Chapter 1: Purity, Onslaught

What could transform a little waiting time into the ultimate luxury?

Devices loaded with games, eagerly awaited new volumes of novels—though many things come to mind, Aoshi Fudo’s final conclusion is different.

To blow away boredom from this world, all you need is a beautiful girl named Asuka Kurashina.

“—What’s wrong, Aoshi-kun? You’re staring intently at my face.”

It was that time of year still too early to be called midsummer—a slightly cool breeze blew through the school commute, and the girl waiting for the red light with me smiled.

A clean-cut look, like a fresh-faced actress in a morning drama.

Though possessing a reserved demeanor, her facial features were too perfectly arranged, unable to conceal her heroine aura.

Her black hair, so fine strand by strand it seemed to rustle with every caress of the sea breeze, looked like it could be cast in a shampoo commercial any moment.

The way her hair swayed as she squinted against it, the delicate slope of her shoulders slightly hunched as if troubled, the gesture of holding her bag politely with both hands—each and every one of these things was fragile, piercing a man’s heart.

“Nah, I was just savoring the happiness of being able to walk to school with Asuka.”

“Hehe. Are you flirting with me?”

“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

The Enoshima Electric Railway, running along the road, overtook us.

After passing a long-established dried fish shop displaying its wares, we turned into our usual alleyway.

Ahead, an unusually large crowd had gathered.

Girls dressed up for the occasion were waiting, nostrils flaring with anticipation.

A similarly sized group of boys had gathered as well, every single one of them likely an Asuka fan.

Continuing to use the same route to school like this would become a nuisance to the neighborhood, so we periodically needed to change our route.

It would be a slight detour to school, but we decided to take a roundabout way.

“Sorry for causing trouble because I’m too handsome.”

“I think you’re the only one who can say a line like that without sounding conceited, Aoshi-kun.”

It was a joke only Asuka, who was just as popular as me, could make.

“Aoshi-kun doesn’t really have any friends at school, does he? He’s too popular, so the guys see him as an enemy, and the girls he’s turned down all resent him.”

“...My stomach’s starting to hurt.”

Whoever said having a good-looking face would lead to a rosy high school life, come out here. Here’s massive evidence of someone so liked by everyone that they ended up being hated by everyone.

But well, my own problems are beside the point.

“It’s better than having a hundred-person gauntlet of confessions at the crack of dawn, right?”

“Aoshi-kun is kind, isn’t he? He escorts me whenever I look like I’m in danger.”

“Asuka is a great girl, but her taste in men is just unfortunate.”

“That’s not true. Aoshi-kun is kind.”

As if words alone weren’t enough, Asuka gently placed her fingers on my arm.

“Even if everyone on Earth hated you, you’d still have me, Aoshi-kun.”

Energy drink companies should hurry and incorporate the special ingredient contained in Asuka’s voice. It makes the will to live surge forth, no matter the situation.

“Well, most of the hateful replies I get on social media are about telling me to stay away from Asuka, though.”

“That’s, I don’t know anything about that~”

Asuka laughed playfully, making me feel like I’d wandered into a scene from a青春 (seishun - youth/adolescence) movie.

Before long, as the school building came into view, Asuka let out a small “Ah!”

“What’s wrong, Asuka?”

“Aoshi-kun, your necktie is loose. How sloppy.”

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Asuka straightened my necktie.

“There, all done. Aoshi-kun, you look so much more handsome now.”

“Thanks.”

“Could you do a grooming check for me too?”

Tilting her head with a slight pout while spreading her arms, I gazed intently at the naturally alluring beauty.

Right now, Asuka perfectly embodied the “black-haired, pure JK that 100 out of 100 guys would want to get closer to” visual. JK is abbreviation for Joshi Kousei, meaning high school girl.

Of course, there wasn’t a single flaw to pick at, but—

“Oh my? Your ribbon is askew. Let me fix it as thanks for fixing my tie.”

“Yeah, yeah, I was stupid for asking you, Aoshi-kun.”

Asuka deftly dodged the demonic hand reaching towards her chest, which strained against her blouse in a way disproportionate to her slender frame.

But she didn’t run far away. She remained within reach, giggling with a smile.

