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[ BGM: Comic ]
-I wonder what’s going on.
When I peer into the center of the hubbub, I see my friend and student council president Issei Ryuudou.
Hmm? Why do you look surprised? We announced at last week's assembly that this month the student council would strictly enforce school rules. I have been tasked with performing inspections to ensure students are in compliance with school rules. Now, it goes without saying that EVERYONE is subject to inspections, even old friends.
Now then, uniform inspection time. ...Collar, check! Pant hems, check! And your socks...check! Next up is the contents of your bag... Notebooks, textbooks, pencil box! Not even a whiff of contraband. Your nails are evenly cut, and your haircut is sensible. Indeed, quite remarkable. You're a model Tsukumihara Academy student.
Someone like you ought to consider a future in student government. You'd be perfect for it. Oh, but I'd never try to coerce you into joining the student council. We aren't like that. Now then, off to your classroom! Enjoy your day.
Before I can reply, Mr. Diligent Student Council President is on to the next student's inspection. Hungry for gossip on their way to their classrooms, the students jabber about the inspections. Things are always so gently bustling in the morning. Another peaceful beginning to another peaceful day.
[ BGM: School 2 ]
This here's Tsukumihara Academy. Let's see what campus life is like, shall we?
Male Student: ...I just wanted to try saying that once, just to see how corny it would sound. If you continue right, you’ll find the Archery Range, but you should head for the school building now. Your classroom is on the second floor, right? If you don’t get to your classroom soon, you’ll incite Tiger's wrath.
Female Student: Oh? Isn’t the Archery Range open?
Male Student: What is this Archery Range you speak of? Oh, that building over there to the right. What about it?
Female Student: Well, somebody left their stuff there, but whatever.
They sure do love their archery range. Fine, fine, let's check it out.
I'd better hightail it back to the classroom. Room 2-A is on the main building’s second floor.
Awww. 
Let's check out the school building for proper, then. And see who's up for a chat on the way, of course.
Male Student: Man, I must have a hole in my head. Maybe if I head back to my classroom.
Probably forgot his pencilcase or something.
Is...Is that a thing? I have never heard of this.
Anyway, the first floor has a few things. The right side of the hallway has the faculty office, the nurse's office, and the school entrance to the garden. The left side of the hallway has the classrooms. Downstairs is the school commissary (aka cafeteria/school store) but it's closed at the moment, since they're apparently still getting ready.
You should get that checked out, buddy. Good thing you're standing right near the best place to do just that.
All right, that's enough of the first floor for now. Our only real destination at the moment is classroom 2-A, so let's book it. (Plus, the game blocks you from going to the third floor if you try.)
Making a beeline to our classroom, 2-A, like a good boy, nets us...
As I enter class, I see Matou with a bunch of girls. Why he’s so popular is a mystery...
This.
Even though we’ve-
Hey, we’ve been friends since our freshman year, right? Anyway, don’t sweat the fact that you’re as boring as dirt. It’s not like you can help it. I mean, anyone would seem boring and stupid when compared to me!
It’s a little early for so much abuse, but as it’s Shinji Matou, it can’t be helped. His arrogance is almost palatable. I don’t know what he’s saying, but it makes all the girls squeal with joy. Actually let me rephrase...His popularity isn’t so much mysterious as it is...unnatural.
I was just doing a little math tutoring. This stuff is beyond easy...for me, anyway.
Female Student: ...Wait a sec. Hey Matou, isn’t the answer to this question...totally wrong in every way?
Wh-What in the-? I’m the one who solved that! There’s no way it could be wrong!
Female Student: B-But...Look at this. Since when did two plus two equal five?
As Shinji raises his voice, the girls all panic and run back to their desks.
What a charmer.
*Sigh*. I hate dealing with the proletariat. Especially when they think they’re my equal. It’s really pathetic that these worms don’t know their place. That’s why I like you so much. Even though you’re boring, you know not to steal my thunder. You’re the ultimate sidekick.
Tha...nks?
Shinji flashes me a smile. It’s weird how I never take offense at the way he talks to me. By some strange twist of fate, Shinji Matou and I are friends.
How we became friends was...I can’t quite remember how it happened... I want to say we met in spring sometime... The bell for class rings as I try to recollect. And who should fly through the door but our homeroom teacher, Ms. Fujimura.
And...*Thud*. Ms. Fujimura trips, falling painfully onto the floor. As she lands, her head strikes the corner of the platform at the front of the classroom.
The classroom goes dead silent. Every student’s attention is focused on the same thing.
Female Student: Listen, you! This isn’t the time to be making stupid jokes.
Male Student: You’re right. She isn’t moving. Did she get knocked out or something?
A few brave students get out of their seats and crowd around the still comatose Fujimura.
Ugh... Wha-?
Ms. Fujimura jumps to her feet as if nothing had happened. It’s almost as if the memory of her sudden and violent trip to the floor was totally erased. As this happens all the time, no one seems to notice or care enough to say anything.
