It is often mentioned in fantasy stories and light novels that angels take human form.
I suppose this is natural. If beings like them want to live peacefully among humans, the human form is the best choice.
But today I encountered another angel.
An angel who had taken the perfect form. Maybe calling it an "angel" is an understatement—could it be a god incarnated as a massive yellow beverage vending machine?
Yes, it was a Max Coffee vending machine.
All it sells are the finest coffees across the ages.
I thought I had seen one with the same design before in Chiba, but this one looked even better. Was it because of its larger size?
I never expected to find one here, next to the waterfront.
I had planned to wake up early today and wander around to gather more clues, but it seems I stumbled upon a treasure by accident.
Could this be Roger's treasure?
I don't know, but it's a perfect opportunity to take some photos.
I took my phone out of my jacket pocket and started taking pictures from every possible angle.
I suppose they attach lenses to the back of phones for exactly this reason.
Isn't that so?
It is.
I began staring at the photos I had taken—I could only say they were perfect.
I put my phone back in my pocket and decided to reward myself with a can of Max Coffee.
It's suitable for all occasions. You can serve it at parties, drink it to regain energy after a long day, or even consume it like medicine.
Could it be the elixir of life?
Well, as with everything, some people dislike it due to its excessive sweetness.
Don't they know this is the secret of its appeal?
I decided to stop rambling and get a can.
I pressed the machine's buttons. It seems there's no difference between this machine and the ones outside.
I knelt to take my "little treasure" and headed toward the fence to look at the lake.
I had woken up today to gather more information, but it seems I spent too much time here. Only 15 minutes remain before classes start.
Alright, I have a simple idea for collecting some information. Whether it succeeds or fails won't really matter—it might just confirm some theories.
For now, let's enjoy the delicious coffee and postpone the work.
I leaned my back against the fence, feeling its coldness seep through my jacket.
My view caught a glimpse of yellow hair tied in a ponytail, giving the impression of a queen bee. She seemed like the type who enjoys drawing attention from everyone.
It looked like she was searching for a drink in the vending machine.
She glanced at me briefly, then quickly looked back at the machine.
Is she afraid of me?
Is it because of my eyes?
She scanned the products quickly, then walked away at a brisk pace.
It seemed like she was trying to hide something.
As if... she wasn't used to her own behavior?
I don't understand.
Well, anyone would be affected if they couldn't find their favorite drink. Source: me.
After finishing my coffee, I tossed the can in the trash and retrieved my phone from my jacket.
Five minutes.
I must go to class.
One of the biggest advantages of loners is showing up at the right time—not late, not early.
Although I had missed many classes and been late for some in Subo Middle School, this is a new school, so a little discipline is necessary.
I wonder how the first school day will be.
Logically, it was yesterday, but there were no actual classes—just an orientation session and an opening ceremony.
I don't expect many problems to arise because... this school hosts elite students?
When I remember being among them, I realize it's not all elite.
Yes, and the trio behind me.
×××
Lunchtime came quickly, and the morning period ended.
The least you could say about it... was that it was terrible.
The only thing the students adhered to was attendance, even though most of them were late.
Even after arriving, they showed no interest in the lesson.
Some played video games or used their phones; others chose to sleep.
Isn't this our first class?
Even I usually nap during math class, but I wouldn't do that here, especially with a camera inside the room.
The strange thing was the teacher's behavior.
He didn't take any action against them.
Did he not notice their behavior?
Impossible. The chaos was obvious, and the number of students who followed the rules and stayed attentive was very small.
Naturally, I decided to pay attention, because any negligence would lead to serious consequences.
I don't want to get hit by Yukinoshita.
Does the school encourage independence?
It gives individuals freedom and observes how they act.
I don't think they would allocate a huge budget just for students to enjoy freedom.
There must be consequences for this behavior.
If you think about it, the only possible punishment is points: deduction or not receiving any monthly allowance at the start of the month.
This ensures a competitive element between us to earn more points.
Will the competition be only among students in the class?
It seems the truth about the situation is starting to emerge.
I will forget about the school system for now and go have lunch.
I looked toward the front to see Yukinoshita's seat empty.
She seemed to have gone to the cafeteria.
No matter, I'll go alone.
I got up from my seat and headed toward the school's front door.
It was clear that groups were forming, as students ate lunch in pairs or groups.
At the back, there were two lonely students: Ayanokoji and... Horikita.
It seemed they hadn't found a companion yet.
I put my hand in my pants pocket and walked down the corridor.
I saw a girl leaning against a wall in the hallway.
It was Yukinoshita. What is she doing here?
