(excerpt) Classroom of the Elite Vol. 4 - Chapter 5: Each and Every Difference
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Chapter 5:
Chapter 5:
Each and Every
Each and Every
Difference
Difference
We had reached the final day of the test. Unlike on the island, time passed quickly aboard this ship, surrounded by luxury. While Ryuuen focused on his united frontal assault, and Katsuragi continued ahead with his iron fortress strategy, Ichinose Honami from Class B had not come up with a countermeasure.
We had reached the final day of the test. Unlike on the island, time passed quickly aboard this ship, surrounded by luxury. While Ryuuen focused on his united frontal assault, and Katsuragi continued ahead with his iron fortress strategy, Ichinose Honami from Class B had not come up with a countermeasure.
“Gah! I drew it again! Am I seriously this awful at Old Maid?” Ichinose spread out her remaining cards and collapsed into a heap before my eyes.
“Gah! I drew it again! Am I seriously this awful at Old Maid?” Ichinose spread out her remaining cards and collapsed into a heap before my eyes.
Even though this was our fifth discussion period, Ichinose had suggested playing cards once again. I would have questioned this approach, but no one in Class A entered into the conversation, so no one stopped her. A small group of people had simply determined that it was better to spend their time playing cards than doing nothing.
Even though this was our fifth discussion period, Ichinose had suggested playing cards once again. I would have questioned this approach, but no one in Class A entered into the conversation, so no one stopped her. A small group of people had simply determined that it was better to spend their time playing cards than doing nothing.
I was a little concerned that Manabe and her friends would try to confront Karuizawa, but it seemed like the picture I’d sent them had had the desired effect. They were being obedient. Karuizawa was acting normal, too.
I was a little concerned that Manabe and her friends would try to confront Karuizawa, but it seemed like the picture I’d sent them had had the desired effect. They were being obedient. Karuizawa was acting normal, too.
If I were to look at things from Manabe’s perspective, she had to be thinking that the person who sent her those mysterious messages via chat must have been either me or Yukimura, someone who was there during the incident in the emergency stairwell. Of course, when I sent her the picture, I added that I had received it from a classmate. She could imagine that someone had sent the picture to someone else, and it had circulated.
If I were to look at things from Manabe’s perspective, she had to be thinking that the person who sent her those mysterious messages via chat must have been either me or Yukimura, someone who was there during the incident in the emergency stairwell. Of course, when I sent her the picture, I added that I had received it from a classmate. She could imagine that someone had sent the picture to someone else, and it had circulated.
In the end, Manabe couldn’t conclude with absolute certainty that it was me. That meant she and her friends wouldn’t be able to make a move against me. There was no point in looking for whoever took those pictures.
In the end, Manabe couldn’t conclude with absolute certainty that it was me. That meant she and her friends wouldn’t be able to make a move against me. There was no point in looking for whoever took those pictures.
“Is it okay to just sit here like this?” Yukimura sighed. He sat next to me, sounding disappointed and melancholy.
“Is it okay to just sit here like this?” Yukimura sighed. He sat next to me, sounding disappointed and melancholy.
“You’re being a downer today, Yukimura-kun. You ought to play with us and shake off that gloom and doom. Come on, let’s have a rematch!” urged Ichinose.
“You’re being a downer today, Yukimura-kun. You ought to play with us and shake off that gloom and doom. Come on, let’s have a rematch!” urged Ichinose.
“No thanks. I don’t really feel like it. Really, is this okay, Ichinose-san? I mean, just doing this until the test ends. I thought you were the one leading the group here.”
“No thanks. I don’t really feel like it. Really, is this okay, Ichinose-san? I mean, just doing this until the test ends. I thought you were the one leading the group here.”
Ichinose stopped in the middle of shuffling the cards. “Isn’t that excuse too convenient, Yukimura-kun? If you seriously want to win this thing, don’t you think you should rely on yourself, rather than someone else?”
Ichinose stopped in the middle of shuffling the cards. “Isn’t that excuse too convenient, Yukimura-kun? If you seriously want to win this thing, don’t you think you should rely on yourself, rather than someone else?”
“Yeah. Good point,” he answered.
“Yeah. Good point,” he answered.
