"Ugh, that was painfully boring." [Name] muttered, stifling a yawn as she slumped in her assigned seat in class 1-D's mundane classroom. The entrance ceremony had been a snooze-fest, and she couldn't help but regret not skipping it altogether.
Leaning her head on the desk for a fleeting moment, she soon felt a wave of frustration before she straightened up with determination. "No! I need to snap out of this mindset! Dad! Told me to do good here!" she resolved silently, a glint of resolve gleaming in her eyes.
Soon lost in her thoughts for a second, [Name] was suddenly jolted back to reality by someone speaking. Her attention shifted to a young man standing at the front of the classroom. His average stature was complemented by dirty blonde hair and warm brown eyes.
As he addressed the class, a tentative smile played on his lips.
"Hey, everyone. If I may have your attention for a moment," he started, his voice projecting across the room. "I thought it would be a good idea for us to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and start building stronger connections with each other. Our teacher hasn't arrived yet, so why not make the most of this time?" He paused, awaiting their response.
A girl with short, beige-colored hair and a mesmerizing pair of gradient crimson eyes eagerly jumped on board.
"I'm in!" she exclaimed, and a few other students agreed.
The young man resumed speaking.
"Thank you. Alright, I'll kick things off...
I'm 𝑯𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒀𝒐𝒔𝒖𝒌𝒆 but feel free to call me Yosuke. Let's keep it casual. I play all kinds of sports, and I intend to join the soccer club at this school."
"Nice to meet you all!"
Following his lead, the girl who agreed with him about introducing ourselves goes next while she radiates off warm friendly energy.
"I'm 𝑲𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒂 𝑲𝒊𝒌𝒚𝒐. My goal is to become friends with each and every one of you! So let's create wonderful memories together, so feel free to invite me anywhere!"
As introductions continued around the room, [Name] contemplated her introduction.
+Okay, I've got this! Just a short, simple introduction, and I'll be done...+ she reassured herself in her mind. +Let's hope I don't mess this up...+
Lost in her thoughts once again, [Name] didn't realize it was her turn until Hirata called out to her repeatedly. She remained oblivious until someone tapped her shoulder, causing her to jump in her seat.
Suddenly aware of the attention on her, [Name] scanned the room, noting everyone's expectant gazes. Then, suddenly realizing what had happened, she stood at her desk and cleared her throat before speaking.
"Um... apologies for that." she mumbled, glancing around the classroom.
After a brief pause, her heart pounding from the attention, she continued, "But, um... it's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm [Last Name] [Name], but call me [Name].
I look forward to building good relationships with everyone over the next few years. Please take care of me!"
As [Name] concluded her introduction, Hirata was the first to respond.
"Nice to meet you, [Name]. Here's to hoping we get along well in the coming years." he said, finishing with a warm smile.
"Yeah, let's hope so." [Name] smiled.
As [Name] concluded her introduction, Hirata smoothly transitioned to the person behind her with a casual voice."Next up... you!"
All eyes in the room immediately turned towards the young man with brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion sitting behind [Name].
"Huh? Me?" he stammered, looking somewhat surprised.
Hirata greeted him with a warm smile waiting for him to introduce himself.
"Um... I'm 𝑨𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒋𝒊 𝑲𝒊𝒚𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒂," he started, his gaze sweeping the room as he observed everyone's reactions. However, his eyes soon met [Name]'s, and they held each other's gaze for a moment before he continued, "I look forward to studying with all of you. Um... Uh....I don't excel in anything specific, but I'll do my best to get along with everyone."
As he finished, a round of applause filled the room out of pity.
"Nice to meet you, Ayanokouji-kun. Let's be good friends." Hirata warmly welcomed him.
Once Ayanokouji took his seat, [Name] began to turn away from him, her thoughts drifting as she stared out of the nearby window. +Wow, that was incredibly awkward. I swear I'd have melted onto the floor if that were me. But hey... I had an awkward moment during my introduction, so who am I to judge?+
Lost in her thoughts once again, [Name] was drawn back to reality by a sudden commotion in the classroom. Turning towards the source of the disturbance, she spotted a large guy with a muscular build, tan skin, and fiery red hair kicking his feet up on his desk, creating a loud crashing sound that captured everyone's attention.
+ Oh, I recognize him. That's 𝑲𝒆𝒏 𝑺𝒖𝒅𝒐. + [Name] reminded herself, recalling whispers about him from other students.
As the redhead began to speak, his dismissive tone caught [Name]'s attention.
"Introductions? Really? Are we going to play kiddie games now? If you want to do that, go ahead, but count me out."
As [Name] heard what Sudo said she couldn't help but think, "+Jeez, a bit harsh! But honestly, I'm grateful Hirata made us introduce ourselves. Otherwise, I'd be awkwardly trying to figure out people's names.+"
Soon the classroom fell into sudden silence as the sliding door parted, revealing a figure that immediately captured everyone's attention. [Name]'s eyes widened in recognition, her thoughts racing to catch up with the abrupt turn of events.