Didn't she go to lunch?
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun, let's go together."
"Ah... okay."
Before entering the school, we decided to keep our relationship a secret.
It seemed better as a beginning.
So, I avoided being called inside the classroom, unlike yesterday, when students were everywhere.
As expected from Yukinoshita:
"What do you think?"
"The situation looks so chaotic you wonder if they could really be the society's elite in the future," Yukinoshita said sarcastically.
Their behavior was clear: they followed the rules for the first hour, but as soon as someone broke them and the teacher didn't intervene, others would automatically follow.
"Yukinoshita, I was thinking of asking upperclassmen about this school."
"And do you think they would answer?"
"Well, of course not, but if they refuse, doesn't that mean they're hiding something?"
If this school were truly ordinary, they wouldn't hesitate to answer, and they might even brag about the luxurious life they live.
But the least ambiguity would confirm that the school system is strict.
"Alright, that makes sense. Where will you start?"
"The cafeteria."
×××
The cafeteria is no different from other facilities the school provides, as it is also equipped with screens displaying all available food. There's also a variety to satisfy all tastes.
From expensive dishes to... free meals?
Even here, there are free options, though they seem like tasteless vegetable meals.
Still, they are good to avoid hunger.
The main customers who order them are upperclassmen. Have their points run out?
Meanwhile, first-year students order the most expensive meals.
Question: If you receive a monthly allowance of 100,000 points for over a year, would you be forced to eat a free vegetable meal?
Answer: No.
Most students won't think about saving without reason, especially at this stage. If you have the money, you won't hesitate to spend and live lavishly.
This confirms that the students' allowance is not fixed.
"It seems some students are facing a financial crisis," Yukinoshita said, resting her hand on her chin while selecting her meal in front of the giant screen.
"We can understand that we won't receive the same amount each month."
"Yes." Yukinoshita chose a moderately priced meal with some meat and vegetables.
That seemed sufficient, so I decided to get the same meal.
After receiving our orders, we looked for a table to sit at.
It seemed the number of students in the cafeteria exceeded 60.
Finding a table wasn't difficult, as the cafeteria's large space had enough tables for all students.
We chose a table away from the others. Yukinoshita sat across from me, and we began to eat.
"The food was delicious."
"Yes." I admit it—the food here is good. The chefs must be top-tier.
Even a simple dish like this had an unforgettable flavor.
"So, what will you do now?"
"I'll walk around and ask students questions."
"Hikigaya, the loner from Subo Middle School decided to become social and ask older students questions this easily?" she said sarcastically.
"It's not that I can't converse; I just don't like empty talk. If the conversation has a purpose, it won't be hard—even for me."
I can ask a question and get an answer easily, right?
"Although I'm almost certain they'll refuse to interact with you because of your eyes... but I'll wait and see the result."
×××
"I see. As expected from Hikigaya-kun. Did you really think a conversation would happen with them? That's absurd," Yukinoshita said, hiding a small smile behind her white fingers.
"Well, they didn't refuse the idea of a conversation; they only refused to answer. Isn't that enough evidence that the school is hiding something?"
Whenever I asked them if they received the same number of points every month, they laughed and said, "You'll find out soon." And if I asked about the system, they refused to answer, saying, "We don't know."
"I didn't agree to ask them directly from the start, but we learned a little."
"Yes."
We entered the building where the classrooms were. There was a big difference between the first two classrooms and the last two in the hallway.
Although it was a break period, classrooms A and B still followed an orderly, friendly system.
Unlike the other two classrooms, you could hear them screaming from here.
Are they preschoolers?
It seems that the closer you get to classroom D, the lower the level.
Huh?
Could the classrooms be divided into levels from A to D?
Ah... I think I understand the situation.
If the school assessed me based on our academic track before entering, and on that basis we were divided into four classes and considered equal at first, we received 100,000 points.
It seems we entered a second assessment inside the school walls.
A group evaluation based on students' behavior in each class, which would determine the gaps between tiers.
Thus... the amount we receive monthly will depend on our class's results?
So, your monthly allowance is determined by your behavior and your classmates' behavior?
"Yukinoshita... it seems I have a preliminary understanding of the system," I said, rubbing my eyes.
"What is it?"
"Not now. We'll talk after school."
"Alright." Yukinoshita entered the classroom, and I stayed in the hallway for a few minutes.
Better not to enter at the same time.
Even though we had lunch together?
It doesn't matter for now.
So, the school divides the year into four tiers: A, B, C, and D.
From best to worst.
That makes everything make sense now.
But wait, are we really in the worst class?