CHAPTER 4 - Preparations
(POV - Saik)
People are crowding around to see the results board outside the school. Wow, wow. How many people are here? I'd guess about 400, maybe more. And all of them paid for the entrance exam? I hope they're not stealing the money and actually using it to improve public schools.
I hate when the rich steal money to get richer.
Let's see… There's a list, from 1 to 100. If 400 people took the entrance exam, that means only a quarter made it in.
"Father, I did it," said a girl next to me, also looking at the board.
I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye because I heard a sob.
She's crying… Wow, wow. Was she afraid of failing and making her father angry? No, those tears are of pride and happiness, not relief. She probably wants to make her father proud.
Yeah, I get you, random girl. If I had taken this exam on my own without cheating, I'd be crying with happiness too, but I cheated. I still can't say I've made it. Not until I can be the best without cheating—only then can I say I've kept my promise.
Ah, wow, that man behind her, crying… I see.
Hey, random girl, don't worry, you made your late father proud… I wish I could say the same.
"Wow, wow. That girl has big breasts. Fufu. Don't you like them, Saik?"
Ignoring Yuki pretending to grope that girl's chest, I looked for my name on the list. I should be first or second.
Ram got two questions wrong, so I should be first since number 2 helped me fix the exam.
Let's see… Yup, I'm first.
Saik Norsai - 27282937dhd7282 - 1 - Class 1-B.
My name, student ID, rank, and the class I'm assigned to.
I wish they'd included my score, you know, to brag about an achievement I got by cheating, but an achievement's an achievement. Plus, it might help my family's name regain some of the reputation I lost. Beating up rich kids who mocked me gave me a pretty bad rep.
But whatever, I'm first, and Ram, the girl we copied most of the answers from, is second and in my class.
Why'd they put us in Class B? Isn't A the best? I guess it doesn't matter.
I stepped away from the crowd.
Some are crying for failing. Why are they crying? They have plenty of options. Seriously, I don't get what makes this school so special, aside from teaching students humility.
I should've researched it more, but I'm too lazy. I got in, no turning back now. Time to pick up my papers and pay for the three years.
Yuki stayed behind, watching the people—or rather, the women. Is she seriously still set on finding me a girlfriend or friends? So unnecessary. I don't need a girlfriend, much less friends. They'd be useless, just a distraction.
"Saik!!"
This random again?
The fat kid from the entrance exam grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, glaring at me with rage.
"What's up?"
"What kind of cheat did you use?! There's no way an idiot like you got first place!!"
Ah, now everyone's looking at me, and the criticism's starting.
The usual stuff I always hear: "That shaggy guy's first place?" Mostly, they're mocking my appearance for covering my eyes with my hair.
Ah, what a pain.
"Look, I'll only warn you once, and only once. Get away from me, pig, or you'll end up childless. You disgust me."
"I've always been better than you!! Why did I fail, and you didn't?! You definitely cheated, you bastard!!"
… He yelled so close to my face that his spit hit me. Gross.
Ah, well, I don't want witnesses; it might jeopardize my admission to the school.
Hmm. Let's see… Alright, I've got an idea.
I recognized this idiot's bodyguard and walked over to him, dragging the idiot by the ear.
He tries to push me and hits me, trying to make me let go, but his punches are just weak, they don't hurt at all. Pathetic.
"I'd like you to take us somewhere private; I'd like to talk to him alone."
"Alright."
"What do you mean 'alright'?! Don't listen to him, you idiots!"
"Your father said if you got in trouble with Saik, you'd have to deal with it yourself. You're not a kid anymore, sir, stop acting like one."
Wow, wow. This idiot's got a great dad. My respects, sir.
Amid tantrums and kicking, I forced him into the limo, and they drove us to an old abandoned factory. On the way, this idiot scratched the arm holding his ear and even drew blood, but he'll regret doing this soon.
I pulled him out of the limo and stretched my arms.
"Are there security cameras?"
"No."
"Perfect. Tell your boss his son had it coming."
"Tch. Shut up, you're nobody to—!" the fat kid said, but I stopped paying attention.
Blah, blah, blah. What a pain.
I readied my fist and hit him so hard in the crotch that a loud scream came out of him.
Nah, not enough.
I kneed him in his huge gut, knocking the wind out of him, and he vomited. Luckily, I stepped back in time, but when he stopped puking, I kicked him in the face, leaving him on the ground, suffering. He didn't pass out, but it would've been better if he had; it'd spare him the pain he's feeling.
Feeling his testicles like they exploded, the pain in his stomach, and his broken nose.
Yeah, this'll do.
"Alright, I'm walking back. He's all yours."
I started running back to the school.
Ah, this idiot made me waste time. I hope I didn't worry Yuki; she stayed behind checking out the women.
