Cote: Retelling

Chapter 1.1: Class 1-D and Introductions

After a boring and unnoteworthy opening ceremony, I find my way to class 1-D and locate my spot. In the corner of the room, by the window. The classroom is about half full, and I already see clusters of students engaged in conversation. There's one big cluster around the brown-haired girl I saw in the bus. Even at a glance, it's obvious she's the reason their conversation is flowing so smoothly. She seems to be one of the more socially capable of the class.

Before I sit down, I glance over and remember every nameplate on the desks. Forty desks, forty names. It's within my capabilities to remember them all. Then, as students begin to fill in the remaining desks, I align the names with what they look like. Suddenly, Kouenji comes in, makes a cursory glance and sits down in the center seat. No intention to fraternize, it seems.

Then, I see the black-haired girl come in, look at the seat next to me, make a face then sit down. Horikita Suzune, huh. She went ahead of me, so why was she late? Did she get lost? Was she exploring the school grounds? Anyway, thank god I was joking about hating to sit next to her, otherwise I might've been shouting profanities by now.

"We meet again." I say. It's amazing how much easier starting a conversation is when you've interacted before. Besides, like Kouenji, I think Horikita's impression of me would remain mostly the same unless something drastic happened. I'm sure she'll glare at me any second now...

...and there it is. It may be aggravating had she not been pretty. She silently sits down.

"Shouldn't you at least introduce yourself?"

"Do you mind if I refuse?"

"Not particularly, but it's not like your name is a big secret to keep, is it? We're in the same class and sit next to each other, so why don't we cross this bridge now?" I present a logical argument that's hard to deny. She seems the type to allow such arguments.

Convinced, she turns around and introduces herself. "Horikita Suzune."

"Once again, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Nice to meet you." Somehow, it seems I've exchanged names with two unsociable people. However, they're both interesting in their own right, so I don't mind.

Facing forward, she notices Kouenji. Using that, I try and start a conversation. "He'll probably be a troublesome classmate, don't you think?"

"I seem to have a streak of bad luck today." She says, returning to her book and killing the conversation. This is quite difficult. Soon, the first bell rings with every seat filled, and a women enters the classroom. A disciplined women around thirty with delicate features and long black hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a typical suit.

"Ahem, good morning new students. My name Chabashira Sae and I am in charge of class D this year. I teach Japanese history. This school doesn't rearrange the classes every year, so over the next three years, I hope I get to know all of you. Best regards. The entrance ceremony will be one hour from now in the gym, but first I will distribute written material about this school's special rules, alongside the admission guide."

Most of the information is about school facilities and basic guidelines, but there's one standout rule: the S system.

"I will now hand out student ID cards. With this card, you can buy anything from any of the shops and facilities around campus. It works like a credit card. Just swipe it at the terminal and it'll pay automatically. It is imperative you pay attention to how many of these points, called Private Points, you spend. They can be used to purchase anything located within school premises and are automatically deposited into your account at the first of every month. You should have all received 100,000 private points already for this month. Keep in mind one point is worth one yen. No further explanation should be necessary."