his mindset as a coping mechanism to give the class tolerance before his rebellious soul eats away his good will to even consider. If he was to consider a good detail, even if slightly, just for himself in the midst of all the stupidity this classroom had, it was Kina Shina.
She was an interesting woman. That's for sure.
Being a Filipino, everybody was born with black hair and brown/baby-white skin. Rino cannot doubt that he had been born the same way, but the color of his skin now from the skin he was born with almost made him forget that he ever had brown skin before.
Most blonde hairs he had seen in life was a goddamn poser, dyed and unnatural. Every yellow hair seen, here or in his country, was a damn fake, too blind or just unable to admit how beautiful his/her originality was.
This one was indeed different, and it's not a joke. Kina Shina's hair was undoubtfully natural, and she is no doubt bearing the genes of a blonde human, the light colored skin an indication to his theory. One of her parents must definitely be an American while the other a Japanese.
Her height came as confetti, popping along with the surprise. Average Filipino heights are bordered between 4'11" and 5'9", Japanese being just higher by a touch. It made Rino the tallest among other fellow Filipinos and maybe a few Japanese people, it was easy to conclude that he had never met a woman no taller than 5'6" because of that natural height border, regardless of both nationalities.
But it was still a surprise, no matter how exaggerated it is to be so when he thinks about it. She was a Towering woman by 5'10". As she had walked inside the classroom with a lazy stride earlier, Rino cannot bear down his amazement at her height. If he would compare heights with her, she would probably be at his nose's level or lip. She wasn't at Rep's level where he had nearly reached his eyes/eyebrows but she was the tallest woman he had ever seen in his entire lifetime. Her skin was a definite pale white, natural and effortlessly earned.
It supported the assumptions he had that she definitely has American blood flowing in her system.
She was an eccentric one, however. Rino wondered if it was because of interracial mixture of genes that had caused the oddity. She was wide mouthed with sarcasm, wordplay, and down-to-earth VERY unbearable. Such disposition with words cannot fit the other good features belonging to the admittedly pretty woman. Those grey blue eyes of hers, framed by the black rectangular glasses she wore for better sight was a very wide window to her honest soul. While her gaze appeared cool and collected at the eyes of passersby, it hid a very obvious glee of mischief beneath the depths of those irises, years of reading peoples intentions for safety measures ensured no flaw. She was a presumptuous one too, well-prepared and careful. The unknown black fabric that Rino caught a glimpse off underneath her skirt was no other than tight compression shorts used for additional modesty, very understandable.
She was interesting, and brazenly annoying. That won't change, most probably; no doubt.
But still interesting. He thought with a frown, not liking the least of it.
Fixing his stare to the locks of pink hair (without the turn of his head) that continued to converse with the idiotic Yoshii Akihisa, Rino's stare turned into a glare and a different anger arrived, causing the cool temperature of his body to rise in a way that he never felt the chill from the window. The mere sight of her and the mere mention of her name in any way simply caused a rage to burn.
What she did, what she had done, everything that had happened because of her—him being forced to F-Class and his plans ruined because of impulse—an impulse that he never thought would have done when he thought he had finally given up on other people. And it angered him.
Rino hated Mizuki.
It was not a mutual feeling but it wasn't long-lived since either.
It was a fresh born hatred, new and simple. It was at a bad time did it have to happen for him to hate her, and it ended the way he never wanted it to be.
He didn't realize it. Not at all.
He couldn't believe what he just did.
Why did he let himself get himself affected by the commotion?
Why did he gave mind to the situation?
Why didn't he ignore?
Why did he do that?
Why did it get to his head?
Why did it bother him that she will have a zero when she leaves the classroom to rest?
Why did the proctor's words cause him to burn on the inside so much that he wanted to lash out on him?
Rino had questions, but he found out that he didn't really need answers, so he ignored them all. He was occupied at the moment of acquainting himself with his hatred for her.
He ruined it all, just from a damn impulse did he lose everything. He lost his chance to be in A-Class, he failed his own plans, he ruined his chance to have classes together with his sister. He ruined it all. That wasn't supposed to happen. No one even expected that, no one did. It was already done before he could think it over and he regretted it since then. When he tried to replay the memory, it only gave him a remedy of burning hatred. When he remembered that what he done was impulsive, it was the thing he condemned to fucking hell. He could have thought otherwise about this school's system, but the sight of her just gives Rino enough reason to blame everything on her.
