Chapter 1: The Beginning.

Pov Arthur:

Can you hear me? In this country, THEY KNOW WHAT KVASS IS! When I passed by the store, there was kvass, although there were no other 6 stores, but still! It is a pity that it is not so delicious, an ordinary factory drink, but here the culture is familiar with such a divine drink. It's just wonderful!

I'm on the bus right now and I'm drinking my drink. Where am I going? To some super school for the most nerdy nerds who don't take the textbook out of their hands. Yes, a school for the elite, what can you expect from the mentality of the Japanese? They need this cramming, high marks, and bam, you're the best. Why push children so hard to treacherously run for a report card after a test? I don't understand this aspect.

The view outside the window is good, there are many places where you can find it in Japan. The ocean, the beach, the ports for cargo ships, the pleasant warmth from the sun... yes, a real land of the rising sun. We have several students sitting on the bus here, in the same uniform as me. It's interesting to know that they don't look like nerds, some look like athletes, others have a pretty face. Are these exactly the people who will be sitting at lessons all day long? Hmm, maybe the bus is like this, with unique students.

After taking a sip, I realized that I had finished my kvass and put it in my bag. It's still about 10 minutes away, what would you like to do? I think I'll take a nap until we get there.

***

*Push* *Push*

- Hmm..?

After a few pushes, I decided to open my eyes a little and see who woke me up. There was a beautiful teenage girl in front of me, with beautiful brown hair that fell apart, glistening and shimmering in the sunlight, like the jets of a chestnut waterfall. They went down just below the shoulders and covered the back of the neck. She was short in stature, and her face showed moments of some maturity. The eyes, purple with a blue tinge, looked at me curiously, as if trying to figure out why the guy opposite had fallen asleep when he needed to leave soon.

- It's almost time to go out, you can oversleep if you don't get up now.

She smiled softly. Are all the girls at this school so beautiful or is there something wrong with the bus? There are at least three beautiful people here, me, this girl and the one who is sitting nearby with purple hair and turquoise ribbons. A school for the elite, right? How can there be so many smart and beautiful people at the same time?

- The exit is coming soon, right? Thanks for waking me up, I probably would have gone beyond the MKAD if it hadn't been for you.

I looked at her with sleepy eyes, straightening my bangs with my hand. Oh, she won't understand this joke, as they say here, when she missed a stop?

- Uh, excuse me? I didn't really understand the last part..

- It's okay, it's just that I recently moved to this country, so the past mentality slips a little.

However, it's time for us to leave, so let's go.

- Yes, let's go.

I got off the bus and turned around to wait for her. When she was about to leave, I gave her my hand, but she stared at me as if asking what I was asking her.

But a moment later she realized and gave her soft hand, wow, she's just a doll come to life. After she came down, she looked at me with a playful smile and asked a question.

- Do they give a lady a hand all the time in your country too?

- Well, yes, it's the usual etiquette when familiar people help each other in such situations.

- Acquaintances? Hehe, we don't even know each other's names, do we?

- ...

I just realized how easy it was to talk to her and didn't know her name. A ladies' man? That's what they would call me in Russia, without knowing the girl's name, and we've been talking for about 5 minutes. I would like to shoot videos on YouTube, pick up in 5 minutes.

- I'm sorry it's so late, but my name is Artur Smirnov.

- Smirnov-kun, an interesting name. My name is Matsushita Chiaki.

I felt a current run down my back. Smirnov... kun?! Horror, if at least one of my friends had heard, I would have burned with shame. And also, an interesting name? If not every third person in my country was Smirnov, then maybe there would be something, but so…

- Let's focus on Arthur. I'm just not used to communicating by last name, and these honorary meanings are not very unusual.

"Hehe, good, good. And what country did you come from?

As we walked through the gates to the school, she asked me questions about me and my country. Wow, this school is huge. Have you been living here for 3 years? I would stay here for at least 10 years. It looks like a school, but I already see dozens of buildings here. A shop, a school, some other buildings with goods. A? Shopping mall? It is slightly smaller than the popular shopping malls in Moscow, but for a private school? This is something new, there is probably everything for every occasion.

- I'm from Russia, Moscow. If you ask me why I decided to move, then I'm not only here for education, but I'll stay here later.

- So you came here for a 100% job guarantee?

-... well, yes, you have to live somehow after graduation.

- Did you move here alone or with your family?

- Alone. The family stayed in Russia.

