NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: [9] You're My Brother
Chapter 9: You're My Brother
"Ah — thanks to you just now, Ishigami-san. I almost got caught by the discipline committee."
"Yao-san, I think you should cut down on the slang. If the discipline committee hears you, they'll definitely come after you again."
After managing to escape from Miko, Ishigami and Ronan walked along the corridor outside the classroom.
"Are all the discipline committee members at this school so strict?"
"At least Iino-san is that kind of strict and serious person," Ishigami said. "Come to think of it, how did you end up catching her attention? You just enrolled today, right?"
"Yesterday, when I came to register, I got caught smoking by her. She dragged me to the discipline committee room for a lecture, and then I slipped away halfway through."
"The school rules do clearly state that students aren't allowed to smoke or drink on campus… Come to think of it, Japanese law also prohibits underage students from doing those things, doesn't it?"
"It's a habit I picked up abroad… Now that you mention it, I'm getting a craving again."
"…Let me take you somewhere."
"Oh?"
Ishigami led Ronan out of the teaching building, following the school garden until they reached the base of a building.
"This is it."
"This is underneath the student council office. According to the school rules, this area isn't under Shuchiin's jurisdiction. If you want to smoke here, even the discipline committee can't do anything about it."
"Oh, thanks."
Ronan casually found a shaded spot, leaned against the wall, and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
"Want one?"
"No, no, I don't smoke," Ishigami quickly waved his hands in refusal.
Seeing his refusal, Ronan simply lit a cigarette for himself and took a drag.
"Ah~ That's better. It's lucky to meet such a friendly classmate like you on my first day at school. You're the only one who doesn't look down on me, unlike the others."
"Not everyone looks down on transfer students, it's just that they're pressured by the atmosphere of the class and don't dare to approach you. After all, Shuchiin Academy is a school mostly attended by children of influential families. This kind of situation is to be expected."
"Ninety-nine percent of Shuchiin's students are from affluent families. Don't be fooled by their plain appearances in uniform—any random student could be the daughter of a listed company president or the son of a hospital director."
"The petty bourgeois academy lives up to its reputation."
"What kind of strange nickname is that? Anyway, as a new student, I should warn you: there's a very clear class system among the students here," Ishigami explained.
"It's like a pyramid. At the top are the privileged elite, followed by influential figures from various industries. The third tier consists of politicians and executives of large corporations. The fourth tier includes doctors, small business owners, professional athletes, and so on. At the bottom are external transfer students like you."
"Hmm, so I'm at the bottom."
"But there is one way out of this predicament."
"What's that?"
"Join a club."
"A club? Like those Japanese student clubs often seen in manga?"
"Exactly. If you join a sports-related club, even as a substitute, your status in the school will improve significantly."
"Nah, too much trouble."
Ronan waved his hand dismissively, rejecting the idea. In every aspect, this school was more trouble than it was worth.
"I go straight home after school."
"Coincidentally, so do I."
Ishigami took out his phone and checked the time. There was still a while before the next class started.
"One last thing I want to tell you—while at Shuchiin, make sure not to provoke certain people."
"Oh?"
"The first is the Student Council Federation, though privately they're often called the 'Shuchiin VIPs.' This group includes the daughter of the Ryujugumi Syndicate leader, the granddaughter of Director Federation of Economic Organizations, the granddaughter of a Shinto organization's high-ranking priest, Son of the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police, and the second prince of the Kingdom of Galdan Alrasam. These individuals, by virtue of their family backgrounds, stand at the pinnacle of Shuchiin Academy."
"Holy crap… That's black market, business, religion,, police, and foreign royalty—all covered."
As Ishigami listed these six individuals, Ronan seemed to recognize some of them.
For instance, the Kingdom of Galdan Alrasam—the title of the second prince might sound intimidating, but their country's entire defense system is under the control of IW, the organization Ronan works for.
As for the 'Ryujugumi Syndicate,' one of the largest factions under the Heiwa-kai, the Kanto region's biggest yakuza group, IW's Japanese branch has had business dealings with them. In fact, four years ago, Ronan himself handled some of those deals as an intermediary.
He's even met the yakuza leader's daughter a few times.
Ronan had also met the son of the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police—not only met him but also gave him a beating.
The guy wasn't bad to punch, but honestly, he was a bit weak.
As for the remaining two people Ishigami mentioned, Ronan didn't recognize them and didn't really care about any of the individuals on Ishigami's list.
"Anyone else I should avoid?"
"Second-year Class A, Shinomiya Kaguya."
"…Her, huh."
At the mention of Kaguya, Ronan's expression immediately darkened.
"Behind her is the Shinomiya family—one of Japan's four major conglomerates. If you offend her, regardless of who you are, you're basically done for."
"Oh…"
Avoiding Kaguya was fine and all, but just thinking about it made Ronan want to blow up the Shinomiya family again, if only to satisfy his grudge.
"As long as you don't step on that landmine, even as an external transfer student, your three years at Shuchiin will be tough, but at least you'll make it through to graduation without major issues."
"Thanks a lot for telling me all this, especially since I'm just an external student."
"Well… to be honest, I don't have many friends myself."
"No."
Ronan suddenly grabbed Ishigami by the shoulder.
"You're the first person who's treated me like a normal human being since I got here. Whether you believe it or not, that makes you my friend now."
Ishigami looked surprised for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Guess I don't have a choice then, huh?"
Ronan smirked back, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Good. Now, let's get through this school year together."
"Today, you helped me deal with the discipline committee and taught me the ropes. From now on, you're my brother from another mother and father. We'll share the good times, and I'll take the fall for the tough ones."
Having finished his cigarette, Ronan glanced at the time—it was almost time for the next class to start.
As they walked out intending to head back to the classroom, a group of girls caught Ronan's eye, causing him to freeze in his tracks. His mouth hung slightly open.
"…Don't tell me it's really her…"
"What's wrong?"
Ishigami, noticing Ronan frozen in place, followed his line of sight.
There stood a girl with striking golden hair, nails painted with colorful polish, and her school uniform skirt deliberately shortened—clearly styled to look like a "gyaru." She was chatting and laughing with a few of her friends nearby.
Ronan's lips quivered slightly as he muttered her name under his breath.
"Ai…"
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