Those innocuous eyes. That weak voice and frail body. Her shy disposition. And a damn aura drawing a sense of protectiveness on people, even him. Such spiteful details. He never pitied anyone, especially someone he never knew. How was the damn child's well-being becoming his concern at the time?
It was her fault.
It was all Himeji Mizuki's fault. She ruined it. She ruined it. It was her fault. All of it. Because of her, he got thrown in the F-Class. Because of her, Meiko will be all on her own in the classroom. Because of her, he had nothing but this shitstorm of a classroom. Because of her, he will not enter everything had been fine, if he had just ignored it, if she had just watched her health, not of it would've happened. She couldn't have fainted,he would not have destroyed his own paper, he would not have been in F-Class.
He never would have left Meiko alone.
Fuck!
Why did this happen?
Why she was in F-Class was unjustifiable, yet she doesn't say anything in defense.
"…..Weak….."
She just submitted and listened to someone else's words.
"….Bastardous….."
And she was pathetically weak, in SO MANY ASPECTS!
"…Brat…..!"
~~~~~ « ҉» ~~~~~
Shina felt another presence arrive, just beside her and she heard the sound of someone kneeling on the tatami mat. She opened her closed eyes and turned her head to the right, meeting eye contact with the girl with the maroon hair and ponytail. She had to admit, she had a really nice pair of sharp green eyes.
"Hi, I'm Shimada Minami, I came from Germany but I speak Japanese very well. But I probably wouldn't do a good job if there is kanji." The girl that was now Shimada Minami greeted cheerfully.
"Then that's probably why you're here." Shina was just trying to make a harmless guess together with a remark, but the way she portrayed that sentence made the words synonymous to a passive-aggressive insult. Fortunately, Shina wasn't finished. "You couldn't read the kanji on the test, right?" She finished manner-of-factly.
Minami stared before nodding, "Yes, thank you for understanding." She said with mixed feelings, unsure how to react besides appreciating it.
"If I were to guess, your best would probably be math, right?" Shina guessed nonchalantly, almost sounding rhetorical, as if she knew about it before.
The bow on her ponytail twitched in delight, "Yes! How'd you know I was good at math?"
She locked her dyed right bangs on her ear, which didn't reach and it just hung over her forehead once again, almost covering the right eyebrow. "Well, since you're not good with kanji and that jazz, I figured you'd be good at something that doesn't have any kind of kanji symbol in it. So, yeah."
The redhead looked impressed. "How about you? Are you good at math?" Minami asked, being here in Japan for only a year and a half she wouldn't recognize the reputation of the blonde's last school like most of the others in the room had.
"Oh yeah," Shina answered, the pride in her voice was poorly hidden. "I took a semester's worth of geometry and I got me an 81. The rest of the chumps in my last class didn't even get close to that."
"Wow, you're probably better at math than me." Minami remarked, her yellow bow rising upwards, almost like excited doggy ears.
The blonde felt her cheeks flush a little at the sight and for the compliment, she looked away, "Thanks." She faced the German girl again. "How 'bout Eigo? You good at it?" Considering that she was a returnee, she should at least have some fluency with something international.
"No." Minami shook her head. "I was poor with English words and Japanese words when I transferred here last year."
Shina's eyes widened in surprised, "You've been here for only a year?"
"And a half." Minami added.
"And you managed to speak so naturally and fluently." Shina carefully scanned over the redhead's appearance, there was something off here, with the features of her face and all. "You're not really German, are you, Minami?"
"Mm mm, no." She shook her head, the ponytail swinging back and forth. "More like I was born Japanese but raised in Germany, I'm half-German, I guess." She explained, trailing off with uncertainty.
Shina sighed in relief and tilted her head back a little.
"Why do you look so relieved?" Minami asked.
"Oh, nothing~"
No way was she gonna blurt out how grateful she was for Minami not bothered about her first name being mentioned on the first meetings.
She faced Minami again, her head supported by her right shoulder that was raised up by her hand against the floor to support her leaning position, her fishtail braid hanging from the right side of her head. "How'd you make it, you know, coping with a change of environment?"
Minami's answer was a sudden redness of the face and her head hung downwards to hide it. Shina's logic might have figured out a few hints from the reaction, but not the exact answer. It drew her suspicions rather, what happened exactly that made the half-German girl cope with change so easily?