We have already been walking for about 7 minutes, and the school building has just become visible. Wow, a beautiful big building. It's not like we have schools in the shape of the letter "H". Is that a sports field over there? Wow, they didn't lie in the anime that there was a huge field here.

- Listen, Matsushita, what class are you from?

- Oh, it completely slipped my mind, I'm from Class D. Which one are you from, Arthur?

- I'm lucky, I'm in class with you. I hope we'll be neighbors.

- Hehe, I hope we'll sit next to each other, otherwise you never know if you'll come across some guy with an unpleasant character.

A guy with an unpleasant personality, right? Is it possible that there are actually anime guys here where you just undress a girl with your eyes? I hope there will be no such scum in the Elite school..

- Listen, Matsush..

- Chiaki. Just Chiaki. I call you by your first name and you call me by your first name too. Arthur said he wasn't used to using his last name in his country, so you don't have to torture yourself.

- Oh, yes, thanks Chiaki. I just read that in Japan, they first address by last name, and then, with permission, by first names. And in Russia, when meeting people, they often say only the first name, and the last name often goes by the wayside.

Although the name also disappears and only the chase remains, some even forget the name of their friend, with whom they communicated only by nickname for several years.

- Well, yes, we have such a mentality here, the name is something personal and not for everyone. I wonder if you are more liberated in your country? By the way, what did you want to ask?

- Oh? Oh, that.. Mm... I forgot, haha

- …

She just just looked at me with a faint smile and slightly squinted eyes, as if checking if I had really forgotten.

While this silent minute lasted, we had already reached the entrance to the school. Students come in and out, ordinary people, nothing different from Russian schools. I wish I could tell you. Do they behave quietly and do not speak loudly, is this a feature of age? Maybe there is more noise in secondary and primary schools? Oh, how can we study all 11 grades in the same building and not get annoyed by the constant noise?

- Arthur, let's go to the opening ceremony. Why are you standing up and looking at others?

- Oh, yes. Come on, it's just interesting to observe the atmosphere.

- Mmm? Is it different in your country?

- Well… Let's just say we have 11 classes, each class has 2-3 groups and all study at the same school. So I'm surprised by this quiet atmosphere, compared to the noise there at home.

- ..!!? This is how many students leave school after lessons. Yes, it must have been some kind of nightmare. And how many students do you have in your class?

- Well, on average about 30, maybe there are more elementary classes.

- …

At the school itself, we were already moving to the gym, where the entrance ceremony will take place directly. Yeah, there's such a calm atmosphere here, an ordinary life. Is this called Japanese education? I hope there will be 3 years of rest here. And as for the question to Chiaki, I will never tell her that I wanted to ask her to call by her first name. It would be awkward if I told you, so this secret will go away with me, far and for a long time.

***

- This ceremony… Is it always like this in schools?

- Yes… It's the most boring thing in all schools, so few people like it. Do you have one?

- Well, here I have to say, we are much better, livelier or something. The teachings come with flowers, some dance, Graduates read poetry, and those who came to the first grade sing songs. And at the end of all this, one graduate takes a first-grade girl and puts her on his shoulder, she is given a bell and they walk around the guests, and she rings, indicating the "first bell" for the first graders. And the director himself says a maximum of 2-3 sentences, maybe sometimes something else, for example, a politician or an investor says words. So I liked it better there, with us.

- …

Chiaki stood with her eyes open, as if this was an unrealistic scenario for her. Is it so bad with the holidays here?

- So you attach so much importance to the beginning of the school year? And all these things are in all schools?

- Yes, in every school, without exception.

- I am shocked and delighted. So much preparation for one day… You seem to be trying very hard for the atmosphere there.

- …

If only you understood why all this is really happening. Okay, stop talking about it for now. Now we are going to class, where I hope we will not be the only adequate people. God grant normal classmates, God grant without these individuals with an aggressive character, God grant just an ordinary, pleasant class. Oh, this is our door.

I stand in front of her and look at the sign with the inscription. Class 1-D. Phew, God is with us.

- Arthur, what are you waiting for? Or who? Are you shy?? He he

- Nah, I just gathered my thoughts and prayed.

- Did you pray?

- It doesn't matter.

I opened the door and decided to let Chiaki through first, it's gentlemanly, I don't let her explore or use her as a meat shield. It's all ethics.

- …

She looked at me a little puzzled, but then she returned her grin and spoke.

- Are you going to lean on your ethics or are you just afraid…

I pushed her forward into the classroom and followed her.

- Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

She looked at me over her shoulder a little surprised, but decided to ignore this statement and went to her place.

