"Are you listening?"

"Yes, sir. I am listening."

How?

"Due to your criminal activity, you will receive appropriate punishment for it. Are we clear?"

How did it end up like this?

"...Sir, I'm not understanding something. What's there to punish me for? I'm a minor. You'll just give me a minor at maximum, honestly."

Here was I, worried about the scolding that my parents would give me when I returned home yet this old looking police officer is spouting utter nonsense. My crime wasn't that severe even. Come on. Give me the warning so I can get this over with.

"Wait, is that what you think?"

"Sorry?"

What the hell is this guy implying...

"Your actions have consequences, young man. You are lucky that you are 15 years old, otherwise, you'd be going straight up to jail."

Yeah, I'm aware of that. But what's the point of telling me this? I guess he just wants to be "right".

"Oh... My bad there. You're actually out of luck."

"Huh?"

"No, don't get me wrong here. Not going to jail should be considered the highest level of luck considering the circumstances, but really... You're really unlucky, my guy."

Did this boomer just call me 'my guy'?

"How am I unlucky exactly? I'll agree that not going to jail is fairly good. No, it's really good, actually! But just what the hell are you saying exactly? You've been saying words that seem to have a deeper meaning to them compared to what they have on their surface."

"You're correct on that. Well then, allow me to tell you-"

Roughly one hour later.

"Well, we are here. Don't worry though. This program is approved by the government. I will make sure to tell your parents all the necessary details so that they don't worry about their irresponsible son."

For the record, if I knew that irresponsibility had such consequences, then I would've been a good boy and had behaved myself. But of course, against all odds, my luck runs out. More so because this old dude is actually Satan in disguise. Seriously, who the hell approves of this shit!?

"Please let me speak to someone related to the government. I am confident in my argument, trust me."

"You're speaking to one right now."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Mhm. Tell me your argument. I'm all ears."

This geezer probably isn't expecting these sour words coming out from me, but I will show no mercy just because I happen to be younger and he happens to be older.

"Merry fucking Christmas. Also, fuck you. Who sends someone to a private school during Christmas day!? That's against literal common sense!"

Taking the seat belt, I leave the comfy car seat. I never really appreciated a drive from a cop but there was something oddly good about this one. As I open up the door to leave...

"How dare you say that! I could be spending time with my family right now yet I had to return to duty because some kid decided to stir shit up. Oh, poor you. Because you totally have something to look forward to, huh!?"

I must say, I didn't expect the old man to reply to me in such a fierce tone. Especially one mixed with explicit sarcasm.

"Well, you could've literally just let me off the hook yet you decided to take me here because of 'government orders', was it?"

"Unlike you, there are people out there who have to follow the rules to win some money to feed their families. Haha, well, it's not like a kid like you would know, huh?"

He said those spiteful words as he left off.

I suppose I should do some explaining.

According to the old man, the government has issued a certain private program that revolves around morally reforming teenagers like me who have committed severe crimes that would lead to immediate jail. Thus, they have created a private school just to do so.

The most compelling part is their reasoning for choosing this. It would make the most sense for someone who has committed a crime at my age to be a subject of this program, however... Against popular belief, there just so happens to be another reasoning for this. Only those who have committed crimes that would lead to jail immediately are to be subjected to this program.

Needless to say, I'm qualified.

But still, there is something wrong here. For such words, this school, from an outsider's perspective, looks exactly like an average one. What the hell is up with that? I thought this was a secret program. I was expecting like a warm welcome and some badass chills to be sent down my spine. But no.

Plain normal.

Why?

Also, what exactly am I supposed to do? The old man said absolutely nothing about that. That's of course because even though I asked, he answered not.

Although, there is one thing that I know so far. In a distant staircase, there is someone smoking. That intrigues my inner interest for two reasons.

One, I really could use directions and some explanations.

"Hm? Who are you? Never seen you around here."

Two, I smoke.

"Bro, please lend me a cigar and a lighter."

"Hell no. Fuck off."

I know I just got arrested for a crime, but it would seriously be ironic if I killed this guy out of spite just for denying my humble request. Who the fuck denies such request to a homie like that.

Let's try something else---

"Alright, we are off to a bad start huh? But yeah. I'm new here."