Shina haven't noticed till now but there were 2 other people now beside her and facing her, one was a girly specimen wearing a male's uniform, and the other was a boy with a short stature and had blue hair.
"'Sup." She simply greeted, sitting up straight and looking at them both, not really sure how to act in this situation. Being somebody from another school, she sure is gathering some attention. Probably because I'm from fucking Nanokawa. She guessed angrily, she wasn't really happy going there.
The cross dresser bowed, "Aye, thee name's Kinoshita Hideyoshi. Beside me is Tsuchiya Kouta, we took a liking to nickname him 'Mutsurinii'." The guy stated, it was not visible but she noticed the hint of a deep tone in his voice showed that this one was a guy that looked too hot to be one. If anyone else didn't have analytical ability improved to a level like hers, they would be fooled.
"…hm." Kouta nodded, the only greeting the man could ever give.
"May ye not be angry if I hath offended thee for asking but why hath thou suffered the fate of being an F-Class dame despite having thy knowledge nourished from the elite hands of Nanokawa Academy personnel?" Hideyoshi asked.
"None taken," That was a lie, there was absolutely no way for her to stay calm for such a reason. Lifting her hand to lower her glasses down a little to pinch her nose bridge, she steeled herself for an oncoming headache, "I didn't take the test." She stated simply, as if it was stated on the television. She was about to blow, yet she said it in such an enumerative manner. Does she always get used to her predicaments that easily that she always sounds like it doesn't bother her in the least bit?
"W-why?" Minami asked, wanting the explanation with a frown.
She gruffly sighed in disappoint. "Simple, I didn't like the hierarchy this school had." She answered, the emphasis was a little too strong for comfort. "Don't you see? You're being treated according to your grades and I don't like it." The emphasis was strong like the first one as well. "You wanna know what I think, I think it is probably—no, way worse than child abuse, child labor, cruel and unusual punishment, some other crap!" She ranted, speaking in an obviously forced calm tone. Hideyoshi can definitely tell that she was actually very angry inside, he was starting to grow worried that he had offended her so bad for bringing up something so touchy. Taking a deep breath she finished with a more calm tone, "Of course, not taking the test is a result to an immediate 0 and so, here I am, suffering the fate as an 'F-Class dame'." Bitterly and angrily, she said it. "Not that I'm mad at you, though." She added, assuring Hideyoshi that she didn't take it the wrong way. It was part of him after all, she shouldn't be mad at such a personal thing.
The trio surrounding Shina that listened tentatively to her stared in silence, compassion sometimes crossed their faces (save for Hideyoshi's poker face but he was indeed compassionate for her case).
The silence was broken when a gruff voice came, "A girl with gumption; I like it. I think it'll help us for what I've planned."
Mildly surprised (except for Minami, she nearly jumped), they stared up at the sudden appearance of their class president, looming over them thanks to his great basketball player height. She saw him walk out the classroom with the brown haired guy beside Mizuki, how he managed to get in the classroom without anybody noticing him coming in from the door was beyond what Shina's logic could figure out.
The door didn't even make a sound. How did he get inside?
Shina stared at the redhead, confused, "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked.
He smirked along with a wink, gesturing like he was saying 'you'll see' secretly.
Fukuhara Shin has returned, carrying with him a new podium, he was having a hard time dragging it in.
~~~~~ « ҉» ~~~~~
"….I am Shimuya Rino. Do not bother asking how I got here if you know what reputation I had."
I sat down afterwards, not willing to know if these people cared or not. That way, I managed the proper tone necessary to gratify the impression of a very cold and arrogant man on my image. I must remain unapproachable. The last thing I ever wanted for this classroom is when people started question why I am here. Much less when they all began insulting me with the information they know about me. Falling into a fierce fit is something I more or less support happening to me, being in this classroom is worse enough.
The self-introduction goes on, there's only Rep to be the last one.
Right after a boy by the name of Sugawa Ryou introduced himself, it is now Rep's turn.
"Sakamoto, you are the last one." Sir Fukuhara Shin said in that unbelievably monotone voice again, it was almost infuriating every time I hear it.
"Roger."
Rep stood up as he answered the teacher's call, carrying with him his air and dignity as our representative as he walked towards the podium and stood behind it. Once there he shall formally state his name and proceed with a speech, a usual required task to do for the class representative.