I looked around a bit and found my desk. One desk, right? Well, I'm sitting in the back row, three blocks from the window. It seems to be a good place, at least in Russia it is a unique place.

Walking up to the desk, I slightly inspected the classroom, where the students had not yet completely filled it, but small groups had formed. Okay, there's nothing to do anyway, so I'll get some sleep. More precisely, I'll just lie on my desk and listen to the muffled hum.

How quiet it is here, anyone who speaks a little louder than the others will immediately attract attention to themselves and everything they say will be publicly available to everyone. How can this create a lot of interesting moments. You can even focus on any conversation to eavesdrop and everything will be heard. Wow, this mentality, calmness and peace. I'm not used to it.

While I was lying and dreaming about changing some little things in Russian education, a light breeze blew past me. I raised my head and saw a black-haired girl sitting down on my left. Wow, these stockings, is it in fashion here?

- Hey, I remember you!

Did she go to the guy next door? Oh, what kind of expression is that? You can't tell from his face, but his eyes look like he's failed the mission of a lifetime.

While they were talking there, I found out their names. The guy with brown hair is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Like an ordinary guy, but boring? He doesn't even try to change his face, as if he's bored of doing even that.

And that girl with hair the color of the sky on a black September night, who calls to break into the starry infinity. They went down below her hips, and wrapped almost her entire figure in a cloak. Her face was stern, but you can see the softness of her skin. Perfection? I don't know how to describe it in another way. Slender, beautiful, as if made perfectly.

- [Красивая] (Beautiful) // in such square brackets [] there will be words pronounced in Russian.

She looked at me with her sharp gaze, slightly narrowing her eyes. She tilted her head slightly and looked at me questioningly. Of course she won't understand, I hope she won't understand.

- Excuse me? I didn't hear you, please repeat.

She was holding Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment in her hands. Russian Russian book, I wonder, but she doesn't know the basic words of the Russian language? Thank God he doesn't know.

- Oh, I'm sorry, you're just reading this book and I was a little surprised, I didn't know it was popular here.

- Hmm? This book is from the school curriculum, so I don't see any reason not to be popular with it, except for those who don't like studying. So I don't really understand your comment.

- Is the Russian book a school curriculum in a Japanese school? Surprisingly, a class is a class... after all, culture should not be oppressed because of politics.

I barely said the last part, but her eyes widened a little, so I couldn't hide it.

- Ah, I'm just not from Japan, I came not long ago, so I'm not familiar with what goes on in these schools. I am from Russia myself, and that's why I was so surprised that someone reads a Russian book, especially since it is a school curriculum.

- I see, so that's why you had that look.

- The look?

- A look that looks mainly at an object of great interest and causing excitement. I thought that maybe I should stay away from you, but it seems that my fears were in vain.

- Oh, I'm sorry if I scared you somehow? More precisely, he put it in this position. By the way, my name is Arthur, he just doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes when meeting, so I'll stick around in advance.

- Mistakes? Okay, that's not the point. Horikita Suzune.

- Nice to meet you, Horikita. And yes, you don't have to use respectful suffixes, you just aren't used to it.

- Likewise, Arthur. No problem if that bothers you.

Wow, yet she's so detached, without the slightest glimmer of further conversation, as if she doesn't need him, or rather, may even be a burden to her. Does she have such a character or does she just behave like that with strangers who she doesn't trust or doesn't have a close relationship with her? I hope I'll find a common language with her.

- Can you communicate without insults?

- It's just that someone can communicate normally, and someone does not want to communicate with others because of avoiding trouble. So draw your own conclusions.

The Ayanokoji guy looked at me, there was curiosity in his eyes, he seemed to notice my fleeting glance at the book before answering it. Wow, dude, you notice a lot around you, if it wasn't for this book, she definitely wouldn't be talking to me anymore.

While we were talking, I saw that a guy with blond hair came into the classroom and sat down on a chair with his feet on the table. He's sitting next to Chiaki, so I think she's out of luck. He acts like he doesn't care about others, so I don't think he's a danger to her.

While I was lost in thought, I heard the door to the class open loudly and a woman of about 30 years old, possibly younger, with black hair and a huge bust entered. She walked up to the podium and stood behind it, looking at our class. Wow, does everyone have a lesson here at school? I wonder how our teachers, 50-60 years old, would react, where they sit at their table all day, but go only to the dining room. By the way, is a female teacher of such a return not new here? Like, such an object of observation is extremely rare in our country, mainly English teachers.

