It was the morning of the second day after enrolling at the Advanced Nurturing High School.
As I walked from my brand-new private dorm room toward the school building, an invisible yet extrely sturdy "vacuum zone" had already ford around .
(...Sothing's wrong. This is definitely wrong.)
The students along the tree-lined path chatted cheerfully about their exciting new school lives.
However, the mont I entered their field of vision, every single one of them would stiffen and instinctively move aside—like small animals suddenly thrown before the cage of a dangerous beast.
Even though all I was doing was wearing the standard uniform properly and walking normally.
That bizarre atmosphere didn't change at all even after I entered Class 1-B's classroom.
At the center of the room, laughter filled the air as students gathered around the pink-haired beauty Ichinose Honami.
"What did you buy with your points yesterday?"
"The ice cream at Keyaki Mall was so good!"
Perfectly ordinary, peaceful high school conversations.
But the instant I opened the back door of the classroom and stepped inside—
The lively chatter stopped cold.
"""..."""
For a brief mont, every classmate's gaze turned toward before imdiately darting away.
During the dozen or so seconds it took for to walk to my seat in the back by the window, the classroom beca engulfed in overwhelming tension, as if ti itself had frozen—or as if everyone had collectively stopped breathing.
(Yesterday Ichinose-san covered for during introductions, didn't she!? What were those applause and smiles for!? I still haven't exchanged even a single greeting with anyone today!)
I scread internally while crying tears of blood.
Outwardly, however, I naturally maintained the sa unfathomably cold posture as though saying, "The aningless noise of lesser beings does not reach my ears," while resting my chin on my hand.
No—rather, I couldn't help but act that way.
Glancing around the classroom, I noticed students with brightly colored hair: Ichinose's pink hair, blue hair, blonde hair, and even more vibrant shades.
(Co to think of it, there sure are a lot of colorful hairstyles for modern Japan… Is flashy dyed hair just normal among high schoolers these days? Or maybe this school allows individuality because it's a governnt-run elite academy?)
While I casually thought such incredibly ordinary thoughts, my classmates misunderstood completely.
"Aizen is staring at us like he's evaluating prey…!"
Their bodies stiffened even further.
Eventually, first-period math class began.
The teacher wrote formulas across the blackboard.
But to , possessing the overwhelming intellect of Aizen Sōsuke, first-year high school mathematics was no more difficult than a baby stacking blocks.
(So boring… painfully boring. I wish soone would ask to borrow my eraser or ask to see my notes or sothing…)
As I gazed absentmindedly out the window at the clouds to kill ti, I unfortunately made eye contact with the teacher.
"Aizen, answer this problem."
The teacher called on with slight intimidation.
I stood up, intending to simply state the correct answer.
—But then the "curse" activated.
"—The answer is '4.' …However, Sensei, don't you think it rather laughable to believe such shallow equations can define the world itself? …Truth always exists at heights beyond even your ability to perceive."
(WAAAAAAAAAAH!! I only needed to say the answer! Why am I suddenly lecturing a teacher about the truth of the universe!?)
The teacher's face turned pale, and the chalk fell from his trembling hand.
anwhile, my classmates deepened their fear of even further.
"He completely dominated the teacher with words alone…"
Every ti I tried to speak, "arrogant poetry" ca out automatically.
As long as I carried this cursed equipnt, I genuinely felt incapable of having a normal conversation with anyone besides Hiyori.
And so, enduring the loneliness and despair of class sohow, the final bell finally rang.
The instant it did, I left the classroom faster than anyone else—though with extre elegance.
There was only one destination:
The library, my sanctuary.
The scent of old paper and deep silence filled the room.
Opening the door deeper inside, I found the silver-haired girl already sitting at the farthest seat by the window.
On the table lay a paperback book neatly prepared for .
Just seeing that sight lted my frozen heart like ice beneath spring sunlight.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hiyori."
"Ah, Sōsuke-kun. Good work today."
As always, Hiyori greeted with a soft smile like that of an angel.
Quietly sitting across from her, I let out a deep—truly deep—breath.
"…Sōsuke-kun? You seem a little tired. Did sothing happen already?"
"…No. I was rely growing weary of the colorlessness of this world. The cries of sheep incapable of maintaining themselves without flocking together are sounds my ears have yet to grow accustod to."
At my unwanted poem-filled response, Hiyori tilted her head slightly.
"Hehe, so you got a little bored in class."
Astonishingly, she perfectly deciphered the real aning hidden behind my twisted words:
"I was lonely and bored because I had no friends."
Honestly, her translation skill deserved imnse respect.
