Chapter 0: From The Start.

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, 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 this quietly 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 it as you see fit.

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

I monopolized this school's leniency on the uniform arrangement: I wore a black shirt underneath my white shirt, unbuttoned the first button showing the shirt within, untucked the white shirt, wore a blue tie with white strips, loosened the tie a little bit, and slipped on 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. He's my childhood friend, so he doesn't count.

Though the color black might be counterproductive.

After putting on my uniform, I checked my suitcase to see if I had left any of my essentials, but it seemed I hadn't, so I left for the door.

Goodbye Haruto, till we meet next. And Ayato... I hope you're doing ok.

I took a cab. I could tell you a million reasons why I didn't want to ride the bus, one being the stench, but the bottom line is that I didn'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 by a reasonable margin.

 It was a government-owned school, it boasted having the world's best curriculum for high students.

As well as the biggest land property used for educational purposes in the world.

The handbook also stated some of the school rules, and might I add that this school had some weird rules.

This school was in a league of its own; its campus was so large that it housed malls and other recreational centers—it was basically a city.

It was on a separate island connected to the mainland; it truly embodied the word 'prestigious'.

Getting into this school is quite a hassle, the exam was something else. This school was targeted at geniuses, the gifted, the exceptional, or just the very lucky.

I stared out the window, admiring the bustling city of Tokyo. I've lived in Tokyo for 14 years—my entire life, but I had never seen this city, not once.

To think, I'm finally from there, my cage, makes me feel nothing but ecstasy.

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—particularly after I got the acceptance letter.

It was by no means an easy question, as it was 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 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. 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.

But isn't that a controlled mentality?

The fact a scenario can adjust one's mentality proves it is controlled.

Back to the former scenario, I had mentioned that there is no definite result, but there is one thing that they all share:

A mindset changed by trauma.

No matter how strong-willed or weak-willed a person is, we all change with trauma. For better or for worse we are all moved by some type of trauma of some sort, some say it's needed growth.

Most people think it's the people in their lives that influence their actions, but isn't trauma equally if not more to blame for influenced actions?

That then brings us to the conclusion that trauma pulls everyone's strings—that makes me repeat my question.

Do all humans have free will?

I firmly believe trauma can be overcome. Though it all depends on the level of trauma, or so I believe.

However, despite all this, I have come to one conclusion.

Everyone is a pawn in the game of life.

It was a long drive to school, and I almost fell asleep quite a few number of times, but I was interested to see the famous high-speed train.

To enter the school, you had to ride a high-speed train. A journey that would take an average 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 heartbeat increased as I was anxious to see the school. This was the train that would take me to school.

On arriving I found out that I wasn't the only one late, there were about 40 of us. I know it's bad to come late but they couldn't send all of us back, right?

Right?

We were told to line up, so we did. After a while, the principal came to a podium and then spoke, "I'm sure you all are our new transfer students; I'm here to make sure you all understand some of our special rules."

He spoke like a machine. His voice was neither imposing nor passive, one could say it was completely devoid of emotion.

"As you know, external devices are banned in this school. Instead, we use special phones.

They will be shared with everyone. These devices can be used to tell your class and your basic personal information—like your name and grading.

They also have the accounts of all the teaching staff and students as well as the map of the school.

Notice I used the word 'account', it means that this phone is incapable of dialing numbers, and there is also no social media on there."

The students reacted differently to this news; some were calm while others were worried about being unable to contact their families.

Staff members went around giving the phones.

A staff member came and handed me my special phone—true to the principal's word, there was no app to dial numbers rather there was an app called 'Koda', it had a long list of accounts each having usernames.

On Koda, we could change our username to anything we saw fit.

"Furthermore, money is banned. Instead, we use a point system known as the RP system. One RP is equivalent to one yen. Phones will be used for transactions; in this school, RP can buy anything. If your phone is lost, you won't be given another one so be careful," the principal continued after everyone got their devices.

So it seems if I lose my phone, I'm screwed. Talk about strict.

On the phone, there was an app that showed our balance, a savings program, and a transaction program.

"Lastly, leaving this school is prohibited unless you have a special situation, and you must give a letter before you are allowed to leave. When you've left you cannot interact with other students or any staff, if you are caught both will get removed from this school. Despite the fact you can't leave school grounds I doubt any of you will get homesick, we have amusement parks, malls, and other recreational centers."

The principal turned to leave, and on leaving his head shone—emphasizing smooth head. People noticed his head—well I doubt anyone could miss it.

He had a very bald head that shone brilliantly. People gave snarky comments about it.

"I never knew I would be to come this close to the sun," a blonde-haired boy snickered.

"I think you mean the world's best mirror," a blue-haired added.

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

"Like for real though," the blonde-haired boy replied.

"Save the chitchat for when you're on the train," a staff member said sternly.

We kept quiet after hearing his stern comment, I forgot to ask their names.

"Heugh." I sighed, exasperated that I forgot to ask their names.

I didn't really get worried though as there were other chances to make friends.

I was surprised this school accepted transfer students. I mean one would think this type of school would have more than enough students though there's rumors about the school.

The rumors center on the school being 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 led us inside the train.

The train was elegance personified—mahogany panels, velvet seats, chandeliers casting golden light, and panoramic windows farming rolling landscape. Every detail whispered luxury, promising an unhurried journey through time itself.

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 said to my seatmate.

"Oh, nothing much. What about you?"

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

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

Well, I led the conversation that way since 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 a good conversation starter.

"I can't believe this school has malls and amusement parks," I said continuing the conversation.

We turned sideways looking at each other, I made sure to make eye contact and smile.

"I can't wait to go shopping," she grinned softly.

"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 some of my 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 appearing visibly disturbed—almost disgusted.

"First name basis?"

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

"It's ok... did I offend you by chance?" I said so because her face was oozing with 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. What a rough day.

The remainder of the ride to school was awkward though barely 30 seconds had remained. As we descended 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 said, 'Welcome to Tokyo Metropolitan Elysian High School.'

So, I'm here finally.