Yukimura understood full well that he couldn’t cope with having that responsibility thrust upon him. Despite that, he still wanted a way to change all this. If this test were measured solely on academic ability, then Yukimura would have been at the top of any group. However, being gifted academically didn’t make you a natural leader. It didn’t mean you could come up with novel ideas, either. Some things couldn’t be solved by memorizing words and formulae.
Yukimura understood full well that he couldn’t cope with having that responsibility thrust upon him. Despite that, he still wanted a way to change all this. If this test were measured solely on academic ability, then Yukimura would have been at the top of any group. However, being gifted academically didn’t make you a natural leader. It didn’t mean you could come up with novel ideas, either. Some things couldn’t be solved by memorizing words and formulae.
In the two tests we’d had over the summer vacation, everyone had experienced the bitter sense of their own powerlessness, even Horikita. I wondered if Ichinose and Machida felt irritated about being locked into a stalemate. However, that frustration can become your strength if it doesn’t break your spirit.
In the two tests we’d had over the summer vacation, everyone had experienced the bitter sense of their own powerlessness, even Horikita. I wondered if Ichinose and Machida felt irritated about being locked into a stalemate. However, that frustration can become your strength if it doesn’t break your spirit.
5.1
5.1
“Well, the test will be over after our next meeting. How do things look on your end, Ayanokouji-kun?”
“Well, the test will be over after our next meeting. How do things look on your end, Ayanokouji-kun?”
I was having my last meeting with Horikita. The world outside was already cloaked in darkness. Carrying a conversation through chat would leave a traceable record. To avoid that, we’d met in person.
I was having my last meeting with Horikita. The world outside was already cloaked in darkness. Carrying a conversation through chat would leave a traceable record. To avoid that, we’d met in person.
“There haven’t been any significant changes. At this rate, it looks like the VIP is going to get away. How about you?”
“There haven’t been any significant changes. At this rate, it looks like the VIP is going to get away. How about you?”
I didn’t think I could expect anything from Horikita, but then…
I didn’t think I could expect anything from Horikita, but then…
“I’ll win,” she replied flatly.
“I’ll win,” she replied flatly.
“You sure you haven’t made a mistake?” I asked.
“You sure you haven’t made a mistake?” I asked.
“I’m not sure who might be listening to us right now, so I won’t go into detail. I’ll just ask that you believe in me. Everything will be fine.”
“I’m not sure who might be listening to us right now, so I won’t go into detail. I’ll just ask that you believe in me. Everything will be fine.”
I’d already heard from Hirata that Kushida was the Dragon group’s VIP. Of course, I imagined that Ryuuen and Kanzaki had done everything in their power to figure that out, but it appeared Horikita had overcome the odds. If she was this confident, there probably wasn’t anything to worry about. Nothing left to do but wait for the 500,000 points to pour in later. You could call this a solid victory for us.
I’d already heard from Hirata that Kushida was the Dragon group’s VIP. Of course, I imagined that Ryuuen and Kanzaki had done everything in their power to figure that out, but it appeared Horikita had overcome the odds. If she was this confident, there probably wasn’t anything to worry about. Nothing left to do but wait for the 500,000 points to pour in later. You could call this a solid victory for us.
“Did you want to consult with me?” she asked.
“Did you want to consult with me?” she asked.
“No need. Make whatever moves you like.” Even if she told me about the Dragon group, I couldn’t do much to assist her.
“No need. Make whatever moves you like.” Even if she told me about the Dragon group, I couldn’t do much to assist her.
“So what did you want to talk about? I thought we both agreed to avoid unnecessary contact.”
“So what did you want to talk about? I thought we both agreed to avoid unnecessary contact.”
Perhaps she was…concerned about Ryuuen, who pursued her frantically? “You can’t keep being scared of Ryuuen forever, you know,” I said.
Perhaps she was…concerned about Ryuuen, who pursued her frantically? Nothing about her behavior right now could be called kind, exactly. Then again, coming from Horikita, kindness would just be troublesome.
“You can’t keep being scared of Ryuuen forever, you know,” I said.
“Judging from how you phrased that, I’m guessing you can do something about it?”
“Judging from how you phrased that, I’m guessing you can do something about it?”
It didn’t seem like she expected much from me, since she appeared surprised when I nodded. “I’ve brought Hirata over to our side. I think we’ll see a lot of cooperation from him.”
