New Transfer Student
"Ah! Good morning, everyone! It's so good to finally see all of you! Do you know how much I missed you all? Sometimes, one can feel really lonely, you know. Of course, I'm not saying this because I'm still not married! Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to repeat the same routine every single day? Silly me, I shouldn't be saying such things as your teacher!"
The homeroom teacher of Year 2 Class 7, Hoshizuki Aika, exclaimed with such overwhelming enthusiasm that one might think she'd just been reunited with her long-lost pet cat.
She was a tall woman with smooth dark, brown hair that appeared almost black under certain lighting. Draped in a pristine white robe resembling a lab coat, she carried herself with an air of eccentricity. Yet, it was her radiant smile that left the most lasting impression.
Shadowspire, a massive artificial island known as a gigafloat, rested in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 200 kilometers south of Tokyo, Japan. Originally established as part of Tokyo, it became its own independent entity in 2001, earning the name Evernight City.
The island's population predominantly consisted of Japanese residents, accounting for seventy percent of its demographic, as calculated by the
Despite being an ordinary teacher among countless educational institutions within Shadowspire, there was an air of curiosity surrounding Hoshizuki Aika. How could someone with such charm, wit, and boundless energy remain unmarried well into her early thirties?
It was a question that the students quietly pondered but never dared to ask aloud, afraid their dear teacher would throw another tantrum.
One of the school seven mysteries, Hoshizuki Aika.
There was a legend that quickly spread around Riverstone Academy that she couldn't get a boyfriend no matter how she tried. No matter how she planned or how perfect the setting was, something would always go wrong. Her first date? The guy canceled at the last minute because his goldfish was "dying." The second date? Her partner never showed up because they got "lost" in a city they had lived in for years. One man reportedly claimed his car mysteriously broke down, only for her to later spot him happily dining at the same restaurant, on a date with someone else. Another one fled when a sudden rainstorm drenched him, leaving him too embarrassed to continue the night.
Rumor had it that the last straw was a date at an amusement park, where her partner stood her up with a flimsy excuse. Allegedly, she cried while riding the roller coaster alone, though this part was likely an embellishment from mischievous students.
Aika clapped her hands to grab their attention.
"Hey now, I understand you're all excited, but let's not discuss that particular subject and focus on what I have to say, okay? I put a lot of effort into creating a welcome quiz, so if you fail it, you'll face the punishment of Columbus's Egg!"
"...?!"
Dante Winters immediately raised his hand and protested.
"Wait, Sensei! Isn't Columbus's Egg the punishment where you balance a raw egg on your head and can't let it fall? Isn't that way too unreasonable for failing a quiz at the start of the semester?"
"Hm, I suppose you're right, Dante-chan," Aika said with a nod. "But don't think of it as a punishment! Think of it as an essential part of our school's curriculum!"
"Yeah, about that," Dante replied, rubbing his temples. "It sounds great on paper, but what's this talk about obtaining intelligence beyond humanity? Is the City's governing body trying to create superpowers or something?"
"Superpowers? That's a rather childish way to put it, Dante-chan. Are you underestimating Evernight City? Don't you know? The curriculum is designed to prepare your minds for what's to come. Human enhancement, through cyberware and bioengineering, is already in motion. According to Oracle, full-scale modification and legalization will be complete within ten years. How can you hope to navigate such a future with an undeveloped brain? With that in mind, it's best to address potential complications early while the program is still in its initial stages."
Hoshizuki Aika explained everything with a calm, almost disinterested voice, as though she were reciting from a textbook.
Indeed, that was the kind of place Evernight City was.
While the city stood as a technological heaven, its ambitions extended far beyond advancements in society's infrastructure. Evernight City also prioritized the development of the human brain, seamlessly integrating objectives like "documentation methods" and "memorization techniques" into its curriculum.
The primary objective had always been the evolution of humanity as a whole.
Even so, Dante Winters couldn't help but feel uneasy.
I don't get it. Why are they so determined to create a new age of humans? Aren't we fine as we are? What's the point of installing cyberware in our bodies? It's not like it'll increase our lifespan expectancy, unless they turn us into complete machines. But if that happens, can we even call ourselves human anymore? Why can't they see this is a terrible idea?
These were the thoughts of a boy who found beauty in imperfection, who believed that humanity's flaws were what made it truly unique.
If all imperfections were erased and replaced with mechanical precision, then what would distinguish these "new humans" from machines? But, of course, the government wasn't going to take the concerns of a seventeen-year-old high school student, one who hadn't even finished school or had his first relationship, seriously.
"Ah," the homeroom teacher, Hoshizuki Aika, murmured, her face lighting up as if she'd just remembered something important. "That's right! I almost forgot to mention, we're getting a new transfer student from the Mainland."
"Ha ha! Sensei, you should have started with that!" a female student teased.
The entire class erupted in laughter, which caused a flicker of displeasure to cross Hoshizuki Aika's face.
