Keiichi: “…This….this is the school? Dang, I guess this really is a rural area.”
Ichirou: “Keiichi, you shouldn’t say such things. This is the beloved school for people living here.”
That was my first impression of Hinamizawa’s school. Besides, how can anyone think of this place as a school? There’s even a sign there that reads Hinamizawa Forestry Preserve.
Principal: “Wahahahaha! Well, you got me there, kiddo! We are actually borrowing this building from the forestry preserve!”
The man who introduced himself as the principal guffawed.
Chie: “Even though it doesn’t look like one, it really is a school. However, the school life here is going to be very different from what you attended previously. So, are you ready for it, Maebara-kun?”
Keiichi: “Huh…oh yes, of course!”
I’ve heard the rumors that the school life here is like a constant battle royale in which all the students who attend here are placed into one classroom. …I guess the rumors were true. From what I gathered, most of my classmates would be children younger than me, so it kinda feels like I’m going back to kindergarten again. But what the hey, that’s what interested me the most. …Beats going to a school with monotonous classmates who all look the same! This is gonna be fun!
Chie: “Maebara-kun, when you transfer here, you’re going to be the eldest boy in the school. Hence, not only will you have to keep up with your studies, you’re also going to have the responsibility to be an example for the rest of the students as well. Especially since younger students tends to be heavily influenced by the actions of older students. I will caution you when you go to far, but I want you to always be aware to not be a bad influence to the younger kids, okay?”
Keiichi: “Oh, of course. I will do my best.”
Ichirou: “Keiichi. Studying is not just reading textbooks all day. You’re gonna have to set an example to the rest of the children as an older classmate.”
Keiichi: “I know, I know…!”
After that, Chie-sensei showed me around the empty classroom and told me which one was going to be my desk. …Since we are in the stages of growing up really fast, there were bunch of desks big and small. Yet the desk total was still only around 30. But, I can already tell that this place is going to be filled with excitement with totally different age groups and sexes all jumbled up into one classroom.
The walls were covered with calligraphy and art lessons from different grade levels. Just by looking at them, I can see this classroom is always full of joy and fun…in sharp contrast to the previous schools that I attended. …It reminded me of the days when I actually enjoyed going to school.
Keiichi: “Dad, I love it. I’d rather go to this school than going to that other school in the town.”
Ichirou: “My son loves this place too. Well to tell you the truth, I actually wanted him to attend this one as well.”
Chie: “Are you sure? …But the school in Okinomiya has much more resources and better teachers…”
Despite what she just said, I could tell that Chie-sensei was delighted that she would be able to welcome in a new transfer student into this school.
My dad went into the faculty room with the principal and Chie-sensei to file some paperwork for my transfer. In the meanwhile, I decided to walk around the classroom and to look at the things plastered on the wall.
…To tell you the truth, I really wasn’t interested in moving in the first place.
I was on the verge of giving up on life for the stupid shit that I did. I practically had no will to live, and I spent my days curled up inside my bed.
So when my parents told that we were moving, I was initially unenthusiastic because it seemed like I was running away from what I’ve did…
But as soon as we moved here, my thoughts changed. I became optimistic to start a new life here from zero. …I made the decision to reconstruct my life in the way that I always wanted to live my life.
With Hinamizawa and this school, it’ll be possible. I’m never going to put myself down into such sorry state that I was then. I’m not going to be an obtuse asshole that I was back then, who childishly thought that being smart and getting good grades was all that mattered in the world. I can safely say that this school will be able to teach me all the important things of what school life should be about; this school will re-educate me on the aspects that I had thrown out the window before.
What I’m saying are probably embarrassing to say out of my own mouth. But these things are the most important lessons a person can get. …Without them, one will not be able to mature into a healthy-minded adult.
These things are probably just the norm for the kids that go to this school. …But for me, I’ve gotta re-learn everything from the start.
How to….make friends.
How to….play.
Play. And through playing activities, one learns the vital lessons of life such as opening and ways of socializing with others, etc. etc.
It probably looks easy, doesn’t it? …But I can tell that I’m going to take a bit of time in order to learn these things. It’s my own fault that I pushed these things aside to blindly focus on weightless studying.
….I’m not saying studying itself is not important. But overstudying is. People that say studying and grades are the most important thing for a child, they are completely wrong and it is just plain idiotic.
….I can start from scratch with this school.
I can finally become the Maebara Keiichi that I always wanted to become.
Keiichi: “…………?”
I saw two girls peeking through the window from the school ground.
This school ground is like a playground for the local children. There were some kids playing there a while ago. …Perhaps these two became interested in me walking around in their classroom or something.
…Well duh. To them, I’m still a stranger.
I’m gonna start seeing them from next Monday so…maybe I should say hello?
Rika: “….You’ve finally moved here. I was getting tired of waiting for you.”
Hanyu: “Auauau. But because of this, it’s going to change once again. ….That’s because Keiichi is the six of the dice.”
Rika: “…He certainly is, but the dice that Keiichi rolls himself frequently comes up with a one too.”
Hanyu: “Auauauau…, but those aren’t Keiichi’s fault.”
Rika: “…Yep, it’s all Hanyu’s fault. All your fault. Here, go and apologize to Keiichi.”
Hanyu: “Auauauauauau…”
Keiichi: “Huh? …You guys know my name?”
I thought that they said my name. …Nah, it’s probably just my imagination. It’s my first time seeing them.
Rika: “…Nipa~☆. Are you a transfer student?”
Keiichi: “Huh? Oh…Yeah! Hey, wassup! My name is Maebara Keiichi. I’m gonna be coming here starting next Monday. Take good care of me, will ya!”
Hanyu: “Auauau☆ Of course, we’ll be the bestest of friends.”
Rika: “…Keiichi, the priestess of the Furude Shrine has a vision for you. You’d better becareful when you open the door to the classroom on your first day of school because it is cursed. And, there’s also gonna be a thumbtack stuck onto your chair, so watch your back. Oh, and there will also be a plastic frog inside your table too.”
Rika: “…Sigh, but Keiichi will always fall for them no matter how many times I caution him. Pity pity, your Monday is going to be in pity…”
Rika: “Chuckle chuckle. Oh well, I guess that’s why it makes it fun. But still, I would like to see a world where you can smash through that little fate. Will you? Chuckle chuckle chuckle. You’re gonna teach us how to do that, you know? Like the time you did in that one world out of all the hopeless ones.”
Keiichi: “Huh? ……………??????”
The prophecy that the two made that day will come true the next Monday due to the fangy and bratty little prankster who uses honorifics in the wrong way.
…Of course, I realize this too late.
But still, I fell in love with this place.
My name is Maebara Keiichi.
It’s a fresh new start for me, but I’m gonna relive my life to the fullest this time around!
I’ve gotta a lot of re-learning to do on all the things that I’ve missed out. But I’m gonna assimilate everything I can.
And I’m gonna be the Maebara Keiichi that I always wanted to be.
…It might take a bit of time to learn all of that.
But I’m gonna make it happen!