“Trying to touch a girl in a place where people can see? I’m not impressed, you know?”

Her pure demeanor purified the heart of this male high school student (anonymous, hopefully) who had succumbed to worldly desires.

Shown the difference in our caliber as humans, I had no choice but to wave the white flag.

“Asuka, you’re perfectly pure today too.”

The new semester’s school was like cider, a mix of anticipation and tension.

“I’m glad we’re in the same class, Aoshi-kun.”

“Whether my youth shines or not depends on you, Asuka. I’m counting on you.”

“It seems like you could easily find any number of girls, Aoshi-kun—but okay, leave it to me.”

On the blackboard of the new classroom, “Congratulations, New Season Opening!” was drawn in chalk art.

Taking my seat, I surveyed the chaotic classroom, as lively as a festival venue.

GoPro cameras were set up on every desk.

The designs of the uniforms worn by the classmates were all different, lacking any sense of uniformity.

The guys’ hairstyles were styled into two-block cuts and Korean-style center parts, while the girls had shortened their skirts to the limit and were staking their lives on the sheer look of their bangs.

Accessories, as if giving the middle finger to school rules, were also glittering and jangly.

At that moment, a cheerful voice echoed through the classroom, overflowing with abnormality.

“Yo! Aoshi! How’s it going, enjoying your youth?”

From my blind spot, a girl's face suddenly popped in.

And not just any pretty face, but a peerless beauty that even a whole bunch of average pretty girls couldn’t compete with.

“Ema, huh. Good morning. Let’s have another good season.”

“Meeting Ema-tasu and you’re not even hyped?”

“That’s something only someone who’s taken a selfie with the Aurora or the first sunrise of the year would say, you know?”

“That’s right! A national treasure-level beauty like me? You won’t find me even if you search the North Pole or the top of Mount Fuji!”

Normally, such words would be grating, but this self-affirmation maxed-out gal said it without a hint of arrogance.

Ema Shinkai was a super, super beautiful girl, no matter how many “super”s you added.

However, the direction of her beauty was the complete opposite of Asuka, the icon of purity in this school.

Flashy hair with inner color highlights, meticulously styled. Her uniform, too, was deliberately worn in a non-standard way. Her cutting-edge makeup, likely the result of daily research, further accentuated her beauty, already excessively blessed by the gods.

That’s why, even in a classroom filled with flamboyant girls, Ema always seemed to be in the spotlight.

I’d been feeling resentful gazes from the guys for a while now, but I decided to ignore them and enjoy this most meaningful time in life—chatting with a beautiful girl.

“Hey, don’t assume everyone can keep up with a hyped-up gal’s vibe from the morning, okay?”

“Seriously, Aoshi is such a pain. Here’s something special—ta-dah☆”

Out of the blue, Ema struck an alluring pose and flashed a killer look.

“Sharing some energy with Aoshi. Let Ema-tasu’s top-tier face boost your mood, yeah?”

“Listen, that’s not gonna—huh? I actually feel better. Ema, wanna go for a jog?”

“Ahaha! I love how you’re surprisingly good-natured, Aoshi!”

Ema was one of my few friends, someone I could casually joke around with.

The generous heart of a radiant gal apparently accepted even a curmudgeon like me.

As Ema and I were talking, Asuka also arrived.

“Ema, good morning. Nice to be in the same class with you.”

“Ashu, yo! You’re so pure today too, yet still kinda hot, amazing!”

“Hehe. Is that a compliment?”

With the gathering of the two top popular girls, Asuka and Ema, my seat became the center of the caste system.

By the way, Ema called her good friend Asuka “Ashu.”

Then, I noticed that the girls throughout the classroom, who seemed like they could keep making noise forever, had all turned into girls in love.

Striding into the classroom was a super-handsome guy with looks befitting a prince.

It’s not like I’m conceited about my own looks, but the only man I've ever clearly thought I lost to in terms of facial appearance, before or since, was this guy.

And at the same time, he was also a saint who had been friends with me, someone with a difficult personality, for a long time. He must have saved the world about three times in his past life.

Haruma Sera—that was the name of this superhumanly handsome man who I couldn’t even hold a candle to.

