Ding, ding, ding!!! It was my alarm; I had just woken up and I was late for my first day of school at Japan's top high school. I'm not fond of school but it's better than staying here especially since he's dead.

I expected that when he died that I would feel something, I mean aren't you supposed to feel bad when your father dies, I can't say I felt anything of that sort though it's been 4 years.

I thought all this as I hurriedly took a bath, brushed my teeth and started putting on my uniform, a rather glamorous uniform.

A black blazer, a white shirt, a brown tie with white stripes and black shoes. However, the school isn't strict with how you wear the uniform you could wear as you saw fit.

I knew all this as I read the school handbook last night. The school is so lenient that one can even change the uniform without fear of punishment, of course this means you could wear accessories like bracelets and hairpins.

I monopolized this school's leniency on uniform arrangement, I wore a black shirt underneath my white shirt, so I unbuttoned the first button showing the shirt within, I untucked the white shirt, I wore a blue tie with white strips, I loosened the tie a little bit, I wore a black bracelet and a black watch though I didn't wear the blazer.

I did all this to look as friendly as possible. I've never really had friends throughout my life except Hiro of course but he's my childhood friend so he doesn't count.

Though the color black might be counterproductive.

After I finished wearing my uniform, I rechecked my box to see if I had left any essentials, but it seemed I didn't, so I left for the door. Goodbye Haruto, till we meet next. And Ayato... I hope you're doing ok.

I used a cab, I could tell you a million reasons why I didn't not to follow the bus, one of which is the stench but bottom line I don't want to. As I was in the taxi I re-read the school handbook, it stated how the school was founded in 2014 and is already Japan's top high school and with a reasonable margin. A government owned school that boasts to have the world best curriculum for Japanese students as well as having the biggest land property used for educational purposes in Japan.

It also stated some of the the school rules, and might I add this school has some weird rules such as; inability to leave the campus unless it's an important situation, prohibition of private phones as they would give us school-owned phones on entrance to the school, inability to use money as nothing the school costs money, and the fact that we cannot leak information about the school curriculum if not we will get imprisoned for 3 years before you even graduate.

It seems the government really was backing the school. This school is something else, its campus is so large that it has malls. It is on a separate island connected to the mainland; it truly embodies the word 'prestigious'.

In fact getting into this school is quite a hassle, the exam was really something else. This is a school for geniuses, the gifted, the exceptional or just the very lucky.

I was slowly approaching the designated area that would take me to school. But before that I would like to ask a question one could only call philosophical.

Do all humans have free will?

I had been pondering this for the last few weeks, after I got the acceptance letter. It was by no means an easy question, as it is frankly too subjective.

If I were to ask a rash person he would say, "Yes we do that's why I can do this", he would say that probably hitting me. But isn't the mere fact that I can create an accurate scenario of what would happen makes me doubt that's free will.

But then on the other hand, an analytical thinker would give a more educated answer saying, "Different situations create different results".

In some ways he might be correct and in fact the same scenario can create different results. As I could kill a man's parents and could get two results;

He could become a murderer.

Or.

He becomes a caped vigilante that is weirdly named after his fear.

Of course, these scenarios are blown out of proportion and there are more than 2 outcomes but these are still within the realm of possibilities.

Therefore, the deciding factor is the person not the situation, therefore there are some aspects of free will won't that mean there are some aspects of free will.

But isn't that a controlled mentality.

The mere fact that a scenario can adjust one's mentality proves that it is controlled. Back to the former scenario, I had mentioned that there is no definite result, there is one thing that they all share.

A mindset changed by trauma.

No matter how strong or weak willed a person we all change with trauma for better or for worse we are all moved by trauma of some sorts, some say it's needed growth. It seems his presence still lingers. But that had changed as I became a new man.

.

.

.

It was a long drive and I almost fell asleep but I was interested to see the famous high-speed train. To enter the school, you had to follow a train, a high-speed train. A journey that would take an average time of 5 minutes with a normal train would take nearly 2 minutes with this train, about 2.5 minutes.

As I arrived at the train station, my heart beat increased as I was anxious to see the school. It turned out I wasn't the only one late, so it seemed I was not alone in this endeavor. We were about 40, so they couldn't send all of us back, right?

Right?

A man who I assume is the principal came to a podium then spoke.

