Classroom of the Elite Vol.7 Chap 3 OLD vs. NEW
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Chapter 3:
Chapter 3:
Reunions and Farewells
Reunions and Farewells
“WHAT’S UP with those guys?!” Sudou grumbled irritably as he walked into our classroom the next day, bypassing his seat and approaching Horikita. The look on his face made it immediately clear that he was extremely pissed off. “Hey. You got a sec, Suzune?”
“WHAT’S UP with those guys?!” Sudou grumbled irritably as he walked into our classroom the next day, bypassing his seat and approaching Horikita. The look on his face made it immediately clear that he was extremely pissed off. “Hey. You got a sec, Suzune?”
“What’s the matter?” Horikita couldn’t exactly ignore him when he cornered her at her desk.
“What’s the matter?” Horikita couldn’t exactly ignore him when he cornered her at her desk.
“Those jerks from Class C! That Ryuuen guy and his lackeys. They’ve been followin’ me since this mornin’, trying to pick a fight. They even blocked my way in the hall. They’re seriously getting on my nerves!”
“Those jerks from Class C! That Ryuuen guy and his lackeys. They’ve been followin’ me since this mornin’, trying to pick a fight. They even blocked my way in the hall. They’re seriously getting on my nerves!”
“You haven’t shouted insults or taken swings at them, have you?” asked Horikita. She gave Sudou a slight glare, prompting his immediate answer.
“You haven’t shouted insults or taken swings at them, have you?” asked Horikita. She gave Sudou a slight glare, prompting his immediate answer.
“I didn’t, no way. I completely ignored ’em.”
“I didn’t, no way. I completely ignored ’em.”
“I see. It seems you followed my instructions perfectly, then,” replied Horikita.
“I see. It seems you followed my instructions perfectly, then,” replied Horikita.
“What’s she talking about? What instructions?” I asked Sudou.
“What’s she talking about? What instructions?” I asked Sudou.
“Oh, Suzune told me that whenever I run into something I can’t deal with properly, I should just ignore it,” said Sudou. That was certainly sound advice. If Sudou rebuked the Class C students, it would probably only add fuel to the fire, so to speak.
“Oh, Suzune told me that whenever I run into something I can’t deal with properly, I should just ignore it,” said Sudou. That was certainly sound advice. If Sudou rebuked the Class C students, it would probably only add fuel to the fire, so to speak.
“Well, I guess I did bump their shoulders a little when I forced my way through,” he added. “The students from the other classes knew I was boxed in, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right?”
“Well, I guess I did bump their shoulders a little when I forced my way through,” he added. “The students from the other classes knew I was boxed in, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right?”
“I don’t think they’d try anything, no,” said Horikita. “So, what did they say to you?”
“I don’t think they’d try anything, no,” said Horikita.
They’d already gotten the school and student council involved once before, and it had caused an uproar. If Sudou punched someone, that would be bad, but if he just pushed his way through, it should be fine.
“So, what did they say to you?”
“They called me a monkey, an idiot, childish stuff like that. They were tryin’ to start a fight.” Smack! Sudou pounded his fist into his palm. I wondered whether this was a continuation of Class C’s plans, like when they’d appeared at the archery club yesterday.
“They called me a monkey, an idiot, childish stuff like that. They were tryin’ to start a fight.” Smack! Sudou pounded his fist into his palm. I wondered whether this was a continuation of Class C’s plans, like when they’d appeared at the archery club yesterday.
“Some Class C guys also tailed Akito—I mean, Miyake,” I told Sudou and Horikita.
“Some Class C guys also tailed Akito—I mean, Miyake,” I told Sudou and Horikita.
“Miyake-kun? It seems Class C’s quite active these days,” Horikita replied.
“Miyake-kun? It seems Class C’s quite active these days,” Horikita replied.
“Do you think they’re plannin’ on staging another fight, like that time they tried to get me in trouble?” asked Sudou.
“Do you think they’re plannin’ on staging another fight, like that time they tried to get me in trouble?” asked Sudou.
“Who knows? I can’t say at this point. But I’ll consider countermeasures, just in case. If they happen to approach you again, make sure you don’t get physical,” said Horikita.
“Who knows? I can’t say at this point. But I’ll consider countermeasures, just in case. If they happen to approach you again, make sure you don’t get physical,” said Horikita.
“I understand. I ain’t gonna break my promise to you. Even if they start throwin’ punches, I’ll stay calm,” said Sudou.
“I understand. I ain’t gonna break my promise to you. Even if they start throwin’ punches, I’ll stay calm,” said Sudou.
He sounded much more mature now, and Horikita seemed to believe what he said. After Sudou finished giving his report, he returned satisfied to his seat and casually started a conversation with Ike and Yamauchi.
He sounded much more mature now, and Horikita seemed to believe what he said. After Sudou finished giving his report, he returned satisfied to his seat and casually started a conversation with Ike and Yamauchi.
Watching him, Horikita spoke up. “I wonder if Sudou-kun’s finally become a normal, well-adjusted person,” she mused.
Watching him, Horikita spoke up. “I wonder if Sudou-kun’s finally become a normal, well-adjusted person,” she mused.
“Yeah,” I replied. “His speech is still a little crude, but that’s fine.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “His speech is still a little crude, but that’s fine.”
“It looks like it’s time for him to take the next step.” With that cryptic comment, Horikita got a notebook and started scribbling something down.
“It looks like it’s time for him to take the next step.” With that cryptic comment, Horikita got a notebook and started scribbling something down.
“What are you talking about? What next step?” I asked. When I tried to sneak a peek at her writing, Horikita quickly closed the notebook.
