Chapter 11: Freedom Comes at a Price

Since it was the first day of class for freshmen, most teachers didn't delve into substantive content. Instead, they spent the majority of the time explaining the teaching plan and curriculum for the semester.

Notably, compared to junior high schools—where strict discipline was still enforced under compulsory education—Advanced Nurturing High School, which operated outside that system, had a far more relaxed approach to classroom discipline.

Well, to put it nicely, it was relaxed and student-friendly. But to put it bluntly—it simply didn't matter.

After all, when faced with the lifeless, rigid text on a blackboard, a smartphone's bright, colorful screen was far more engaging.

At first, only one or two students dared to sneak their phones under their desks. The habits ingrained from junior high, where teachers were strict and vigilant, made most hesitate.

After all, if this were junior high, the teacher would've already thrown a piece of chalk or an eraser at the offender, confiscated the phone, and, if the offense was serious, even called their parents.

But gradually, as time passed, more students noticed that the teacher standing at the podium didn't react at all. Not only did they fail to reprimand anyone, but they also didn't even acknowledge the distractions happening right in front of them.

It wasn't hard to imagine what would happen next. A group of half-grown teenagers, fresh out of a controlled junior high environment, suddenly granted complete freedom and asked to manage their own learning?

Predictably, the teacher's lax attitude led to even more students abandoning the lecture, joining the ranks of those secretly scrolling through their phones.

Some didn't even bother with the pretense—lying on their desks, drifting into sleep. The sound of soft snoring soon echoed through the room.

In contrast, those who still paid attention to the lesson became the minority.

And yet, despite witnessing the classroom's gradual descent into disorder, the teacher remained indifferent. Not once did they attempt to stop the students, nor did they show even the slightest sign of displeasure.

Naturally, this only emboldened those who had given up on listening.

—Listening to the lecture was a personal choice. The teacher would not interfere.

That was the unspoken rule Advanced Nurturing High School seemed to follow.

And so, in this carefree and relaxed atmosphere, the morning classes came to an end.

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Thump~ thump 4 thump 7 thump x, thump~ thump 7 thump 7 thump—

As the class bell chimed melodiously over the speakers, the teacher, who had been explaining a math problem just seconds ago, stopped mid-sentence. Without hesitation, they put down the chalk, turned to the class, and casually announced,

"We'll continue next time. That's all for today."

And just like that, they left the classroom without a shred of reluctance.

The moment the teacher was out of sight, students immediately rose from their seats, gathering in small groups to head to the cafeteria.

It was fascinating how quickly humans formed social groups.

Even though they had only known each other for 24 hours, clear divisions had already begun to take shape among the students of Class D.

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"Ugh—"

Yukinoshita Haruno stretched her arms high, feeling the tension leave her body as she finally put down her pen. Her movements caused the fabric of her shirt to tighten, subtly outlining her figure.

After finishing her stretch, she exhaled lightly before turning to Kure Ragna, who had been standing with his hands in his pockets, staring absentmindedly at the blackboard.

To be fair, he had been in this dazed state for nearly the entire morning.

"How about it? Did you understand anything from today's lessons?"

It took about a second for Kure Ragna to register the voice beside him, as if snapping out of a daydream.

Yukinoshita Haruno blinked, then playfully pointed her index finger toward the equation on the blackboard.

"Well? Do you know how to solve this one?"

"Uh… let me see..."

Kure Ragna shifted his gaze back to the board, staring at it for a few seconds before casually giving an answer.

It was the same answer Yukinoshita Haruno had just spent time working out in her exercise book.

As if uncertain, he added, "Right?"

"...Yeah, that's correct."

After a short pause, Yukinoshita Haruno nodded, though her expression carried a hint of disbelief.

The problem itself wasn't particularly difficult, but still—did this guy seriously solve it all in his head without writing anything down?

She instinctively glanced at Kure Ragna before shifting her focus to the notes she had scribbled in her book.

"What, you didn't know how to solve it?" he asked.

"A-ha-ha-ha..."

Yukinoshita Haruno let out an awkward laugh, brushing off the situation.

She had originally intended to mess with him, thinking he had been too absent-minded all morning to follow the lesson. But instead, she had walked right into a counterattack.

A bit embarrassed, she quickly changed tactics. Leaning in close to Kure Ragna, she cupped a hand over her mouth and whispered,

"You've been zoning out all morning. Did you meet some beautiful senior yesterday, confess on impulse, and get rejected? Is that why you're so out of it? I told you—impulse is the devil. Impulse is the devil..."

She sighed dramatically, patting his shoulder as if mourning his misfortune.

Kure Ragna rubbed his forehead. "Do random, impulsive confessions really hurt that much?"

---

"So, what actually happened? Care to share?"

Yukinoshita Haruno seized the opportunity, pressing for an answer.

"Let me think about how to phrase it..."

Kure Ragna tapped his chin, his expression shifting into something more thoughtful—almost detective-like.

"On the first day of Advanced Nurturing High School's cherry blossom season, I uncovered a shocking secret about System S."

He deliberately paused, casting a knowing glance toward her.

"...I see," Yukinoshita Haruno responded, feigning seriousness.

She then coughed lightly before asking, "So, what exactly is this shocking secret you discovered?"

"Let's keep that a secret for now," Kure Ragna shrugged. "I still need to confirm it, but after this morning's observations… I'm fairly certain."

Before their conversation could continue, someone called out from the front of the classroom.

"Yukinoshita Haruno, Kure Ragna! It's almost time to head to the cafeteria for lunch~"

Looking up, they saw Kushida Kikyo approaching—one of Class D's central figures among the girls, and the so-called little angel in the hearts of many male classmates.

Beside her stood Kei Karuizawa, Shinohara Satsuki, Hirata Yosuke, and others—effectively forming the core social group of Class D.

Notably absent from this group were Yamauchi and Ike Kanji.

Perhaps they had finally realized that they weren't particularly welcome at yesterday's dinner table. In any case, they had teamed up with Sudo Ken instead, forming what could only be described as a trio of idiots.

"We're coming~"

Kure Ragna responded casually before standing up, ready to leave his seat.

As he walked past Yukinoshita Haruno, he muttered in a voice only the two of them could hear,

"In short, if you want to know what happens next, stay tuned after the second class in the afternoon."

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