April 1, 2015
Horikita led Ayanokōji through the school's sprawling campus, the lush greenery and modern architecture serving as a stark contrast to the mysteries that seemed to shroud the institution. They walked in silence for a while, the weight of unspoken questions hanging in the air.
Eventually, they arrived at a relatively secluded area near a serene pond, surrounded by benches and trees. It was a peaceful spot, away from the hustle and bustle of the school's main thoroughfares.
Horikita turned to Ayanokōji, her expression serious. "I brought you here to discuss something important," she began, her words measured. "You've probably realized by now that this school is not like any other. It has its own set of rules, and those rules can be rather... unorthodox."
Ayanokōji nodded, acutely aware of the unusual nature of Advanced Nurturing High School.
Horikita continued, her gaze unwavering. "I've been observing you, Ayanokōji-kun, and I believe you're not like most of the students here. You deliberately scored poorly on your entrance exams, didn't you?"
Ayanokōji hesitated for a moment, then nodded in confirmation. "Yes, that's correct."
"I thought as much," she replied, her tone serious. "This school values talent and achievement above all else. But I think there's more to you than meets the eye, and I want to propose something."
Ayanokōji's curiosity was piqued. "What do you have in mind?"
Horikita looked at him directly, her eyes searching. "I want to form an alliance, a partnership of sorts. We can help each other navigate the complexities of this school, uncover its secrets, and ensure our survival."
Ayanokōji considered her offer carefully. It was clear that Horikita was no ordinary student, and she had her own reasons for seeking an alliance. The mysteries of the school ran deep, and he knew that he couldn't unravel them alone.
After a moment of contemplation, he extended his hand. "All right, Horikita. I can promise that much at the very least."
Horikita shook his hand firmly, and in that moment, a new chapter began in their journey at Advanced Nurturing High School. Together, they would face the challenges, secrets, and enigmas that lay ahead, determined to find their place in this extraordinary institution.
As Ayanokōji shook hands with Horikita and agreed to their alliance, a nagging question gnawed at the back of his mind...
How did she know about his intentionally low entrance exam score? It was information that should have been confidential and only accessible to school authorities.
Ayanokōji couldn't simply ignore this puzzling revelation. He decided to address the issue, his tone thoughtful but cautious.
"Horikita, may I ask how you knew about my entrance exam score? That information is typically kept confidential, and only the school staff should have access to it."
Horikita's gaze remained steady, and she didn't seem surprised by his question. Instead, she sighed as if preparing to reveal a well-kept secret.
"Because, Ayanokōji-kun," she began, "I have my own ways of gathering information in this school. I've learned to be resourceful and observant, and your peculiar choice of scores did not escape my notice. You're not the only one who can keep secrets here."
Ayanokōji contemplated her response. It was clear that Horikita had her own set of skills and sources of information, and she seemed to be a step ahead of him. He had underestimated her sharpness.
Of course, he still had to ask in what particular way she found out.
Ayanokōji, not one to let questions linger, pressed on, "I understand that you have your methods, but I'm curious about the specifics. How did you find out about my exam scores? It's not a detail that's readily available or openly discussed."
Horikita hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons of revealing her sources. Finally, she relented, "I happen to know someone with the power to look into those matters. It's Chabashira-sensei herself."
Ayanokōji nodded, somewhat satisfied with her explanation. It made sense that someone who had been in a position of authority longer would have more knowledge and connections.
He decided to trust Horikita for now, realizing that her resourcefulness could be an asset in their quest to unravel the school's mysteries.
"Fair enough," he said, accepting her answer. "Let's put our skills and information to good use in this alliance."
With that settled, Ayanokōji and Horikita shared their ideas with each other and came up with a plan.
It would start with a certain pretty boy with greenish-blonde hair.
1
The following day, before homeroom period would begin, Ayanokōji was at his desk looking at the ever-blue overcast through the window.
That was until a short, voluptuous beige-haired girl came to him and greeted him. "You're Ayanokōji-kun, right?" She gave a simple sweet smile, reassuring the boy.