...No one gives a thought to how odd it is for this to happen every single day.
The scene playing out before me seems to never change from day to day.
The same exact lessons.
The exact same subject.
The exact same content.
Tige... I mean Ms. Fujimura is conducting class today the same way she does everyday.
You may not know, but when I was young, an known pathogen was the cause of a serious epidemic. In fact, outbreaks were common. But now, most illnesses are cured using nanonythingymajigs! And FYI, I’m still young. This will be on the test so be sure you don’t forget it. I mean it.
Her ensuing laughter stops short at her eyes, which seem deadly serious. Just as everyone is about to call Fujimura out-
The bell signaling the end of class rings.
All right, that’s all for today. Be sure to study hard tonight, and don’t forget those important points I told you about.
While today’s class wasn’t all that boring, it is a relief when the bell rings. As the bell signaling the end of the day sounds, students begin to break off into small groups.
Being a student sucks. The worst part of the whole deal is having to attend these stupid classes.
You’re still here? ...That’s unusual. You don’t have any plans, like a date or something? Ha ha, I’m just messing with you! I know you’re too big of a nerd to ever get a date! I mean, you’re just going to your dork club-
The journalism club, right...? Well, seeing as you’re as boring as stale white bread, your life is exactly as it should be. You know exactly what your role in life is, and you stay there. Well, catch you later! See you in class tomorrow!
[ Shinji turns and walks away. ]
Now that Shinji's done slinging some verbal abuse our way, we can talk to even more classmates.
Female Student: Guys always bolt when it's time to clean. The lies they tell to get out of helping are pathetic.
Male Student: One of my desks's legs is shorter than the others and it keeps shifting around. ARGH! It's driving me insane!
Could always use a coin or a piece of cardboard for that.
Male Student: I hate wearing uniforms. I should've gone somewhere that lets you wear regular clothes.
Male Student: What?! I'd kill to be able to wear the black uniform of the student council like you!
Female Student: It seems kind of pathetic to just head straight home after school. I should join a club...
Female Student: I guess the Journalism Club's been busy. I mean, with all of the weird stuff happening...
> Weird...stuff?
Recently, a lot of students have been getting hurt. Rumor is that there's a slasher on campus...
> I'm in the Journalism Club?
Huh, you're not a member? You're always talking in the hallway with the Editor in Chief.
There's a guy with a yellow ellipses sign over his head, which means it's probably important to talk to him.
Male Student: Hey! The Editor in Chief of the Journalism Club was calling a general meeting. You'd better go.
...Somewhat important, then. Anyway, the editor in chief is practically the first thing you see when you exit the classroom and go to the right. Can't miss her and her posse.
Editor: What? Did you forget? You have to write an "Unsolved Mysteries of Tsukumihara" article. C'mon, I told you yesterday. There isn't very much time left before the deadline. Well, whatever. Your work's always good, so I'll leave this in your capable hands! Jeez, my benevolence is like a black panther running around. Yes, that doesn't make sense. So that's that. I've done some of the investigating. It's your job to do the rest.
...Don't look so surprised. There is a method to my madness.
Okay, so about the first preview edition, the one called "Gateway to the Paranormal." So listen... There's supposedly an entrance to the spirit world at the rear of the Archery Range. One time, a male student who got bullied a lot was told to pick up trash there...and vanished. Everyone's totally convinced that there's paranormal activity going on back there.
Isn't that scary- I mean, ridiculous?! Anyway, go sniff out the truth! Leave no stone unturned! Your nose and eyes are the tools of the trade for a journalist. Got it?
It doesn't matter which one we pick, the answer is the same.
Editor: Your reply should be "Yes, ma'am!" All right. Hop to it!
Our next destination is the archery range, but let's stop by the third floor, now that it's open.
Female Student: Rain or shine, the student council president is at the main gate. Gotta tip your hat to that. ...Yeah, or pull the stick out of his butt so he can walk away. He's not a bad guy overall, though.
Male Student: Hey, have you noticed how that girl in the Nurse's Office wears long sleeves even in the summer?
Male Student: Yeah, she's always wearing that long jacket. Could it be because her older brother bullies her?
... 
There's a Multimedia Room on this floor, but it's locked.
There's nothing else of note on this floor for now. Time to go to the archery range.
Male Student: Oh yeah, I heard we got a new teacher. Hopefully they’re nice, and not a total control freak.
Male Student: I really wish I was dating Shinji's sister. She's that cute girl in the Nurse's Office.
And we'd get married and she'd feed me and I'd wake up to her every day... Squee!
But the thought of Shinji being my brother-in-law is...Ugh. If only they weren't related...
There's some sort of commotion at the end of the hall on the first floor, near the nurse's office. There's a girl with purple hair, which must be Shinji's sister, and- ...Oh no.