“Good morning, Aoshi. I’m happy we’re in the same class.”

“Save those words for the girls. You’re losing out on a potential girlfriend.”

Blinking a few times, Haruma smiled a smile straight out of a shoujo manga panel.

“Even for me, taking Ema or Asuka away from Aoshi might be a tough nut to crack.”

“Stop it, you might actually do it normally.”

“Did you hear that, Ashu? Being in a love triangle with the handsome two-top, Haruma and Aoshi? Isn’t that the ultimate situation for a girl?”

“Yeah, I’d also like to see Aoshi-kun lose me and fall to rock bottom.”

With a pure and lovely smile, Asuka said something quite ruthless.

Just then, the chime signaling the start of homeroom rang.

“It’s about to start. Ema, Asuka, nice to work with you both.”

“Okay! Let’s do our best!”

“Nice to work with you too, Haruma-kun.”

After exchanging greetings, they dispersed.

And as if waiting for everyone to take their seats, the classroom door opened.

Bursting in was not our homeroom teacher, but—a comedian who was all the rage right now.

“Alright, everyone, ‘Our Seasons’ new season has begun! Are you all ready to find your destined love in the paradise of youth!?”

The classmates’ tension shot up, erupting into cheers like an explosion.

Before I knew it, staff members holding cameras were standing by in the corners of the classroom.

Amidst this festive uproar, I rested my cheek on my hand with a completely cold expression.

Love Reality Show.

Have you heard of programs called “Love Rea,” short for “Love Reality”?

It’s content that shows the romantic relationships of men and women, and it’s the kind of thing where there are people who talk about it all through break time, and then there's the other faction in class who will never watch it in their entire lives, splitting the class right down the middle.

New works are streamed every month on internet TV, and the same number of programs reach their end. In this day and age, the genre of Love Rea has entered a warring states period.

Among these, “Our Seasons”—commonly known as Bokusetu—has youth in high school as its theme, and in the blink of an eye, it rose to become a monster program.

Bokusetu now boasts popularity that should be called a social phenomenon.

It’s common knowledge that many high school students are abandoning club activities and studies to throw themselves into auditions to win a spot on Bokusetu.

And this classroom I’m in is the paradise of youth where the nation’s top-tier beauties and handsome men, who have won through fierce selection processes, gather to find their destined love—the Bokusetu filming location.

Naturally, this school has no function as an educational institution.

It’s a vast filming studio, a whole abandoned school bought and renovated by the program.

Bokusetu requires participants to wear the uniforms of local high schools, which is why the summer uniform designs are all different. And in a Love Rea where standing out is everything, tasteless restrictions like school rules don’t exist.

This ridiculous getup that makes adults frown is our formal wear.

“Now, the approximately 30 classmates in this classroom are all your potential love interests!”

At the MC’s words, the members exchanged glances filled with expectation.

“Search for your ideal partner and deepen your relationships. Events like sports festivals and cultural festivals will generate interactions between classes, so they’re great opportunities to find your destined lover. When you find someone you want to become lovers with, please propose. Of course, confessions will be held at the Bokusetu Sheet again this season!”

As if they had been waiting for those words, the tension in the classroom soared.

The Bokusetu Sheet is a bench located alone on the school rooftop.

The rule is that members who have decided to confess call out the person they long for to this bench and reveal their feelings.

It’s a place where legendary couples have been born, and also a place where shocking endings to love have been reached—a sacred place of Bokusetu that has etched numerous famous scenes.

There isn’t a single Bokusetu participant who doesn’t hold special feelings for the Bokusetu Sheet.

I too, am one of those who can’t forget what happened there.

“If the confession is successful, the two of you will officially become a couple. I pray that many happy couples will be born again this season.”

The rule explanation, which I’d heard so many times I was sick of it, seemed to be nearing its end, and I was about to relax.

But, defying expectations, the MC’s talk continued.

“Actually, a new member who decided to join in suddenly is waiting outside the classroom!”

This development was a pattern I was encountering for the first time in my Bokusetu appearances.

I was a returning member who had participated over multiple seasons, so I had been tuning out the rule explanation earlier.

