Advanced Nurturing High School. A national, closed-off high school located in the heart of Tokyo. It was equipped with the most advanced smart teaching facilities, offered single-room dorms that students dreamed of, and boasted a 100% college acceptance and employment rate since its founding.
However, since transmigrating into this world, Kiyomizu had always felt a faint suspicion about this school.
A 100% college acceptance and employment rate since its founding? In Japan, truly top-tier high schools prided themselves on metrics like "number of University of Tokyo acceptances" or "Waseda-Keio matriculation rates," not a vague "employment rate." That sounded more like a slogan for a vocational training school.
"Somehow... I feel like graduating won't be that easy."
Kiyomizu stood before the steps of the school gate, looking up at the two figures in a standoff. The tense atmosphere made him pause.
The literary beauty with the exceptional aura stood at the top of the steps, her skirt fluttering in the wind. She looked down at the light brown-haired boy below her, her delicate chin slightly raised.
"You glanced at me on the bus. What did you mean by that?"
"Sorry, I just thought... you probably had no intention of giving up your seat either, just like me. An escapist."
"I hold certain beliefs that prevent me from ever giving up my seat! I'm completely different from someone like you who just hates trouble."
Kiyomizu, standing to the side, pretended not to hear and silently started up the steps.
"You there, wait a minute! You glanced at me on the bus, too. What did you mean by that?"
The literary beauty suddenly changed her target, her gaze locking onto Kiyomizu. This made him freeze in place. He had indeed glanced at her subconsciously when getting off the bus. But wasn't it perfectly normal for people's eyes to meet occasionally on a bus?!
"On the bus earlier, were you condemning me with your eyes for not giving up my seat?" Horikita Suzune crossed her arms. "Listen, my decision not to give up the seat was a carefully considered judgment."
"I understand." Kiyomizu's gaze was as calm as a placid lake reflecting her image. "I respect your choice. My glance wasn't meant to offend. It's just that your aura reminded me of a literary girl."
Her stubborn brow and cold demeanor were just like the Yukino Yukinoshita from his memories. In truth, Kiyomizu had no intention of condemning her for not giving up her seat. After all, it wasn't mandatory, just a small act of kindness one could perform if able.
Still, this girl is so direct. Who just asks someone, "What are you looking at?" Is she an INTJ personality type?!
He chose his words carefully. "If you're uncomfortable with interacting with people, I can promise to avoid eye contact and unnecessary conversations with you in the future. How does that sound to you?"
Horikita Suzune's eyelashes trembled slightly. This boy... not only did he not lecture her morally, but he was seriously considering her feelings and even proposing a concrete solution?!
"That's... not necessary." Her crossed arms relaxed a little. "I just wanted to confirm your intentions. It's better to be direct."
Kiyomizu paused at her words. "I'm Kiyomizu Akira. And you are...?"
"Horikita Suzune." She gave her name almost as a reflex, then frowned slightly at her own frankness.
"Horikita-san, I'll remember that. Goodbye." Kiyomizu smiled slightly at her response and turned to continue up the stairs.
Horikita stood frozen in place, only realizing what had happened after his figure disappeared at the top of the steps.
(Wait...)
(Did I just... voluntarily give my name to a stranger?)
(That completely goes against my usual principles.)
The April wind, carrying cherry blossoms, swept past her ears as she mentally replayed their short conversation. From her sharp, aggressive questioning to her unconsciously letting her guard down. The exchange had lasted no more than five lines of dialogue, yet it felt as if every step had fallen into a rhythm he had carefully woven.
What shocked her most was that the boy had remained sincere from beginning to end. He neither dodged her sharp questions nor tried to flatter her, simply responding to her every word with the plainest logic. In her sixteen years of life, conversations with her peers were either filled with fake pleasantries or blatant exclusion.
This was the first time she had ever felt something like this. And it... didn't feel too bad.
...
Kiyomizu walked on the fallen cherry blossom petals, a smile unconsciously forming on his lips.
"This Horikita-san is really naive..." he muttered to himself, a hint of amusement in his voice. The girl's expressions were like an open book—the surprise and wavering she showed from a simple greeting were clear signs of her inexperience with daily social interaction. It reminded Kiyomizu of the "special talents" he often had to deal with in his past life as a lead game planner. The stubbornness of programmers, the obsession of artists, the perfectionism of level designers... whenever these "oddballs" were being difficult, it was his time to step in.
The girl's image appeared in his mind: her straight back, her pressed lips, and those expressive eyes. A typical "flower on a high peak" image, but their brief interaction had already revealed her true nature—she was clearly the cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside type. Her defenses were probably more fragile than paper.
"I haven't even really tried yet..." Kiyomizu sighed softly, "...and you've already surrendered."
He had only used a small trick, feigning retreat to advance, and she had crumbled completely, even obediently giving her name. Such a pure and innocent reaction was a world apart from the calculating Kikyo Kushida from earlier.
He mused that if a girl like this were to fall in love, she would probably devote herself wholeheartedly to her partner. Kiyomizu thought this idly, his gaze following the distant, fluttering petals. But he quickly set the thought aside. For one, his class assignment wasn't confirmed yet, and for another, he had just arrived. It was best to lie low until he understood the true nature of this school.
Just then, a crisp notification sound echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Today's intelligence has been updated.]
[Intel 1: Today at 10:30 AM (after the opening ceremony), first-year Class A student Masumi Kamuro will shoplift a can of beer from the school convenience store.]
[Intel 2: Horikita Suzune's three measurements are 79/54/79.]
[Intel 3: If you need to satisfy physiological needs, knock on Chie Hoshinomiya's door three times tomorrow at exactly 2:00 AM.]
Kiyomizu raised an eyebrow. Today's intel was quite unexpected. Especially the third one... Did this school really have someone providing that kind of special service?
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