After running for 15 minutes, I got back to the school and saw Yuki still scrutinizing the women, like she's analyzing them, picking the best options.
Ah, Yuki, that's so unnecessary, but since it entertains you so much that you didn't notice I left with that fat kid to beat him up in private, I won't say anything about it, at least not today.
I entered the school and checked the map at the entrance to find my classroom.
The school has six main areas: the administrative building, the first-, second-, and third-year buildings, the cafeteria, and the club rooms. There's also a pool, sports areas, a soccer field, basketball court, tennis court, and a running track. Is that what it's called? No idea.
It's a pretty big place, but it still doesn't feel like a school for millionaires.
But whatever.
I reached my new classroom, where we'll get our papers and meet our classmates. That last part's optional; I'm leaving after I get mine.
I entered the classroom and glanced at the people inside.
The girl who cried for her dad and other randoms I don't care about. The ghost of that girl's father is here too, behind her. He looks like an intellectual guy, and the emblem on his suit is the same as the one on the teacher's suit. Was he a teacher at this school? Probably.
Wow, wow. That blonde girl with the low neckline looks like a slut, no offense, but she does. I can see her big breasts and red bra, plus she's wearing a super short skirt. Wow, wow. It's true you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. She passed the entrance exam, so she must be smart.
I approached the teacher.
"Are you handing out the papers already?"
"Yes. Name?"
"Saik Norsai."
"Oh, first place. Congratulations."
She handed me an envelope with the school's emblem: two white hands shaking, with a cursive black "R" in the background.
"Can I leave?"
"There's a small celebration party for those who passed the entrance exam. Want to stay? The bus will be here in 20 minutes. It'll be at the restaurant—"
I cut her off since I've already wasted enough valuable time.
"No, but thanks. Bye."
Without wasting more time, I left the classroom, envelope in hand.
Ah, what a drag staying for a party with people I don't know.
"Hey, wait!"
Ah, what a pain. Now what? I want to get home and celebrate with Yuki.
I stopped and turned to see the guy who shouted at me.
A guy stopped in front of me.
Super thick glasses, very fat, brown hair… No, I don't know him. What does he want? A diet plan? Is he gonna ask me to train him to lose weight? What a hassle, but I feel bad for him. And, well, the main reason I'll help him is so he owes me a favor. He's rich; I might need his help someday. I'll recommend some easy exercises and tell him to see a nutritionist since he needs a personalized diet.
"What do you want? I'm in a hurry."
"Here, the teacher asked me to give you this."
A box of chocolates?
"For me?"
"I think she's giving them to everyone."
"I see."
I took the box.
"Tell her thanks for me."
"Sure, no problem."
I kept walking.
Let's see…
A fat guy, a possible easy girl, normal-looking girls and guys, a sensitive girl, Ram (though she wasn't in the classroom).
Hmm… Ah, well, I think I can have a normal school life. They all seem so normal, except for that girl who looks easy and Ram, who's probably a girl who thinks she's above everyone else.
Ah… Well, I won't judge them until I know them. My mother would probably be mad at me for thinking that way about people I don't know. Maybe that girl just likes wearing comfortable clothes, and that's why she dresses like that.
Girls think I'm ugly and find me gross, so they always keep their distance from me for being a weird and violent guy.
And if anyone tries to mess with me, I'll beat them up and humiliate them, and that'll keep the rest away from me.
Yeah, I'll definitely have a calm and normal school life… Normal, huh?
Being a normal person… What do normal people do? I need to look into that.
If I'm going to be a normal person, I'll do it right.
•
•
I got home and opened the envelope on the table, and as if I were summoning her, Yuki came down to the dining room, passing through the ceiling.
"Finally, you're back. Where were you, young man?"
"Sorry, Mom. I stopped by the store to buy some stuff. Here."
I handed her the box of chocolates.
"Oh, for me?! Thanks!"
She immediately opened the box, only to realize half the chocolates were gone.
"Hey, don't get my hopes up like that!"
"Half and half. Gotta be fair."
I pulled out everything in the envelope.
A student ID with my info, documents and information I might need later, and an honor certificate for getting first place. I'd hang it on the wall, but I'd feel gross. I'll do it when I feel I've truly earned it.
Ah, there's also a letter congratulating me for making it.
Well… I did it.
"I got accepted. Perfect score."
"Congrats? Though you cheated."
I left the acceptance letter on the table.
"Well, I need to get ready. We're going shopping."
"Yes! Let's go!"
I'll need a ton of school supplies and extra stuff I might need.
•
•
After a long day of shopping, I've got all the materials I'll need for school.
And, of course, I bought some video games too.
