The Porsche moved along the highway, and as it did, Maki looked out the window on his side.
It was truly a prosperous city—a crowded place filled with towering buildings, skyscrapers, and a colorful, lively view. Unlike his hometown, this new scenery felt just like the videos he had watched on the net. Different kinds of people walked everywhere.
Maki wondered if this world was like the movies he had seen before. Maybe aliens really did exist, and maybe they were planning to attack this planet for some reason—either the planet had something they really wanted, or something like that.
Then his eyes caught a building with a huge jumbotron. On the screen was a woman—a girl—the world's greatest diva.
It was Uta.
She was in the middle of an interview, though Maki couldn't hear her voice due to the distance and the noise of the crowd below.
Maki knew Uta well. He was a fan of her music.
The car continued its ride.
From a distance, Maki then saw a massive bridge. It reminded him of London Bridge, but this one was colored blue.
He turned to Nemuri and asked, "Nemu, what's this bridge called?"
"Hm? You really don't know anything, do you?" Nemuri replied. "This bridge is called the U.A. Bridge. It's the way to U.A. Academy."
"Wow," Maki said. "They must be rich—to build such a wide and long bridge just to be used as an entrance."
"Haven't you noticed the surroundings?" Nemuri asked. "Didn't you feel like the place suddenly became quiet? The only sound you can hear now is the waves."
"Now that you mention it," Maki replied, "there's no noise anymore. Just a blue view and fog all around the bridge."
"Fufufufu," Nemuri laughed with pride. "U.A. Academy is located on an island, and this bridge is what connects it to Japan."
"So basically," Maki said while nodding his head (.・_・.)ノ, "U.A. is rich enough to afford an entire island as their school."
Nemuri stared at him. "Well, that's what you said."
"But Nemu," Maki continued, "if the school owns an island, that means it's not as simple as I thought, right?"
"Oh? You thought it was just a school where children learn ABCs and 123s, didn't you, Maki-chan?"
"Well, you know how things usually work," Maki said.
"Fufufu, Maki, you're really simple-headed, aren't you?" Nemuri added.
"Nemu, why complicate simple things?" Maki replied.
"Well, you'll be surprised," Nemuri said. "Maki-chan, remember when I told you about the history of this world?"
"Hmmm… you mean when you were wearing your pink robe and teasing me at the same time?" Maki said. "Well, nope!"
"Fufufufu," Nemuri laughed. "You'll learn everything here eventually. But first, you must pass the exam, Maki. No matter what class you're placed in, just pass—and you'll be safe."
"Class?" Maki asked. "What's that, Nemu? Does this school divide students based on their worth or something?"
"Yes," Nemuri replied. "You know how dangerous this world is. Of course they need to separate the ordinary from the elite."
"Well, it doesn't really matter to me," Maki said. "By the way, how many classes are there anyway, Nemu?"
Suddenly, Nemuri became serious. "Maki, do you know why I wanted you to attend this school?"
"Now that you ask… what's the reason, Nemu?" Maki replied.
"Of course it's because I don't want you to waste your youth," Nemuri said, her energetic voice shattering the heavy atmosphere she had built.
Maki laughed at her antics. Then he looked ahead at the seemingly unending bridge.
Maki knew one thing or two about how dangerous this world was. Even if Nemuri hid her true reasons, he understood what she was thinking—and it was for his own good.
At U.A., knowledge, experience, and protection existed. More importantly, the school taught students how to survive. Those who were elite would become protectors—heroes—helping others and reaching their dreams.
[ Maki's POV ]
But me?
I don't even know what I'm doing here.
But who cares? The world won't turn around for just one person, right?
As we passed the bridge, I could still hear the wind and the waves of the sea crashing below it.
I looked at Nemuri and asked, "Hey, Nemu~ you didn't answer my question earlier. How many classes are there?"
I saw Nemuri tilt her head slightly as she said, "Well, it depends. I don't really know how many classes will be formed this year."
"Oh, so you mean the classes aren't uniform?" I asked.
Nemuri replied, "Well, you guessed right. The number of classes changes when many students with great potential attend, enroll, and pass the exam."
"But there are three classes that are always set."
That got me curious, so I asked, "And those are?"
Nemuri answered my curiosity.
"Class S, Class A, and Class B."
"Hmmm… Class S, A, and B," I repeated what Nemu said. "Well, looks like hierarchy is always present wherever you go."
I saw Nemuri smile, and she said, "Well, they earned their place fair and square with their own abilities."
I looked at the window beside me, then asked Nemuri, "Nemu… what class would make you proud?"
"Oh? Looks like someone wants to impress me," Nemuri teased with her answer. Then she said, "Well, no matter what class—as long as you pass, that's already enough."
I didn't look at her.
My thoughts were flying along with the wind, drifting with the waves of the sea.
( ￣ー￣)