— Ahem, good morning, newbies! My name is Chabashira Sae. I teach Japanese history. I am also the supervisor of Class D for the next three years of study, so I hope to get to know each of you better in the process. Good luck! As for the opening ceremony, it will begin in an hour in the gym. And now I will give out a list of school rules and a collection of instructions for applicants.

— There are special rules in this school, not like in all other high schools. All students will stay in the dormitory, but you are not allowed to contact anyone outside the school. Even contacts with the family are only with the permission of the school administration. Obviously, you can't leave the school grounds either.

— However, so that you do not suffer from restrictions, we have a lot of entertainment here. There are karaoke, cinemas, cafes and even fashion boutiques. We can say that the whole school with its adjacent buildings and playgrounds is a small town. Its territory covers an area of more than six hundred thousand square meters of the central part of the city.

— There is another feature – and this is the S-system, — she added immediately, — Now I will give you student IDs. You can use these cards to pay for any purchases and entertainment on campus. They work like regular bank cards. Don't forget to keep track of how much you spend. Everything that is on the school grounds can be bought with points on the card.

Is everything on school grounds available for purchase? Wow, if they said that in Russia, they would immediately ask questions about buying everything. But then a landslide would have been waiting for us, because the teacher simply did not "finish" and you can buy a loaf of bread in the dining room. My God, you couldn't even buy salads, because they are for consumers.

But still, buy everything that is in the school? You can try to consider this point more carefully.

We were given certificates that resembled an ordinary bank card. I wonder if card fraud will also work here, as it does here?

— One hundred thousand points were transferred to each of the students. One point is equal to one yen. I don't think there's anything else to explain.

Wow, weaving, it's about 50-60k in rubles. Hmm, not so much for independent living, plus in such a big city. What are the students so excited about? It looks like they didn't live alone, since they're happy. Sixty thousand, that's ten for housing, ten for food, clothes from 5 to 15 thousand, depending on how you like to dress, plus a few thousand for a gigene. If it wasn't for the school nearby, it would be another thousand and a half. There is little left, not even to save normally.

— It seems that you were surprised by the number of points awarded? This school judges students by their abilities. Everyone who passed the entrance exam showed some value. Money is a reflection of your skills. Use them without denying yourself anything. After the issue, the balance on your account will be reset to zero. Since points cannot be exchanged for money, there is no point in saving them. It's up to you what to spend it on. Spend on what you want or need. They can also be transferred to someone else, but it is forbidden to intimidate students and take away their points. In this regard, the school rules are very strict," Chabashira—sensei looked around the class attentively, "Does anyone have any questions? In this case, try to be diligent students.

Are we defined for our abilities? Are everyone equal here? Or are they starting points, like in games? Question, what question can I ask about this topic? One thing is needed, but clear, it is not necessary to talk with the teacher for a long time in front of everyone, unpredictable moments may arise where I or she will be put in an awkward position. If we were in Russia, she would be asked one hundred percent how much it costs to skip or cancel a test. Hmm... oh!

I raised my hand and wait for them to let me speak.

Chabashira stopped, narrowed her eyes, looked at me and said.

- Yes, Smirnov? What's your question?

It's time to turn on my character, which will be with me for the rest of my school days.

- - Teacher~~, for how much can I purchase an opportunity where it is not necessary to wear a uniform?

- …

She looked at me, trying to figure out why I asked her about it. Some guys look at me as if I've asked something serious, others as if asking what's wrong with the uniform. Yes, the uniform may not have anything bad for me, but I'm from Russia, where only children wear uniforms and that's because of their parents. The form? It's just a way to hide identity, so hopefully it can be undone.

- To answer your question, one day is 10,000 points. Any other questions?

- …

I stared at her with slightly wide-open eyes, as if what she said was impossible. 10k? Seriously? She said it right off the bat, as if it was an ordinary question. Isn't everyone used to wearing a uniform here? Okay, I'll have time to think about it.

That blond man stopped brushing his hair and looked at me sideways, Horikita looked at me with the same narrowed eyes, trying to figure out what such a question was for, and Chiaki looked at me with a smirk. But they all turned away from me when they saw my eyes and seemed offended.

- Since there are no more questions, then I'm off.

While I was sitting and sorting out the information I received, a guy with greenish hair from the front row stood up and said louder than usual.

