COTE: Hikigaya in Classroom of the Elite

Chapter 1

After graduating from Sobu Middle School, I naturally wanted to attend Sobu High School; however, the school district refused my admission due to my rash actions to stop my bullying. But I did nothing wrong.

My desk and shoe locker were trashed by bullies, so I trashed the desks and shoe lockers of every person in my class. I didn't care about just punishing the bullies, but everyone. After all, no one did anything or took any action when this happened to me. All bystanders and witnesses refused to come forward.

Why is it that the teacher only takes action after it happens to someone besides me? Why am I punished for doing the same thing that happened to me? I understand my actions were terrible, but I do not regret it. All the other students left me unbothered for the rest of the year. There was also no evidence that I did it, so I was left unpunished in middle school. However, pretty much everyone knew I did, as I was the only one with a motive. This just proved what I already knew: my methods are efficient and work well.

My parents did not have the money to send me to other schools in the area, so the commute would be too far. While my mom was school searching, she found the Advanced Nurturing High School.

After reading the school's statistics, I was surprised. In addition to the tuition being free, they also boast a 99% employment rate after graduation. Surely, there has to be a catch, right? There's no free lunch? Ah, I see. It's a boarding school...

Disregarding my wishes, my parents forced me to apply to the school. Why would I want to go? Who would take of Komachi, my little sister? My parents aren't home often, so she would be alone. This would be a disaster. However, understanding my parents' financial situation, I decided to try my best academically to please them, but this didn't mean that I would change my rotten personality during the interview. During the interview, I made it clear to the interviewer that I had no ambition, and when I was asked about the incident during middle school, I responded truly. I wish I could have gotten more revenge.

The school only accepts the best students, so I naturally assumed I would be safe after that disaster of an interview. However, much to my surprise, I was accepted. The best school in Japan accepted me. What a joke.

This is how I ended up here. On the bus to the Advanced Nurturing High School. I sat down at the very back of the bus and gazed outside with my earbuds in. I did receive a few glances from others, but that's to be expected, my uniform naturally drew a lot of attention.

For three years, I won't be able to leave this school. What kind of cruel joke is this? The only reason this school can get away with this is because they are directly backed and supported by the Japanese government. I can't wait to see where the money my parents pay each year to the government goes. I can't deny that this school is admirable, even for me. Tuition-free and 99% employment rate. However, I can't accept this. I've known since I was young that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

The only drawback on the surface is that you must remain on campus for three years straight. Don't worry, Komachi, I will take plenty of pictures to show you. It is a pity that I was accepted to this school as I'm sure there were other students, 10 times better than me, who got rejected instead of me.

The bus stopped at the school. I and 3 other students in the same uniform got off the bus. I had no intention of communicating with them or anyone at this school, so I quickened my pace to get some distance from them. Walking through the campus, I noticed that this place wasn't just some school.

It's a small city with shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes. What is this place? I'll have a closer look at the restaurants. Surely, there'll be a ramen shop among them. I opened my admission guide and quickly read the information.

There are four classes in each year. A, B, C, and D. Surely, this isn't coincidental. The letter grades. Have they already sorted and assigned the best students based on the admission results?

I quickly highlighted some important information on the brochures and headed towards the class building. New students were to head to their assigned classroom first and then to the entrance ceremony. After my middle school experience, I decided I wouldn't change my personality to fit in with others and be some popular kid. I would be myself. After all, if I'm forced to come to this school, I might as well enjoy it instead of putting on some fake persona.

I walked up the stairs and arrived at my classroom—classroom B. If my theory is correct, how was I assigned to class B and not D? That's the only thing that bugs me. I'll have to keep that in mind.

Unlike other students, I was completely calm entering the classroom; after all, I wouldn't be talking at all today. I glanced around my classroom to find my nametag, and after a second, I found it.

Perfect. It was in the last row and next to the window. I almost started crying tears of joy. What more can a loner wish for in this world? Maybe this school won't be so bad. I sat down in my seat and decided to observe my future classmates.

After about a minute, I could already tell who would lead the class. A pink-haired girl sat at the center of class,, surrounded by boys and girls. She is not someone to be underestimated. Already breaking the gender barrier in the class within a couple of minutes is impressive. I have to stay far from there. I heard her name being called Ichinose multiple times.

From five minutes of observation, I could already tell she was a "nice" girl. She seemed like the type of girl who annoys boys like me and refuses to be social with others. I won't fall for the same trap twice.

During middle school, a girl similar to this Ichinose approached me and started a conversation with me, a loner. We would talk more and more every day, and I would introduce her to my interests. She would nod her head and listen to me honestly, not discriminating against or insulting me because of my weird interests. I fell for her, or I thought I did. I doubt what I felt back then was true love. After confessing to her and hearing her rejection, I realized she was just being nice. That's when I started to hate nice girls. They make your heart race and every time you receive a message, you get happy; however, when you realize they do that to everyone, it hurts. They're just being nice.

After about ten minutes, a boy with a serious expression sat in front of me, and a girl sat to my right.

I would glance at their name tags, which would mean possibly making eye contact with them. Too scary for me. I decided the best action for now was to pass the time by simply looking out the window. I admired the beauty of spring with the cherry blossoms blooming.

However, I could never truly relax as the loud voices of the students would constantly disrupt my thoughts. Is this what youth is? If so, I want nothing to do with it. Ichinose, already taking control of the class, announced. "The teacher will be coming soon. Let's make her think we're the best class!"

It's disgusting and truly disgusting. This enthusiasm and happiness pisses me off. I can't stand it. I can already tell that this class isn't for me. Seriously, why did they put me here? Maybe to try and change my personality? However, changing myself is simply running away. I refuse to change, but that doesn't mean I won't adapt. I'll have to talk to the teacher later about switching classes. I might drop out if I have to deal with this fake enthusiasm daily.

Since everyone was distracted by Ichinose's words, I decided to take the opportunity to glance at my future seatmates. In front of me, the serious boy's name was Kanzaki. He wore glasses and had purple hair. He was the same as me. He was not at all affected by the happiness spreading within the class. I got my hopes up. Maybe, just maybe, another normal person?

Looking to my right, I saw the girl next to me, and my expectations for the class immediately dropped. This girl wasn't even in her seat, but she was one of the people standing next to Ichinose trying to suck up to her. Mako Amikura is another person to avoid.