Advanced Nurturing High School

Advanced Nurturing High School. I never expected that I would find myself studying here. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I could experience the unique and never-to-be-seen environment here.

Quietly listening to the speech of the executive on the stage, I tried to probe any important details. It might help me afterwards, after all. Disappointingly, there was no any hint of how this school really works.

Well, it's not like I expected to get something out of them.

I talked to myself inwardly and tried to enjoy the entrance ceremony as much as I can. Contrast to my emotion, the student who sat beside me, looked annoyed and tired. It looked like she was trying her best, as she continuously tapped the floor with her left foot.

I quickly glanced at her. She seemed to have felt something, turning her gaze towards me. My emotion did not change, while we both stared at each other for a few seconds before retracting each of our gaze.

Well, that was kind of interesting… If I remember, this girl should be my classmate, right? Someone of her level in beauty will absolutely leave a mark on your mind. Even if she looked annoyed, she looked quite cute.

Going back on the matter at hand, it looked like the entrance ceremony is coming into an end. Based on the schedule handed out to us, first years, the speech made by the chairman will be the last.

Ah. This will be pretty good. As far as I can remember, this School Chairman Sakayanagi is someone who achieved good results in the society. His name is something I have heard from my friends. His goals for this school, I am interested in hearing it.

"Good morning, everyone. I am the Chairman of the Advanced Nurturing High School. You, first years, who have passed the entrance exam and interview, are an elite few among the thousands who took the exam."

Hmm…? What is he trying to say? Elite? What a bull.

This old man is pretty cunning, trying to make us proud of ourselves. In a way, an invisible test has already begun and it involved every first years in the hall. I pity the others who will fall for his schemes and plans.

"You will study here for three years, will learn and grow in the process, to become an outstanding member of society after graduation. This school will do their utmost to help you reach your dreams."

…This is honestly pretty disturbing. I wonder if she also noticed…

I looked at the girl beside me. She is definitely someone who would become my classmate. I tried to see any changes in her emotion by scrutinizing her gestures and body language. But, I guess… I overestimated her a bit.

The girl beside me still looked annoyed. Despite her not showing any emotion, just her action of tapping the floor already revealed her colors.

I looked back at the old man on the stage. He had an amiable and warm smile on his face, as he endlessly spoke his mind. Rather, his prepared and calculated speech. I can't help but wonder if this speech of his remained unchanged every year, every time they welcomed the new first-years.

"I believe of the potential of each students in this hall. The Advanced Nurturing High School will be at your side at all times. Please enjoy your high school life! Thank you and good luck."

The old man on the stage, slightly bowed. The students on the hall all stood up, clapping their hands. I also blended in my surroundings, showing appreciation to the old man. It's nothing but a facade though. At least, his care for students are genuine. That much I can be sure of, based on his actions.

I felt a shiver in my spine. This old man can possess such pure intention despite using such an evil method. I can't exactly call it 'evil' but it will be easier for me to just brand it as such.

"You may now go to your respective classrooms. The homeroom advisor will be there to explain the necessary knowledge for the freshmen."

An announcement resounded across the hall. Every student on the hall was guided by the teachers, as they orderly managed the students. It amused me how everyone looked diligent and careful. I guess that's the power of teachers over students.

Four groups formed in the hall, each led by their homeroom teachers. I slowly joined the group where a black-haired woman stood in the center, while holding a sign that wrote 'Class 1-D'. It was pretty rowdy and noisy, with my classmates already talking with one another.

The power of social beings is indeed terrifying…

I noticed the same girl who sat beside me during the entrance ceremony. She had already formed a group with other girls. Hmm… This is troubling. There's no one to talk to. I was planning to initiate a conversation with her. After all, I had a topic that I was sure she would be interested in. Well, I guess that's as far as my luck can go.

Standing by myself, I joined the select few who had no one to talk too. Three boys and three girls, all having their own circumstances, did not speak with each other. Silently enduring the chatter around them, they looked natural and not bothered.

I quietly stood before a young man. He looked handsome and exuded an aura of laziness. I felt like I had to be the one to initiate the conversation or else… no talk will take place.

"Hello, I am Yuhara Kenji. It looks like we'll be spending our time as classmates in three years."

I smiled at the brown-haired young man and offered my hand for a handshake. The latter looked at me, still no changes in his emotion. Well, it's not like I expected him to be affected.

"Likewise, I am Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Nice to meet you."

He gripped my hand. There's no force in his grip, it felt rather normal. I smiled at him and nodded. He looked at me, while I also looked back at him.

