After hearing Satoru Gojo's speech, some people were left slack-jawed, while others fell into deep thought.
"Becoming a cop just to escape boredom... what does he think the safety of ordinary people is? Is it a game to him?"
Furuya Rei instinctively felt a wave of displeasure. However, remembering that part of his own reason for entering the academy was the selfish desire to find Elena Miyano, he found himself speechless.
Forget it. Regardless of the reason, the fact that he came here... is already good enough.
In contrast to his reaction, Hiromitsu Morofushi looked at the black-haired youth on stage with concern: "Actively seeking crisis, and not even showing fear when speaking of death... Is that kid really okay? Does he have some sort of psychological issue?"
It couldn't be 'Chunibyo' (8th-grader syndrome), could it? Seeing how young he looks, maybe...
There was no shortage of peers whispering as well: "Is it just me, or does he actually make sense? Being a cop is an exciting profession where you fight crime and pit your wits against criminals..."
"Hey, hey, don't let your morals follow your eyes!" someone nearby rolled their eyes at her. "No matter what, I don't accept that kind of reasoning."
Although the Superintendent didn't quite agree either, he decided to give the young man space to express himself, nodding in encouragement.
Satoru Gojo scanned the audience below, paused for a moment, and then continued.
"Actually, besides it being interesting, there's an even more important reason why I'm here—I want to find a 'strong person' in this school who can rival me."
"...Huh?!"
Morofushi Hiromitsu: It really is Chunibyo...
Before the crowd's stalled brains could react, Gojo spread his hands and said, "Me~ ever since I was a kid, I've been able to win against others easily, no matter the field. Whether it's fighting or exams, things that clearly aren't difficult, everyone else just can't seem to do them... I've grown a bit tired of this lonely situation."
These words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, triggering a massive wave.
"Is this guy... even speaking a human language!"
"Ch-Chikusho (Dammit), I'm going to cough up blood!"
"Help! I want to call the police, someone's humble-bragging here—oh wait, I'm in a police academy. Never mind."
"So..." Satoru Gojo tilted his head slightly, appearing even more harmless. "Everyone here who aspires to be a cop must be very impressive, right? And, you must desire to prove your strength more than anyone else."
The freshmen, who had been filled with righteous indignation just a moment ago, straightened their shoulders slightly upon hearing this.
"However..."
His voice suddenly dropped an octave, and the temperature in the auditorium seemed to plummet along with it.
"To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed right now."
"Ah, I don't mean to target anyone specifically. I just want to say... everyone sitting here is too weak. There isn't a single person among you who can be my opponent."
"You are all too weak."
Such arrogant words, if spoken by anyone else, would surely have invited ridicule. But coming from Satoru Gojo, it felt strangely natural. There was no contempt in his tone, no malice, and not even much pride; he was merely stating a predetermined fact. That flat expression was enough to make people believe he wasn't exaggerating.
Yet, making such a grand declaration at an opening ceremony was the definition of "low EQ" behavior that incites public rage.
"What?! You brat..."
Instantly, the crowd below erupted into an uproar.
"Who does he think he is? Is being rank one that amazing?!"
"Such an arrogant guy is actually our peer—"
"No matter how you look at it, this is too much. Unforgivable!"
Now, forget the hot-tempered men; even the girls who previously held a good impression of Hisano Nozomi were indignant. Even the instructors, who already knew how difficult this person could be, were stunned.
Seeing things taking a turn for the worse, the elderly Superintendent wiped fine beads of sweat from his brow and tried to mend the situation: "Enough, Student Hisano. Let's end the speech here. We still have to—"
"Wait! Mr. Superintendent!!"
At that moment, a tall, thin male student stood up, hand raised. He appeared especially furious: "Don't you think he's being too arrogant? Can such a defiant and malicious speech even count as a qualified freshman representative? Everyone here has poured countless amounts of sweat into chasing their dreams. I don't want our hard work to be dismissed so lightly!"
The atmosphere in the hall turned tense instantly. The Superintendent turned to Satoru Gojo, seeing him looking stunned as if he were bewildered by the other's outburst of anger.
What, is he scared?
In reality, no one could have guessed that he was absolutely thrilled.
Hearing the constant "ping" of incoming impression points, Satoru Gojo felt refreshed all over. It wasn't until the notifications stopped that he glanced at the angry student, putting on an innocent and pure expression: "I didn't mean to deny everyone's hard work?"
I'm just saying that no matter how hard you work, you still can't beat me.
"You... I...!" The other man's face turned beet red.
The Superintendent sighed: "Everyone, please calm down first."
"What Student Hisano said was indeed inappropriate, and I apologize to everyone on his behalf. I believe he has no ill intent; he is simply not good with words."
He remembered Hisano Nozomi's file very clearly. This child had no parents since he was young and seemingly no friends, growing up entirely alone. Under such circumstances, how could one expect his social skills to be polished? The reason he wanted to find a rival at the academy was likely because he was too lonely.
"??"
Sensing the Superintendent's inexplicably sympathetic gaze, Satoru Gojo felt a bit of gooseflesh.
"Students, I want to tell you: no matter when or where, do not let your beliefs be shaken by the opinions of others," the Superintendent said slowly. "Your hard work will never be in vain."
With his soothing words, the male student who stood up sat back down without saying more. The emotions of the others also settled, and the tension dissipated.
"Well then, Student Hisano, that concludes your speech, right?"
The Superintendent confirmed politely. The instructors nearby really wanted to just cover Gojo's mouth.
Please don't let this little ancestor speak anymore! Every time he opens his mouth, he scares half the population to death.
"Aww, I feel like everyone has a bit of a misunderstanding about me..."
Satoru Gojo complained in a seemingly dejected manner, then looked up again, revealing a pair of strikingly bright red eyes and a devastatingly sweet smile.
"Regardless, for the next six months, please look after me~"
Under this "sugar-coated bullet," many students who were just denouncing Hisano's "evil deeds" suddenly felt...
Dammit, even after being called 'too weak,' it's hard to actually hate this guy!
Is this what they call "Beauty is Justice"?!
Matsuda Jinpei muttered, "Is this kid doing this on purpose?"
"And that insanely arrogant speech... it really makes my hands itch for a fight."
"Didn't you say you'd get along with him?" Hagiwara Kenji replied with a laugh. "I think it's very likely, you know?"
"Well about that..."
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