— Can I talk to you guys for a minute? – He didn't look quiet, although he didn't look like a bully either, — From today on, you and I will have to spend three whole years in the same class together. So it would be nice to introduce ourselves and make friends. We still have time before the ceremony starts, so how is it?

Introduce myself? Our teachers did this, but here everything is done by ourselves? Interesting.

— I agree! We don't even know each other's names, let alone the rest.

— My name is Hirata Yosuke. In high school, everyone just called me Yosuke, so you can too. I like all kinds of sports, but most of all football, so I would like to play football in high school. Very nice! — the guy who offered to introduce himself to everyone easily and flawlessly told about himself.

Football, right? I don't think Japan is famous for football, even at the world level, few people hear about Japanese football. Why are they going there? Because it's a popular sport? Or is it because you can lift yourself physically there? If there were coaches from Russia here, they would probably refuse to come here, because even for a school coach, victory is the goal of life, because every physical education teacher in the past was a champion in the Soviet Union, either urban or at the national level. At least according to their words.

— I'm Yamauchi Haruki. In elementary school, he played table tennis and competed at the national level. In high school, I was considered the best player in the basketball club – I had the fourth number. But due to an injury during the High School Cup, I am currently in rehabilitation. Nice to meet you!

Huh? Haha, funny guy. Is this the friend who knows everything and has been everywhere? Even here there are such people. I'll ask him if he's ever competed in Russian, it's interesting to hear a made-up story.

— I'm next, right?

Mm? A girl with an aura of kindness? Wow, she's cute in all words. If Chiaki is a beautiful high school girl, Horikita is the standard of adult beauty, then is she...? How can I say, the beauty of a nice person, probably so?

— My name is Kushida Kike. None of my friends from high school are here, so I really want to meet everyone and make new friends! First of all, I would like to make friends with all of you. When you're done talking about yourself, please let's exchange contacts!

None of your friends from school? The emphasis on this? Okay, I won't attach much importance.

— ...During the holidays and after classes, I would like to create as many memories together as possible, so I will be very glad to be invited to spend my free time with all of you. I've been talking for a long time, so I'll leave it at that.

What a speech, if it were in Russia, then perhaps her words would be the last thing she would say with such a kind atmosphere. But I won't forget, there's a fly in the ointment in every barrel.

— So, we have the next one... — Hirata looked at the student, who, in turn, gave him a dissatisfied look.

— Are you assholes? I'm not going to introduce myself, get off me!

The red-haired guy was just screaming, he kind of got up, didn't stand on his feet? Ha, nice, do we have a guy here who freaks out from a simple greeting? It's the first time even I've seen them.

— Of course, we will not force anyone. But, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with making friends with classmates. If this is unpleasant for you, I apologize.

What? Did he apologize for that? Is this some kind of feature to mitigate the damage? We would have said a few words to these two for this, for their relationship. Hirata would have been even more starved for it. Apologize and bow your head? Does he want to set himself up as a whipping boy?

— Is it difficult to just tell about yourself?

— That's right!

Or does he do it for girls? Smart move playboy, smart move.

— No, I have no desire to pretend to be anyone's friend!

He got up and headed for the exit, followed by some, by the way. Horikita? She looked at me for a second, and I, in turn, tilted my head to the side and looked at her expectantly. She stopped a little, but she left anyway. It's a pity, she just doesn't like communication.

The guy sitting by the window, Ayanokoji, also looked at Horikita leaving, then glanced at me slightly and turned to the window. What was that? It's like I stole something important from you before and didn't give it back.… This isn't a conversation with her, is it? You're not petty, are you?

— They're not bad. It's completely my fault. You shouldn't have come in with your selfish offer.

— You didn't do anything wrong. Let's just forget about them.

And even though some of the students left, deciding not to introduce themselves, the rest continued to talk about themselves.

— I'm Ike Kanji. I like girls, but I can't stand all kinds of handsome guys. At the moment, I'm actively looking for a soul mate, so it's nice to meet you! Of course, it's better for a girl to be cute or beautiful!

Hahaha, he's straightforward. A girl, right? That's right, they meet here mostly at the end of high school and in high school. No kiss before that, nothing. Here you can find a pure girl who will be faithful to you and only to you. Yes, every guy's dream. A girl can have an experiment with a couple of guys, but they didn't go anywhere beyond kissing. Even with this, he can scream and break the first kiss. They choose their partner very carefully and stay with him for life and only he will know you all and no one else. Good romance here.

— Wow, cool! Ike-kun, you're so straightforward! A woman's voice said without a trace of emotion. It was obviously sarcasm.

