"Body awareness is a fundamental piece of balance training. In other words, knowing where our body is in space at any given time..."
Mrs. Hasegawa toiled away at the chalkboard amidst her lecture. I was still shocked by the reality I lived in. Despite the stint that occurred earlier, my arrival at 権限 Kengen University was rather unceremonious. I had settled into my apartment and gotten my required course materials with ease. Now all that was left was to get through my first set of classes.
Beams of sunlight washed over from a nearby window. As the space illuminated I couldn't help but notice cracks and crevices along my desk. Etched into the far right corner of the wood was kanji that I did not recognize: '欲望天邪鬼'. I wasn't sure what it meant, but it must have been from the idling of a student that was once bored in class.
"Please turn to page..."
I leaned forward in an attempt to stop spacing out. I grabbed the corresponding textbook from my satchel and started writing. I'm fortunate enough that mom and dad still send me money for expenses, otherwise I wouldn't be able to purchase anything.
I jotted down notes and tried to pay close attention but was distracted yet again. The sound of texting and various notifications rang throughout the room. I noticed that almost every girl in the lecture hall was checking her phone. Seriously? I expected everyone at this institution to be a little more studious.
After the lecture I made my way outside only to be greeted by a familiar figure. It was Akiko, the girl who had slapped me earlier. She stood with a pouting expression, her hands adorably fidgeting with each other. That familiar strawberry scent wafted over me and it was only then that I realized it matched her pink hair perfectly.
"Can I help you?"
"They're making me give you a tour."
Her eyebrows furrowed. I could tell she was trying real hard to be polite.
"As punishment?" I said rather bluntly.
She leaned forward and grabbed my hand.
"What are you doing...?" I questioned.
"They told me to hold your hand."
Who told her to do that? What kind of school is this?
"That's not necessary."
Despite what I said, I felt my heart flutter. It was not everyday that a girl as beautiful as her held the hand of a guy as dull as me.
"Come on..."
She paraded ahead and I reluctantly went with her.
"This is the courtyard."
I stared at a decadent fountain in the center of a plaza. Cherry blossoms sifted through the air. I realized that the petals matched her hair. I smiled.
"This is the library."
My eyes widened at the thousands of shelves careening around us. Books of all shapes and sizes sat untouched.
"The dining hall."
Royal tables extended out underneath glistening chandeliers and tapestries. The scent of various spices followed our stance. I was ready to rush over to the next area but a voice called out to us.
"Akiko... What are you doing with the new student?"
I glanced at the girl who interjected our tour. She wore long boots that led up to her knees, cutesy bows adorning them. Her skirt was made of a flowery fabric that had tiny bells dangling off the ends. Her sapphire sweater tightly clung to her skin and cusped her boobs. Her cleavage was so revealing and so bountiful that I felt guilty for staring at it for the few moments I did. Her skin was pale but looked soft to the touch. A ribbon was tied in her short blue hair.
"It's none of your business, Hina."
"Look at the two of you, holding hands and everything." She snickered.
"The university president told me to!" Snapped Akiko.
It was then that she let go of my grasp, anger seething from her face.
"Yeah yeah... I knew you'd make a fuss about him. I just never expected you to hit the poor guy..."
Hina inspected me like I were a lab subject.
"She hasn't been making this place a hell hole for you, has she?"
Akiko gritted her teeth. I looked back and forth between the girls, then laughed.
"I'm fine, really. All things considered this place has been treating me well."
"Glad to hear it! If she slaps you again don't be afraid to hit her back."
"Huh?"
"Cut it out Hina!" Shouted Akiko.
The two bickered back and forth. As they did, I couldn't help but notice the rest of the students dining. They were consumed by their phones, just like at the lecture hall. I watched as each girl texted away, only to become confused with each passing moment.
"Do you know what's up with-"
Before I could finish, another voice interjected.
"You're the new male student?"
I glanced at her as she approached and was yet again surprised by how attractive someone could be. Her dress shirt was loosely buttoned, not even covering her shoulders to which I could see the straps of her bra. Like everyone else at this school her breasts were uncharacteristically big. So much so that I could see the dark threading of her bra through the thin fabric of her shirt. A dark jacket was slung around her back. It seemed to big for her and the way it dangled made her look overtly charismatic. Not only that but it matched her jet black skirt. I stared at her thick thighs which had garter straps leading down to tights. Her eyes were a dark emerald shade which matched her long green hair.
"That's me-" I awkwardly replied.
She nervously held out a hand and closed her eyes.
"It's- it's nice to meet you...! I'm Eiko!"
I expected her to be more solemn and dry but instead she was cute beyond compare. I shook her hand. Akiko and Hina exchanged a glance.
"We didn't know you could talk." Said Akiko.
"I- I saw you in the library. I thought I should congratulate Fudanashi on his acceptance into Kengen university!"
Her outfit gave off the impression she was a bad ass. But the girl who stood before me, stumbling over her words, was no doubt adorable.
"You're just always so quiet." Added Akiko.
It was then that Eiko's pocket buzzed. She pulled out her phone and checked the notification. An expression of confusion filled her face.
"What is it?"
She showed me. There was a text message from a number listed as: 'UNKNOWN'. It read: 'Candidate no. 564 , you have been selected'. I narrowed my eyes.
"What does that mean?"
Then strangely, Akiko and Hina's phones buzzed as well.
"It must be some kind of spam number."
I checked their screens carefully. Their messages were similar: 'Candidate no. 565 , you have been selected' and 'Candidate no. 566 , you have been selected'. It was then that I pulled out my phone. I had kept it on silent so as not to interfere with my first day of classes. Sure enough, I had gotten a message from 'UNKNOWN' earlier today. But it was different from the others. It read: 'You have been selected as KING'.