Study hard or you will end up failing. This what is mostly told to the young but at this age, the words hold no turn I mean how can one be when a random person with a camera earns more than a person who attended the most prestigious schools and was s straight at student. Not only that it has been proven many times that education alone does not mean success. One example inventor of Cheetos Richard Montanez was a janitor who couldn't even read and write at first and now has a net worth of 14.4 million.
However, most students use this as an excuse not to take their life seriously even if you can't blame it since most of what's learned in school is forgotten and won't be used it does not mean one can take it too easy.
This now happening in Class B pressured to study. It is one thing if one is failing but to go all out to have a goal of perfecting an exam is too much for most students most results in cramming.
Ichinose and Kanzaki while waiting for their classmates decide to scheme a plan to motivate their classmates to go all out. They talked until all of their classmates arrived and continued to wait for a certain white-haired boy.
"Tch, what have I gotten myself into". Accelerator arrived surprised to see most of his classmates he was expecting to see at least 3-5 people.
"Asahiko" Ichinose called out to him, To which he sat on the table across her and some of his female classmates surrounded him and sat next to him. To the average male, one would at least feel a little excitement but Accelerator is anything but normal and showed no interest and an annoyed expression. The boys of the class noticed this and got jealous fast.
Ichinose saw him being uncomfortable and tried to divert the class's attention by starting a conversation on how to start the study session.
Ichinose and Kanzai handed every classmate study worksheets to examine one's academic ability.
"Alright everyone first we need to know what are our strengths and weaknesses so why don't you give this a try," Ichinose asked with a cute smile motivating the whole class especially the boys.
When Accelerator was given a sheet he felt being watched by someone as if someone was monitoring like a predator who studies its prey. He shrugged it off and answered it quickly and swiftly. A few minutes have passed and once again he was the first. He handed it to Kanzaki who checked his answers and compared it with the answer sheet that he brought it was all correct as if he copied it. Kanzaki tried to deduce if it was possible he could have taken it or glanced a peek and memorized but was discredited as Accelerator had his eyes on the papers the whole time and the answer sheet was written on a notebook.
"You're really something Asahiko" Kanzaki complimented him to which he did not respond.
Asahiko now bored asked for his worksheet back and write a guide on how to solve complex formulas in the worksheet and from what he remembered in the previous test. After that, he gave it to Ichinose and left.
"Well that went well"
"At least he came"
His classmates commented on the short Accelerator took. Ichinose looked at the paper and saw what Accelerator wrote it seems he has written a guide people with a low IQ could even understand. Another thing he wrote that got the attention of Ichinose is that he has written.
"Don't tell them I wrote this, tell them you did this or something I don't care." This is what is written at the end of the guide.
Ichinose knew what was going on she thought his classmates were making him uncomfortable so he complied with his written request and showed it to Kanzaki. She happily volunteered to be the class tutor which motivated the class as if they were brought back from the dead.
Accelerator left the library, bought some coffee, and relaxed on the nearby bench.
"Oh my if it isn't the number one." a female adult voice called out to him which got the boy's attention but did not show it.
"What" he annoyingly replied.
"Waaahhh is that how you talk to your teacher." it was Chie Hoshinomiya the teacher in charge of Class B who is now acting like if Last Order and Yomikawa combined their personalities into one teacher.
"Why are you always so alone don't you know how precious high school life is?" the teacher lectured him.
"Sorry don't care I just wanted to pass and I am off." Accelerator replied again not even bothering to make eye contact hoping she would go away.
"Geez, you so mean I guess you must have a girlfriend already if you don't care huh." Ms. Hoshinomiya asked out of the blue. She then poked Accelerator many times from body to head.
If only they all knew, he was starting to miss his status in Academy City but he knows deep down once he's back he will miss his time here.
"No, I am not like other boys who think having a girlfriend would end solve all of their life's problems not knowing it will just add more," he replied as Ms. Hoshinomiya pushed herself onto him.
"Hmmmm I wonder are playing hard to get." she knows she was annoying him but found it cute.
The teacher was clueless that the person she is flirting with is a killer as she caressed his cheeks.
"Now what's the number for the police." Accelerator blurted out hoping his teacher would buzz off.
"You meanie" She pinched his cheek. If the Last Order, Yoshikawa, and Yomikawa saw this it would really never be the end of it.
In a certain apartment in Academy City, a Television has been destroyed due to a voltage surge of unknown cause.
"What the hell are you doing Hoshinomiya? another teacher arrived and smacked Ms. Hoshinomiya.
