-2- What an unpleasant guy

"Chii!"

With the sound of the closing door, the bus slowly departed.

Hori, carrying his backpack, walked from the bus stop, lifted his head, and looked at the school in front of him.

It was an extensive campus, seemingly encompassing an entire area designated as the school district, enclosed by towering walls.

The school faced this side, featuring a grand gate crafted from naturally assembled rocks.

Students in school uniforms passed by Hori, entering through this imposing gate.

Hori paused in front of the gate, observing the scene.

"So this is Tokyo's Advanced Nurturing High School?"

—Advanced Nurturing High School.

It was a government-established school aimed at cultivating young talents for the future, considered a special institution in the country.

Rumors had it that the employment rate of students from this school was an astounding 100%, with 99.9% securing desired jobs and futures.

In addition to these exceptional conditions, the school boasted the latest facilities, provided monthly living allowances, waived tuition and accommodation fees, and had a liberal school atmosphere. It was essentially a dream school for high school students.

The treatment was so extraordinary that it almost seemed like an urban legend.

"If not for the written exams and interviews screening out a large number of prospective students, it would be highly suspicious."

In fact, even with written exams and interviews, the school's treatment still seemed suspicious.

However, apart from these favorable conditions, there were few rumors circulating about the school. People only knew it as a school with excellent treatment and superior conditions, attracting envy and attention.

However, only 160 students managed to qualify for admission through written exams and interviews.

Hori was one of those who successfully passed both tests and gained admission.

Naturally, everyone dressed in the same uniform as Hori was a student of this school.

The crowd proceeded through the school gate.

Only one person stopped beside Hori.

"It seems we're in the same grade." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, also gazing at the gate without much enthusiasm, said, "I wonder if we'll be in the same class."

Hori didn't turn to look at Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, just shrugged with a somewhat indifferent expression.

As the two were about to enter the school gate, a voice called out to them.

"I have a question for you."

Though polite, the voice sounded cold and sharp, giving off an intimidating vibe.

Both Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka simultaneously halted their steps, turned around, and looked behind them.

There stood the beautiful girl with long, black straight hair, previously reading on the bus. She approached with a dignified attitude, giving Hori a disdainful glance before turning her attention to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

"You didn't give up your seat to that elderly woman just now, right? What was the reason?"

Upon hearing this, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka first felt a bit stunned by the unexpected conversation but then hesitated.

However, he didn't hesitate for long.

"I didn't want to attract too much attention."

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said something that seemed rather absurd.

But the girl probably understood, right? In that situation, if no one offered their seat to the elderly woman, suddenly doing so would naturally gather the attention of onlookers.

Just like when Hori gave up his seat, immediately drawing the gazes of people on the bus.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka seemed to dislike being in the spotlight.

"I see." The girl commented with an indifferent tone, "An escapist, huh? Quite a coward."

"...Saying something excessive to someone you've just met." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka squinted his eyes and responded, "And you didn't offer your seat either, did you?"

"Don't compare me to you." The girl retorted immediately, "I just don't see any point in giving up my seat. So, I didn't."

"Is that so?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said emotionlessly, "That seems even more extreme than escapism."

However, faced with this statement, the girl's attitude remained unshaken.

"I'm just acting according to my beliefs, unlike someone who simply dislikes trouble."

After saying that, the girl shifted her gaze back to Hori.

"You're probably an indiscriminate good person who gives up his seat, right?" The girl bluntly said, "Besides seeking approval and attention from those around you, is there any other reason for your act of giving up the seat?"

Evidently, the girl had no interest in what she considered "approval and attention from those around her" and even regarded it as useless, hence her earlier comment.

However, such remarks, when directed at others, felt like condemning someone as a shallow individual seeking approval and attention from those around them. It carried a certain ironic significance.

Of course, the girl seemed not to have such thoughts and merely stated an objective analysis.

But if this girl had this personality, she probably wouldn't be able to make a single friend after entering school, just like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

So, Hori chuckled as if finding it amusing.

This made the girl furrow her attractive brows.

"What are you laughing about?"

The girl questioned assertively.

Hori simply responded, "It's just giving up a seat, and you're dragging beliefs into it, coming specifically to inquire about reasons. Isn't that too boring?"

With these words, Hori continued, "If you have that kind of energy, focus on studying."

Having said that, Hori walked towards the school gate, ignoring the reactions of the two present, leaving the girl and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka standing in place.

Setting aside the girl, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka seemed to grasp something.

"For him, standing and sitting make no difference, and giving up a seat is something he doesn't even need to consider. So, he just did it casually?"

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka interpreted it this way.

Seeking approval and attention from those around?

For him, there was no need even to consider such matters.

That was what Hori wanted to convey.

The girl watched Hori's departing figure with a fixed gaze and, after a while, uttered these words.

"What an unpleasant guy."

This was the first impression of the girl—Horikita Suzune—towards Hori.

Following that, Horikita Suzune, as if ignoring Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, walked straight into the campus.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka scratched his head.

"It's really difficult to have ordinary conversations and interactions with others..."

Leaving behind this impression, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka walked towards the school gate and entered the campus.