I don't really like entrance ceremonies and I think many first-year students will agree with me. The opening ceremony marks the beginning of the most important period of a beginner's life. During the first few days, students should make friends so that they can fully enjoy school life with them. And if someone has failed in this field, then three whole years of sadness and loneliness await him. At least that's how I see it. If it hadn't been for that person's order not to hold back, I would have tried to make some friends and tried to establish decent human relations with them, after which I would have laid low. But, apparently, this will have to wait, because I have to become the leader of the class. Very sorry.

While I was thinking about it, I had already reached the office of my class. The large 1-D designation, located right on the sign near the front door, perfectly showed me who this class belongs to.

Once inside, I walked slowly to the place where the sign with my name was fixed. It was located at the farthest wall, next to a spacious window. Unfortunately, this place would be just perfect for my peaceful life.

The classroom was only half full of students. Someone was humbly looking through school materials, and someone was already trying to make friends here.

I wonder if I should try to talk to someone. Maybe I could make my first friend. Wait, what does the word "be friends" even mean? At what point do the people you talk to become your friends? Maybe it happens when you eat together? Or after going to karaoke together? I've heard that the process of taking a bath together really brings people closer together.

The more I think about it, the less I understand the whole situation. This is something very difficult, we need to think about it more…

– You?

I heard a sound that caught my attention. If you ask me, it would be worth suggesting that this is human speech belonging to a young girl. I managed to notice a beautiful female figure to my right. Her medium-sized breasts were tightly covered with a standard school uniform, as if this person did not like it when some individuals with certain tendencies to perverted things looked in her direction.

Hm? Long black hair? Infernally red, but at the same time eerily cold eyes? This is the same girl who looked at me on the bus. Apparently, we're in the same class. What an unpleasant coincidence… For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.

– Is something wrong?

But still, she emphasized that I am me. That is, there is a possibility that my inconspicuous person is interested in something. Was it because I'm a guy and she's a girl? Or is the whole point of the situation that she really wanted to become my first friend?

– No, forget it.

She didn't seem to want to be my friend...

After saying that, she just sat down at her desk, took out a book and started reading it. Clearly, apparently, she is not interested in making friends or communicating with anyone at all. Also, maybe she's the same as me, just can't do it? Okay, I don't really care about that. I'm more interested in something else.

– Tell me, please, why did you stare at me so intently on the bus, and then also at the school gates?

When she heard my question, she answered me without taking her eyes off her book. Her voice and mood seemed really cold to me. It really hurts when you are so partially ignored and seemingly humiliated.

– Does it bother you that much?

– Yes, I'm worried about why you were staring at me so intently.

I've heard that when a girl looks at you, it's a good sign. More precisely, such a situation allows us to conclude that you are interested in a representative of the opposite sex in one way or another.

In any case, after my provocative words, she turned to me in order to say something important.

– I see you got along very well with Kushida.

It turns out that it wasn't me she was worried about, but Kushida. Have they known each other before? I wouldn't be surprised if there are people in this school who used to know each other. It's amazing that there haven't been any in my class yet. Is it possible that the school really carefully selects the students here?

– Is Kushida your friend?

This cold but pretty girl ignored my question and returned to reading the book. Apparently, she has very high self-esteem. Well, since she's so uninterested in me, there's no point in having a further conversation with her anymore. So, now to making friends…

ring

Apparently, I didn't have time. Many of my classmates immediately sat down in their seats, waiting for the teacher or any school representative who was required to visit our classroom.

About five seconds after the bell rang, a woman in a formal business suit and with long black hair pulled into a high ponytail entered the classroom. Her short dark skirt only emphasized that she was not as accessible to other people as it might seem at first glance.

She had to look around the entire class, after which all the students had already taken their seats. As soon as this happened and the conversations stopped, the woman went on a light offensive, starting her speech.

– Good morning, students! My name is Chabashira Sae. My main subject of teaching is the history of Japan. I am also the supervisor of class 1-D for the next three years of study, so I hope to get to know each of you better in the process. Well good luck. As for the opening ceremony, it will begin in an hour in the gym. And now I'm going to hand out a list of school rules and a collection of instructions for applicants.

With these words, she handed out rule sheets and instruction books to the students of the first desks. They started passing them down the class. Soon I received my own rule sheet and a collection of instructions.

– There are special rules in this school, not like in all other high schools. For example, there is a rule that prohibits changing classes for the next three years. All students will stay in the dormitory, and you are not allowed to contact anyone outside the school. Even contact with family is only with the permission of the school administration. It is forbidden to leave the school grounds. Remember that.

I already knew about it, so I was just watching the reaction of the others.

– We are well aware that limiting you would be a terrible burden, so there are karaoke, cinema halls, cafes and even fashion boutiques on the school grounds. We can say that the entire school territory is one small town.

To be honest, I don't really need all this entertainment, but in order to begin to understand others, I need to learn more about all this. I wonder how I sing?..

– There is another feature in our school - the S-system.

She added that immediately.

– Now I will give you student IDs. With these cards, you will be able to pay for any purchases and entertainment on campus. They work like credit cards. Everything that is on the school grounds can be bought with points on the card. Spend your points wisely.

