Chapter 2: why lie?

Ayanokoji POV

"I hope our next 3 years together go smoothly and well" I said as she doesn't reply

after a while the class is filled all types of people, so many people with such vibrant looks, ways they talk or even walk. Each person had so much uniqueness in the way they presented themselves

after some more time an older woman with soft features with an aura of authority walked into the room. She looked like an older version of Horikita, but she seemed very lonely to as well as disappointed, her eyes looked as if they were suffering in silence with hopelessness, I really didn't like seeing that

"Ahem, goodmorning students I am your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae. I teach Japanese history and as classes don't switch with year, I will be with your class for the next three years. Now I will be handing out your student ID cards" She introduced herself as we were handed out digital cards 

"The campus uses a point system to pay for things and just for transactions done on the campus and anything reasonable can be bought for a price, there is no communication with anyone outside the campus. Your points will be deposited at the first of every month and your cards have been loaded with 100 thousand points already" Miss Chabashira explained as the class erupted the information

I didn't understand, it's a lot of money but it is obviously an entry allowance to get our affairs in order, I should ask when i get the chance how much we will get next month as well as asking for the limit of the freedom we have with the things we can buy. 

"You receive points based on how the school has evaluated you and your merit. if anyone has any questions please ask them now" Miss Chabashira said as I raised my hand, surprisingly being the only one to do so

"Yes? Ayanokoji if I am right, what do you wish to ask?" Miss Chabashira said as I asked

"yes Ma'am, I had a few questions. Firstly, what is our allowance going forward from next month onward?" I asked as a few people looked at me dumbfounded

"Dude, she literally said that we get 100 thousand points, were you not listening or are just deaf?" said a green haired boy with a slight insult which didn't faze me

"I should be asking you that, Miss Chabashira never said we will be receiving 100 thousand points each month, just that was the amount we received right now and that we will get points deposited at the start of every month. So I believe it is a fair question to ask how many we will get next month" I explained to the green haired boy, my explanation made most of the students in the class dumb founded, except of a brown haired girl named chiaki matsushita and Kouenji Rokusuke, the same boy who smirked at me in the bus

"While you are correct in asking the question Ayanokoji, I sadly can't disclose this information at this stage" Chabashira said with eyes which had a glimmer of hope and a small smile. I liked that hope, I want to make it grow, I think I am slowly understanding what is happening

"Ok Miss, another question. Why do we have cameras monitoring us in such a way that our classroom has no blind spots?" I said as my classmates just noticed the cameras, It shocked me a lot, the camera's are present right infront of us, did they not bother to take a quick scan?

"Among other reasons, it is to prevent bullying from occurring, our school is extremely strict in cases of altercations " Miss Chabashira explained as her answer was suspicious

"Among other reasons" there was more to it than simply preventing bullying

"Another question Ma'am, you said we can buy anything on this campus right? then may i buy the information that you are withholding from us?" I asked as the class erupted in confusion, it seemed they aren't understanding how suspicious the situation is, I just need to get this information to keep myself safe first. 

"Sadly you can't buy this information with private points, to buy this information you must sacrifice something as a class" Miss Chabashira explained as she looked toward the class

"This information is withheld for reasons by the school, to access this information you must sacrifice a part of your monthly allowance" Chabashira dropped the bomb on the class as everyone erupted in chaos as they refused. I didn't bother to convince them as there isn't a point. I simply don't have enough information nor the skills needed to convince them, a shortcoming of mine it seemed

"Does anyone else have any other questions? if not then I will be leaving" Miss Chabashira said as she left

I hoped the amount of clues i dropped, they will be able to understand especially after Miss Chabashira literally said many things aren't as they had initially thought

"Everyone, can you please listen to me for a second?" said a handsome blonde boy named Hirata who seemed to have a great amount of charisma, it seems there is hope! maybe he can explain that the information Miss Chabashira offered us could be a game changer!

"Let's introduce ourselves to each other as we will be spending the next three years together!" Hirata said as a lot of the girls instantly agreed and the class began to introduce themselves to each other

.....maybe i held too much hope

"My name is Hirata Yousuke. Because I was often called by my first name, Yousuke, in middle school, feel free to use my first name. Although I like all sports, I like soccer in particular, and also plan to play soccer at this school. Please take care of me." Hirata said as his introduction captured the classe- er the girl's hearts

As Hirata introduced himself the class went around introducing themselves

"M-my name Inogashira K-ko—"

As she tried to introduce herself, her words stopped in her mouth.