"I'm sure you all are our new transfer students; I'm not really hear to address you but to tell you to line up as you will be riding the train." He spoke in monotone. His voice was neither imposing nor passive, one could say it was completely devoid of emotion.

As he left, people noticed his physical features. He had a very bald head that was without a doubt brighter than the sun. So, people gave snarky comments about it.

"I never knew I would be to come this close to the sun." Said a blonde hair boy.

"I think you mean the world's best mirror." Said a blue haired

"Yeah, we're so lucky to witness such a sight" I spoke hoping to get some positive replies.

"Like for real though." Replied the blonde hair boy. "Well, I think we should all line up." He continued.

After that we went to the line, I forgot to ask their names.

Heugh...

I didn't get down as there were other chances to make friends.

I was surprised this school accepted transfer students, I mean one would think Japan's top high school would have more than enough students though there's a rumor about the school. The school might be very strict. Though I personally doubt that is the reason for the expulsion of 40 students, let's leave that for now.

After about 2 or 3 minutes they reached where I was in the line and lead us inside the train. You couldn't say I was at the front, but I wasn't at the back, I was somewhere in the middle.

I then went inside the train, this was my opportunity to make friends, so I tried to talk to my seatmate. Luckily, she's a girl.

"Yo what's up" I spoke to my seatmate.

"Oh, nothing much. What about you?"

"Same, I guess. I'm thinking on how lucky I am to enter this school"

"Yeah, me too. I was just thinking about the same thing." She replied with enthusiasm as if she was waiting for me to say that.

Well, I led the conversation that way because most people wouldn't like to appear prideful or are just not sure how they ended up in this school and would just chalk it up to luck, so it would be as good conversation starter.

"I heard the school has malls and amusement parks." I said continuing the conversation. We turned sideway looking at each other, I made sure to make eye contact and smile.

"I can't wait to go shopping"

"Especially since we don't use real money"

"For real, I heard there's even a water park". As she said the word 'waterpark', it reminded me of childhood trauma, so I winced. She noticed this and showed concern

"What's up you look..." She didn't complete the sentence and just looked at me with concern.

"Well, I'm not the best swimmer and can't hold my breath for long." That's a load of bullshit but I'm not going to tell a stranger about my trauma.

"I see, by the way what's your name?"

"Oh, it's Nakamura Eiya."

"E-E-Eiya..." She said with a look of disgust.

"First name basis?"

"I'm sorry for calling me by your first name." She said looking away from me.

"It's ok... did I by chance offend you?" I said so because her face basically oozing of disgust, like I was some pervert who tried something.

"No..." She said sitting normally, turning away from me. "It seems you've truly discarded me from your life." She mumbled that last part, so I didn't hear it.

"Then why are..."

"Let's just focus on getting to school." She said stiffening up.

What did I do to her? I just said my name, and all this happened. Does she by chance know me? No, I would remember her, I thought I hit the jackpot since I sat next to a girl, a beautiful one at that but I was wrong, heugh...

The remainder of the ride to school was awkward though it was barely 30 seconds remaining. As we came down the train, I saw a long line of people in awe.

Though I was also in awe, as we entered the school grounds we saw a huge electronic billboard. It showed class placement; it seemed I was placed in Class 1-E, the lowest ranked class; there are probably delinquents in that class and most of the class's residents believe they are incorrectly assessed. According to rumors the school ranks you by how useful you would be to society, guess I'm almost useless.

I went to the school reception to receive my special phone. The phone looked bland and frankly unimpressive though it had all the class teacher's numbers and a map of the school. 

With the help of the map, I was able to navigate round the school and find my class. As I went to my class, I saw the girl from the train as she was entering a class, it was Class 1-A , guess she's intelligent. There are a lot of cameras on campus I thought the school promotes student autonomy, though it's possible it's because of safety.

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I entered the class through the back door, so no one noticed though everyone was in a conversation, so I doubt they'll notice me.

I went to the last desk on the left, the one beside the window, The famous chair known as 'The Protagonist Seat'.

But if I was the protagonist of a book would anyone read it?

The students in my class all seemed well acquainted, well that's a given since it was second term. It seemed I was the only transfer student in this class that means breaking into social groups will take some effort.

After some time, a woman entered the class and went to the podium in the class. I presumed she was our homeroom teacher, though she appeared way too small and squeamish.