“What are you talking about? What next step?” I asked. When I tried to sneak a peek at her writing, Horikita quickly closed the notebook.
“That’s a topic for another time. Besides, we have more problems than just Sudou-kun right now,” she said.
“That’s a topic for another time. Besides, we have more problems than just Sudou-kun right now,” she said.
I didn’t know what she meant, and honestly didn’t care. Lately, Horikita had thought and acted independently of me with increasing frequency. She’d gotten better at communicating with Sudou, Hirata, and the others, too.
I didn’t know what she meant, and honestly didn’t care. Lately, Horikita had thought and acted independently of me with increasing frequency. She’d gotten better at communicating with Sudou, Hirata, and the others, too.
“At any rate, Ryuuen-kun’s been a busy bee—we only just got done with the Paper Shuffle,” she continued. “I wonder what he’s plotting now?”
“At any rate, Ryuuen-kun’s been a busy bee—we only just got done with the Paper Shuffle,” she continued. “I wonder what he’s plotting now?”
“There aren’t any exams in the immediate future,” I said.
“There aren’t any exams in the immediate future,” I said.
“Think back to the time they attacked Sudou-kun. Now, it seems as if Ryuuen-kun’s plotting against Ichinose-san and Class B. He apparently likes challenging his enemies when no exams are involved,” said Horikita. She shot me a withering look, as if to say, “Don’t you already know that?”
“Think back to the time they attacked Sudou-kun. Now, it seems as if Ryuuen-kun’s plotting against Ichinose-san and Class B. He apparently likes challenging his enemies when no exams are involved,” said Horikita. She shot me a withering look, as if to say, “Don’t you already know that?”
I pretended not to notice and shrugged the look off. “I wonder what he’s after this time?”
I pretended not to notice and shrugged the look off. “I wonder what he’s after this time?”
“Do you really not know? Or are you just pretending?” Horikita asked.
“Do you really not know? Or are you just pretending?” Horikita asked.
“What do you mean?”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s looking for the person controlling Class D from behind the scenes.”
“He’s looking for the person controlling Class D from behind the scenes.”
“In other words, he’s looking for you?”
“In other words, he’s looking for you?”
Horikita pinned me with an intense glare. “You can’t use me to hide from Ryuuen anymore.”
Horikita pinned me with an intense glare. “You can’t use me to hide from Ryuuen anymore.”
“What makes you say that?”
“What makes you say that?”
“If he thought I was the puppet master, so to speak, he would approach me directly. But he hasn’t done anything of the sort,” said Horikita.
“If he thought I was the puppet master, so to speak, he would approach me directly. But he hasn’t done anything of the sort,” said Horikita.
“Perhaps your strategy during the Paper Shuffle was more effective than he expected? He might be moving more carefully this time. Taking a while to remove the obstacles in his way first,” I said.
“Perhaps your strategy during the Paper Shuffle was more effective than he expected? He might be moving more carefully this time. Taking a while to remove the obstacles in his way first,” I said.
“I wonder. I don’t think that’s it, though. It’s more like he lost interest in me.”
“I wonder. I don’t think that’s it, though. It’s more like he lost interest in me.”
“Does this mean you miss Ryuuen’s attention?” I asked.
“Does this mean you miss Ryuuen’s attention?” I asked.
“Does that mean you want me to kick you?”
“Does that mean you want me to kick you?”
“I do not want to be kicked.”
“I do not want to be kicked.” She was definitely the kind of person who would actually kick me, too.
“Maybe our class’s clandestine leader foolishly called attention to himself? Play dumb if you like, but do you really want to discuss this here and now?” asked Horikita.
“Maybe our class’s clandestine leader foolishly called attention to himself? Play dumb if you like, but do you really want to discuss this here and now?” asked Horikita.
It was just before homeroom, and all our classmates, Kushida included, sat at their desks. It didn’t seem as if anyone was listening in, but this wasn’t a conversation we could risk having overheard.
It was just before homeroom, and all our classmates, Kushida included, sat at their desks. It didn’t seem as if anyone was listening in, but this wasn’t a conversation we could risk having overheard.
“At any rate, you apparently understand Ryuuen quite well. I’m not teasing. I mean it,” I added quickly, because Horikita glared at me again.
“At any rate, you apparently understand Ryuuen quite well. I’m not teasing. I mean it,” I added quickly, because Horikita glared at me again.
“His modus operandi has remained essentially the same. If he plays the same tricks over and over, I’m going to learn from it, even if I don’t like it. That’s how I predicted that he’d use Kushida-san during the Paper Shuffle. Of course, it goes without saying that I would’ve preferred that not happen, but…” Horikita trailed off.
“His modus operandi has remained essentially the same. If he plays the same tricks over and over, I’m going to learn from it, even if I don’t like it. That’s how I predicted that he’d use Kushida-san during the Paper Shuffle. Of course, it goes without saying that I would’ve preferred that not happen, but…” Horikita trailed off.
No one liked a traitor. However, Ryuuen had felt secure precisely because of the internal threat Kushida posed. For better or for worse, Kushida allowed us to see our enemy’s attack patterns.
No one liked a traitor. Horikita was probably thinking that we wouldn’t have had to struggle quite so hard if Kushida hadn’t betrayed us.
However, Ryuuen had felt secure precisely because of the internal threat Kushida posed. For better or for worse, Kushida allowed us to see our enemy’s attack patterns.
“That wasn’t Ryuuen-kun’s only miscalculation. I intended to pull the rug out from under him during the Paper Shuffle,” Horikita continued.
“That wasn’t Ryuuen-kun’s only miscalculation. I intended to pull the rug out from under him during the Paper Shuffle,” Horikita continued.
“Isn’t that what actually happened, though?”
