Chapter 2: Kuoh Academy.

Kuoh Academy.

It was the name of the place where I was headed.

I was a little annoyed at the idea of being in uniform.

In my previous life, at the school where I studied, that was not necessary.

Perhaps it was due to the educational institution's desire to cultivate student discipline.

I looked at the people around me.

Unexpectedly, there were several who were studying at Kuoh Academy in this residential area.

Most of them were women.

Last night I checked what kind of place Kuoh Academy was and where it was located.

As well as preparing myself for the payments that were to come regarding tuition.

So I discovered that it was a place that had recently opened its doors to male students.

However, I noticed something strange.

The physical appearance of women in this world.

The beauty standards for women tended to be higher than what I was used to.

Which made me confirm once again that this was not the land I came from.

At which I was saddened.

Would there be a chance in the future when I could see my mother again?

I hoped so, as unlikely as it seemed.

After walking around for a while appreciating the view, I arrived at the entrance of Kuoh Academy.

It looked like a place for the elite only.

However, based on the price to enroll in this place, that was definitely not the case.

Lucky, I guess.

I chuckled.

I walked through the entrance after admiring the incredible appearance of this sanctuary for learning.

The place oozed elegance and beauty.

To some extent, it shared architectural similarities with the Victorian era.

I entered the main building and climbed some stairs, finally arriving at my assigned classroom.

Through a window on the side that allowed me to see inside, I noticed that I was the first to arrive.

I checked the watch on my wrist.

"Still about ten minutes to go."

Fine, I'll just wait.

I entered the classroom and looked for a seat.

I chose the one where I could pass more unnoticed.

I didn't remember much from my student days, and any question with the slightest bit of difficulty would be fatal.

I leaned back slightly in the seat and looked out the window to calm my boredom.

In doing so, something caught my eye.

A trio of teenagers.

One of them was bald, one had a short ponytail and one had reflective glasses.

Apparently, they were running for their lives.

Girls in Kendo suits were chasing them with furious expressions, attacking them from time to time with a bokken.

Funny.

I had never seen anything like it.

Before I went to college, I thought things would be like an American movie, but sadly they never were.

Here it seemed to be different.

Soon they were far enough away that I lost sight of them.

Which was a shame. I no longer had anything to entertain myself with.

Without much to do, I pulled a notebook out of my bag and began to draw.

As I scribbled in the notebook, the students slowly arrived.

They all took their seats, and it seemed, whether by coincidence or luck, this was in fact my seat.

When the seats were fully occupied, the professor arrived.

As I understand it, the first class of the block was math.

Ah, my worst enemy.

Just remembering those times in the past when I would stay up late to barely pass made me jaded.

However, as the class went on, I noticed a peculiarity.

Did my memory improve?

I could not tell, but it seemed to be so.

Any equation or formula explained by the teacher, I was able to remember them almost with complete ease.

Is this my golden finger? A better memory?

If so, it wouldn't bother me at all.

After all, it was something truly useful.

Because of that, I felt strongly motivated to learn.

Normally, when someone is not able to identify visible improvements, whether in study or any other field, they tend to lose interest.

And that would no longer be the case for me.

One less problem for a change.

My gaze did not stray from the chalk-striped board.

While old-fashioned, it served its function adequately.

Consequently, I did not notice the glances directed in my direction.

Not even that of the professor, who by this time was astonished.

Thus, time passed and the bell that marked the end of the class resounded.

"!"

I woke up from my trance of immense concentration.

The teacher in front of the board gathered his things to finally leave.

The students, as if they had been waiting for this moment, began to chat.

I, knowing no one, just looked out the window once again, hoping for a show as funny as the one with those three guys.

"Yuki, are you okay?"

Someone called out to me?

I turned my head in the direction of the sound.

In front of me, a short girl with short hair watched me worriedly.

She had an incredibly beautiful appearance.

And although I didn't consider myself a pervert, I involuntarily lowered my gaze.

Big.

I audibly swallowed saliva.

"From what I can see, you're actually perfectly fine."

I felt a violent grip on my ear, which was then unceremoniously pulled.

The pain was incredible.

"Ah, wait, wait! Stop! I just had something in my eye! Yes, just that!" I said between groans of pain.

Admit my guilt? Only a child would do that.

"Oh, really?"

The girl asked with a dangerous smile.

With tears in my eyes, I pleaded. "No doubt! Why would I lie, please stop!"

Ah, really. I am an adult, yet I am in such a pathetic state.

I wailed.

"Fine, I'll believe you," the girl granted me the armistice.

Quickly, I grabbed my sore ear, rubbing it gently.

"But it's strange. I've never seen you study so hard before."

"Hmm…? Oh, no, not at all," I waved my free hand, trying to look as normal as possible.

My smile was a little stiff, but I thought it would suffice.

"If you say so."

Despite the doubt evident in her voice, she did not bring up the subject further, which I appreciated.

The science teacher had not yet arrived, so the girl, whose name he did not yet know, noticing it, sat down in the empty seat opposite.

This seat was taken by a boy, who was now talking to three others near the door.

"So…?" I questioned, perplexed.

I didn't even know her name, so I found it extremely awkward to talk to her.

"So? You brought my notebook, right? The one I lent you. We still have time, so give it back to me."

Shit, I'm fucked.

Just seeing how violent this girl is, I don't even want to imagine what will happen if I tell her to forget it.

"Cough. Yeah, your notebook. See, the teacher has it."

An excuse that never failed me.

With a confused expression, she said. "What? Why?"

Well, I screwed up.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I misspoke. I meant to say that… that…"

Shit for brains, why can't you think of something?

She narrowed her eyes and….

The professor finally appeared.

Yes, I'm saved!

She noticed and got up from the seat, but kept for a while her piercing gaze on me.

What kind of place is this, I had never met anyone like this before!

Once again, I wished to return to my former world.

But, I couldn't deny that it was the most fun conversation I'd had in years.

Somehow, I looked forward to what the future would hold.

Of course, I was not a masochist.

The beauty, of which the girl was the bearer, played an important role in dissuading me from lashing out with insults and shouting.

I am a civilized person, after all.