You would probably think she was a kid, the only thing not child-like was her bust and bottom. She is quite short, from my estimation she's about 5'3. Isn't it an incorrect assessment to put a small probably weak-willed person as the homeroom teacher of a class of delinquents.

"Class, we have a new student. Why don't you come and introduce yourself." She said in a tone devoid of emotion.

This is a crucial moment, a first impression is what creates most of your initial image. This is especially in the case if your spectators are female. Therefore, I must make a spectacular first impression. As I arrived at the front of the class, I took a short bow and grinned.

"My name is Nakamura Eiya and I'm open to accept love letters."

I was quoting my favorite protagonist of the manga, Dating For Life. His name is Shindou, he said this when he transferred to a new school, when he said this everyone laughed.

In my case everyone stiffened up, no one even let out a chuckle or even a smile. All that was there was unwelcoming silence.

"You can go back to your seat now, Nakamura." She said still devoid of emotion almost robotic.

"Yes ma'am." I straightened up and went back to my seat.

"My name is Riko Jackson, I am British Japanese. I am the homeroom teacher of Class 1-E." She then took a deep breath then continued her speech. "As we are all aware this is second term, try to be more attentive and intentional in everything you do. Enjoy your day, there isn't class today, but it is mandatory to stay in class."

After saying all this she left the classroom, after she left a boy with green hair came to the podium.

"As most of you are aware, I am Ito Yuuto, the class president. I would like to ask for the cooperation of everyone again in this school term but this time we must be more articulate in following the school rules as because of this miniscule reason we lost a classmate, Kobayashi Shin. Though we gained a new one, let's clap hands for him."

Everyone clapped instantaneously, who is this Ito guy? I suppose that question is redundant as he already answered that but to me this is a new experience, as in my middle school being the class president was a position carried in shame but here it seems like an amazing position.

As Ito walked back to his seat, we locked our eyes for a second though I looked away. He exudes such a confident aura, I'm sure at least half of the girls in the class are infatuated with him.

I'm actually feeling envious.

After Ito left the podium, a girl with short red hair came to the podium. She looks bubbly, charismatic and there I say it, cute.

"My name's Kagurazaka Akane but just call me Kagura and I'm the vice class president..."

Vice class president? I guess that's the class president's assistant. To think she occupied such a role is astonishing, she looks way too nice for class politics, though that's just my opinion.

"I'm sure most of you already know all this, my hobbies are hanging out with people and... that's about it. I'm not particularly good at anything though that might be why I'm in this class. That's all I wanna say so I'm going back to my seat."

After Kagurazaka went back to her seat, the classroom went into a chatter. I wanted to make friends, but it felt too presumptuous of me to force my way into a conversation. Though I've already kinda done that today before entering the high-speed train, but that was because I assumed they were probably all strangers, and no one knew the other prior till today. Moreover, I still felt kinda tired, so I might as well just rest for the time being.

"How was your break?" a girl asked my seatmate.

"I went shopping every day." my seatmate replied

"Suzuki what's up?" a red-haired boy came to talk to my seatmate

"Hey Miyamura." my seatmate replied. It seems she's somewhat acquainted with the boy.

I didn't want to eavesdrop, so l took a nap, after some time I woke up. Some boys were talking beside me were talking.

"Dude, I got a new game." Said a boy with glasses who looks like a textbook otaku.

"Which one?" Replied a magenta-haired boy.

"Murvel's Spuder-Man 2."

"For real."

"For real, for real. How much was it?"

"Oh, it was 15,000 RP."

"Dude I'm gonna borrow it off you."

They were talking about some games, I would join if I could but I'm not a gamer and I know absolutely nothing about games, so I sat there. I rested my head on my table about to drift back to sleep.

"So small, medium or big." asked the magenta-haired boy.

"Big." Replied the boy with glasses.

"Dude medium is premium."

"Boobs are at their best when big."

"No, medium so they can fit in your hands"

"No, big so you hand with get sucked inside"

"Medium!!!"

"Big!!!"

These guys are shouting this subject so loud in class, what the hell? These guys switched from games to a woman's chest, and to talk so frivolously, do they not have shame.

I looked up at them just to see them still in an argument. The girls beside them looked at them with disgust.

I finally drifted to sleep. After some time the bell rung and I awoke from my slumber, it felt like déjà vu from this morning.

