At the same time, I felt as if the temperature in the classroom suddenly dropped. Well, it was already freezing cold because of Tachibana-sensei to begin with. I mean it got even colder than before. There was no mistaking it, given that the applause that had always occurred after every self-introduction until now didn’t happen at all after his.
Why?—Just as I was wondering about this, from somewhere toward the front seats, I clearly heard someone mutter “An outsider, huh.”
…I see, I think I understand the situation somewhat. This is purely my speculation, but probably in this class… no, in this school, people like me and the guy in the seat in front of me who grew up in normal society without knowing about supernatural powers are a very small minority. That would also explain why some degree of friendships had already been established.
And that comment “An outsider, huh”—that undoubtedly refers to people who grew up without knowing about supernatural powers, and it contains contemptuous meaning. It’s apparently common in schools with elementary-middle or middle-high integration for internal advancement students to look down on outsiderly enrolled students who join partway through. I read that in various “villainess” genre works. I’m quite knowledgeable!
In that case, what I should do in my self-introduction is hide that I’m from normal society and avoid standing out negatively—thinking that far, I reconsidered.
Is that really okay?
I, who was supposed to be nothing special at all, have stepped into supernatural society like this and been given a chance to change. Despite that, is it okay to act like a mob character just because I don’t want to stand out negatively? No! Of course not. Then there’s only one thing I should do in my self-introduction. Assert my existence with everything I have! I’ll show them the best greeting befitting the finale of self-introductions! I stood up and opened my mouth with my best smile.
“I’m Watagaya Yukiharu! Just like him earlier, I’ve lived my whole life without knowing about the existence of Supernatural Powers!”
I declare clearly, without hesitation. If they want to look down on me for being an outsider student, let them. Because the moment you prove wrong those who mock you—that’s the best moment in any story.
“It’s true that I don’t know anything about Supernatural Powers yet. But now that I’ve enrolled in this academy, I’ll become stronger than anyo—” “Ten seconds. Sit down.” “…Yes, maam.”
My speech, which included my statement of purpose, gets cancelled by Tachibana-sensei. I completely forgot about the ten-second rule…
And so, my memorable first step at this academy ends up taking a rather awkward form. Damn it…
After self-introductions end and Tachibana-sensei returns to the staff room once, the students are given a brief break. And of course, I expected this would happen, but…
“Hey, those guys…”
“They’re outsider students…”
“Why do we have two of them in our class…”
I’m getting massively trash-talked behind my back. Apparently, I’ve already become the class outcast. Well, I guess it’s both me and him…
I turn my attention to my classmate sitting in front of me, [Watagaya Touji]. He too seems uncomfortable, receiving the same negative emotions from those around us.
Toward him, I tap his shoulder from behind with a “chon chon” and call out.
“Hey, I heard your self-introduction earlier—you have the [Watagaya] surname too, right?”
“!?”
Startled by my sudden call, he turns his face toward me while still seated. This is the first time I get a proper look at his face from the front, and my first impression is: “Whoa, he’s handsome!” Whether it’s natural bedhead or not, his hair tips stick up at the ends, but it matches perfectly with his sharp expression. Not like my face, which was more neutral, but the cool, masculine type of handsome. I’m jealous.
“Ah, uh, Watagaya Yukiharu…kun, right?”
“Yep, that’s correct. As for how to address each other—since we’re both [Watagaya] and classmates, just call me Yukiharu.”
“Got it. Then call me Touji too.”
“Okay.”
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Right after I talked to him, Touji seemed a bit guarded, but thanks to my friendly approach, he quickly lets his guard down.
Meeting by chance, happening to be in the same class, happening to share the same surname, happening to be in the same situation—Watagaya Touji. He becomes the first friend I make as a high school student.
However, at this moment, I never dreamed—that for the entire year ahead, he would be the only person I’d build a friendship with…
After that, for a while, Touji and I exchange various conversations, and within five minutes we’ve completely warmed up to each other. Having just met, we never run out of topics.
“—That’s right! My attendance number’s always been fixed at the very end!”
“Right!? Actually, this is my first time NOT being last in attendance order!”
“Damn! It’s the name difference!”
“Ahaha! Sorry about that!”
Touji and I bond over surname-related troubles. In that flow, I ask about when he was scouted by this academy.
“By the way Touji, when you were asked to enroll in this school, did your parents oppose it? Mine were completely against it.”
“Ah… well, my parents… both of them passed away, so I was living with my grandpa and older brother, just the three of us…”
I’ve done it☆ I’ve stepped on a major landmine with pinpoint accuracy.
“Ah! Don’t worry about it at all! It really happened before I could even remember, so I don’t recall it at all.”
So kind… Touji says not to worry about it, and if I awkwardly change the topic here, it’ll seem like I’m being overly considerate. So I’ll keep the topic going without changing it.
“Then what about this—did your grandfather oppose it?”
“Ah, no, my grandpa and I aren’t blood-related, and maybe because of that… he’s always kind of brusque, and when I decided to come to this academy, all he said was ‘Do what you want.'”
I should have changed the topic.
“I wanted to consult my brother too, but about a year ago he went missing…”
“Let’s stop this conversation!!”
I’m not listening, not listening! You don’t need to tell me that much! This guy’s family situation is a minefield no matter where you dig! What kind of protagonist-level family structure is this!
The awkwardness from accidentally stepping on a first-time acquaintance’s landmine continues until Tachibana-sensei returns.
“We’re now going to conduct ability rank measurements.”
Tachibana-sensei, having returned to the classroom, announces this concisely. And with those words, my excitement shoots up again.
When you have [Supernatural Powers] and [Academy], there’s one thing that always comes as a set—that’s right, the rank system. I’ll accept objections.
In light novels, it tends to cause bullying and discrimination, but as an adolescent boy, I can’t help but get excited about a rank system. The realization that this is a world where Supernatural Powers exist becomes ever stronger.
“I’m going to hand out papers with the location where rank measurements will be conducted. The measurement location differs for each person, so check carefully.”
As instructed, when I check the distributed paper, various locations are designated as measurement sites: [General Gymnasium], [Second Ground], [Indoor Pool], [Fourth Training Hall], and so on. According to the explanation, they’re selecting measurement locations suited to each individual’s ability.
I nod in understanding at that explanation, and when I check where mine will be, the measurement location is listed as [Cafeteria]. …Cafeteria?
It doesn’t seem like a place where you’d measure Supernatural Powers at all, but I convince myself that it’s probably because nothing is known about my ability yet. The fact that Touji, who should be in the same position, has a different measurement location is a bit puzzling though.
Parting with Touji in the classroom, I get a little lost but successfully reach the cafeteria. It’s not a particularly unusual-looking cafeteria—there aren’t portraits covering the walls, nor is the night sky projected on the ceiling. It’s just an extremely typical Japanese cafeteria scene.
I check the surroundings thoroughly, but it still doesn’t seem like a place where ability measurements would be conducted. Just what method will they use? This is getting interesting.
“Over here. Watagaya Yukiharu.”
Suddenly called out, I turn around to see Tachibana-sensei standing at the very back of the cafeteria. Apparently, Tachibana-sensei will be conducting my measurement. Following instructions, I head toward sensei and—
There’s a single round stool, and on top of that stool sits a black pointed hat.
“…Um.”
“What is it?”
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