Wake up.

I opened my eyes to the sound of harsh ringing noises from my alarm clock. The blaring noise was an assault on the sense of hearing, but it did its job well. That is, allowing me to wake up from only five hours of sleep.

Getting up from my bed into a sitting position, I let out a long and powerful yawn. Then, I suddenly closed my mouth as though something unwanted was about to enter my mouth and I focused on a single spot on the wall, imagining my eyes turning into lasers that were burning a hole into it.

Blinking several times, I found the wall completely unaffected. I sighed, though I may have no powers, it's still fun to imagine that I do.

With the sun's light barely filling up the sky, I got out of bed and stood up. My room was small. There wasn't even enough space for a chair after the desk was properly placed, so I had to make do with the bed being my chair.

Striding to the bathroom, I was greeted by a very bare-bone one. Green tiled walls, white tiled floors, and a flimsy-looking sink that looked like it could fall apart at the slightest touch.

Grabbing my toothbrush and the nearly flat tube of toothpaste, I put them into a clean plastic bag before heading downstairs.

Mom had already headed to work, so I had to make breakfast myself.

The house I lived in had no living room. Instead, it was better to describe the ground floor as a single 'kitchen' with a dining table.

As I passed by a small machine with an antenna, I decided to turn on the radio to serve as some background noises as I got to work.

"—In more recent News, the Heavenly Chinese Empire has officially declared a total blockade mirroring that of Cuba against mainland Japan and all her major islands. The United States and the New Soviet Union have officially issued formal protests at the United Nations Emergency Session occurring in New York. The Ambassador of the United States Einsthorn has said the following—"

Oh man, a blockade huh? That's sure to raise fuel prices. Prices in general as well. I grimaced.

"'(The United States) do not accept the unilateral actions of China and her allies in such a drastic escalation of the already tense Cold War—"

I switched the station. World news is always so depressing, it's always either reports of a new government in Africa falling or maybe another proxy war has broken out in the Middle East.

The new station was one more focused on local news. Satisfied, I headed towards the kitchen and found the rice cooker set in 'warming' mode. Ah, it seems like Mom already prepared the breakfast before she left for work.

Some hearty rice congee.

" —The assassination of Prime Minister Kusokabe has surprisingly not sent out much shockwaves in the political scene. Expert Yoshida, why do you think this is the case?"

Huh, so a new Prime Minister got assassinated. How many was that now this year alone? Three? None of the assassins had been caught too.

My friends often joked about how being the Prime Minister of Japan is the most dangerous job in the world. Even more dangerous than being on the run from the Yakuza after being unable to pay your debt.

"I think it's obvious for anyone paying attention. Ever since the beginning of the Lost Decade of the 1990s, the Japanese people have gotten more in root with their past of political assassinations."

The expert chuckled, "But in all seriousness, Prime Minister Kusokabe campaigned on the platform of pro-China. Such a thing is inherently untenable, especially with how divided the Japanese people are. Just one look at the recent poll done by the Peal Research Center in America and you can see how much nationalistic fervor has been steadily drummed up in favor of a full rearmament of Japan. More than that, being pro-China is a snub against our long-time ally the United States—"

I quickly finished my congee and turned off the radio. Then, I put the Kuoh Academy's uniform alongside the plastic bag that held my toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste into my school bag.

As I stepped out of the door, the large empty plastic jug hanging off it would sway and sometimes hit my legs.

Head to school.

Closing the door behind me and making sure that it was locked, I walked downstairs and then began the long journey to school.

It'll take somewhere in the range of an hour and 30 to maybe 40 minutes for me to walk to Kuoh Academy, the most prestigious school in all of Japan. Especially since Kuoh resides near the center of the wealthier areas while I lived on the border between the middle-income zone and the slums.

As I trekked on this barely paved road full of potholes and broken shards of glass, I made sure to avoid much attention. Wearing Kuoh Academy's uniform was the quickest way to get kidnapped, so I made sure my clothing was as shredded as the other street kids.

I couldn't help but recall how joyful Mom had been when I told her how I got a scholarship to Kuoh Academy. She had tears of joy and said how I should pay attention to my studies.

This was my ticket out of poverty, she said. That I should treasure it.

So I did. I made sure to do my Mom proud and always scored among the top in my grade.

As Kuoh Academy came into view, I slipped into a nearby gas station convenience store.