"There's nothing to discuss, eh?"

"Yeah…"

I wryly smiled, while he agreed with me. We had just met so it's inevitable for this event to take place. I could bring up some topics, but it's better if I would just silently stand beside him. The other five noticed our short conversation, but they did not make their move.

…

Our homeroom teacher led us to the room which we would use for a year at least. The sign of 'Class 1-D' and a pretty wide room capable of housing forty students. This is the room we would be using huh.

It looks better than what I imagined…

Ayanokouji nodded at me, before he proceeded to his own seat. It seems that he has acknowledge my existence. That's good. It seems that I have already made an acquaintance.

I also went to my table. I sat down on the chair, while I looked around. My chair is just beside the hallway's window. It was in the exact opposite direction of the chair I wanted to have. Well, it can't be helped.

There is quite a distance between each table. It seemed that the school have taken factor of the possibility of students colluding with each other, cheating in exams and quizzes.

A boy in glasses slowly come up beside me, and sat on the table next to me. He should be my neighbor… I looked at him and smiled.

"Hi, I am Yuhara Kenji. Nice to meet you."

He glanced at me before he sat down. He ignored my introduction, my hand still on the air, before I quickly retracted it. He seems to be in a bad mood. Looks like my introduction was not timed correctly. Well, I can do it later again.

The chatter in my surroundings died, while the black-haired woman slowly walked to the podium. The students all hastily sat on their chair, some looked relax, while others looked nervous.

"Ahem. Good morning to you, students. I'm the instructor for Class D. My name is Chiyabashira Sae. I teach Japanese History. You can get accustomed with your seats as we will not change rooms for a year."

Japanese History, eh… For some reason, it did not suit her appearance. If you would ask me, she looked better suited for Mathematics or Science. The image of a woman in yukata, that was what I expected from a Japanese History teacher. But I guess, it's all on our expectation.

"I will be acting as your homeroom teacher for three years. I will now distribute written materials with information about this school's special rules. I will also hand out the admissions guide."

She handed the books, while the students each received their own copy. I also soon got myself a copy. I did not immediately open the book, as I waited for our teacher to give signals. It is proper manners, something I have been accustomed of.

This school is different from other schools, whether it be domestic or abroad. They required the students to live in dormitories for full three years. No contact in the outside world is allowed, unless you had valid reasons for doing so. They are pretty strict in this aspect, as I have already heard it a bunch of times during my short time here.

"You can now open the books and skim through it. While you, students, are doing that, I will hand the ID Card for each student. You can use these ID Card inside the school premises to access the facilities on the campus, you can also use the points within the ID Card to buy goods."

Instead of handing out all at once, the homeroom teacher personally handed out the ID Card to each students. She began on my side. I quickly received my ID Card. I inspected the ID Card, instead of reading the books. I am more interested in the ID Card itself. As for the rules, I have already memorized everything in just the short amount of time the homeroom teacher was speaking.

"It is advisable to pay attention on the points you spend. The ID Cards can be swiped on machine scanners across the school. Points are automatically deposited into your account on the first of every month. There are now one hundred thousand yen deposited into your account."

As she finished her statement, I could hear the gasps of surprise from my surroundings. They all looked at our homeroom teacher in disbelief. It seems that the information of having one hundred thousand yen for a month, was too much for them to handle.

"Don't be too shocked. This school evaluates its students' talents. Everyone here has passed the entrance examination, which itself speaks to your value and potential. You can spend your points however you want. You can also transfer points to others. It is also prohibited to extort points from others, this will lead to expulsion."

Instead of calming the students, our homeroom teacher tried to add fuel into the fire. The emotion that my classmates are experiencing… I don't know how much of a shock it came to them. However, I acted differently. I looked at our homeroom teacher silently. She seemed to have sensed my gaze, as she turned her head to smile at me.

"Any questions? It looks like no one will ask me-"

Contrary to her expectation, someone had raised their hand. It was a handsome young man. I glanced at the young man and nodded in appreciation. It looks like things are now beginning. My interesting life, eh.

"Sensei, I would like to ask you a question. I have heard that this school determines the students of their merits, right?"

"Yes, you are right. This school values merits above all. What is your question?"

"If we spent our points however we want and used it all up in just a single month. In your perspective, is it a demerit or a merit?"

I nodded my head. That's right. You are doing everything pretty well. The change in our homeroom teacher's expression was visible for everyone to see. After a while, an amused smile appeared on her lips.

