Akira Meets Elise

From Akira's perspective:

I arrived at the venue marked "New Student Orientation." Boys and girls in the same uniform were gathering in droves.

"Kyaa, Pedro-sama is so cool!" A group of girls was flocking around one boy.

"He's from a noble family," Usamof explained.

"After all, this orientation is a matter of life and death for the female students here. If they can't pair up with a capable boy, they're in for three miserable years."

"Pairing, huh?" Although Narsha had briefed me about this system, facing it in reality was quite intimidating.

"Will I have to pair up with someone too?"

"The top guys pair up, and the leftover girls flock to the next best guys. Those who are left out then settle for the average guys. And the girls who are left out from those will probably end up coming to you at the end."

"Ugh... I don't think I've lived without pride, but seeing that scene would definitely hurt. I might even develop a mistrust of women."

Just then, a quiet-looking girl with glasses passed by. There was dust and thread on her shoulder. "You've got something on your shoulder," I decided to tell her.

"Hey, you."

"Eek! Don't come any closer! You think because I look like a quiet girl, I'll pair up with you, you beast!" She ran away at full speed.

"Usamof, this is really a hurtful system. Can't we do something about it?" I could easily imagine that the misery wouldn't just be during the entrance ceremony but would continue throughout school life after forming pairs.

Just as I was contemplating withdrawing from the enrollment, a girl approached me.

"Hey, you. Haven't you decided on a girl to pair with yet?"

"Uh, me?"

"Who else but you?"

The girl had the looks of a beautiful young lady but with sharp and assertive eyes.

"I haven't decided yet. I'm just an alternate pass, and my magical skills are like a beginner’s..."

"Great! I choose you!"

"Eh?"

"I'm making you my partner! Your messy hair, that dumb look on your face, your mud-caked shoes—I like it all. Let's go register!"

I wondered if she was mocking me, but overwhelmed, I couldn't voice it out.

She forcefully pulled me by the hand to the partner registration ledger.

She wrote her name, Elise Obrus.

"Well, what’s wrong? Aren't you going to write your name?"

"Um, suddenly like this... I can't sort out my feelings so fast."

"Like you could get a partner otherwise. I'm offering you a lady's kindness—take it."

"But..."

"Write it!"

"Okay, okay."

"Hmm. Akira Suzuki, huh? That’s an unusual name. Are you from abroad?"

"That name... it's a long story..."

"Whatever. Soon, you'll be saying goodbye to who you are now anyway," she blurted out something cryptic.

"Nice to meet you," I extended my hand for a handshake.

"Huh? You think someone like you can shake hands with me? Don't touch me so casually."

"What? But we're partners now."

She was harsh with her words.

I began to regret becoming partners with her.