Chapter 1: A Completely Different Person

The back four moved in slowly, Sapphira furrowed her brow, glancing at the others. "We're not supposed to be in the same class." Her voice was firm but uncertain. "Different years, different disciplines. This... isn't right."

"Indeed, why are we suddenly all here? This does not make sense." Rina, the bookworm who looked like she started from the middle of a chapter said.

"The last thing I remembered was entering the clubroom..." Ayaka commented as she fixed her hair.

"I think you're missing a lot more details than that..." Holly said in her usual monotone voice

"Yeah...It's...a lot more than that...." Rina responded.

The four realized the classroom is dead silent. Although they were whispering to each other, even the smallest noise pierced the air.

"THE FOUR OF YOU, QUIET!" Miss Inari shouted from the front of the classroom.

The four of them instantly quiet down as the lesson continued as usual. This isn't the Miss Inari they once knew. Miss Inari used to be a kind and loving teacher who was always patient with her class. Sure, noise would disrupt lessons, but this is as strict as a drill sergeant.

"But Miss In-"

A pen flew towards Ayaka's face, it caused an audible knock sound.

The other students kept their eyes to the front, except the other 3 who stared at Ayaka in shock.

"Miss Ayaka...NEED I REMIND YOU THAT YOU FORGOT YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FOR TWO CLASSES IN A ROW??!!!"

"Wh- no! I-"

Another pen flew in the air. Although Ayaka outwardly looks like she slacks off on her word, which she does, she usually gets them done on time, if not the minute before her teacher arrives.

"ONE MORE PEEP FROM YOU, AND IT INTO SPECIAL CLASS YOU GO!"

Nobody tried to speak up after that. It's probably for the best that they don't make another mistake. This special class back in Virtuous Path Institute was reserved for those who needed extra disciplinary action. Even the mere mention of it was rare due to how much demerit someone needed to earn. It was reserved for the worst of the worst. One of which being Holly's older brother.

The bell rang, the four of them left the classroom. But a loud voice stopped them.

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"AYAKA, YOU NEED TO FOLLOW ME. YOUR SCORE IS UNACCEPTABLE TO CONTINUE CLASSES HERE."

"Ye-yess, miss..."

Sapphira wanted to intervene and prove Ayaka's innocence. But the whole situation is disorienting.

"Hold on." Holly said in protest.

Miss Inari stopped for a moment and glared at Holly.

"A single rotten apple spoils the barrel. You could have followed in your brother's footsteps and become the next Star Student of VPI."

The mere mention of Holly's brother froze them all in place. This too is not the same person the 4 are familiar with.

"Instead, you were picked up by the ringleader, Sapphira." Miss Inari shook her head in disappointment. "I've told you time and time again that Sapphira had been held back twice. She then got Ayaka and Rina which held them back one year. You were on track, but it seems like I have failed you too."

Sapphira had enough of this. "Miss Inari, can we have a few minutes to talk about this?"

Miss Inari lifted an eyebrow, "You're finally showing me some respect after all these years? I guess calling me by my first name finally got old for you."

Sapphira jerked a bit at that comment, but she quickly wiped away the reaction.

"Yes, indeed, we need to sort out some things, there is a lot of weird things going on around here."

"What's weird is you, you don't usually talk like that. You're always hidden and never spoke to us. We thought you were a big introvert and a bad influence. But you've finally decided to speak up."

Sapphira is shaking in both fear and rage, she keeps cringing at this totally different self that is being described. She could not fathom the idea of being hated, if not seen as a villain. "Yes, sometimes we change, Miss Inari."

"All of you, follow me to the special classroom. Session is over there." Miss Inari commanded.

The four followed Miss Inari. The hallways of VPI looked similar yet different. A red carpet covered the ground which suddenly stopped when they entered a new wing. This wing seems to be the area for the special class. It's visibly more run down compared to the rest of the school.. Trash piled up in the hallway, as if the janitor was specifically instructed to dump the waste here. The place is populated by the students who had body tattoos and piercings, whispers filled the air as the 5 of them passed. However, they were going down a familiar path...as if to the clubroom they usually frequent.

As they were walking, Sapphira checked her phone, and confirms, yes, the photos from the VPI she knew still existed. Pictures of her holding awards, including one where she is taking an Award from Miss Inari. Sapphira tried to look for a certain someone's face but unfortunately, she never took a photo together with them.

Miss Inari opened the door to one of the classrooms. She stomped in and sat down at the teacher's podium. "I expect a lot of good things to hear from you. Holly, this is where you will have classes if you continue to spend time with the three of them." Miss Inari said.

Rina, Ayaka, and Holly were all speechless. They sat in the silence of the run-down classroom. The classroom is old and faded, the windowpanes in pieces. Nobody cared for the classroom. Miss Inari started at them like a hawk. Not saying a word, but waiting for something.

Sapphira finally got up and wanted to show Miss Inari her images. But instead of understanding, Miss Inari's eyes glowed. "FINALLY, THE FINAL PIECE OF EVIDENCE!"

Miss Inari snatched the phone from Sapphira's hand and ran out of the room. "ENJOY YOUR LAST DAY AT VPI, SAPPHIRA." Her voice echoed through the hallways.

"Looks like playing good student is not an option." Holly spoke up.

"It was really irritating hearing all that about you Sapphira, forget her singling me out, I was ready to throw hands when she talked about you." Ayaka responded as she gritted her teeth.

"No worries, this world's Sapphira must have been a real pain." Sapphira reassured everyone that she is fine after that. "But at present, we will have to do our own investigations and find solutions to get back to our world. Who knows what will happen if we decide to stay here."

As the evening sun set, darkness enveloped them. The 4 slipped into the shadows.