Chapter 1 - New School, New Life

A new day, a new life. 

That was what Kiyotaka thought to himself as he watched the buildings pass by while he sat silently in the bus. 

Today for him wasn't a normal day at all, for today is the day he'll finally be able to attend school.

Of course, he had no need for such a thing. But, well, there was something in a school he hasn't ever experienced yet.

Meeting new people, and getting to know them. He was sure it'd be a fun experience. Well, it'll be, as long as he won't be left out, at all.

Truly, he hoped that such a thing wouldn't happen. As much of an understatement it was, he wouldn't want his school life to be a living 'hell'.

Normally, he wouldn't call such a place a living 'hell', knowing where he came from. But, we suppose he's just trying to get along with his age.

For easier understanding, just imagine an old man trying to understand and be a part of the young people whom had developed their own slangs.

Wearing the uniform of his new school– Advanced Nurturing High School, gave him a feeling of something new. 

His school wasn't just any other. The school he had enrolled to had high standards. It boasted a 100% employment rate and apparently, has really good education.

Well, again, not like he needs it much, anyways. But it's the thought that counts, right?

Honestly, he could've gone with something else that's not a bus, but Kiyotaka wanted to know how it felt to be a student. 

He wanted to truly feel the experiences of being a student, including riding a bus. So, he chose to do so, instead of just getting a private ride. 

But, even with such an innocent mindset, he had already begun to see people who interest him. And, he had sincerely hoped that some of them can become his classmates.

'Some', because some people just looked scary, he mused. There was one with gradient red eyes, and such a cold look on her face. Although it didn't unsettle him one bit, he hoped he wouldn't be classmates with her.

There is also this man with blonde hair, and a cocky look on his face. Just one look at him, and Kiyotaka immediately knew that this person would be a difficult person to be with.

And thus, he wished to avoid them at all costs.

“Man, heroes are boring..” Kiyotaka's gaze moved from the students at the bus, to the girl sitting beside him. Blonde hair in braids, and her signature emerald eyes, making her look like a foreigner.. 

“Kaori.” He mumbled, staring at Kaori's bored expression while reading a book.

Hironaka Kaori, the very girl you've read from the previous chapter, yes. She is Kiyotaka's childhood friend, and possibly, his only friend in highschool.

However, he hoped that would change soon.

Kiyotaka sighed. This girl could be so random sometimes. But, it wasn't like Kiyotaka didn't like it. Rather, it was this act of hers that gave his life the feeling of normalcy. And it was something she truly appreciated. 

“‘Heroes are boring’? That does seem like something you would say. What made you say such a thing, though?” He asked, finding himself curious at why she would even say such a thing.

Kaori was his childhood friend, a person really close to him. And yet, even he cannot fully fathom the mindset of this girl.

Sometimes, even someone like him can get lost in the mindset of a really interactive person like her.

"I mean, it's just my insight, but heroes are boring. Because, heroes puts others before themselves. It's like, they'd always save the majority, even if they will sacrifice themselves or someone else. And that thought just seemed really boring to me."

"Such a long explanation.." Kiyotaka sighed, scratching his head. Sometimes, Kaori uses her intelligence for silly things, like this. But..

"I guess, you do have a point. Heroes always sacrifice others, even their family, for as long as the majority survives."

"Right?! That's why villains are better, aren't they?! Heroes will sacrifice you for the world, but Villains would sacrifice the world for you!" Kaori exclaimed, earning an exasperated look from Kiyotaka.

'Sometimes, I wonder if she really is such an intelligent girl..' He thought to himself, shaking his head.

Really, his friend is such a wonder..

"Kaori–"

"Excuse me, but shouldn't you offer up your seat?" Kiyotaka froze, finding himself being interrupted mid-sentence, as he whipped his head to the source of the voice.

At first, he thought that someone was talking to him. But, both to his relief, and disappointment, that wasn't the case.

Instead, there was this... Commotion, in front of the bus.

There is a girl, seemingly assisting an old lady, talking to the said blonde man Kiyotaka was describing earlier above.

Well, whatever. He's just glad he isn't a part of that mess.

"Eh? Aren't they students from the same school as us?" Kaori asked, to which Kiyotaka nodded. He had indeed noticed such a thing, but chose not to pay attention, much.

However, seeing that beige-haired girl, Kiyotaka had a thought.

That girl looked kind. Extremely kind. Too much so, that Kiyotaka's eyes grew cold for a slight moment.

'She's faking it.' He thought. Though, he just pretended not to notice. He didn't want to dwell on that further, and get himself in a dirty mess.

"Man, such a fake, eh?" Kaori whispered, seemingly noticing it as well.

Her acting was way too perfect. And that much easily gave so much information to the two.

"Yeah. But as long as she leaves us alone, it's fine, I suppose." He shrugged, relaxing back unto his seat, while keeping his eyes on the commotion.

A drama's nice once in a while, as long as he wasn't a part of it.