As I looked around, I noticed my seatmate's gaze, when she realized I noticed she spoke.

"Hey, I'm Suzuki Aiya. Nakamura, right?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing much just wanted to introduce myself. See you around, Nakamura." She said leaving the class.

Thinking nothing of what she said, I then stood up and followed the largest muster of people to what I deem is the school cafeteria. To put it simply, the cafeteria was the largest one I've ever seen.

You would think that in such a big cafeteria that there would be more than enough tables, well there wasn't so I had to look for a table. I went over to the table closest to me, they appeared to be first years though not from my class.

"Can I sit here?" I asked the people at the table.

"Umm, no." a girl answered

I went to another table that was close by, this one had 4 open chairs.

"Can I sit here?"

"Uhh... someone's coming." A boy replied.

From their faces I could tell they were lying. Just when I was about to lose hope, I heard a familiar voice.

"Yo Eiya." It was undeniably Hiro, my best friend. He was one of the reasons I came here.

"What's up Hiro."

"Oh, nothing much... why don't we talk at my table?"

He led me to his table; it had a lot of girls, in fact the only boys on the table were Hiro and me. 

Before we sat down, we both got the same meal. We used our phones to pay just by snapping a code and inputting the amount, our meal cost 8,000 points each. The problem I have no idea if that was expensive or not but I'm guessing it was expensive.

"So Eiya, what do you think of this school." At the mention of my name the girls glared at me with hate. They probably think I'm stealing their blue-haired king, fortunately I don't swing that way.

"It's... immaculate."

"Right? And you haven't seen the half of it."

"Wait really?"

"Yeah, while we're at it I'll show you arou..." It seemed Hiro noticed the girls' glares and took the hint, they were basically saying 'don't even think of giving him a tour'. "How's Auntie?" Hiro continued quickly changing the subject

"Oh, my mom, she's how she always is."

"So why did you pick my school, don't tell me you missed me."

Spot on deduction, Hiro but I'll vehemently deny.

"Don't flatter yourself, I chose it cuz it's the best school in East Asia."

"Well, that's a stretch, you forgot the part where you say I miss you."

"Miss you my ass. I'd prefer to drink bleach."

"Why don't you? I would be so better if you kill yourself." Mumbled a white-haired girl.

Hiro didn't hear it but I think if I tell him she might actually make me drink it. After that I focused on my meal, finally allowing the girls to converse it Hiro their conversations were mostly about 'girl drama' so I paid no mind to it though I constantly heard the name 'Takamine Hoshiko', wonder who that might be.

Occasionally, Hiro added me to the conversion but I barely added input, I'm sure he trying to make me to not feel left out. Though whenever I talked, they would glare at me with extreme murderous intent. After awhile I finished and stood up to leave.

"Y-Y-You're done?" Hiro said appearing shocked as I took barely 3 minutes.

"Yeah."

"Wow, what are you a professional eater." Hiro said still staring at me in awe. To tell you the truth I rushed the shit out of this food, between the death glares and the apparent advice for me to end my own life, I think it's best I leave for my sake at least.

"Are you sure? I hope no one made you leave."

"No one made me leave." I know for a fact if I don't lie my peaceful school life will turn to living hell.

"It's really a shame I can't give you a tour, how bout' I give you my number." He told me his number and I put it down.

"See you later Hiro"

"Bye"

As I walking to class, I received a message that all transfer students should come to the school hall, for a school orientation.

As I went there, I saw the girl from the train. I sat down toward the front, and I saw the blonde boy from the train.

"Oh, hey what's your name again?"

"It's Nakamura, what's yours?"

"It's Kisaragi Renjiro"

"Oh, ok. Do you think that man that addressed us in the morning is going to do the orientation."

"I hope so. I really wanna see his shiny head."

"Me too."

After some time of awkward silence, instead of principal going to the podium, a boy I assumed to be the student council president entered the room. As he entered the room, it's presence changed as we looked at him as he had striking features;

White hair and blue eyes.

He looked like a foreigner; it wasn't an understatement to compare his looks to a model. He went to the podium, then began to speak.

"I am Satou Gotou and I'm the president of the student council. I was given that position because I was simply the best."

Isn't that too egotistical? Judging from the comments here and there, I'm not the only one that thinks that though he is completely ignoring it.