It didn’t seem like she expected much from me, since she appeared surprised when I nodded. “I’ve brought Hirata over to our side. I think we’ll see a lot of cooperation from him.”
“I don’t particularly want that,” she said.
“I don’t particularly want that,” she said.
“Well, that’s fine. Besides, I’m not saying you have to get involved with Hirata. I’ll handle him and maintain things. All you need to do is keep up.”
“Well, that’s fine. Besides, I’m not saying you have to get involved with Hirata. I’ll handle him and maintain things. All you need to do is keep up.”
“I don’t really like how freely you’re operating in the shadows,” she answered.
“I don’t really like how freely you’re operating in the shadows,” she answered.
I’d thought she’d say something like that. “In that case, show your face when we discuss things. Even if you don’t talk, you can follow along, right?”
I’d thought she’d say something like that. “In that case, show your face when we discuss things. Even if you don’t talk, you can follow along, right?”
“Well, I suppose so,” she sighed. She sounded dissatisfied, but if I gave Horikita the option to participate, she wouldn’t be able to argue with me. Besides, Hirata had a huge amount of pull in our class. After seeing his leadership skills in action, Horikita would likely come to understand.
“Well, I suppose so,” she sighed. She sounded dissatisfied, but if I gave Horikita the option to participate, she wouldn’t be able to argue with me. Besides, Hirata had a huge amount of pull in our class. After seeing his leadership skills in action, Horikita would likely come to understand.
“I’d like to introduce you to someone else later. Hirata, too. Make sure to keep some time open before they announce the results,” I said.
“I’d like to introduce you to someone else later. Hirata, too. Make sure to keep some time open before they announce the results,” I said.
“Okay, I really don’t like this. I don’t want you to just go ahead and recruit people as you see fit,” she snapped.
“Okay, I really don’t like this. I don’t want you to just go ahead and recruit people as you see fit,” she snapped.
“Think of it as compensation for putting yourself on the front lines. Anyway, this person will be useful to us.”
“Think of it as compensation for putting yourself on the front lines. Anyway, this person will be useful to us.”
“I have a general idea of what you’re thinking, but… Well, fine. At any rate, let’s meet back here after the test is over.”
“I have a general idea of what you’re thinking, but… Well, fine. At any rate, let’s meet back here after the test is over.”
With that, I looked at the time. There was half an hour until the final discussion.
With that, I looked at the time. There was half an hour until the final discussion.
“I wonder how many traitors will come forward in this test,” said Horikita.
“I wonder how many traitors will come forward in this test,” said Horikita.
“Who knows? I was surprised the test ended so suddenly for the Cow group, but I can’t imagine we’ll see a repeat of that. In the end, the likeliest outcome will be that the VIPs escape, and time will run out.”
“Who knows? I was surprised the test ended so suddenly for the Cow group, but I can’t imagine we’ll see a repeat of that. In the end, the likeliest outcome will be that the VIPs escape, and time will run out.”
“Yes, I think so, too.” Horikita briefly averted her eyes, the sort of unconscious gesture people made when they were worried about something.
“Yes, I think so, too.” Horikita briefly averted her eyes, the sort of unconscious gesture people made when they were worried about something.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing. It’s just, well… Something about this test doesn’t make sense. But there shouldn’t be any mistakes. I definitely shouldn’t lose,” she replied.
“Nothing. It’s just, well… Something about this test doesn’t make sense. But there shouldn’t be any mistakes. I definitely shouldn’t lose,” she replied.
Some of Horikita’s anxiety was finally leaking out. Even if I offered her kind words, she’d tell me they weren’t necessary, so I just kept quiet.
Some of Horikita’s anxiety was finally leaking out. Even if I offered her kind words, she’d tell me they weren’t necessary, so I just kept quiet.
5.2
5.2
The Rabbit group was about to enter our sixth and final discussion period, still without any hope of making a breakthrough. I’d wanted to quietly and carefully gather my thoughts, so when Hirata and the others left our room, I headed to the meeting alone. Since there was still about half an hour until the discussion started, I assumed no one would be there yet. However, my expectations were dashed by someone’s presence.