Clearing her throat to regain control, she said, "Ahem! Since you're all so lively, I suppose it's time for the new student to enter. Please come in, Shion-san."
The door to the classroom swung open gently.
A few seconds later, a mysterious figure stepped into the room with measured steps, exuding a quiet grace.
She walked up to the front of the class and turned to face everyone.
A young girl, around the same age as Dante.
Standing at 168 centimeters tall, with dark eyes and a richly shaped figure, she carried herself with a calm, composed air. Her emotionless expression gave her a cold, distant look, radiating an unfriendly vibe. However, her long silver-white hair was truly captivating.
It was rare to see such a stunning shade, and despite her seemingly aloof demeanor, her beauty couldn't be denied. Like a moon goddess, she stood there, exuding a mysterious allure that made it impossible to look away.
She was wearing the female uniform of Riverstone Academy.
A black blazer over a plain white long-sleeved button-down shirt, with a red tie neatly knotted at her collar. On the lower half, she wore a black skirt and black knee-high socks, finished off with classic brown loafers.
The moment she stepped into the classroom, both male and female students were immediately charmed by her presence. Whispers spread like wildfire, and the room grew louder with excitement.
"Oh my god, she's beautiful!"
"Did you see her hair? They're like... So mesmerizing!"
"Is she a model or something? I can't believe someone that gorgeous is in our class. I bet she's going to be super popular."
"She looks like she thinks she's too good for us... What's up with that cold look? No one's that perfect."
"She's so pretty... But she looks like she's got that 'don't talk to me' energy. I don't know if I'd be brave enough to say anything to her."
Of course, the reaction of the students varied. Some were excited while some looked with curiousity while others were filled with envy.
Dante Winters, sitting quietly by the window, couldn't help but feel annoyed by the noise.
"Dammit. Why's everyone making such a big deal out of one person? I don't get it," he muttered under his breath.
Had anyone heard him, he would've been met with disapproving stares.
But Dante could understand the excitement, in a way.
His school rarely received transfer students, especially from the Mainland. Occasionally, they'd get students from places like America, Russia, or China, but Mainland transfers were a rare occurrence.
Still, he couldn't help but think it was all overblown. At the end of the day, the hype surrounding her would die down. After all, Evernight City was filled with stunningly beautiful people. She wasn't anything special compared to the other girls in the city.
He sighed and stared out the window, hoping the chatter would subside soon.
Noticing the noise was getting out of control, Hoshizuki Aika clapped her hands sharply.
"Alright, settle down, everyone. You young lads are getting a bit too excited. Now, Shion-san, please introduce yourself properly."
"Yes."
The young girl, whom the homeroom teacher had introduced as Shion-san, responded calmly. She picked up a black marker and wrote her name neatly on the whiteboard behind her in Japanese. Even her handwriting exuded a sense of elegance.
Once she finished, she capped the marker and turned to face the class.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Kaguya Shion. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope we can get along well," she said with a composed tone.
After her introduction, Shion gave a polite bow to the class.
The class fell into a brief, stunned silence. It was like they had been overwhelmed by the elegance she exuded. It was clear that everyone was captivated, and the air seemed charged with curiosity and anticipation.
Some students whispered among themselves, trying to understand what kind of person Shion was, while others waited for any sign of emotion from her.
"Alright, Shion-san, please take a seat. You can sit anywhere you wish." Hoshizuki Aika said with a welcoming smile.
Shion nodded politely and turned to face the students.
Her eyes scanned the room, searching for an empty seat. As her gaze swept over the students, it briefly met Dante's.
For a moment, the world seemed to pause.
Dante stiffened inexplicably as her eyes lingered on him.
The connection lasted only a fleeting second before she moved gracefully to an unoccupied desk near the back of the classroom.
Despite the moment's brevity, Dante felt a strange unease settle over him, like a shadow he couldn't shake.
Was that his imagination?
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, frowning as he turned back toward the window.
Why do I feel like this? he wondered, shaking his head as if to dispel the thought. She's just another transfer student. There's no reason to get worked up.
But no matter how much he tried to rationalize it, something about her lingered in his mind.
No, it wasn't just the eye contact. It was something deeper.
A faint, gnawing sense of familiarit.
Have I seen her before? The thought emerged, but no memory surfaced to confirm it. He was certain this was their first meeting, yet his heart insisted otherwise, whispering a truth his mind couldn't accept.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, a memory struck him.
No, not a memory, a dream.
It was the reoccurring dream that had haunted his nights.
In that dream, he would become a great calamity that would bring the end of humanity. But, even in his monstrous form, someone had stood before him, crying for him, reaching for him despite the chaos he had caused.
A female
A silver-haired girl crying in the world of crimson.
His heart thudded painfully as the realization settled over him.
Wait... Could it be?
With a start, Dante glanced back at Akane. The silver-haired girl was seated now, with the same calm and distant expression. But as though she had sensed his gaze, she turned her head slightly, her piercing eyes meeting his once more.
Time seemed to stop.
Could she be the girl from my dreams?