Alias the modern school

Ten minutes…

Everyone is still here. Camille seems to be talking with the other two people from my class. Doesn’t she have her own class to go to?

Thirty minutes…

Cali started talking with Camille. They look to be having fun and giggling. It makes me quite jealous, but I don’t want to interrupt them.

One hour…

I can’t control my feet, which tap impatiently on the ground as I try to figure out why class hasn’t started. Finally, I blurt out,

“Ugh, why doesn’t this class start? And where is everyone? Why are there still only five people here? And why are you still here, Camille? I thought you were from another class. Shouldn’t you be getting scolded outside or something?”

Camille looks at my distressed expression, and with those eyes that always seem to look at me with pity, she tries to say something before being interrupted by the blackboard, which shines with a white light as a white bunny with glasses appears digitally, saying,

“Hello everyone! I’m Babi, the school coordinator. It seems some of you might be confused about the purpose of our high school, so I’ll explain how the Alias system works.”

I look at Cali, irritated since she was supposed to tell me any relevant information about this place. She just looks back at me, smiling awkwardly and shrugging as if she were equally unaware. Well, I guess I’ll just have to listen to what this bunny has to say.

“At Alias School, we focus on the personal development of our students, so there are absolutely no set subjects to be taught. Isn’t that amazing?”

As the bunny says this, confetti shoots out into the class, but there’s still no amusement among us. But this… thing… insists on continuing.

“Well, you’re the only class that didn’t get excited about the first part of the explanation, but let me continue. The entire school campus is free for every student to explore any curiosity or interest. This means that if you become interested in a subject that might lead you to become anything from an astronaut to a chef, the basics will be taught to you by one of our designated AI teachers.”

The bunny jumps out of the blackboard as a cartoonish hologram, walks to Camille, and jumps into her arms, where she holds it.

“Camille here is a newcomer like the rest of you, but she’s already been part of a similar concept at her old school, so she’s more used to our format. And don’t worry, Layla, you’re free to improve your social skills at this school. The designations for a specific classroom are only to bring together people with a certain level of social compatibility. Besides the ones already here, there are six more students on campus. You might meet them soon. For now, just try to improve your skills and find out what interests you, okay?”

After saying this and smiling brightly at me, I sigh and point at the bunny, feeling completely annoyed.

“Don’t come at me with something so senseless. What am I supposed to learn? What if I don’t have any interests? Will I just stay here forever?”

Camille looks at me again and says,

“It’s not like that. You can do basically whatever you want here. You can even set up a regular school program if you want, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll probably isolate yourself from any social interaction if you do that. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Limer gets up from the corner of the class, saying,

“I see. So, that means I can do anything I want here without problems… I see, that’s good. Bye everyone, I’m going home.”

She gets up and leaves, while the cyborg boy, Johan, remains sitting at the front of the class, looking at the blackboard as if waiting for further instructions. I look at him, then back at Camille and the bunny in her arms, and say,

“I don’t know if you understand, but social interactions aren’t one of my main focuses, okay? I think I’ll just go home too. I don’t see how wandering around will help me in any way.”

As soon as I say this and start to get up, Cali comes behind me, grabs my shoulders, and sits me back down, saying,

“Listen to me. I’m your friend whenever you want, but I’m also your medical assistant, so I’m diagnosing you with social skills issues. You’re going to hear what this beautiful cat girl has prepared to help you, okay?”

My hair and fur stand on end as I get slightly scared, but then she starts massaging my shoulders with her divinely skilled robotic hands. I can’t help but relax and lean into her touch. Right after that, I cross my arms and pout, saying,

“I’m still not okay with this. If I want to go home, you need to let me, but fine, I’ll give her a chance. What do you suggest?”

I say this to Camille while Cali continues massaging my shoulders. The bunny gets closer and says,

“Well, everything here is about making your own decisions and forging your own path in life. Whatever you think is best for yourself… just know that we have high expectations for everyone’s personal development. If you have any questions, just ask your personal assistant. I’m sending her the files explaining how everything works here.”

After this, Babi fades away, and Cali freezes in place, seemingly analyzing the school’s files. After she finishes, she sighs and says to me, looking a little annoyed,

“I don’t like it when they send me files directly. It stings a bit, but okay, now I know everything about this place. So, what do you want to do now, Layla?”

I look up at her and say, my eyes almost closed from the pleasant sensation of her massage,

“I don’t know. I just thought it would be like my previous schools, with tests and timed classes. I don’t have much interest in anything, actually.”

Camille looks at me and claps her hands together with a smile, saying,

“Well, I’m already used to this, so you can join my routine to see what it’s like and see if you find anything you like. Giggle. I actually got really lost at my last school too, at first. It was really difficult to figure out what I wanted to be a part of, but it’s quite fun too…”

She looks at me, her tail swinging quickly behind her. It’s clear she’s excited. Well, what else can I do? If I don’t like it, I guess I’ll just go home.

“Okay, I’ll go with you, but if I don’t like it, I think I’ll just go home. So, let’s go. Show me around the school.”