The Transfer Students
"Jeff~ You didn't forget your ribbon, did you?"
"No, ma'am~"
I answered Amy's voice without stopping what I was doing. Today was finally the day I went to school. Even though they said it was an academy run by my grandfather, I still wasn't looking forward to it. But since I was the one who said I'd go, I couldn't exactly change my mind now. I neatly adjusted the uniform—the first one I'd ever worn in my life—and tied a large ribbon across my chest.
"Hmm..."
A not-so-bad reflection stared back at me from the mirror. I gently grabbed the hem of my skirt and swished it side to side. The draft blowing straight up my thighs was incredibly uncomfortable.
"Are you all dressed?"
Through the mirror, I shifted my gaze to Shine standing behind me. She had woken up earlier than me and finished getting ready first. There she stood, looking identical to me. I nodded in response.
"Yeah."
At my reply, Shine stepped closer, adjusting the ribbon on my chest with a soft chuckle. Seeing the satisfied smile on her face, she seemed to really like me wearing this outfit. I let out a small sigh at her reaction.
"Isn't it uncomfortable?"
"Nope. Not at all."
Shine spun around on the spot, showing off her outfit. Watching her strike a few playful poses, it seemed she had absolutely no trouble moving around in it.
"I feel a bit suffocated."
While I was examining myself in the mirror, Rain, who had gone back to her own quarters, opened the door and stepped inside. Judging by the way she hesitated and crept in on tiptoe, she seemed deeply embarrassed by her appearance. She was wearing the exact same uniform as Shine and me. Yes, the exact same uniform. Only much, much smaller.
"Hello..."
Her usual energetic morning greeting was nowhere to be heard; this time, she squeaked out a tiny greeting. She looked incredibly cute. I walked over to Rain and adjusted the ribbon on her chest. The soft fabric slipped through my fingertips.
"It looks good on you, Rain."
"R-really? I never thought I'd wear this again..."
"Again?"
"Yeah. Actually, I graduated from this academy a long time ago."
"So you're going back to a school you already graduated from?"
"I guess that's how it turns out..."
Rain replied, her face flushing red. Blushing with embarrassment, she clasped her hands behind her back and scraped the floor with the toe of her shoe.
"Is everyone ready?"
Just then, Amy, who had been putting on light makeup, approached us and asked. I nodded. My bag was packed, and my uniform was perfectly put on.
"I think so."
The same went for Shine and Rain. Rain was fidgeting with the chick backpack on her shoulders.
"When school is over, follow the principal to where she guides you and wait. Then Jin will open a warp gate for you."
"Okay~"
"Listen to your teachers."
"Okay~"
"Don't fight with the other kids."
"Okay~"
"You sure are good at answering."
At my repetitive replies, Amy chuckled softly and stroked my head. The large hand resting on my head moved back and forth, which felt incredibly nice.
"And finally, what's the most important thing?"
"Hiding the fact that we're part of the Resistance?"
"Correct. That is an absolute secret."
I nodded at Amy's words. With that final reminder, we left the room. The backpack on my shoulders felt heavier than before. It was stuffed with all kinds of writing utensils, notebooks, a tablet to use there, and a mountain of snacks. My bulging dinosaur backpack looked like it was about to burst. Today, I was going to school.
As we walked down the long hallway, the gazes of the people around us refused to budge. Feeling self-conscious for no reason, I toyed with the cuffs of my sleeves. Right after we passed the hallway and reached the stairs, Amy pulled out her phone just like before. She seemed to be contacting Jin. Shortly after she typed out a message, a massive warp gate materialized in front of us.
"You must absolutely never go outside the school grounds. Understood?"
"Yes."
"If... if you absolutely have to go outside, if it's an unavoidable situation, you must press that button. Got it?"
"Yes."
Still worried, Amy held onto Shine's and my hands, refusing to let go for a long time. If she's this worried, maybe it's better if we just don't go, I thought, looking up at her. Amy closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally released our hands.
"You can do well, right?"
"Yes."
"Yeah."
"Rain, you'll look after the kids today, right?"
"Yep! Leave it to me!"
Rain answered Amy's question with gusto. Standing on her tiptoes with her hands on her hips, she looked remarkably dependable.
"Let's go."
Shine walked forward confidently. Rain and I followed close behind her. Amy would not cross this threshold. Before stepping through the warp gate, I turned my head to look back at Amy. She was silently waving to me. I tried to wave back, but Shine pulled my hand, and my body was instantly dragged through the warp gate.
The surrounding scenery changed in the blink of an eye. The sensation of passing through a warp gate was something I could never get used to. Clutching my slightly dizzy head, I looked around. A middle-aged woman was walking toward us. Wearing glasses, she gave off a somewhat strict impression. Her short bob cut made her look even sharper.