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Can I get your number? I missed the chance to catch you before."
This was consistent with her introduction. Kushida was a personality meant for socialization, a figure aiming to make over a hundred friends.
For anyone with more than a few braincells working, this was a task too daunting for practicality, but that's the thing — Kushida herself is abnormal.
Even when it's clearly impossible, she still wants to try her hand at it.
That is who Kushida Kikyō is.
"Sure. Hand me your phone and I'll be on it. Take mine and add yours too."
As they exchanged contact information, Kushida posed a surprising question. "Is Horikita-san your girlfriend?"
If he could laugh, he definitely would.
"Nah, she's more like... What can I call her?"
Ayanokōji thought for a moment, trying to find the right words to describe his complex relationship with Horikita. Finally, he settled on an answer.
"She's more like a partner in a mysterious adventure," he replied with a faint smile.
Kushida blinked, a bit puzzled by his response. "A partner in a mysterious adventure? That sounds interesting. You two seem pretty close already. I'm a bit jealous, you know."
Ayanokōji chuckled softly. "It's not what it seems. We're just getting to know each other. But speaking of friendships, you seem to be quite the social butterfly. Do you have a lot of friends already?"
Kushida beamed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Oh, yes! I love making friends. The more, the merrier. If you ever need help with that, just let me know. I'm like a friendship matchmaker!"
Ayanokōji couldn't help but find Kushida's outgoing personality and eagerness to connect with others both refreshing and slightly overwhelming.
It was clear that their classmates came from various backgrounds and had unique goals in mind.
"In that case, are you my friend, Kushida?" He was curious if a single conversation was enough to justify this change in relationship status.
Kushida smiled once again, "Correct! If you want to be my friend, then of course we are, Ayanokōji-kun."
Ayanokōji couldn't help but be intrigued by Kushida's genuine warmth and enthusiasm.
The idea of making friends had always been foreign to him, but there was something about Kushida's approach that made it seem more accessible. He decided to take a step into this unfamiliar territory.
"Alright, Kushida, then you can consider me your friend too," he said with a small smile. It felt strange to utter those words, but he was willing to give this new experience a chance.
Kushida's eyes lit up with excitement. "Great! I'm so happy to have a new friend. Let's make the most of our time at this school and create wonderful memories together!"
2
"One more thing, Kushida — Give me Hirata's number," Ayanokōji demanded, a snap of the finger accompanying his words.
Hirata Yōsuke was the boy who confidently let the majority of the class to participate in introductions on the first day. Needless to say, he was well received among the fairer sex due to his amicable nature.
Recovering from her stupefaction, Kushida obliged. "Err, sure... I'm very happy to help. Hirata-kun, is it? What do you want with him? Is this a case of forbidden affection~?" she teased with a cheeky smirk. Kushida stuck her tongue out playfully.
The plan Ayanokōji and Horikita devised wasn't really complicated — it just so happened that they were dealing with simpletons.
Obviously, someone with charisma was necessary to convey their doubts regarding this school's S-System. Neither of the two had enough practice to pull off a convincing speech.
This was where Hirata and Kushida entered the picture. Having a socialite do the work would be infinitely more effective.
With that said, Kushida had just committed the act of yaoi teasing.
Quick, Ayanokōji! Get back at her-!
"Are you sure you want to be saying that? I remember you had quite the lengthy conversation with Kōenji on the bus," he intentionally emphasized the word 'quite'.
"With all the pestering you did, I'd say you're a gold digger, Kushida. Tsk. Tsk Tsk. Targeting a single man to get a lick of his assets?"
This was a textbook example of mental gymnastics — interpreting simple actions in a way far removed from reality.
Kushida was momentarily flustered by Ayanokōji's response, not expecting him to turn the tables on her so smoothly. She blinked a few times before giggling. "Well, you caught me there! But don't get the wrong idea, Ayanokōji-kun. I was just trying to make friends, you know? No ulterior motives!"