"Sakamoto is the class representative for Class F, right?" Sir Fukuhara asked Rep monotonously (oi, that voice).
Rep gave a nod as an answer.
The air around Rep began to shift, from implied idiocy to supremacy, almost instantaneously that he was not the same person I saw 30 or more minutes ago. He appeared to be looking down on us as if he was noble and was beyond an idiot like Yoshii Akihisa.
"I am the class representative of Class F, Sakamoto Yuuji. You can either call me Sakamoto or 'rep' or whatever." He seemed to have an important matter with us, very important as to even rush over the formalities and into the point. "I have a question for everyone."
It was noisy for a while, then slowly it became silent. Then air of the situation grew grimmer, then slowly that silence came a sign that everyone should be paying full DAMN attention to what Rep is going to say. And he just managed to do gather everyone's just by staring into each pair of eyes present in this room, especially mine.
When he gathered all of our attention he panned his eyes throughout the entirety of the classroom, I found out he was causing us to feel a certain emotion because of the following:
-the decrepit state of this classroom
-the smell of mildew that I never expected to exist inside a student classroom
-the sorry 'tables and chairs' that was the chabudai and the worn-out cushions
The bitterness and hate came flowing back for the third time, and I could feel that nearly everyone in this room felt the same way, I could feel it. The air is stiff with their bitterness and anger.
After the silence, he finally asked, "Are you satisfied with all this?"
Without thought and my pent-up frustrations triggered, I slammed my fist to the floor with all my might that I shattered it and unknowingly screamed, "FUCK NO!"
Alongside my approval, every displeased soul in this classroom shouted with their personal verbal disagreement (even Shina). I could not believe how loud we were, I would not be surprised if the entire school filed a noise complaint against us.
"So am I," Rep continued, his willpower and charisma began to show, and it was so outstanding that I had not expected it from him at all. "I'm only here for an hour and a half but I'm extremely fed up with our situation already."
"That's right!"
"No matter how cheap the school fee is, it is unthinkable to let us use such equipment! We must tell the school to improve it!"
"We pay the same fees as Class A does, but the treatment is too different!"
Numerous complaints followed from every other student here. For once, I fully agree with every word they say.
"I can't stand it anymore, guys!" Rep growled, leaning against the podium with his hands. "We are the lowest of the school!"
"OOUUUGHHHHH!"
"The trash of the school!"
"OOUUUGHHH!"
"The sort of garbage that not a single one gives a damn about us and our existence!"
"OOUUUGHHH!"
What the fuck is going on?
Why the hell was he insulting us, and why was everybody agreeing with what he is saying?
"Now that we are all second-years, we can finally fight back!" Rep received ripples of agreements. "Let us declare it! Let us the declare the first Exam Summoning Battle!"
Everyone cheered once again, and my spirits were rose.
Finally, the one thing I have been waiting for has arrived. I thought for Rep to wait for a while but I guess not, we are immediately rushing to the action, even on the first day. And I will not miss this chance, not even at the cost of my life. A chance for me to see what the worth of all the test papers I answered are for, a chance to finally try the ESB for the real thing, and a chance for this class to show themselves.
"Um, guys?" An uncertain voice called out, each of us turned our attention to Shina, who raised her hand and her face very perplexed to confusion. "Could someone fill me up on what the hell is going on? What's this thing about a war, in a school?"
Ah, yes. She schooled from a different school in her 10th grade. It was understandable she would not know a thing about Fumitzuki Academy's Summoning System, but could she just have read into about this ahead before she enrolled into this school? Everyone might have to be thankful that she did not commence herself to begin panicking and instead inquired about it, If she had not known better than to make presumptions about what Rep was doing, she might be thinking that a stroke of violence similar to a gang war was about to commence inside school grounds. Now that is horrifying, even for me.
"Oh yeah. You ain't from this school before. What's your name again?" Rep asked, his voice switched to a tone that seemed conversation-wise.
"Kina Shina."
"Well, Kina. What do you know about this school? Anything you know, even if it's the smallest detail, tell me." He ordered.
Shina frowned in thought, processing her memories into words before speaking them, "You guys summon miniature beings called 'Shoukanjuu's'….?"
He nodded, "Okay, go on."