"Lady Jeff, Lady Shine, Lady Rain. Welcome."
Her stiff expression from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a bright smile as she welcomed us warmly.
"Ah, hello."
"Hello!"
Rain and I returned her greeting, but Shine remained silent. She simply turned her head, scanning our surroundings. It was a vast space. Just a massive, empty area. It was clean, but completely barren—clearly a dedicated warp zone.
"I am the principal of this academy, Shandroi. Please feel free to address me casually when students and teachers aren't around."
I nodded. Before coming here, I had received a brief explanation from Amy. The woman standing before us, Shandroi, was also a member of the Resistance, just like us.
"Yeah, got it."
Shine, already adjusted, spoke to her casually. Since Shine looked down on almost everyone, she actually seemed more comfortable around Shandroi than ordinary people.
"Let us talk as we walk. The Chairman instructed me to adjust the daily schedule according to whichever classes you young ladies wish to take. If there are any subjects you would like to try, please let me know."
"By 'Chairman,' do you mean Grandfather Ferman?"
"Yes, that is correct."
We stepped out of the warp chamber while sharing a brief conversation. Passing through a massive door, we entered a wide hallway. The sunlight streaming through the windows lining the long corridor made the polished floor gleam beautifully.
"Since classes are currently in session, the hallways are empty, but once recess begins, students will be moving about."
"Um, how many students are there?"
"Not very many. Our academy is not a place just anyone can enter. The entire student body is only about a thousand."
"A-a thousand..."
Just then, an adult male began walking toward us from the end of the hallway. He looked quite young and was carrying an armful of books. Spotting him, Shandroi's expression instantly stiffened, and she whispered in a low voice:
"When others are present, I will treat you as students, and myself as the principal. I ask for your understanding, even if it feels uncomfortable."
There's no need to ask for understanding... I nodded with a slightly awkward expression. As expected, being treated with such deference was incredibly uncomfortable. It felt like wearing clothes that didn't fit—an awkwardness born of unfamiliarity.
The man, who appeared to be a teacher, smiled brightly upon spotting Shandroi and approached.
"Hello there!"
"Partan. Are you on your way to prepare for your next class?"
"Yes! I'm heading to gather the textbooks the kids will be using!"
"Your passion is commendable. Please keep up the good work."
The man named Partan turned his sparkling eyes toward us. His lips twitched as if he was dying to greet us first, looking exactly like an eager golden retriever.
"Are these the students who just transferred in?"
Shandroi silently nodded at his question.
"Hello! I'm Partan! I'd love it if you'd comfortably call me Mr. Partan!"
"No."
"Ah."
Shine's immediate rejection cut him off. She took a subtle step back with a displeased look on her face. Partan looked at Shandroi with a wounded expression.
"Partan. No matter how much you adore the students, you must adapt your approach for those who are shy. Approaching them so aggressively can backfire."
"Thank you for the advice!"
At Shandroi's words, Partan smiled and answered energetically as if nothing had happened.
"I'll take my leave now! Bye, girls!"
Partan walked away at a brisk pace.
"I apologize."
"Huh? For what?"
"Did you find Partan's attitude rude?"
I shook my head at Shandroi's question.
"No, not at all."
His passionate demeanor was actually nice to see, even if it was a bit overwhelming. Shine hadn't said that to be mean, either. I knew her well. I reached out and hugged Shine from behind, and she leaned into me with a small smile.
"Where exactly is this school built?"
I had been curious about this for a while. I stopped in my tracks, looking out the window as I asked.
"It is built right next to the District 1 Central Government Building."
So I hadn't misidentified it. The District 1 Central Government Building, which I had only ever seen on the internet, was visible just beyond the window. I swallowed hard and nodded.
As we walked down the hallway, Shandroi handed us our student handbooks. They contained our names, photos, ages, and grades.
Name: Jeff
Age: 12
Grade: 5th Grade
Checking the handbook, we continued walking until we reached our destination. Hanging above a massive door was a sign that read "5th Grade." I swallowed hard. Rain looked just as incredibly nervous as I was. I reached out and took her hand.
"I will open it now."
As Shandroi reached out, the door slid open without a sound. She naturally stepped inside, and we followed her. It was a vast space. The massive lecture hall felt more like a university classroom than a typical school. Perhaps because we had interrupted a class in progress, every single eye in the room locked onto us. Feeling overwhelmed by their stares, I lowered my head and clung to Shine. Amidst those glittering gazes—a mixture of curiosity, goodwill, and wariness—there was one gaze that felt strangely familiar.