“What? Someone has to retake the agriculture sim?!”

“I know, right?! Like, who’s so stupid that they couldn’t figure out a sim like that?”

“It’s literally just planting potatoes and lettuce. Boom. Done.”

“That’s what I’m saying. But one of the second-years completely bombed the exam and is retaking it with our first-year class.”

“Oh my god. How is someone that stupid even a part of the EON program?”

“That must be so embarrassing.”

“I’d hate to be that person! Glad I have more than five brain cells.”

“Aw, it’s not that bad! Having only five brain cells really frees up time for me to focus on the important things in life, you know?”

Gen smiled brightly at the two first-years in front of him, watching the color quickly drain from their faces as their heads tilted up to meet his gaze. He waved cheerfully, hoping it wasn’t too obvious how much his neck had to crane down to look at them properly.

“Hi! My name is Gen! I’m the second-year retaking the exam today.” He made sure his grin was as wide as possible, his reddish-brown eyes sparkling to match the friendly expression. He didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot with his fellow test-takers, after all.

However, it looked like that was going to be a little hard.

The first-years backed away from him with pale faces, their legs trembling and their eyes wide with fear.

“H-Hello, sir.” One of them whimpered, his voice even shakier than the twig legs he was standing on.

“Please don’t hurt us.” His friend added, her own voice barely even reaching Gen’s ears as a tiny squeak.

“No! No, I’m not gonna hurt you!” Gen said immediately, waving his hands quickly in front of him with a sheepish laugh. “Seriously! I know I’m pretty stupid, so no big deal, right? Well, I mean you shouldn’t talk about people behind their backs, but I’m fine! So you’re fine!”

“Now, if you’d been talking about Kenox,” Gen added in his mind, still smiling brightly at the younger kids. “He would’ve already shut you up quite thoroughly.”

Ah, he and his best friend were of two different breeds. That was for sure.

“Gen?” A soft voice suddenly called in surprise, drawing Gen’s attention to the left. His face brightened immediately when he noticed the two blonde figures approaching him from down the hall.

“Bunny Boy! Migi!” Gen laughed in delight, waving at the blonde twins as they walked up to him. “Good to see you guys! Are you in this class, too?”

“Too? What the heck do you mean by ‘too’?” Migi demanded, crossing her arms with a suspicious scowl. “Last I checked, you weren’t on the roster, bud.”

“Are you the second-year retaking your exam?” Hidari smiled sweetly, his blue eyes looking up at Gen with their usual gentle aura. “That’s unfortunate. I’m sorry you had so much trouble the first time around.”

“Hey, it’s to be expected.” Gen shrugged, grateful that the twins were in the class. “When you let me near an open flame and a field, there are only so many things that can happen.”

There was a bit more to the story than that, but those were the crucial details Gen felt like he needed to share.

Hidari laughed at Gen’s comment, his voice tinkling in the air like a frosted chime. “I hope you do better this time around.” The gentle boy added at the end of his laugh, tilting his head to the side. “If it’s a group exercise, you can work with Migi and I, if you’d like.”

“That would be super helpful, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be a solo op.” Gen sighed, lacing his fingers behind his head as he thought about the last test. “Or at least the original test we second-years took was solo.”

“Hmm, too bad.” Hidari murmured, still smiling at Gen all the while.

Out of the corner of his eye, Gen could see the two frightened first-years from before watching Hidari and Migi carefully, as if gauging their reactions to the terrifyingly massive second-year they’d just insulted.

Gen really was grateful Hidari and Migi were a part of this class. He knew for a fact that pretty much every first-year followed a single rule like it was part of their religion: Hidari knows best. Whatever Hidari liked, they liked. Whatever Hidari claimed was good, they believed was good. Even if the big, scary second-year was six feet tall and bulging with muscle, if Hidari thought he was fine, then he was fine.

He basically had the same amount of influence over the first-years that Kenox had over the second-years. It was just a bit more…culty.

“So…you know this guy, Hidari?” One of the first-years asked hesitantly, edging closer to the angelic boy while watching Gen with a guarded expression.

“Of course.” Hidari responded brightly, smiling at the girl. “Gen may look quite threatening, but he’s a softie on the inside. Very sweet and funny. Even Migi likes him.”

“‘Like’ is a strong word.” Migi huffed, still keeping an icy glare trained on Gen. “I’ll admit that I admire a few things about him, though. Only a few.”

“Aw, thanks, Migi.” Gen ruffled the girl’s hair affectionately, grinning as she swiped his hand away. “I admire your battle strategies, too.”

