Chapter 4: Sadly, Kirishima Shouko Can't Forget

[...]

Rumors are a curious thing, nothing but the gibberish said between students with too much free time in their hands. Even so, the careless words that circle of teens can quickly alter the group dynamics or turn upside down the reputation of some.

"Hey!" The voice of a teenage girl broke me out of my musings. "What should we do now?"

"Well, this is probably enough." I said while pointing at my cellphone, my companion made a strange face, nothing weird, I supposed. Anyone would be dubious after my claim of only needing blackmail on Class F (and Class B) for a trouble with Class A.

"Whatever!" She huffed. It seems like she wasn't going to press the issue anymore. Or at all, actually.

"And it's not like I want to be here more than necessary." This time my words were accompanied by my finger pointing to the ongoing… thing that they were doing with the Class B representative.

She made a disgusted face for an instant, but it was only for a second there, anyway I didn't pay my classmate any attention and promptly got to my feet. I left the classroom, full of molesters, perverts and crossdressers, with Kawasaki following behind me.

"Hey, we should go back at different times." Rumors were, like I said before, a wild beast that would only cause problems if left unleashed. Well, there wasn't really a reputation for me to ruin here, but maybe Kawa…uh, honda? Yeah let's go with that. Maybe she thought different.

"…Are you a moron?" the girl asked. She didn't kick or punch me. She wasn't blushing with embarrassment and her face wasn't red with anger, it was as if she had no interest at all. She was just mildly annoyed.

Come to think about it, I wondered if I knew this delinquent girl from somewhere else.

For a moment I pondered about her.

A delinquent at first sight. Dressed a little lax, but still within the school rules. She chose to be alone and not approach anyone and gave off a teeny aura of delinquency. Always looking tired, yet she was at the same class as me, so she had to be a good student, or at least she had enough brainpower to score well in the placement exam. Then again, I don't recall ever seeing her much at school either, our only connection was being placed in the same class. I only knew this because we were classmates and as a loner, I had a habit of looking at was happening around me.

Different from the Class Representative, who would generally act strict but was actually a hot-head with a good amount of pride going around. She was easy to figure out for the most part. Well, just in general terms.

A girl like that spoke to me of her own accord. It felt like her attitude had gotten rather soft. It's a basic for fellow loners not to interfere with each other, after all. Intrigued by that change, I found myself following her with my eyes. I mean, usually she'd look out of it and look either really aggressive or uncaring of the world around.

As I watched her thinking how I saw something rare, our eyes met. The completely flushed Kawasaki made an incredible glare at me. Oh dear, what's with that person? So scary! I shook my head as if my shoulders were completely frozen! and then made the effort to remove myself from Kawasaki's glare. Of course, I failed.

[...]

Please fill in the correct answer in the blank:

"In the Haber-Bosch Process, the ingredients used to make Ammonia are Ammonium Chloride and (_)."

Kawasaki Saki's answer:

Calcium Hydroxide.

Teacher's comment:

That's correct. Creating Ammonia is a very important process for industries. Please remember this.

Hikigaya Hachiman's answer:

Ammonium salt absorption agent.

Teacher's comment:

Please don't create such a method so conveniently.

Koyama Yuuko's Answer:

Calcium Hydroxide.

Teacher's comment:

Correct answer.

[...]

There was a rumor around school, one of those big enough to reach my ears. They tell about the strange relationship between Sakamoto Yuuji and Kirishima Shouko, of course I wouldn't have paid any mind to them, normal fags can go explode for all I care. Yet, this one is a little different, mostly because they didn't have much in the way of restrain (or public decency) last year, so my poor eyes were forced to witness their wacky interactions. Seriously, go explode.

That's probably why I'm a little more confident in that rumor.

Still, this was a risky gamble.

"Everyone to their positions!" Koyama's voice was strong and full of… hostility, what a Class Representative we got here. "It's time to put that Class A in their place!"

"Yeah!" The whole classroom (mostly) was pretty pumped up and went to whatever positions they had. By the way, I was just told to stand around and defeat enemies. Aren't you guys being a little too cruel?!

By the way, I made a last effort to convince the Class Representative of not going to war with someone who outclasses us so much, but alas, it was in vain. Leave to the people in power to never know what to do when it matters.

Well, whatever, it's just against the next classroom, so it's not like there are many options. I will just wait a little until I get a good opportunity.

Luckily (lol) I found a familiar face near the stairs, just by the window.

"Yo." I greeted teacher Hiratsuka. Of course, my classmates had already arranged for a bunch of teachers to be free and around for the Summon Test War. But it's a little strange to see her around here instead of somewhere closer to the actual battle scene.

