章 3: Volume 1 - Ch. 3 King
Since I was born, there have been hardly any questions in my mind.
Why can't the people around me predict things that are so obvious?
Why are there things they don't understand?
Why do they give up when they can't do something and pass it on to others?
Why do people seek hope?
As I pondered these questions, I came to a conclusion. Boring.
The first unknown thing I encountered was despair. So, I became desperate and agreed with it. I had hope. But even despair couldn't overturn my predictions.
Boring. Ah, boring.
After that, hope overcame despair. Just as I had hoped.
But despair doesn't give up easily. Whether winning or losing, it had prepared means to give birth to new despair. Just as I had hoped.
However, hope creates miracles, and no one is enveloped by despair anymore.
That's not what I hoped for... I am the one who introduced Alter Ego Junko Enoshima, or more precisely, the virus within her, into the "Rehabilitation of Hope" program. The goal was to see which is more unexpected between hope and despair.
However, there were unavoidable sacrifices. And the remnants of despair couldn't return to normal after defeating Junko Enoshima. Despair couldn't be released into the world again. It was a sacrifice for that reason.
That was supposed to happen. The existence of Kamukura Izuru was also supposed to disappear.
However, Hajime Hinata created a miracle. He, who was not supposed to have any talent, surpassed expectations.
Even though our appearances are different, is it because Hajime Hinata is still me that he brought about different results?
No, he didn't have such talent. He shouldn't have had it.
"See, if you try, things will work out somehow!"
Try and things will work out.
A boring phrase.
I don't possess the emotions that correspond to that phrase.
But he became the trigger that brought out my talent. It was this phrase of hers.
I don't understand. I don't understand it.
But now, I might be able to perceive it from a different perspective──this sensation, which I had once discarded, may be connected to one of the "emotions."
***
About a month has passed since school started.
Not much has happened during this time.
We didn't even attend the orientation that Sakagami-sensei mentioned before, and if I have to mention something, it would be the quizzes and the student council president.
Well, those things will become clear eventually, so they don't really matter.
The daily cycle went like this: Wake up -> Go to school -> Attend classes -> Go home -> Sleep.
Was there anything else? Well, if I have to mention something, I had some conversations with Ibuki. It seems like she considers me as a friend.
But such things don't matter.
Today is May 1st, the day of point distribution.
Therefore, the restlessness among the students was more intense than usual.
"Hey, isn't the way the points are transferred strange?"
"Yeah, I've only received around 50,000 points."
"Same here."
A group of three female students was discussing such matters. I think one of their names was Manabe... or something like that. It's incredibly boring. Maybe they forgot about Ryuen's question on the first day.
In about 10 minutes, the morning homeroom will begin.
Thinking that, Ibuki arrives at school. After confirming my presence, she immediately places her belongings on her desk and faces me.
Her expression shows both interest and caution.
"...As you said, I've only received about half of the points."
"Yes, the remaining points are a fair amount, I suppose."
Ibuki speaks in a low voice. That's right. If I had loudly mentioned that the points were decreasing, people would gather.
For someone who is not good at socializing, it would be a difficult situation.
"How many points do you have left?"
"I have over 80,000 points."
"I have a similar amount... You told me to value the points, so I kept a decent amount. Do you think your prediction was correct, or do you think it missed the mark?"
"I don't think it missed the mark. My prediction was correct."
"I see. Then my efforts were worth it. But should I continue making bento lunches..."
Maybe she's not good at making bento lunches.
Well, you could call it a gap moe.
Since I don't go to school, I'm bored, so I'm eager to learn various things. For example, I'm gradually studying modern expressions.
Honestly, they're mostly silly words, but sometimes there are words that aren't foolish, which surprisingly stimulate me.
While I was thinking about that, Sakagami-sensei enters the classroom. The chime for the morning homeroom hasn't rung yet.
In his hand, he holds the school bag he usually uses for classes and a large white paper that he has rolled up for easy carrying.
So, he's going to show everyone the contents of that white paper.
It seems like there will be various announcements today as well.
"Good morning, everyone. It's a bit early, but I want to start the morning homeroom. Before I begin the explanation, I'll take questions. Those who have questions, please raise your hands."