I looked toward her as I looked at her struggling to get the words out of her mouth, before anyone else could say anything I spoke up

"Take your time, no need to feel rushed" I spoke as gently as I could muster myself to be and tried to encourage her as she took the words

"My name is, Inogashira... Kokoro. Um, my hobby is sewing and I'm good at knitting. P-please take care of me." she said as her introduction got several people clapping, it seems that her effort of overcoming her anxiety were appreciated, for that I am glad

Next came the boy who had interrupted me when i was trying to ask a question

"I'm Yamauchi Haruki. In elementary school, I played table tennis at the national level, then was the baseball club's ace in middle school—I had uniform number 4. But since I got an injury during Inter High recently, so I am currently in rehab. Nice to meet ya." the boy said as he got looks from everyone around, knowing that he was lying

So now they all get common sense? I exasperatedly asked myself in my head, not understanding why the people in my class acted so confusingly

It seemed Kushida's turn was next as she began to introduce herself

"My name is Kushida Kikyou, and since none of my friends from middle school came to this school, I want to get to know everyone and become friends!"

Most students finished their greetings after a few words, but Kushida continued to talk.

"First of all, I want to become friends with everyone here. After all of you are done with your introductions, please exchange contact information with me!" Kushida kept going as her eyes and her mouth told a different story

Her eyes, they held resentment as if she was forcing herself through this, I wonder.

Why lie? not only to everyone around but also to yourself. It felt that she was fooling everyone in this way.

I wonder, what kind of person is she inside? the person under the mask. I feel like that kushida will shine a hundred times brighter than the fake perfect one she is showing herself as

Her words have a great effect on the class as they immediately grew to trust her

"Then, the next one is───"

As Hirata looked at the next student, the next student shot him a sharp glare.

With bright red hair, the boy looked like a delinquent and spoke in a manner that matched his appearance.

"You guys idiots? I don't wanna introduce myself, just leave me alone." said Sudo Ken, a delinquent looking boy

It seemed he wanted to act tough and try to be antisocial to prove himself that he is fine without being friendly. It may stem from him being insecure which leads him to put on a fiery and tough outward appearance to prevent himself from being hurt by others emotionally. A lot of insecurity lies behind his façade, I want to help.

"Why not? we are gonna be a class for the next few years, it would be nice to atleast know eachother and be on good terms" I said to the boy as he looked at me angry and annoyed

"Haahhhh? The hell you mean by that you goody two shoes wanna be? don't you get that I don't want to bother with you all!?" Sudo yelled with a lot of energy as a few other people in class got scared, while i maintained my poker face

I looked over at his arms, his forearms had a lot of development and and his triceps were well developed, so much so that it was visible through the uniform, it was obvious he played basketball

"You play basketball right? is that why you came to this school?" I asked him as he looked at me in surprise

"Y-yea! how'd you know!?" he asked in shock as the rest of class waited for my answer

"Your muscles, your triceps and forearms are especially developed, that's usually the case with people who play basketball and with the level of development you have, you are thinking of going pro right?" I explained as he nodded, dumbfounded

"That's really cool, I've never played basketball so if we all ever get the chance we all could learn and play together" I said while gesturing to the other boys in class, hirata catching my drift immediately joined in

"Yea! we all could hang out and play basketball and other sports, it can be nice to do as a class!" Hirata said excitedly as Sudo was taken a bit aback, a little shy from the forwardness of the proposal

"F-fine, I'll introduce myself damnit! I am Sudo Ken! I like basketball and I plan on going pro someday!" He introduced himself albeit a little begrudgingly and embarassed but its a step in the right direction for him, I am glad.

after people clapped for sudo's introduction, hirata moved towards the blond boy, Koenji

"Um, can you introduce yourself"

"Fu~. Ok."

While smiling like a young noble, he showed glimpses of his impudent behavior.

I thought he would stand up, but Koenji kept his feet on the desk, and started his self-introduction while sitting like that.

"My name is Koenji Rokusuke. Being the only heir of the Koenji conglomerate, I am a man who will be responsible for Japanese society in the near future. Pleased to meet you, ladies."Koenji said without lacking any zeal and narcissism

There are generally two ways that narcissism comes into play for people, either they were praised excessively as a child and never got a reality check... or they had to work so hard to the top that they saw that everyone under them didn't deserve to be on the same level. I can't tell with Koenji but I will keep my eyes on him

"From now on, I will relentlessly punish anything that makes me feel uncomfortable. Be careful in that respect."

"Eh... Koenji. What do you mean by 'anything that makes me uncomfortable'?"

Feeling uneasy at his words, Hirata asked him again.

"Exactly as I said. But if I were to give an example───I hate unattractive things. If I saw something ugly, I would do as I said."Koenji said with a smile as his comment made a few people uneasy

Hirata then looks towards me, oh no. My greatest fear has awoken, social confrontation!

"Ah! its your turn to introduce yourself!" Hirata looked at me with a smile as I stood up from my seat, steeling my resolve

"My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, I don't have any particular hobbies or goals but I will be in your care for the next three years" I said in my monotone voice, trying to be clear, concise and possibly confidant but my efforts were in vain!

"It's nice to meet you Ayanokoji!" Hirata said with a smile as suddenly kushida spoke up

"Come on Ayanokoji! tell us something that you like atleast!" she spoke up as I thought a bit before saying

"I guess I like it when people are truly happy"