"…By the way, Hiyori. How is the 'garden' you reside in? I can only hope it is fertile enough soil to nurture a magnificent flower such as yourself."
When I changed the topic, Hiyori's expression darkened slightly.
Different from the cheerful look she had while reading books.
"…My class? …Well, it might not really suit very well."
"…Oh?"
"There are many loud people. So walk around during class, and sotis people suddenly start shouting… It's the kind of place where even the sound of turning a book page gets drowned out. …It's a little unsettling."
Class C.
There were probably many rough, delinquent-like students there.
A gentle, intellectual girl like Hiyori—soone who disliked conflict—was likely shrinking herself among such violent people.
Perhaps loud banging noises and angry shouting made her small shoulders tremble.
The instant I imagined that, an overwhelming protective instinct and quiet fury exploded within .
(They're making Hiyori—my only true friend—feel afraid!? Absolutely unforgivable! I've decided. I need to bring Hiyori to my side as soon as possible!)
I pulled out the device that served as our student ID.
On the screen was the three million points I had obtained yesterday through "negotiations" with the teachers.
Combined with Hiyori's points, we currently had six million total.
"—There is no need to worry, Hiyori."
I placed the device on the table, my eyes filled with unwavering determination.
Then I lightly—very lightly—touched the back of her hand and declared:
"There is no reason for you to remain trapped in that mire, tornted by the buzzing of inferior insects. …I shall prepare a new throne for you."
"A throne…? Sōsuke-kun…?"
"Twenty million. …The price required in this school to purchase the place one truly desires and repaint the world itself. To us now, it may seem like an impossible amount… but do not worry. With the combined strength of you and , the path to those heights already rests within my palm."
As I passionately spoke, Hiyori widened her eyes in surprise.
Then, perhaps sensing the depth of my resolve, she smiled warmly, her cheeks faintly tinged pink.
"…Twenty million. …A ticket to join the sa class as you, Sōsuke-kun. I thought it would be absolutely impossible to save alone… but if the two of us work together, then soday…"
"Indeed. …A classroom without you is nothing but emptiness to . …Let us walk together, Hiyori. And claim a true place for ourselves within this false paradise."
"…Yes. I want to help you too, Sōsuke-kun. My strength may be small, but let's do our best together."
And so, in the sunset-lit library, we secretly ford a contract that could shake the very foundation of this ritocratic school:
"The Twenty Million Point Operation — Save Hiyori."
After our weighty vow concluded, we naturally returned to our peaceful reading ti.
Today, Hiyori was reading a beautifully bound foreign classic mystery novel she had likely bought using yesterday's points.
"This book is really interesting. Every character seems suspicious… Sōsuke-kun, would you like to try solving the mystery too?"
"…Fuh. Few things are more tedious than a story whose ending is already visible… however, if it is your recomndation, then uncovering its carefully crafted 'lies' may prove entertaining."
With my Aizen-level specs, I could identify the culprit almost instantly.
But discussing things together with Hiyori—
"That alibi seems suspicious."
"No, I think that's probably the author's misdirection."
—That process itself was my greatest joy.
For a while afterward, we peacefully passed ti discussing books, the stylish café on campus, and nostalgic fantasy novels we had once shared together.
Outside the window, the setting sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in beautiful gradients of purple and crimson.
Even if I beca completely isolated in class.
Even if everyone feared as so incomprehensible demon king.
Simply hearing Hiyori's gentle voice in this quiet space and watching her silver hair sway in the evening breeze was enough to save my everyday life.
(20 million points, huh. In normal Japan, that's enough money to buy a house in the suburbs… But there has to be so loophole in this school's "S-System." If I investigate the upper classes while fully utilizing my specs, maybe I can gather it faster than expected.)
Pretending to turn a page, I quietly planned my next move.
anwhile, Hiyori herself felt deep trust and affection toward Sōsuke for trying to accomplish sothing so extraordinary just for her sake.
"…Sōsuke-kun."
"What is it?"
"…Nothing. I'm just really glad we can still be together like this in high school."
"—…Indeed. …Fate occasionally displays surprisingly refined taste."
Because of the automatic poem conversion, my response sounded sowhat theatrical and dramatic.
Still, more than half of it was unquestionably genuine.
A reincarnator possessing the strongest specs and cursed equipnt, yet cherishing peaceful monts with his best friend above all else.
His "Save Hiyori Operation" had now quietly begun.
(First things first, tomorrow we'll go shopping for daily necessities. I'm definitely buying Hiyori a cute rabbit-patterned book cover that suits her!)
Holding onto that small, perfectly high-school-like dream in my heart, Aizen Sōsuke quietly smiled toward her in the twilight library.
User Comments
0 comments from readers