Words that couldn't be said without predicting them in advance. As expected, he's going to explain everything about the points in today's homeroom.
"Oh? I thought someone would ask why they didn't receive 100,000 points... I see. It seems this year's Class C has many outstanding students."
Sakagami-sensei looks at all the students in the classroom. I feel like he's become somewhat colder than his attitude towards the students in the past month.
In fact, there's no emotion in his statement praising the class.
Well, it's probably because he's playing the most suitable role to give the students warnings and push them forward during this explanation.
"Now, before explaining about the points, let's first take a look at this."
He takes out a pen and starts writing something on the whiteboard.
He finishes writing in about 10 seconds, and there, the points for each class are written in units called "cp."
Class A: 940 cp
Class B: 650 cp
Class C: 490 cp
Class D: 0 cp
"Let me explain what cp (class points) means. This school measures students' abilities. You can think of the points as an evaluation of your class's abilities."
I see. The evaluation of the class's abilities.
Based on the philosophy of Auguste Comte, a positivist philosopher and the founder of sociology.
He advocated the "organic theory of society," which considers society as a single organism that cannot be reduced to the sum of individuals.
By utilizing this idea, this school treats each class as a society and evaluates and grades them numerically. It's a grading method that looks towards the future.
"Each class is initially given 1,000 cp. Then, based on your daily behavior, we evaluate whether you have shown an attitude unsuitable for a student at this school. If we confirm that, we deduct points from the initial 1,000 cp. So, today's points that have been given are 1,000 cp, which is equivalent to 100,000 pp (private points). Therefore, you can understand that you have been given 490 cp, which means 49,000 pp, right?"
"Hey, Sensei, can I ask a question?"
"Hmm. I would prefer it to be at the end, but well, it's fine. Did you have any puzzling points, Ryuen-kun?"
Quietly raising his hand, Ryuen asks the teacher. The classfalls silent, and everyone's attention focuses on him. It's a scene I've seen before.
"Can you tell us the details of how the points were deducted?"
"I cannot do that. Whether it's personnel evaluation, entering society, or entering a company, it's up to the company to decide the detailed assessment criteria. And our school policy is not to disclose those assessment criteria. However, because it wouldn't be satisfying to leave you without an answer, let me give you a hint from my personal perspective. The reason why points were deducted is that you haven't been doing the things that should be done as a matter of course."
"I see! I understand now. Thanks for explaining."
Ryuen seems to have understood and returns to his seat. It's not like he instantly comprehended the teacher's words in a split second. He must have made some reasonable assumptions and they turned out to be correct, hence his quick understanding.
"The school doesn't fundamentally reject your way of life. It's all about personal responsibility. Even if you come late or skip classes, we won't say anything in particular. But the consequences of your actions will affect not only you but the entire class. This result is evident, right? Especially this year's Class D has achieved the lowest, or rather, the highest record in history."
0 cp, in other words, 0 points. Based on what I've heard so far, you wouldn't achieve such a disastrous result if you simply did the bare minimum.
Indeed, it's not boring; rather, it's rather impressive.
And a new fact becomes clear.
The point difference is so neatly spread out.
I see, so I'm in Class C, huh?
"I think you intelligent students have already realized this, but the class division in this school is special. The excellent students are divided into Class A in descending order. Of course, I cannot explain the basis for this division. Please understand that. And you all are in Class C, which means you have been evaluated slightly below average by the school."
The atmosphere in the class becomes tense. It's probably the first time they've received such a scolding from Sakagami-sensei. They can feel the anger of being seen through and they are angry themselves, and the entire classroom can sense it.
"Don't be so angry. I'm not looking down on you for saying that. Didn't I mention it earlier? You all are the ones who passed through a narrow gate when you entered this school. And I have something else to tell you. This school boasts a 100% rate of students going on to higher education or finding employment, but that applies only to the students in Class A when they graduate."
Now, the whole class begins to stir. It's understandable because many students may have chosen this school based on the high rate of further education and job placement.
Sakagami-sensei's words fundamentally contradict that, so it's natural for them to be bewildered.
"And the most important thing is that based on your cp, you can move up to a higher class."
"I see... It's truly a meritocracy."
"That's right, Ryuen-kun. This cp is not just the monthly transferred money, it has a proportional relationship with the class ranking. In other words, if you had 651 cp, you would have been in Class B."