Just as the program name contained the word “seasons,” Bokusetu’s seasons were divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Coincidentally, Haruma, Asuka, Ema, and I had all been on Bokusetu since last summer, so we were already year-long veterans.

However, unlike the unserious me, there were also people who were listening intently to the MC’s talk.

Naturally. They were hearing the rule explanation for the first time.

So, the rookie outside—why were they being treated specially, all alone?

As the classroom buzzed with noise, the MC called out for the new member at the top of their voice for today.

“Alright, please come in!”

In an instant, the classroom fell silent.

Instinctively, everyone shut down any extraneous actions and chose to “appreciate” the girl who appeared before them.

Strikingly blonde hair that seemed to electrify anyone who looked at it. Skin as white as snow, almost dazzling. Sapphire eyes that seemed to draw you in, never to return if you peered into them.

Her features boasted a hybrid beauty that exuded exoticism, yet also felt somehow Japanese, and her face maintained a bisque doll-like expressionlessness.

Even the oppressive summer heat seemed to lose its power before her.

Standing on the podium, radiating a cool aura as if she existed in a different world, was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty, as if someone’s ideal had put on a summer uniform and started walking.

“Now, please introduce yourself.”

“—Yes.”

At the MC’s voice, the enigmatic girl replied simply.

“My name is Karen Emilia Kisaragi. I was born to a German father and a Japanese mother. I usually attend a German international school in Yokohama.”

The girl who called herself Kisaragi gave her self-introduction in surprisingly fluent Japanese.

Her extremely striking looks, once you heard she was half-German, made sense.

The members strained their ears, wanting to know more about the European-blooded rookie’s background.

But Kisaragi pursed her lips and said nothing more.

“Um, Kisaragi-san? Is that… all?”

It was understandable why the MC was perplexed.

A self-introduction at the time of first appearance was the best appeal time, and it only happened once.

That’s why many members would bring a guitar and perform a live song, imitate popular voice actors’ cool voices, or just go all out to promote their own charms.

And yet, Kisaragi, as if she had no interest in such mundane trivialities—

“Sorry, I’m not good at doing pointless things.”

Let’s be clear—I’d never seen anyone like this before.

Love Rea is a rational game.

In this classroom, which is like a national tournament of school caste systems, where handsome men and beautiful girls who reign at the top of their respective school ecosystems gather, techniques and strategies to outshine rivals and become popular certainly exist.

In that respect, Kisaragi’s understanding of the game of Love Rea was completely lacking.

However, I didn’t intend to call her foolish or pathetic.

Rather, I felt a sense of exhilaration at her words, which seemed to mock the conventions of Bokusetu.

“Well, then, could you at least tell us your aspirations?”

“I’ve come to Bokusetu to make my first love come true. Everyone, please take care of me.”

With all eyes in the classroom on her, Kisaragi picked up the hem of her skirt and performed a curtsy—a European greeting—that was breathtakingly elegant.

“Thank you very much, Kisaragi-san! Now, please move to an empty seat!”

Trying to bring back the chilled atmosphere, the MC clapped exaggeratedly, urging the problem child to take a seat.

Seeing Kisaragi coming this way, I noticed that the seat next to me was empty.

In the brief moment she passed by my side, Kisaragi stopped as if on a whim.

“Is something the matter?”

“...No, nothing.”

Saying only that, Kisaragi took her seat, leaving behind a scent of soap.

What a weirdo—I almost blurted out, despite it being our first meeting.

“Alright, everyone, please stand!”

At the MC's command from the podium, the classmates stood up in unison.

And, without being told by anyone, they looked up at the ceiling—everyone except Kisaragi, who was still sitting.

Puzzled, the rookie didn’t move, so I called out to her.

“Kisaragi, don’t you know the flow at the end of homeroom?”

“Flow? What’s that?”

Seriously? This girl. Hadn’t she been educated on anything since her appearance was decided?

Somehow, I began to see the reason why this new member, like a rare animal, was being treated specially.

Kisaragi had been recognized for her super high school-level beauty and the rarity of being half-German, and her participation in Bokusetu had been decided really suddenly.

In short, she was “face-hired” at the behest of the management and squeezed into the new season.

And, if you had a good-looking face, there was a possibility of becoming popular in this classroom.

