What is evil?—Whatever springs from weakness.
If I may I'd like to pose this question:
Are human beings truly equal?
Nowadays people never shut up about the need for equality.
A great man once said "Heaven does not create one person above or below another."
But the quote doesn't end there.
It actually says we're equal at birth but then gaps appear.
That the differences are the result of one's academic efforts or lack thereof.
At any rate humans are capable of thinking for themselves.
"Equality" may be a false concept
but our inequality remains a difficult thing to accept.
Excuse me... Could you give up your seat?
That's a priority seat. I think you should let this elderly lady sit there.
My my pretty girl.
While it may be a priority seat there is no law requiring me to relinquish it.
You want me to give up my seat just because I am young?
Nonsense pure and simple.
Even if I am young standing consumes more stamina than sitting.
Why should I do something so detrimental with no benefit to myself?
I think you'd be contributing to society.
And this lady seems to be having trouble staying upright...
I have no interest in contributing to society.
Besides...
What about those sitting in the other seats?
The difference between priority seats and others seems rather trivial to me.
Really I'm fine.
But thank you.
Excuse me! Would any of you be willing to give up your seat?
Um you can have mine.
Thank you so much!
Disembarking
So this is my new school?
Entrance Ceremony
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
A school established by the Japanese government
to nurture the young people who will support the country in the future.
It boasts a 100% employment and college entry rate
and with thorough state-directed teaching methods
it spares no effort in pursuing the nation's desired future.
Excuse me.
You were looking at me on the bus. Why?
Oh. Sorry.
It was because you like me didn't seem interested in giving up your seat.
So you don't like to get involved in stuff like that either huh?
Don't assume I'm like you.
I held on to my seat as a matter of conviction.
Uh doesn't that make you even worse?
If you have no business with me fine.
Now we'll have a few words from the student council president.
I am the student council president Horikita Manabu.
As a representative of the upper classes
I would like to extend words of welcome to our newest students.
As I believe you know our school is highly accomplished in all aspects
and boasts a high employment and college entry rate.
This is the pride of our school accomplished through the hard work
of both our graduating students and those still attending.
We expect the same from the new students.
We're in the same class?
Everything in this school is decided by merit...
I see! What genre do you like best?
Oh what genre? Well... I like romance!
Oh really?
Stuff like shojo manga...
Really? I like mysteries!
Mysteries?!
Surprising huh?
Yeah!
I get that a lot!
I'm seated next to her?
An unpleasant coincidence.
I feel the same way.
Everyone may I have a moment?
I was hoping we could all introduce ourselves
to get a jump on getting better acquainted.
The teacher doesn't seem to be here yet anyway.
How about it?
I'm in!
Sounds fun.
Yeah. I don't even know anyone's names.
Thanks. Okay I'll go first.
I'm Hirata Yosuke.
Just call me Yosuke. No need for formality.
I play all kinds of sports and I intend to join the soccer club at this school.
Nice to meet you all!
Sounds good!
I bet he'll end up being the class leader.
I'll go next!
My name is Kushida Kikyo.
My goal is to become friends with each and every one of you!
I'd like to make lots of good memories so don't hesitate to invite me anywhere!
Looking forward to it!
She'll be popular with both guys and girls.
Me next! I'm Ike Kanji!
She's already got that "I can be friends with anyone" aura about her.
I love girls and I hate hot guys!
But I guess this is no time to be critical.
I'm always accepting new girlfriend applications!
These introductions will determine everyone's standing in the class.
I'm Yamauchi Haruki.
In elementary school I went to nationals in ping-pong.
Should I try for a joke?
In middle school I was the baseball club's ace and cleanup hitter.
I bet I can get a big laugh if I'm really energetic.
I'm still recovering from an injury I got during the Inter-high.
Or maybe I'd just creep everyone out.
Oh wow! The Inter-high in middle school?
It's not like I have any hobbies or talents anyway.
I'm just a white bird flying free.
Next up... you!
Huh? Me?
No getting around it.
I'd better muster up the energy to introduce myself.
For the sake of my school life.
Uh...
Um...
I'm Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Uh...
I look forward to studying with you.
Ah um...
I'm not good at anything in particular.
Uh...
I'll work hard to get along with everyone.
I blew it.
Nice to meet you Ayanokoji-kun.