"I'm 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒂 𝑺𝒂𝒆, your homeroom teacher for Class 1-D." the woman announced, her presence commanding the room effortlessly."
+It's her! The one I encountered at the station... and her name is Chabashira?+ [Name] mused to herself, a brief moment of clarity washing over her before she was once again engulfed in a whirlwind of thoughts. +So, she's going to be my teacher...+
Taking a discreet moment to study Chabashira's appearance, [Name] noted the composed elegance of her attire: a sleek black blazer complemented by a crisp white polo shirt, paired with a matching black skirt, stockings, and high heels. A faint blush graced [Name]'s cheeks as she couldn't help but think, "She's rather striking..."
As [Name] redirected her attention to the front of the classroom, she caught a stern glance from Chabashira, causing her to instinctively adjust her posture in her seat.
Chabashira's voice sliced through the quiet, her words carrying an unmistakable authority.
"In this school, there will be no changing classes," she declared firmly. "I will be responsible for the entirety of your three-year journey until graduation."
Following the first day of classes, Chabashira diligently briefed the students with essential information, including the school's distinctive practice of monthly point allocation— with points being the student currency. With the class dismissed, students dispersed, initiating conversations and introductions, yet one individual remained seated, their head resting on the desk while looking at their phone in her hand.
[Name] disbelief was palpable as she stared at her phone screen displaying the figure "100,000" her eyes widening in sheer shock as incredulity raced through her mind.
"100,000 points? That's crazy!" she muttered silently, her gaze fixated on the glowing screen. "But Chabashira mentioned that's my 'worth' for joining this school."
Attempting to soothe her nerves, [Name] said hushedly, +Okay, calm down, [Name]. They're just points... But they hold value like money...+ As her racing thoughts gradually settled, she lifted her head from the desk, cheeks flushed from the pressure of her face against it.
With a determined exhale, [Name] cast a lingering glance toward the front of the classroom, her mind whirring with newfound realizations.
"No! There must be a catch. They wouldn't simply hand out this much points without any strings attached!"
With unwavering resolve, [Name] rose from her seat, pushing her chair decisively before striding purposefully towards the exit. Just before leaving, a flicker of realization crossed her features, eliciting a wry chuckle before she stepped out into the corridor.
Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes keenly observed the entire sequence of events, silently documenting her reaction.
[Name] knocks lightly on the door of the teacher's lounge, hoping not to disturb anyone. She soon hears a faint screech of a chair against the floor.
Soon, the door slides open, revealing Chabashira, her teacher. [Name]'s eyes quickly dart to her, and a nervous expression crosses her face. "Um, hi, Sensei..." [Name] says, bowing slightly before continuing, her hand instinctively moving to scratch nervously behind her head. "I'm here to pick up my clothes from earlier."
Chabashira gazes at [Name] for a moment longer before nodding and motioning for her to enter. [Name] follows suit and steps into the room.
Chabashira strides away from [Name], leaving her standing by the door. [Name] watches her retreat, her eyes trailing over the room. She takes in the typical features of a teacher's lounge: rows of desks, each with its own chair, creating a functional yet mundane space.
As [Name] observes the room, the distinct sound of high heels clicking against the floor brings her attention back to Chabashira, who returns with a bundle of folded clothes in her hands. Chabashira soon stands before [Name], offering her the clothes with a neutral expression.
[Name] takes the clothes from her hands and inspects them briefly before glancing at her teacher. Sensing the intensity of Chabashira's gaze, [Name] shifts uncomfortably and averts her eyes.
Chabashira's narrowed eyes convey a sense of expectation as she says, "Speak. It seems you have something on your mind."
[Name] meets Chabashira's gaze, her voice trembling slightly as she begins, "W-Well, I couldn't help but think about what you said earlier today..." She slips her hands into the pockets of her uniform jacket, gathering her thoughts before continuing, "And, well... I find it hard to believe that what you said was entirely true. If you catch my drift, it feels more like a half-truth."
There's a flicker of confidence in [Name]'s eyes as she maintains eye contact with Chabashira.
Chabashira responds with an amused tone and a smirk, "Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that?"
[Name] presses on, her tone firm, "I mean, the school wouldn't hand out 100,000 points to a group of high schoolers without any strings attached? There has to be a catch...?"
"Right?"
Authors Note: I hope yall enjoyed Chapter 2 of
𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏!
Chapter 2's rewrite is finally complete!
I initially doubted I could finish it, but everything fell into place once I started typing on my computer! I'm feeling delighted right now!
Moving on, I hope you enjoyed the illustrations from the light novel, which we are starting with Kushida!
✬✬✬
(𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲
＠/𝐚𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐯𝟎𝟔 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫! 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐍 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫.)
✬✬✬
Some of you might not like her, but I like her character despite everything she's done!
And let's talk about second-year Kushida... she's just perfect!
Okay, I won't say anything more to avoid spoilers. But I have some ideas about how she'll fit into the storyline, which is subject to change.
But anyway, see ya next time! (>ᴗ•)