Ayanokōji couldn't help but sigh at Kushida's playful response. She was indeed a master of social dynamics, and he was beginning to understand why she had so many friends. In the midst of this exchange, she shared Hirata's number with him.
"Thank you, for this and the laugh, Kushida. I appreciate your help," Ayanokōji said.
With the necessary contact information in hand, Ayanokōji was ready to approach Hirata with the proposal to address the class about the mysterious point system. It was a step closer to exposing the secrets of Advanced Nurturing High School, and he was determined to see it through.
1
April 2, 2015
Hirata decided to give Ayanokōji a call simply for peace of mind. He dialed the brunette's number and waited while the ringtone caused the phone to vibrate.
When the boy finally answered after about sixteen seconds, Hirata was mildly ecstatic for this conversation.
[ Uh... Hello? ]
A monotone voice was delivered through the speakers. It was an unusual lifelessness that made made the pretty boy concerned, but pushed his worries aside for the moment.
"Ayanokōji-kun? I wanted to confirm if you're a 100% affirmative of your recent message."
It was not distrust disarming his question, instead, it was thirst for clarity.
[ I would say yes — I'm completely positive about my suspicions. That's why I want to have you relay the message in my steel. You have enough charisma to make it work, Hirata. ]
Ironically, despite singing praises about the greenish-blonde boy, he sounded ever so monotone in his delivery. This juxtaposition of words and energy created an awkward atmosphere, causing slight amounts of discomfort for Hirata.
"I see..." he regarded everything he heard with complete seriousness, though. "You can count on me, Ayanokōji-kun. I'll do my best!"
The affirmation ran through the breezy air, bringing about a sweet melancholy and sweeping away that previous awkwardness.
With that said, the plan was a success. Hirata, with his affably convivial reputation would be perfect for the job.
[ Hey, what is a friend? ]
Surprise, surprise. This question held great importance for many around the world. Challenging the deeper intricacies — whatever makes one a human being.
Hirata, having his own story not yet unveiled, was not very excited to respond. His breath took on larger amounts of air as he considered an angle from which to answer.
"A friend... Is someone you would go above and better for. An individual with great importance to you. Someone who connects on a spiritual level. At least, that's how it works in my viewpoint."
A lot of words to convey one ideology.
Hirata remembered his failure during middle school — how he failed to protect his best friend.
They say that pain is the best motivator. And it seemed to be true in Hirata's case.
[ Your answer was appreciated, thank you. ]
Despite the diplomatic phrasing, that response was not very helpful to Ayanokōji. It was no different to what one could find in a dictionary, which was disappointing.
Maybe he should ask more people later on, he told himself.
[ Hirata. ]
"Yes?" he wondered what else was inbound.
[ I'm planning to purchase some wallpapers for my room... And maybe something else if I really feel like it. ]
According to the internet, whatever one puts into his room reflected his personality. For Ayanokōji, who want sure if his own personality type, it was considered intellectual dishonesty; jumping on a trend without actually caring about it.
You could say it's: the bandwagon effect.
"You never seemed like the type of guy who'd do that. How surprising."
[ Yeah. There's a first time for everything, right? ]
"I believe you're an intelligent young man, Ayanokōji-kun. You just don't project high energy when it comes to behaviour."
An accurate assessment. Not bad, Hirata; not bad.
[ Which is precisely why I'm taking this first step to becoming a real person. ]
What strange wording.
When hearing the last two words, 'real person', Hirata let out a soft chuckle. He figured this interlocutor was rather eccentric.
"Yoo-hoo~ Hirata-kun? What are you waiting for?" The voice was Karuizawa Kei.
Hirata was supposed to hang out with the girls today, but he asked them to wait until his call ended.
Too bad they were too impatient with the man.
He muffled his voice. "Karuizawa-san, I'm still speaking to someone. Gimme a sec, okay?"
She puffed her cheeks cutely, her skin turning pink. "Fine, but don't take too long!" She waltzed back to her clique after saying that.
