Chapter 1 - Let’s be normal

If there's one thing I've never been in my entire life, it's normal. And that's kind of a problem when your number one goal is to blend in.

I mean, how hard can it be? Wake up, put on a uniform, go to school, make friends, maybe join a club, and definitely don't get involved in any yakuza-related activities. Easy.

Or at least, it should be easy if I weren't Aika Kurohata, the only granddaughter of the most feared yakuza boss in the country.

For the past decade, I've been homeschooled in the art of being the perfect heir—fluent in five languages, an expert in negotiation tactics, and, if needed, capable of breaking a grown man's wrist in under three seconds. You know, the usual.

But none of that is going to help me now. Because today, for the first time in my life, I'm going to an actual high school.

And I have no idea what I'm doing.

---

The morning of my first day starts with what can only be described as a spectacle.

At least fifty members of the Kurohata-gumi stand in formation outside our house, dressed in their finest suits. And then, in unison, they all bow at a perfect 90-degree angle.

"Have a good day at school, Ojou!" they shout in synchronization, as if I'm marching off to war.

I groan, face burning in embarrassment. "Guys. No. Just... no."

Grandpa's black limousine gleams under the morning sun, its polished surface reflecting my deep horror. One of my uncles opens the door, motioning for me to step in.

"No way," I say, shaking my head. "I'm walking."

"But, Ojou—"

"No." I spin on my heel before they can argue. The last thing I need is to roll up to school looking like some mafia princess.

Walking will make me seem normal.

Or so I thought.

---

Halfway to school, I take a shortcut through a narrow alley, hoping to save time. Bad idea. Three guys step out from behind a dumpster, cracking their knuckles.

"Hey there, little lady," one of them sneers. "You lost?"

I sigh, already calculating their weaknesses. "Nope. But you're about to be."

The tallest one moves first, reaching for my arm. I duck, grab his wrist, and twist. He howls in pain, and I kick his knee, sending him crashing down. The second guy swings a punch, but I sidestep, jabbing my elbow into his ribs. The third thug hesitates—too slow. I sweep his legs out from under him, and he lands with a loud *thud*.

Dusting off my hands, I step over them. "Thanks for the morning workout."

Unbeknownst to me, someone had been watching.

Up on the rooftop of the nearby building, my soon-to-be seatmate adjusts his glasses. His usually blank expression flickers with something resembling intrigue before he turns away.

---

By the time I arrive at school, I'm late.

I rush into my classroom, only to be met with my homeroom teacher's unimpressed stare. "Kurohata-san, care to explain why you're late on the very first day?"

I glance around at the sea of unfamiliar faces. My classmates whisper amongst themselves. Not the best first impression.

"Uh..." I debate whether telling the truth would make things better or worse. "Traffic?"

My teacher sighs. "Take a seat."

I hurry into the classroom, feeling the weight of several curious gazes.

As I make my way through the hallways after the ceremony, I start recognizing a few faces.

A guy leans against the wall near the stairs, his uniform messy and his face covered in bruises.

I don't know him, but I know his type. Delinquent. Probably got into a fight before school even started. I make a mental note to steer clear.

A few steps later, I hear an angry thud, thud, thud and turn my head to see a blonde girl furiously kicking a vending machine.

"Stupid thing! Give me my drink!"

She's cool. Too cool.

She looks like the type who doesn't take school seriously, and if I want to blend in, I should probably avoid her, too.

Then, I see another girl—glasses, neatly braided hair, her arms full of books.

She must be the top student, I think. The perfect role model to befriend.

---

How to Be a Normal High School Girl According to the Movies:

Step 1: Walk in slow motion with the wind blowing in your hair.

Step 2: Have a quirky best friend who makes everything fun.

Step 3: Get the attention of the brooding loner or the charming popular guy.

Step 4: Join a club and discover your hidden talent.

These steps shouldn't be that difficult. Right?

---

As I take my seat, I repeat my goals for the day:

1. Don't draw attention to myself.

2. Don't reveal anything about my family.

3. Don't punch anyone (no matter how annoying they are).

Simple enough. Now all I have to do is survive the next eight hours without completely embarrassing myself.

No pressure, right?