Very useful advice. However, I was interested in what she had just said. Namely, that for points you can buy everything that is on the school grounds. Is babsolutely everything/b true?

– One hundred thousand points were transferred to each student. One point is equal to one yen. The transfer of points to the students' balance will take place at the beginning of each new month. In cases where someone needs extra points, you can transfer them to that person's account. Transactions can also be carried out using points. I think that's the end of the explanation.

So, the school will provide us with points every month. However, is this really the case? It's pretty hard to believe that they will transfer a hundred thousand points to us just like that. Yes, there is clearly something wrong here. And I think I can guess what it is.…

– Hey, hey! Would you like to visit the local shops? Let's go shopping!

– Yeah, with that amount of money, we can buy anything we want. It's great that we managed to get here.…

It seems my classmates didn't even suspect anything. It's time to start worrying about them. If I want to upgrade this class to Class A, I can't delay any longer.

Before Chabashira-sensei leaves, I have to ask her something.

– Tell me, Sensei, if you can buy absolutely everything in this school for points, is it possible to buy a transfer to another class? And how much will it cost?

Upon hearing this, my classmates split into two types. Some of them were shocked by my statement that it was possible to buy a ticket to another class. Others looked at me as a traitor. It's strange, because I didn't even talk to anyone except Kushida and my narcissistic neighbor.

Chabashira-sensei looked at me with an interested look.

– Yes, you're right. There is one way to change classes, and that is to buy a ticket to another class. It costs twenty million personal points.

When my classmates heard about the sum of twenty million points, the classroom became quite quiet. What a pleasant silence.

– Anything else?

– No, thank you for the answer.

Clearly, my goal is the sum of twenty million.

At first, Chabashira-sensei wanted to leave, but after learning about my intentions, she decided to stay and listen to what I had to say. At the same time, there was general excitement in the classroom. I saw several people trying to approach me, but I quickly got up from my seat, walked up to the lectern and spoke so that everyone could hear.

– My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I would like to become the leader of our class.

Why is everyone looking at me with a look of disgust?

– Why does our class need a leader?

– Really, why?

– Do you want us to be your servants or something?

– Do you want to extort money from us?

I see, it looks like they didn't get it.… I'll have to explain to them.

– I would like to tell you why our class needs a leader. From the words of Chabashira-sensei, we learned that at the beginning of each new month we will receive personal points. However, do you really think that we will be given one hundred thousand personal points for nothing?

Looking around my classroom again, I saw only a couple of people who really understood what I was getting at. It's disappointing.

– And we also learned that you can't change your class for three years. Rather, it can be changed, but it is far from free. Why is it so expensive to change classes? It is difficult to accumulate such a sum of money even for those who have been studying at this school for several years.

Most of my classmates looked interested, so I continued.

– This is my personal theory, but what if we get our personal points depending on the class hierarchy?

Some of my classmates looked unhappy with my words, because in fact I said that we were the worst among all. bThey are absolutely right./b

– I am sure that there is some kind of system by which points are awarded. And it's very much connected to the class you're in.

Yes, my arguments were very weak. In fact, that's the way it should be. I want to break their beliefs about this school first, after which they themselves will admit that I was right and make me a leader on their own. However, this is a long-term plan, because its implementation will be completed only at the beginning of next month. It's good that I can wait, so it's not such a big problem.

– Ayanokoji-kun, right? Can I ask you a question?

I immediately nodded my head at this request, looking at the man who had just called out to me. His somewhat blond hair resonated perfectly with each other, as if complementing the look of the so-called "great guy."

Having received my permission to ask the question, he decided to voice his thoughts.

– Thanks. Are you saying that points will be awarded depending on belonging to a certain class, and you're putting us in the lowest of all four classes?

That guy's name tag had Yosuke Hirata's name on it. It surprises me that he asked such a question while keeping a friendly smile on his face.

– Yes, it is. You have to understand that this school is not a paradise at all. It's just a disguise. And if there really is some kind of hierarchy, it means that the school expects us to cope with this realization the worst of all.

– Okay, but what do you suggest to avoid this?

– Just follow the school rules, don't be late, listen to lessons and behave appropriately.

Many people clearly didn't like my statement. Haven't they been taught how to behave at school?

– Okay, but if it's so obvious, why shouldn't we handle it?

His question was worthy. However, he will soon find out what I meant.

– Because it is not specified in the rules. Many of you may think that if they are not told anything, then they can safely break the school rules. I'm telling you right away – it's not like that. If that were the case, why would the school need to put two cameras in classrooms?

After my words, most of my classmates turned around to make sure of this. Almost all. Apparently, there were those who had already noticed them. One of these people was my neighbor.

– Okay, but what guarantees can you have?

– So far, none. However, they will appear early next month.

I am sure that they will not listen to me, but at least they will take note of my words.

– Okay, thank you, Ayanokoji-kun.

After the performance, I returned to my seat, packed my things and went to the exit. Before I left, I noticed how Hirata suggested that everyone get to know each other, but I wasn't interested, because now everyone knows me anyway. Chabashira-sensei, in turn, smiled mysteriously and left the office.

I left the office and headed to the gym, hoping to get the opening ceremony over with quickly.