"Sorry Ayanokōji-kun, I need to go." After bidding him farewell, Hirata ended the call and sought those lascivious girls.
In the embrace of his chamber — room 401— Ayanokōji was dressed simply. A white T-shirt and light-brown trousers with a green jacket to complement the apparel.
Again, according to the internet, utilizing the colour wheel to wear complementary colours would give a nice, fresh look that's easy on the eyes.
Plus, he didn't want to look like a hobo. That would increase the level of attention on him, an unwelcome fate. Looking decent in context of current social norms was an actual prerequisite for going out.
White, white and white again. It was all he saw in his life since childhood.
White walls.
White floor.
White gowns.
Everything except food and books was white.
Now, even his dorm room was white too!
That's why he wanted to buy wallpapers. It would help at least a little bit.
He glaced around his room, surveying his surroundings once more.
It was 8 tatami mats wide. A computer against the wall. A single-person bed. The azure light hung from the ceiling. Windows were currently covered by curtains. The bathroom door was closed.
The kitchen at the far end of the room was separated by a counter, and it was decorated with hanging cupboards, a metallic sink, and a electric stove.
'I can get used to this...' he thought to himself.
Ayanokōji left for Keyaki Mall.
On the way, he took note of the picturesque scenery surrounding the path. He wondered if the naming choice was related to the overwhelming vegetation presented.
Perhaps they called it 'Keyaki Mall' because of the Keyaki trees adorning the area. If true, that was rather funky.
As Ayanokōji walked along the path towards Keyaki Mall, he couldn't help but admire the lush surroundings. The Keyaki trees provided a sense of tranquility and charm, making the stroll quite pleasant. The school's attention to detail in naming and designing its spaces was indeed impressive.
Upon reaching Keyaki Mall, he entered the spacious shopping area. It was a bustling place with various shops, and he could see students from different classes browsing through the merchandise. His main goal for this visit was to find wallpapers for his room. As he walked from store to store, he observed the different patterns and colors available.
Ayanokōji finally settled on a wallpaper design that he thought would add a touch of personality to his otherwise plain room. It had a simple yet elegant pattern with shades of blue, which he felt would create a calming atmosphere. With his selection made, he approached the counter to make his purchase.
While he was completing his transaction, he took out his phone to check for any messages or notifications. To his surprise, he saw that he had been added to a group chat. The chat consisted of Hirata and several girls he spent time with: Karuizawa Kei, Matsushita Chiaki, Satō Maya, Sonoda Chiyo, Ishikura Kayoko, Mori Nene, and Azuma Sana. Ayanokōji felt a bit shy about the sudden inclusion but decided to send a short greeting to the group before putting his phone away.
What he didn't think of was that the school had equipped group chat with a unique feature – a GPS tracker that allowed members to see each other's real-time locations on the school campus.
This feature was designed to 'signify friendship', and it could potentially lead to unexpected encounters.
As he was about to leave the store, he suddenly felt a group of people approaching. Turning around, he was met with the unexpected presence of the girls from the group chat who had spotted him.
Their arrival signaled the start of an unforeseen interaction.
1
The girls from the group chat had surrounded Ayanokōji, and they seemed curious about his presence.
A staredown ensued, with their eyes locked on him. While some of the girls appeared more intrigued, others looked a bit suspicious.
He, as always, maintained his calm and composed demeanor. He knew that the situation could become rather awkward, but he was prepared to let the girls decide how they wanted to proceed. For a moment, he felt like an unexpected guest in their gathering, but he was open to what they might have in mind.
It was a standoff of silence, a delicate moment in which the next actions of this new group remained uncertain.
Satō Maya not wanting to stretch things any further spoke. "You're the guy Hirata-kun added, right?" Her magenta hair swayed as she talked.
He affirmed it with a nod, looking right into her blue eyes. His arms were crossed as he did so, asserting dominance on a subconscious level.
She continued probing, "I think I remember you saying you play piano in during introductions yesterday."
