CHAPTER 3 Act 1

On my way to school the next day, I had remembered what my sister had said to me before I left the house.

"Er, Dad and Mom plan everything from the beginning."

I remained quiet, but she continued on.

"That's why they make an effort to be kind of you; don't blame them."

It's not like I can undo things, so this is no longer a concern of mine.

Ms. Eve contacted my sister regarding our conversation. I'm not sure how they knew each other's contact information, but Ms. Eve told her that I declined the offer.

And that's why my sister was worried about me disliking our parents.

"I'll try." I responded shortly before leaving the house.

I understand my parents' concerns, but I don't want to engage them in my personal matter. I don't dislike or loathe them for being overly inquisitive, and they know where they draw the line.

Probably they will stop after this incident.

Now I'm heading to school alone, as usual, with a blunt look on my face as I try to figure out what the letter's purpose is.

Strangely speaking, I just checked my bag and there's no note or anything in there. Because there was no letter, I was confident that it was made by someone at school.

This time, my aim is to capture that person in the act. Nonetheless, I believe it is indeed that capturing this prey is not as simple as it appears.

As I walked through the entry gate, I realized that practically all of the students were staring at me.

I have no idea why, but I don't enjoy this circumstance. Their gazes are not the same as when I first started attending to school. It appears that I have been charged with a felony.

However, after a minute of walk, someone grabs my shoulder; but I instinctively spin around, grab his hand, and throw him down.

I've been extra cautious since Zei's incident.

"What the—ugh."

"What do you want from me?" I asked while straining his arm.

"Urgh, your reflexes are not a joke."

"Yeah, I'm dead serious though."

This is the 'morning guy' who treats me as if we're buddies despite the fact that we're not. He once greeted me, but I didn't recognize him.

Regardless, after meeting him for the first time, he didn't speak to me in class or on the way home. I listened to several others around me and learned his name as a result.

'He's always like that, a pleasant attractive looking man,' as the girls said, deeply in loved; absorbed by their discussion about him.

But I didn't want all of his details, so I dropped the idea of asking them.

"Dude, can you let me go? You're creating a ruckus, you know?"

He is not as weak as he seems. It's only that my strength is superior than his.

I step away from him and give him a serious look.

"Now what?"

"Uh, I just wanted to know where Lisa went?" he asked after getting up.

"That woman? Why are you asking me?"

"She was missing yesterday, and the last time I saw her was from the Student Council Room; when I was ready to go home with her, I unexpectedly spotted you two together; but after seeing you two, you just left, and Lisa ran away. And to conclude, I was hoping you knew about something?"

Apparently, they appear to be close. If they aren't close, he wouldn't have approached me and asked in the first place.

"Is that my issue?"

"Huh?"

"If you saw her acting that way, why did you chase after her?"

"Uh, no. My body didn't move at that moment because I don't like the idea that I'm consoling her while she's crying like that."

Crying?

Anyway, judging from his attitude, I don't think he has feelings for her.

If they have a close enough relationship to be labeled "friends," it is true that he was there for her when she cried and carried her burdens. Though I don't have any particular friends, if I'm right, that's what friends are supposed to do.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Whatever the reason, I'm not sure what their relationship is to begin with.

"That's not my problem, right?"

"Um, okay... But there's a possibility you know abou—"

"No, I don't."

"I see... Then, I apologize for troubling you."

He suddenly bowed his head.

"I have a question, what is your relationship with that woman?" I questioned, ignoring his actions.

"I suppose we're friends..."

He seemed to be hesitant about his response based on his movement of scratching his head. It is indeed doubtful, but I think I'll leave it to them.

"By the way, why are people acting like they aware of me?"

Though we created a sudden fuss, I don't think students would stare at us like this. The issue here isn't their gazes; rather it's something else.

"Hn? You noticed? Well, you were gone yesterday, so you probably didn't know. You're getting these stares because--"

"Fred, let's go!" said someone ahead of us.

Apart from that, this guy's name was (Fred).

He looks at that person and says, "Oh, right." And he tries to apologize to me again, "Sorry Mr. Seid, but please forget about our conversation... well, then."

He ran like if he was trying to avoid me, or I was imagining it?

Later on, I shoved this issue to the back of my mind.

Hereafter, the best thing to do is go to class and get this day started—at least, that's what I thought.

"Hey you," someone just cut in front of me, prompting me to stop at some point.

How many people will cross my route before I get to my classroom? It's annoying.

"What?" I locked my gaze on him.

"Do you happen to be the new Student?"

"Is there a matter?"

Until I realized it, I was surrounded by a swarm of students.

"Nothing, just our commander requesting you to see her after class."

"Hnh, what a silly thing to say. Why there were so much people here just to say that to me?"