"I'm going to the washroom alright?" I called out and the owner behind the cashier simply grunted.

Inside the washroom, I changed into my Kuoh Academy clothing. This simple set is probably worth more than a month of my Mom's salary.

Stepping out of the washroom, I continued on my travel to Kuoh—

"Ah, shit."

"Language, Hyoudou." The high-class girl wearing a pair of glasses chastised me.

Sona Shitori. The President of the Student Council. She stood right in front of the opened Kuoh Academy gate.

"Can I help you, President?"

"Yes. I'm always wondering, why are you the first one here? Every single day, you're always the first to class and the last to leave."

I uh… I can't tell her I'm here to use their running water to brush my teeth, can I? The water in my apartment isn't the most stable and often go out at random intervals. Thankfully, unlike in the deep slums, at least electricity wasn't an issue.

"Because uh, I love school! That's why."

Sona looked at me with a suspecting gaze. Before sighing, "Class isn't for another hour, why don't you join me at the Student Council room?"

I gulped. Oh crap, was it because I scored higher than Sona in the last test? Is she mad? Am I about to get beat up? By some of her goons and then dumped right outside my house with a warning saying that to never outshine her again?

As I was lost in my imagination, Sona grew impatient.

"You're not in trouble if that's what you're asking."

"Um… alright. I guess I'll… join you."

Sona led me up several flights of stairs I'd never been in, before finally entering the room at the top of the Kuoh main building.

The room was luxurious. The collective cost of everything in this room must been more than my entire apartment several times over.

I was gawking at the luxury present, which made me miss the other people in the room.

When I did pay attention to them, I realized that I didn't know any of them.

"The other members of the Student Council," Sona said as she sat behind the desk atop a chair only CEOs should sit in. "Now…"

One of the other four girls present waved at me. I waved back. There, I picked a spot on the sofa that would result in me being as far away from the others as possible. The smell of delicious snacks entered my nose as I sat down and placed my bags beside me.

Resist Issei. Resist. You're in the viper's nest. There's a reason why these girls must be so rich. Their family must be ruthless in the business sense. They'll drain you of your blood to regain their youth!

"You can eat the freshly baked cookies if you want."

I gulped. "Thank you…"

"Shinra. Tsubaki Shinra."

"Thank you, Shinra."

Hesitantly, I picked the smallest cookie and quickly swallowed it, not bothering to chew.

"Now, Issei Hyoudou," Sona called out, "Third-year student. Excellent grades. You seem to have a bright future ahead of you."

"Um, thank you, President."

"Now, in front of you lies two paths. You can either stay with us and enter Kuoh College, or you can apply elsewhere. With your grades in addition to a letter of recommendation, I think you can easily enter Tokyo Imperial University."

I felt my heart race. TIU was seen as the best university in all of Japan.

"You can even apply overseas for Stanford or Harvard. However, what you need now is a letter of recommendation. Based on your status, I don't think you have one, do you?"

My shoulders slumped. Being born in the slums means it's challenging for one to rise above their station the legal way. It's much easier to rise through a gang like the Yakuzas than it is to do it the clean way.

"I can have Mr. Zeoticus Gremory write you one…"

I felt my eyes sparkle. The administrator of Kuoh Academy!

"Only if you answer a question of mine honestly."

"... I see. Please, give me the question and I'll answer it honestly."

I mentally prepared myself. I expected all kinds of questions like 'Would you kill or be killed' to 'Who would you save first in a zombie apocalypse'—

"What do you think of Rias Gremory?"

I choked on my own spit.

"What?"

Sona looked at me with her aristocratic violet eyes. Her unflinching posture just screams 'I'm rich'. So much unlike me.

"What do you think of Rias Gremory?" She repeated.

Rias Gremory? That red-haired girl who scored around the medium? Someone who possessed massive tracks of land that the other boys in the grade were obsessed with?

Carefully, I articulated my response.

"I think she's a respectable peer of mine."

"Nothing more?"

I pretended to be innocent and tilted my head, "Why would there be more?"

"Be aware Hyoudou, that I expect you to be honest with me if you want this recommendation."

Fuck.

"Um, she's very well-developed for her age."

"Mmhmm."

"Her hair is very red."

"Mhmm."

"Her eyes are also very blue."

"I know that. You're describing her physical characteristics. I'm asking what do youthink of her."