"Is that so? Then what are you waiting for? Come on in."

"No, you see..."

God, how do I explain this guy why I'm here... This is gonna be so damn awkward... But, I'm a man with balls of steel. No need to be afraid. Besides, this guy has rebooked me in such a manner. What the hell could go wrong.

"What is it? Out with it. Once this cigar goes out, I'm peacing out."

"A cop just sent me here. Is that normal?"

"Usually no. However, since I happen to be someone who came here through the same way as you did, I'm assuming you were up to no fucking good huh?"

C-Could this guy...

"So you are a lost cause too! My brother!"

I almost want to hug this guy.

"Huh!? Don't lump me with you. I am not a lost cause! Just because I killed 7 people and robbed 2 banks, that doesn't mean I'm a lost cause! What a weak argument."

"Nah, bro. Why are you acting all tsundere for! Just accept the fact that you are trash as hell. Don't worry, I've accepted that fact a long time ago."

Seriously, I'm glad I'm able to meet someone who shares the same origins as I do.

"...I'm not trash. Also, what did you do to be here? It must have been some pretty hardcore shit, right?"

"Oh, it wasn't nothing compared to what you did."

It was then I realized. I realized because I didn't actually think at the time. Right here, in the middle of this haphazard cold, I am exchanging words and trading glances with someone who has killed 7 people and robbed 2 banks.

7 people dead.

2 banks robbed.

What the fuck.

I decided to hold my surprise back and continued the dialogue.

"A-Anyways, what's the deal here? What am I supposed to do?"

I'm finally asking the real questions.

"I don't know. All I know is that the program is only effective on January 1st. Meaning that we have to wait until then. As far as I also know, once that day arrives you are supposed to direct yourself to block F. I've been here since October. What I am saying is, if I haven't found anything more than what I already have, then you are wasting your time. Oh right, one piece of useful information that I should relay on you is, our dorm is located at the very end of the school. Meaning... Well, whatever, I'll show you the way."

"Wait a second, I forgot to ask something important."

"What?"

"Your name."

"My God, what a fucking princess you are. Who gives a shit about names? Just call me bro or something."

This guy does not qualify to be a bro so far so that's out of the table.

"I'm Daniel Lead."

"Oi, did you hear me just yet... Well, whatever... Kan. And don't ask me my surname."

I wanted to ask why but he showed an expression that omitted rage for some reason so I held my breath on that.

Additionally, I extended my handshake. Ah, don't get me wrong. This isn't the sign of a new friendship starting to bloom. I'm just trying to get on the nice side of a killer who has also stolen 2 banks supposedly. This is by all means correct.

However...

Nope. He just walks away.

"Let me offer you a piece of advice. Don't. And I mean this, but seriously. Don't. Ever. Talk. To. Anyone. In. That. Dorm. Myself included. Unless you have a death wish. I'm not bragging, but my moral compass isn't so broken to the point where I can't have a normal conversation with another human being, but..."

You call that normal? A normal person would've shat themselves instantly when they learned those things.

"Those guys haven't seen a single sunray in their lives. If you think about it, the fact that I'm talking to you right now is still a miracle for you. Maybe one for me as well. Why is that though?"

As we walked in the freezing snow, only one answer came to mind.

"It's a miracle for me because you have killed 7 people and I shouldn't be a problem in any situation whatsoever, right?"

Also, I am not sure what he meant by 'sunray' but I'm assuming that he was talking about the emotional side of it. Essentially, someone who has not seen a sunray in their lives has been living a life full of darkness.

"Oh, good. You get it. Nice. Very nice."

I don't like Kan's reply. It's not full of malice but full of arrogance which pisses me off for some reason.

"It's a supposed miracle for me because, whatever you did, I should also be a target for that, right?"

He's not wrong but it's not like he's right.

"That's not really relevant, right? Besides, I got what you mean. I should not interact with anyone, yourself included because you have no idea how they would interact."

"No, Daniel. That's wrong. I'm telling you this because I know how they will react once you do interact with them."

So it wasn't a groundless assumption but a warning.

"Got it. So, this is it? Man, what the fuck."

"What the fuck indeed."

