Chapter 7

Here, the number of characters will increase (I didn't say they will have a significant role).

From today, I plan to post once a day.

Unexpectedly, I ended up admiring the beautiful and fresh (?) sala tree flowers at a very close distance, but I managed to maintain a gentlemanly attitude and successfully reached the classroom. I was calming my mind in preparation for the upcoming homeroom.

After all, this is the first homeroom since enrollment. The success or failure of the self-introduction event that takes place here will determine whether I will spend the next three years alone or with friends in a harmonious manner, which is not an exaggeration.

Thinking that I will be sent to different posts as a soldier after graduation, I believe I should prioritize training over making friends. However, the weight of being a classmate with Sakura is considerable... or so I think.

No, I don't really know since I've never been a soldier.

Depending on the situation, there might be cases where you have to oppose each other due to factional relationships or compete for promotions, so it might not be a good idea to get too friendly.

Moreover, considering that I'm an old man on the inside, it seems strange that keeping a distance from everyone doesn't seem like a bad idea.

(What would happen if my memories from my previous life were exposed? Normally, I would be treated as a madman, but given my track record of being treated as a genius and having a high compatibility rate with magic crystals, I might be thoroughly investigated.)

"Alright. Everyone is here."

Just as a small version of me in my head was shouting, 'You're just planning to do something terrible! Like that boy who was forced to cooperate with the Second Savior Plan!' I decided, 'I must not let anyone know!' At that moment, a woman who seemed to be the homeroom teacher entered the room.

She looked to be in her late 20s to early 30s. She was about 160 cm tall. She was slender overall, but her center of gravity was stable, and she had no openings, indicating that she was well-trained. Her hair was blonde and short. When I looked at her face (I've seen her somewhere before?), I realized who she was.

She was the person who played the character in a game with hard-edged gears, who was always 17 years old.

In other words, while it's uncertain whether jokes would work, she is definitely the type of person you shouldn't oppose.

Of course, it's normal for a soldier not to oppose a superior officer. I saw her as someone who required extra caution.

Her nickname is Boss. No objections allowed.

"Let's start the homeroom immediately. First, we'll do self-introductions. Just state your name. By the way, I am Kuga Shizuka, your homeroom teacher, and my rank is Captain."

Boss briefly introduced herself and told us what we should do.

It was a self-introduction that omitted a one-sentence greeting and hobbies. She must be quite something to have become a captain at her age. Impressive.

By finishing quickly to save time and considering those who are not good at self-introductions, she must be an excellent homeroom teacher at a prestigious school.

I added a commentary like that, but in reality, what's important is whether the teacher knows the students, not whether we know each other.

At this stage, getting superficial information is useless for us. However, not knowing the names of our classmates, who are our peers, is a problem. If I consider that Boss's suggestion, which is somewhat cold, is a proper one, it makes sense.

Or maybe this is the norm for military school self-introductions. I don't know.

"The order will be from the top student down by grades. Start quickly, Muto."

"...Yes."

The girl who was called and told to start was the one who gave the speech as the representative at the enrollment ceremony. She glanced at me before standing up, but it was probably just my imagination.

"Muto Saori."

Hmm. The top student is Muto Saori. I'll remember that.

She is about the same height as the teacher. She has black, straight hair that reaches her waist. I won't comment on her physical features as it would be impolite to observe her closely, but she doesn't seem to have a very prominent figure. Her posture is impeccable, so she must have experience in martial arts. She gives off the impression of a well-bred young lady rather than a soldier.

"Next."

"Yes. Fujita Kazunari."

The second student is Fujita Kazunari. I'll remember that. He is taller than me, probably around 175 cm. His body is well-built, and his hair is black and short, about ear-length.

These two are genuine geniuses who outperformed me, who had various advantages. I'm not sure if we can become friends, but I don't want to be enemies.

"Next, I want to say, but skip to number 4."

"Huh?"

Just as I was getting ready, I was unexpectedly skipped.

Is this bullying? Or has the teacher's bullying been discovered?

"Do you have any complaints?"

"No!"

I won't oppose Boss. I decided that just now. No, if this is really bullying, I will retaliate, but I don't know yet. It's not time to panic.

"Then, next."

"Yes. Itoya Shoko."

Surprisingly, the fourth student was the girl with the sala tree flowers. I need to be careful not to call her by the wrong name. She is still glaring at me, but maybe she is just upset about losing in grades.

"Next."

"Yes. Kasahara Tatsuhiko."

The fifth student is a male. He is slightly shorter than me. His hair is in a two-block style.

Why is he glaring at me more than Itoya? If he is upset about losing in grades, he should study harder.

"Next."

"Yes. Tago Nana."

The sixth student is a petite female. However, she has some chest armor. Her hair is a dark brown color and has a loose, fluffy texture. She seems like a relaxed person, but considering that she aspired to be a soldier and entered this school and even made it into Class A, she is not as she appears.

She doesn't glare at me, so I have a good impression of her.

"Next."

"Yes. Hashimoto Natsuki."

The seventh student is also a female. She is about the same height as me. Her hair is in a ponytail, and it is silver. She is slender. She seems to have Eastern European ancestry.

Given that World War II ended inconclusively and the Soviet Union did not break the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, and due to various diplomatic issues, there are some relations with countries in that region.

Regardless of the international connections, she is a distinctive person, so I won't forget her.