I narrowed my eyes, "This feels very much like an overreach of authority. The duty of a President does not require you to touch upon my relationship with another of my peers unless something drastic happens, for example: physical conflicts."

Sona clearly didn't expect that.

"You're knowledgeable."

I shrugged.

"You gotta read the fine print."

I've encountered too many people who got roped into what's essentially slavery to the gangs by signing bad contracts.

"Very well, but consider this something of a personal curiosity. Humor me then, tell me honestly what you think of Rias Gremory, one of the two great sisters of Kuoh Academy."

Is that really one of Rias' titles? I wondered for a brief moment.

"... I haven't come into contact with Miss Gremory long enough for me to form an opinion. But from what I can tell, she is a fine lady and any man would be glad to have her for a wife."

Sona looked at me with her analyzing violet eyes, scrutinizing me like a chef making sure everything was alright with the food.

"Thank you Issei, you may go now."

I got up and performed a low bow, "Thank you for having me, Miss Shitori."

I quickly left the room without looking back.

That took me half an hour!

I grumbled internally as the stairwells echoed with the sounds of my shoes crashing against each step. I sped downstairs and headed towards the washroom, whereupon I unzipped my backpack and took out the toothbrush.

Squeezing out a sesame seed-sized droplet of toothpaste, I quickly got to work and cleaned out my teeth. Then, I headed towards a nearby water fountain and filled up the jug. Before I leave for the day, I'll also need to refill it.

While the water weight will be great, it still beats having to boil your tap water if you're thirsty.

Time to learn.

The classes started at 7:50 sharp. I made sure to pay attention while filling up whatever space was left in my well-used notebook. I'll need to ask Mom for a new one soon. Damn…

For lunch, I was fortunate that Kuoh Academy gives them out for free. A section of rice and two free choices for sides, they're like feasts with the portions the lunch ladies give.

Even as I scarfed it all down, I made sure to review the textbook for each class, going through it page by page.

It's a miracle I don't need glasses with how much time I spend reading.

After lunch came more classes. And then came when the school dismissal bell had rung.

Kuoh Academy's classes end by 2 pm. The school continued to stay open for club activities until 3:30 pm, so I usually stayed until I wasn't allowed to anymore.

At 3:29, I was right out of the gateway of Kuoh Academy.

If I wait any later I'll be racing against the daylight. Like Mom always said; be back before sundown. Given how this was the middle of spring, sundown occurs at around 6, giving me about a 30-minute window to adjust for error.

Head home—

"Wait!"

A feminine voice called out. Turning my head to face it, I found myself staring into the face of a very pretty girl with brown hair and a pair of glasses denoting one's intelligence. In her arms also held a bunch of books.

"What do you want?" No Issei that's way too impersonal! She could be rich as fuck and have your life ruined for the slight!

Clearing my throat, I began again, "Hi, can I help you?"

"Um, yes. My name is Yuuma Amano, and I just wanted to ask if you're free this Sunday?" She started fidgeting around with her hair.

My Mom taught me to say no to strange girls since they're sirens that draw men in to do their bidding. Rich girls never go out with poor boys like me unless it's to make their ex jealous. A few gifts aren't worth the hassle of getting entangled in the web of a rich girl's social contacts.

Even knowing that I found myself inexplicably attracted to her. This stranger was like a black hole, and I was a star.

"Yes," I said, in a bit of a daze.

"Great! Please go out on a date with me!"

"Yes!"

"So it's settled then. I'll see you here in this exact spot at 2 pm Sunday!"

The girl cheerfully jogged away, and as I continued to walk back home, I could've sworn right there in my peripherals I saw a figure garbed in a jester outfit standing on top of a house.

Blinking once, my eyes zoomed and saw the roof devoid of anyone.

Huh, was there something in the lunch today? I thought as I scratched my head.

No wait, I gotta tell my Mom the news!

I hurried back.

AN: Hmm, I wonder what could have caused the Cold War to continue? And now a three-way affair at that?

I don't think anyone's ever done a Miyuki Shirogane-esque Issei with a tad bit of delusions before. Basically, an Issei that's not perverted (how original) but it's due to poverty as the 1990s Lost Decade seriously messed up Japan (daring today aren't we). The renewed Cold War tension certainly hasn't helped, alongside all these mysterious assassinations destroying Japan's political stability.

I wonder what could have caused all these changes to the timeline?