Kan wasn't really surprised but he sighed incredibly heavy in the face of this monstrosity. This monstrosity being, our so-called dorm. I'm a simple man, you see. If I have a place to sleep, I will not complain. But this?! I could write a 1000 word essay on how terrible it looks!

"Either way... Why is our dorm so different from every single other block? It's like we are in a rich kid's school but then there is this section that's made for the plebs. Oi, why are there two dorms? Oi, why does that one, in our right look so much better than ours?!"

"Ah, you mean the girls' dorm. About that... Listen. Do not go near it as well. Can you imagine how crazy chicks interact with each other?!"

Kan had a point. What if my dick got chopped up or something? That's not even funny. Not one bit.

"I'll make sure to stay away from it."

"I have no idea what you just thought right now, but your expression is showing a traumatized experience on the surface."

I wouldn't call it a 'traumatized experience'. Isn't this what they meant by vivid imagination or am I wrong here?

"George, we got a new guy. Tell him what he needs to know. I'm fucking sleepy as hell. Good thing I have some weed though..."

He said those last words silently, but I for sure heard them.

I also was interested in the 'weed' part.

However, my worries became gigantic once I gazed upon the real monstrosity. Of course, you'd think that after you are assigned to a dorm that has nothing cleaned in it. Nothing appealing to it. Nothing to stand out for. Nothing to really say: "Oh wow, I want to live here for a damn while except not!", that nothing could get worse, that was when...

"Hello. I'm this dorm's supervisor. You may call me George."

A tall man, whose origins, under my guess, would be African, stood there in front of me.

His words were actually nice. It's just that...

It bothers me when a guy like George shows up.

A guy that can literally and realistically use your whole body like weight training.

This guy has such a build that his uniform is screaming. I'm not even joking, I think I just heard something rip.

"Please don't hurt me."

I thought about squealing but that would really be a pussy move so I used my only defensive mechanism. Mercy begging.

"Now, now. Why would I hurt you? I'm the supervisor here, nothing more than that. I only do what a supervisor should do. To keep peace in check."

Hey, I might have just found a normal guy who doesn't have a twisted way of thinking or an obscure way of doing things.

"That's good to know. Kan said that you'd tell me something that I needed to know."

"Mhm? Oh yes... It's your room number. It's 23. That is all."

Really? Is that all...?

I feel like this is too anti-climatic and normal though.

Well, okay. I'll just go to my room.

"By the way, where is the bathroom? Also, they serve meals here, right? I'm not gonna starve, right?"

"Each student here has a bathroom in their own room. And yes, we do serve meals. Once in the morning and once in the evening."

"Ah, that's really reassuring."

Wait a second. No, it's not.

"Um, George?"

"It's King George, newbie."

Excuse me what?

I'll just pretend I didn't hear that.

Weird.

"Where is the lunch part? I noticed that you missed out on that."

"Oh, but I didn't. You think you trash ass cans actually deserve food, to begin with?"

Oh no. My image of George is shattering. Wait, don't go, nice guy George!

"W-W-W-W-Why wouldn't we!?"

"Oh, I don't fucking know. Let's see... Maybe because you're all fucking insane!? Who the fuck commits crimes and expects a single shred of mercy to begin with!? Just be glad you got a place to sleep, shit and eat! Now go to fucking sleep!"

I wanted to point out how insane he probably was but all my courage was depleted by those loud shots. If I had stood there and had withstood all of those shouts with fierce eyes, then I would call myself brave. But no. I'm just a human, sorry.

"I'm so sorry for even trying..."

With shame, I walked on.

Until...

"I forgot to mention..."

"Yes!?"

In hope for some words that would mean anything good, I turned my whole body around and looked towards George who put the devil's grin on his face.

"I sleep at midnight. Everyone in this dorm knows that already but you, the newbie, know not. So I will tell you this once and I will not repeat it again. If you are still awake past midnight, if you do any sort of noise, I will kill you in your sleep!!"

Immediately understanding my situation, I nodded with all my might and turned back.

I ran as fast as I could towards my room which was at the end of the hall.

Plus, I realized one thing. George said that he would not repeat his words again. I know why. Because I would not be alive to have those words told to me.

It's official. I have not met such nutcases consistently constantly ever. Furthermore, I actually expected something from George. But nope. It reminded me of how in some movie someone said: 'I am the law!'