— Yes, really? Well, I thought I was good, but... haha! Apparently, Ike took her words at face value and was slightly embarrassed.

The girls laughed together.

— Hey, he's cute! And he needs a girl!

They probably found him more pleasant than the last guy with level 99 in life. Although such naivety and directness may even make some people look at him.

After that, Hirata looked at the blond man and decided that it was his turn.

— Um... can you tell us about yourself?

— Hmm... okay.

I thought he'd get up, but... what's wrong with his legs, is he lazy?

— My name is Koenji Rokuske. I am the sole heir of the Koenji family, and in the near future I will be responsible for the future of Japanese society. I am glad to meet you, dear ladies!

And this one is a little distant, but still addresses the girls. Eh? Is someone blushing? Wow, even here money does its job, capitalism, right?

— From now on, I will tirelessly resist anything that causes me discomfort. I ask you to be careful about this!

"Um... Koenji—kun, what does it mean to cause discomfort?" Hirata asked him with concern in his voice.

— As I said, but if you want, I can give you an example… I am disgusted by everything ugly. If I see something ugly, I will do everything possible to eliminate it.

And? He's like, what's his name in Japanese? Narcissus? Yes, it seems so. Are there any of these here too? Uh, why aren't there such people in Rashka? The answer is simple. They would just sink to the bottom. Maybe they could live in the rich areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg, but ... yes, in others with scumbags, they would have experienced this hell.

— Well, thank you. I'll try to be careful.

And here you go again, Hirata, you're being too sneaky, right over the top. I would say, "I see, but expect the same from people that you give them." And I would have moved on to another, it would have been a plus as an initiator.

— Next... can you tell us about yourself?

Oh, this kid, let's hear his fatigue.

"Well... um... my name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I... I... don't have much to say about myself, but I'll try to make friends with everyone. Nice to meet you!

Hm? Is he serious? He apologizes, but he behaved so clearly with Horikita, without hesitation. But still.

- Ha ha ha

I laughed softly, but he seemed to notice and gave me a light glance, saying, don't aggravate this failure anyway.

— Nice to meet you, Ayanokoji-kun! I want to make friends with everyone too, so let's try our best! Hirata told me with a reassuring smile. Everyone clapped.

- Okay, next one…

He looked at me expectantly, I won't torment him, so I'll make it simple and easy. Although... no, I will not do this usual greeting, I will do an adequate one for them.

- My name is Arthur, but I am a foreigner, I came from Russia. Call me by my first name and without reverence, I'm so used to it at home. Hmm... I like to play, kvass and light hobbies of a banal high school student, football, basketball, etc.

I don't like people who lie, so either keep quiet or tell the truth. Or just say, I don't want to mess with you, I won't be offended. Nice to meet you.

I smiled and sat down at the table. Some of the girls looked at me curiously, and some whispered about my country and so on.

It looks like I was better than some of them. I glanced at Ayanokoji, he was looking at me with a scrutinizing gaze. Did you like something here? Wow, he looks like what I thought he was.

***

When the others left, everyone began to pack their things and were about to leave. Chiaki gathered her things and came up to me.

- Arthur, would you like to go shopping with us? The girls and I decided to visit the shopping center and find out what is on sale there and where the shops are located.

Shopping center, right? I'm wondering what I'm going to do there alone with a crowd of girls. I looked back at her company and saw 3 girls and Hirata. Was he looking at me with pleading eyes? Ha! You can play a fun atmosphere on this.

- Chiaki, maybe we can go later, for example, the next day. Now I want to walk around the campus and check out the room. Still, the shopping center is not going anywhere, and checking and being able to find out something never hurts.

- Hmm, okay. But next time we will definitely go, otherwise an alienated foreign student will not have a particularly positive effect on the reputation of the school, and Japan as a whole!

- Ha, that is, a single Japanese is more attractive?

- N-no, I didn't mean that, I mean…

- Okay, okay. We'll go after, I promise.

I smiled sweetly, and she showed a sincere smile, nodded her head, turned around and went to her friends. Hirata saw that she was walking alone, looked at me with a devoted look, I just gave him a thumbs-up and left the classroom.

***

The school grounds are really big. I found three grocery stores here and was horrified. There was no kvass anywhere. My mood has gone downhill. Is there no kvass? It's like cigarettes for soldiers, like lollipops for a child. Maybe I'm addicted? But it's a shame.

As I was walking towards the dorm, I saw Horikita nearby. I quickened my pace a little and called out to her.

