/
20. Group Meeting
All eight groups had been decided. Each group would get together and make various decisions.
And now, four girls gathered around me.
Of course, it was my first time meeting them.
“I think you know it already, but my name is Taketo Souya. I read everyone’s self-introduction carefully. I think there are a lot of questions, but that can be put aside for now. First of all, I want everyone to introduce themselves.”
I was nervous, but I was able to say it all at once. Must have been a good omen.
“Yes
 Is it okay to start from me?”
“Are you perhaps, Kikuie-san? Alright, then if you may.”
The girl was a little surprised when I guessed her name.
“My name is Tomomi Kikuie. I don’t think anyone knows where my address is even if I say, so I’m only going to say it short. I live in the countryside of Saitama prefecture. It’s about two hours far. Thank you and nice to meet you”
Kikuie-san, had the atmosphere of a class president.
Unfashionable glasses and tied hair on the left and right.
In this world, there are contact lenses too, surely a good one, so, why did she choose to wear glasses? Won’t it be a hassle? Is it just personal taste?
The reason I chose Kikuie was, because she seemed like a diligent student. A strong person who would go to school even if the school was far away.
It seems that she had been working part-time at a supermarket since she was a middle school student to lessen the financial burden on her mother.
Different from the original world, here, middle school students could work part-time.
Since the population was small, perhaps many places were understaffed.
Despite being busy, she seemed to have excellent academic ability, and she seemed to have taken the exam of this school at the strong recommendation of her middle school.
And probably, she came to Itsuki High School as a scholarship student.
“Then, I’m next. I’m Ayano Toono, 15 years old. Although I ‘look like this’, I’m quite well-informed about fashion and the special ward.”
Toono-san was wearing gyaru-like accessories.
Chains here and there, were making a rattling noise each time she made a move.
The end of chains was hidden in a pocket and such.
If the teacher finds the accessory attached to the end of the chain, it will be confiscated for sure.
Toono-san seemed to be the exact opposite of Kikuie-san, but since she was also in this high school, she shouldn’t be that stupid.
Just that she had a peculiar fashion. She must have researched various things herself and wore the one that she liked the best. And probably, that was the reason she said that she was well-informed about fashion.
The reason I chose her was, simply because no one else was similar to hers.
It was so unique, so I decided without hesitation.
“I’m Hinako Hashigami. Nice to meet you.”
The third one was a quiet Yamato Nadeshiko-style beautiful girl. [TN: Yamato Nadeshiko, is a term for an idealized Japanese Woman, which is, the epitome of feminine beauty]
Hashigami-san had an old-fashioned appearance that would definitely look good on a kimono.
The reason why her voice pitch was rising, probably because she was nervous.
Depside her looks, she seemed to know well about the subculture.
An Otaku? Well, I didn’t know from the self-introduction text whether she was a “rotten girl” (Fujoshi) who loved “BL”, but she conveyed her passion well. A person who would live for hobby, was someone I could relate to.
Also, she seemed to be familiar with computers, so she might be a science person.
And since I had never been good at that, surely I would get help a lot from her from now on.
“It’s Yuu’s turn. To be exact, it’s Yuu Aono. I got here on a recommendation. A sports one. It’s track and field. But, truth is, I’m also good at baseball! Everyone, Nice to meet you all!”
Aono-san was petite and seemed to have a supple body.
As she introduced herself, she got to this school on a sports recommendation.
However, the academic ability test was normal, so she shouldn’t be compared with me in the original world. I was below average after all.
As expected, since she was in the track and field club, her tanned skin was dazzling.
Really wanted to nickname her ‘crunchy juicy’, if she allowed.
She was the only girl with short hair in the group.
The only criteria I used to choose them was, uniqueness. Those that stood out and didn’t try to be like others.
I didn’t consider their appearance or family status, and I decided purely on whether the girl would be interesting or not.
After all, I would spend a year together with them in class.
“Next, it’s to choose a group leader, but this may be a detrimental role, you may be hated by the other girls of this class. Still, is there anyone who wants to do it?”
The group leader would become a ‘blocker’.
Every girl would want to talk to the boy. And the blocker would be the guard saying, “If you have something to do with him, I’ll listen to it, and tell him.”
Naturally, such a person would be building up a grudge.
Even if others said, “Who do you think you are?”
Even if the school said, “Take care of it that way.”
As a blocker, the person would still do it. All to protect the boy.
“I’ll do it. I’ve decided to do it since we were introducing ourselves.”
Kikuie-san raised his hand. The other three seemed to have no problem with that.
And clearly, Toono-san had a relieved expression.
“Then Kikuie-san, please be the group leader for a year.”
“Yes, I would do my very best.”
“You don’t have to be so stiff. No matter what, I’m on Kikuie-san’s side, so if you ever feel uncomfortable, tell me immediately.”
When I said so, Kikuies-san replied “Yes”, with a teary eye.
After that, when the five of us were chatting, that the self-introduction of each group was over, and the homeroom teacher urged the students to introduce themselves to each other.
When our turn came, the five of us lined up in front of the classroom.
And Kikuie-san introduced us openly.
Looking at the class from the front of the podium, I could see the joys and sorrows of the students.
Unlike in the middle school, only two boys here.
While listening to the introduction of others, I thought it would be good if Kikuya-san wasn’t burdened as much as possible.

One year huh, I wonder what would happen to the remaining six groups?
By the way, as a general rule, the seats were organized in groups, so I consulted with Atsushi about it.
As a result, we sat next to each other and the surroundings were solidified by members of the same group.
“With this, even we can be next to each other.”
“Yeah, let’s do it. We’re the only boys after all. Let’s get along well.”
When I shook Atsushi’s hand firmly, some girls screamed “Aaah”. No other choice than to get used to it.
Since the group had been decided, the normal school life would start tomorrow
 But, there was one important thing that the students outside the special ward didn’t know, so I told them.
“Ah, right. Please go to see the homeroom teacher after school.”
When I said that, Kikuie-san had a confused look.
“You’ll know if you go.”
The homeroom teacher would be responsible for explaining the details.
Simply put, if they didn’t take any action, not only girls in the class who wanted to talk to boys, but also girls in other classes and grades would come.
The rumor like, “That group has a loose guard”, would be transmitted at the speed of sound, and others would definitely come to check.
For that reason, girls living in the special ward had been trained since they were in elementary school. In fact, Makoto, Rie and Yuuko, the group I had in middle school, their formation was perfect.
It would be too much to expect them to have a formation like that
 but, if the girls outside the group came to talk to me, it would be a difficult school life if they took the attitude of “I don’t know, not my problem.” So at least, they should know the gist of it.
Or else, they would soon be known to the school and would be summoned to the principal office.
If only the punishment was to change the group, nothing to worry about. But, the reality was, some other punishments might be given.
Let’s have the homeroom teacher explain (threaten) you all to the utmost.
“That’s why, please do your best, after school.”
Well
 thinking about the future, it’ll be good for them too.
“
Y-Yes?”
“I just need to go, right?”
“I understand. I will go together with everyone.”
“Yep, I’ll follow.”
Including the formation practice, surely they will be detained for a couple of hours. Good luck.
Now then, what should I do?

Alright, let’s visit the shrine