Arrival at Eihou Academy

 

 

 

Eihou Academy, founded fourteen years ago by Souichi Ichinoyama, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, has climbed to become one of the nation’s leading prep schools in just under a decade. Despite its fame and topicality, it is known as Japan’s most mysterious school.

Everything beyond the basic information available on its homepage is shrouded in a thick veil, and its cybersecurity is so robust that it could reportedly withstand a simultaneous full-scale attack from hackers around the world without any problem. Well, whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.

It’s equally superior in terms of physical defense; the five-meter tall wall surrounding the entire campus is said to be so sturdy that not even a missile could crack it, though the truth of that claim is uncertain, and one can only hope that no opportunity to test it ever arises.

As for the school gates, they are, of course, exceptionally sturdy, but if there’s an especially notable feature, it would be the elaborate surveillance cameras mounted above them.

Tsubaki once said that these cameras are equipped with the latest facial recognition systems and various other defense mechanisms. Supposedly, if an unauthorized person tries to cross the threshold, a laser beam is instantly fired, vaporizing the target without leaving a trace… No way, that can’t be true. Even America wouldn’t allow such a terrifying system.

There is only one exception; the school is open to the public only during the “Kaihousai” festival held in late October. Even then, the areas accessible to the public are greatly restricted, and one could not obtain any scoop likely sought by the general public.

So, as I’ve explained, Eihou Academy adheres to a policy of extreme secrecy, but as you know, it’s not fully residential. Many students commute.

According to our principal, a peaceful mind is essential for perfect learning, and here at Eihou, students’ autonomy is highly respected.

In the early days of the school, there were quite a few media ambushes on commuting students, taking advantage of this freedom, but now such things are completely absent.

It seems those who misbehaved have been “dealt with” by the principal behind the scenes. Tsubaki said that, and it’s troubling because it sounds more believable compared to the laser story. It doesn’t seem like a far-fetched story for someone as wealthy as him.

Now, as Keitaro was about to pass through the thoroughly secure school gate,

“Are you Sofia Lipsett, who will be attending our school from today?” (tln : finally sophia last name)

Sofia was caught right behind him. Not by a suspicious person, of course, but by a staff member of Eihou Academy.

As a transfer student, Sofia probably had various things to be explained from the morning. It surely isn’t a measure against laser beams, right?

“Please come this way.”

Sofia briskly followed, being led away.

Along the way,

“Ugh, Keitaro…”

It seemed like Sofia was looking for help from him, but Keitaro pretended not to be involved and quickly left the scene. He felt no guilt; it was inevitable.

Sorry, Sofia.

As Keitaro passed through the school gate, a futuristic glass building appeared in front of him, fitting the word “near future.” It was the Eihou Academy building.

The building, resembling a pair of skyscrapers, had the junior high school section on the left and the high school section on the right. Entering through the central entrance and splitting into two directions was the structure.

To give you a better image, it somewhat resembles the metropolitan government building, clearly inspired by it.

In front of the entrance, numerous students were gathered.

The bustling crowd was neatly divided into two groups: junior high and high school students. The junior high uniform is slightly different from the high school one, with dark green parts changed to light green, making them easy to distinguish.

They were probably looking at the bulletin board installed in front of the entrance. An ordinary bulletin board, far from futuristic, where this year’s class lists were posted.

So, heading towards the right-side bulletin board, Keitaro marched forward. He knew he would be in Class D, so checking the class list was meaningless to him, but he seemed to want to double-check Sofia’s class just in case.

As he approached the bulletin board, the noise turned into words.

“Wow, Class C this year.”

“Eihou’s ‘Ei’ stands for ‘A’!”

“D… Despair’s… D…”

“I’m in B, huh. Well, that’s fine.”

Compared to the junior high group, the high school group showed a mix of joy and sorrow. Since high school classes are sorted by academic ability, it’s a natural outcome.

Being assigned to a particular class could affect one’s future life plans… not that it has anything to do with Keitaro, though.

Slipping through the crowd as if it were the border between heaven and hell, Keitaro leaped to the front.

He immediately checked the paper at the top of the four vertically arranged sheets.

(Oh, just as I thought, Sofia’s in Class A.)

As expected, Sofia’s name was there on the Class A list.

Tsubaki’s name was also there. Naturally, Keitaro’s name was not.

Tsubaki, checking the class list next to him, dramatically dropped his shoulders.

“Ah, Keitaro is in Class D again. It’s a shame we can’t be in the same class.”

“Haha, if you wanted to be in the same class as me, you should’ve held back a bit.”

With a triumphant look, Keitaro bragged awkwardly.

“I see, like you did?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is the result of my full effort. I’m always all-out.”

“I see. So, you’re saying you’ve broken down everything you’ve built up and stripped away everything you’ve learned?”

“No, you got it wrong. I’ve been left behind because I stumbled and fell.”

With that light-hearted exchange, they left the crowd and entered the school building.

As they opened their newly assigned shoe box, brand-new indoor shoes were neatly placed inside. Most of the necessary supplies for school life are provided by Eihou Academy.

This is very convenient, but in exchange, the school tightly holds various personal information, from height and weight to favorite and least favorite subjects. Whether it’s entirely positive is questionable.

However, since data collection starts from the moment of entrance, if we consider elementary school years not counted, maybe it’s alright to be fully happy about it.

After changing into the indoor shoes, they moved towards the second-year classrooms.