"I excel in all sectors such as physical, social, mental and academical sectors. You are all here for one reason or the other, you want something, my advice is that you should fight for that thing with your life, as your goals are all you can rely on. Even when all else fails, even if you fail you will still have your goals. But not withstanding you are aware of the school you're in, it is a special school therefore the only conclusion is that to exist here you must become special."

He paused for a second then grinned.

"I would like a successor even if you're in your first year I want you to try to surpass me but to do that you must of course join the student council, I advise you all to try to apply, though we check grades and if we don't accept you, you can't try to the next school year. Thank you for time."

He left the podium, as he left a huge number of people followed then I heard a girl talking behind me. The girl was talking to the girl from the train.

"Hayashi, why don't join the student council?" So, the girl from the train's name is Hayashi.

"I'm not cut for it"

"You won't know till you try"

"I guess you're right I'll try it"

So she's that easy to convince, I expected some more back and forth.

After their conversation they left, Kisaragi stood up to leave and I followed suite. But as I left all the other student council members were shocked, or at least appeared shocked that I left but I'm not the first that left nor am I the only one.

Moreover, there was only one position left which was the financial advisor as that was the only visibly empty seat as the vice president, club bureau president, social dealings president, sports president, health president and secretary were all occupied.

After I left the hall, Kisaragi abruptly stopped walking than turned around looking at me, after some seconds of silence Kisaragi spoke up.

"So do you want my number?"

"Uhh... sure"

After giving me his number he left. I finally went back to class then the bell rang. I went on my phone and checked out the money in my account, I had 92,000 RP. I believe RP is equivalent to yen. That means they gave me 100,000 yen at the beginnig of the term, I have no idea if that's small or large but it's probably the latter.

I slept off again and was awoken by Kagurazaka.

"Nakamura, wake up it's already 3:20"

"Kagurazaka, thanks for waking me up."

"It's Kagura, call me Kagura."

"Sure, thanks again."

"You're welcome"

I left for the dorms; I used the map on my phone. As I was approaching the dorms, I walked past a convenience store then went to check it out.

As I walked in, I saw Kagura and Suzuki talking, I went over to talk to them.

"Hey Kagura"

"Oh, hey Nakamura" replied Kagura

"Hey, what about me" Suzuki said while pouting.

"Oh, hey Suzuki"

"Nakamura, you know Suzuki?"

"Yeah, I do"

As I said that, Kagura's expression changed for a second. It was disappointment? Hmm...

"So I'll continue to shop. See you two, tomorrow."

I went to get a basket, then went to get some food. Though I packed toiletries, I didn't pack food materials. I found the food section and saw some noodles and then got them.

In my life, I've only eaten healthy food and only tasted noodles once that was when I went to Hiro's house, so that was why I bought noodles. I bought a lot, ranging from cup noodles to instant noodles.

I bought some chicken, fish, oil, spices, rice and cooking equipment. I also bought some cleaning equipment, it was 20,000 RP. So, my balance is 72,000 RP. I left the store and overhead some girls talking.

"I need some points, please"

"How can you already not have RP, the term just started?"

"It's because of what happened last year."

I left because being caught as an eavesdropper isn't on my bucket list. But what do they mean, from their conversation it seems there's some correlation of RP with what she did last term, did she get a punishment from school?

As I arrived at the dorms, I went to the front desk office at the dormitory and saw some girls entering an elevator. It seems the dorm is co-ed.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. I would like to know my room."

"New student, right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Name."

"Nakamura Eiya."

"Oh, so you're that Nakamura Eiya. You're in room 273, it's on the second floor." 'That Nakamura Eiya?' Did someone tell her about me?

"Ma'am did someone tell you about me."

"Oh, you don't know, let me not spoil the fun. By the way, your phone is your keycard"

"Oh, thanks."

"You're welcome." She smiled warmly at me.

I went on with the staircase to go to my room. As I was going up the flight of stairs, outside a window I noticed a purple-haired girl talking to Suzuki though I didn't hear what they said.

I went my room, I opened the door by scanning a QR code at the door. I entered inside and it felt like I was actually free from him. I laid on my bed then just slept off; I was unusually tired maybe because I wasn't at home.

Now that I'm here, I'm not just satisfied with making friends. I have a goal and that is to have many friends and to get a girlfriend. 

Bottomline, I want to achieve normalcy and I'll achieve it.

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