- Horikita!

She stopped and looked at me. Raising an eyebrow slightly, she asked.

- Did you want something, Arthur?

- Oh, no. I just didn't expect to see you here. Are you coming from the store?

- Yes, I bought the necessary supplies. And you? Also, as I see it, you're coming from the store.

- Uh, yes, I went to buy some Japanese food, to taste it. But unfortunately there was not one drink, so the trip was not very happy.

- Listen, why do you need so much bread? Do you love him that much?

- Well, in general, if I tell you that Russians eat almost everything with bread, even porridge?

- …

She looked at me as if trying to figure out if I was joking. Haha, it's funny to look at people who don't know Russian culture and then find out about all this.

"Haha, don't be surprised, few people understand our culture. Well, I didn't buy it for food, partly. I need it for cooking. Since my drink isn't here, I'll make it myself.

- By yourself? What kind of drink are you talking about? Oh, you mean kvass?

- Yes, that's the one.

"But... cooking by yourself?" Is it possible to cook it properly there?

- Hmm? Of course, because it is made at home very often. Only those who are lazy buy.

- I see.

We walked like that for about a minute in silence. She was reading a book all this time, of course, it's not particularly cool to take her away from reading, but it's better to let her get angry than to endure this suffocating silence.

- Listen, Horikita, have you ever tried kvass?

- Not once. I haven't even seen it on the shelves in stores often.

- Oh! Maybe I'll let you try it when…

While I was talking, one of the guys pushed me in the shoulder. He was walking in a group of three boys. A high school student? But what kind of look is that? He looks at me like it's my fault.

- Hey, watch where you're going!

- Eh? But it's you…

- Are you still talking with disrespect?! You look like a junior, 1st year, right? What class is it?

I looked at him and his friends with a puzzled look. What are these guys carrying? Do they seriously believe in this blizzard?

- Class D. And yes, we are freshmen.

Horikita was standing next to me when it happened. Now I stood in front of her and answered him. I don't know what these guys want, but they probably just don't want to let me go.

"Since you're also an inferior, you should apologize all the more, you idiot!

"...

I just didn't say anything about it. No, you can't give out emotions now. Wrong place, wrong time. On purpose, right? The lowest? A fool? Interesting.

- Let's break up, you and I don't need to fight here. So let's spend.

- Ha! Do you think we're talking on equal terms here? Generally…

And then Horiikita decided to speak out. I hope she won't say anything dangerous.

- Senpai, let's disperse and forget this situation?

- Wow, and your girlfriend skillfully moves her tongue. Okay, let's go.

I looked at Horikitu and nodded at her. Finally, I took a look at these three guys.

- You're a jerk, aren't you?

Horikita stopped and looked at me with a look, saying, don't do anything, let's go.

- [Ублюдки] (Bastards)

I looked at her, smiled, and walked on. Today my usual walk is over.

While we were waiting for the elevator, Horikita looked at me and spoke.

- I've heard that Russians are more impulsive than other nations. It's a good thing you didn't get involved in something, otherwise I'm not sure how this incident would have been resolved.

"Oh, Horikita, don't worry. I have my own rules, especially when a girl is walking with me, it's not decent to behave so extravagantly and hot-tempered. So it's all good.

- And if you were alone?

— well..

While I was trying to find an excuse, the elevator doors opened and we entered it. I clicked on the 4th floor, she clicked on her own. And then I asked a question that I couldn't ask on the street.

- So that's where I stopped. Do you want me to give you a taste of kvass later, which I will cook soon?

- Hmm, let's see.

When the elevator arrived, I said goodbye to her and went to my room. Room 402.

When I entered it, I didn't see anything special. An ordinary room, yes... after putting all the groceries in the fridge, I changed into more athletic clothes and went out.

***

Pov Matsushita.

After today's party, I'm tired. Wow, it's been a long time since I've gone shopping with my girlfriends like this. It was fun, it's a pity Arthur didn't come with us. I would really like to ask him more about his country, because very interesting things are happening there.

While I was lying down, I forgot that I didn't buy anything to drink, but I'm too lazy to go somewhere like that. Ha. Okay, let's go. I got up, dressed, and left the room. When I was already on the street, I walked to the nearest vending machine, but when I approached it, I heard some voices around the corner. I hid and decided to eavesdrop.

"Ha, kohai, do you want me to apologize?"

"Hahaha, yes, you're a windbag who doesn't understand ordinary concepts, you have to apologize now, or you'll apologize to that girl later.