Shina began scratching her hair, the visible sign of frustration showing for not finding the right words or information. Eventually she sighed, "Eh, that's pretty much all I know. Didn't really look up what this school was, I just jumped and enrolled right away the sooner I saw it."
Rep nodded in understanding, "Right. Now, we don't just summon them, we use them to fight against other students' Shoukanjuus." He stated, his voice clear and controlled in pace so Shina can be better informed. "With the use of our grades, in selective subjects or overall, they serve as the Shoukanjuus' strength. Think of it like an RPG game, where the each class is one big guild and everyone here has their own characters and builds."
The way he portrayed the summoning system had me reminisce the excitement I get whenever I had bought a new PC game and was dying to play it as soon as possible. I was very proud of myself for choosing this school. The youthful boys in my country would do anything to try this system, much so to have this in their schools. If possible, I will support anything that could grant the possibilities. My friends will love this, maybe the little brothers at home will too.
Shina's eyes shined with wonder and great interest, "Awesome, how do you make it hit something?" She asked eagerly, like she was a youngster asking someone how to make a canine do tricks. It seems that she has the same eager fighting spirit as me.
Rep's eyes widened, as if he remembered something important that was never to be forgotten at any price. "Oh right, we haven't seen your Shoukanjuu yet. You weren't even trained for it yet either." He muttered, placing his fingers to his chin as he pondered. I easily saw his doubt, he thinks that Shina's avatar has not been gratified yet.
I think not.
"….Her Shoukanjuu is created the sooner she takes a test." I stated in a matter-of-factly manner, loud enough so Rep could hear. "I asked about it in our training day from the teachers." I added to assure him that the information I share is not flawed and can be trusted.
Considering the nature of the Summoning System (being a game and all) I gathered as much information from that day from every teacher, I even asked for tips. How to effectively move the feet for easy sidestepping and arched jumping (doing this move without any idea on properly how, it would just end up making the being falling flat on its face), how to move a single limb without moving the entire body along with it (a common occurrence), I was even informed tips and hints about how to win even with the weakest subject in the play. The streak of 10 wins was a testament of my efforts. Though I went no further than 10 fights, I do not want to risk losing. I am not conceited in any way but, just once, I want to hold pride in being undefeated.
Rep nodded knowingly at me for the information, "Thanks, now she just needs some training, maybe she could handle it on her—"
I cut him off, "….That is not problem," I directed my stare to Shina before I finished my sentence. "She seems to have the ability to adapt to any situation, and quickly she will learn to control her own avatar in the field of the fight." I listened in to her conversation with the Shimada girl, eavesdropping was never my intention, I swear. From Shina's words, I was given the impression that her logic was impressively above-average, assuming anything without hesitation and was actually correct. Annoying as she was, she can take advantage of her logical ability to adapt to controlling her avatar easily.
I could tell that compliments were not common to Shina, I could see a faint blush on her cheeks but she managed to keep my attention diverted from her partially-flustered state with a smile. "Gee thanks, man." It worked.
I looked straight forward and Rep was smirking deviously, the sight of it unsettled me.
What is going on?
Just what is happening to me? How was this Class Rep causing me to feel unsettled?
Barely anything ever unsettles me before. I can stand up against my offenders, my hands would never shake in fear, my mind was settled for violence, and always plan to display even more violence than necessary. In the state of an accident or incident, I never bat an eye as long as it does not involve me. The only times I would ever worry was when it involved my family. Why was the class representative of the lowest class causing a distortion to my state of mind just by mere expressions?
"That settles it." Rep declared, switching back to the original topic. "With our forces together, we can make it through. I promise that."
The class looked at each other, murmuring to each other and clear doubt pasted on their expressions.
"Is that even possible?"
"Even if we gang up on one A-Class student we'd still lose."
"We got no hope against the smartest class."
Doubtful statements rang throughout the room, I am starting to reconsider my words about them being cocky idiots. These people had enough self-awareness to notice the difference of grades and strength between classes. I had demeaned these people too cruelly. The wise man would not say he is wise, after all.
Noticing the doubts he spoke up, "Rest assured, I have my own theories." Rep circled around the podium and stood in front of it. For once, his role as a class representative really imposed here. Considering our kneeling and squat positions, he absolutely loomed over us with pure dominance as our leader. Almost as if his title as our Class Representative made it natural, we felt small under his stare. "We got our own secret weapons." Rep said with the most daring smile I ever seen him use.
…..
