I kept walking, a few meters ahead of where the woman had been. The adrenaline from the confrontation was slowly fading, leaving me with the usual aftereffects—a mix of lingering anger and a dash of embarrassment. I was about to disappear into the evening shadows when I heard her shout.
“Hey! Wait up!”
I turned to see the woman sprinting after me, her face flushed with gratitude. She reached me and threw her arms around me, pressing her body against my clothes. It was so sudden and unexpected that I stopped in my tracks, blinking in surprise.
“Uh, me?” I asked, unsure how to react.
She pulled back slightly, laughing awkwardly. “Yes, you! I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up. There’s no one else around here who would’ve helped me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really? I mean, those guys were just acting tough. I wasn’t doing it for you specifically.”
Her laughter continued, a bit more genuine this time. “Well, whatever your reasons, I’m still grateful. Besides, you’re the only one who showed up. You don’t know how much it means to me.”
I scratched the back of my head, feeling a little embarrassed. “Yeah, well, it’s not like I was looking for a thank you or anything.”
She looked at me with a curious expression. “Oh, and you’re wearing Shinsakura’s plain dark uniform, aren’t you? I don’t recognize you. Are you from out of town?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m not from around here. I’m actually looking for the school.”
Her eyes lit up. “Oh, then you’re in luck! The school isn’t far from here. I can give you directions if you want.”
“Sure,” I said, not really caring much either way. “I’ll take them.”
She quickly gave me the directions, pointing down the street and around a few corners. “It’s not too far. You’ll see the entrance once you get closer. Just follow the path.”
“Got it,” I said, nodding as she finished. “Thanks.”
With that, I headed off in the direction she had indicated, the streets of Shinsakura slowly blending into a familiar rhythm. A few minutes later, I found the school.
It wasn’t exactly what I’d been expecting. The building stood there, rather imposing despite its age, covered in a thick layer of moss. The graffiti that decorated the walls was a mix of colorful tags and faded, half-hearted drawings. It gave the place a certain… character, though not the kind I’d usually associate with a top-tier institution.
As I approached, I noticed that the grounds, while neglected, were surprisingly clean. No litter or debris—just a lot of overgrown greenery and an air of abandonment. I couldn’t help but feel a bit of enthusiasm at the sight. There was something oddly charming about it, like a relic of the past still holding on despite the passage of time.
I found the entrance and walked inside. The interior wasn’t much better; the walls were lined with more graffiti, and the floors had that slightly worn look of buildings that have seen better days. I wandered into the main office to check the class list.
The list was displayed on a large board, and as I scanned it, I noticed that the school had only nine classes, despite covering about seven hectares. The small number of classes seemed strange for such a large area, but it made sense in a way—fewer students, more space.
I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head at the quirky layout. This place had a unique charm, like a forgotten gem that still held a bit of its old luster. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and curiosity. It was time to see what this school had to offer, and maybe, just maybe, it would turn out to be more than I’d expected.
With the class list in hand and a renewed sense of purpose, I started making my way through the corridors, ready to explore the school and see where this new chapter would lead me.
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As I walked through the corridors of Shinsakura High, the eerie silence was occasionally broken by the sound of my footsteps echoing off the walls. The school, with its moss-covered facade and graffiti-lined halls, seemed like a relic from another era. Yet, beneath the worn exterior, I sensed an undercurrent of something more—something that hinted at a history filled with conflict and strength.
The class list had revealed an interesting fact: the school operated without any teachers. Instead, it was run entirely by the students. Each class was ranked, and the rankings determined the pecking order. The higher the rank, the more formidable the student. I couldn't help but smile at the thought. More formidable foes, more opportunities to test my skills. It was a challenge I was ready for.
After wandering through the hallways, I finally found my classroom: Class A-1. I pushed open the door, intending to enter with a sense of purpose and authority. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm got the better of me. The door swung open with a little too much force, slamming against the wall and causing a resounding thud that echoed through the room.
Instantly, all eyes turned toward me. The students—about a dozen in total—gazed at me with a mix of curiosity and irritation. The atmosphere shifted from casual chatter to a tense silence. I could feel their scrutiny, a hundred eyes boring into me.
Among the students, four stood out. I didn’t need to focus on them specifically yet, but they had an air of prominence about them. One had striking pink hair, another was decked out in dark crimson attire, the third sported a dark blue ensemble, and the fourth had hair as white as snow. They were clearly important, though I couldn’t tell exactly how from just a glance.
As I stepped further into the room, the student in dark blue approached me. His face was a mask of casual friendliness, but I could sense the underlying tension. It was clear he was curious, maybe even a bit agitated. He stopped in front of me, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
“You must be the new guy, right?” he said, his voice smooth and casual, yet tinged with an edge of steel.
I met his gaze steadily, not bothering to hide my own curiosity. “So what if I am?” I replied, not backing down.
His smile widened, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of something that spoke of hidden depths and unspoken challenges. “Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to see who the latest arrival is. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”
Without warning, his demeanor shifted. In a blink, his smile was replaced by a serious expression, and his body language changed from relaxed to combat-ready. He took a step closer, and I felt a shift in the air, as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees. His presence became more intense, and I could see that he wasn’t just putting on a show. This was real, and it was dangerous.
The classroom was quiet now, the students watching with keen interest. I could tell they were all waiting to see how this would play out. I glanced around, noting the way everyone’s eyes were locked on me, trying to gauge my reaction.
“You’re already making a name for yourself,” the dark blue student continued, his voice low and steady. “Just be careful. This place isn’t as welcoming as it might seem.”
I nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. This wasn’t just a school—it was a battleground. And I had just stepped into the arena.
“Thanks for the heads-up,” I said, my voice carrying a hint of amusement. “I didn’t come here to make friends. I’m here to prove myself.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of respect. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.”
As he stepped back, the tension in the room eased slightly, but the atmosphere remained charged. The students went back to their own conversations, though I could tell that my arrival had stirred things up. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
The dark blue student’s warning had only intensified my curiosity. This school, with its lack of teachers and its hierarchy of power, promised challenges I was eager to face. Each student here was a potential opponent, and from what I’d seen so far, they were not to be underestimated.
I walked over to an empty desk and sat down, my mind racing with possibilities. This was only the beginning, and I was ready for whatever came next. The school had its own rhythm, and I was determined to find my place within it.
The door to the classroom creaked open once more, and I glanced up to see the student in pink hair entering. He seemed to carry himself with a certain nonchalance, his eyes scanning the room as if he were looking for something—or someone. He paused when he noticed me, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
“Looks like we’ve got a new face,” he said, his tone light but carrying an edge of challenge. “Hope you’re ready for what’s coming.”
I met his gaze with a steady look. “I’m ready.”
The room seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with anticipation. This was no ordinary school. It was a place where power was the only currency, and every interaction was a test. I had a lot to prove, and I intended to start right away.
With that thought in mind, I glanced around the classroom, taking in the faces of my new peers. Each one of them was a potential rival, and each interaction would be a step in the path I was carving for myself. The journey was just beginning, and I was determined to make the most of it.
The bell rang, signaling the start of the class. The students began to settle into their seats, and I followed suit, preparing myself for whatever challenges lay ahead. It was clear that Shinsakura High was going to be an arena like no other, and I was ready to face it head-on.