Ryuen, who understood everything, smiles triumphantly.
Many other students, despite receiving a low evaluation, don't care about that and are already thinking of aiming higher, aiming for a class change.
"Now, I think that's enough about the school's system. Now, let's take a look at this."
He unfolds the white paper he brought and sticks it to the whiteboard so that everyone can see.
It contains the results of the recent quiz we took.
Names and scores are written there, making everyone's results clearly visible. The student with the highest score is written in the top left corner, and the scores go down from there, with some students having the same score at the bottom.
From 100 to 90, 85, and down to 45, 55, and 60.
It seems there are students with the same score starting from 60.
The average score is probably in the low 70s.
"This time, no one in this class received a failing grade, but anyone who gets even one failing grade on the midterm or final exams in the next three weeks will be expelled. I want all of you to understand this deeply."
The classroom, which was the most restless today, becomes even more agitated. Failing a test means immediate expulsion. Expulsion. Just when our dream high school life had just begun, we never imagined we would be faced with such a harsh trial.
Indeed, I can see that Ishizaki, who scored the lowest in the class, has a miserable expression.
"Expulsion is not a threat. You can ask if there have been any senior students who were expelled. Then you will know it's true. Any questions?... If not, let's conclude today's homeroom. You may disperse."
Saying that, Sakagami-sensei leaves the classroom.
The class becomes even more restless. But no one shows any signs of settling down.
As time goes by, some students regain their composure, but most of them are not in a calm state of mind as the first-period class begins.
***
After all the classes ended, it was time for after-school.
Today's after-school period was supposed to be tea time and relaxing, but that wasn't the case this time.
It was because Ryuen, the male student who had asked the teacher a question on the first day, gathered everyone in the classroom.
Normally, there would be no reason to go, but if it was about the points, I decided to participate this time, thinking I would leave immediately if it got boring.
Looking around, everyone in the class was staying.
Indeed, this class was quite unusual. Almost everyone had ambitions. There was no need to speculate on what those ambitions were.
"Alright, everyone is here. It feels strange after a month, but let's start with self-introductions. I'm Ryuen Kakeru, the 'king' of this class."
Ryuen, who proclaimed himself as the king, had placed two students as his bodyguards around him.
One was a half-Japanese boy with a height well over 180cm and muscles that could rival an athlete. The other was a tough-looking boy who could easily be called a "delinquent" and was known as Ishizaki, the student with the lowest score on the test.
The atmosphere in the entire class became tense. Ibuki, who was sitting in the front row, was also emitting a hostile aura.
"It's great, all of you. There are so many who don't want to recognize me as the king. So, let's start from there. Let's decide who will rule this class."
Ryuen words continued.
"This school is different. To fight and win within the class, we need someone to lead. The rules are unlimited, you can use any means necessary. Observe the weaknesses of your enemies other than yourself. And crush anyone other than yourself. The last one standing will be the king. ...Oh, so those who don't care about class struggle can leave now. Be careful not to get involved for the next week or two, as things will get rough. But once the king is decided, don't complain. That's the condition. Now, it's the final choice."
Ryuen provokes the entire class like he's issuing a challenge.
Just by hearing this, his charisma is evident. The other classmates should also be aware of it.
However, they are also unique students, each with their quirks.
They probably have emotions like not liking Ryuen words, getting carried away, finding it interesting, or thinking they themselves should become the king.
That's why a leader, a "king," who can unite this self-centered class, is necessary.
But let me say this───
No matter how much the other students dislike Ryuen, it doesn't matter anymore.
He has already taken the initiative. Asking questions about the points. That alone is a significant move.
To explain the current situation in one word, this saying fits perfectly.
"If you move first, you can control others, but if you fall behind, you will be controlled by others."
Who was it that asked for a hint in the darkness on the first day when we didn't know anything? If they were slightly superior or slightly cowardly, they would have chosen Ryuen over the other students.
Are there any other people besides him who quickly doubt those points and give their own answers? If there are, do they have more initiative than him?
And he has two pawns. That alone makes a clear difference.
It's boring. There's no point in participating in something so obvious.
As soon as he finished speaking, I stood up from my desk to leave the classroom.