“Isn’t that what actually happened, though?”
“Yes. Honestly, some of Class C’s lowest-scoring students should’ve been expelled, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“Yes. Honestly, some of Class C’s lowest-scoring students should’ve been expelled, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
If you could get your hands on a complete set of questions and answers, then there was no need to study. Horikita was saying it wouldn’t have been surprising for some students from Class C to be kicked out of school after having let their guard down. Keisei and the others seemed to think the same thing.
“Class C must have some smart people, right? Students acting in support roles for their classmates, unlike Ryuuen,” I replied.
“Class C must have some smart people, right? Students acting in support roles for their classmates, unlike Ryuuen,” I replied.
“I suppose so. If they’re putting in that much effort, they’re doing a good job,” said Horikita. “At any rate, I imagine his tricks will only escalate from here.”
“I suppose so. If they’re putting in that much effort, they’re doing a good job,” said Horikita. “At any rate, I imagine his tricks will only escalate from here.”
“That’s not my problem. It’s yours.”
“That’s not my problem. It’s yours.”
“I know that. Being your decoy seems to be my fate in life.”
“I know that. Being your decoy seems to be my fate in life.”
“You sound surprisingly accepting.”
“You sound surprisingly accepting.”
“Because I have no choice but to accept it. It’s not like you’re going to quit now, are you?”
“Because I have no choice but to accept it. It’s not like you’re going to quit now, are you?”
Horikita was perceptive. She had quite a lot of potential. If she improved her communication skills to Hirata’s level, she could stand among the ranks of the elite.
This optimism wasn’t a bad thing. Horikita was perceptive. She had quite a lot of potential. If she improved her communication skills to Hirata’s level, she could stand among the ranks of the elite.
“So, what’s your plan?” asked Horikita.
“So, what’s your plan?” asked Horikita.
“For what?”
“For what?”
“Do you have a strategy to counter Ryuuen-kun’s hunt to expose you?”
“Do you have a strategy to counter Ryuuen-kun’s hunt to expose you?”
“Nope.”
“Nope.”
“There you go again.” She huffed, looking irritated. “Let’s change the topic. Are you still participating in those meetings?”
“There you go again.” She huffed, looking irritated. “Let’s change the topic. Are you still participating in those meetings?”
“Meetings? You mean, with Keisei and the others? Is there some kind of problem?”
“Meetings? You mean, with Keisei and the others? Is there some kind of problem?”
“I can’t imagine there’s much benefit to being in that clique. That study group formed specifically to help Hasebe-san and Miyake-kun in certain subjects, correct? Now that the exam’s over, it’s no longer necessary.”
“I can’t imagine there’s much benefit to being in that clique. That study group formed specifically to help Hasebe-san and Miyake-kun in certain subjects, correct? Now that the exam’s over, it’s no longer necessary.”
“It’s not about necessity. I just feel at ease when I’m with them,” I answered. Horikita’s life revolved around her quest to ascend to Class A. It was all she ever talked about. Since I didn’t share her enthusiasm on that front, I had little reason to hang out with her the way I did with Keisei and the others.
“It’s not about necessity. I just feel at ease when I’m with them,” I answered. Horikita’s life revolved around her quest to ascend to Class A. It was all she ever talked about. Since I didn’t share her enthusiasm on that front, I had little reason to hang out with her the way I did with Keisei and the others.
If Horikita ever came to talk to me about something that wasn’t a class problem, then maybe, I could engage with her the same way I did with Keisei and the others.
“Will you cooperate with me?” asked Horikita.
“Will you cooperate with me?” asked Horikita.
“I will. As much as I can,” I answered.
“I will. As much as I can,” I answered.
She didn’t look very convinced.
She didn’t look very convinced.
3.1
3.1
OUR LAST MORNING CLASS ended, and it was lunchtime. As I pondered meeting up with Akito and Keisei, Horikita stared at me.
OUR LAST MORNING CLASS ended, and it was lunchtime. As I pondered meeting up with Akito and Keisei, Horikita stared at me.
“What? Did you want to continue our talk from this morning?” I asked.
“What? Did you want to continue our talk from this morning?” I asked.
“No. I have a request.”
“No. I have a request.”
“If it’s a hassle, I’m going to pass.”
“If it’s a hassle, I’m going to pass.”
“It shouldn’t take much time.” Horikita reached into her bag and took out a library book. “Didn’t you say last week that you wanted to read this?”
“It shouldn’t take much time.” Horikita reached into her bag and took out a library book. “Didn’t you say last week that you wanted to read this?”
“Farewell, My Lovely, huh?” A masterpiece by Raymond Chandler. I’d been interested in it for a while now, but the book seemed strangely popular, because it was always checked out. I’d given up on borrowing it. “I’m impressed that you managed to snag it from the library. Are you offering to lend it to me?”
“Farewell, My Lovely, huh?” A masterpiece by Raymond Chandler. I’d been interested in it for a while now, but the book seemed strangely popular, because it was always checked out. I’d given up on borrowing it. “I’m impressed that you managed to snag it from the library. Are you offering to lend it to me?”
Technically, Horikita should’ve returned it so it could go to the next person on the waiting list. But this seemed like the most reliable method of getting my hands on it, underhanded though it may have been.
Technically, Horikita should’ve returned it so it could go to the next person on the waiting list. But this seemed like the most reliable method of getting my hands on it, underhanded though it may have been.
“If you’d like. It’s also due back today. I was hoping you could take it to the library for me, then check it out for yourself,” said Horikita.
“If you’d like. It’s also due back today. I was hoping you could take it to the library for me, then check it out for yourself,” said Horikita.
“Is this because you don’t want to go to the trouble of returning it?” I asked.
