April marked the start of the school season, a day of clear skies and refreshing air.
It was also the first day at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.
This was no ordinary school. The academy was closed off, operating on a full three-year residential system. Students could not see their families during this time, a situation that felt like torture to most. Outsiders were forbidden to enter unless under special circumstances, and parents could forget about visiting their children.
And yet, the school remained highly sought after. Why? Because it promised a 100% rate of university admission or employment for its graduates, while also covering tuition and living expenses. That kind of opportunity was irresistible to many. It was into this unusual environment that Ying Ye Zhen found himself admitted.
Leaving home and traveling to the designated meeting point, he was struck by the sheer wealth of the academy.
The school wasn't even located on the mainland. It occupied an artificial island, connected by two long bridges. Behind it stretched a vast area whose purpose remained unknown. Everything about it—its scale, its design—spoke of luxury and corruption.
As Ying Ye Zhen stepped onto the bus heading toward the academy, the whole experience still felt surreal.
This school seemed outrageous. Did they really admit someone like him? Were they not worried about what he might do?
His thoughts drifted back to his mother's earnest plea before he left.
"Little Zhen, don't do anything strange again. I know boys your age have all sorts of heroic fantasies, but it's frightening when you get into fights with those delinquents. You have to think about me. What will I do if something happens to you?
"I'm not asking for much. Just get through these three years safely. I could even accept it if you fall in love early, but don't fight again."
She repeated it over and over, as if trying to drill it into him. Perhaps she was still shaken by what had happened not long ago.
Before graduation, he had gone through a humiliating incident—a so-called "social death." He himself didn't care much, but the uproar it caused nearly got him barred from high school. For a moment, there was even the possibility of ending up in juvenile detention.
If he caused trouble again at this new school… there might be no way forward for him.
"Go to school."
Stuff like that is really embarrassing. I don't know what the classmates at the new school will think. Will the bullies target me? Just the thought makes me uneasy. If I refuse, things will only get harder. Mom… she really likes putting me on the spot.
Doesn't she realize young people can't always control their temper? When something happens, we react. Especially when we're young—it's natural to be impulsive. If we weren't hot-blooded, would we even be young anymore?
But I can't take her requests too seriously. I'll just tone them down. As long as they're not too extreme, I'll go along. And even if I do, I can't let myself get caught.
From now on, I'll try to live as an ordinary, honest high school student. I'll look forward to a normal school life.
I hope there won't be more things for my family to worry about.
And maybe… fall in love early?
That seemed to be part of Mom's request too.
It's like she's already impatient to be a grandmother—more eager than me.
But… is romance really a requirement for high schoolers? It feels so troublesome. Honestly, girls will only slow me down from getting stronger.
Sitting on the bus, Ying Ye's thoughts scattered in every direction.
As for the upcoming school life, there was expectation… and also hesitation. Anticipating the good, but also the chance of bullying—or being bullied. Contradictory feelings.
Just then, the bus slowed to a stop and the doors opened.
New passengers got on: men, women, the young and the old, students, and office workers.
Among them, the most eye-catching was an elderly woman, unsteady on her feet, looking as though she might collapse at any moment.
The students behind her moved carefully, worried she might fall and cause a scene.
Those already seated avoided looking at her, unwilling to invite trouble, and no one made a move to give up their seat.
As the old woman climbed aboard, Ying Ye stood up without hesitation.
"Please, sit here."
Before she could steady herself, he offered his seat.
Maybe it was the suddenness of his voice, but he could feel several gazes fall on him.
Most noticeable were a pair of black-haired students, a golden-haired boy and girl, and a few adults.
The looks on their faces seemed to say: "Who is this boy? That was bold of him."
"Thank you, young man."
"Thank you so much."
"My legs aren't strong enough to stand. I'm sorry for the trouble."
The old lady smiled in surprise and gratitude as she slowly made her way over and sat down.
"You're welcome," Ying Ye replied calmly, expressionless. After giving up the seat, he quietly moved a little farther away.
To him, what just happened was nothing worth mentioning.
"Hey, classmate, are you a freshman too?"
As he looked for a place to stand, a lively, sharp-eyed girl with short golden hair came up to him, speaking with a bright smile.
She stood out—her figure noticeably more developed than most students her age.
and it brought a heavy sense of pressure.
"I'm Kikyo Kushida, a first-year student. Please take care of me."
As she walked closer, Ying Ye Zhenli could feel the number of stares around them grow.
Being approached by a cute girl was probably one of the many fantasies of countless high school boys.
Especially when that girl was a blonde with an angelic face and a devilish figure — the dream of many.
Jealous looks followed one after another, even making Ying Ye Zhenli a little surprised.
He hadn't expected someone to suddenly greet him.
"Ah, Kushida-san, please take care of me as well."
"I'm Ying Ye Zhenli, also a first-year."
"Is this love?"
The thought popped into his mind for a second, only to be quickly pushed down.
Ying Ye Zhenli introduced himself honestly.
And Kushida-san kindly kept the conversation going.
Her angelic voice made Ying Ye Zhenli answer word by word.
It felt almost like a real-life love story.
But this brief bus romance ended all too soon.
Once the bus reached the school, their short conversation stopped.
The two hadn't really said much at all.