"Hey, you there, shouldn't you offer up your seat?" An office lady said, joining the commotion.

It seemed like the beige-haired student, and this office lady wanted the blonde-haired student to give up his seat because.. Well.. He's in the priority seat.

'Why was he sitting there in the first place. Shouldn't that be left empty? Or was my research wrong?' Kiyotaka thought to himself, finding the situation before his eyes somewhat interesting.

"That's a really crazy question, lady." The blonde student huffed, crossing his arms, with an arrogant smile.

It was almost like this guy was mocking them on purpose.

Although unnoticeable, the office lady got irked by the young man's words. Seemingly finding it disrespectful. But, to her credit, she hid it in.

"Why should I even offer up my seat, lady?"

"Is that even a question? You're sitting in a priority seat, young man. Isn't it normal to offer up your seat to the elderly?" Kiyotaka found himself sighing in relief at the office lady's words. It seemed like his research was accurate.

Well, it seemed like the blonde man was the problem, he mused. He didn't even seemed bothered. Rather, it seemed like the young man was quite enjoying the attention.

"I don't understand. Priority seats are just that— priority seats. I have no obligation to move, do I? And, since I am currently occupying this seat, I am the one who should have the power to determine whether I'll move, or not, am I right?

Am I supposed to give up my seat just because I'm younger? Ha! Your reasoning is nonsense, lady!" The blonde man huffed, earning a small sigh from Kiyotaka.

"Have you had enough of that drama, Kiyo?" Kaori beside him chuckled, noticing his growing disinterest on the ongoing commotion.

Kaori was right, he was slowly beggining to lose interest on their argument. While the young man may seem immoral, the blonde man did have a point in his words.

And so, he didn't want to get himself further involved in that mess, because he knows what will happen next.

"I don't want to feel obligated to give up my seat later. Seeing how that beige-haired girl acted, and that blonde man's attitude, I'm quite sure they'll ask the other people in this bus to give up their seat. Unfortunately, I would rather not do so."

"Even though it's the right thing to do?" Kiyotaka felt irony running through his veins.

There was no such thing as a 'right thing' to do at all. Well, for him, that is.

These 'right things' to do were just the standards of the community. And as much as he valued the normalcy, he preferred to not be tied down by that obligation.

Besides–

"Quite ironic coming from you, Kaori. Wasn't it you who had said Villains were better than Heroes?" And with that, Kaori froze, and zipped her lip shut. To which, Kiyotaka smiled wickedly in return.

Well, in the first place, his term for 'normal' was already off, anyways. So, it didn't matter if he followed such rules, or not.

Because for him, it wouldn't matter, for the world he sees is far more different than what the others see.

♕✾—✾♔

"Were entrance ceremonies meant to be that boring?"

"How would I know? I spent my entire childhood with you, idiot." Kiyotaka huffed at Kaori's answer, finding it amusing.

As you had noticed, a huge time skip happened. And now, they have finished the entrance ceremony, and are currently heading towards their classroom.

Deep inside, Kiyotaka was somewhat excited. Who wouldn't be? It was his first time going to a legitimate school.

Thanks to Kaori's assistance, who had better experience than him with interacting towards others, he wouldn't feel awkward with his new classmates.

As such, he was thankful for having a friend. At least, now, he has an idea of what he can do.

'Man, am I glad to have a friend like Kaori who knows how to talk with others. I wonder what would happen if I had no one to tell me the ropes of making friends.' Yeah, I wonder what would happen too.

Maybe, in some other timeline, he had no one, he mused.

Well, he's just glad that he isn't that person now.

"Class 1-E, right? That's our class?" Kaori asked, bringing Kiyotaka off his thoughts, and back to the real world.

"Mhm, yeah." He confirmed, his brows rising slightly at Kaori's question.

It wasn't odd for her to ask things, no. What was odd was how she phrased her question. The way Kaori asked him was off.

It was as if, something was amiss.

Though, soon, that question of his got answered teal quick, as Kaori pointed her finger on the room ahead with the sign, 1-E.

Normally, it wouldn't be off, based on his research. However, it soon clicked, as Kiyotaka noticed that no classrooms were near theirs. Almost as if, it was hidden on purpose.

And, due to their angle, they could slightly see the inside of the room. And.. To say that they were a lot..

"–is quite the understatement.. The number of chairs in this room is so.."

"Few, right..? I thought a normal class would normally be filled with at least thirty students.." Kaori finished, to which, Kiyotaka nodded at.

Maybe, it had something to do with that 100% employment rate this school boasted so much about.

Or maybe, there was something else..

'Our class is hidden? Maybe, there's something we should be keeping a secret? If so, what could it be?

Is there a secret we're not supposed to know, too? Something feels off. I've seen alot of students during the entrance ceremony, and yet, I can't even see over twenty chairs inside the classroom.

Does the class placement matter, after all? If so, then why am I at this Class?'

Gears started turning in Kiyotaka's head, but he lacked information. It wasn't enough to give him the answer he desired.

