It was too hard to turn around and ask for help. If she got ignored, it'd be like her entire existence was erased.
In her three years of middle school, she'd barely spoken a word to anyone.
Just wait for him to talk first… No, what if he's actually dangerous?
Still… I should observe him.
But I can't even look back… Then… I'll just—
Goto Hitori lowered her head and suddenly darted forward, weaving through the sea of students like a streak of pink lightning, bolting toward the school building.
…
Ah. She ran off.
Zeta didn't bother chasing after her. Judging from her panicked reaction and her looks, She was likely still a first-year, same grade as him. So they'd definitely cross paths again.
Besides, he'd already made up his mind to join a band and start a new kind of life.
Not just try it out—he was going to live off it.
"I'll create music for perverts, by perverts, and with perverts all over the world!"
Zeta raised his hand to the sky and shouted with conviction.
Students nearby turned to stare, eyes full of confusion, laughter, and maybe a bit of awe.
But Zeta walked forward like royalty, completely unfazed, trampling over the weight of their judgment.
…
A few dozen meters away, hidden behind a tree near the school gate, Goto Hitori peeked out nervously at the crowd pouring in.
Not him… Not that one either… Wait—who was that guy just now?
He looked like he wanted to talk to me… Why did he run away?
Ugh…
All these people watching… I think I'm gonna puke.
With a sigh, she retreated behind the tree, curling inward.
I'm lower than a bug. I'm a caterpillar. Just a useless pink worm…
Footsteps approached.
Feeling her space invaded, Hitori jolted and looked up.
…
Zeta, relying on years of experience as a fellow recluse, stayed just out of the main crowd, casually scanning the perimeter.
Socially anxious types who didn't really want to run, but couldn't make the first move, usually found somewhere safe to hide and watch.
Then he spotted it.
A splash of pink under a tree in the far corner of the schoolyard.
Without hesitation, he walked toward it.
He made no effort to hide his steps. Confidence was everything.
The girl heard him and peeked out like a startled animal.
Her long pink hair was a bit messy from crouching. Her skin, pale as if untouched by sunlight. That pink tracksuit clung to her like a second skin, giving her an oddly soft and fragile aura.
She stared up at Zeta with wide, trembling blue eyes.
"Nice weather today," he said with a grin.
…
Neatly cropped black hair. Deep brown eyes. A radiant, confident smile.
Hitori's eyes went wide—then she instantly covered them.
My eyes… They're gonna burn…
Why is my first real conversation with a boy who's clearly the final boss of extroversion?!
The soul… My soul's gonna melt!
I can't breathe…
Zeta tilted his head and watched her with amusement as she half-collapsed onto the ground, her limbs shaking.
She's terrified, but wants to connect. Shy, but full of thoughts. She's overwhelmed by my presence… How adorable.
Infinitely more interesting than that hollow version of herself from before.
"You okay?"
He took a step closer.
"Ahhh! Sorry for interrupting!"
Hitori snapped upright, pulled by a sudden surge of panic-fueled strength, and sprinted away like a startled deer.
Wait… He's the one interrupting me!
Zeta sighed as he watched her retreat.
It might be tough to get through to Goto Hitori.
But that's fine. He had already decided to join a band. Once he was in, it'd be way easier to get closer.
And besides, there was still one issue—
He didn't know jack about instruments.
Based on what he remembered, the band was already close to fully formed by the time they took off. He didn't want to squeeze anyone out.
Actually, if they found out his real nature, they might be the ones kicking him out.
He chuckled at the thought, heading into the school building.
He found his class. Looked around.
No Hitori.
A bit disappointing, but not the end of the world.
Soon, the homeroom teacher stepped in for the usual first-day speech. Introductions, rules, all the basics.
Zeta crossed his arms, fingers tapping on his shoulder, face curled in barely restrained disgust.
Everyone's so… painfully normal. Is this really how youth's supposed to be?
Around him, students were sneaking glances at their new classmates. Boys eyed the girls as they stood up one by one. Girls whispered as the guys introduced themselves, trying to guess personalities from hobbies.
But slowly, more and more gazes turned to Zeta. That aloof guy sitting alone, arms crossed, not saying a word.
Then the student before him finished and sat down.
Zeta's turn.
"Next, please."
The teacher called out.
Zeta rose.
A hush fell over the class.
He spoke.
"I'm a pervert."
The words rang out, crystal clear and absurdly proud.
Every student blinked.
Was that… was that what he actually said?
Zeta turned slowly, letting their confusion soak in.
"I repeat. I'm a pervert. Whether it's boys, girls, any age, any category. Organic, inorganic. Whether it breathes, moves, or just exists."
His voice grew louder, firmer.
"I. Love. Perverts!"
To the rest of the room, he looked like a lunatic, possessed by some unknown spirit of madness.
Zeta scanned the room again, then softened his expression into a dazzling smile.
"It's an honor to be your classmate. I hope everyone here will learn to appreciate the strange and wonderful world I see."
Did they get it? Did anyone understand his meaning?
Well, he'd said what he needed to.
Then he raised his hand again.
"As a newly christened high school student, I've also received my first mission. I shall become the Harem King! A noble pursuit of strength and companionship."
He pointed dramatically to the ceiling.
"So! Applications are open! Whether it's for your own sake, your sister's, your cousin's, your mother's—submit your names freely!"
"Let me do the talking. Leave it all to Zeta of the Falcon's Cry!"
"End transmission."
And he sat down.
Silence.
Not even birds outside dared chirp.
After a long, stunned pause, the teacher's voice finally returned, stiff and robotic.
"…N-next student, please."
***
Kita Ikuyo didn't snap out of it until after class ended.
That speech… that wasn't a self-introduction. That was a full-blown declaration of war against humanity.
No—he had transcended humanity. Ascended past it.
That guy didn't just radiate confidence. He was practically made of it.
Naturally, no one dared speak to Zeta afterward.
In a time meant for making friends, he sat alone at his desk, calmly resting his chin on his notebook, writing occasionally as if the world around him didn't exist.
The window behind him framed the bright blue sky. Other students faded into the light. But not him.
Tall, with long legs stretched out casually. Motionless as he thought, brushing his hair back with slender fingers when he wasn't writing. Like a prince in exile.
"Kita-chan, hey."
A friend poked her shoulder.
Kita blinked, snapped out of her daze, and smiled quickly.
"Ah, sorry. Zoned out a little."
"You better not be one of those girls who falls for looks only."
A trendy JK seated next to her smirked.
Another girl, scrolling through her phone, frowned.
"No way. I heard the school personally recruited him. Top ten nationwide on entrance exams. He even won gold in junior high track and field. Look."
She flashed the screen.
Kita and the trendy girl leaned in.
There he was. Same guy. Medal in hand, a subtle smile on his lips.
Zeta.
"Wow… Maybe smart people really are just insane."
Trendy JK sighed.
Kita laughed. "You better apologize to all the smart people out there."
…
As groups started to form throughout the classroom, Zeta finally noticed Kita standing at the center of hers, surrounded by laughter and chatter.
But he wasn't interested in interacting with her.
Their first impression had been awful.
Besides, he had a more important goal right now.
The band. And whatever it takes to get there.
Lead guitar. Rhythm guitar. Bass. Drums.
He had a long way to go.
###
100 stones - 1 Bonus Chapter!!
No limit to bonus chapter, the only limit is your stones!