During this time I always have these questions on my mind.
Are all people equal?
These days, all society loves to talk about is equality.
People are calling for men and women to be treated equally, and shouting for society to get rid of inequality.
They call for high employment rates for women, personal-use cars for everyone, and they go as far as to find fault with the order of the register of names.
People even advocate equality for people with disabilities, and now the public is encouraged to stop using the term "disabled people."
Children are being taught that everyone is equal.
Is that really true?
I have my doubts.
Men and women have different roles if they have different abilities.
People with disabilities are still disabled, no matter what term they call disabled people.
None of this has meaning if no one pays attention to it.
In other words, the answer is no.
People are unequal beings; there are no truly "equal" people.
Once upon a time, a great man once said, 'Heaven does not create man above another man, nor does it create any man beneath another.'
However, this does not mean that everyone is equal.
The passage doesn't end there
Here is the continuation. He asks,
"We are all born equal, but why do we have different jobs and social statuses?"
That was written in the second half of the passage.
Is it a difference because one struggled with academics or because one didn't try hard enough?
A difference is created there. That's the famous "scholarship studies." These teachings haven't changed at all, even in modern day.
And those teachings have not changed at all as a matter of fact in modern times.
But I also don't think it's correct to say that people should live on only using instincts because things aren't fair.
After all, humans are creatures that can think. The word equality is a lie, but inequality is also an unacceptable fact.
I tried to find a meaning in those questions.
At any rate humans change over time based on their actions.
However, the situation is particularly complicated and serious in Academy City...
Academic city
A huge, completely independent educational and research institution city located in the Tama area of western Tokyo. It is a city of students where 80% of the total population of 2.3 million people are students. The science in this town is several decades more advanced than the outside world, and the most advanced science is in the research and development of artificial supernatural powers.
A special power that can accomplish things that normal humans cannot.
Fire from your hands. Manipulate electric shock. You can manipulate water currents, move things without touching them, and even read your opponent's mind.
Nearly all of the students living in this city had psychic development built into their school timetable.
Mid-July in the middle of early summer.
A certain high school in the 7th district. It's almost a semester in this class.
I, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, are still unaccustomed to being in classrooms.
"Then let's start class. It's the last class today, so don't let your guard down."
In charge of this class Tsukuyomi Komoe is an outrageous teacher, you can only see her head when she stands in front of the podium.
She is 135 centimeters tall, and there is a legend that she was not allowed to use the roller coaster for safety reasons.
"First of all, I will return to last week's final exam."
Starting next week is summer vacation, a long awaited vacation for students will begin. Most of the class was split between exhilarating and tense.
Today we will find out the results of final exams to see how well students have progressed in the first semester.
Depending on the score, the summer vacation will be crushed by supplementary lessons.
"Oi, Tsuchimikado, Aogami, Kiyotaka
you guys haven't forgotten about the punishment game I told you about last week, have you?"
The black-haired young boy with a spiky head sitting the seat in front of me is Kamijou Touma, sit next to me a boy with blond hair and sunglasses is Tsuchimikado Matoharu and the class president with blue hair and piercings everyone call him Aogami pierce for some reason.
(Aogami pierce literally means blue hair and piercings. We still don't know his true name.)
"Are you saying that the guy with the lowest score in this final exam will pay for today's meal? Of course I remember that."
Aogami (I forgot his name), who speaks in a light-hearted fake Kansai, can be summed up in one word: a pervert.
Earlier, when we talked about women's tastes, he's...
"I'm not only like losing heroine type, but also like a sister-in-law, big sister-in-law, mother-in-law, twins, widows, seniors, juniors, classmates, female teachers, childhood friends, young ladies, blondes, black hair, brown hair, silver hair, long hair, semi-long hair, bob, vertical rolls, straight twin tails, ponytails, braids, two braids, wavy curly hair, ahoge Sailor blazer Gym uniform Judo wear Kyudo wear Nursery nurse Maid Policewoman Shrine maiden Sister Soldier Secretary Loli Shota Tsundere Cheerleader Stewardess Waitress White Goth Black Goth China dress Sickly albino radio wave delusion dual personality Queen Princess Knee socks Garter, I have the capacity to welcome all kinds of women, including belts, glasses, blindfolds, eyepatch, bandages, school swimsuits, one-piece swimsuits, bikini swimsuits, slingshot swimsuits, silly swimsuits, alien ghosts, and animal ears, right?"
That's his reply which I didn't know how to react to.
(He really lived up to his own reputation as fetish king.)
Moreover, for some perverted reason "Because the uniforms of bakery girls look like maid outfits" he is currently lodging at the bakery instead of the student dormitory.
"I remember that too."
"Of course."
"Alright! It's what you want meow."
Tsuchimikado, who makes a light tone cat like voice, can be summed up in one word: pervert.
It's pretty easy to talk to him, and we are already on friendly terms, I think.
However, he is a perverted man who loves his maid sister-in-law.
"Fufu, Kamijou-san is very different this time."