“Is this because you don’t want to go to the trouble of returning it?” I asked.
“Even if I returned it myself, you’d still need to go to the library to borrow it. From a purely efficient standpoint, this is the correct course of action,” she replied. “If you refuse, I’ll just head over to the library. I don’t know when you’ll be able to get your hands on this incredibly popular book that’s in such short supply, though.”
“Even if I returned it myself, you’d still need to go to the library to borrow it. From a purely efficient standpoint, this is the correct course of action,” she replied.
True enough. This just saved Horikita the time and effort of having to return the book herself. You needed a student ID card when you wanted to check out a book, so trying to check out a book in someone else’s name would be impossible. On the other hand, you didn’t need to present anything if you were simply returning a book.
“If you refuse, I’ll just head over to the library. I don’t know when you’ll be able to get your hands on this incredibly popular book that’s in such short supply, though.”
I wondered whether this was Horikita’s warped way of showing kindness, since she knew I wanted to read the book.
I wondered whether this was Horikita’s warped way of showing kindness, since she knew I wanted to read the book.
“Fine. I’ll take it,” I told her.
“Fine. I’ll take it,” I told her.
“Thank you.” Horikita handed it to me. “I don’t care when you return it, as long as it’s sometime today. If I hear that it’s overdue, I’ll be coming for you.”
“Thank you.” Horikita handed it to me. “I don’t care when you return it, as long as it’s sometime today. If I hear that it’s overdue, I’ll be coming for you.”
“I know.” I hadn’t borrowed a book from the library before, but I understood the process. If a book was overdue, private points were deducted from your account. “Well, there’s no time like the present. I’ll just go now.”
“I know.” I hadn’t borrowed a book from the library before, but I understood the process. If a book was overdue, private points were deducted from your account. “Well, there’s no time like the present. I’ll just go now.”
3.2
3.2
THE LIBRARY WAS surprisingly empty at lunch, like a cozy little hideaway. Students weren’t allowed to eat in here, so only a few people were around, guaranteeing that the return process would go smoothly.
THE LIBRARY WAS surprisingly empty at lunch, like a cozy little hideaway. Students weren’t allowed to eat in here, so only a few people were around, guaranteeing that the return process would go smoothly.
“Since I’m already here, I might as well check out another book,” I muttered to myself.
“Since I’m already here, I might as well check out another book,” I muttered to myself.
Farewell, My Lovely in one hand, I walked over to the mystery section, hoping to find another of Raymond Chandler’s works. As I arrived there, I saw a lone female student struggling to grab a book on a high shelf. It was Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë. A masterpiece penned by the middle of the three Brontë sisters, all of whom were literary legends.
Farewell, My Lovely in one hand, I walked over to the mystery section, hoping to find another of Raymond Chandler’s works. As I arrived there, I saw a lone female student struggling to grab a book on a high shelf. It was Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë. A masterpiece penned by the middle of the three Brontë sisters, all of whom were literary legends.
A conventional blurb could make that book sound like a mystery, but wouldn’t it have fit better in the romance section?
A conventional blurb could make that book sound like a mystery, but wouldn’t it have fit better in the romance section?
Wuthering Heights was perched at a strange angle, just barely within reach, which might be why the girl wasn’t using the stepstool. I stood in front of her and grabbed the book.
Wuthering Heights was perched at a strange angle, just barely within reach, which might be why the girl wasn’t using the stepstool. I stood in front of her and grabbed the book.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to butt in, but…” I looked at her and trailed off. “Wait a minute. You’re from Class C. You’re…”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to butt in, but…” I looked at her and trailed off. “Wait a minute. You’re from Class C. You’re…”
Shiina Hiyori. I’d seen her with Ryuuen a short while ago. It seemed that she recognized me, too.
Shiina Hiyori. I’d seen her with Ryuuen a short while ago. It seemed that she recognized me, too.
“You’re Ayanokouji-kun, right?” she asked.
“You’re Ayanokouji-kun, right?” she asked.
“Yeah. Uh, here you go,” I said, handing her the book.
“Yeah. Uh, here you go,” I said, handing her the book.
“Thank you very much.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Do you like her work? Brontë?” I asked.
“Do you like her work? Brontë?” I asked.
“I don’t really like or dislike the book. It was in the wrong section, so I thought I’d return it to its proper place,” she replied.
“I don’t really like or dislike the book. It was in the wrong section, so I thought I’d return it to its proper place,” she replied.
“I see.”
“I see.”
“By the way, that book you have—Farewell, My Lovely, right? It’s wonderful,” said Shiina. Her eyes started to sparkle.
“By the way, that book you have—Farewell, My Lovely, right? It’s wonderful,” said Shiina. Her eyes started to sparkle.
“I managed to borrow it from a friend of mine today.”
“I managed to borrow it from a friend of mine today.”
“Wow, that’s lucky. It seems as though Raymond Chandler’s quite popular among the second-year students. I’ve been wanting to reread it myself, but I wasn’t able to find a copy today.”
“Wow, that’s lucky. It seems as though Raymond Chandler’s quite popular among the second-year students. I’ve been wanting to reread it myself, but I wasn’t able to find a copy today.”
“I guess it was bad of me to borrow it from a friend,” I said apologetically.
“I guess it was bad of me to borrow it from a friend,” I said apologetically.
“It’s all right. I’ve already read it. Besides, I was fortunate enough to find another good book while I searched for that one. The school library’s quite large. If I tried to read everything on its shelves, I’d probably graduate before I could finish,” said Shiina. She clutched Brontë’s book, a small smile on her face.
