"Is this the school from the handbook? It looks pretty good."
Miyako Amane got out of the car.
She curiously surveyed the magnificent school gate in the distance.
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
A school that sounded like it had no advantages other than being a bit hard to remember.
Amane took out her admission invitation.
She carefully compared it with the school's name.
It would be quite embarrassing if she went to the wrong school on her first day.
"This is it, no mistake."
Miyako Amane picked up her backpack and walked towards the school.
The school had informed students before their departure that they did not need to bring any luggage.
This seemed to be considerate of the students.
The school had prepared everything very thoroughly for everyone.
However, from another perspective,
this requirement forced everyone to start on the same footing.
Whether they were students from affluent families or those living in poverty.
From the moment they stepped through this school gate,
everything started from 'zero'.
It was quite exciting.
"You must be Miyako-san, right?"
She hadn't walked far after entering the school gate.
When a tall, handsome boy came up to her.
Amane looked at him curiously.
She didn't know how he recognized her. Could it be that the people checking in had to identify each person from a photo as they passed by?
That would be a bit too far-fetched.
"I am Miyako Amane. May I ask who you are?"
"I wouldn't dare be called 'Your Excellency'. My name is Horikita Manabu, and I am the President of the Student Council at this school. On behalf of the school, I welcome you here."
Although he said he was welcoming her,
there was no joy in Horikita Manabu's eyes.
The only reason he was here
was because the school leadership had asked him to.
"Thank you, President Horikita, for your welcome. However, I don't think there's anything about me that warrants a special welcome. From the moment I passed through that gate, I became a member of this school."
"I hope for your continued guidance in the future, President Horikita."
Amane bowed slightly to Horikita Manabu.
Horikita Manabu quickly returned the bow.
"As long as it's within the school rules, anything you do is reasonable."
Horikita Manabu gave Amane an ambiguous hint.
School rules.
And doing anything.
Does that mean that as long as it's within the rules, even things like harming others, which would lead to immediate arrest outside, wouldn't be pursued?
Or rather... Amane felt a sense of hostility.
The girl with the bun next to him looked at her with an unfriendly gaze.
"This is Secretary Tachibana, my classmate."
"Tachibana Akane."
"Miyako Amane."
The two simply nodded at each other, considering it a greeting.
Since Tachibana Akane had an inexplicable hostility towards her,
she saw no need to approach her.
"If there's nothing else..."
"Please, feel free. I still need to report to my class."
Horikita Manabu nodded and disappeared around the bend of the school street with Tachibana Akane.
"Do you know Miyako-san?"
"No, why?"
Tachibana Akane hadn't realized there was anything wrong with her behavior just now.
"It's nothing. Just don't show your disapproval so obviously next time."
Horikita Manabu briefly mentioned it.
"I understand, but I really can't have a good impression of those pampered young ladies. They didn't come here to change their fate."
Horikita Manabu didn't respond.
Fate?
Can coming here change one's fate?
Horikita Manabu didn't think so.
There are many ways to change one's fate; this is just a more convenient one.
And the school doesn't guarantee that everyone will get what they want.
He hoped these newcomers would discover this cruel reality soon.
And accept it.
At this time, Miyako Amane walked along the route in the handbook.
While reading the school's introduction in the handbook.
A 100% university admission rate and guaranteed employment.
As expected of a school backed by the state.
With such an attractive gimmick, it would surely attract some people who wanted to take a gamble.
Most of these people had less fortunate family economic situations.
But they possessed a special skill in some area.
Through the school's cultivation,
they would be transformed into components that could make the large gear named 'society' operate.
It was truly... remarkable.
No matter what kind of person, they could be turned into components that fit into society.
Isn't that the meaning of nurturing?
Does the school advocate meritocracy?
That means it won't be too lonely here then.
"I'll be studying here from now on. Going somewhere no one knows me, I should be able to relax, right?"
Amane patted her chest and adjusted her breathing.
Then she walked into the classroom.
First Year Class D.
If it was divided by ability,
she was undoubtedly placed in the worst class.
But what did that have to do with her?
She just needed to fully enjoy her three years of school.
As Amane looked for her name on an empty seat,
she unexpectedly heard quite a few people discussing her.
Was her attire too unfashionable?
Or did she do something rude?
Having mostly stayed indoors since childhood, Amane, who rarely ventured out, started to waver.
Finally, she found her photo in a seat in the second to last row.
Fortunately, the seat wasn't too far forward.
She wasn't a good student who could concentrate on lectures.
Of course, if needed, she wasn't incapable of becoming that way.
Soon, most of the class had arrived.
It was then that Amane realized her seat was indeed a bit awkward.
In front of her sat a blue-haired girl.
She looked very reserved.
Probably the type who wasn't very good at socializing.
Behind her was a gloomy-faced boy.
He was decent-looking,
but his expression was too fierce, so points deducted.
To her left.
To her left was the dear wall.
To her right was a chubby boy.
There was no way to fit in with the group here.
Front, back, left, and right.
Except for the left,
the other three were all types who weren't very good at socializing.
And she was right in the middle of them.
Didn't this mean it was a bad start?
Seeing many boys and girls already chatting familiarly,
Amane felt a little anxious.
Putting a chatterbox like her here, wasn't this tormenting her?
Suddenly,
the girl reading a book to her right and slightly behind her looked up.
And met Amane's gaze.
"Is there something you need?"
She actually!
She actually spoke to me first!
"Hello, my name is Miyako Amane, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Horikita Suzune."
!!!
They actually exchanged names normally!
Mama, Horikita-san must be an angel!
"So, Miyako-san, is there something you need?"
"I want to be friends with Horikita-san."
Due to a lack of conversation partners, Amane directly stated her intention.
"Not interested."
After saying that,
Horikita Suzune lowered her head and continued reading.
Mama, Horikita-san turned into a devil!!
Why could she refuse so bluntly?
Amane suffered a blow of ten thousand damage points.