In that case, maybe I should do a favor for this future star candidate while I still could.

“Just stand up for now.”

Though she looked doubtful, Kisaragi stood up, following my words.

As if guiding the bewildered Kisaragi, I glanced towards one corner of the classroom.

What came into view was a fixed camera on the ceiling.

“A signal will come soon. When it does, imitate my movements.”

“What kind of—?”

“Just do it. No time to explain.”

As we were talking, the MC called out to the members.

“Now then, to celebrate the start of the new season! Are you all ready—!?”

Alright, time to work. I sealed away my self-consciousness and let another self, what should be called the “Bokusetu persona,” possess me.

Putting on a ridiculously full smile and striking a pose that would make me want to die of shame if I came back to my senses—

“Boku-Setu!” (Our Seasons!)

While shouting the catchphrase, I, Haruma, Asuka, Ema, and the other members, and even Kisaragi, somehow mimicking us, towards the ceiling camera—we all struck the Bokusetu pose, a staple of the program.

The group photo shoot, which would probably be used for the new season’s key visual, ended without a hitch.

And so, the season when love bloomed again in the paradise of youth had arrived.

The Bokusetu studio was just a renovated real school, so traces of its time as an educational institution remained here and there.

The principal’s office we were in was one such room.

“Aoshi-kun, the principal will be here soon. I don’t think your posture is very respectful.”

As if scolding a boyfriend who wouldn’t get out of bed on his day off, Asuka gently admonished me.

I, for my part, was sprawled out on the sofa for guests, engrossed in reading my favorite book.

Then, Ema, who was busy taking her daily selfies, looked over with cat-like interest and asked.

“By the way, Aoshi, what have you been reading this whole time?”

“A light novel.”

“Light novel?”

She definitely didn’t understand what it was. Her pronunciation was completely hiragana-like.

“It’s an abbreviation for ‘light novel.’ Aoshi-kun loves the school romance comedy genre within those, apparently.”

Asuka answered, slightly smug, as if she knew everything about me.

She wasn’t wrong, so I turned a page without interrupting.

To add a note, I’m quite the voracious reader, and my range extends even to light novels.

And, when it comes to light novels, I'm a bit of an oddball who sticks solely to school romance comedies.

The one I was reading now was a masterpiece that was both the origin and the pinnacle of school romance comedies.

Then, the school’s number one handsome guy also reacted.

“But, Aoshi, you’re always reading books like that whenever you have free time, aren’t you? Could you lend me a recommendation sometime?”

“Don’t bother. It probably won’t suit Haruma’s taste.”

“But, Aoshi is engrossed in them, right?”

“Yeah, because it’s my ideal.”

Knowing that my words were insufficient, I refused to explain further.

Just as I was about to concentrate on the text, the principal’s office door burst open.

“Yo yo, is everyone here!? Bokusetu’s jewels!”

Appearing in the principal’s office was a young woman in a well-tailored suit.

Her voice was as loud and grating as ever. In an instant, I lost the will to read.

“Principal, aren’t you late even though you called us here?”

“Sorry for the wait, Ema. I was replenishing my energy drinks.”

This woman replenishes her nutrients with energy drinks instead of food, so her face is constantly filled with unhealthy energy, year-round.

The name of this eccentric person sitting at the executive desk was Aoi Kifune—apparently an elite who became Bokusetu’s chief director at the young age of 26, but I think it’s some kind of mistake.

Because she’s always immersed in her duties in the principal’s office, she’s affectionately called “Principal” by the members.

She’s in charge of everything from Bokusetu’s planning to direction, so the program’s rise and fall depends on her ability. I repeat, though, I don’t believe it.

“So, why have we been gathered here?”

“Before that, we need to keep prying eyes away. Aoshi, sorry to interrupt your fun, but could you do the honors?”

The principal’s gaze, answering Haruma’s question, turned towards me.

Certainly, I was closest to the open window.

“Sure, sure.”

Closing the light novel, I walked to the window, filled with light that seemed to wash everything out.

From the window, I could see the giant signage installed on the school building’s outer wall.

Playing on it was a promotional movie that Bokusetu had poured a lot of money into producing.