Kamijou, who has a proud face, has a habit of saying "Such Misfortune" and is an Unfortunate person who both himself and others admit to being involved in various problems big or small.
He's very unlucky, and it's not uncommon for him to get involved in a lot of troubles, But if someone is in trouble he will not hesitate in helping others he's a good guy.
If Kamijou hadn't called out to me, I would have remained a communication-impaired botchi.
(Botchi mean people who are not good at making friends or socializing with others a lonely or alone person)
Since then, Tsuchimikado, Aogami, and Kamijou, who have the group name Delta Force (three idiots in the class), and I sometimes get together.
Of course, I don't take the initiative to do stupid things, but there are times when I get caught up in the flow. It's the same this time.
"It looks like they're kind of excited about it, but Kamijou-chan, Tsuchimikado-chan, and Aogami-chan are red marks with less than 30 points, so it's been decided that they'll be doing supplementary lessons during the summer vacation."
"What, red dot!? Why, why...!"
Kamijou cries out that he cannot believe Komoe-sensei's declaration. Take the answer sheet that was distributed and check it. The reactions of the three were mixed.
"29 points... perfect adjustment...!
With this score, you can buy it and take supplementary lessons from Komoe-sensei!"
Yeah... let's not get involved with the blue-haired pervert.
"I'm 27 points huh... it's a shame considering it's a range I'm not good at. How about Kiyopon?"
"... I'm 66 points, just barely on average."
Is it unbearable that the long-awaited vacation is wasted by supplementary lessons?
"How was your score Kamijou?"
"... 0 points"
You're lying, Kamijou. you study that much.
"Isn't it 0 points no matter how you look at it? Let me show you."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, the answer is correct, but the answer column is out of place."
"... Kamijou, I told you to review it after filling in."
"Sorry Kiyotaka"
I looked at Kamijou's answer sheet, but it was a ridiculous mistake.
Kamijou is unfortunate, but he is also clumsy. I figured that I should give him some advice, but it didn't work.
"Well, a match is a match. you the lowest score is the one who will treat me today."
"Yes, yes, be quiet over there! Let's start class!"
"Haa...unfortunate."
Pathetic Kamijou.
"We stayed too long and it's already getting dark."
"Kami-yan, thank you for today meow. It's all been a treat."
After class, when we went to a family restaurant, Tsuchimikado and Aogami ordered delicious steaks, cheese pizza, hamburger steaks, and other expensive menu items.
I feel bad, so I chose a cheap one, but...
"Seriously, you made me treat... How am I going to manage my budget this month?"
"Even so, I had to restrain myself from ordering one more dish, you know?"
"Eating together with everyone is the best, meow~"
I don't know if these two are good guys or unforgiving.
"Haa...unfortunate."
"Hey, Kami-yan... because you're my friend. If you're in trouble, if I can do anything, I'll help you right away right meow?"
"Tsuchimikado... I'm in trouble with money right now."
"Um... Kamijou, if you're going to eat, you can share some of the food in my refrigerator."
It's really pitiful, so when I extend a helping hand, Kamijou looks at me with a look of respect.
"Ugh...I'm sorry Kiyotaka...Oh, the oasis was right next to me."
"Why are you saying stuff like that to a guy?"
"Don't be so put off, it's not a weird meaning!!?"
Kamijou managed to explain himself to me, who was withdrawing.
"Hey, you three. Just take a look."
"What's wrong, Aogami? Ah"
We turn our eyes in the direction of Aogami sight.
Four bad guys surrounded two girls.
"Ah, please stop..."
"Isn't it fine? You can go out with me for a while."
"Ah, um, please stop..."
"It's fine, just hang out with us for a little."
Among the two girls, the one with wavy chestnut hair resisted, but was trembling in fear.
"That one... is a student from Tokiwadai, right?"
Tokiwadai... I think it's one of the top five prestigious girls' schools in Academy City.
For a sheltered young lady, no matter how talented she may be, being accosted by an unknown man is undoubtedly terrifying.
"Is she being harassed by delinquents?"
"What should we do?"
"I can't ignore it, I'll regret it if I do nothing."
... Looks like we're going to help.
"Seems like there's no choice but to go help."
Kamijou took the lead.
"Hey, you guys, those girls look troubled."
"Huh? Who the heck are you?"
"We're high school boys who can't just leave girls in trouble, you know!"
"Don't act all tough! I'm gonna beat you up!"
The delinquents spouted their usual lines and came at us.
With this, self-defense is justified.
A few minutes later...
"Tsuchimikado! His torso is wide open!"
"Ugh!"
Tsuchimikado delivers a body uppercut to the last remaining person. It seems to have hit directly, as the person clutches their stomach and collapses to the ground.
"Phew. It's a relief we didn't have to do anything too serious, meow~"
All the delinquents who attacked earlier are now lying on the ground in agony.
After confirming that they aren't getting back up to attack, I call out to the two astonished Tokiwadai students.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you so much for helping us! We were troubled by them persistently asking us to hang out."
