Advanced Nurturing High School.
A government-sponsored, closed-campus institution situated in the beating heart of Tokyo.
The facility was equipped with the most advanced intelligent teaching technology available.
It boasted the luxurious single-occupancy student dormitories that ordinary high schoolers could only dream of.
Above all, it proudly maintained a legendary one hundred percent advancement and employment rate since the day of its founding.
However, ever since transmigrating into this world, Shimizu Akira had harbored a lingering sense of skepticism toward this utopian academy.
A guaranteed one hundred percent advancement and employment rate?
In Japan, the truly elite high schools always measured their prestige by the number of students accepted into Tokyo University, or their enrollment rates for prestigious private institutions like Waseda and Keio.
They never relied on a generalized employment rate.
That phrasing sounded far more like the desperate promotional slogan of a vocational training mill than a top-tier academic powerhouse.
‘I just have a feeling…
graduating from this place won’t be nearly that simple.’ Akira stood at the base of the stone steps leading up to the school gates.
He paused his ascent, his attention caught by the tense atmosphere radiating from two figures confronting each other on the landing above.
A literary beauty with an outstanding, almost icy temperament stood near the top of the steps, the hem of her skirt fluttering gently in the spring breeze.
She looked down at a light brown-haired boy standing a few steps below her, her delicate chin raised in a posture of absolute defiance.
“You looked at me on the bus.
What did you mean by that?” “Sorry.
I just figured…
you were an avoidant type like me, someone with no intention of giving up their seat.” “I absolutely refused to give up my seat because I operate on my own convictions!
It is completely different from someone like you, who merely hates dealing with trouble.” Standing off to the side, Akira pretended not to hear the exchange and silently resumed his walk up the steps.
“You there, wait a moment!
You were looking at me on the bus too.
What was the meaning behind that?” The literary beauty suddenly pivoted her attention, her sharp gaze locking straight onto Akira.
The sudden call-out made Akira freeze in place for a fraction of a second.
He had indeed glanced at her unconsciously while stepping off the bus.
But then again, wasn’t it completely normal for people to occasionally make random eye contact on public transit?
“Were your eyes condemning me for not giving up my seat back there?” Horikita Suzune crossed her arms defensively over her chest.
“Listen closely.
My choice to remain seated was a thoroughly considered judgment.” “Understood.” Akira’s gaze remained perfectly placid, reflecting her defensive posture like a calm, unbothered lake.
“I respect your choice.
My glance just now was not intended to offend you in any way.
It is just that your aura reminded me of a classic literary girl.” ‘That stubborn brow and freezing demeanor are exactly like Yukinoshita Yukino from my memories.’Akira genuinely had no intention of condemning her for refusing to yield her seat to the elderly woman.
Giving up a seat was not a mandatory legal obligation; it was merely a charitable deed performed within the limits of one’s own capability.’Speaking of which, this classmate is incredibly blunt.
Who directly interrogates a passing stranger about a random glance?
Is she a textbook INTJ personality?’ He carefully measured his next words, offering a clinical solution.
“If you are not accustomed to interacting with people, I can guarantee that I will actively try to avoid eye contact and unnecessary conversation with you in the future.
What do you think of this approach, classmate?” Horikita’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
This boy…
not only did he refrain from preaching empty morals at her, but he actually took her feelings into serious consideration and proposed a highly concrete, practical solution.
“There is no need to be that deliberate.” Her crossed arms relaxed a fraction, the defensive tension bleeding out of her shoulders.
“I merely wanted to confirm your intentions.
Feel free to speak your mind.” Akira stopped on the step beside her.
“I am Shimizu Akira.
May I ask who you are?” “Horikita Suzune.” She stated her name almost reflexively, and then her brow immediately furrowed in deep displeasure at her own uncharacteristic frankness.
“Horikita-san, was it?
I will remember that.
Goodbye.” Hearing her answer, Akira offered a faint, polite smile, turned his back, and continued his ascent up the stairs.
Horikita stood rooted to the spot.
It wasn’t until his tall figure completely disappeared past the top of the stairs that she suddenly stiffened, a delayed realization crashing over her.
Wait…
how did she just hand over her full name to a complete stranger so naturally?
Akira stepped lightly over the scattered cherry blossom petals littering the walkway.
‘This Horikita-san is actually quite naive…’The surprise and hesitation laid bare by a simple, polite greeting were glaring signs of severe awkwardness in everyday social interactions.
Such an innocent, unfiltered reaction was like night and day when compared to the carefully calculating Kushida Kikyo from the bus just a moment ago.’Come to think of it, if a girl like this were to ever actually fall in love, she would surely devote herself entirely to her partner.’ But in the very next instant, he ruthlessly pushed that idle thought aside.
For one thing, his official class assignment had not even been confirmed yet.
For another, he had only just arrived on campus.
Until he fully understood the true, underlying nature of this academy, it was far better to keep his head down and observe from the shadows.
Just then, a crisp, mechanical notification chime rang out within the confines of his mind.
[Ding~ Today’s intel has been updated.] [Intel 1: Today at 10:30 AM sharp, following the entrance ceremony, Kamuro Masumi from Class 1-A will shoplift a can of beer at the campus convenience store.] [Intel 2: Horikita Suzune’s measurements are 79/54/79.] [Intel 3: If you need to satisfy your physiological needs, knock on Hoshinomiya Chie’s door exactly three times at 2:00 AM tomorrow.] Akira raised an eyebrow, his calm facade cracking just a fraction.
The daily intel was entirely unexpected today.
Especially that third piece of information.
‘Does this elite academy actually have faculty members providing that kind of special service?’