“It’s all right. I’ve already read it. Besides, I was fortunate enough to find another good book while I searched for that one. The school library’s quite large. If I tried to read everything on its shelves, I’d probably graduate before I could finish,” said Shiina. She clutched Brontë’s book, a small smile on her face.
“Yeah. You’re probably right. Sorry for disturbing you, by the way.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right. Sorry for disturbing you, by the way.”
She’d come here during the lunch break instead of eating, so she probably didn’t want to waste time chatting to a student from another class. I decided to leave her be.
She’d come here during the lunch break instead of eating, so she probably didn’t want to waste time chatting to a student from another class. I decided to leave her be.
“If you just came to return Farewell, My Lovely and then borrow it for yourself, you could’ve done that at the service desk. Are you looking for another book to check out?” Shiina asked, stopping me in my tracks.
“If you just came to return Farewell, My Lovely and then borrow it for yourself, you could’ve done that at the service desk. Are you looking for another book to check out?” Shiina asked, stopping me in my tracks.
“I thought I’d come back and try another time, so…” I replied. Shiina was already scanning the mystery section. “Hey, what are you doing?” I asked.
“I thought I’d come back and try another time, so…” I replied. Shiina was already scanning the mystery section. “Hey, what are you doing?” I asked.
“Have you already read Dorothy L. Sayers?” she asked.
“Have you already read Dorothy L. Sayers?” she asked.
“No. I’ve read Christie, but not Sayers.”
“No. I’ve read Christie, but not Sayers.”
“In that case, I would most definitely recommend Whose Body? That’s the first book in the series featuring Lord Peter. If you read that book, you’ll inevitably want to read the rest.” She pulled several books from the shelves and handed them to me.
“In that case, I would most definitely recommend Whose Body? That’s the first book in the series featuring Lord Peter. If you read that book, you’ll inevitably want to read the rest.” She pulled several books from the shelves and handed them to me.
“Uh…” Her behavior left me puzzled. I struggled to figure out how to respond.
“Uh…” Her behavior left me puzzled. I struggled to figure out how to respond.
“I’m sorry, I was rambling. Am I bothering you?”
“I’m sorry, I was rambling. Am I bothering you?”
“No,” I told her. “I was just a little surprised. Since I’m already here, I might as well grab some more books.”
“No,” I told her. “I was just a little surprised. Since I’m already here, I might as well grab some more books.”
“Sure.” Shiina looked extraordinarily happy. She smiled so widely that her eyes scrunched up. “The lunch break isn’t over, right? Would you like to eat with me?”
“Sure.” Shiina looked extraordinarily happy. She smiled so widely that her eyes scrunched up. “The lunch break isn’t over, right? Would you like to eat with me?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
This was even more bizarre than a book recommendation. It was probably safe to assume that Ryuuen had told Shiina to ask me this. Still, whether I accepted her invitation or not, her impression of me was unlikely to change. I’d make sure that she saw me as neutral and unreadable.
This was even more bizarre than a book recommendation. It was probably safe to assume that Ryuuen had told Shiina to ask me this. Still, whether I accepted her invitation or not, her impression of me was unlikely to change. I’d make sure that she saw me as neutral and unreadable.
“No one in Class C likes reading, so I don’t really have anyone to talk to,” she added. Perhaps the silence was getting awkward.
“No one in Class C likes reading, so I don’t really have anyone to talk to,” she added. Perhaps the silence was getting awkward.
“Won’t this cause trouble?” I asked. “Class C is currently hunting someone in Class D, right? I feel like I’m on the list of suspects.”
“Won’t this cause trouble?” I asked. “Class C is currently hunting someone in Class D, right? I feel like I’m on the list of suspects.”
Shiina had probably heard that either Keisei or I were likely candidates for the person pulling Horikita’s strings. It was very likely that was why she was trying to talk to me now.
In some ways, Shiina Hiyori was even creepier than Ryuuen. She was a completely unknown quantity. I might be able to extract some information about her by using Karuizawa, but that was too risky, now that Karuizawa was Ryuuen’s target. Keisei, Haruka, and Horikita, of course, were all poor spies. I could try to use Hirata, but he was fundamentally neutral.
In some ways, Shiina Hiyori was even creepier than Ryuuen. She was a completely unknown quantity. I might be able to extract some information about her by using Karuizawa, but that was too risky, now that Karuizawa was Ryuuen’s target. Keisei, Haruka, and Horikita, of course, were all poor spies. I could try to use Hirata, but he was fundamentally neutral.
“Please don’t worry. I just play along so that Ryuuen doesn’t bother me. I’ve never been interested in conflict. Or is it that you think talking with me will be a problem on its own?” Shiina asked.
“Please don’t worry. I just play along so that Ryuuen doesn’t bother me. I’ve never been interested in conflict. Or is it that you think talking with me will be a problem on its own?” Shiina asked.
“No, not really. I have no personal issues with you.”
“No, not really. I have no personal issues with you.”
“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want our classes to clash over something so trivial. I’d prefer we all get along,” she said.
“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want our classes to clash over something so trivial. I’d prefer we all get along,” she said.
“Clash,” huh? Considering that this school was designed to foster competition, her hopes were doomed to failure. Still, most students acted as if this were a normal high school. Hirata and Kushida, for instance, were popular because they showed no favoritism in how they interacted with classmates.
“Clash,” huh? Considering that this school was designed to foster competition, her hopes were doomed to failure. Still, most students acted as if this were a normal high school. Hirata and Kushida, for instance, were popular because they showed no favoritism in how they interacted with classmates.
“Well, should we go? Time is wasting,” said Shiina.
“Well, should we go? Time is wasting,” said Shiina.
“Let me head to the service desk and take care of these first,” I replied.
