"Sigh..."
I sighed as I looked out of the bus's window, ignoring the commotion that Koenji and Kushida are causing.
In my past life, I was headed towards my school, while thinking about the 'Potential Woman' of Classroom of the Elite, Horikita Suzune.
Who did such a great job by not expelling Kushida, and an innocent Sakura got expelled for no reason at all.
I had just finished reading that disappointing volume the last night, so it was still on my mind.
And then, Truck-kun delivered me to a new life as Horikita Suzune a month ago.
I do have some reservations about becoming someone else, maybe even taking over Horikita Suzune, but it's not my fault, and I can't really do anything.
So I just try to not think about it.
In any case, for three years now, I will be attending this so-called elite school. Which honestly looks more like a front for government corruption and waste of tax money.
I am not really interested in class A, but I guess aiming for the top is only natural and not a bad thing at all.
I don't mean to brag, but I was the top student of my high school, and certainly not that inferior to canon Horikita Suzune.
I glanced at Ayanokoji beside me who was staring at me, and the bastard didn't even try to look away when I caught him.
In fact, it seems like he wanted to have a competition of who blinks first.
I glared at him, and then he awkwardly looked away.
He really has no social awareness at all.
Finally, the bus arrived at the school, and I got off, hoping that there is some butterfly effect that will lead to change in seat arrangement.
Not that there is any chance. Afterall, Horikita had already given her entrance exam and interview before I became her.
I wonder what happened to original Horikita...
Sigh. Let's not think about it.
After showing my admission letter to the reception and getting information about what is my class, I headed to class 1-D.
And as I entered the class, I felt several gazes at me.
Ah. Horikita is really beautiful afterall. Even after a month of being her, I still find myself staring at my face in the mirror, as if I am looking at a celebrity.
I am not really used to social interaction, so I just waved at them awkwardly and found my seat number on the board.
It was still the same as canon. Just beside the protagonist's seat.
I went to my seat, and settled in place.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
"Horikita Suzune."
After doing the bare minimum, I buried my head in the LN of Oregairu. I have only watched the anime some years ago, so I am reading this peak.
While I was immersed in my world, Ayanokoji suddenly started rambling to me.
"Let me tell you about myself. I have no particular hobbies, but I'm interested in just about anything. I don't need many friends, but I think it would be nice to have at least a few.
And, well, that's about it."
I raised my eyebrow and looked at him.
He really is a cringelord huh?
"You know, if you say it like that, you come across as desparate for friends. And your desparation will lead people to believe that you are a weirdo and keep their distance from you.
Only weirdos will become your 'friends' like this, dragging you in all sorts of trouble. And associating with those weirdos will further isolate you."
"Are you some expert in making friends?"
"Not really."
In my past life, I was the topper of my school. So I was obviously popular. Everyone in my grade knew my name, and I didn't have any trouble interacting with anyone.
I even had 5-6 friends. But given that I don't miss them and my family, I guess I didn't really consider them close enough.
Chabashira-sensei arrived in class, and started explaining things regarding this school.
"Ahem. Good morning to you, students. I'm the homeroom teacher for Class D. My name is Chabashira Sae. I usually teach Japanese history. However, at this school, we do not change classrooms for each grade.
For the next three years, I will be acting as your homeroom teacher, so I hope to get to know all of you. Before the entrance ceremony starts, I will distribute written materials with information about this school's special rules, your phones and IDs."
"By using your ID card, you can access any of the facilities on campus, purchase
goods from the store, and so on. It acts like a debit card. You can simply use the payment app in pre-installed in your phone as well.
However, it is imperative that you pay attention to the points that you spend. At this school, you can use your points to buy anything.
Anything located on the school premises is available for purchase."
"Points are automatically deposited into your account on the first of every month. You should all have received 100,000 points already. Keep in mind that one point is worth one yen. No further explanation should be necessary."
At that, the class erupted. Afterall, 100,000 yen is not a small amount for high-schoolers. For a class A student, let's say that they do get 100,000 yen a month on average over three years, they will get 3.6 million yen for just attending the school, whose tuition is free as well.
While 3.6 million yen is less than a decent annual salary for working class, we are kids.
But! It's still only 2015. And that means...
Bitcoin! Nvidia!
If I buy these stocks early, I will be set for life in the future!
Anyway, Chabashira-sensei continued to tell us to spend points freely.