The Rabbit group was about to enter our sixth and final discussion period, still without any hope of making a breakthrough. I’d wanted to quietly and carefully gather my thoughts, so when Hirata and the others left our room, I headed to the meeting alone. Since there was still about half an hour until the discussion started, I assumed no one would be there yet. However, my expectations were dashed by someone’s presence.
“She must have gotten here early, huh?” I asked out loud.
“She must have gotten here early, huh?” I asked out loud.
Ichinose slept soundly on the floor. Why should the mere sight of her tickle a man’s heart in such a way? Ah, this was dangerous; it was really bad. Since she was lying on her side, I could see her plump thighs more clearly than usual.
Ichinose slept soundly on the floor. Why should the mere sight of her tickle a man’s heart in such a way? Ah, this was dangerous; it was really bad. Since she was lying on her side, I could see her plump thighs clearer than usual. There was also the exquisite sight under her skirt, from which I couldn’t avert my eyes. Any man who didn’t like what he saw right now would have to be gay, or at least strongly prefer men or something. Eh...I supposed there were all kinds of people in the world. No man could completely escape these urges, though.
Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but look at her thighs, then her legs, then her face, and then her breasts. Then back to her thighs. While my adolescent desires got the best of me, something near the back of her head grabbed my attention. It was Ichinose’s cell phone. She must’ve been using it just before she fell asleep.
Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but look at her thighs, then her legs, then her face, and then her breasts. Then back to her thighs. While my adolescent desires got the best of me, something near the back of her head grabbed my attention. It was Ichinose’s cell phone. She must’ve been using it just before she fell asleep.
Our assigned phones held quite a bit of information. Not only did they play a vital role in this test, but they also allowed you to confirm details, like how many points someone had. Of course, in order to confirm this, you needed an individual’s ID and password. But in order to avoid the hassle of having to log in each and every time, some students just saved their information. In other words, if I snuck a peek at Ichinose’s phone right now, it might be possible to find out all kinds of information. Like Ichinose’s living situation, or the number of points she had. And I had confirmed earlier that Ichinose saved her ID and password on her device.
Our assigned phones held quite a bit of information. Not only did they play a vital role in this test, but they also allowed you to confirm details, like how many points someone had. Of course, in order to confirm this, you needed an individual’s ID and password. But in order to avoid the hassle of having to log in each and every time, some students just saved their information. In other words, if I snuck a peek at Ichinose’s phone right now, it might be possible to find out all kinds of information. Like Ichinose’s living situation, or the number of points she had. And I had confirmed earlier that Ichinose saved her ID and password on her device.
I approached cautiously and carefully, one step at a time.
I approached cautiously and carefully, one step at a time.
“Ooh…ah…”
“Ooh…ah…”
As I closed the distance between us, Ichinose stirred slightly, perhaps sensing some change in the air. But she fell asleep again, and her breathing relaxed. It seemed I hadn’t woken her. I tried to get closer again.
As I closed the distance between us, Ichinose stirred slightly, perhaps sensing some change in the air. But she fell asleep again, and her breathing relaxed. It seemed I hadn’t woken her. I tried to get closer again.
“Mmm…”
“Mmm…”
What in the world was I doing? Even if this was an effective way for me to gather information, if anyone saw me, they’d think I was a pervert. What if Ichinose woke up? There’d be a huge misunderstanding. Even though it was okay for me to enter the room half an hour early, it was weird for me to wait around so openly while a girl slept.
What in the world was I doing? Even if this was an effective way for me to gather information, if anyone saw me, they’d think I was a pervert. What if Ichinose woke up? There’d be a huge misunderstanding. Even though it was okay for me to enter the room half an hour early, it was weird for me to wait around so openly while a girl slept.
Well, I didn’t have anything to feel guilty about. Therefore, I would remain calm. Step by step, I drew closer to Ichinose.
Well, I didn’t have anything to feel guilty about. Therefore, I would remain calm. Step by step, I drew closer to Ichinose.
“Ooh…um…” She muttered something unintelligible.
“Ooh…um…” She muttered something unintelligible.