How'd I get so much money? The school's not cheap, I know. What I did was sell my old house. And I also have money from my parents' life insurance… Or something like that… Well, legally, I'm an adult. I emancipated myself.
I can take care of myself; I don't need anyone to look after me.
I have enough money to survive a couple more years.
"I guess that's everything."
"So pretty."
I stopped and turned to look at Yuki. She's looking at a dress.
Ah, unfortunately, she can't change clothes. Well, she can, but the clothes she died in are the only ones she can wear without anyone seeing them. The clothes people die in become part of them, allowing ghosts to wear clothes and not be naked all the time. Yuki can take off her clothes and wear something else, but people would see that new clothing as if it were floating. Yuki's current clothes are the only ones others can't see.
And I can't buy her the dress either; it'd be weird. I mean, I'm a guy with hair covering his face. I'd definitely be labeled a pedophile or a pervert.
I pulled out my phone and stood next to her.
I pretended to talk to someone on the phone to avoid people judging me for talking "alone."
"It's a shame you can't wear other clothes."
"Yeah… I can take these clothes off and put them back on. No one can see these, but if I wore that dress, people might see me."
Yeah, yeah, I know what you're trying to do, but I can't let you reveal the existence of ghosts to people; that'd only bring us trouble with a certain annoying ghost-hunting organization.
If it were that easy for people and ghosts to coexist peacefully, it would've happened long ago, but unfortunately, it's impossible; the consequences would be more negative than positive.
"And they'd kidnap me and take me to a secret government lab where they'd experiment on me to figure out how I can see ghosts."
"T-that's too scary."
"But possible. I decided to hide that I can see ghosts… Come on, I can't buy you the dress, but I'll get you a slice of cake. Well, the whole cake. I'm in a good mood today."
"Yay! Yuki loves cake! Let's go, let's go!"
"Yeah, yeah, let's go."
I'd love to buy her clothes, but she wouldn't be able to wear them… Wait… She can't wear them outside, but she can inside… Hmm.
I think I'll give Yuki a surprise, like the good big brother I am.
•
•
(POV - Yuki)
"Yuki's bored!"
Saik went out without me and left me alone… Fufu. Is he on a date with a cute girl? I recommended a few, but I think he pretended not to listen and went to look for them.
"Hahahahaha! That's impossible!"
After all, we're talking about Saik, the weird friendless guy. There's no way a girl would be interested in him.
Yeah, I'm trying to get him interested in a girl, but if he keeps acting the same and doesn't fix his hair, he'll keep scaring women off, and none will care about him.
Saik, make things easier for me and comb your hair! You're just wasting my valuable advice.
"I'm back. I'm home."
Finally, he's here!
I rushed down the stairs and greeted him with a big smile, like the good friend I am.
"Good evening, Saik!"
"Here."
Did he bring me something?
He handed me a bag. It's not that heavy. What's in it?
"Huh? Is it candy?"
"No."
Hmm… It smells new. A toy?
I opened the bag.
Huh?! It's the cute pink dress I was looking at! And there are two more dresses!
Did Saik buy me what I wanted?! I-I thought he didn't want to.
"Is this for me?!"
"No, it's for me. I like wearing little girls' clothes."
"…"
"Kidding."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just surprised you made a joke. It's not your style."
"And what's my style?"
"Being a lonely, quiet, serious guy. That's your role. And my role is to be the cute and fun girl!"
"I see… Well, where's my thanks? It was really hard to buy those clothes without looking like a pervert. I had to make up that it was a birthday gift."
With a big, loving hug, I thanked him.
"T-thanks!"
I was tired of wearing the same clothes every day! I want to change my look!
Thank you so much, Saik! I'll definitely get you a girlfriend, even if it costs me my life! Well, I'm already dead. Fufu.
"Just make sure to wear the clothes only at home and never go out in them."
"I'll be super careful! Thank you so much!"
"I'm going to shower and then make dinner."
"That's backward."
Usually, Saik eats dinner first and then showers.
"I know, but I want to shower first."
… Saik's too weird, but even he has a really kind and cute side.
He's a total gentleman when he sets his mind to it… He's adorable… Adorable?!
"Hey, I'm supposed to be the adorable one!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Hmph."
I pouted and looked away. Look, I'm the adorable one in this house! Don't steal my job!
"… Are you trying to look adorable?"
"No!"
"Well…"
Huh? H-he patted my head with his hand. H-hey, at least warn me first!
"Because you pulled it off without trying. You're so adorable, I'll get diabetes just looking at you."
"Huh?!"
"Or maybe I feel like this from eating too much candy? Ah, whatever. I'm going to shower."
He walked away and went into the bathroom.
… That's not fair!
I'm supposed to be the one making your heart race, not the other way around!