"Mutsurinii, how long are you gonna peak under Himeji's skirt?"
A flustered *squeak!* rang after Rep said those words. I looked over the woman who squeaked and I saw Tsuchiya shaking his head violently while Himeji, who impersonated a squirrel, was pressing her skirt down even further than necessary. Looking at the grey haired boy's left cheek, it was marked with diagonal lines. Was it my imagination or were the lines on the tatami mat similar to his cheek?
Was he looking up her skirt? In plain eye sight? In front of her? And I did not even notice?
I was too focused on Rep that I hardly paid attention to my surroundings. If I had noticed him doing that I would have thrown my table at his head while he was doing his 'business'. Unfortunately, Rep was too 'merciful'.
Rep spoke again, "Guys, this is the famous Mutsurinii. Tuschiya Kouta."
The man Tsuchiya "Mutsurinii" Kouta was shaking his head violently again.
"He is THE Muttsurini..."
"How's that possible? Muttsurini looks like THIS?"
"But there's the evidence. He was brazenly peeping!"
"Well, he does live up to his name!"
Words of acknowledgement and shock rang out among the other males as if they were seeing a secret internet hacker's face up close.
And he was still violently shaking his head.
Moreover, what the hell is a 'Mutsurinii'?
Himeji seems to have the same question as well. She may have her back facing me but her tilted head was evident to her confusion.
"We also have high hopes for Himeji. Everybody knows she's good."
"Um, were you talking about me?" Himeji was surprised to hear her name being mentioned.
"Yep, and I look forward to your performance."
I sighed with a grudge, I hate to say it but if this class was to declare an Exam Summoning Battle, there is no one but her who can be entrusted the hardest fight, one of them included taking on Kirishima Shouko. Last year she was not a salutatorian, she was the valedictorian's rival. I have seen her summoned beast in training: It was fantasy games come alive; it definitely holds massive power.
But I have better control on my avatar than her, if she and I are to fight….
She will die.
"You're right; we have Himeji on our side!"
"If she's here, we won't lose to those nerds from Class A."
"Nothing matters as long as she's here."
Words of support are given to her—this class trusts her too easily. Who knows when she would finally fall despite her grades rivaling the valedictorian?
"We also have Kinoshita Hideyoshi."
"Me?"
I looked over to the Kinoshita boy. I frowned over Rep's words, pondering what capability did this boy had that could benefit the war. He claimed no excellence of knowledge in all subjects.
"I hope you guys remember Shimuya Rino, we got another A-Class candidate in our hands." Rep said and he pointed his hand to me.
Oh god, the stares.
Everyone in this room is looking at me, I noted the Kinoshita for the blush on his face, I could tell that he was thinking of what I asked of him earlier. He did confirm (and I regret asking such an embarrassing question), but I still feel skeptical.
"He's smart as well?"
"How was he in the F-Class?"
"Wasn't there a Shimuya Rino in the honor roll before?"
"Cool, we have another one with A-Class ability in the class."
Hearing all these words referring me, I could not resist lowering my head. I think my face is heating, damn it. I do not like compliments.
"There's still the Nanokawa kid, Kina over there. She still gotta show off some." Rep said, looking at Kina with a smile.
"Oh, you'd be surprised." Shina said coolly, returning the smile along with a flip of her braid over her shoulder with her hand. Besides the conceited nature displayed, she looked so eager, severely contradicting the last person she was when we conversed.
"If your smarts are really what the school speaks of then you, Himeji and Rino are the main offensive forces together."
Hrrhgl!
Do not put me together with her, Sakamoto Yuuji…..!
"Of course I'll give it my best shot." He added.
Ignoring his given plan, I trust Rep's competence fully. I just need to see it for myself just how capable he is of controlling an army consisting of idiots and kids with unusual quirks that are likely to cause a storm in any given chance.
"Wasn't Sakamoto a 'child prodigy' when he was in elementary?"
"Does that mean he wasn't feeling well during the placement test, like Himeji?"
"Then we have three people with Class A ability in our class."
….Well. Now I am very, very intrigued. I was daring to criticize these people that achievements earned in elementary do not follow your high school life, but I think that does not apply to Rep. He showed the idealistic qualities of a leader one would expect. He gave these people confidence with nothing but words necessary to raise even the most lethargic new recruit to life (Me). The morale of every person here, especially me, was raised to a full maximum just by the mention of good components in the fight. We had the confidence to beat the highest section, and all that came from an F-Class student's mouth?
