The classroom door slid open.
Holding an attendance sheet in one hand, Sae Chabashira, dressed in a neatly tailored business suit, stepped inside and swept the room with her usual cold, emotionless gaze.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“My name is Sae Chabashira, and I will be the homeroom teacher for Class 1-D. I also teach Japanese History.”
“At this school, classes remain the same throughout your three years here. That means I will be your homeroom teacher until graduation.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
As her gaze swept across the room, it paused for a brief instant on the enormous figure seated in the back row.
Even someone as composed as Chabashira couldn’t help but narrow her eyes.
The overwhelming presence emanating from Hanayama was impossible to ignore.
Still…
She quickly regained her composure and continued as though nothing had happened.
“The rules at this school are somewhat unique.”
“Students are not permitted to leave campus until graduation except under special circumstances.”
“Communication with the outside world is also heavily restricted.”
A small murmur spread through the classroom.
“However,” Chabashira continued, “there is no need to worry.”
“The campus contains everything necessary for daily life.”
“Restaurants.”
“Cafés.”
“Convenience stores.”
“A shopping mall.”
“Even a movie theater.”
She motioned toward the neatly stacked electronic devices on the teacher’s desk.
“And these will allow you to access all of those services.”
School-issued smartphones were distributed throughout the classroom.
Once everyone had received theirs, Chabashira resumed speaking.
“Cash is not used within this school.”
“Instead, every student receives personal points.”
“One point is equal to one yen.”
She looked around the room.
“And today, your first monthly allocation has already been deposited.”
“Each of you has received 100,000 points.”
The classroom erupted.
“What?!”
“Seriously?!”
“A hundred thousand?!”
“We’re rich!”
Students immediately began checking their balances.
Sure enough…
100,000 Points
The excitement spread like wildfire.
To most first-year students, receiving the equivalent of ¥100,000 every month felt almost unreal.
Only one person remained completely unmoved.
Sitting silently in the back row, Hanayama stared at the screen.
100,000 Points.
His expression never changed.
(A cheap lure.)
People unfamiliar with the underworld saw free money as a blessing.
People who lived in the underworld knew better.
Nothing was ever free.
In the yakuza world, gifts always came attached to invisible strings.
Money given without a price merely meant the payment hadn’t arrived yet.
Whatever this school truly valued…
It certainly wasn’t generosity.
Hanayama quietly slipped the phone into his pocket.
“The entrance ceremony begins at nine o’clock in the gymnasium.”
“Don’t be late.”
“Class dismissed.”
Having explained only the bare essentials, Chabashira left as abruptly as she had entered.
Silence returned to the classroom.
Most students unconsciously glanced toward the gigantic boy seated in the back.
Before anyone could say anything, a handsome blond student slowly stood.
Yōsuke Hirata.
“Everyone…”
“We still have some time before the entrance ceremony.”
“How about we finish the self-introductions?”
“We’re going to spend the next three years together.”
“It’d be nice if we got to know each other.”
His gentle smile immediately eased the atmosphere.
Then another student stood beside him.
Kikyō Kushida.
“I agree!”
“It’s hard to become friends if we don’t even know each other’s names.”
“So let’s all do our best!”
Her bright smile and cheerful voice instantly won over much of the class.
The nervous tension gradually melted away.
Thanks to Hirata and Kushida’s combined efforts, the self-introductions resumed.
“Then…”
“We’ll continue where we left off.”
“Sudō-kun?”
All eyes turned toward Ken Sudō.
Remembering what had happened outside the classroom moments earlier, Sudō awkwardly scratched his head.
“Tch.”
“I’m Ken Sudō.”
“I like basketball.”
“That’s it.”
He immediately sat back down.
Next came Haruki Yamauchi.
Although he kept nervously glancing toward Hanayama, his natural tendency to boast quickly won out.
“I’m Haruki Yamauchi!”
“I was the ace of my junior high table tennis team.”
“Making nationals was easy!”
“Oh—and I occasionally work as a fashion model.”
“So girls…”
“Feel free to ask for my contact information anytime.”
Several classmates exchanged awkward looks.
The story was obviously exaggerated.
Still…
Compared to the suffocating silence from earlier, even Yamauchi’s ridiculous bragging helped lighten the mood.
One by one, the introductions continued until…
Only one student remained.
Creeeak…
The classroom chair groaned loudly.
Hanayama slowly rose to his feet.
The room instantly fell silent again.
“My name…”
“…is Kaoru Hanayama.”
His deep voice naturally commanded attention.
Yet there was no hostility in it.
No intimidation.
Only calm composure.
“I attended an ordinary public junior high school.”
“I don’t have any hobbies worth mentioning.”
“I look forward to spending the next three years with all of you.”
After speaking…
Hanayama gave a small, respectful bow.
That was all.
His introduction was brief.
Simple.
And surprisingly polite.
To Hanayama, school was school.
Once he entered its gates, he intended to behave like an ordinary student.
That was simply his way.
The contrast stunned the class.
Despite looking like someone who belonged at the head of a criminal organization…
His manners were impeccable.
He seemed…
Perfectly normal.
Hirata smiled.
“That was a very polite introduction.”
“Um…”
“Hanayama-kun…”
“Your physique is incredible.”
“Like Sudō-kun, did you play any sports?”
Hanayama slowly shook his head.
“No.”
“I know a little about fighting.”
“But I’ve never participated in competitive sports.”
“…I-I see.”
Hirata forced a smile.
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Before the awkward silence could continue, Kushida stepped in with her usual bright smile.
“Hanayama-kun, you may look a little intimidating…”
“But you’re actually very calm and polite.”
“I feel like if something happened, all the boys would naturally rely on you.”
“You seem very dependable.”
“…Is that so?”
Hanayama simply nodded.
Then he quietly returned to his seat.
Creak…
The chair groaned once more beneath his weight.
Yet…
Something had changed.
The class had spoken with him.
And nothing terrible had happened.
(He’s… surprisingly polite.)
(He only looks scary.)
(Maybe he’s actually a decent guy.)
The invisible tension hanging over the classroom finally began to dissolve.
Normal conversations slowly resumed.
Seeing that everyone had relaxed, Hirata clapped his hands together.
“Alright, everyone.”
“It’s almost time.”
“Let’s head to the gymnasium for the entrance ceremony.”
Following Hirata’s lead, the students of Class 1-D left the classroom in small groups.
Only Hanayama walked alone, his massive figure silently bringing up the rear.