Various members appeared for just a moment, but the main figures, treated as protagonists, were exactly the four people gathered in the principal’s office.

Haruma, Ema, Asuka—and adding me to them, we were the top 4 popular members in the program, recognized as the “Bokusetu Four Heavenly Kings.”

Not wanting to see myself in the video, made up and striking expressions to seduce the opposite sex, I slammed the window shut.

“Are you satisfied now?”

“Thank you, Aoshi. Let’s get to the main point right away. Today, I have something I want to give to you all.”

With a smile like a resistance fighter on the eve of a revolution, the principal brandished the documents in her hand.

On the cover, the words “Confidential Documents” were written.

“—This season, this is the script you will be performing.”

Hearing those words again, I felt a wave of weariness wash over me.

While Haruma and the others were accepting what was called a script, I didn't reach out my hand, knowing it was pointless, but as a token resistance.

“Here, Aoshi, you too, right? Please read through it thoroughly before filming. It’s a masterpiece I finally finished writing after drinking energy drinks instead of water, you know.”

“You’re definitely going to die young, you know.”

You ended up with the cursed item in your hands after all.

Bokusetu is supposed to be a paradise of youth where boys and girls are absorbed in romance.

But the reality is completely different.

For popular members, to make the show exciting, the Bokusetu management prepares scripts, selects partners to fall in love with, and manages those relationships.

In other words, we’re forced to perform fake romances.

Even knowing that, I was speechless after reading through the contents.

“…Seriously?”

“Dead serious. This season, we’re aiming for a make-or-break season, you see.”

The principal grinned, and in the next moment, Ema, who was also reading the script, shouted.

“Me and Aoshi getting all close all of a sudden, seriously!?”

“Looks like it.”

The script depicted a story of me and Ema falling in love.

But we weren’t the only ones appearing in this youthful tableau.

The management’s desire this time was a love triangle—and moreover, my rival for Ema was none other than Bokusetu’s representative superstar.

“Never thought I’d be fighting over Ema with Haruma.”

“Yeah, I was surprised too. Go easy on me, Aoshi.”

Haruma responded with his usual gentle smile.

His demeanor is so exemplary, so devoid of self-interest, that sometimes I can’t read his true emotions.

“Hot stuff! Ema-tasu’s harem has begun!”

It’s probably because of her ultimate陽キャ (youkya - cheerful/outgoing person) mentality that she can cut in even in this tense situation.

Ema frolicked around, clinging to my and Haruma’s arms with a carefree smile.

“You guys are both mine now, and Bokusetu’s over, that’s the deal!”

“You’re always so carefree, it’s nice,”

I said, exasperated, but the subtle tension that had been hanging between me and Haruma vanished.

Maybe this gal isn’t just living by vibes, but is actually an angel of consideration.

“Ashu, can you take a commemorative photo for us?”

“Me?”

Scratch that “angel of consideration” comment. This girl is a walking, talking disaster, charging straight into a gunpowder magazine!

She firmly linked arms with me, getting us into such close contact that I could feel the squishiness of Ema’s upper arm.

I cautiously peeked at Asuka’s expression, and the corners of her mouth quirked up in a sadistic smile.

“Oh? Ashu, are you getting jealous?”

“Indeed, Aoshi-kun might be seeing me as a Tyrannosaurus right now.”

……This is bad news.

To cut off this terrible flow, I turned the conversation towards the principal, who was watching the spectacle with a smirk.

“What is this script? Do you really think someone like me can be a rival to Haruma?”

“Who else but you could compete with Haruma? I’m expecting you to be a good underdog.”

“Underdog, she really just said that to my face…”

This love triangle, the angle on my side is just too weak, isn’t it?

“But if you don’t properly appeal to me, I’ll easily go for Haruma, you know? Aoshi, you need to seriously try to win me over.”

“How am I supposed to get motivated when the script clearly states that you and Haruma are going to get together?”

“Aoshi, being self-deprecating isn’t good. You’re more amazing than you think.”

“And to top it off, you have to show me the difference in our caliber as human beings.”

In front of Haruma, a real cheat-level protagonist, a mediocrely handsome guy like me is just background noise.

Then, the principal’s gaze turned to Asuka, the only one who was still holding her script, not opening it.