I heard that you’ve been skipping out on the archery club’s morning practices lately! Why haven’t you been showing up? And where do you get off taking a break without my say so?! You bi...I get it now. You’ve been going to "their" house again, haven’t you?
...Yes. I have been going there, but I just wanted to help, and...
Let me guess... You felt you were obligated to, right? Jeez, why must you be so damn naive? Wait a sec... What was that just now? Anyway, if someone gets hurt, just leave them to suffer. Just do what I tell you to, and things will be a-okay.
I mean, it seems like people get some kind of perverse thrill from getting in my way. To force one of my...err...my dear little sister to miss valuable practice time...
That’s not how it was at all...! I wasn’t forced to do anything. I wanted to help! ...Um...why don’t you...Why is it so wrong to help those who need it?
Ha! Isn't it only fools and the weak who manage to get themselves hurt somehow? And why help anybody out? Will that person ever pay you back or help in return? Of course they won’t! And if you think otherwise, you’re an idiot. I won’t be used by anyone. It’s better to treat others as cattle. And isn’t it time for you to admit to feeling the same way?!
But... But, for me, that option...
Stop right there. I don’t care what you have to say. Stop going to that house, Sakura. Got it?!
After a scene like that, I just want to make sure she's okay.
Oh...! I-I mean... H-Hi... Can I help you with anything? If you ever start feeling unwell, please come by the nurse’s office.
There are 2 gossiping female students on the other end of the hallway.
Female Student: Wait a sec... Is Nurse Sakura really Shinji Matou’s little sister?!
Female Student: Where did you get that idea? They don’t look anything alike.
Female Student: Huh...? She’s not?
Female Student: Uh... I’m not really sure. I feel for her, though. It’s like she’s the topic of a million rumors... Plus she has Shinji as a brother. If I was her, my diary would be longer than War and Peace.
Female Student: You actually keep a diary?! How...archaic. I never expected something like that from you.
Poor Sakura.
That's enough dilly-dallying. We've got an archery range to investigate, and this time, nothing will stop-
As a rule, students aren’t allowed inside of the supply room. It might just be a rat or something. For some unknown reason, I find my eyes drawn to the door of the supply room when...
The door is suddenly and violently thrown open.
Without warning, a man appears from out of the shadows. Dressed in black with a dour expression, the person in question is very intimidating.
...But that sense of intimidation is immediately replaced with extreme discomfort and unease.
[ BGM: Breach (There's also loud heart-thumping going on in this scene.) ]
A sudden, overwhelming sense of danger gives me goose bumps all over my body. His cold, blank, stare sends chills down my spine, as though he’s marking me for death.
...For some reason, it feels as if he is deciding whether to break my neck or skin me alive.
He begins to mutter under his breath while at the same time he reaches out with his right hand. The chills running down my spine gain intensity as waves of nausea and vertigo wash over me. I feel like a rabbit watching the wolf draw near. Maybe this isn’t just raw terror. I think he’s holding something that’s making me feel this way?
You’re not even trying to fight. My instincts aren’t as sharp as they should be. I need to rest.
The note of disgust in his voice is obvious as he slowly lowers his hand. The paralysis that seemed to take hold of me suddenly fades away. The man continues to look down on me with those dead eyes of his.
[ The BGM fades, and the world turns sunset-orange again. ]
The campus is about to close. If you have nothing else to do, I advise you go home now.
...
My name is Mr. Kuzuki. I will be teaching here starting today.
The man who introduces himself as Mr. Kuzuki turns and heads back into the supply room. With that, the final bell begins to chime, signaling the end of the school day. Everything begins to progress as normal, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
But I’m still sore and slicked with sweat; an all too real reminder of what happened. Wonderful. We now have a teacher with obvious "murderous intent" teaching at our school.
Tell me I'm not the only one who saw that.
Female Student: Wasn't his name...Kuzuki? He seems...not dangerous...but definitely merciless.
Not dangerous?
Male Student: Have you met the new student counselor Kuzuki? Talk about terrifying...
He seems so cold. I didn't think he was a teacher at first. Just a glance from him made me shiver.
You're telling me. It's time to get out of here, for more reasons than one.
Female Student: He’s tall, dark, and handsome...mostly dark.
We can actually go inside the archery range now.
The worst is when they leave their arrows stuck in the target mound. I usually make the kids do it, but there's no club activities leading up to exams, so I’m doing it.
Huh? An entrance to the spirit world? That's just a rumor, it's not real! Exams are right around the corner, so don't waste your time on stuff like that. Go home, shoo, shoo!
What appears in the Archery Range isn't an entrance to the spirit world, but Ti-Ms. Fujimura. -Well, I can't say I'm surprised she’s behind one of Tsukumihara’s mysteries. It's fitting. I'll report this tomorrow, so I can go home now if I want.
> Go home.
> Stay at school.
Staying at school just lets you poke around some more, but there's nothing else plot related for this day, so > Go home.