You know what? Screw it.
I surrender, I pledge everything, my skills, my grades, and my rage to Sakamoto Yuuji. I will assist my leader in any way that I could, and I will do anything to make his aim fulfilled. In this decision, I hope for the sweetest taste of victory when we destroy the A-Class.
Oh Yes!
Rep spoke again. "Also, we have Yoshii Akihisa."
…...
The morale of the class instantly dropped at the mention of that idiot's name.
The total silence in the atmosphere magnified the total loss of our motivational momentum, just what could that idiot possibly do?
"Wait a second, Yuuji! Why do you want to mention my name now!? There is no need for it!" The person in question, that was Yoshii Akihisa, protested as he stood up.
"'Yoshii Akihisa'? Who's that?"
"Never heard of him."
And his name was already forgotten, even after roll call.
"You see! The great morale is gone. I'm not like Yuuji and the others; I'm just a normal student—" Yoshii Akihisa was silenced the sooner he noticed the fierce glare Rep shot at him, that particular glare would have made a lion know its place – a mere cat. "Why are you glaring at me?"
Ignoring the protest of his friend he continued. "If you don't know, then let me tell you this!" Rep gave another one of his devious smirks and points at Yoshii with a tanned finger. "His title is the 'Kansatsu Shobunsha'!"
The face Yoshii made was similar to a person who had his secret exposed like he was the person who took a shit at someone's lawn.
"To be frank, isn't that a milder word for 'idiot'?" Someone said bluntly. Was that Shina who just spoken?
"N-no! That's just a small nickname for a sixteen-year-old playful teenager."
"Yes, it is another word for 'idiot'." Rep agreed, to my surprise.
"Don't just agree with them, you dumbass!"
I exhaled sharply, remembering the details under the title.
I always avoid things like this but unfortunately it managed to carve itself to my head the sooner my curiosity killed me by having myself asking questions. The 'Kansatsu Shobunsha', they were talking about, is placed on students' who have trouble studying, or just basically dumb. It translates to Probate Student; Probationary Student; Student under watch, the most common is the 'Punishment Bearer/Inspector'.
Such a spiteful detail, I should have given it deadma.
"Excuse me. Can you tell me what it means exactly?" Himeji asked politely. This child is too sheltered from the reality of this school to even know what is a 'Punishment Bearer' and what the fate of one is.
So innocent. So spiteful.
Rep took the liberty of explaining to her, "Simply put, it's a student who does odd jobs for the teachers. Their Beings has the privilege of being able to touch physical objects, so it can help out with work."
…I think I am sheltered as well.
I did not know that last detail at all. The title aside, I think the Summoned Being itself belonging to Yoshii, who was the Punishment Bearer, was a wonderful privilege itself, if not the best. Common Avatars do not have the ability to touch anything at all. Simply put, they were ghosts or phantoms with swords and armor. They could pass through walls and can only touch, hit, and hurt other beings. Understandable so it can reduce collateral damage and injuries when a fight is ensuing, the system sure was organized and prepared, even in the oddest setting.
It could be possible that his Avatar was the first Living Demon to walk the concrete floors while the rest of the student's avatar's, especially mine, are practically holograms walking on the 'Phantom Floors' so they could stand up erect instead of sinking in the cement. If Yoshii's avatar is the only unique one who can indeed touch anything and can be touched physically, I wonder what the advantages and disadvantages it has.
"Oh, I see, that's magnificent! I heard that the Beings aren't only cute but also have incredible powers. Being able to touch normal objects is pretty convenient." Himeji commented, gazing at Yoshii with admiring eyes.
She might have missed a few details behind what she said, and most probably 89 percent of people here did as well.
Back before in my 1st year, I asked all the questions that I could ever think of and listened like the perfect student when a discussion about the summoning system began. Apparently, all this information came out of the Principal's mouth and I was the only one to exclusively hear a few details almost classified: EVERY summoned being the students in this school owned, especially the ones in F-Class, are the STRONGEST living beings that ever existed to exceed the strength of the largest animal and speed of the fastest animal. Something such as crushing a brick with a bare hand was like snapping a twig to them.
