The Prodigy - Classroom Of The Elite

When we got back to the classroom, a few people glanced our way, but Horikita and I just ignored them and went to our seats.

Ayanokoji had also come back and was sitting at his desk, staring out the window.

Man, I wish I could switch seats and grab one by the window. Any window seat would be amazing!

Just as I was daydreaming about that, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and we jumped straight into our next classes. I made sure to pay attention.

Even though Horikita was still annoyed and upset about being labeled as "Defective" in Class D, she managed to push those thoughts aside and focus on the lessons.

After school was over, Horikita left right after the bell. As I had suspected, she headed to see the homeroom teacher to get answers to all her questions. I wonder what will happen there!

"Hayashi-Kun," Hirata called out as he came over to my desk, pulling my attention away from the door. "Thanks for staying for the discussion."

I nodded as he returned to the front of the class. I was eager to hear what he had to say and what his plans were. But somehow, the discussion wrapped up quickly, and I wasn't entirely sure what the takeaway was.

One thing I gathered was that the class seemed to be relying on me and Hirata to come up with a solution for something.

The good part was that while everyone was talking about my perfect score on the test, nobody brought up the awkward question Horikita had asked: why someone with a perfect score was placed in Class D.

I guess there's a reason why this year's students in our class are considered "defective."

To sum up the meeting, the main points were about maintaining discipline in class: no talking, no whispering, no phones, no being late, no sleeping during lessons, and so on. Since Sudou didn't join the discussion, and he was the one likely to protest, everyone else just accepted it. They didn't really have another option. Plus, the plan was proposed by Hirata and Kushida, two of the most popular students in our class.

For the next plan, well, there wasn't really a concrete one. Hirata just said, "We'll try to figure out something to boost our points soon enough." Thanks to his popularity, everyone seemed to take it in stride and agreed without much fuss.

The midterm exams the teacher mentioned are now the top priority for the class. To bump up our class points, we need to do well in those exams. But, looking at our current situation, I mean the whole class, without some major changes, we're looking at about three to four students getting expelled during the midterms.

Part of me thinks, "Just let them get expelled." But without fully understanding all the school's rules, I can't afford to let that happen.

Plus, I'm not exactly a mastermind when it comes to strategy. I'm more of a 'bookworm.' When I say I love to read, I really mean it.

For now, Hirata is the one who needs to come up with some plans.

After the discussion wrapped up, which took longer than usual, I left the classroom and headed down the hallway. As I was leaving the school, I saw two familiar faces walking out together.

"Hey, you guys haven't left yet?" I asked, standing still as they approached. I mean, it's the only way out of the school, but it felt like they were coming toward me.

"Yeah, Chiyabashira-sensei wanted to have a word with me," Ayanokoji said.

Ah, so that's why they were together—Horikita was supposed to meet the homeroom teacher too.

"I see," I nodded, glancing at Horikita. Her expression told me she didn't get the answers she wanted from Chiyabashira-sensei. "So, heading back to the dorms?" I asked them both.

"No, I need to hit the convenience store first," Ayanokoji replied.

"Oh," I nodded, turning my attention to Horikita. "How about you?"

"No, I'm going straight back to the dorm," she said, her gaze wandering off somewhere.

"Yeah, I was about to leave. You two can head back together," Ayanokoji suggested before I could say anything.

That could work. I had a meeting planned with Hirata and the others in the afternoon, after Hirata's club activities. So, I was going to head back to the dorm first and then meet up with Hirata later in the afternoon or evening at the mall's cafeteria.

Just like he said, Ayanokoji headed off to the convenience store, while Horikita and I started walking back to the dorms.

We walked in silence for a while until I decided to speak up. "So, what did they say?" I asked Horikita, who seemed to be lost in her thoughts, walking just a bit behind me. My question snapped her out of it, and she looked up.

"They said there was no mistake with my evaluation and that I'm in the right class based on their assessment. But I'm not totally convinced," she replied.

"Why not? I mean, why would the teacher lie to you? What would they gain from that?" I questioned.

"Let's talk about something else. I don't want to discuss this right now," she said. I just nodded in agreement. If she didn't want to delve into it, I could let it slide. Besides, it wasn't a huge concern for me, except for the fact that the class counts on her a lot. She's brilliant academically and excels in other activities too, but her tendency to shut people out and keep to herself might be a big weakness. This could not only be a problem for her in the future but could also become a major issue for the class.

I wondered if there was a way to change that. I needed to figure something out and make a move soon.

But then again, why should I be the one to do it? What's my real reason for getting involved?

I guess it's pretty clear why I'm here—I took on the challenge of getting admitted to this school myself. My mom set this challenge for me, and I think I'm doing a decent job of meeting it. I'm not super social, but I'm not a complete loner either. I've made friends with people like Hirata and Horikita. I've been talking a lot with Karuizawa lately, though I'm not sure why, and there are a few others whose names slip my mind. But the point is, I'm making connections, and that's what my mom wanted.

"What do you think of Ayanokoji?" Horikita's question pulled me out of my thoughts. I realized we had already reached our dorm. I was so deep in my own head that I hadn't noticed.

"Are you even listening?" Horikita asked, sounding a bit irritated since I hadn't replied.

"Oh, sorry about that. I was just thinking about your question," I said, letting out a small, embarrassed laugh and scratching my head as we walked toward the elevator. "Ayanokoji... well, he seems a bit like me, I guess. But why do you ask out of the blue?"

"Just forget it," she replied, not turning to look at me and staring intently at the elevator doors. I wondered what was on her mind and why she suddenly asked about Ayanokoji.

She had gone to meet with the homeroom teacher, and Ayanokoji was called in around the same time. Could there be a connection between them? It seems likely, but it might just be a coincidence too.

Was it because I asked her about Ayanokoji's test scores during class? Or maybe she found out something about him when she met with Chiyabashira-sensei?

Either way, the more I think about it, the more mysterious Ayanokoji seems to me. I can't just see him as an ordinary classmate like the others.

We stood there waiting for the elevator, and when it finally arrived, we both stepped inside, and the doors closed.

"So, why the sudden interest in Ayanokoji?" I asked, curious to see her reaction.

"No reason. Just a casual question," she replied.

"Right, like I'm supposed to believe that Horikita would ask a casual question without some reason behind it," I thought to myself.

"Think whatever you want," she said, brushing off my question.

"Did something happen at the faculty office?" I ventured, trying to gauge her reaction. For a split second, she seemed surprised, but then her expression returned to neutral as the elevator doors opened. It looked like we reached the fifth floor a bit quicker than usual.

"So, you're not going to tell me?" I asked as I started to step out.

"There's nothing to tell," she replied.

"If you say so," I said, stepping out and turning back to catch a glimpse of her face. I gave her a small wave and smiled, "Bye."

She didn't respond right away, and I didn't expect her to. But just as the doors were about to close, I heard a soft "Bye!" in a whisper.

I headed to my room, knowing I had a meeting with Hirata soon. We were supposed to discuss and plan for the class's future.