This wasn’t good. Every time I moved, Ichinose began to wake up. As a test, I tried moving my foot back and forth on the same spot, without moving forward. If Ichinose showed any response, I’d assume she was an exceptionally light sleeper. They say many light sleepers are highly strung…
This wasn’t good. Every time I moved, Ichinose began to wake up. As a test, I tried moving my foot back and forth on the same spot, without moving forward. If Ichinose showed any response, I’d assume she was an exceptionally light sleeper. They say many light sleepers are highly strung…
Creak, creak. I put my right foot forward, and then moved it back to its original position.
Creak, creak. I put my right foot forward, and then moved it back to its original position.
God, I’m pathetic.
God, I’m pathetic.
Why did I have to sneak around like this? I’d definitely be branded a pervert if someone saw me right now. Realizing my actions were completely stupid, I gave up trying to sneak a peek at her phone, and instead moved away. I sat down on the other side of the room. From here, I couldn’t glimpse the hidden place beyond her thighs. I didn’t think I’d accidentally wake her, either.
Why did I have to sneak around like this? I’d definitely be branded a pervert if someone saw me right now. Realizing my actions were completely stupid, I gave up trying to sneak a peek at her phone, and instead moved away. I sat down on the other side of the room. From here, I couldn’t glimpse the hidden place beyond her thighs. I didn’t think I’d accidentally wake her, either.
Most importantly, it was still early. Why in the world is she here? I wondered.
Most importantly, it was still early. Why in the world is she here? I wondered.
About twenty minutes before the discussion period was supposed to begin, some cute-sounding music played throughout the room. It came from Ichinose’s phone.
About twenty minutes before the discussion period was supposed to begin, some cute-sounding music played throughout the room. It came from Ichinose’s phone.
“Mmm…” she mumbled.
“Mmm…” she mumbled.
Ichinose, eyes still closed, grabbed her phone. She unlocked the screen and stopped the music, which apparently was her phone’s alarm. Ichinose, still looking rather sleepy, started to sit up. Almost immediately, she noticed me.
Ichinose, eyes still closed, grabbed her phone. She unlocked the screen and stopped the music, which apparently was her phone’s alarm. Ichinose, still looking rather sleepy, started to sit up. Almost immediately, she noticed me.
I’d wondered if she would be disgusted by my presence, but she wasn’t concerned in the slightest.
I’d wondered if she would be disgusted by my presence, but she wasn’t concerned in the slightest.
“Oh, good…yawn…to see you, Ayanokouji-kun. Sorry, did my alarm startle you?” she asked.
“Oh, good…yawn…to see you, Ayanokouji-kun. Sorry, did my alarm startle you?” she asked.
“Oh, no. Looks like you slept well.”
“Oh, no. Looks like you slept well.”
“Ha ha ha, sorry about that. I just passed out; I slept like a log. You’re here early, though. Don’t we have twenty minutes until the discussion?” she asked.
“Ha ha ha, sorry about that. I just passed out; I slept like a log. You’re here early, though. Don’t we have twenty minutes until the discussion?” she asked.
“I should be asking you the same thing. When did you get here?”
“I should be asking you the same thing. When did you get here?”
“An hour ago, I think. I wanted some peace and quiet. Since my friends are going in and out of my room, it’s kinda noisy.”
“An hour ago, I think. I wanted some peace and quiet. Since my friends are going in and out of my room, it’s kinda noisy.”
Apparently, this was the best place for a nap.
Apparently, this was the best place for a nap.
“Besides, I wanted to gather my thoughts,” she added. Rather than looking refreshed by her nap, she seemed struck by sudden inspiration.
“Besides, I wanted to gather my thoughts,” she added. Rather than looking refreshed by her nap, she seemed struck by sudden inspiration.
“Any results?” I asked.
“Any results?” I asked.
“More or less.”
“More or less.”
She stood up. Then, for some reason, Ichinose walked over and sat down next to me. The two of us were alone in the room. The space between us was shrinking. Even though I couldn’t hide my nervousness, Ichinose didn’t seem to notice.
She stood up. Then, for some reason, Ichinose walked over and sat down next to me. The two of us were alone in the room. The space between us was shrinking. Even though I couldn’t hide my nervousness, Ichinose didn’t seem to notice.
“There’s still some time left until the discussion starts. Why don’t we have a little chat? If it’s not a bother, that is,” she said.
“There’s still some time left until the discussion starts. Why don’t we have a little chat? If it’s not a bother, that is,” she said.