“Asuka, you still don’t feel ready to return?”

“I’m sorry. I think I’ll just lay low this season.”

Seeing Asuka’s troubled smile, the principal’s shoulders slumped.

“Are you still resenting us for putting you through that?”

“No. I’ve already sorted out my feelings. Me and Aoshi-kun just weren’t meant to be together by our own will—right, Aoshi-kun?”

A bitter feeling welled up inside me, and even a short reply of “Yeah” was a struggle.

That’s right. Once, Asuka and I were lovers on Bokusetu.

Just last summer—I, a freshman in high school who had jumped into the world of Bokusetu, met Asuka at this school and fell in love at first sight.

On our first date, walking along the water’s edge, awkwardly bridging the distance between us, we spent a summer together, and before we knew it, we were holding hands as if confirming our feelings.

The day I became the most beloved person of the person I loved most was the best day of my life.

I naively believed that I would graduate from Bokusetu with Asuka, now mutually in love.

But unexpectedly, our pairing of me and Asuka had attracted the attention of viewers.

And we were discovered by the Bokusetu management.

Summoned to the principal’s office, we were handed scripts, just like today.

That was the day of fate. It could also be called the day we touched the darkness of Bokusetu.

We accepted the scripts, while feeling a sense of unease somewhere in our hearts.

The season’s climax—the Bokusetu Sheet, where boys and girls who had burned with summer love would make their fateful confessions.

There, I dumped Asuka as scripted. Asuka, who I should have loved more than anyone in the world.

We betrayed our true feelings and chose to lie.

The breakup between me and Asuka, which everyone had thought would naturally lead to a couple, became known as “the most heartbreaking, legendary episode in Bokusetu history.”

Ironically, that shocking ending led to both me and Asuka joining the ranks of popular members.

What comes next is a story I learned later, a side note I wish I hadn’t known.

Within Bokusetu, there are members who go on to enter the entertainment industry after graduating from the program, or build a solid position as streamers.

The success stories, like modern alchemy, of these people who were just ordinary high school students not long ago, came to be called “Bokusetu Dreams.”

And Bokusetu has established a manual for producing these golden eggs.

Members who get good ratings are not easily allowed to become couples, and their graduation from the program is postponed.

On top of that, they are made to appear as returning members over multiple seasons.

And when they grow to the top of the Bokusetu pyramid—becoming super-popular members—the chief director herself writes their scripts and centrally manages their love affairs.

Exactly the path to success that me and Asuka, and also Haruma and Ema, had followed.

Most Bokusetu members are unaware of this ugly truth.

But even though they are in a position to freely fall in love without being bound by scripts, there is no end to the number of members who become couples with people they don’t even like, having coordinated their stories beforehand.

They are risking their lives to perform more and more extreme romances in order to gain attention within the program.

Why has it become this youthful hellscape? The answer is shockingly simple.

This school is not a paradise of youth where romantics longing for destined love gather.

Its true identity is a gambling den where teenagers, blinded by Bokusetu Dreams, abandon studies and club activities that won’t make them money, and bet their limited three years of high school life.

I think, in the beginning of Bokusetu, genuine romance was born.

But now, romance has become a means, not an end.

We fake love as if it’s an investment.

We become adult puppets for a secure future.

We sell off our once-in-a-lifetime youth, looking ahead to retirement.

High school, which should have been a preparation stage before becoming someone, has become a “profession,” and the miraculous feeling of falling in love with someone has been reduced to a “commodity.”

In this school, youth is dead.

Today, too, someone is selling off their teenage self, body and soul, wanting to become like Aoshi Fudo, a fool who achieved a Bokusetu Dream without any real resolve.

I’ve already fallen into becoming a beast who can breathe easily even in this hell of youth.

So, at least—

“Hmm? Aoshi, are you done with the script reading already?”

“I’m just going to do my usual job.”

I casually ended my conversation with the principal and picked up the light novel from the sofa.

And I poured the text into myself, as if replacing tainted blood.

That day, when I exchanged the youth I should have spent happily with Asuka for a huge amount of money—in order not to forget how precious something I lost was, I read school romance comedies in this school where youth is dead, as if erecting a tombstone.