Advanced Nurturing High School, a school led by government. Offers a 99% to 100% employment rate to the students who graduated from the school. As described. It should be real.
Well, I'm Shotoa Oraki. I'm not interested in good jobs doubtly, but my main goal is just to experiment this school. Is this school really something else? And yes, to also improve myself.
I gave my entrance exam online. I wondered why I knew the answer of all the questions. As you know I wanted to experiment the school, I made purposely my scores to 50% to 60% in all subjects. I didn't made it perfectly 50% as I know it would cause suspense. The caretaker asked me why did I do this. Yet, we are close to each other, so I told her the reason. Yes, she couldn't deny on my thoughts. I am a teenager as still. I am just 16. And I literally asked the guardians to make my abilities as average or below average, as to carry out my experiment. I promised them that I would graduate as a worthy person.
I got out of the building and started walking calmly towards the bus stand. Inside my mind, I was calculating. I was trying to figure it out from now the school's system.
I tried to join my thoughts to the school's system. My perception of Japan is that of a meritocracy. And the school is led by government. Our performance gives us rewards seemingly. And the rewards maybe of one kind, but necessary. Just like...a currency.
I stood in the bus stand, observing other fellows in my school uniform. Many seem nervous, and some excited. Fidgeting creatures stood by the side, wondering can they adjust well. I was infact curious to get more info about the school, but my face betrayed nothing. I was standing calmly, hands in my pockets.
The bus came, and I went in. Fortunately, I got a seat beside a window, as I loved taking the view of the beautiful city. I looked out of the window, enjoying as well as taking notes of the scenery outside. Well, inside, students as well as adults were sitting quietly, doing their own business. I stayed looking out the window, looking absent-minded, but I was aware what was happening in the bus.
Finally, we reached the entrance gate of the school. I got down calmly, not hesitating to take the view of the building. It seemed like a very vast campus. I started walking, but then my eyes met a similar one's for a second. He looked pretty much calm, I wondered if I'm in the same class.
I continued walking slowly, as I wasn't in a haste to go to my class. Class 1D. What a coincidence. Did we really got placed in it for our grades, or it was really a coincidence? I walked in the class, hands in the pockets. Some glared at me in arrogance, but some girls' eyes look diluted. Am I really that handsome?
I continued to my seat, which was just infront of the last bench, beside the window. A coincidence again. I sat back, opened a novel which I have bought myself, and started to flip the pages precisely. It was a book of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Yes, I'm kind of a mystery fan.
After sometime, I saw that girl enter before that guy. She got place in the seat beside the seat behind me. And at the last, that guy came. Our glare met for a second. Others would consider him a normality, but I wouldn't. He looked pretty much calm, and calculated. His moves appeared evenly precise to me. "This place isn't not worth of observing after all." I said to myself in the mind. I closed my book later, to not raise suspense in that guy's mind. I put my hand in the desk and head supported by it. I observed my surroundings, and analyzing. Yes, that guy got the seat behind. Another strange coincidence. I was kind of amused, but still it didn't got shown out.
When all the students were there, we headed to the Assembly Hall. All the first years were there, I suppose. The senior that came to the mic, greeted us. We greeted him back. He was looking strict and calculated. He greeted us for our first year being in the school. Thereafter we headed back to our class.
Suddenly, a charismatic guy asked if we would like to give our introductions. Some said excitedly yes, while some reluctantly, as if they were not prepared. The guy introduced himself first. "I'm Yosuke Hirata. I was in the soccer club since middle school, and our team was pretty good. I was in the top 10 of the class. Hope we get along well and become friends, thank you!" He concluded the introduction with a warm smile. All girls looked like they were really impressed.
Next, a sweet looking girl with a bubbly smile, introduced herself. "Hii! I'm Kikyo Kushida. My goal is to be friends with anyone. I don't mind if they're average or below average, at the last I will help you all. Thank you!" The boys seemed outrageously satisfied. She's already got a crush. But I never trusted these a single bit, because their sweetness is the one weapon of theirs. They are like sweet poison.
Suddenly, Hirata calls out the guy behind me. He got up pretty much calmly. He introduced himself. "Hey...uh...I'm Kiyotaka Ayanokoji...uh...I don't have any special hobbies and goals...uh...I wish to get along with y'all well." The class clapped with politeness, though no one was satisfied. Even me, though my expression remained same. And suspense was also in my mind. "Really?" I asked in the mind. Yes, and his expression betrayed him. It was all normal as before. And from the left from him, the introductions began.
After sometime, my turn came. I wasn't ready before. But yes. I have to speak. I got up calmly and introduced myself. "I'm Shotoa Oraki. Well, I don't have any goals and hobbies other than interest in novels. I hope we grow together. Thank you." I sat down. Enough for not embarrassing myself by revealing my potential and my experiment. Some stared at me, as they didn't think anyone to be this nonchalant and straightforward. But I heared a whisper, mostly to the speaker themself, behind me, "Interesting...novels." Feels like someone figured out what that means. And yes, it was Ayanokoji's. But this time, calm and hearingly...confident. I got asked by Kushida about the kind of novels I read. I simply answered "Mystery."
