Chapter 10

Today, I will update one more chapter.

"Today, a transfer student will join this class."

Mr. Fukushima, who entered the classroom first, announced it. Then I entered the classroom and greeted everyone in front of the blackboard.

"My name is Igetsu Nishinari. Nice to meet you."

There was no applause or response, but the students' gazes and expressions were friendly. In the high school I used to attend, transfer students never came, and if they did, there would have been quite a stir. However, the students in this class showed no such reaction. They seemed more mature, and a tolerant atmosphere was created.

"Mr. Nishinari, please use the empty seat over there. ... Everyone, I know you're curious about the transfer student, but let's focus on the lesson first. Please switch your mindset."

The teacher, standing at the podium, said this while looking around the classroom. I sat down in the second row from the window at the back and immediately took out my textbook. The first period was math.

"Alright, let's start the lesson. Today, we will study integration by substitution."

Integration by substitution... didn't we learn this at the end of the third year in my old high school? It seems that in Seikou Academy, it is taught in the spring of the second year of high school.

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"That's it for the first period. Everyone, don't forget to review."

As the bell rang, Mr. Fukushima said this. After bowing, the students welcomed the break.

"...I need to thank Shizukana."

I managed to keep up with the lesson, but the content was indeed difficult. Even though it was just the first period, I felt as exhausted as if I had studied all day.

Now—how is the young lady doing? Remembering my duty as a caretaker, I checked on Hina's condition.

"Miss Kofuji, is there anything you didn't understand in the previous lesson...?"

"If you need help, I can assist you."

Hina, when in public, wears the perfect mask of a young lady. So far, there has been no sign of that mask slipping off.

"Hey, new kid!"

I was suddenly addressed from the side. Turning around, I saw a tall male student.

"For a new kid, not greeting me is pretty rude. Come on, hand over your tribute."

"...Yes."

What kind of approach is this... I can't even tell if it's a joke or serious. As I was confused, a short female student quickly approached from behind the male student.

"Hey!"

"Ouch!?"

The female student's hand struck the male student's head.

"Mr. Nishinari is scared, you know!"

"S-Sorry. That was a joke."

The male student, holding his head, said.

"Igetsu Nishinari, right? I'm Katsuya Taisho."

"I'm Aya Akira. Nice to meet you~"

To their introductions, I responded with a "Hmm." It seems the talk about the tribute was a joke.

"Nishinari, you were struggling to keep up with the lesson, weren't you?"

"...Why do you say that?"

"Ha ha ha! Don't worry. All transfer students go through that."

"All... Are there others besides me?"

"It seems there aren't any at the same time, but transfers aren't rare. Some students at our academy start late due to family reasons, or graduate early. You must have transferred here for family reasons, right?"

"Pretty much."

It seems the students are aware that this academy is special.

"But I've never heard the name Nishinari. What does your family do?"

"An IT company. It's not that big, but..."

To Aya's question, I recalled the background story that Shizukana had created for me. My family runs a mid-sized IT company, and I am the heir apparent.

After hearing my response, Aya and Katsuya exchanged glances and nodded.

"I had a feeling, but... Nishinari, you lived a more middle-class life, didn't you?"

"...Yes."

I confirmed, as Aya smiled teasingly.

"There are two types of transfer students. One is someone who has studied sufficiently at another school and comes here to add prestige. The other is someone who hasn't studied much but is forced to attend the academy due to family reasons. The former tends to come from relatively wealthy families, while the latter tends to come from more middle-class backgrounds."

"But for people who have always attended regular schools, it's tough to keep up with the curriculum here. That's why students in similar situations support each other. Katsuya and I are, so to speak, more middle-class students. We think we can help Nishinari."

"...I see."

I nodded, understanding their explanation. In short, they intend to help me, a new student, as fellow middle-class students. The students of Seikou Academy are truly well-mannered.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Stop with the formalities. We're classmates, right?"

"I have to speak this way due to family reasons."

"Ah... I see. It's a common situation."

In my heart, I already call him Katsuya. Living in and getting three meals a day for 20,000 yen a day. For that, I can play the role of an heir.

"By the way, there's one thing I want to ask Nishinari."

Katsuya said with a somewhat serious expression.

"You—what's your relationship with Miss Kofuji?"

The moment the question was asked, it felt as if the air in the classroom froze.

What...?

For a moment, I had a vision of standing on a guillotine.

"Didn't you come to school together today?"

"A-ah... Yes. My family and Miss Kofuji's family have connections, so we've had some interactions before. Since it was a good opportunity, she offered to guide me to the academy."

I used the same excuse Hina used with the teacher this morning. There was a mysterious tension.

"Is that all?"

"That's all, but..."

"Are you not engaged to her or something?"

"Engaged... No, not at all."

For someone from a middle-class background like me, the concept of an engagement is like an urban legend. Shrugging my shoulders, Katsuya trembled and then broke into a wide smile.

"What the heck, don't scare me like that!!"

"Whoa!?"

My shoulder was slapped, and I groaned. I was puzzled by Katsuya's sudden friendliness. The tension from before had dissipated, and the classmates were chatting amicably again.

"Phew, that was a tense moment."

"What do you mean, Aya...?"

"Well... Miss Kofuji is a super celebrity at our academy. She's the daughter of the Kofuji Group, top of the class, and with that appearance..."

This matches what Shizukana told me. I nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"But Miss Kofuji has never been involved in any scandal. I thought she might have an engagement outside of school... But when you came to school with her today, everyone thought, 'Could he be Miss Kofuji's fiancé!?'"

"...Everyone?"

"Yes. But now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, it's safe."

Aya glanced around the classroom and said.

"Engagements do exist, you know."

"I don't have one, but for someone from a family like Miss Kofuji's, it wouldn't be surprising if she had one."

Come to think of it, I haven't asked Hina if she has a fiancé. Since she is considering potential marriage prospects, I doubt she has one... but maybe she is struggling with an existing engagement.

"By the way, I don't have a fiancé either. If you meet any cute girls in the future, please introduce me to Nishinari."

"I'll do my best."

I laughed it off. While talking with Aya and Katsuya, I felt a slight sense of relief. When I decided to transfer to Seikou Academy, I was worried about how things would go, but it seems I can manage quite well.

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