Let's be good friends.
She laughed at me.
Okay next up...
Introductions? Please.
What are we little kids?
Do that if you want but leave us out of it.
Everyone...
Take your seats.
I'm Chabashira Sae and I'm the homeroom teacher for Class D.
There will be no changing of classes in this school.
I will be responsible for you for the next three years until you graduate.
First I'll hand out the school rule book.
Take one and pass it back.
We have special rules at this school.
First you will live in dorms and while at school
your ability to leave campus and contact the outside world will be limited.
But don't worry.
The school offers a variety of facilities.
Everything you need can be found here including entertainment.
To buy things you'll use points stored in the school's official computer system.
At this school you can buy anything using points.
Points are allotted on the first of each month.
One point is worth one yen.
You have already been allotted 100000 points for this month.
100000?
Are you serious?
Are you surprised by the size of your allotment?
This school judges students based on merit.
You are attributed significant value just for being accepted here.
Thank you very much!
It really does work like money.
Twenty-five students per class and four classes per grade...
That makes 300 students total.
If each student gets 100000 yen per month
that's 360 million per year.
Strange even if it is government-funded...
Another unpleasant coincidence.
You don't have to be so twitchy.
Well since we sit beside each other we should at least get along.
What's your name?
You can tell me that much can't you?
Is it a problem if I refuse to answer?
No but it's unsettling not to know the name of the person sitting beside me.
It's Horikita Suzune.
Horikita?
Like the student council president?
You're buying lots of cheap stuff.
You have a lot of money though.
You could buy more expensive—
I don't need it.
But—
I don't need it I told you.
Right.
You don't seem very good at interacting with people.
You're a lousy conversationalist.
That's true although you don't seem much better.
True. But I for one feel no need to make friends.
Items on this table FREE Up to three per month
Free?
I guess it's to help people who use up their points?
On top of 100000 yen a month?
This school is quite indulgent.
You looking down on me? Huh?!
You're in Class 1-D aren't you?
And what if I am?!
Now that's no way to talk to your seniors.
Shut up!
Huh?
I don't care if you're my seniors!
He's from our class isn't he?
You want to fight or not?!
My integrity would take a dive if I involved myself in that.
I'll take all three of you!
Bring it on!
We'll let you off easy today.
You guys are already defective losers.
If we knocked you any lower you'd just be pathetic.
Are you running away?!
Scream all you want.
The real hell is yet to come for you people anyway.
Hell?
Damn it!
It wasn't long before groups began to form within the class.
Kikyo-chan let's get lunch together!
Sorry I've got some things to do.
'Twas a mere 80000! We're to receive 100000 every month after all!
I bought tons of mobile games!
I saw this accessory I really liked.
Sounds good! I'll buy some too and we can battle!
Want to stop by after class?
I wanna buy clothes too.
I failed at making friends.
You're pitiful.
You're alone too.
Yes because I like to be alone.
Maybe I'll hit up the cafeteria...
Um... Ayanokoji-kun right?
Yeah. Um...
Kushida?
Thanks!
I'm so glad you remembered my name!
Yeah... I guess.
Um... Can we talk?
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School
At this school each student will have their own points to be used in place of money when buying goods and services. There is nothing within the realm of reason that cannot be bought on campus using points.
Ayanokoji-kun you seem very close to Horikita-san.
No I wouldn't say that...
But you're the only one she ever talks to.
I want to be friends with everyone in school.
So I asked Horikita-san for her contact information
but she turned me down...
She said she doesn't want to be friends with anyone.
Yeah I think that's just how she is.
But I want to be friends with Horikita-san too!
Won't you help me?
Help you? I don't...
You... won't?
The head of the Yamato government was known as the "o-kimi."
He controlled the powerful families of each region using the uji-kabane system.
"Uji" referred to groups that shared the same bloodline
while "kabane" referred to post and status.
In other words it was a system where bloodline determined one's post and status.
That's all for today.
Please review the material thoroughly.
This school really is indulgent.
Students play around and nap in class but the teacher never calls them out.
Is this really an advanced school run by the government?
Maybe they want to encourage student autonomy.
Perhaps...
Hey. If you're on your way out would you come with me?
What are you after?
Does an invitation from me suggest an ulterior motive?
If you'll tell me specifically what you want I'd be willing to hear you out.