“Let me head to the service desk and take care of these first,” I replied.
Who could’ve predicted this would all result from a simple library visit?
Who could’ve predicted this would all result from a simple library visit?
3.3
3.3
SHIINA AND I made our way to the cafeteria. It was twenty minutes into our lunch break, and the room was packed. Most students were eating, though, so hardly anyone was in line to get a meal ticket. I chose the daily special, but Shiina seemed unable to come to a decision. Her finger hovered over the buttons, and she looked at all the options carefully.
SHIINA AND I made our way to the cafeteria. It was twenty minutes into our lunch break, and the room was packed. Most students were eating, though, so hardly anyone was in line to get a meal ticket. I chose the daily special, but Shiina seemed unable to come to a decision. Her finger hovered over the buttons, and she looked at all the options carefully.
“Sorry, sorry…” she said. I waited another two minutes. Finally, she ended up choosing the same meal I had. “Sorry. I’m so indecisive.”
“Sorry, sorry…” she said. I waited another two minutes. Finally, she ended up choosing the same meal I had. “Sorry. I’m so indecisive.”
“No worries. It’s not like there was anyone in line behind us.”
“No worries. It’s not like there was anyone in line behind us.”
After we turned in our tickets, two meals were placed on the counter. Shiina struggled to adjust her schoolbag to take her tray.
After we turned in our tickets, two meals were placed on the counter. Shiina struggled to adjust her schoolbag to take her tray.
“Your bag’s in the way,” I said. “Here, let me.”
“Your bag’s in the way,” I said. “Here, let me.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t bother you with it…”
“Oh no, I couldn’t bother you with it…”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t want to fall and drop your tray.”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t want to fall and drop your tray.”
“Sorry.” She handed over her bag, which turned out to be quite heavy. Did she carry all her textbooks in it? “It’s a lot, isn’t it? Thank you very much.”
“Sorry.” She handed over her bag, which turned out to be quite heavy. Did she carry all her textbooks in it? “It’s a lot, isn’t it? Thank you very much.”
We avoided the crowds, found some empty seats, and sat across from one another, slowly tucking into our late lunch.
We avoided the crowds, found some empty seats, and sat across from one another, slowly tucking into our late lunch.
“Do you usually eat in the cafeteria?” I asked.
“Do you usually eat in the cafeteria?” I asked.
“No. I usually buy lunch from the convenience store in the morning and then eat in the classroom. Do you come here often, Ayanokouji-kun?”
“No. I usually buy lunch from the convenience store in the morning and then eat in the classroom. Do you come here often, Ayanokouji-kun?”
“Convenience store food isn’t my favorite. Food tastes best when it’s freshly made.”
“Convenience store food isn’t my favorite. Food tastes best when it’s freshly made.”
Shiina used her chopsticks to elegantly raise a morsel of food to her mouth. I watched her in admiration. She handled her chopsticks with such grace.
Shiina used her chopsticks to elegantly raise a morsel of food to her mouth. I watched her in admiration. She handled her chopsticks with such grace.
“Hmm, I see. The cafeteria food certainly is delicious, isn’t it? I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied.
“Hmm, I see. The cafeteria food certainly is delicious, isn’t it? I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied.
“This isn’t your first time eating here, is it?”
“This isn’t your first time eating here, is it?”
“Looks like I’ve been found out.”
“Looks like I’ve been found out.”
“I was thinking that that might be the case, since you struggled to choose at the ticket machine.” We were at the end of our second semester. It was rare to see a student who’d never used the cafeteria.
“I was thinking that that might be the case, since you struggled to choose at the ticket machine.” We were at the end of our second semester. It was rare to see a student who’d never used the cafeteria.
“I’ve always wanted to try it, but if you miss out on your initial chance to do something, you kind of drag your feet, don’t you? I figured this was a good chance to go,” Shiina said.
“I’ve always wanted to try it, but if you miss out on your initial chance to do something, you kind of drag your feet, don’t you? I figured this was a good chance to go,” Shiina said.
I understood those feelings. You didn’t want to let people see that you didn’t know how to do something they could do, after all. Pride made you cautious, like when I was reluctant to buy drip coffee at the convenience store.
I understood those feelings. You didn’t want to let people see that you didn’t know how to do something they could do, after all. Pride made you cautious, like when I was reluctant to buy drip coffee at the convenience store.
“Does that mean you’ll come here again?” I asked.
“Does that mean you’ll come here again?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Shiina and I continued to talk while we finished our lunches. Since we’d come in late, most other students finished and left before us. A few hung back to chat idly, or to take their time savoring their food.
Shiina and I continued to talk while we finished our lunches. Since we’d come in late, most other students finished and left before us. A few hung back to chat idly, or to take their time savoring their food.
Shiina placed her bag on the table with a thunk. “I think I’ll head back to the library. Have you read any of these before, Ayanokouji-kun?”
Shiina placed her bag on the table with a thunk. “I think I’ll head back to the library. Have you read any of these before, Ayanokouji-kun?”
William Irish, Ellery Queen, Lawrence Block, and Isaac Asimov. “Wow. You’ve got good taste.”
William Irish, Ellery Queen, Lawrence Block, and Isaac Asimov. “Wow. You’ve got good taste.”
“You know them?”
“You know them?”
“Yeah. I like mystery novels.”
“Yeah. I like mystery novels.”
“Is that so?” Shiina laughed and clapped her hands.
“Is that so?” Shiina laughed and clapped her hands.
I suddenly realized that there was something off about the books. “Wait. These aren’t from the library, are they?”
I suddenly realized that there was something off about the books. “Wait. These aren’t from the library, are they?”