"What kind of lame greeting is that?"

"The shortest this language allows."

"…Seriously, what a lazybug."

Hey, it's really ok for you tell 'lazybug' to your student?

"I'll be fine, as long as no one rats me out."

Damn, I swear this woman can read minds! Is she some kind of newtype?

"Whatever, what are you doing he-"

"HA! I found another Class C scum!"

Unexpectedly, I was interrupted by some student with really good vocal cords. Really, I think that shout destroyed my ears. How are you going to repay me for that you idiot?

"W-Well whatever! You'll die here Class C scum!"

No, I will not. And what's with that line out of some shounen manga? Totally contrary to me, Hiratsuka had fired up upon hearing that. Seriously, take this a little more seriously. And no one here is going to die. Worst case scenario is taking some supplementary lessons and having a small downgrade in funds.

Hikigaya Hachiman (Class C) VS Teraki Takashi (Class A)

Subject: Modern Japanese

445 VS 302

The numbers don't lie. Except when they do. For some reason, the movements of the summoned being were tied to the fitness and energy of the user. Don't ask me how that works. I have no idea. It just works. King Crimson!

"W-what!?"

My 'enemy' seemed perplexed upon gazing at my point score. Well, that's what you get for going against my strongest subject. Good thing this wasn't some science course. I would be destroyed instantly. My total score is mostly based around my social studies.

Responding to my wishes, my summoned being cleaved towards the other student's hologram. As far as I know, this is the only place where you can see me wearing a suit while wielding some weapons worthy of being in some shounen anime. Oh, it was a 5-hit combo. Nicely done, myself.

Really, controlling a summoned being would never stop being a surreal experience. Their movements were tied to my own will, even if they were some kind of hologram. Too bad this battle ended in a matter of seconds.

"W-what!? How could you defeat me!?" Like I said, it was probably the difference in numbers. And seriously, stop being so dramatic over everything, is giving me a headache.

As taking that last shout as a cue, the so called 'Ironman' appeared to drag away the defeated guy. It was a little weird too see a grown man dragging a screaming student. Is just supplementary lessons, they can't be that scary, right? RIGHT!?

"Congratulations on your victory, Hikigaya."

"Y-yeah." Yup, it was awesome. I'm the best around. If only I could have this same score in all my subjects then I would totally be by in Class A, nay, forget that. I would totally be Class S material. Then I would be able to relax all day and not do any kind of work.

"Well, that's good and all, but it looks like the rest of your class isn't faring that well." She pointed to the C classroom. While snapping me from my fantasy.

Exactly as she said, I could see my classmates being slowly, but surely being pushed down against the classroom. It was just a matter of time before the battle gets settled. With our loss, that's it. Which means is finally my turn to move.

[...]

Under the 76th line of the Japanese Constitution 'The Independence of the Judge', please fill in the following blanks.

'All judges shall exercise (_) to (_) execute their (_) and shall be bound only by (_) and the (_) to apprehend criminals.'

Hayama Hayato's answer:

'All judges shall exercise (conscience) to (independently) execute their (authority) and shall be bound only by (Constitution) and the (laws) to apprehend criminals.'

Teacher's comment:

Well answered, as expected of a lawyer's son. This is one of the rather important articles in the Japanese Constitution. As the judge's exercise the privileges, the constitution can ensure that the judge won't be instigated by political powers and high-levels of the court and perform the duties independently. The content itself also includes ensuring the personal safety of the judge. I hope you can remember this little knowledge.

Hikigaya Hachiman's answer:

'All judges shall exercise (power) to (independently) execute their (authority) and shall be bound only by (money) and the (public opinion) to apprehend criminals.'

Teacher's comment:

…Do you hate our constitution or something?

Tsuchiya Kouta's answer:

'All judges shall exercise (instincts) to (take off their clothes and) execute (a strip tease) and shall be bound only by (the policeman's hand holding onto the culprit) and the (censorship laws) to apprehend criminals.'

Teacher's comment:

I DEMAND YOU SEND A LETTER OF APOLOGY TO ALL THE JUDGES WITH FULL SINCERITY!

[1-5]

I even didn't have to activate my 'stealth hiki' to enter to Class A, those guys are really into a full-fledged siege, aren't they? How scary.

"Hey there! What are you doing here!?"

Mh, that girl really looks exactly like the one shouting to the class the other day. I was aware of it, but is really uncanny the resemblance.

Meh, this is getting troublesome. My favorite motto is "if it doesn't work when you try, give up," so I wasn't that upset. While we're at it, you can add "give up when the going gets tough," to that. Actually, I don't really want to do it if it looks like is too much work.

