NTR Kousuke

Chapter 153

Chapter 153: Special Advancement Class!

At last, the new school term is beginning!

With yesterday's practice match, spring break is over, and finally, I'm a second-year student!

Today is the opening ceremony, tomorrow is the entrance ceremony for the new first-years, and the day after that is the face-to-face event—so for about three days, it's all events and no classes.

I meet up with my best friend Tanaka-kun at Shinkawa Station, and we take our usual route to school.

Naturally, our conversation turns to class assignments,

Tanaka: "...If there aren't any problems, both you and I should be in Class 1's special advancement class, right?"

I'm ranked 10th in the year on average, and Tanaka-kun is around 3rd.

Every year, the top thirty or so students aiming for college are gathered into the special advancement class for second-years, called 'special advancement' for short—it's a select class.

There are lots of perks, like priority at the cafeteria and school store, first dibs on study rooms and other classrooms, and special lectures from popular prep school teachers; plus, most students in the special advancement class go on to national universities or medical schools—it's one of Hokusho High School's signature systems.

"...I think we're probably fine, but still?"

Laughing with Tanaka-kun, we head for school.

As we walk toward the terminal station, we chat about our spring break, Sho, the Obata-Aoi couple, and other friends from back in middle school.

When we arrive at school, there's a crowd gathered around the signboard with the new class assignments.

Everyone's faces reflect a mix of joy and disappointment.

...Of course, right? You're spending a whole year with this class, so it's a big deal.

All right... I squint and search for my name... starting from Class 1...

...! There it is!

Class 1! And right below mine, Tanaka-kun's name, then three spots down, Saito—Tanaka and Saito, such common surnames! There are three Saitos in the class again... Every time, there's always someone with the same surname, so I end up having to say, "Just call me Kousuke," over and over.

I made it into the special advancement class I'd been aiming for since entering Hokusho!

Now the challenge is whether I can stay in Class 1's special advancement track for third year, or will I drop to Class 2's quasi-special advancement? The next round of friendly competition is beginning!

But for now—mission accomplished!

Tanaka-kun and I raise our hands for a high five!

...Just at that moment!

Nagase: "Bam!"

Bam!

Tanaka-kun went flying sideways?!

Nagase-san body-checked Tanaka-kun from the side, crashing into our high five!

Clap!!

With a satisfying sound, Nagase-san and I pull off a perfect high five!

Nagase: "Kousuke-kun! Congrats on making special advancement!"

Nagase-san beams with a dazzling smile—she's totally grinning and looking at me like, "Congratulations for me too? Aren't you going to congratulate me too?"

"...Congrats on making special advancement, Nagase-san."

Nagase: "Thanks! Looking forward to another year with you♪ Want to go to the classroom together? Just the two of us?"

Tanaka: "Kousuke-kun's going to the classroom with me, just the two of us!"

?!

At some point, Tanaka-kun had circled to my other side and adjusted his glasses, motioning for me to come with him.

Nagase-san looks surprised too,

Nagase: "I shoved you as hard as I could?!"

*With the physical strength she built up in the girls' basketball club, she pushed with all her might.

Where Tanaka-kun was shoved... a log? A log...?

Nagase-san seems a little freaked out...

Nagase: "Huh? Huh? Was that a body double technique?!"

With a cool smile, Tanaka-kun says,

Tanaka: "She totally shoved me! ...My shoulder really hurts... Why was there a log over there?! Kousuke-kun, let's just ditch this violent girl! Nobody likes violent heroines anymore!"

Nagase: "Huh? Who are you calling a violent heroine?"

It looks like after being shoved, Tanaka-kun just swung around the log to the other side—but lately, Tanaka-kun's been making some moves I can't quite believe, so who knows...

Anyway, Tanaka-kun and Nagase-san just don't get along, and I really wish they'd stop bickering with me in the middle...

☆ ☆ ☆

I arrive at the classroom with the "2nd Year, Class 1" plate.

I'll be spending the whole year here, starting today.

Clatter! I open the door and walk in.

Most of the students inside turn to look at me...

There are some familiar faces among them.

Ninomiya: "Aya—! I made it somehow!"

Takahashi: "Nagase-san! Looking forward to another year!"

The top clique of girls from last year's Class 4 all made it into Class 1!

Hiroshi: "Kousuke-kun! That's awesome!"

My friend Hiroshi is in Class 1 too!

Unfortunately, Koji's name wasn't on the Class 1 list...

The boys and girls are lined up in alphabetical order.

The girl diagonally in front of me is...

"Osada-san, we're in the same class. Nice to meet you."

Osada: "...Nice to meet you, Saito-kun. ...Ryo-kun said yesterday's basketball practice match was super fun."

Ryo is in the sports department's baseball club and is Osada-san's boyfriend. He's grown into a strong, cheerful guy—a really good guy.

"...You know, Ryo seems like he's not paying attention, but he's actually super perceptive, right?"

I bring up our mutual acquaintance.

I'm not all that close with Osada-san, but she's totally devoted to her boyfriend and seems trustworthy. She's the reliable type, so I'd like to get along with her.

Osada: "You get it? Ryo, right? People call him a meathead sometimes, but... he's really not! Intuition, by definition, is making predictions about the future based on past achievements or experience, right?"

She's more into the conversation than I expected, which surprises me a bit. Then, noticing my gaze, Osada-san blushes faintly,

Osada: "W-well, Ryo said to say hi too! Let's have a good year, Saito-kun!"

After that, Osada-san started chatting with a studious-looking girl who was also in our class.

Since everyone here is ranked near the top of the year, all the names are familiar from test results, and I kept being surprised, like, "So that's what this person is like!"

The boys mostly seem like quiet types who really focus on their studies.

As for the girls, I get the feeling Nagase-san's trio is going to be the top group. Osada-san is from the same middle school, so maybe she'll be in the same group too?

I notice Tanaka-kun is talking with Osada-san.

They were friends? That's a bit of a surprise.

I always thought the special advancement class would be all about studying and kind of boring, but with so many people I know, it might actually be more fun than I expected.

My hope for this year is to spend it peacefully, working hard at both my studies and club activities!

...Well, obviously, all sorts of things are going to happen anyway...