Farewell, nice guy George.

Nothing remotely noteworthy happened in the next days. I did see some of my roommates but never really interacted since I was taking Kan's advice seriously. I was basically just killing time until January 1st.

Also, my bed only had one blanket. In the winter.

In addition to that, I saw George. No, that's wrong. I saw, King George verbally lashing at one of my roommates for whatever reason. I silently prayed that I would not be next.

Maybe something noteworthy to note would be the fact that this is the first time that I spent both Christmas and the New Year without celebrating it. Not that I care about it. It just occurred to me simply.

I might've been slightly pissed over the fact that I didn't get free gifts, mainly money, because I wasn't at my house, to begin with.

At last, the day had come.

Putting up the uniform that was automatically in my closet, I dressed up. I'm assuming that the uniform was initially there for students to wear it when it was class time. Otherwise, it doesn't really make any sense.

I feel like calling myself Captain Obvious for stating something so obvious now.

"Captain Obvious."

I said that as I looked at the fragmented mirror.

That's right.

Not even a mirror is safe here. I would very much like to know just who would do such cruelty do a mirror, especially a mirror a man would feel manly just by looking at himself. What a sinner.

Am I forgetting something?

"Nope."

What time is it though?

"8.30 am. Huh. I'm thirty minutes early. Damn, what a nerd I am."

Wait a fucking second.

"Holy shit! It starts at 8'o clock!"

Without wasting any more time, I made haste.

However, I needed to ask King George something.

"King George, where's everyone at!?"

"Block F. Didn't anyone tell you?"

I was too worried about the fact that I was late as hell to remind myself that Kan did tell me that.

Unlike any other day, there were a plethora of students around this time. Without giving care, I ran towards block F. However, something bothered me. While I was running, each student would get scared the moment I got close to them. I didn't get close to them because I wanted but because they were in the damn way.

Why was that though? I'm not physically scary. It makes no sense.

Eventually, as I got to block F, something immediately caught my attention.

"No!! You can't do this to me!! I stayed in this hell hole for 3 years!! I deserve my freedom, you can't throw me into jail after all this time!! I didn't do anything wrong!!! Come on!!"

A bald tattooed man, who was turbulently revolting around was being chased down by two men in a black suit.

Just what the...

"Your opinion is irrelevant. You failed."

"I didn't fail! I didn't fail! You're all fucked up!! You fucking liar!! You promised that I could do it!!"

Then, appearing from the door which was closed, submerged a man who also had a black suit.

"Sorry about that. I don't keep promises. Take him away."

The two black-suited men said 'Yes, sir!' at the same time.

It felt hard to understand what was going on.

"What a shame. If only he wasn't stupid to that point then he could've passed through the test. Oh well. Failures will be failures. He will have plenty of time to reflect that about jail. His jail time is 25 years. What were his crimes again...? Multiple rape accusations, was it?"

I didn't have the time to be shocked. The scene just didn't allow me to. Just the thought of ending up like that guy completely strengthened my resolve to escape his fate.

"However, I must say. To actually come 30 minutes late during the first day. Man, the audacity of you criminals is absurd. This is basically a second chance for you people yet no. You people just throw every opportunity away."

He was obviously talking to me, even though he wasn't looking at me.

"I'm sorry, my clock is broken."

"Your brain is not your clock."

I really wanted to retort back but there were more important issues at hand.

"Come on in. The class never starts without the last member of it anyways."

"Huh? Isn't that weird? Since this is criminals we are talking about, there is no way that they will go to a class!"

"Normally, yes. However, for every class you miss, your years in jail, once you are eighteen, will increase by 2, if you skip a single class."

"W-What the hell!? But no one told me about that!"

"Did you tell your victim what you were going to do when you did your crime? I bet you didn't. Why were you expecting equal treatment?"

No point in arguing with this guy it seems.

"Also..."

Closing our distance, that man, whispered to my ear the following words:

"Once you are over 10 years of jail time worthy, you will get executed."

"C-Cut the bullshit! Execution isn't allowed in this day of age!"

"That's where you are wrong. Did you even bother to read the regulation system index that was in your room? Every student should get it, right?"

W-What the hell! I saw nothing of that! What sort of sick joke is this?!

"I didn't get anything like that..."