Today was the second of April which was also the second day of school. Many things have been brought to light in just this shirt amount of time — two days!
"Of course I do. It's one of those things I use for peaceful meditation."
He deliberated whether to delve into a deep topic like Classical Music.
The younger generation certainly didn't appreciate artists like Mozart, Liszt, Beethoven, Bach and many others.
They preferred Pop or hip-hop these days.
It would be a lost cause trying to discuss when the other party can barely understand what you're saying.
Matsushita Chiaki, a brunette girl next to Satō, had her interest piqued. "Meditation? Looks like I've finally found someone who shares my fascination."
Did that just rhyme? She thought to herself with a mature smile.
"What are you doing here, Ayanokōji-kun?" she asked.
"Before I answer, where is Hirata?" he challenged her question with his own. "I'm curious."
To any observer, a newfound bond had formed between Hirata and these girls. Surprisingly, the young man was not here.
"He said he was feeling sleepy," Azuma Sana said.
She had aesthetic shades on, a bright pink color contrasting her black hair tied into a ponytail.
"Sleepy?" he uttered. "I guess the heat got to him."
The school was rather strict about its uniform policy — for no good reason either.
Boys had to keep their blazers on during school hours, regardless of the season.
Girls were at least allowed to take off their blazers, but they also had their own problems to deal with.
Girls weren't allowed to wear a pantyhose. This sucked during winter, when the air truly carries no heat.
Summer was hell for boys — winter was hell for girls.
"I hate these stupid rules. Girls can't wear a pantyhose? It's so dumb!" Karuizawa Kei expressed her frustrations, elevating her voice.
"I hear you," Sonoda Chiyo supported her. "The rules are inconvenient. That's probably why Hirata-kun found himself exhausted so early."
If even an honour student feels the effects of the school's rules, then it wasn't something to take lightly.
Who was even responsible for making these rules in the first place?
They deserved to burn in hell!
Hey," Mori Nene made herself party of the discussion. "If we brought the issue to the administration, would they do anything to help? Is like to believe they would."
Karuizawa was doubtful. "You really think grown-ups care about us? Come on, they wouldn't do shit even if we complained."
This was a major criticality of Japanese society.
Naïve, gullible youth have no right to question rules made by wise, experienced elders.
It was a culture based on blind obedience to superiors.
Do these traditions make sense in the first place?
Are they practical?
These questions, despite carrying insurmountable weight, would never be answered in good faith unless the system were to change.
In a way, many societies match this horrendous reality. Although great pushback has come to fruition, bigotry and oppression by salty old heads still exists.
Phew! Maybe the narrator shouldn't start a rant on social justice in a Wattpad fanfic, you know?
"The government is run by human beings. People like us. You never know if complaining might help, you know?" Mori had a point, but that sounded like too much effort to everyone else.
"Nah, no can do," Satō said.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't feel like it." All of them related to these words. "Ayanokōji-kun, wanna hang out with us? What were you doing here in the first place?"
"Shopping for wallpapers." They nodded in understanding. "Sure, I'll join you guys."
As Ayanokōji engaged with the group of girls and shared his thoughts on the school's rules, it became apparent that they were all feeling the effects of the school's strict regulations. The students were divided into a sea of uniforms, each facing their own unique challenges due to the school's dress code and policies.
The conversation shifted to the possibility of addressing these issues with the school administration, with some students being more hopeful about the potential for change and others feeling that the effort might be in vain. The girls expressed a mix of skepticism and reluctance to challenge the established rules, reflecting the broader cultural tendency toward obedience to authority figures.
Mori Nene suggested that perhaps raising concerns with the administration might lead to positive changes, but Karuizawa and others were less optimistic. It was a portrayal of the kind of generational and societal conflicts that can emerge when young people question established norms and authority.
Amidst these discussions, the group decided to welcome Ayanokōji to join them. It seemed like they were beginning to form a connection, and Ayanokōji was becoming a part of their circle, even if he initially had other intentions for his visit to Keyaki Mall.