At almost the same time, a girl with hair that had a mix of light blue and silver also stood up. She had a calm and gentle aura, appearing like a literature-loving girl, carrying a book that she probably bought herself in her school bag.
All eyes were on me and her.
In this atmosphere, it seemed beyond their understanding that they could leave this place where a discussion that would determine the class's future was about to take place.
Ibuki had an indifferent expression that seemed to say, "Well, that's it." It seemed she had some expectations, given that we've known each other a little longer than the others.
Ryuen gazed at me and the girl as if evaluating us.
Our gazes met.
Ryuen scoffed at us. From his perspective, those who leave now are not important. His aura was akin to that of a champion.
If I were to compare him to an animal, he would be the king of wild beasts, a lion.
I don't care about his ideology, but he will undoubtedly be a prominent presence in this school.
But... boring.
With him now, he couldn't even be compared to that white-haired girl.
Now I know where he will stumble and end up; he's not different from any other student in my eyes.
I averted my gaze from Ryuen and went through the back door.
I'll ask Ibuki about what happens next.
Now, where should I go next?
Since I haven't decided where to go, I start walking towards the dormitory as usual. But my steps come to a halt.
That's because I heard a voice from behind.
"Are you not interested in the class struggle either?"
The clear and high soprano voice belonged to the girl who stood with me earlier.
I didn't intend to talk to her, so I just nodded to indicate that she was right. I planned to go home early.
"Why aren't you interested?"
As she asked, she walked closer to me.
Since it wasn't something I could entirely ignore, I reluctantly answered.
"Because it's boring."
"Boring?"
"Yes, boring. It doesn't matter to me who becomes the king. And I can already see the outcome. There's no point in getting involved in something like that."
"...I didn't say it, but considering everything boring isn't good."
"Then why did you leave the class?"
"Because I don't like conflicts. Also, today is the day of the launch of a new book."
It seems none of her reasons are lies.
This girl truly isn't interested in the class struggle. Moreover, she values the release of a new book more.
I think she's genuinely unusual. And at the same time, I feel she's similar to him.
To this girl, who has the talent to be a Super High School Level Bookworm, immersing herself wholeheartedly in her favorite things with unmatched passion.
That's probably why I hesitate to conclude that she's boring.
"Do you like books, don't you?"
That was unexpected.
Kamukura Izuru initiated a topic with someone else.
As soon as she heard my words, the girl's attitude changed from calm to highly interested, and she brought her face close to mine.
She's beautiful. Beautiful enough to be called beautiful among a hundred people.
If a girl like her brings her face close, the average male student would surely be surprised.
"Do you have an interest in books!"
"...I have knowledge about famous works, but I'm not interested in reading."
"Then you should try it! Reading!"
She grew stronger with an attitude completely opposite to before, and for a moment, it surprised me.
A little bothersome.
"If you're free today, let's go to the library to read. I'll guide you!"
She got even closer. Her sparkling eyes and my face were so close that our noses would touch.
Maybe because we were so close, I could smell her pleasant fragrance.
Maybe it's because of the shampoo she used.
This is becoming troublesome. It's not about losing control of my reasons or anything. It's just that it would be bothersome after rejecting her offer, as she only has the option to say "yes."
There's no other way, so let's give in to her enthusiasm.
Honestly, in my opinion, books are just intellectual records, but this is a good opportunity to reconsider.
"...Alright. I'll accompany you, but only for a short while."
"Really! Yay! Let's go to the library then!"
With her increasing excitement, the girl grabs my hand and tries to lead me to the library.
"No need to hold hands. I won't run away."
"That's just the fastest way to go."
She seems serious. She looks genuinely natural.
People like her unintentionally cause trouble without any malicious intent, making it even more bothersome.
"By the way... we haven't introduced ourselves, right? I'm Shiina Hiyori. And you?"
"Kamukura Izuru."
When she heard my name, Shiina-san's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh, it's you."
"But, haven't I met you for the first time?"
"I remember because there was only one person who scored higher than me on the previous quiz."
"Is that so? Then please take me to the library quickly."
"Sure. Time is limited, so can we go?"
So, on the first day of school receiving points, I spent time alone with Shiina Hiyori.
Intimacy with Shiina Hiyori increased!
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