The Loner's Arrival at School

My name is Kiriyama Yuuki. I’m a second-year high school student at Tojo Academy. I don’t have any standout traits like you’d find in some light novel protagonist—no white hair, no impressive athletic ability, no amazing intellect. Just plain black hair, black eyes, and an average height of 170 cm. My academics and athletic ability are also average. With some effort, I might make it into a public university, but if I slack off, I won’t make it.

It’s now April, my first day as a second-year student. In other words, it’s the entrance ceremony day. I wonder how many male students joined this year.

The world’s male population has been dwindling, and Japan’s population has dropped to around 80 million, with only about 8 million men left. That’s about one-tenth. They say it has to do with the Y chromosome, but no one knows for sure.

In response, the government initiated a policy allowing men to practice polygamy to help increase the male population by encouraging men to have more children—essentially to create harems.

The public accepted this without much objection given the circumstances. But one problem arose: a polarization between men who are popular and those who aren’t. Some popular guys had as many as 20 wives, while the less popular ones had none.

The government then issued another policy: a maximum of 10 wives per man. Theoretically, this means everyone can marry. Additionally, taxes increase each year if a man doesn’t marry, so there’s little choice but to get married. I suppose it's necessary for humanity, but I still feel bad for the women—although there’s no room to be picky in times like these.

Because of this, the class ratio is about ten girls for every boy. In a class of 40, that means only around four guys. Despite being in such a romance-ready environment, I don’t have a girlfriend or even a single friend—not even among the boys. Needless to say, I don’t have any female friends either. I sometimes think it’s kind of amazing in its own way.

sigh...

I can’t help but sigh in loneliness. But I'm used to this kind of life now, and I don’t really mind it anymore. In fact, I almost enjoy being alone.

"…I’ve arrived."

With those thoughts in mind, I find myself at school. Another depressing day begins. Lone arrival, lone lunch, lone after-school. I start to wonder if I even need a voice. Well, I’ll just float through the day like air.

Now, which class am I in? I search for my class on the list.

"There it is. Class 5 this year..."

After confirming my shoe locker, I head to Class 5 and enter through the back door. There’s no way I’d use the front door—I’ve got my lonely reputation to uphold.

I check the seating chart on the blackboard, find my seat, and begin reading. When you’re reading, people are less likely to notice you’re alone, though it’s pointless if they already know about you, like in my case.

"Alright, everyone, please take your seats."

Looks like the teacher’s here. So this year’s homeroom teacher is…

"Anyway, I’ll be your homeroom teacher this year, so let’s get along. My name is Hiiragi Asuna."

A bespectacled teacher with a bob cut. I’d appreciate it if she didn’t try to engage with me too much. Attention is a loner’s worst enemy.

"I’m going to call roll now. Please respond when I call your name."

Are we elementary schoolers? Nowadays, most teachers don’t even bother with calling names—they just check the attendance sheet.

"Kiriyama Yuuki?"

"Here."

I replied without thinking since she called my name. It’s been so long since I’ve talked to anyone; it feels strange.

"Everyone is present today. Now, we’ll proceed to the entrance ceremony, so please bring your chairs to the gym."

Following the homeroom teacher’s instructions, we line up in two rows according to attendance numbers. However, there’s a noticeable empty space around me. The reason is obvious: I’m disliked. I just rubbed salt in my own wound, but I’m used to it. Still, they could be a bit more subtle.

"Now, we will begin the entrance ceremony. Everyone, please stand."

The entrance ceremony, as expected, is tedious.

It’s been about an hour, and I’m seriously struggling to stay awake. Listening to an old man talk isn’t exactly thrilling.

"Now, let’s hear from our student council president, Tojo Sakura."

"Yes!"

With long black hair flowing behind her, she steps confidently onto the stage and begins her speech.

"The cherry blossoms seem to be celebrating with the new students..."

The president’s aura is as impressive as always. She’s the principal’s daughter, always in the top three academically, athletic, highly responsible, and a natural leader. She’s everything I’m not—a totally different breed of person. I honestly wonder if we’re even the same species.

"With that, I conclude my address."

Looks like her speech is over. Just a little longer, and I’ll make an effort to stay awake for the rest. Though, internally, I’m dreading it.

"With that, the entrance ceremony is now over."

Finally! It dragged on for way too long. I must’ve fought off sleep five or six times. Well, that’s it for school today, so I’ll go kill time with a part-time job.

"That’s all for today. You’re dismissed after you return your chairs to the classroom."

I put my chair back and head out since I have no one to talk to and can leave quickly—that’s the loner’s advantage. I don’t participate in any clubs, so I have nothing to do after school.

As I return to the classroom with my chair and get ready to leave, someone calls out to me.

"Kiriyama-kun, may I have a word?"

"Sure. What’s up?"

It’s my homeroom teacher, Hiiragi-sensei.

"Um… I just wanted to ask if school life has been tough for you. I heard about last year, so I was a bit concerned."

Not this again… I’m getting tired of this routine.

"Sorry, but let me be blunt, even if you’re a teacher: it’s annoying."

"T-That’s harsh!"

It’s tiresome. Nobody truly cares about me. Because of that incident, I’ve seen the dark side of people, and I don’t need anyone’s sympathy at this point.

"Look, your so-called concern is just fake sympathy. You’re just doing this because you’re the teacher and have to act like you care, right? Isn’t that it?"

"T-That’s not true!"

"It is true. If you weren’t my teacher, you wouldn’t even talk to me."

"Th-that’s…"

"It’s the truth. You were here last year teaching classical literature but never acknowledged me. Isn’t that proof enough?"

"…"

Now she’s silent. Good—this means I won’t have to deal with her for a while. That’s better for my mental health.

"Alright, I’m leaving. Goodbye."

Turning away from Hiiragi-sensei, who remains silent with her head down, I head to my part-time job.

---

Author's Note:

Being a loner… brings back memories. I went through some dark times myself in middle school, haha. But high school was more enjoyable for me.

Thank you for your support!

Looking forward to your comments and feedback.

TOC            Next