Chapter-01 · EP-004

Episode 4: After the Entrance Ceremony

After the entrance ceremony ended, we returned to the classroom.

Apparently, there would be a distribution of student ID cards and an explanation of rules afterwards, but during the short break before that started, everyone couldn't stop talking about what had happened at the ceremony.

"Well said, Kyoya!"

"Thanks, Mamoru."

Murasakimura's friend, Sendo, praised him, and Murasakimura thanked Sendo in return.

Several girls had gathered around the two as they stood talking, praising Murasakimura just like Sendo.

"Murasakimura-kun, you were so cool!"

It was true that Murasakimura was handsome. But was what he did at the ceremony really cool?

What was supposed to be the new student representative address had simply been a speech picking a fight with the noble upperclassmen.

I didn't care what Murasakimura's beliefs were; if he was going to act, he should have just done so quietly. Deliberately insulting the nobles and provoking their anger like that was not a good move. Because of that, I had a feeling that we in D-Class would now be on the receiving end of their spite.

He was just a troublemaker, wasn't he?

But I didn't feel like saying that directly—it would be a hassle—so I sat alone at the very back of the classroom, silently watching the scene.

Then I noticed Hayasaka approaching Murasakimura's group.

I had a bad feeling about this.

"Murasakimura-kun."

Hayasaka called out to Murasakimura. He and Sendo, as well as the girls around them, turned their attention to her.

"About your address earlier… I understand you have your own feelings about things, Murasakimura-kun, but… how about trying to get along better with the nobles?"

"What do you mean?"

A displeased expression appeared on Murasakimura's face. This was bad. I had to stop Hayasaka.

"If you say things like that, I think some people will get hurt. I'm sure there are unpleasant nobles, but I also think there are others who aren't like that. So instead of lumping everyone together as 'nobles' or 'commoners,' you should just get along with the good people, even if they are nobles. That's why I think you shouldn't say things like that…"

"What would you know?"

Murasakimura cut off Hayasaka's words in a somewhat harsh tone. Hayasaka, startled, fell silent.

"Yeah, who do you think you are? You think you can act all high and mighty just because you're a commoner, even though your grades are worse than Murasakimura-kun's?"

The girls around him also began criticizing Hayasaka.

Perhaps because her point wasn't getting across, even the usually composed Hayasaka was at a loss for words, looking confused.

"This isn't about whether there are good people or not. I said that the nobility system of this country must be destroyed. Or are you in favor of the nobility system?"

"Well… I don't really understand those kinds of things…"

"If you don't understand, then I'd appreciate it if you didn't offer your opinions!"

"I… I'm sorry."

Hayasaka finally apologized. The girls around Murasakimura started saying things like, "Could you not butt in when you don't know anything?" and "Maybe she's just trying to get Murasakimura-kun's attention," running their mouths as they pleased.

That's when I finally reached the group.

"Sorry, sorry, Murasakimura! We're from the countryside; there were no nobles around us, so we don't really get that stuff!"

"Ichinose-kun."

Hayasaka looked at me in surprise.

The attention shifted to me. Their gazes, as if looking at an enemy, were uncomfortable.

"You two think you can get by in this academy knowing so little? This academy is a microcosm of society. It's steeped in blatant noble favoritism and contempt for commoners. Thinking things like 'there are good nobles too'—with such naive ideas, you're the ones who will end up suffering. Even at the entrance ceremony, it was them who started booing before I even said anything."

"...That may be, but you know, this morning, the student council president's sister offered to take your place as representative, didn't she?"

"Offer? If the student council president hadn't shown up, she would have ordered me in a much harsher tone. Well, I would have refused anyway."

"That was probably—that sister of his was worried that you'd get criticized at the ceremony, so she offered to take your place."

"Huh? That woman just wanted to do it herself because it's a prestigious role."

Murasakimura looked surprised. Not only him, but Sendo, who was also there, couldn't hide his astonishment.

"Is that really true?"

"What would you know? Did you hear that directly from her?"

"No, not exactly. But if you had accepted her offer, you wouldn't have been heckled at the ceremony, and it would have ended peacefully."

"Th-that was fine! I was able to state my opinion!"

"Yeah, maybe it was fine for you. But because you went and picked a fight with the nobles like that, from now on, all of us in D-Class are going to be targeted by them with ill will. There are people in this class, like Hayasaka here, who just want to get along with everyone, you know?"

As Murasakimura was left speechless by my words, the girls around him started attacking me.

"Who do you think you are, acting so high and mighty! You've got the worst grades, haven't you? Quit acting so smart even though you're an idiot!"

I could still discuss things with Murasakimura, but with these girls, conversation was impossible. They were the type who, no matter what you said, just wanted to argue that they were right.

Ignoring the hanger-on girls, I called out one last time to Murasakimura.

"Well, just remember that there are people in this class who think differently than you! We're going back to our seats. Right, Hayasaka?"

"Yeah…"

With that, Hayasaka and I left the group.

The abusive shouts from the girls continued, but I ignored them.