I wake up in the morning to the chirping of sparrows mixed with the blaring sirens of patrol cars.
"...So loud."
I fight the urge to go back to sleep and drag myself out of bed. After changing into my uniform, I head to the living room for breakfast. My sister is already there, toast clamped in her mouth, staring at the TV.
"Whoa, big brother, your hair looks like a Super Saiyan!"
"Seriously? Should I dye it blond?"
"Nah, let's go all the way and make it blue!"
It seems my little sister wants me to become a god.
"Sorry, but I'm not at that level yet."
"Ehh, fine then, purple it is."
"Why purple?! That's not even anyone anymore, that's just some party animal!"
"Don't diss party people! They have rights too, you know!"
Why is she defending party people all of a sudden?
She's the type who would blend into the background at school... no, wait, she's definitely the loud, cheerful one in class.
"More importantly, big brother..."
"Hm? What?"
"Time."
She jerks her chin toward the clock on the living room wall. It reads 8:10.
The walk to school takes fifteen minutes, and the first bell rings at 8:20.
"Oh nooo!!"
I quickly fix my hair, grab my bag, and bolt out the door.
"Heading out!"
"See you later~"
◇
"Huff... huff..."
I somehow make it just in time.
I collapse onto my desk, drenched in sweat.
When I saw Ms. Futaba standing at the school gate with her piercing stare, I genuinely thought I was done for. But I survived the trial.
I clasp my hands in silent thanks to Ao. Without her warning, I would have been finished... The thought sends a shiver down my spine.
The starting bell rings: ding-dong-dang-dong.
At the same moment, our math teacher, Mr. Wakamatsu Mitsuki (age 45), walks in.
He's nicknamed "Baldy" for obvious reasons. His name literally means "young bamboo light," but the bald head made it hilarious at first.
"Everyone sit down. First period starts now. Class rep."
"Stand up. Attention. Bow."
We follow the class rep's commands and take our seats. Class begins.
A few minutes in, my eyelids start to droop. Probably because I stayed up late watching fluffy animal videos.
I rub my eyes, but they refuse to stay open.
When my eyes finally close completely, I hear heavy thuds approaching, like a giant walking. They get closer and closer to me.
Then, even though I'm sitting in my chair, my body feels weightless, floating.
What the heck is happening? I slowly open my eyes.
"Whoa, bright!"
A blinding light—like staring straight at the sun—stabs into my eyes. I squeeze them shut again.
"Hmm. Even after all that, you're still sleeping?"
I snap my eyes open. My face pales as I see the owner of the voice.
There stands Mr. Wakamatsu, gripping the back of my collar with one hand and holding me up in the air.
No way! He was just at the blackboard a second ago!
"Teacher, can you teleport?!"
"...How long have you been asleep? Being able to sleep that deeply is a talent in its own way."
"Wait, hold on, don't compliment me out of nowhere. It's embarrassing."
I scratch the back of my head, feeling awkward.
For some reason, the teacher's vein on his forehead bulges even more.
"Stand in the hallway!"
And so I end up standing in the corridor.
"This makes no sense."
Why do I have to stand out here?
The rest of the morning goes the same way. I zone out during second through fourth period, and every single teacher sends me to the hallway.
What is this, some new trend? Standing in the hallway is back in fashion?
Every teacher just lectures me with the obvious: "Don't sleep in class."
Lunch break arrives. I step into the hallway to grab a drink from the vending machine.
That's when loud, obnoxious voices come from the side.
"Hey, dropout! Go buy my drink!"
"I'll take cola."
"Then I'll have soda."
Blond Party Guy Number One gives the order, followed by Red-Haired Number Two and Slightly-Chubby Number Three.
Their names are so irrelevant I've already forgotten them.
Buying drinks for other people is a hassle, so I make a face.
Blond Party Guy immediately kicks me.
"Hey, you're not gonna say no, right? My stat is 5058! Trash like you with zero ability should just live as my slave forever!"
Wow, he actually said it straight out.
His number is pretty high for a student. Real pro fighters in special combat units hit five digits, so he's nowhere near that level. But in the tiny world of school, he's top-tier. He might even become strong enough to fight serious monsters someday.
The other students around us look away or keep their distance, pretending not to see. They don't want to get involved.
I don't blame them. Only an idiot jumps into trouble on purpose.
At least they're smart enough to survive in this world.
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
I stand up and head to the vending machine to buy their drinks.
Arguing would just cause more hassle. It's easier to shut up and do it.
I reach the machine and start buying their orders.
"Sigh..."
I let out a breath.
I resolve to watch Pomeranian videos when I get home.
As I turn to leave, a voice calls from behind.
"Are you doing that again?"
I look back. A girl with pure white long hair and golden eyes stands there.
The way she looks at me—like I'm garbage—almost awakens some new weird fetish I'm not ready for.
"It's none of your business, Nanase."
Her name is Nanase Masuzu.
She's a second-year, one grade above me, and the strongest ability user in the entire academy.
Her stat is an unbelievable 11,200. At her age, that's insane potential. Comparing anyone to her feels rude.
"Why don't you tell a teacher or ask someone for help?"
"Because it wouldn't end there."
Even if this blond idiot stops, another crazy one will take his place. Then another.
People feel happy when someone is below them. It's an ugly part of human nature.
A zero-stat person like me is perfect prey for them.
These days, I might be the only person left with a zero stat around here.
Most people awaken their ability at some point. The rest get killed by monsters or give up on life and end it themselves. I'm probably the last zero in this area.
"The way you choose to stay weak... I really hate it."
"Do whatever you want."
She says that and walks away.
I head back to the classroom, but because I was talking to her, the party gang beats me up for being late.
This makes no sense.