You know that café in the mall right?
The one where lots of girls hang out.
Would you go there with me?
Why me?
I'm not brave enough to go by myself.
It feels sort of "no boys allowed."
And there's no one else you can ask? No I suppose not...
It pains me to say it but you're right.
It's quite crowded.
Is this your first time coming here too?
Ah right. You're a loner.
Was that a dig? You child.
That table's free.
You know I wonder if we look like a couple to the oth—
Yeah probably not.
Thinking of what's about to happen is making my stomach hurt.
Ready to go?
Yeah.
Horikita-san!
What a coincidence!
You too Ayanokoji-kun!
Do you two come here often?
Today's our first time.
I see.
I'm here alone—
I'm leaving.
Hey we only just got here.
If Kushida-san is here you don't need me do you?
Well... Kushida and I are just classmates.
That's all you and I are too.
Besides...
I don't like this. What are you after?
C-Come on it was just a coincidence...
Kushida you should have said "What's that supposed to mean?"
The girls who were sitting here and the two at the next table over
were all students from Class D.
Coincidence?
I'm impressed you recognized them.
I didn't even notice.
We came here right after class ended
which means they could only have been in this café for a few minutes.
Too soon for them to be leaving.
Um...
I'm sorry. We set you up.
I thought as much.
Horikita-san! Please be my friend!
I want you to leave me alone.
I won't trouble the class.
But you'll be lonely all by yourself...
I have never once felt lonely by myself.
You're wasting your time.
Every word that comes out of your mouth disgusts me.
Hey are you sure about this?
If you won't be friends with anyone you'll be alone for the next three years.
I've been alone for the last nine years so I don't mind.
Longer if you include kindergarten.
Sorry. I might have made Horikita-san hate you...
Nah don't worry about it.
Maybe I can never be her friend...
If I can't even make friends with my own classmates
I guess my goal is still far away.
I think Horikita's an exception personally...
Your hair is always so silky!
Oh it's Ichinose-san!
You think so?
Ichinose Honami-san from Class B.
We became friends yesterday.
You're even friends with students in other classes?
Yeah! There are a lot of nice people in Class B.
But this school is pretty amazing huh?
There are so many stores and we get 100000 yen each month...
That amount seems a bit excessive to me though.
Yeah... You think so too?
And calling them points makes me spend them without thinking.
It really messes with my sense of money.
Items on this table FREE Up to three per month
I want to be really careful not to over-spend.
I'll buy the things I have to of course.
Daily necessities like soap and detergent...
Underwear and stuff...
Yeah Horikita was doing the same thing.
Oh?
So you know how Horikita-san spends her money?
You really are close aren't you?
I just happened to see it.
Um she's really close...
Well we'll just leave it at that.
It really is true though...
100000 per month huh?
Most students decided to make the most of their school lives
without thinking too deeply about anything.
Day after day they blew through their monthly allowance of 100000 like it was nothing.
The teacher was very lenient
so in-class conversations napping tardiness and absences became a daily occurrence.
Extravagance debauchery and indolence were rampant.
And then May 1st arrived.
Huh? What's going on?
Really? You too?
How come?
Take your seats.
Morning homeroom will now begin.
Hey teacher we didn't get our points!
We're supposed to get them on the first day of the month right?
No this month's points have already been allotted.
But...
The points have been allotted.
I can say that for certain.
There is no chance that this class has been overlooked either.
But we didn't get any points!
Yeah!
What a bunch of idiots you are.
A combined total of 98 tardies and absences.
391 instances of talking and cell phone usage in class.
Quite a month's work.
At this school your grades and performance evaluations
are reflected in the monthly points you're given.
My assessment of you
has resulted in the loss of all 100000 points you were to be given.
The points you're receiving for this month...
are zero.
You mean I have to live on no money this month?
Wh-What the heck?
No one told us that...
Did you really think that mere high school students
were going to be given 100000 yen a month to spend without a single catch?
That's absurd.
Use your common sense.
If you had doubts why did you do nothing about them?
I told you on the first day didn't I?
This school judges students based on merit.
Which means you're all worth nothing.
You're garbage.
Welcome to the Classroom of the Elite
It takes a great talent and skill to conceal one's talent and skill.
La Rochefoucauld "Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims"