The Big Sister of Chiba

Fujii Itsuki opened his textbook amidst the classroom chatter.

Thanks to his "Basic Professional Knowledge Mastery" skill, he was no longer as lost as he had been a month ago when he first arrived, when he would hold his books and stare blankly at them as if they were written in hieroglyphics.

As he flipped through the textbook, various concepts gradually emerged in his mind, corresponding one by one with the content.

Fujii Itsuki had a feeling that even if he stopped attending classes from now on, he could still easily pass the final exams.

"The effects are remarkable."

If just the basic skill saved him countless hours of arduous studying, what about intermediate and advanced "Professional Knowledge Mastery"?

Would it allow him to skip straight to taking qualification exams and becoming a professor?

A glint flashed through Fujii Itsuki's eyes.

It seemed he needed to go home and "take revenge" (×) / "torment" (√) Shimizu Aimi more.

Getting into a small argument with her in the morning would earn him 100 revenge points - she was definitely a good target for farming points.

"Ding dong!"

The class bell rang, signaling the start of the first specialized course of the morning.

Specialized courses were small classes held in their own classroom.

General courses and other large classes required going to specific lecture halls.

Japanese junior colleges had a relaxed curriculum and classroom atmosphere. While prestigious universities were more competitive, the average university student's life was definitely quite comfortable.

The teacher wrote on the blackboard, absorbed in their own world, while students below did their own things.

Some checked their mirrors, others read manga, some couples flirted, and others browsed forums and Instagram on their phones. As long as they didn't make noise that disrupted the class, the teacher couldn't be bothered to intervene.

"Ring ring ring!"

Time flew by quickly, and afternoon arrived in the blink of an eye.

There was only one specialized course in the afternoon. After it ended, students began packing up to leave.

The vast majority would go to club activities - baseball, band, tea ceremony, baton twirling, and various other activities were in full bloom. A small minority chose to return home as "shut-ins."

Fujii Itsuki also packed his bag, but he wasn't heading to the club building or planning to vegetate at home. Instead, he was preparing to take the train to his part-time job at a convenience store.

He had no choice - time is money, and a poor person's life schedule was packed full from birth.

After all, the most valuable things he possessed were his handsome face... and his time.

If he didn't exchange time for money, he'd have to go work at a host club in Shinjuku to exchange his looks for money instead.

"Swoosh."

After relieving himself, the sensor-equipped urinal flushed automatically. Fujii Itsuki fastened his belt and walked to the public faucet outside the restroom to wash his hands.

"Hey—"

Suddenly, there came sounds of pushing and shoving from the adjacent women's restroom, clearly audible even from outside.

"Thud!"

It sounded like something heavy had hit the floor.

Fujii Itsuki couldn't help but turn his head toward the women's restroom.

"Ogihara, you've gotten quite bold lately, not even greeting the boss when you see her," a female student inside said provocatively.

"Yeah, yeah, it's like you don't even respect the boss anymore," another female student chimed in, like a comedy routine's supporting act.

"I... I'm sorry, Boss Chiba, I didn't mean to..."

Following the two voices came a soft, weak female voice.

The voice was light and gentle, like a piece of pure white cotton candy.

"Who are you to call her boss!" the first girl scolded.

"I'm sorry... Senior Chiba," the timid voice repeatedly apologized.

"...How boring."

The girl referred to as "boss" finally spoke: "Ogihara, remember to watch yourself next time."

Without a doubt, school bullying was taking place in the women's restroom.

This was completely normal in Japan, where social pressure was high and bullying culture prevailed. Fujii Itsuki had experienced it several times himself.

"Click, click, click."

Black round-toed leather shoes made light sounds against the floor.

As the footsteps approached, a tall girl with dyed blonde hair emerged first from the women's restroom.

Below her shoulder-length hair was an oval face with heavy makeup, soft facial features, and striking beautiful features. She wore a modified long black school uniform dress with bubble socks - the complete image of a delinquent girl.

The two girls beside her were dressed similarly, with heavy makeup, long skirts, and bubble socks, as if copy-pasted, though their appearances were far less striking.

Fujii Itsuki recognized her - Chiba Shoko, the boss of the second-year Social Sciences department.

Her family ran a judo dojo, and she had trained in judo since childhood, possessing considerable martial arts skills.

She had gained notoriety at school after defeating the leader of the delinquent boys in her year using her judo skills, and had gathered many delinquent followers as a result.

The reason Fujii Itsuki knew all this so clearly was because he had been bullied by her before. And not just once.

He could even name the two gangster girls beside Chiba Shoko - the taller one was Matsui Aoi, and the shorter one was Onodera Rei.

They had all bullied him before - how could he not remember them vividly?

"Hey, Fujii, what are you spacing out for? Don't you know to greet the boss when you see her!"

Matsui Aoi, like a feudal lord's loyal dog, put her hands on her hips and barked at Fujii Itsuki.

"Yeah, haven't seen you for a few days, getting too big for your boots, huh!"

Onodera Rei also stepped forward to rebuke him.

"...How tedious."

Fujii Itsuki gave the three a cold glance and turned to leave.

He had to catch a train for his part-time job and had no time to waste with delinquent girls.

"Stop right there!"

However, his dismissive attitude clearly infuriated the three, and Chiba Shoko, as the boss, angrily called out: "Are you deaf? I said stop!"

"Matsui, Onodera, drag this guy into the bathroom!"

"There are too many people outside, don't let the teachers notice."

"Yes!"

Following the order, the two girls eagerly grabbed Fujii Itsuki's arms, their faces unable to hide their excitement as they dragged him toward the women's restroom.

'Damn you, Fujii Itsuki, how dare you ignore Boss Chiba!'

'You're gonna get it now!'

Fujii Itsuki maintained his cold expression as he allowed Matsui Aoi and Onodera Rei to pull his arms.

"Bang!"

After he entered, someone forcefully closed the restroom door with a loud bang.

At the same time, the two girls pushed hard on his shoulders from behind, shoving him into an open stall in the bathroom.

In the corner of the stall, a somewhat familiar-looking girl was crouching timidly.

Ogihara Saki, Fujii Itsuki's classmate.

She wore her hair in a ponytail, round-framed glasses, and dressed plainly, with bangs long enough to cover half her face.

Usually speaking in a soft voice, she had little presence, speaking so quietly that her status in class was practically nonexistent.

Except for her top-ranking academic performance, she was practically a female version of Fujii Itsuki in their class.

"Are you alright, Fujii-kun..."

Seeing Fujii Itsuki stumble from Matsui Aoi and Onodera Rei's push, Ogihara Saki instinctively reached out to steady him.