- Kohai, did you gain courage because of what we left then?

Is that Arthur? What is he doing? He doesn't want to confront these three right away, does he? Is this crazy and is this normal for him?

- Listen.

Did his voice become so cold and a little vicious?

- You're trash, you ran into me when I was with a girl, then you started to escalate the situation and charge me for it. Then you insulted me, just the same, in front of my friend. You're an imbecile, do you know what happens?

Wow, did he say that girls are treated like ladies in his country? Is it, is it... romantic? And is this an ordinary friendship? More precisely, even just with a friend?

- Ha, you idiot, you want to…

Before he could finish, Arthur kicked his friend in the jaw with a straight leg. So fast? But the guy didn't follow inertia and didn't fall back, he just fell on the spot. What's wrong with him?! He didn't do anything like that, did he?

- I told you, you apologize now, or the apology will be bigger later.

- Yes you are! Bastard!

The guy swung at him with his right hand, but…

- This collective farm strike, yeah. I thought you'd at least hit with your body weight, it's basic boxing, you idiot.

Arthur simply ducked under the flying arm and landed a knee on his torso.

- The liver is a very painful part of a person. One precise stroke can knock out even a man who has been practicing martial arts all his life.

Then Arthur grabbed the third guy by the throat and said.

- Now, apologize!

The guys got down on their knees and apologized to him. But he didn't stop.

- Now the compensation. How many points do you have?

 But we've already…

- what? I can't put your apology in my pocket, I can't spread it on bread. So let's not get carried away and finish the job you started.

- We have about 150 thousand.

- It's interesting, well, throw off 50 thousand each. You will also approach this girl tomorrow and apologize to her. If you say that it will be worse from me. Also do it after school or in front of her, so that she doesn't feel awkward. Is it clear?!

- Y-yes, whatever you say.

- And one more thing. If you still say that you are someone senior to someone, then I will personally omit you in front of the whole school, okay? And God forbid anyone finds out about this, I will make sure that your points will constantly flow to me, okay? Now let's get out of here.

The three of them got up and ran from there. Two of them were still limping, it looked like the blows were strong. But my God, what was that? He just put these three in their place using two punches, while talking about some concepts that would be in their heads for a long time.

- How do you like the informative lesson of self-defense, Chiaki?

- Ah?! Ah... useful…

- Don't worry, just don't tell me what happened. You never know who will whisper about it.

He smiled, but when he turned away and looked in the direction where those guys had gone, his gaze was very unhappy, almost annoyed.

- [Похоже в этой школе много неправильных вещей.] (There seems to be a lot of wrong things in this school.)

- Eh? Arthur?

- Oh, it doesn't matter, I'm just saying that the guys are weird.

- I see... listen, is this how everyone treats girls in your country?

- Well, the young ones, of course, are not like that, but the older ones know how to behave correctly with girls. Basically yes, if a guy wants to leave a good opinion of himself, he will stick to that opinion. But such as they get for merit and then they can no longer find a normal girl, because they already have a joint. Even more so…

- Especially??

- How did they apologize… It doesn't matter. It's just a strange culture here. Okay, let's go, or did you want to go somewhere?

- Eh? No! I just bought a drink and wanted to go home.

- Okay, then let's go together? We'll just talk about school.

- Yes, come on, Arthur.

A/H

That's it. Just over 6k words. I won't add much writing from the original novel, but mostly dialogues. I also want a lot of scenes that could take place in the background in the original and interact with them.

Arthur himself will not farm money in millions and will not solve everything and everything just by watching or listening to the dialogue. He will be more passive towards the school itself and will focus on people. Perhaps I'll write him down as the inner class leader. He will be engaged in solving internal problems or still set him up for more external activity in order to solve attacks on his class. Perhaps, by the way, he will be passive in exams, because his laziness and some playfulness will play a role that infuriates many.

It's also too early to make plans for a relationship, but will he have a love interest? Yes, it will be possible. Who is she or from what year? Is unknown. But if I decide to introduce this, then perhaps many people will not like it, because Arthur's character in relation to love and his partner is... how should I say, peculiar. So I hope you will understand his actions in this aspect.

Also, the story itself will go strictly according to the canon, that is, there will be no new exams, there will be no globally replacing things, for example, new students in Arthur's class in the 2nd year, etc. Everything will go closer to the canon, but some things will be redone so that Arthur treats the story more vividly.

Also, if there are any points that you did not like, then write. I will keep in touch with you and try to solve them.