"Next."

"Yes. Fukuhara Junji."

The eighth student is a male. He is big. No need to explain.

Seriously, he must be around 190 cm tall. He is well-built, giving off a strong presence. With his blonde buzz cut, he has a strong 'I practice Systema' vibe. (Personal opinion)

"Next."

Fukuhara, who has a physique and aura that is far from a typical student. I think it's strange for Boss to ignore him... Wait? Am I the only one who noticed?

Ignoring my shock, the self-introductions continued.

"Yes. Ohba Kenjiro."

The ninth student is also a male. He is not as big as Fukuhara, but he is still tall, probably around 180 cm. I envy him.

He has black hair in a sports cut and gives off a Japanese soldier vibe. He is the one who glares at me the most. Did I do something to him?

"Next."

"Yes. Ayaishi Mari."

The tenth student is a female. She is slightly shorter than me. She has blonde hair in a side ponytail. She seems like a spirited young lady. She also has some chest armor. 6 > 4 > 10 > 1 = 7. I won't say what that means.

Incidentally, the height order is 7 > 10 > 1 > 6 > 4.

(Actually, half of the class is female.)

I thought it would be all males since this is a military school, especially for mech pilots who are destined for the battlefield, but I was surprised to find that it's not the case.

I don't think it's necessary to enforce equal employment opportunities here, but maybe Class A is special.

"Next. Last, number 3."

"Ah, yes. Kawaue Keita."

"Then?"

"Eh?"

I just said my name like the others, but Boss gave me a look like 'What are you doing?'

"...Sigh. Well, it's fine."

She even sighed!

"I will introduce you since you don't understand the purpose."

"Huh?"

Purpose? Was there a purpose? Did everyone else know about it?

"Kawaue Keita. Age 15. Family consists of a younger sister and himself. His parents were researchers in the field of magic crystals but were killed in a counterattack by the demon race last year while on a business trip in Thailand. His motivation for joining the military is mainly to earn a living. Is there any mistake so far?"

"...No."

Hey, hey, hey. There are no mistakes, but what about my personal information? I understand that being investigated is normal, but is there a point in disclosing it here?

(I decided not to oppose Boss, but this is a bit... Hmm? What?)

Just as I was about to object, I noticed that the atmosphere around me had changed.

Looking around, I saw that the people who were glaring at me earlier were now looking down.

"Seems like some of you are aware, but I'll say it anyway. Kawaue is a victim of the Third Division's rampage and subsequent destruction. Remember that the victims of the incident last year caused by the Third Division are not just soldiers."

"..."

(Ah, I see.)

Only now did I realize what Boss and the people who were glaring at me were thinking.

First, the people who were glaring at me are likely affiliated with various factions. They knew each other or had information, but they didn't have information about me.

Therefore, they probably got complaints from their families or factions for losing to someone they didn't know. While it might be a case of resentment, they are still children. It's understandable to be upset after being admitted and then criticized.

That's why they were giving me those looks.

Considering this, let's think about Boss's intentions. She probably wanted to convey that I am a victim of the military's defeat to make them understand, 'If you lose, more people like this will appear. So, instead of resenting the victims, focus on training.'

This way, I won't be resented, and if anyone still resents me and tries to cause trouble, they will likely be punished. ...Probably.

Additionally, by warning me, 'You are being resented,' she is also cautioning me. Upon reflection, the information she disclosed wasn't sensitive, like addresses or bank account passwords. It was just a summary of my background, which can be easily found out.

In other words, Boss had no intention of bullying me. Her purpose was to warn the children who harbor unproductive resentment and those who are unaware that they are the target of such resentment, including me.

(I'm glad. There is no teacher here who exposes a student's personal information to incite bullying.)

If she had such intentions, I would have retaliated, but that would have been resentment. I apologize, Boss.

"Good. I'm glad you understand. Further information is subject to personal information protection laws, so if you want to know more, get to know each other and ask the person directly. Now, let's move on to the schedule for the future."

I don't know if she noticed that I was bowing in gratitude, but she must have noticed that the children who were hostile towards me had changed their attitudes. Satisfied, Boss shifted the topic to the future.

What? But I don't know anything about the others, and there's no compensation for that?

No? Get to know them personally? Yes, that makes sense. I understand.

Despite feeling left out because the topic was abruptly changed after my information was exposed, I couldn't ask for the personal information of others...

"I'm done. You will now go to the hangar to receive your mechs."

"Understood!"

(Um, well, communication with classmates can wait. First, the mechs!)

In the end, I suppressed the lingering frustration by getting excited about receiving my own mech and finished my first homeroom.

I'll introduce the crazy members! Episode.

Objectively, the protagonist seems to be the craziest.

Thank you for reading.

List of the cool members of Class A and their affiliated divisions

1. Female - Muto Saori - Third Division

2. Male - Fujita Kazunari - Seventh Division

3. Me - Kawaue Keita - Second Division?

4. Female - Itoya Shoko - Sixth Division

5. Male - Kasahara Tatsuhiko - Third Division

6. Female - Tago Nana - Eighth Division

7. Female - Hashimoto Natsuki - Fifth Division

8. Male - Fukuhara Junji - Seventh Division

9. Male - Ohba Kenjiro - Third Division

10. Female - Ayaishi Mari - Fourth Division