"What's this? I see a little fly has appeared in the classroom!"

This time another girl interjected. Using a very rude remark, to boot. With elegant features and long, flowing ebony hair. I know this girl. It's Yukinoshita Yukino. Obviously, I only know her by name and by face as she is one of the top scorers in the grade. Like with most people, I have never crossed words with her.

"Let's try to play it safe."

The next one, who enjoyed a nasty glare from Yukinoshita, was a male student. I knew of him too. Hayama Hayato, also a prominent figure around school, being blessed with good looks and a charismatic aura, not only good at studies but also the ace of the soccer team.

"Well, what's your purpose here?"

Uh, are you talking to me? Move along normie, nothing to see here. Oh wait, this is bad, isn't it?

"Don't be an idiot, is obvious he is here to attack!"

"It seems plenty stupid for a fly to come here alone, thought."

Contrary to her looks, Yukinoshita was exhibiting quite the venomous tongue.

"Hey, I'm not a fly!" And why do you think I came alone? I mean, it's totally not the case, teacher Hiratsuka is here, so I didn't come here completely alone, you see.

"Oh pardon me fly, it was just a slip of the tongue."

"Oi, you totally said it again!"

"Stop that! You two!"

It seems that the Yuuka girl got mad, indeed, she looked as someone with little patience for nonsense, meanwhile Hayama only sported a wry smile and kept to himself.

"…I'm only here to talk to the Class Representative."

I said while raising my hands. This is totally strategy. I'm not feeling humiliated at all. It's for the good of the classroom, really.

"How naïve do you think we are!" Man, that girl really does like getting mad about everything. Scary, let's hope I don't ever see her again after this. "You are obviously planning an ambush!"

"Then should we attack together?" Hey, Hayama, what's with that? You totally weren't paying attention before, so why are you butting in now!?

"Nah, just one of us is enough, we need to be careful if there are more like him around."

No, Yuuka-something. There's no one besides me around. But thanks for leaving the road empty for me.

"I will take care of this, it's not like he could have defeated Kirishima anyway."

As she said that, her summoned being appeared and I was forced to summon mine too. At least it will be a one on one, with teacher Hiratsuka here, I have a good shoot at actually winning this one. Not to presume, but I'm in the top five when it comes to social studies.

Hikigaya Hachiman (Class C) VS Yukinoshita Yukino (Class A)

Subject: Modern Japanese

430 VS 470

"Impressed much?"

"…I guess even and insect has something to excel at."

She dismissed me, she totally dismissed me! It's obvious that she got the higher score here, but it's only less than 50 points!

"What's happening here?"

The interruption came from a different girl. Just like Yukinoshita, she had long, ebony hair and delicate features. Yet, they were completely different. This was the class representative of the best class in our year, and the valedictorian with undefeated scores. Kirishima Shouko, who, at the best of my knowledge, had a memory who couldn't forget anything.

"Ah, Representative!"

"Nothing much, just taking out the trash."

"Oi, what's with that!?"

"Ah, representative, he said he wanted to talk to you."

Thanks for selling me out, blondie. Will you get your thirty silver coins after this?

"…What is it?" Her tone was soft and her demeanor disinterested, but I could sense a very scary aura around her. Did something happen? I didn't do anything, I swear!

"Right! I got some blackmail on Sakamoto Yuuji for you!"

It seemed like my desperate plea was rewarded. After all, Kirishima Shouko's scary aura dissipated in an instant and she started looking interested for the first time.

"…Let me see."

[...]

And finally, let's change it up a bit and have a lighter question.

Please fill in blanks in the next sentence.

"Without '_', the word 'Mother' would become '_' (someone unrelated)"

Himeji Mizuki's answer:

"Without 'M', the word 'Mother' would become 'other' (someone unrelated)"

Teacher's comment:

Correct answer. Taking the 'M' away from the word 'Mother' would give the word 'other' (someone unrelated). This is really a convenient way of remembering words.

Tsuchiya Kouta's answer:

"Without 'M', the word 'Mother' would become 'S' (someone unrelated)"

Teacher's comment:

No matter whether Tsuchiya's mother is called 'MS' or 'SM', sensei really doesn't know what to say about this.

Hikigaya Hachiman's answer:

"Without 'money', the word 'Mother' would become 'absent' (someone unrelated)"

Teacher's comment:

…I'm worried about your life at home.

[...]

AN: Man, this chapter came as lackluster. I actually have it since some weeks ago, but I totally forgot about it after real life attacked me, then I lost most of the chapter (damn you M Word) and procrastinatedabout rewriting it. I know is not a good excuse, but is the truth. Next week should be more relaxed, so I will write more, with some luck, also better.