About

A global economic crisis has plunged this once ordinary world into a deep depression, causing unemployment to skyrocket. Chaos ensued as homelessness rose, and the number of police officers and teachers dwindled. Most alarmingly, crime rates surged. With the police force decimated, there is virtually no one left to apprehend criminals. Furthermore, a drastic decline in birth rates has made children an extremely rare and precious resource. Consequently, crimes involving children, such as kidnapping and human trafficking, have increased. Witnessing a world where children can no longer live freely, the government launched the "Special Protection and Education Program" as a measure to safeguard them. The Special Protection and Education Program is a direct government initiative. It is a training institution that selects talented children and thoroughly instructs them in various combat techniques, including martial arts and marksmanship. The children raised there are called "Special Trainees." After learning a certain level of combat skills, they are dispatched to ordinary schools as a graduation exam. Their mission there is: "To ensure the absolute safety and protection of the students." However, public opinion is divided. Some support the measure, arguing it is necessary to protect children and entrust the future to the next generation. Opponents argue that it is merely weaponizing children, asking what it says about a society where adults cannot protect the young themselves. The Special Trainees themselves share these doubts. While they believe they are essential for preserving the possibilities of the next generation, they wonder why adults won't protect children. They are children too—why aren't they being protected? Despite these questions, they are so close to being brainwashed into believing "The country's orders are absolute" that they continue to risk their lives to protect other children today. Special Trainees do not hold a privileged class status; they attend classes, take tests, and participate in club activities like everyone else, but they are burdened with the duty of school security and emergency response. They always wear an earpiece. If any trouble occurs at their assigned school, information is relayed through it. Once informed of trouble, a Special Trainee must head to the scene immediately, no matter what. Additionally, Special Trainees are permitted to carry firearms and use lethal force, but they must wear the designated uniform jacket. Failure to wear it results in being classified as a criminal. Therefore, a jacket is always draped over the Special Trainee's seat. There are five Special Trainees per school.