Passing through the first-floor lounge, they briskly entered an available elevator.

“Still, why does our school stick to some old-fashioned things? Is there really a need to post the class lists on paper? What’s the point of having AI phones?”

With advanced facilities and an innovative curriculum, symbolized by the AI phone, why stick to posting paper class lists on a bulletin board? They could have just sent it all through a single touch on an electronic data… Truly a mystery.

“It’s not all about convenience. Our principal values traditional youth events passed down through generations. Plus, if everything was done through that one device, there’d be no point in coming to school, right?”

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

Remote… Ah, what a sweet sound. Lazing at home with remote classes. That’s good enough, all of it. From now on, let “remote” be my motto. Actually, I’d prefer that.

“Well, in Keitaro’s case, that might be true. Then you can enjoy being all alone together.”

Tsubaki’s wild misunderstanding. Something similar was said not so long ago, specifically by his mother.

Roughly tousling his hair, Keitaro sighed deeply.

“Don’t talk like some mother, will you?”

Just as Keitaro complained, as if his words were the keyword, the elevator reached the desired floor, and the door slowly began to open.

Beyond that door, a familiar scene unfolded.

A spacious floor with a sense of openness spread out.

In the center of the floor was a large atrium that allowed a view down to the first-floor lounge, and the surrounding reinforced glass for fall prevention was reportedly strong enough to withstand a hundred rugby players ramming into it simultaneously.

With the central atrium serving as a divider, classrooms were arranged on both sides: two on the left for Classes A and B, and two on the right for Classes C and D, with bathrooms located at the far end.

This is the basic structure of Eihou’s grade-level floors.

Aside from the bathrooms, the walls are also made of glass, making the classrooms visible from outside, creating an atmosphere akin to a laboratory from a sci-fi movie.

Considering the reason for the school’s establishment, it surely encompasses that aspect as well.

“Well… Tsubaki, the rest is up to you. Help her bridge the gap.”

With a light hop out of the elevator, Keitaro left Sofia’s support to Tsubaki and proceeded to the right.

It was time to part ways with Tsubaki, who was in Class A.

“Okay, leave it to me. Though, I doubt I’ll be needed much. I think she’ll become popular on her own today.”

“Yeah, probably. She’s cute.”

“Don’t suddenly start showing off.”

“I merely stated a general opinion. …If anything happens, let me know.”

“Are you saying you’d come to the rescue if something happened? That would be interesting.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that. See you.”

“Oh, you’re not denying it.”

Parting ways with Tsubaki, Keitaro headed to his classroom.

Class D’s classroom, behind the glass wall, had a familiar figure.

Keitaro entered the classroom and headed to his newly assigned seat, right behind that guy.

“Yo, I’m behind you for the first strike this year. Not happy about it at all.”

While sitting down, Keitaro grumbled.

Then the guy, Hirofumi, turned around with a sullen face.

“Hmph, that’s my line. Why should I expose my back to you without a care? I can’t even sleep peacefully.”

“I’m not going to stab you in your sleep. You’re not worth it.”

Sighing and resting his chin in his hand, Keitaro gazed out the window absentmindedly.

“Keitaro, there’s something I must ask you.”

“Hm, what is it?”

Without moving his neck, which felt too bothersome, Keitaro shallowly shifted his gaze towards Hirofumi and responded.

“One week has passed since then. During that time, you’ve been living under the same roof with a foreign beauty, engaging in… what should be considered…? First, do you have any objections to this statement?”

“Well, it’s a homestay, so… what’s your point?”

Hirofumi, unusually forceful, had something he wanted to say, but Keitaro couldn’t understand him.

Or perhaps more accurately, the classroom was currently in turmoil due to the new term (Class D’s despair), making it a better time for such topics. However, Keitaro didn’t want such topics to arise in the classroom at all. It made him anxious.

“Didn’t do what?”

“What are you asking?”

Hirofumi’s question was so incomprehensible that Keitaro’s voice came out sounding utterly baffled.

“During my time in the dormitory, enduring a life of abstinence, you alone enjoyed such and such things, every day, every night…?”

Hirofumi’s voice was filled with resentment and accusation.

It might be reasonable for Hirofumi, a dorm resident (living in a musky male dormitory), to be upset with Keitaro, who commutes (living with a blonde, blue-eyed, cooking expert, doting, busty beauty). It wouldn’t be surprising for him to have such wild fantasies. It wouldn’t be strange for Keitaro to be stabbed, or rather, he should be stabbed.

“Ah… for crying out loud, Tsubaki and now you… Why does everyone jump to such base thoughts when they hear about a guy and a girl living together…”

Exasperated by the absurd inquiry, Keitaro’s head began to throb. He pressed his fingers against his temples and let out a deep sigh.

He felt as if he had sighed a lifetime’s worth just this morning, utterly exhausted and battle-worn, wishing he could go home immediately.

“Sofia and I are not in that kind of relationship at all. Stop imagining things.”

“Hmph, we’ll see.”

“Jeez…”

Once again, Keitaro turned his gaze out the window, looking at the sky.

(Why do I feel so gloomy when the sky is so carefree and… beautiful… ugh, why did I just think of Sofia… Ah, I’m disgusted with myself…)

Seeing Sofia’s likeness in that refreshing blue, and feeling utterly dismayed at himself for doing so, Keitaro flopped down on his desk.