I Don't Want An Ordinary Life

Chapter 4: We're All From Humble Backgrounds

"The enrollment process is complete. You can start school tomorrow... By the way, which grade will Yao-kun be joining?"

"First year of high school."

"Understood. The class assignment will be arranged this afternoon, and someone will notify Kaname-sensei."

"Thank you, Principal."

After receiving the documents from the principal, Kaname patted Ronan on the shoulder, signaling that they could leave.

Once outside, walking through the school hallway, Kaname lightly tapped Ronan's head with the documents.

"I know you've been spending a lot of time in war zones and might find peaceful society a bit unfamiliar, but please try to blend in and act like a normal person."

"Understood."

"Do you really understand...?"

Kaname gave the blond teenager a skeptical look before letting out yet another sigh.

She had lost count of how many times she'd sighed today.

"Remember a few things: there are no terrorists here, no foreign agents, no one carrying guns in their pockets, and no high explosives in your shoe locker. This is a peaceful school, got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. You start school tomorrow, so spend today familiarizing yourself with the campus... And no hurting anyone, understand?"

"Yes."

"Alright, go ahead."

Just as Ronan took a few steps, Kaname suddenly called him back.

"Wait a second."

"Huh?"

Seeing Ronan's puzzled expression, she pointed at herself.

"Say, 'Good morning, teacher.'"

"...Good morning, teacher~~"

"Sounds like a ghost wailing. Never mind. Just remember to follow all the school rules."

With that, Kaname waved him off, letting him go.

...

Shuchiin Academy truly lived up to its reputation as a prestigious school. The campus was so vast that it was even larger than most universities.

Ronan's blond hair didn't stand out too much here. The school was filled with students sporting hair of all colors—aside from the common black and brown, there were plenty of blondes and even a few with white hair. He even spotted a girl with pink hair.

Speaking of his blond hair, it wasn't dyed; it was inherited from his mother. He had no issues with it.

"Just wandering around the school... but there doesn't seem to be much to do."

Back in the war zone, his daily routine consisted of combat, relaying orders, and staying on high alert.

Aside from sleeping, there was always something to do. It was exhausting and life-threatening, but he had felt genuinely fulfilled back then.

As he approached the sports field, a sudden gust of wind caught his attention.

Thud!

Ronan instinctively raised his hand, and an American football landed squarely in his palm.

"...A ball?"

"Hey! You over there!"

A group of students in athletic uniforms waved at him from a distance.

"Sorry about that! Can you kick the ball back?"

"...Sure."

He kicked the ball back and watched as the students thanked him before resuming their practice. Ronan couldn't help but mutter, "This place really is peaceful."

"Hey, you've got some good reflexes."

"Huh?"

Hearing the voice, Ronan immediately turned around and noticed a boy in the same school uniform standing about two meters behind him.

The boy had blond hair like his, but what stood out was the golden accessory on his uniform collar.

"Who are you?"

"You don't recognize me?"

"...I just transferred here today," Ronan replied.

As he spoke, he observed the expression on the boy's face.

His eyes looked fierce.

"Oh, so you're a new student. Welcome to Shuchiin Academy," the boy said. "I'm the student council president. My name is Miyuki Shirogane."

"Hello, Shirogane. Here's my student ID."

Unfamiliar with school life, Ronan wasn't sure what to do. Seeing the sharp look in Miyuki Shirogane's eyes and his high-ranking position (student council president), Ronan instinctively followed the protocol he'd use when encountering Interpol agents on the high seas.

First, present your ID.

"Uh..."

Shirogane seemed a bit taken aback by the new student suddenly pulling out his student ID, but out of politeness, he took it and glanced at it.

"Yao... Yao Ronan? Chinese?"

"Yes, my father is Chinese, and my mother is Irish. I've been living in the U.S. until now, but due to certain circumstances, I've come to Japan to study," Ronan recited the prepared lines.

"Shuchiin rarely accepts international students... That must mean your grades are pretty impressive."

"I did alright on the entrance exam."

Alright was an understatement—his scores were inflated thanks to a generous donation.

"If you're an international student... then like me, you're in the mixed division."

"Mixed division?"

This was the first time Ronan had heard the term.

"Oh, right, you probably haven't heard. Since Shuchiin is a continuous education school, there's an unofficial hierarchy here."

Shirogane Miyuki explained to Ronan:

"Those who have been here since elementary school are called 'pure-bloods,' while those who transfer in later are called 'mixed-bloods.' How should I put it... 'mixed-bloods' often face discrimination here."

This was a long-standing tradition at the school, though not exactly a positive one.

"Huh... So, you're a 'mixed-blood' and yet you've managed to rise to such a high position? You must have some serious skills."

Hearing Shirogane Miyuki's explanation, Ronan felt that this sharp-eyed guy in front of him was no ordinary person.

"Hahaha, well, it took a lot of hard work to get here."

"I've heard that most students at this school come from influential families. Is that true?"

"Pretty much," Shirogane Miyuki replied. "This place is filled with the children of Japanese politicians, business leaders, and wealthy conglomerates. But there are exceptions, of course. For example, I don't come from a particularly prestigious family."

"Same here. My dad's just a farmer."

"Oh, I see. It seems we're in the same boat."

"That's right. I usually don't have much money to spare, so I have to work part-time jobs in places like Afghanistan and Syria just to get by," Ronan said with a laugh.

"Hmm! Working part-time is a good habit."

Shirogane Miyuki's gaze softened considerably as he looked at Ronan.

So, he was also a child from a poor family, just like himself. Students like this were almost extinct at Shuchiin Academy.

"Since it's your first time here, Ronan-kun, let me show you around the school."

"I'd appreciate that."

Ronan nodded with a smile. This might just be his first friend since enrolling.

...

"President, so this is where you were."

A gentle female voice sounded from behind the two.

Upon hearing the voice, Miyuki immediately turned around to face the cute black-haired girl standing there.

"Ah, Shinomiya! Perfect timing. Let me introduce you to—"

Before he could finish, an unmistakably tense atmosphere began to emanate between Ronan and the girl.

The girl's expression turned serious as she looked at Ronan, murmuring softly:

"Ronan... Yao?"

"Long time no see."

Ronan smirked coldly as he faced the girl.

"The eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family—Shinomiya Kaguya."

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