As I puzzled over her words, a group of six students—three boys and three girls—approached my desk.
All six had flashy appearances, looking every bit like the school’s “cool group.”
The leader, a blond guy with seven or eight piercings in one ear, spoke up.
“Hey, transfer student. You probably don’t know the rules here yet, but from now on, don’t talk to that girl. Actually, don’t even respond to her. That’s just how things work at this school.”
“Huh?”
The blond guy was undoubtedly handsome, with sharp eyes and a lean, athletic build that made him naturally intimidating. He gave off the vibe of a scrappy lightweight boxer.
(So he’s the group’s enforcer, huh?)
I quickly assessed the group. Flanking the blond guy were two burly boys who looked like they belonged on the football team. Their presence alone created a wall of pressure.
(It looks like their leader is that girl over there.)
Behind the boys stood a girl surrounded by two others. With her arms crossed and a stern face, she scrutinized me with an appraising glare. Then she let out a derisive snort and began whispering something to her companions, a mocking smile on her lips.
I could guess what she was saying: “He’s so plain,” or “Just another nobody.”
“Hey, transfer student. You want a smooth school life, don’t you? Just shut up and follow the rules, got it?”
As the blond guy draped an arm over my shoulder in mock camaraderie, his intent was clear—my compliance was not optional.
(He’s ready to move straight into a chokehold if I resist.)
I subtly brushed his arm off and asked, “So, you want me to completely ignore her? Why?”
The group seemed momentarily caught off guard by my refusal to comply. Even Adachi-san, sitting in front, looked surprised.
“Why doesn’t matter! The princess decided it, so you follow it!”
The blond guy leaned in threateningly, while the supposed “princess” smirked confidently from the back, her entourage nodding in agreement.
"I later learned that this so-called 'leader' of the group was the daughter of the school board chairman, and her name was Sonoyama Hime-no."
[Her name, “Hime-no,” includes the character for “princess” (姫), which is where her nickname, “Hime” (princess), originated. However, at the time, I didn’t know this and ended up blurting out an overly honest impression.]
Specifically:
“Wait…? Still being called ‘Hime’ in high school? That’s so cringeworthy…”
The air froze.
Cracks spread across the faces of the three girls, including "Hime," and the entire class turned their “Is this guy for real?” stares toward me.
The three guys in front of them were silent for a moment, their expressions darkening before their anger exploded.
“You little…!”
The blond guy with the piercings reached out to grab my shirt collar—
“Alright, everyone, back to your seats!”
—just as the teacher entered the room.
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