These beings were otherworldly created with the help of science. One interesting yet ominous detail shared was that this summoning system was an ACCIDENT. While it seemed like a stroke of luck for teachers, the first thing that came to mind was the conclusion that the theory of the purpose of the system being a fitting motivation for students to study might have been a cover-up. The summoned beasts might have been an accidental summoning because of Black Magic. Either an occult practice or experimentation, disastrous or with purpose, it might have been a smart move to use the summoning system as a simulation of a game, along with the move to make all the Summoned Beasts in a ethereal state. No one might have known if the avatars would have lost control and caused destruction. Sounds interesting, I might ask more questions to the principal about this sooner or later. I need to learn more about this accident.
From the information that Yoshii is PHYSICALLY existent (and not bio-technically like all other students) it is possible that his Shoukanjuu can be the most potent human shaped battering ram the size of a small stool ever created that could destroy the school effortlessly. Not to mention all these beings were the size of a 9-month old infant.
One hell of an advantage Yoshii had. I never expected F-Class to be so full of surprises.
Some student asked. "Wait a minute; since he is the 'Punishment Bearer', then if his Shyoukanjuu was hit by someone then he would feel the pain as well?"
…
That is a hell of a disadvantage as well. Should it be taken as compensation since a physically existent (not to mention a nearly omnipotent) being could be created from the hands of an idiot like him?
"Don't worry about it. A worthless lowlife like him is no more a liability than he is an asset." Rep said nonchalantly. That was a bit too blunt for anyone's comfort, especially to me.
"Yuuji, that does not help at all." Yoshii commented.
"Anyway, to show our strength, I plan to conquer D Class first." The redhead declared.
"What!? You can't just ignore me like that!"
"….Hm." Funny pair. My time in F-Class would certainly be interesting and never tedious with these two in the vicinity.
But for now, let us put that aside for now, there is a war to fight. And at my side were numerous pawns and very eccentric people with the most unexpected perks of ability, and we are following the orders of a seemingly idiotic yet not-idiotic person who happens to be our leader.
"Everyone is dissatisfied with the current situation, right?" Rep asked once again.
"HELL YEAH!"
Without even thinking, I was joining the agreement.
"What we want is the systematic tables and chairs from Class A, not the chabudai!"
"Of course!"
Others began to add in their bitter words. Using such a loud voice on the first day of school, alongside a few shouting people, it was a first for me, and it felt pleasant. But I neither cared about that, besides me are the classmates that shared my bitterness and now we shall share the opportunity to fight back and prove who we really are.
"Then everyone, take your pen in your hand; we are preparing for battle!"
"Uuuooo...!"
"U-uuuooo...!"
"UUUUOOOOHHHH!"
All of us roared a thousand battle cries, my excitement growing intense with theirs. Deep inside me, I think my face is starting to contort from all the effort to keep the smile off my face. Anymore and I might forever lose my unsmiling image forever.
"Akihisa, declare war on the class we talked about in the corridor. You must succeed at his, even at the cost of your life!" Rep ordered Yoshii Akihisa, because of the momentum of his delivery on his motivational speech he sounded really demanding.
"But, won't they beat on the lower class's messenger?" Akihisa asked, worried.
"Don't worry; they won't hurt you. Just act like you were forced to go." Rep assured.
"Really?"
"Of course! Who do you think I am?" He answered confidently. "Just trust me bro; I would never lie to a friend." And that last sentence left no room for any arguments.
Unsurprisingly, he nodded. "OK, leave it to me."
"I'm counting on you."
As he departs from our doors with a thumbs up above his head as if to say 'wish me luck', my classmates send him off with cheers and words of support; to let the enemy know that we mean BUSINESS.
As the door closed, all of us turned our heads in full unison to face Rep again, expecting an afterword.
...….
He simply stood still, arms crossed and eyes closed, as if he was in deep thought.
...15 seconds..
Silence.
…..30 seconds…
Silence still.
…45 seconds….
Still silent.
…..1 minute later….
Then, at the stroke of one full minute, where Rep stood very still and contemplative, he finally moved, eyes open and arms unfolded. He circled the podium again and he was standing behind it. To my surprise, the podium held on to the impact very well as he slammed his hands on the surface and roared the most motivational phrase sounded so powerful than anything I have ever heard in my life.
"LET'S GIVE IT ALL WE GOT!"
"UUUUUOOOOHHHHH!" The entire F-Class roared with pride.
We are now set to fight.