“Oh no, it’s not a bother. I don’t mind.”
“Oh no, it’s not a bother. I don’t mind.”
“Okay. To tell you the truth, Ayanokouji-kun, I want to ask you something. I’ve asked all my classmates this question, including the boys. But I’ve been thinking about asking the other classes for a while now. I’ve just been kind of curious. Ayanokouji-kun, do you want to ascend to Class A?”
“Okay. To tell you the truth, Ayanokouji-kun, I want to ask you something. I’ve asked all my classmates this question, including the boys. But I’ve been thinking about asking the other classes for a while now. I’ve just been kind of curious. Ayanokouji-kun, do you want to ascend to Class A?”
I’d been wondering what she would ask me, but the question was something surprisingly ordinary.
I’d been wondering what she would ask me, but the question was something surprisingly ordinary.
“Well, yeah. Of course I do. I’ve thought about getting up to Class A. No, wait…I guess it’d probably be more accurate to say that I must aim for Class A.”
“Well, yeah. Of course I do. I’ve thought about getting up to Class A. No, wait…I guess it’d probably be more accurate to say that I must aim for Class A.”
“Because of the guarantee of college or a career?” she asked.
“Because of the guarantee of college or a career?” she asked.
In our school, students from Classes A through D competed against each other. The greatest privilege— being guaranteed to advance into any school or career path—was only limited to those in Class A. Many might think that sounded like a trick. The school pamphlet was rather ambiguous, so the details were murky.
In our school, students from Classes A through D competed against each other. The greatest privilege— being guaranteed to advance into any school or career path—was only limited to those in Class A. Many might think that sounded like a trick. The school pamphlet was rather ambiguous, so the details were murky.
“Nowadays, you can’t just enter college or get a job that easily. Jobs, especially,” I said.
“Nowadays, you can’t just enter college or get a job that easily. Jobs, especially,” I said.
“I think so, too. But don’t you think placing too must trust in the system could be dangerous? There’s something about that 99.9% percent they’re not telling us. Something dangerous,” Ichinose said.
“I think so, too. But don’t you think placing too must trust in the system could be dangerous? There’s something about that 99.9% percent they’re not telling us. Something dangerous,” Ichinose said.
Ichinose was referring to the “99.9 % college and job placement” rate that the school touted. She had a point about hidden pitfalls. Let’s say I wanted to be a professional baseball player, but had no experience playing the game. How would the school go about making me a pro? Even with their professional connections, they were limited. And even if you did play regularly in school, that didn’t guarantee you’d go pro. Even if you graduated from college or went on to graduate school, that didn’t guarantee you any sort of future. Really, only a fraction of people really managed to accomplish what they set out to achieve.
Ichinose was referring to the “99.9 % college and job placement” rate that the school touted. She had a point about hidden pitfalls. Let’s say I wanted to be a professional baseball player, but had no experience playing the game. How would the school go about making me a pro? Even with their professional connections, they were limited. And even if you did play regularly in school, that didn’t guarantee you’d go pro. Even if you graduated from college or went on to graduate school, that didn’t guarantee you any sort of future. Really, only a fraction of people really managed to accomplish what they set out to achieve.
Statistically speaking, only one of every six students can achieve their dreams. At first, you might think that’s a high percentage, but the data’s ambiguous and the statistics are fuzzy. Being a professional baseball player isn’t the same thing as becoming a top-ranked player. If you gathered up everyone who qualified as a professional baseball player, including trainees, you’d have about 900 to 1,000 people. However, if the dream is to play as a regular on the team and take down your opponents on your first attempt, then maybe a hundred people max could do it. Finally, even if you secured a spot as a regular player, you must continue playing against your rivals, always a linchpin for the team.
Statistically speaking, only one of every six students can achieve their dreams. At first, you might think that’s a high percentage, but the data’s ambiguous and the statistics are fuzzy. Being a professional baseball player isn’t the same thing as becoming a top-ranked player. If you gathered up everyone who qualified as a professional baseball player, including trainees, you’d have about 900 to 1,000 people. However, if the dream is to play as a regular on the team and take down your opponents on your first attempt, then maybe a hundred people max could do it. Finally, even if you secured a spot as a regular player, you must continue playing against your rivals, always a linchpin for the team.