"Criminals resorting to lies as a defensive mechanism. Saw that already plenty of times. Also, from now on, call me Basara-sensei."

Walking inside the classroom, I saw nothing but malicious looks directed at me. If what Basara-sensei said was true, then I should've received a regulation system index, but I didn't. Which means something is off.

Coincidentally, a girl also walked in at the same time as me. With silk pink hair, she stood there at my side. I really wondered, at the time, just what a girl, that is so beautiful, could have done to end up in this room.

As a matter of fact, something was not right. Most of these people do not seem like real criminals. But one thing was for sure. Their appearances didn't matter since the fact was already enticed. All people here, myself included, are not mentally sane.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Where do I sit?"

"This is a seat-free room. I couldn't care less where you sit, just sit."

Said Basara-sensei in response to the girl's question.

"Okay."

I had already taken my seat. I didn't even bother to choose a cool sit or anything like that. I just sat on the table that was for two that was closest to the door.

It widened my eyes to how she took the place that was next to me. However, she gave me a stare that said to me 'Don't talk to me, trash'.

Now, don't get me wrong here. I wasn't expecting anything romantic to happen. If there is something that I've learned thus far is that, from these people, you should expect not the best, but the worse.

I then firmly stared into Basara-sensei who looked at the rest of the class and said:

"Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Basara Tenma. Your teacher. I will be responsible for all of you in the upcoming 3 years. I'll put it simply, but, if you manage to graduate from this while passing every test, then your penance will be abolished. Otherwise, you either go to jail for the rest of your lives or if you act like a smartass, like the other guy just now, you know what you're getting yourself into. Any crime you commit or any violent conduct, be it malicious or not, will not be forgiven. Consequences will be applied. You were given the chance that many people wish they could take. Act like it, please."

"Yo, Basara. Tell me this, what happens if I decide to kill every single person in this room, right now, just because? What then?"

"It's Basara-sensei, you idiotic moron. Also, you will receive execution for that. Furthermore, I am fluent in martial arts. I will take you down with ease, should you try anything too funny."

Jesus, these dudes have no chill... One calling a teacher by his name like that is already fairly offensive, but the other literally saying 'Come at me!' doesn't make this any less absurd.

"It's a joke, Basara-sensei~ Was just testing ya."

"Let this be an example for all of you. I don't tolerate jokes or any type of retorts. You are free to interact with each other the way you want to if it's under the conduct. However, to superior authorities such as I, there will be punishment. Starting now, you have all received a penalty. Let's see... What would be appropriate here..."

As Basara-sensei thought about it, our eyes could not look in other directions. We were so worried about what he might say.

"Ah, I've decided. You will all receive a charge for murder."

"What!?"

The whole class, including me, shouted like hell.

"Wait a second, sensei! There's something off here, I don't deserve any of this, he does!"

This time, my neighbor exalted herself and claimed that the dude, who I don't know his name, who said those things should be punished independently. I will have to agree.

"The fuck bitch? Speak to me again and I'll slice your fucking throat off!"

"You think I'm scared of you just because you are acting tough? I despise people like you!"

"Silence!"

Echoing throughout the whole room, Basara-sensei manages to create silence.

"If one suffers, you all will suffer. None of you has any right to complain after what you did."

How right he is. But, a true criminal would not care.

"Excuse me, but I've been curious for a while but could you tell me how will we, who have committed crimes of serious large scales, manage to nullify our own jail time in the upcoming future?"

"Hyunda, was it? Good question. Unfortunately, I've already given you that answer, dumbass. By passing tests, how else?"

"I get that. But are you seriously telling us that we simply need to sit here and just pass tests and viola, the whole jail thing is gone? Not that I'm against such simplicity but I find it completely strange."

"They are tests, yes. But tell me this, do you actually believe that they are just mere tests? Do people of your caliber actually deserve such treatment?"

"No, I suppose not."

This is by far the first good impression that I have on a classmate of mine. Not only is he reasonable but he also shows a mature stance.

"I guess you are all curious about those types of exams, right? Want me to tell you all about it?"

I, out of instinct, say:

"Yes!"

Then as if to mock me, Basara-sensei puts a devilish grin and says:

"Hell no."

That was when I realized. Hell is on Earth.