Without a doubt, their eyes are tremendously searing at me.

"No, they will not harm you unless I tell them to."

What a farce.

They intend to use their numbers to frighten me.

"That's all we had to say," they appear to be saying as they slowly turn away.

I just realized that is it normal not to identify yourself here?

This is exasperating.

After their statement, all of the students who had previously surrounded me vanished in an instant.

I don't feel threatened, but I do believe they are quite serious.

According to their apparent behavior, they're rather arrogant and pompous. Isn't my presence a threat to them, or do they intend to impress me?

I'm sure they want to be friends with me, but they also regard me as a hindrance.

This appears to be the hierarchy that Zei was referring to. They appear to be at the peak since no one among the students dares to interrupt the scene.

In any case, I casually left the area as if nothing had happened.

On my way, I saw someone waiting on the stairs once more. There were no students nearby, but there was one just in front of me. He's sitting on the third top stairwell, looking as though he's waiting for someone.

...Waiting in me?

"At long last, you've arrived."

"Uhm, I didn't say that you need to wait for me. And, who are you anyway?" I asked in a tedious tone.

He paused, and suddenly laughed sardonically, but it didn't last long. He then again speak to me.

"On your first week at this school, you had an absence? What a remarkable student."

"That's a ridiculous thing to say. Why don't some of these students know how to properly greet someone?" I mutter. "Why are you here?"

"I see. Do you know why I'm here?" He said, mockingly.

"Sorry for being nasty, but this guy didn't know how to greet someone; anyhow, simply we're inviting you to join our chat," a woman alongside him said as she approached us. She came down those stairs with a faint sound that I almost didn't notice.

These occurrences have taken me by surprise. Though I suspected that the other organizations are moving as quickly as this one to increase their numbers.

"We don't want to push you," she explained, "but let me greet you once again, Mr. Seid; it's a pleasant to meet you."

"Hm, is that so? Then, excuse me."

To brush off their pleasantries, I managed to move ahead of them, leaving them in my wake.

"If you're wondering why others are staring at you like that, it's because someone spread a story about a transferee student, and because no one else was moved here, it's definitely all about you."

I came to a screeching halt with her statement.

"Indeed, but what is that rumor, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Now you want to talk now," the guy interrupted.

I turned around and peered at them as if I were a hunter looking for meat.

"If you really want to know, come see us after class." The woman said while looking straight in my eyes.

Basically, even though they did not say it explicitly, it implies that they want me to join their group like the others.

However...

"Do you think it's necessary, Mr. Seid?"

Hana appeared out of nowhere. All three of us weren't surprised, given that we were all aware that someone was eavesdropping on our conversation.

"What are you doing here as well?"

"I only wanted to seek for you, Mr. Seid, since I had a feeling that someone would approach you."

It clearly shows that the President directed her to keep an eye on me.

"This is irritating," I mumbled dismissively.

"Oh, Ms. Hana, the Student Council representative. This is rather interesting to see..."

Rhe woman sternly says, staring at Hana's actions.

"I'm nothing more than a normal student."

"So, what are you up to?" the guy asked, "We don't threaten Mr. Seid, you know."

"Nothing in particular; I'm simply here to represent the President."

Hana answered with a flippant grin.

"Oh, yeah? Then we'd want to say good morning to you as well; we don't take long here," the woman replied and added, "We're just here to say hello, and then we'll be on our way."

"We will leave immediately, don't worry; we simply happened to be here at random and didn't anticipate Mr. Seid to be here," the man snidely explained.

"Like honestly; so then, excuse us," the woman says as they leave me and Hana.

They don't do any harm, anyhow.

Following that, I spoke to Hana, "What are you doing?"

"You'll make a fuss if I don't interrupt, right?"

"..."

I'm not sure whether she can sense the mood, but I was about to force the two unknown persons to spill the beans.

"Another thing, what is the rumor they're talking about?"

"Uh, right, you're not present yesterday. To tell the truth, the rumor isn't so bad. You fought Steve, right? That's it; and the rumors spiraled out of control. That's why some students are wary because there's a competition between the leaders. Recruiting, to be specific. Generally, they don't know how to interact with someone who puts them in danger"

So they considered me as a danger?

"I get what you mean."

"Also, if you don't join, you'll be ostracized if you recall what we told you."

"Um, yeah."

Outcasted you mean? From their expressions, it's clear that they shunned me already.

Their gazes appeared to penetrate me at first glance, but I manage to continue as normal.

"The representatives are aware of a man like you as well as the normal students; therefore, be cautious and join an organization as soon as feasible. That's what Student Council wanted to say to Mr. Seid."

She walked away after that.

And as a result, I also continued on my way.

"Join, huh."