I now possess the skill of a master thief, something even Kamuro Masumi couldn't achieve. If she knew, she'd probably die of envy.
Two CGs triggered in a row. My deskmate really is something else. Looking at the disgruntled expression on Kamuro Masumi's face in the CG, Shikime Natsu couldn't help but smile. Even her look of disdain was cute.
Upon entering the gymnasium, Shikime Natsu quickly found his class's designated spot. Mashima Tomoya was already standing there. There was still a little time before the opening ceremony, so the class lines hadn't formed yet.
"Shikime, Kamuro."
Mashima Tomoya breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two arrive. He also noticed the water bottles in their hands; it seemed they had gone to the convenience store.
"We're not late, are we, Mashima-sensei?"
Shikime Natsu said casually, his gaze beginning to scan his surroundings.
"No, you're not."
Mashima Tomoya nodded. It seemed Shikime Natsu was the type to arrive just a few minutes before the deadline.
Still, as long as he wasn't late, the biggest problem was averted.
As the class leader, if he had just demanded his classmates not be late only to be late himself, his authority would have been shaken.
"That's good."
Shikime Natsu's gaze fell upon a crowd of people. Who was at the center of that group to command such intense popularity?
School had just started—strictly speaking, not even five hours had passed—yet someone was already this popular. It was almost unbelievable.
Is this what a social butterfly looks like?
Soon, the crowd parted slightly, and Shikime Natsu could clearly see the person inside.
She was a girl with long, strawberry-blonde hair. Her facial features were very soft, giving off a natural sense of friendliness. Her bluish-purple eyes were direct and sincere when she spoke with those around her.
The smile on her face was also incredibly infectious, easily making people lower their guard.
Of course, there was also her rather exaggerated figure. Even Kushida Kikyou, whom he had seen on the bus, couldn't compare to the girl before him. The quality of this uniform was truly excellent.
Just as Shikime Natsu was observing her, the girl's gaze shifted over and noticed him. But her reaction was different from what he expected; she actually gave him a very gentle smile.
It was completely unexpected.
After all, he'd been questioned on the bus just for looking at someone three times, and he'd been glared at fiercely by Kamuro Masumi for observing her. Yet, the girl in front of him was smiling at him. She was like an angel.
[Ding~]
[CG6: First Encounter (Ichinose Honami)]
[I love everyone in our class. I'll become someone you can all rely on, so please trust me.]
[Congratulations, Host. You've obtained the Skill Card: Double the Results (In any area of study, you need only spend eight hours to achieve sixteen hours' worth of results.)]
Shikime Natsu returned her smile. Just then, the voices of Mashima Tomoya and other teachers rang out, instructing the students to line up in two columns, one for boys and one for girls.
First came the speeches from the school's teachers. It had to be said, no matter where you were, speeches were always incredibly boring and dragged on for far too long.
"Next, we will have a speech from the Student Council President."
The Student Council President wore glasses and had neat, short hair. His expression was extremely serious, making him seem like a very prim and proper person.
"I am the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu."
Horikita?
Shikime Natsu keenly caught the surname. The pervert girl he'd met on the bus was also named Horikita—Horikita Suzune. Were they related?
Siblings?
Looking closely, they did seem to resemble each other. Horikita Manabu, standing behind the lectern, looked like a very cold and aloof guy. And she was also very cold and aloof, just... a bit foolish.
Shikime Natsu wanted to see where Horikita Suzune was, but unfortunately, two entire classes separated Class A and Class D. Even with his good eyesight, it would be difficult to spot Horikita Suzune across two classes.
He refocused his attention on Horikita Manabu.
"On behalf of the student body, I warmly welcome all the new students who have enrolled in our school this year."
"Our school is renowned for its excellence in both academics and athletics, as well as its high rates of university advancement and employment."
"As I'm sure you all know, these achievements are the result of the continuous efforts of our graduates and current students, and they are the pride of our school."
.....
"This school operates on a principle of complete meritocracy."
Shikime Natsu hadn't paid much attention to the preceding nonsense, but he caught a crucial phrase: complete meritocracy.
So this was the law the school abided by?
Isn't that just 'survival of the fittest'?
In that case... the elimination of the weak must also exist, right?
Suddenly, a bad feeling welled up in Shikime Natsu's heart. Could it be that the school's high advancement and employment rates were achieved by expelling students?
If you expel all the unqualified students, then of course the remaining ones would have a one hundred percent success rate.
Previously, Shikime Natsu would have found this idea absurd. But... after learning that this school issued points that could be used like yen to students every month, it no longer seemed strange.
Even if the school was funded by the government, it couldn't possibly sustain such a massive expense. Eliminating unqualified individuals would be the best way to conserve resources.
After Horikita Manabu's speech ended, the students were dismissed. Since it was the first day, there were no extra classes.
"Um... hello. I'm Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B."
Just then, the super-popular girl came over to introduce herself to Shikime Natsu.
She wore a gentle and adorable smile, and as she jogged over, the curve of her chest was a bit hard to look away from. Ichinose Honami wasn't wearing any perfume, only the scent of body wash. What brand of body wash was this, for the fragrance to last so long?
"I'm Shikime Natsu from Class 1-A. Is there something I can help you with, Ichinose-san?"
Shikime Natsu certainly wouldn't be rude to someone who greeted him with a smile, so he responded with a faint smile of his own.
"If you don't mind, let's exchange contact information. I want to be friends with everyone."
Ichinose Honami took out her phone, her smile exceptionally friendly and warm, making it hard to refuse.
Behind her, quite a few people were watching them, all with pleasant expressions. They seemed like a group of nice people.
The people from Class B seem nice. It would be great if I were in Class B.
The thought flashed through Shikime Natsu's mind.
"Of course."
Shikime Natsu happily added Ichinose Honami's contact information.
"Thank you! Well, I won't disturb you any longer!"
Ichinose Honami waved at Shikime Natsu with a smile, then returned to her class and began chatting cheerfully with the people around her.
____
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