"Shocked by the amount of points you've been given? This school evaluates its students' talents. Everyone here has passed the entrance examination, which itself speaks to your value and potential. The amount you've received reflects the evaluation of your worth.
You can use your points without restraint. After graduation, however, all of your points return to the school. Because it's impossible to exchange your points for cash, there's no advantage to saving them.
Once points have been deposited into your account, it's up to you how to spend them. Do as you like. In the event that you don't want to spend your points, you may transfer them to someone else.
However, extorting money from your peers is not allowed. This school monitors bullying very carefully."
As everyone was bewildered by this revelation, Chabashira-sensei looked around, as if watching if someone has any questions.
So, I raised my hand.
"Yes Horikita?"
So she has memorized everyone's face and name already?
"Can we buy something if it is not available on the school premise?"
"That depends. If something is not available on the campus, you can contact me or the Student Council to ask if it can be bought from outside. The school will buy it on your behalf and then you will buy it from the school."
Oh. So the points are internalized currency huh? It will circulate inside the school itself, and most people will not spend too much points because they are useful in exams.
It's a clever case of fraud. I don't think that the spending they show in the budget really reflects the actual money spent on real things.
"Why is the currency internalized this way when we are in Japan itself? Isn't this just an easy way to commit fraud?"
"Huh?"
The class was shocked, and Chabashira-sensei didn't really seem like she cared about it.
"I can't answer that question. Anything else?"
"Yes. Are emergency calls like police outside the campus allowed?"
"There are emergency authorities on this artificial island itself. The usual numbers connect them."
"No, I mean, let's say I want to connect to Shibuya Police Station. Can I do that?"
"No."
"So... if the school wants to make someone disappear, it will be very easy, wouldn't it? It's a security risk."
"Horikita, this school is safe—"
"Says the school. Honestly, the school is getting more suspicious by the moment."
Though I know the story for over an year in the future, who says that the story will strictly follow it? Moreover, who knows what goes behind the scenes?
Moreover, I am asking these questions so that the class doesn't remain retard and start suspecting it.
I am not going to do a thankless job like becoming a leader or something. But giving hints like this is okay.
She seemed to not want to answer me anymore, so she said, "Bring your questions to Student Council, they will resolve your concerns. Anything else?"
"Yes. Why are there so many cameras? Generally, one is enough, right? And why are they cleverly hidden instead of normal mount cameras?"
"Hidden cameras!?"
Karuizawa shouted as she looked around. Everyone started trying to find the answers.
Chabashira-sensei sighed and said, "I can't answer."
"Who has access to the surveillance cameras?"
"I can't answer."
"Why is a heinous rumour spreader like Kushida, who caused her entire class's mental health to deteriorate to the lowest level that our middle school tried to hush everything up by suspending her entire class, in this so-called Elite School?
Does this school consider people with split personality and malicious nature to be a merit?"
"I can't answer."
The entire class was enveloped in an ominous silence, aside from everyone getting more and more scared, and many wondering about who is Kushida.
I don't have the patience of Kushida scheming against me. So before she can gain any trust in the class, I exposed her so that she becomes untrustworthy from the start.
Kushida had her head down, and was shaking in anger. She should explode at any moment.
As if hammering the nail in coffin, Koenji sitting just south-west of her seat, who wasn't least bit affected by the class's atmosphere, loudly said, "No wonder she was pestering me to give up my seat, to make herself look good and me bad.
Too bad, I don't care about your little games. I am leaving. Though, I look sincerely to make your acquaintance, ladies."
Despite the atmosphere, Koenji was not bothered at all and left.
Chabashira-sensei didn't seem intent on answering any more questions from me, so she said, "Come to the auditorium for Entrance Ceremony in 10 minutes."
Saying that, she also left the classroom.
I grabbed my bag, and was about to leave the class, but realised that I haven't introduced myself.
"I am Horikita Suzune, nice to meet you all. The school is suspicious, so everyone should not spend too much points."
Saying that, I left the class, but Kushida swiftly ran towards me and tried to grab my collar.
"Horikita! You bitch!"
I easily caught her hand aiming for my collar and judo throw'ed her on the floor in self-defence.
"Ughhh!"
"Kushida, try to live an honest life for once, and think about all the lives you have ruined. I don't care about your pathetic existence, but I wouldn't allow you to find new victims for your pleasure."
Saying that, I left.
And honestly, seeing Kushida's furious face was worth taking care of her on the first day.