“They’re from my personal collection. I’ve been walking around with them, hoping I’d meet someone who shared my tastes and would want to borrow them. I started out just carrying one, but I suppose I accumulated more and more books while waiting to find that certain someone,” Shiina explained.
“They’re from my personal collection. I’ve been walking around with them, hoping I’d meet someone who shared my tastes and would want to borrow them. I started out just carrying one, but I suppose I accumulated more and more books while waiting to find that certain someone,” Shiina explained.
“Is that so?” This girl was definitely…odd.
“Is that so?” This girl was definitely…odd.
“Please, don’t hold back. Take whichever you’d like.”
“Please, don’t hold back. Take whichever you’d like.”
“Well… I suppose I’ll check out Ellery Queen, since I haven’t read any of his.”
“Well… I suppose I’ll check out Ellery Queen, since I haven’t read any of his.”
“Go ahead.”
“Go ahead.”
If Shiina was acting, this was quite the performance. I got the feeling she just genuinely loved books. I’d made a strange connection in a rather strange place. I would remain wary, of course, just in case this was a Class C plot, but it really felt like a coincidence. After I promised to return the books, the bell rang, signaling the end of our lunch break.
If Shiina was acting, this was quite the performance. I got the feeling she just genuinely loved books. I’d made a strange connection in a rather strange place. I would remain wary, of course, just in case this was a Class C plot, but it really felt like a coincidence. After I promised to return the books, the bell rang, signaling the end of our lunch break.
3.4
3.4
AFTER CLASSES FINISHED, I got the customary ping from my group chat.
AFTER CLASSES FINISHED, I got the customary ping from my group chat.
Come to Keyaki Mall if you can. Usual spot. A casual, chatty message from Haruka.
Come to Keyaki Mall if you can. Usual spot. A casual, chatty message from Haruka.
The moment I started typing a response, Horikita aimed some sharp words at me. “That grin’s really creeping me out.”
The moment I started typing a response, Horikita aimed some sharp words at me. “That grin’s really creeping me out.”
“Whose?”
“Whose?”
“Yours. You do have some degree of self-awareness without me having to deliberately point it out to you, right?”
“Yours. You do have some degree of self-awareness without me having to deliberately point it out to you, right?”
“I absolutely wasn’t grinning.” I had no memory of the corners of my mouth curling up.
“I absolutely wasn’t grinning.” I had no memory of the corners of my mouth curling up.
“Are you playing dumb again? I’m talking about your inner self,” said Horikita. Apparently, she smelled my joy like a bloodhound. “You’ve found a cozy little nook, haven’t you?”
“Are you playing dumb again? I’m talking about your inner self,” said Horikita. Apparently, she smelled my joy like a bloodhound. “You’ve found a cozy little nook, haven’t you?”
With that, she grabbed her bag and stormed off to the dorms by herself.
With that, she grabbed her bag and stormed off to the dorms by herself.
“I was grinning, huh?” I muttered.
“I was grinning, huh?” I muttered.
Of course, it felt good to be contacted by a friend. Still, shouldn’t Horikita be glad about that?
Of course, it felt good to be contacted by a friend. Still, shouldn’t Horikita be glad about that?
Did she really want us to continue being loners?
Did she really want us to continue being loners?
I got ready and left the classroom. Most groups would’ve met up there and then headed over to Keyaki Mall together, but we were all too lackadaisical for that. When I arrived at our usual hangout, the rest of the group was already there.
I got ready and left the classroom. Most groups would’ve met up there and then headed over to Keyaki Mall together, but we were all too lackadaisical for that. When I arrived at our usual hangout, the rest of the group was already there.
“Akito, don’t you have club stuff?”
“Akito, don’t you have club stuff?”
“I’m skipping today.”
“I’m skipping today.”
“Looks like those Class C dudes showed up at archery again. It doesn’t seem like they threw punches or got into any fights, though.”
“Looks like those Class C dudes showed up at archery again. It doesn’t seem like they threw punches or got into any fights, though.”
“I told the seniors I felt distracted, so I was going to take today off. The club’s pretty lenient,” Akito explained.
“I told the seniors I felt distracted, so I was going to take today off. The club’s pretty lenient,” Akito explained. That was pretty blunt. I supposed that he wouldn’t have been able to come meet us here if he’d lied and said he was feeling ill.
“What if we tried talking to the teacher?” Haruka suggested.
“What if we tried talking to the teacher?” Haruka suggested.
Akito simply shook his head. “There’s nothing the teacher can really do. If Class C trespassed in our private places, that’d be one thing, but they’re free to observe the archery club,” he explained.
Akito simply shook his head. “There’s nothing the teacher can really do. If Class C trespassed in our private places, that’d be one thing, but they’re free to observe the archery club,” he explained.
“Ugh. Class C really are annoying, aren’t they? Oh, speaking of. I saw it. I saw it. How deplorable of you, good sir,” said Haruka, speaking like some old-timey aristocrat as she jabbed me with her elbow.
“Ugh. Class C really are annoying, aren’t they? Oh, speaking of. I saw it. I saw it. How deplorable of you, good sir,” said Haruka, speaking like some old-timey aristocrat as she jabbed me with her elbow.
“Saw what?” I asked.
“Saw what?” I asked.
“What do you mean, ‘what’? I’m saying that I saw you eating with Shiina-san from Class C, Kiyopon! Airi’s so worried about it, she’s been spilling rice all over herself.”
“What do you mean, ‘what’? I’m saying that I saw you eating with Shiina-san from Class C, Kiyopon! Airi’s so worried about it, she’s been spilling rice all over herself.”
“Wah! You promised that you wouldn’t say anything, Haruka-chan!” Airi wailed.
