Class-E, The Experiments

Chapter III: When the image is new, the world is new. ― Gaston Bachelard

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji's POV

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By 1 p.m., I arrived at the dormitory that would be my home for the next three years.

The first-floor receptionist handed me the key card for room 401, along with an information manual. I stepped into the elevator, flipping through the manual as I rode up. It detailed mundane things like the garbage disposal schedule and a warning to keep noise levels down. It also mentioned not to waste water and electricity unnecessarily.

Huh, no actual limits on gas or electricity usage...

I had assumed they'd automatically deduct those from our points. This school certainly spares no effort in its setup for students.

I was a bit surprised they implemented coed dorms, though. For a school that forbids romantic relationships between students, it seemed inconsistent. In other words, sex was strictly off-limits. I could understand the reasoning behind that—while it might be enjoyable for some, it's a potential minefield for a school. STDs, accidental pregnancies, and of course, the hit to the school's reputation if word ever got out. Too many unknowns to risk.

With that thought lingering, I scanned the room.

It was about the size of eight tatami mats. This would be my home from now on. It's also my first time living on my own. Until graduation, I'd be isolated from the outside world.

I would say that I smiled at the thought, but that wouldn't be true. Because, well... you know.

"Life without liberty is like a body without spirit." —Kahlil Gibran

I can agree with that to some extent. Without freedom, what are you? A slave or a serf. And that's what I was—nothing more than a puppet with my father pulling the strings. But now? I'm free from that. I severed those strings the moment I passed the entrance exam for this school.

Frankly, before I knew the results, it didn't matter much to me. However, when I found out I had been accepted, I felt a genuine surge of happiness.

Now, I could do as I pleased, finally live life without someone else making every decision for me. My first act of this newfound freedom? Collapsing onto the bed in my uniform and falling asleep almost instantly.

As my alarm jolted me awake, I quickly opened my eyes. When did I even get an alarm? Maybe the school provides standard-issue ones. Oh well, I'll deal with tuning it later. I stood up from my bed, realizing I might smell a little, but that could wait—I'd shower later in the evening.

I left my dorm and made my way to the first class of the day: Japanese History, with Chabashira-sensei. I wondered how she'd approach it. Japanese history—a subject both intriguing and boring at the same time. Would she start with the Jōmon or Heian era? Or skip ahead to the Edo period? Either way, it should be straightforward. Though, maybe they'd cover something unexpected like Unit 731—unlikely, but you never know.

Entering the school building, I quickly found my classroom. Yet as I scanned the halls, something felt off. They were eerily empty and quiet. No footsteps, no voices. Strange.

I opened the classroom door to find... no one. It was as empty as a tomb.

I was... confused. Was I late? I glanced at my watch and sighed internally. 6:45 a.m. I wasn't late—I was early. Way too early, in fact. How did I not notice that before?

Oh well, I'm already here. No point in dwelling on it now.

With nothing else to do, I sat down at my desk and waited for people to start showing up. The silence in the classroom was almost unsettling. The empty desks and stillness felt oddly peaceful, though. Maybe this was the only time I'd get to experience this kind of quiet before the chaos of the day began.