Shortingly after the introductions were over, our homeroom teacher came. She was a composed woman giving the 'no nonsense' vibe. She announced, "I'm Sae Chabashira, your homeroom teacher. And throughout the three years, I will be your permanent homeroom instructor." She opened a tablet and instructed something. "Open your mobile and check your point balance. Points are used to buy anything in the school. As you all will stay here for three years without outside contact, you are provided with facilities such as malls, restraunts, cafes etc.. The students get payed here according to their abilities and behaviour, so this much amount of points are awarded to you because you already did a good job passing the entrance exam. You get 100,000 points for each month."
Everyone was shocked. But for the same reason, I was not. Indeed there was suspicion. "Chabashira highlighted the part of the speech 'get payed here according to their abilities and behaviour', by making her voice a little low, which simply shows that the points are depended on our performance. If our conduct is not good, they may...reduce our points. And also if our marks aren't accordingly." I analyzed. I whispered to myself, "It's just a simple deduction." I looked around the room, and I didn't find any face in doubt, only shock. Yes, I could not see Ayanokoji, as he was in the back seat. I felt, that he was more still than before. Is he calculating? Because my whisper was loud enough for him to hear...? Or he was calculating beforehand?
The first day went quite well, although some students were using their phones and causing indiscipline. We also had CCTVs put on the corners. I'm not at all a teacher's pet, more like a quiet kid, but due to my recent analysis, I couldn't do anything else than getting uncomfortable, though my outer body revealed nothing. I glanced at them once then back to paying attention to the teacher. But yes, I switched my mind to normal. It didn't affect my focus in the class. The information wasn't that much important though, as the teachers made us mark the chapters and introduced themself etc.
It was lunch time. Many were heading to the cafeteria for their meal, but I was the odd one. Yes, I would not be foolish enough to cook now the lunch, but still, I thought it would be easier if I have a sneak peek of the room. Hence, I started to head towards my room, no.044. I was still not in a hurry, because I knew that moving fast would be a waste. I swiped the card and got in. Quite clean and tidy looking room it was. It was a imitation of a room in flats, just that it was a little smaller. I took a quick glance, and then started heading towards the cafeteria.
There were lots of people there, yes. I looked at the menu, and yes, I didn't want a royal lunch, so as didn't wanted to waste my money either, so I chose the most moderate-looking option. I sat in the table far away. I ate my dish, but still trying to find clues for my analysis. Suddenly, I heard Ayanokoji's voice, calm and cold, saying, "Mind if I sit here?" "No problem." He then said, "I'm just curious...cuz I wonder what you meant by whispering that sentence while Ms. Chabashira was speaking." "Don't you know already?" "Not sure." "Well, but still, you tried atleast. And geniuses never hesitate to decipher the meaning." He stood quiet for sometime, eating his lunch. He also ordered the same dish. I finished my dish and got ready to head back to the dorms but then he suddenly said, "You see more than meets the eye." I said, "Can I say the same thing for you?" And I went away.
The first conversation of mine with him seemed rather...awkward. Who would talk about plans and strategies in the first day? I guess he was just trying to make friends out of interest. At the last, his communication skills are low, even more than mine. But still, he has intrigued me. I headed to the dorm, finally to sit down in the new bed. I sat down for a bit, processing my thoughts, how the class seemed according to my observation. I then got out from the room to buy the supplies from the supermarket. I had to buy—grocery, sanitary stuff etc. So here I was.
I went to the supermarket, where I saw Ayanokoji with the first person he met. She rather looked stern and cold, as the student council president, Manabu Horikita. I wondered if they were siblings, as Horikita looked worried when he were speaking. And yes, Ayanokoji wasn't going quite well with her, and I didn't anyone to get with her. I quietly put the things required. I, well, this time, put the ones which I had bought before. I then scanned the code with my phone, and headed back.
There was no need of buying more clothes. Yes, they were simple button-up shirts for men, and it was my primary fashion. I arranged the cooking supplies in the fridge and in the drawers respectively. It's good that I know cooking, and at the last I can eat food cooked by me.
The sun was setting. I thought to take a walk outside. I got down again and in the head, I was planning my schedule. When I'll wake up, which type of exercise I'll do after that, after that will I bath etc.. I saw some girls chatting and laughing. Do they really have to disturb the peaceful evening?
Soon, I headed back to my room. I cooked the food for the dinner. The result was good. Yes, I sat in the tatami mat, I pu the bowls containing the food into the table, and started to eat. Yes, there was no one in the room, so I admired my food simply by saying,"Home-cooked food. It's delicious than restraunt-style."
It might seem a little awkward. But yes, I am a little awkward to others. A person who has his poker face 24/7, and who doesn't react but. Respond. And a lone wolf, who enjoys alone time...or observing?
I finished my food, changed my clothes into a suitable one for night and then I laid back in the bed. This school, it's really something else.