Thursday.
It was the opening day of Shuchiin Academy, and unusually, the weather was beautiful.
Sunny skies, gentle breeze.
High school girls full of youthful energy could be seen everywhere—in trains, cafés, on the streets.
"Yawn~"
Eriri walked alone through the grand gates of Shuchiin, yawning.
Her dark circles were visible, so her makeup was a bit heavier than usual to cover them up.
She hadn't been sleeping well lately due to some minor troubles. Her condition was off.
She had even nearly fallen while turning a corner on her bike.
Although her father was a diplomat and her family background was distinguished—her British lineage, the Spencer family, was a top-tier noble house that had produced a prime minister—she didn't like special treatment.
Eriri had attended public schools for elementary and middle school. Only in high school did she transfer to Shuchiin.
Unlike many of the other girls who had drivers, Eriri always came to school on her own.
Since it was the new student season, there were many first-years around, curious about Shuchiin, looking around and chatting like tourists in a palace.
Eriri just found it annoying. She wanted to finish registration and go home.
"Look, isn't that Eriri-san?"
"Eriri-san..."
While she was walking, two girls from the art club ran up behind her.
"Good morning."
Eriri forced a smile, but immediately yawned again. She quickly covered her mouth—after all, she had always kept a cool image.
Fortunately, these two girls were familiar faces.
"Eriri-san didn't sleep well, huh?" said the bun-haired girl.
"Good morning, Eriri-san," the long-haired one greeted.
After some small talk, the three walked side by side.
Seeing Eriri distracted and sleepy, the two girls started chatting on their own.
"Did you hear? During the spring trip a few days ago, Kasumigaoka-senpai's panties and stockings were stolen!"
"I heard! At first it was just a rumor, then someone posted it on the Shuchiin forums and it went viral!"
"The admin deleted the post, but it was too late. It had already spread!"
"Yeah, and I heard the culprit is this guy named Yoru, a second-year like us. A total fat creep..."
Walking beside them, Eriri paused slightly and quietly listened.
"Worse, someone anonymously offered a million yen to buy the stockings Kasumigaoka-senpai had worn," the bun-haired girl said with disgust.
"Ugh, so gross. I don't know what some guys are thinking—perverted and disgusting," the long-haired one agreed with a look of revulsion.
"Someone also said they want to beat him up!"
"Others are jealous of him. It's revolting."
"By the way, do you know how the school's handling this? It's serious enough to get expelled, right?"
"Not sure... wait, Eriri-san, weren't you in the same spring trip group as Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
The bun-haired girl turned to Eriri curiously. "You were there too, right? You must know something."
"Huh?!..."
Lost in thought, Eriri was startled and shook her head stiffly.
"I don't know anything about that. I'm not interested either. You're asking the wrong person," she replied, turning her head.
Her eyes, however, subtly watched their reactions.
"That's a shame. If it were up to me, he'd be expelled. Just thinking about it makes me sick!"
"Yeah, and he should be arrested! Everyone should know. I'd even have it published in my family's paper—one million copies!"
The bun-haired and long-haired girls excitedly continued chatting as they walked into the school.
"So... has he been expelled yet?"
"I don't think... it's that serious..." Eriri cautiously asked.
The girls didn't notice her tone. Even if they had, they wouldn't have cared.
"Eriri-san, you're too kind. Expulsion is the least he deserves!"
"But... isn't there no solid evidence he's the culprit?" Eriri weakly countered.
"Oh come on, it doesn't matter. That fat creep is finished anyway!" the long-haired girl said, stretching her arms.
"How is he finished?"
Eriri widened her bright blue eyes, her cute face filled with curiosity and a hint of urgency.
"Haha, obviously..."
The long-haired girl laughed and sighed. She looked regretful but was clearly enjoying herself.
"Think about it. He's a gross fat otaku. No one likes him."
"He stole Kasumigaoka-senpai's panties and stockings. How can he even show his face at school?"
"Even if he does, everyone hates him—girls and boys. He's doomed."
"One insult, one shove from every person, and he won't be able to take it. That feeling of being hated by all, stripped of dignity—he'll definitely drop out."
"Haha, and then his life will be over," the bun-haired girl added.
Thump thump thump— Eriri's heart pounded wildly.
"That might be the best-case scenario. Maybe he already couldn't handle it. That kind of mental pressure—he might become schizophrenic or something..."
"Yeah, yeah. Aren't there a lot of middle-aged office workers who jump in front of trains? It wouldn't be surprising if he couldn't take it and suddenly killed himself."
"Suicide is so common in our country. Too many people imitate it. If you're going to suffer anyway, maybe it's better to just end it early."
"Suicide is... that's a bit..."
Eriri took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, wanting to say something.
But her voice was too quiet, and she slowly fell silent again.
The bun-haired girl and the long-haired girl were getting more and more worked up and didn't notice anything strange about Eriri.
A while later, the three of them parted ways beneath the school building.
Today was the first day of school, so there were no classes.
But they had to register, attend the opening ceremony, and collect new textbooks and uniforms.
This would probably last until noon before they could go home.
There were no classes in the afternoon. Classes would officially start tomorrow.