Migi huffed at the compliment, but Gen had known her long enough that he could see the way her shoulders relaxed just the slightest bit. Her chin lifted too, as if to compensate for the softening elsewhere in her body, so she could retain her overall unapproachable aura. But Gen knew she appreciated the comment.

“Oh. Well, I guess if he’s okay with Hidari.” The girl first-year suddenly straightened up beside the blonde boy, offering Gen a smile of her own. “Sorry for talking about you behind your back like that. I’m Chrysanthemum. You can just call me Chrys.”

“Hey Chrys.” Gen beamed at the shorter girl, happy that his fellow test-takers wouldn’t be shrinking away from him in fear this entire time. “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to some gossip now and again.”

“But if you’re Hidari’s friend, then no one should gossip about you!” The boy first-year suddenly said firmly, appearing by Chrys’s side and offering Gen an apologetic look. “I’m sure you’re an amazing, wonderful person. No one can say anything bad about a friend of Hidari’s!”

“Amari is right!” Chrys agreed, nodding her head furiously. “If Hidari thinks you’re great, then you must be incredible!”

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“Stupendous!” Amari shot back.

“Marvelous!” The girl countered, the two of them directing sharp glares at each other.

“Alright, I’m really nothing special.” Gen said quickly, hoping to dissuade the situation before it escalated. “I’m just an average guy who happens to be friends with Hidari. There are way more amazing people out there. Like my best friend, Kenox, for instance!”

“Kenox?” Chrys suddenly frowned, crossing her arms. “I’ve heard about him. He’s the second-year who thinks he’s better than Hidari.”

“Well…I mean, if you want to check the rankings and the numbers, then he technically is.” Gen laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head as he glanced over at Hidari. “He’s got higher scores across more subjects. Actually, the only subjects Hidari really beats him in are the economic ones.”

“I’m close on diplomatic conflict resolution.” Hidari inserted coolly, still smiling sweetly at their group. “But I suppose that’s not as impressive as military strategy or public speaking. Or even,” He sighed sadly, gesturing at the room they were all waiting beside. “Agricultural planning.”

“No way! Economics are way more important than all those things!” Chrys chimed immediately, turning to Hidari with fire in her eyes.

“Yeah! Without a good economy, how is an agricultural society even going to thrive?” Amari agreed, also facing Hidari determinedly. “And money talks, so who even cares about public speaking when you’ve got that going for you?”

“You’re amazing, Hidari!” Chrys cried, her shouts gathering the crowd of first-years who’d begun to assemble outside the classroom.

“You’re the best!” Amari agreed, punching the air with a fist. “Not even Kenox is better than you, Hidari!”

“No way is he better!” Some girl in the back cried, holding up her own fist angrily. “Hidari is the greatest candidate in the EON program!”

“Hidari’s superior!” A boy agreed with her, also holding up a fist.

The crowd continued to grow and chant Hidari’s praises, their fists raising aggressively into the air as they surrounded Hidari.

Gen backed away slowly, watching the angelic boy at the center of their attention with mild concern. Geez, it almost looked like a freaking mob. Was Hidari really okay with all this crazed attention?

Gen could see Hidari smiling at all of the people around him, holding his hands up calmingly to keep them from shouting too loud, his sweet face somehow seeming to reel them in and encourage them further all at once. He looked like he was used to this aggressive adoration.

And when Gen glanced at Migi, he could see her body language had already shifted into a more defensive one, the sharp-edged girl scowling at the crowd around Hidari as she angled herself against them. Her arms were subtly raised to the sides, too, as if she was ready to block off anyone who tried to get too close to her brother.

Ah. He had a bodyguard.

“Well, I guess that works out for him, then.” Gen commented weakly, still gawking at the chanting mob. “Even so, poor Hidari.”

Gen knew he would never feel comfortable having that much attention locked on him or having so many expectations thrown at his feet all the time. People like Hidari and Kenox – who could take those exaltations and expectations and just keep surpassing them – were truly amazing.

And that fact that they could politely put up with everyone who saw how amazing they were was even more impressive.

“Ahem!” A loud voice rang in the air and Gen’s head suddenly snapped around to notice Mr. Buscher glaring at them all, his green eyes dark under narrowed, bushy eyebrows. “Agricultural Planning exam? Does anyone plan on coming in and starting it?!” He shouted, reedy voice piercing through the air, but not quite reaching the ears of the adoring crowd.

Gen looked back at the crowd and then at Mr. Buscher, offering the man a small wave. “I still want to take it.” He said brightly.

Mr. Buscher glanced at Gen and a weak smile passed over his face. “Thanks, Gen.” He sighed, shoulders slumping a bit. “You’re a real good kid, you know that?”

“I try.” Gen laughed, reaching out and patting Mr. Buscher supportively on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Hidari will reign them in soon. And if not, I can always shout real loud to get their attention for you.”