He lacked the information to go on further. But, somehow, he was more than confident he'll figure it out before the day ends.

"Just now, you've set a challenge for yourself, didn't you?" Kaori giggled, somehow instantly figuring out Kiyotaka's intentions.

But, well, Kiyotaka didn't really mind. Kaori's senses were signs for him that he wasn't going rusty.

"That's right. Something's amiss. And I'll definitely figure it out by the end of the day.

"Hm, figures. Sounds like something you would say." Kiyotaka merely huffed at her words, before walking inside the classroom.

Looking around, he saw exactly fifteen chairs in the room. The classroom wasn't completely filled with students yet, but they were unexpectedly... Silent?

For now, Kiyotaka didn't bother talking to them, since the people inside were either playing games, or well.. Reading or writing stuff. And some of them seemed quite cold, and aloof.

'Man, this'll be hard..' Kiyotaka thought to himself, finding the atmosphere somewhat unnerving. But, well, it wasn't like he can do anythjng for now.

As Kiyotaka watched Kaori place her things down on her chair, he wished deep inside that his seatmate would be Kaori, or someone that he can talk, and get along with.

"Oh, you're seated behind me, Kiyo." Kaori remarked, pointing at the seat with Kiyotaka's nameplate behind Kaori's.

Atleast, he was near Kaori, he mused. If at any point, his seatmate was a shy kid, he could still talk to someone.

But, well, it seemed like his wish to be seated beside someone talkative became true.

"Oh? Are you Ayanokouji Kiyotaka?" A male voice, one that Kiyotaka still doesn't recognized, entered his ears.

This voice was light, with a hint of tease behind it. It was a type of voice that pranksters would naturally have, he mused.

"Akabane Karma-san, I suppose?" Akabane grinned at Kiyotaka's words, and nodded.

I suppose most of the people here already knows what he looks like. But, for those who still haven't, he has short red hair, and goldish colored eyes.

He was quite pale and frail for someone his age. But, well..

'I can't underestimate him. There's something behind that gaze that's unsettling. It's almost like I'm face to face with an assassin.' Kiyotaka thought to himself. But, he didn't dwell too much on it, because he didn't want to be suspicious.

"Well, at least I know my seatmate can talk." Kiyotaka joked, earning a small laugh from Akabane.

"I can see what you mean. Most of the people here are quite.. Dull." The red-hair replied, whispering that last part to Kiyotaka.

Akabane's attitude made Kiyotaka feel relief. At least, his research seemed accurate so far. He could interact well with others, and even crack jokes his age would understand and laugh at.

If it was the past him, he was sure it'll be quite a different story. At this point, he's just thankful he wasn't as awkward as back then.

'If I had been this awkward back then, I seriously doubt I could make friends.' Kiyotaka thought to himself with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

All in all, he was just happy that he's feeling this way.

"But, man. You and that girl are quite close, eh?" Kiyotaka blinked at Akabane's question. No, it wasn't odd. Not at all.

What was odd was the devious look on his face. Well, rather than devious, it seemed like the trademark expression of a certain octupus. But, of course, Kiyotaka didn't know that.

"I mean, we're childhood friends.."

"Childhood friends, eh? Those are the kind of tropes in books that fell in love in the end, aren't they?" Kiyotaka found himself somewhat annoyed at Akabane's grin.

It was meant to tease him, he knew.

"He has a point, Kiyo." Kaori exclaimed, seemingly losing interest now in trying to observe their classmates.

Once more, Kiyotaka felt his annoyance climb, seeing the teasing glint in Akabane's eyes mirroring in Kaori's.

"No, don't even think about it."

"Awh, you wouldn't want to fall in love with me? How mean~" Kaori giggled, to which Akabane had smirked at.

Seeing the two's antics, Kiyotaka couldn't help but sigh. One teasing Kaori was more than enough. He cannot handle an another one.

He knew that both Akabane and Kaori would become a threat to his life. Their teading antics would eventually go too far.

And so, he had decided to stop them now, before it becomes too late.

"Oi–"

"Class, please take your seats." Or not.

The three students, and their classmates immediately straightened up, and sat down, as they watched their teacher walk in.

Their teacher is a girl. One with light blonde hair, and baby blue eyes. Her outfit was modest, yes. But, her aura of elegance has far outclassed that modest outfit of hers.

One look at her, and you'll immediately know that she's from a rich family, or something.

'Must be a foreigner' Kiyotaka thought.

Kiyotaka felt somewhat intimidated. The aura that this teacher was letting out was just.. Scary. She honestly seemed like that one teacher who'd scream at anyone breathing wrong.

But, well..

That thought immediately broke in his head as soon as the teacher bursts into a big, kind smile.

"Good Morning, Class-E! My name is Ellen Bakers, a foreign teacher from Europe. In this class, I'll teach Homeroom and English.

Let's all get along well, shall we?"

♕✾—✾♔

『 𝙿𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔. 𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚝, 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜, 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚘 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 』