"What is your name, student?"

"I am Hirata Yousuke."

"Hirata Yousuke. Good, I will remember your name. Indeed, that question is pretty crucial for everyone. If you ask me…" Our homeroom teacher looked at everyone with a smile on her face. She looked really happy. "It is a demerit in the eyes of school."

When she answered that question, everyone all looked stunned. It seemed that students who were already planning to spend as much as they can, can't help but question themselves. If what their teacher was saying true, then they almost threw themselves at the pit.

"Then, Sensei, why did you try to provoke us into spending everything?"

"I don't remember doing that."

"But-" Hirata Yousuke was cut off, before he finished speaking. Our homeroom teacher looked happy. It was a huge contrast to her indifferent face a while ago. It seemed as if hope was reignited in her eyes.

"Next question, Hirata. I don't really remember doing that…"

I looked at our homeroom teacher. Hirata Yousuke surveyed his surroundings for some reason. He then stabilized and calmed his emotion before he spoke again.

"Everyone. I have something to say. I want you all to be diligent and be mindful of what you are going to do from now on. The school monitors everything, and things that are considered demerit will be recorded. I want all of us to cooperate."

Our homeroom teacher looked at Hirata in shock. Every student also felt their heart tremble. If what Hirata Yousuke said was true, then what kind of school have they entered? It seemed to them that Hirata Yousuke was a very reliable person.

"Hahaha..." Suddenly, our homeroom teacher laughed. Her laugh reaching the everyone's ears. It seemed that she could not hold back her happiness.

Everyone looked at her with various emotions. The information that the students received are way too much for them to handle. They still can't get themselves to believe Hirata Yousuke, but at least, the seed of doubt was planted in their minds.

"You really are interesting, Hirata… I have high expectations of you." Our homeroom teacher patted Hirata Yousuke's shoulder. She's apparently in good mood because of how the things have developed.

"Well then, do you have any other questions?"

"Thank you, Sensei. I don't have any more questions."

Hirata Yousuke looked relieved. He happily sat back down to his chair, while our homeroom teacher stared at the former for a while before she retracted her gaze. Hirata Yousuke had attracted Chiyabashira Sae's attention.

"I will give everyone a piece of advice. Listen carefully, this school is not as simple as you guys thought it to be. Be careful of your actions, be a real student."

She looked serious, as she warned the whole class. Soon, the smile returned to her face. She would glance at Hirata Yousuke from time to time. Everyone had the same questions, and they felt that only Hirata Yousuke can answer those.

"If there's no other question, I'm now going to leave. Welcome to the Advanced Nurturing High School, students of Class 1-D."

Our homeroom teacher warmly looked at us, before she turned and left the classroom. As soon as she left, every student stared at the handsome young man in the center of the class. They had unconsciously branded Hirata Yousuke as their leader, huh.

Well then, if things won't change, it will be pretty bad. Looks like I need to make a move…

I quickly stood up from my chair, the sound of my actions attracting everyone's gaze at me. I tried to ignore their gaze, while I headed towards the door.

"Wait!" Everyone heard Hirata Yousuke speak, as their gaze turned to him. I also stared at Hirata Yousuke. My gaze seemed to be asking him why he stopped me from leaving the classroom.

Hirata felt everyone's gaze on him. He took a deep breath before he slowly walked up to the podium.

"Everyone, we would be classmates for three years. If won't be that bad to introduce ourselves, right?"

Huh, interesting… I almost thought that he would approach me, but he did not do it. Hirata Yousuke sure has certain amount of control over his emotions. He can also read the mood.

"Then, I will start with myself. I am Hirata Yousuke. Back in junior high, people called me Yousuke. Feel free to use my first name! My hobby is soccer. Pleased to meet you everyone!"

Just by his introductions, Hirata Yousuke managed to calm down the emotions of my classmates. The girls looked at him with stars in their eyes, while the boys looked on with complicated emotions. Not too long, Hirata Yousuke landed his gaze on me, everyone followed his gaze. Looks like, I'm the next one to introduce myself, huh.

"I am Yuhara Kenji. Nice to meet you everyone. My hobbies are reading novels! Looking forward to our three years!"

Everyone clapped at my introduction, while my classmates all slowly stood up and participated in the introductions. No one was an exception.

Before long, every student has flocked around Hirata Yousuke. Only a select few left the classroom silently, before heading to each of their own business. I am one of them.

Looks like this will be pretty fun, eh. Though, I wonder where we should meet, hmm…