Mr. Buscher shot him a grateful look, grabbing Gen’s hand almost desperately.

“I hope you pass this time.” The agriculture teacher said firmly, gripping Gen’s hand. “And get a much better score.”

“Well, that’s what my studying will have hopefully helped me achieve.” Gen chirped, looking back at the mob in the hallway, still chanting Hidari’s name. “Um…should I shout now?”

Before Mr. Buscher could say anything, Hidari’s sky-blue eyes suddenly flickered over and landed on the poor teacher standing there. They widened with recognition and the blonde boy’s head immediately snapped back to face all of his followers.

“We need to start our examination now.” He called in a loud, clear voice, the crowd falling into a hushed silence instantly at the sweet sound. “I appreciate all of your praise and comments, and I’ll continue to work hard to meet your expectations. But for now,” He smiled and gestured towards the waiting teacher (and Gen) by the classroom door. “Let’s all head inside and do our best together.”

“Of course, Hidari!” One girl cried immediately.

“Let’s do it!” Another boy cheered, the crowd instantly falling in line behind their idol and following him to the classroom.

Migi walked right at Hidari’s side as always, shooting harsh glares over her shoulder at the adoring classmates strolling behind the two of them, completely ignoring Mr. Buscher as they walked by.

Hidari, on the other hand, shot the teacher an apologetic look once he was near, the angelic boy murmuring a gentle apology for the delay under his breath as he led the group inside.

Mr. Buscher gave a heavy sigh, holding his face in his hands and muttering to himself for a few seconds.

Gen let his hand drop from the teacher’s shoulder, pity rising for the unfortunate man who had to wrangle in the class of Hidari-fanatics in a few seconds.

“At least once we’re all in the sim,” He began, hoping he could offer some consolation. “We’ll be totally disconnected from the world and you won’t have to deal with us!”

Mr. Buscher looked up to meet Gen’s eyes and Gen shot him a large grin, holding a thumbs-up for good measure.

The same weak smile from before passed over Mr. Buscher’s face and he nodded, scrubbing his face one more time before straightening up. “You’re right. It’s just a few more minutes.” He agreed, looking gratefully at the tall boy. “So let’s head inside ourselves. I wish you luck on your exam this time, Gen.”

“Thanks, Mr. Buscher!” Gen chirped as he followed the teacher in, glancing around quickly to find where the untaken seats in the class were.

It looked like every seat in front of Hidari was open, with every other student crammed either in the same second row as him or in all the rows behind him. Now whether that was due to their cultish beliefs saying they weren’t good enough to sit in front of him, or those same beliefs saying they couldn’t live without having him in their field of vision, Gen didn’t know.

He just shrugged and wandered to the seat directly in front of Hidari, shooting a friendly smile at the blonde boy as he dropped down into it.

Hidari smiled back, eyes sparkling a little as he waved. If Gen wasn’t reading too much into that sparkle, he genuinely thought the blonde boy was thrilled to have someone finally take the seat in front of him.

Poor Hidari.

“Now then!” Mr. Buscher called at the front of the class, pulling everyone’s attention towards him. “This will be your first-year unit six agricultural planning examination. For Gen, it will be a second-year version of the same exam. Your goal is the same: given a medieval agricultural community in decline due to a disease in recent crops, revive the community by planning a new crop or salvaging the prior one.”

Oh. They actually gave recommended solutions to the first-years. Well, that would’ve been helpful before.

Mr. Buscher gave the room a quick once-over, noting the headsets held firmly in every student’s hands. “You are expected to showcase not only planning techniques with this simulation, but to also engage in the enacting of your agricultural model.” He added, peering at some of the students in particular. “Don’t shy away from the hard work. Revitalize this land with your own two hands. This is a solo simulation.”

As a few murmurs passed around the class, some of the kids shifting in their seats nervously, Mr. Buscher’s eyes settled on Gen in the front.

“Good luck. Please begin.” He said simply, tapping a button on the desk monitor to power all the headsets on.

Gen offered the teacher a quick smile, then took a deep breath to prepare himself, slipping the headset on over his face. He waited for the familiar sounds of the headset as it whirred to life, body tensing in preparation for the still-strange feeling of shutting down as he went into the sim.

Honestly, he didn’t like it all that much. It felt so weird and way too technological. All the whirring sounds and the cuffs popping over his wrists and legs and the almost-painful white flas–

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[WELCOME TO AGRICULTURAL PLANNING, REMEDIAL SECOND-YEAR EXAMINATION, UNIT SIX. YOUR SIMULATION IN THE FARMING COMMUNITY AGRIPPA BEGINS NOW.]