Gifted Academy: The Perfect Student

"So, how have you been doing at this school? You're in Class 2-C, right? Are you having any troubles in terms of points?" she asked.

"Not really. I haven't spent much."

"Ah, it's good to be responsible."

I was enjoying my meal when a younger girl suddenly burst into the cafe. She frantically looked around for a moment before running toward Fujiharu. With hair scattered all across her face and a very distressed expression, she grabbed Fujiharu's hand.

"Sara! Yui's being attacked by some third-years!"

"What?!" Fujiharu was also quite surprised.

"Can you come and help?"

Fujiharu looked over at me. I guess she wanted me to come along as well. Well, she did pay for my meal, so I guess I'd just follow along and see what was happening. Pulling me up from my seat, the three of us began making our way through the schoolyard.

It was quite a distance away.

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At this school, whilst it was quite relaxed in comparison to a conventional school, violence was still strictly prohibited. Well, in theory, it was prohibited, although there were quite a few ways to get around it.

The easiest way was to just stay out of view.

There weren't that many security cameras.

Eventually, we found ourselves as bystanders of a spout of violence. On the ground was a young, blonde-haired girl curled up in a ball. Kicking her were two girls who looked like third-years, with anger fuming in their expressions.

It wasn't as much of a fight as it was just one-sided bullying. Still, seeing the scene, I didn't really want to get involved. My school life had just begun cooling down after all.

"Sara, can you stop them?" pleaded the girl who brought us over.

Fujiharu stepped forward with the intent of stopping the violence. However, a boy from the other side walked over and grabbed her shoulder.

"You shouldn't meddle in others' business. This has nothing to do with you, Fujiharu."

"I'll make that decision myself. She's one of my friends."

"You may be popular amongst the first and second-years, but your name holds no weight against us third-years."

"Take your hand off of me. I'll report this to the school."

The boy laughed.

"You don't get how this school works, do you?"

Fujiharu struggled, trying to pull him away, but the boy continued holding onto her. While this was happening, the girl on the ground was getting her hair pulled as she cried out in pain. It was a pretty awkward scene.

I didn't want to get involved in this, although I'd likely be called in as a witness if this continues.

I made my way toward the fight.

"Ayato?"

The boy turned his attention to me. However, as he tried to stop me, I subtly knocked his arm away. The two third-year girls looked up at me as I walked closer.

"What do you think you're doing, boy?"

"You'll get punished by the school for this," I responded.

The third-year girl snarled at me.

"If you interfere, you'll be counted as one of the belligerents. So you won't be able to testify as a witness," she explained.

"Sure, that may be true. But what about the girl standing over there."

I pointed at the girl who was secretly recording the entire scene from around the corner. With the lens pointed directly at us, it was clear that she was able to catch the fight on camera.

Noticing it, the two third-year girls suddenly stood, frozen.

"Did you really not expect that."

All of a sudden, the boy let go of Fujiharu and ran toward the girl who was recording. In fright, she suddenly dropped her phone on the ground. For a short moment, the two tussled to pick the phone back up.

I can't be bothered with any more of this. Fujiharu can sort that out.

I made my way over to the first-year girl who was just bullied.

"You should go to the infirmary."

"W-wait... t-they'll come back for me again..."

"Just tell a teacher."

"No... I can't... because..."

Suddenly, I felt a hand grip my shoulder. The boy before pulled me around, I didn't really feel like fighting back, so I just went with it.

"You'll regret doing this. Otoyama won't let you get away with interfering."

"What will he do?"

"Huh? Otoyama, he's the toughest student at this school."

"I'm asking you what he's going to do."

"You're cocky, huh. He'll beat the shit out of you, and don't worry. There won't be any spectators."

"Sounds scary. But who's to say he'll make trouble with me."

"That girl messed with him, and she's facing the consequences."

"Ah. I'd prefer it if you'd keep me out of this."

The boy grabbed me by the collar.

"Now you're asking to be left out?! Ahaha, you're the biggest hypocrite I've ever seen."

Suddenly, he clenched his fingers into a fist. It was pretty obvious what was about to happen to me. Still, getting in a fight at this school was destined to be problematic. With all this commotion, a teacher could arrive at any time.

His hand barrelled toward my face. I raised my arm, knocking his punch away. Thump.

Planting his left foot into the ground, he came at me with a wide kick. I leaned back and pulled my head back a little. His foot swung across my body, pushing up a nice breeze. As he twisted his body, he wobbled around, regaining his balance. After a moment, he looked up at me with a glimmer in his eye.

I took a few steps back, hoping that he'd calm down.

"Heh, so you're pretty tough. Maybe I'll let you off the hook."

"I'd prefer that."

"What's your name?"

"Mizuhara."

"Mizuhara, eh? Hold on... the... Mizuhara...?"

What. Was I a celebrity now.

"Don't tell me you're Mizuhara Ayato..."

"That's my name."

The boy suddenly took a few steps back in astonishment. What was this sudden association that he was making with my name? Without elaborating, he turned around, calling for the two girls.

I feel like something annoying is about to happen.