>>5788650“We’re not doing rankings for this one because I actually think embarrassing anyone on this is bad form, and I can’t actually rank you without putting someone on the bottom. Your grades are going to be public knowledge later anyway, but labeling any of you as smart or stupid this early will just mess up your self-esteem. I don’t think real smarts can be determined by a piece of paper either. Besides, you’re all stupid from my point of view. But I will point out the one notable weirdo because it actually influenced my opinion for the better and I want it to influence everyone else’s opinion for the better too: Shizuka.”
“Eh?” She says.
“Dogshit knowledge, very surprisingly good at the ‘intelligence’ puzzles. You have detention for eating during the test and because I want to investigate what the hell your problem is.”
“NO!”
“Yes. Anyway, everyone else: Class is over, get out.”
—
You’re all filing out of the academy building. As you look around at Konoha spreading out before you, it feels a lot less threatening than it did last week. When you came here, you had nobody. Now, you think, you might have as high as eight.
“Um… Everyone, if you’re interested in some after-school training my house has a dojo and-” Yuna starts.
“NO.” Katsuro states, firmly.
“But-”
“NOPE! Fuck no! I am not being one of those freaks who just wants to just train nonstop. I’m not a psycho, there’s more to life than that. It’s our first day, let’s set a tone, yeah? The tone is ‘Me and my new friends are going to get some ramen in honor of the memory of dear, departed Shizuka.’ and not ‘Me and my robot soldiers are going to keep training even though we just finished a rough day.’. You want to start that later, fine, but not right at the starting line, come on!”
Your entire cohort is paused in front of the academy gate for this discussion, except for Naoki and Junpei who are walking off. Katsuro grabs Junpei by his shoulder and physically forces him back into the group, but nobody dares with Naoki.
“I’m sorry everyone, but it seems I’m one of those freaks who just wants to train nonstop. By myself. See you.” Naoki says, walking off without turning back.
What do?
>Yuna is right, we can get off to a really good start if we start focused and stay focused.>Katsuro is right, we’re not robots and we need to set a congenial tone.>Some middle ground that’s fun and still productive? (Write in.)>Be like water: Don’t care, whatever happens, happens. In other words, let Katsuro win on his own.>Naoki has the right idea. Screw you guys, I’m going home. 