Tokyo Metropolitan Koudo Ikusei High School is a government-funded school with the goal of educating young people to support Japan's future.
This school is very famous.
It's known for its 100% graduation and university acceptance rates, as well as offering free tuition and living expenses, making it highly sought after.
And now, a young man from an impoverished family has been attracted by its reputation.
The young man's name is Miyama Sendoh, 17 years old. He doesn't consider himself a genius, but he's a hard worker. He studied diligently, sacrificing sleep and leisure time, until he finally achieved something.
He was accepted into two schools.
One was the elite Shuchiin Academy, and the other was Koudo Ikusei High School.
His grades qualified him for acceptance at Shuchiin Academy with a full scholarship.
However, he ultimately chose Koudo Ikusei High School.
The main reason was that Shuchiin Academy didn't provide living expenses.
Yes.
The Miyama family was extremely poor.
When he was ten years old, his father's company went bankrupt, and their life suddenly fell into poverty. His mother left the family, fleeing from responsibility. Because of the bankruptcy, his father lost credibility. Despite being highly educated, he wasn't accepted into formal companies and had to work odd jobs to survive.
Now, his father, Miyama, and his younger sister live in a small apartment with a rent of 50,000 yen per month.
In such difficult conditions, as the older brother, Miyama tried to reduce the family burden as much as possible.
He chose Koudo Ikusei High School, which offered free tuition and living expenses.
'Sendoh, actually I wanted you to enter Shuchiin Academy. There are many girls from good families there. If you could get close to important people, your life would be easier!' his father said.
An unreliable father.
But now, Miyama Sendoh stood at the gate of Koudo Ikusei High School.
This school covers a vast area. From inside the bus, he could see from the overpass that this campus was like an isolated small town.
This school is very unique. There's no back door, only one entrance, ensuring the campus is completely isolated from the outside world. The sliding fence on both sides of the school gate is now open, but it's clear they will be closed after all students enter.
This is a truly closed school.
However, the campus environment is very beautiful. Cherry blossoms are planted on both sides of the gate. Now in April, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, emitting a gentle refreshing scent. Pink petals fall from the trees, carried by the wind, creating a poetic and captivating scene.
'Fortunately, the school I chose looks pretty good,' thought Miyama.
He prepared himself to begin a closed campus life for three years.
That's how it started.
---
[This is Koudo Ikusei High School. It looks quite nice.]
[But who would have thought this school has another side? Free, but what's free is often the most expensive.]
Huh?
Miyama suddenly stopped his steps.
He heard a strange voice appearing in his mind.
[Oh, this is Miyama. He looks very handsome.]
[Huh? There's a girl in front who turned around. Despite wearing a regular uniform, she's clearly a beautiful girl. Wow, she's looking at Miyama, but seems afraid. Yes, though Miyama looks kind, the dark circles under his eyes make him look somewhat scary.]
[Haha, that girl seems afraid of Miyama.]
'It seems there's no mistake.'
'I'm really hallucinating,' thought Miyama.
He looked at the other passing students in confusion. They seemed curious about the school gate, and clearly didn't hear similar voices.
'So only I am experiencing this?'
[Huh? Why did Miyama suddenly stop? Can you hear my voice?]
"..."
At that moment, a new voice was heard in his mind.
[Congratulations! Miyama Sendoh, you have been selected and bound to the unique narrative system version 1.0.]
[Identity verification completed. Binding successful.]
[It's no coincidence you hear my voice in your mind. This is destiny. Remember this.]
"..."
Koudo Ikusei High School is a unique school that offers free tuition and living expenses. New students, including Miyama, had to undergo written tests and interviews before being accepted. Those who passed were immediately given school uniforms and advanced phones.
They were asked to arrive at the school gymnasium at 10 AM on April 1st for the opening ceremony.
Students didn't need to bring luggage, as the school provided everything.
The phones given were very advanced, equipped with campus map software.
Before the ceremony began, Miyama Sendoh immediately opened the map on his phone, found his location, and hurried to the school's health room.
He had to make sure nothing was wrong with him.
After finally being accepted into a school that freed him from tuition and living expenses—very beneficial for someone from a poor family like him—he had to ensure he was healthy.
'If I get sick and then die, all this would be in vain,' he thought.
---
[Huh? Why suddenly go to the health room?]
[New students usually go to the gymnasium or first-year classrooms.]
[Wrong way! The health room isn't there! I don't remember you being bad with directions.]
[Miyama, say something!]
"..."
It would be strange if he suddenly spoke. Miyama quickened his pace toward the health room. During the journey, his mind became clearer. He was certain there was a foreign voice in his head.
Miyama moved quickly and arrived at the health room in about five or six minutes.
Inside, there was only a female doctor in her thirties, wearing glasses and a white coat. Seeing the doctor, Miyama sighed in relief.
"I'm Miyama Sendoh, a new student who registered today," he said. "Sensei, I want to check my health. I think I'm experiencing hallucinations."
"Hallucinations?" The female doctor looked slightly surprised. "Well then, come in."
"Ara, I didn't expect someone to reach the health room faster than me," came the sweet voice of a girl from the health room door.