“Wah! You promised that you wouldn’t say anything, Haruka-chan!” Airi wailed.
“Oh, did I?” said Haruka. “Then, Kiyopon, pretend I never said anything.”
“Oh, did I?” said Haruka. “Then, Kiyopon, pretend I never said anything.”
Well, that wasn’t exactly possible, but now I understood what was really going on.
Well, that wasn’t exactly possible, but now I understood what was really going on.
“Don’t tell me you’re about to rush into a last-minute romance right before Christmas?” Haruka demanded.
“Don’t tell me you’re about to rush into a last-minute romance right before Christmas?” Haruka demanded.
“Really, Kiyotaka? I didn’t think you were that kind of guy,” said Keisei, sounding slightly annoyed.
“Really, Kiyotaka? I didn’t think you were that kind of guy,” said Keisei, sounding slightly annoyed.
“Naïve. Much too naïve, Yukimuu. All roads lead to romance in the end. Young people these days live life at a much faster pace,” said Haruka.
“Naïve. Much too naïve, Yukimuu. All roads lead to romance in the end. Young people these days live life at a much faster pace,” said Haruka.
“Faster? What do you mean, faster?” replied Keisei. “We’re in our first year of high school.”
“Faster? What do you mean, faster?” replied Keisei. “We’re in our first year of high school.”
“Look, if you experience your first love or whatever in high school, you’re already behind the curve. Back in elementary school, some of my classmates were already dating junior high or high school students.”
“Look, if you experience your first love or whatever in high school, you’re already behind the curve. Back in elementary school, some of my classmates were already dating junior high or high school students.”
Keisei’s mouth hung open. “I-I’ve never heard of anything like that before.”
Keisei’s mouth hung open. “I-I’ve never heard of anything like that before.”
“That just means you never paid attention, Yukimuu. I mean, most girls aren’t interested in childish boys,” said Haruka.
“That just means you never paid attention, Yukimuu. I mean, most girls aren’t interested in childish boys,” said Haruka.
Wasn’t it normal for elementary school kids to be childish? At any rate, I had to correct this immediately. “Sorry to rain on your parade, but there’s nothing going on,” I told them.
Wasn’t it normal for elementary school kids to be childish? At any rate, I had to correct this immediately. “Sorry to rain on your parade, but there’s nothing going on,” I told them.
“Really? You’re not just saying that to hide your embarrassment?”
“Really? You’re not just saying that to hide your embarrassment?”
“S-see?” said Airi. “I told you, but you wouldn’t believe me, Haruka-chan.”
“S-see?” said Airi. “I told you, but you wouldn’t believe me, Haruka-chan.”
“I had some business to take care of at the library, so I went during lunch. I just happened to run into Shiina there. I think she was spying on me, like Ishizaki and those guys at Akito’s club. She asked me a bunch of questions. If I flat-out turned her down, it would’ve attracted extra attention,” I told them, trying to lend my story more credibility. Besides, it wasn’t really a lie. Even though Shiina and I met by accident, it was likely that she’d been scoping me out.
“I had some business to take care of at the library, so I went during lunch. I just happened to run into Shiina there. I think she was spying on me, like Ishizaki and those guys at Akito’s club. She asked me a bunch of questions. If I flat-out turned her down, it would’ve attracted extra attention,” I told them, trying to lend my story more credibility. Besides, it wasn’t really a lie. Even though Shiina and I met by accident, it was likely that she’d been scoping me out.
“So, you’ve been marked too, Ayanokouji. Does that Ryuuen dude hate the thought of losing to Class D that much?” asked Akito. He sounded a bit resentful, like it made him less special that he wasn’t the only person Class C targeted.
“So, you’ve been marked too, Ayanokouji. Does that Ryuuen dude hate the thought of losing to Class D that much?” asked Akito. He sounded a bit resentful, like it made him less special that he wasn’t the only person Class C targeted.
However, Keisei considered things from another point of view. “That might not be the case. You heard the rumor going around that we’ve got a master schemer hiding in Class D, right? Maybe that’s why Ryuuen’s been tailing us. Ayanokouji, what kind of questions did Shiina ask you?”
However, Keisei considered things from another point of view. “That might not be the case. You heard the rumor going around that we’ve got a master schemer hiding in Class D,
“A bunch of different things, but she did ask about the mastermind,” I answered.
“I-I see. So, it wasn’t a date or anything.” Airi patted her chest and sighed in relief.
“I couldn’t really think of anything to say, so I didn’t answer. To be honest, it wasn’t a lot of fun,” I added.
“Even so, it looked like you had a pretty good time,” said Haruka. “Hmm.”
“I couldn’t just let her see me looking disgusted, right? She’s still a Class C student.”
Haruka seemed suspicious, but Keisei changed the topic. “Putting aside Haruka’s imaginary romance, Class C is becoming a problem. I feel bad for eavesdropping, but apparently Sudou got wrapped up in something and went to Horikita for advice.”
Ah, so Keisei overheard their conversation this morning.
“Are you all right, Keisei?” Akito asked.
Keisei looked deep in thought. “Nothing’s happened to me so far, but I’m still worried. I’ve seen Class C students around a lot lately, and they’re all Ryuuen’s lackeys. I’m probably being targeted as well.”
“I see. They haven’t done anything to me, though,” said Airi, raising her hand timidly.
“Me neither,” said Haruka, raising her hand like Airi.
“Well, maybe someone’s been watching us, and we just haven’t noticed it yet,” Airi replied.
“Eh? What, like a stalker? Creepy.”
“Watching us, huh? Maybe…” Akito brought his hand to his mouth, as if he’d just thought of something. “I usually finish up with club stuff and meet you guys kin