I have been transferred to another class--the worst and notorious.

The school fees are no longer affordable;

Hence there is no reason for me to stay in the top class--or so the headmaster thinks.

x

The teacher made me introduce myself in front of noisy, unbearably rude people.

'Hi, I'm Kudo Ran.'

A roar of laughter errupted together with a few whistles.

'Hey, Ran!' A loud voice rang out.

'That guy right at the back is Kudo Shinichi.

Are you two related biologically are y'all married?' The voice continued.

Many laughed.

'Or maybe it's both, eh?'

The volume of their laughter increased.

That was lame—not funny.

x

The teacher had not said a word since I spoke my first and only sentence of introduction.

He must thought I might as well start getting used to this.

x

I looked at the only one who didn't laugh in class.

Everybody else had a partner sitting next to them.

He sat next to an empty chair.

What was that on his face?

I'd call it a killer-smile.

Why didn't I faint like most other girls do when they see his smile?

I have no idea.

Do I look like one who possesses some kind of supernatural ability?

I don't think so.

x

Perhaps I simply have a strong immune system.

x

The laughter faded;

I was not greatful for that.

They were all waiting for my response. Or his.

x

'I wouldn't admit if I were related to her,' he said.

Their laughter returned.

Neither would I, you conceited ass.

But I couldn't summon enough courage to say what I was thinking.

x

The teacher chose this time to announce that my seat would be

The empty one,

Next to the window,

At the corner,

Beside Kudo Shinichi.

The keyword here is beside.

x

I wouldn't mind if the teacher had said my seat would be the one that was three rows in front of Kudo Shinichi.

Or, I would be very thankful if the teacher had said my seat would be sixteen feet away from Kudo Shinichi.

x

I could not think of anything I had/hadn't done to deserve this.

x

I sensed immidiate danger.

Twenty five pairs of eyes were on me.

The unfriendly ones came from the guys;

Those that indicate murder came from the girls.

x

Teitan High School is a place where gossips make the world go round.

Dry rumours travel at approxiamtely 200 miles per hour;

Juicy news travel at the speed of a rocket.

Get what I mean?

x

Thanks to my dear teacher, I became part of an incredibly juicy piece of news.

It's worse than being in deep shit.

When girls in school start chasing after me with knives and certain acids from the chemistry lab,

I can only hope for a painless death.

x

What I am going to do now is to get a flower with three, five, seven, nine or eleven petals.

Then, say:

I shall not go to school tomorrow;

I shall go to school tomorrow;

I shall not...