Early the next morning.
Shiro Sakamaki finished washing up and adjusted his collar in front of the mirror. He was already dressed in the crisp black uniform of Shuchiin Academy.
Thanks to the late arrival the night before and his early rise, the residents of Sakurasou were still fast asleep.
Stepping outside, he was greeted by a cool breeze laced with the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms swaying gently near the entrance. The sky above was pristine blue, dotted with a few drifting white clouds.
"Looks like it's going to be a good day," Shiro murmured to himself, inhaling deeply as he soaked in the peaceful morning air.
Behind him, the gates of Sakurasou creaked open again. Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped out, yawning, and froze for a moment when she noticed his uniform.
"You go to Shuchiin Academy?" she asked with a raised brow.
"Yes. I'm here as an exchange student. Today's my first day," Shiro replied casually.
Hiratsuka looked him over, then nodded. "In that case, come with me. I happen to teach at Shuchiin too. I'll give you a ride."
That made Shiro pause.
Didn't she teach at Sobu High? Why is she at Shuchiin now...?
Before he could dwell on the thought, Hiratsuka rolled down the window and called out impatiently, "Oi! If you don't want to be late, get in already. Don't stand there daydreaming."
"Oh, coming!"
With that, he brushed off his doubts. A free ride was a free ride, and it saved him the hassle of navigating his way on the first day.
The ride was mostly silent. Hiratsuka drove one-handed, cigarette dangling between her fingers, exuding the air of a veteran street racer. After burning through her smoke, she exhaled deeply and finally spoke.
"Kid, judging by what I saw last night, you're a Specialist, right?"
Shiro didn't answer immediately.
"I don't know how things work where you're from, but here in the Neon Country, it's better to register officially. Less trouble that way. After school, come with me."
"No problem, Hiratsuka-sensei. I'll follow your lead," he replied calmly.
His cooperation made her raise an eyebrow. Most strong types disliked being told what to do, but Shiro was surprisingly easygoing. That earned him a rare nod of approval.
She then asked, "So... what's your current level? You don't have to say if it's confidential."
At a red light, she glanced sideways, curiosity evident in her expression.
Shiro gave a small, polite smile. "Nothing secret about it. Just the peak of the Mad level. Still got a long way to go."
Hiratsuka nearly choked.
Just the peak of Mad level?
Even their bureau's director had only just stepped into the God realm—and that was with years of training and resources. They often had to rely on Onmyoji or mages from ancient clans for serious threats. And now this teenager, a student, casually drops that he's at the peak of Mad?
Hiratsuka fell silent after that.
When the car finally pulled up to Shuchiin Academy, Shiro got out and asked for directions to the principal's office. He parted ways with Hiratsuka at the entrance.
The principal welcomed him warmly, even going so far as to mention his father. From his tone, Shiro could tell they were old friends.
Eventually, he was assigned to Year 1, Class A.
Following an assistant to his new class, Shiro arrived just as Hiratsuka Shizuka was mid-lecture. The knock at the door drew all attention to him.
The students turned their heads, and Shiro offered a polite smile as he stood beside the assistant.
After a brief introduction, the assistant handed him off to Hiratsuka and left.
"Everyone, this is Shiro Sakamaki, an exchange student from abroad," Hiratsuka announced. "I hope you'll all get along."
She gave him a look. "Shiro-kun, why don't you introduce yourself?"
Shiro nodded and walked to the blackboard, writing his name in smooth, practiced strokes.
"Good morning. I'm Shiro Sakamaki. I hope we can get along during the next three years."
The class was quiet. There wasn't a huge reaction—just a few polite nods. The students were clearly well-disciplined under Hiratsuka's watch.
"Alright then, find a seat and don't disrupt the lesson," she instructed.
"Understood, sensei."
The only open seat was—predictably—the second-to-last by the window. The protagonist's seat, as many would call it.
Shiro didn't mind. The view was great, and the breeze refreshing.
As Hiratsuka resumed her lecture, Shiro gazed out at the sprawling cherry blossom garden and tranquil artificial lake, his thoughts drifting.
It's been a long time since I've been in a classroom like this.
Though he was technically of high school age, most of his years had been spent in rigorous training. Practice. Experience. Survival.
He barely remembered what normal student life felt like. For over a decade, he had trained relentlessly—rarely at home, and always moving toward strength.
And yet... in that quiet moment, listening to the wind rustle the trees, something about it felt peaceful. Almost nostalgic.
By the time he returned to reality, class had already ended. Groups had formed throughout the classroom—friends chatting, social circles clustering.
Yet Shiro could feel the subtle weight of glances coming his way.
At Shuchiin Academy, foreign students were practically unheard of. The institution was a haven for the nation's future elites. So the sudden appearance of an outsider—someone powerful enough to be placed in Class A—sparked curiosity.
A wolf among sheep, he thought, amused.
But Shiro Sakamaki wasn't interested in standing out.
Not yet.
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