Everyone Has Talent. If Only We Could Realize It - Volume 1 Chapter 2.1

Episode 2: Two Talents

The classroom on the second day of enrollment was filled with a unique atmosphere.

No one had taken out their textbooks yet as if class wasn’t about to start, and they were all exchanging thoughts on yesterday’s broadcast. Come to think of it, the textbooks that were sent to our homes beforehand only covered basic academic subjects like Japanese, English, and mathematics. There wasn’t a single textbook that seemed to fit a performing arts school.

When I asked what we were going to do today, Akiba Mana, who was sitting next to me, puffed out her chest and explained with pride.

“Vocal practical skills in the afternoon. The morning is for curriculum customization.”

“Foreign words just slip through my ears. Speak Japanese, please.”

“It’s almost like Japanese… You see, in this school, instead of taking common classes as a class, students can choose their own classes.”

“Huh. That sounds kind of like a university.”

“There are compulsory subjects though. If you’re in the musician department, music-related classes are almost all compulsory. If you want to delve deeper into songwriting, composing, or singing, you can take more specialized classes in those areas.”

“I see. Can I take classes from other departments too?”

While reading the brochure I received, it seemed that this school had various departments related to the performing arts, such as a music department, dance department, fashion department, and a talent department.

If you can choose your classes freely, can’t you also take classes from other departments? That was what I wondered, and it seems I hit the mark as Akiba nodded.

“Of course. It’s better to get along with students from other departments. You never know, you might make connections with someone promising for the future, which could be a huge advantage after graduation.”

“Wow, you’re really looking ahead. I’m envious of your business acumen.”

“Obviously. Why do you think I’m attending Lièlán? To make a name for myself in the entertainment industry.”

“I’m different, you know.”

Of course, so am I. I have absolutely no interest in the entertainment industry. But I’m very interested in the money you can earn there.

“I’ve even made a list of people I want to get close to. I’ve researched which classes to take to be with certain people – a list worth its weight in gold. Nuhaha.”

“Seriously? You’re putting too much effort into networking.”

I was a bit taken aback.

As I watched Akiha smile slyly with her smartphone in hand, a thought crossed my mind.

“Wait, did you become friends with us because you had some ulterior motive…?”

“Nah, no way. That’s not it at all.”

She denied it instantly.

“What benefit is there in hanging out with a country bumpkin karaoke champion? I just think we get along well, that’s all.”

“Best friends with the introverts, huh?”

“Hey, stop with that labeling. I’m not an introvert. If I really tried, I could be five times cooler than any extrovert.”

“You’re the type who’ll never prove it because you’ll never try…”

“Shut it. I’m not telling you about the list. Depending on who you connect with, your future salary could differ by tens of millions, but don’t come crying to me later.”

“Sorry, sorry! Please forgive me, lowly me! Teach me too!”

I apologized profusely in three steps.

Pleased with my groveling, Akiha started to talk with an inflated attitude, “Since you’re begging, I guess I’ll tell you.”

“First and foremost, the top student of the talent department in their third year, Kanda Io. She’s beautiful. She takes the ‘Basic Muscle Training’ class every year to build a physique necessary for acting. Though this class offers very few credits, it’s open to all grades from first to third year, and many students take it every year to cultivate a habit of exercising since the school facilities are available even if you’ve already earned the credits.”

As expected of the top student. Her dedication to acting is on another level.

“Next, the top student of the fashion department in their first year, Harajuku Azusa. She’s beautiful. Her talent has already attracted attention from Europe, and she’s becoming known as the rising star of the fashion design world under the mystique dual persona ‘AZU.’ She’s said to take the ‘Spatial Color Design’ class, so I plan to align my schedule with hers. It can be applied to the production of music live shows too.”

I see. I thought music and fashion were entirely separate, but there are surprising overlaps.

“Then, the top student of the dance department in their first year, Otsuka Ryuki. She’s beautiful. A genius hip-hop dancer known as ‘Agave’—a crazy one who challenges you to a battle if you make eye contact. She seems to love all aspects of hip-hop culture and is taking the ‘Hip-Hop Music’ class.”

Eye contact means battle, huh? This is starting to sound like a Pokémon battle. What is this school?

“For students from other departments, these are the key people to know. As for famous people within the musician department, Shibuya Elio and Komaegawa Nokiya are promising… Well, since they’re in the same department and I’m not too fond of them, let’s just ignore them.”

“Five notable students, huh. There’s something I’m curious about though, can I ask?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you mention ‘beautiful’ for all of them?”

“Well, that’s important. It’s practically a prerequisite for being at the top.”

“Huh…”

I knew it, but this school is refreshingly committed to lookism.

“So, how do we customize the curriculum?”

“Raku, you really weren’t listening to the teacher at all… Here, take out your smartphone.”

Accessing Ryoran High School’s portal site on my smartphone.

Using my student ID to log in (the ID and password are apparently the same as the ones I created for yesterday’s one-eight live account), and tapping on the curriculum section, the timetable is displayed.

Looking around, other students were leaving the classroom, talking, or moving freely.

“So the morning is pretty much free time, huh?”

“Yep. Starting today, for one week in the mornings, you can freely attend trial classes in various classrooms. Then, you choose your favorite elective courses to customize, and from next week, each student will attend classes according to their own set timetable.”

“I see. What about you, Shika? Any classes besides music?”

While finding the system interesting, I turned to Shika beside me.

Shika, who had been staring blankly in the direction of Shibuya Erio on the opposite side of the classroom, turned around sluggishly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Weren’t you listening? What elective classes are you going to take?”

“Anything is fine. As long as I can hear beautiful sounds, I’m satisfied.”

“So indifferent…”

“Leave the settings to me. Just do it.”

She tossed her smartphone to me.

A complete handover.

Well, she’s going to take all the same classes as me anyway, so it doesn’t really matter.

Let’s fulfill this duty as her manager.

Though I don’t have any particular classes I want to take either, so I guess I’ll just follow Akiha’s curriculum for now.

tln : my bad for mistaking but, looks like the MC name is Ikebukuro Rakuto instead of Gakuto. should i change it from now on?