"If you're Tokiwadai students, couldn't you have handled them with your abilities?" Aogami said
"Well... with our abilities, we might have ended up causing serious injuries..."
"Biribiri should learn from them..."
"Biribiri?"
The two Tokiwadai students tilt their heads in response to Kamijou's words. Most likely, Kamijou is talking about the brown-haired Tokiwa-dai student. Apparently, around June, Kamijou went to help her when she was being harassed by delinquents. However, she got angry and released an electric shock, which Kamijou blocked with his right hand, and since then, she has challenged him to fights repeatedly.
I see, no wonder Kamijou would want someone like that to learn a lesson.
"Huh?... You dare to underestimate us... In that case..."
Hmm?
One of the delinquents who had fallen behind me reaches into his pocket and takes out something that looks like a knife.
"This bastard, be prepared!"
The delinquent targets me, the closest one, and comes at me.
"Hey, Kiyo-"
At the same time Kamijou tries to shout, I quickly turn around and dodge the knife.
"Naah!"
With one hand, I grab the wrist of the hand holding the knife and move behind him, using my other hand to restrain the delinquent's shoulder.
"A knife is no joke, you know."
"Damn it! Let go, you bas-aaaah!"
Due to the resistance, I slide the hand that was on the shoulder and transition to the opponent's elbow. At the same time, I pull the wrist of the other hand I'm holding towards me, applying pressure to the opponent's elbow. Then, I increase the pressure in the direction of the opponent's movement, forcing them to lie face down. With my left knee, I apply my weight to the back of their neck to restrain them.
"Wait, wait, wait, I give up! I get it! I get it!"
As a sign of surrender, the delinquent throws away the knife he was holding.
"Haha, as expected, Kiyo-pon's self-defense skills are top-notch!"
Aogami said
"Did you learn judo or something in middle school, Kiyo-pon?" Tsuchimikado ask
"I dabbled in piano and calligraphy."
"Wait, didn't you say you did the tea ceremony before?" Aogami said
"...I practiced the tea ceremony as well."
"Haha, Kiyo-pon and his secretive ways never change!" Tsuchimikado said
Calling it secretive is an exaggeration. I simply have fewer elements about myself that I can share compared to others.
"Anyway, contact the Disciplinary Committee right away."
"You don't have to do that."
"Huh?"
When I look back, there is a Tokiwadai student with twin-tails wearing an armband with a shield motif, indicating that she is a member of the Disciplinary Committee.
"My name is Shirai Kuroko, a member of the Disciplinary Committee, Judgment.
I heard that Tokiwadai students were being harassed by delinquents, so I rushed here..."
"Oh, it's Shirai-san!"
"Oh, you know each other?"
It seems that Shirai, the Disciplinary Committee member, is familiar with the two girls. The girls explained to her how we helped them when they were being harassed by the delinquents.
"I see. So you restrained them after they attacked with a knife."
"Did you understand now?"
"Yes. It would be classified as an assault case, but since it was in self-defense, we'll handle it with just a warning."
Upon hearing that, Kamijou and the others seem relieved.
"By the way, who are you?"
The Disciplinary Committee member addresses me.
"What's your name?"
"...I'm Ayanokōji Kiyotaka."
I reluctantly introduced myself.
"As a student with such self-defense skills, there aren't many like you. Wouldn't you like to use your abilities to help maintain the city's security?"
In other words, I'm being scouted by the Disciplinary Committee.
If that's the case...
"Sorry, but I'm not interested."
"...I see."
"We're leaving now. It's almost time for the official end of school hours."
Saying that, I hand over the delinquents to the Disciplinary Committee, and we leave the scene.
"I gotta say, it feels good. Those girls thanked us until the end."
"I'm really glad the girls are safe, meow~"
"Hey, Kiyotaka... You were scouted by the Disciplinary Committee, right? Are you sure you made the right choice by declining?"
On the way back to the boys' dormitory, Kamijou asked about what happened earlier.
"It's a completely voluntary system there, so it's no problem. Besides, apart from disciplinary duties, they seem to be assigned mundane tasks like traffic control, community beautification projects, and such."
"Yeah, being stuck doing that during summer vacation wouldn't be great."
"I can't really imagine Kiyo-pon wearing the Disciplinary Committee armband."
"Kiyotaga looks harmless at first glance, after all."
These guys just keep saying whatever they want.
Well, it's true that being part of the Disciplinary Committee isn't my style. Even after leaving that place, I don't want to be constrained by this city.
This city is vast.
As long as I don't do anything to attract the Disciplinary Committee's attention, I probably won't meet them again.
At that time, that's what I believed.
Until I showed interest in that incident...
{Well some of you might notice but Delta Force call Ayanokōji Kiyotaka by his name instead of his surname well it's because Ayanokōji said that he doesn't really care about it and those two idiots start to call him whatever they want, like Robotic-kun, Blank slate-san, Botchi-chan, so he end up compromise with Kiyo-pon and Kamijou also start to call him Kiyotaka instead, even though other people call him by name he never call them by name because it feels weird to him (and because he never felt attachment to anyone in the first place)}