"Finally can you place sedate her I almost called the police"The boy commented?
"Ouch! What was that for?" she cried.
"This again first my student now another class." the other teacher complained as she dragged Hoshinomiya away.
Now it's peace and quiet for Accelerator, one of the only reasons he bothered to be here in the first place.
During classes, while waiting for the next subject, Accelerator had another pain in the ass.
"Woah so you like reading manga." Another one of his male classmates tried to socialize with Accelerator. It seems it has turned into a challenge he heard during lunch.
The Asahiko Challenge, Get Accelerator to socialize, participate and make friends then you have a great partner, for the boys, it means another comrade in arms for the girls a possible love interest or a cute friend or maybe something more.
"I saw you read Heavy Object by Kamachi, it's a good read." his classmate kept on trying to break the ice
" I am Shibata nice to meet you Accelerator, well I see you don't want to talk so see ya." Another one bites the dust.
Accelerator's face screams "I really wish I weren't here right now" as another one attempt to interact with him this time a girl.
"I'll do this for you Ichinose" the girl muttered under her breath as it revealed to be Chihiro as she gets close to Accelerator.
"Go Chihiro wohooo You can do it !" One of her friends cheered.
"Ummm Asahiko why are you like this"
"Tch I just said many times I am not a people person"
"I see but it won't hurt for you to join in"
"haghhh fine if it will get you all to stop and please remove that challenge whoever made that is gonna get his or her ass kicked" he caved in but with that response, a specific black-haired ponytailed girl backed away to hide behind Ichinose.
Accelerator spotted her and made eye contact it was like "Mess with me and you will be buried alive" to which the girl responded with a scared smile.
"Good for you Asahiko why don't you join me and Kanzaki with a few others and together we will get to Class A, " Ichinose said.
"Good job Chihiro" Ichinose cheered as she pats her Chihiro's head which made her really happy.
Accelerator never showed too much resistance in his classmate's attempts in making him socialize as it would cause too much trouble in a lot" of ways if he brushed off everyone and acted rudely Yomikawa and Last Order will lecture him to death, the group monitoring him would make a horrible analysis giving people the wrong idea and the whole school might find out his peace will be burned to the ground and his enemies from Academy City might follow him and make even more trouble.
So he just went along with it
At the time of dismissal, Accelerator was on his way out until he was approached by Ichinose and his companions.
"Hi Asahiko since you will be now be joining let me re-introduce you to the rest of the group since you forgot their names," Ichinose said and turned to her companions prompting them to introduce themselves. Accelerator remembered some of them but some of them not.
"I am Chihiro Shiranami we talked earlier".
"Mako Amikura and sorry about making the challenge".
"Ryuji Kanzaki we talked last week".
"Sō Shibata we also talked earlier".
"and I am Yume Kobashi".
Accelerator didn't respond to them and just simply continued to walk on his way. Also, he prayed that please no one knows about this.
"Welcome to the Ichinose Group" Mako continued
"Guys come on there's no group we are all the same group as Clas B." Ichinose rebutted.
"But it's our clique," Mako replied.
"Again welcome Asahiko."
The group chatted to which again Asahiko again not responding much. They all parted ways and after rejecting an offer from Ichinose to walk together at the dorm. He decided to buy some coffee and found a spot to relax till he fell asleep.
"I heard you were placed in Class D. I suppose nothing has really changed in the last three years. You've always been fixated on following me, and as a result, you don't notice your own flaws. Choosing to come to this school was a mistake." A boy spoke in a soft tone.
"That's… You're wrong about that. I'll show you. I'll reach Class A right away, then—" "It's pointless. You will never reach Class A. In fact, your class will fall apart soon enough. Things at this school aren't as simple as you think." A girl replied scared.
"I will definitely, definitely reach"
"I told you, it's pointless. You really are a disobedient little sister."
The noise woke Accelerator up but they seem not to notice him so they seem to have the impression they are the only ones present.
It was Student Council President the same person who scolded him for drinking by the vending machine. He displayed no hint of emotion. It was like he was staring at an uninteresting object that had the same expression as Accelerator. He grabbed his younger sister by the wrist—she offered no resistance—and pushed her against the wall.
"No matter how I try to avoid you, the fact remains that you're my little sister. If people around here learned the truth, I would be humiliated. Leave this school immediately."
"I-I can't do that… I will definitely reach Class A. I'll show you!" "How incredibly stupid. Do you want to relive the pain of the past?" "Niisan, I…"
"You possess neither the abilities nor the qualities needed to reach Class A. Get that through your head." The boy moved forward as if about to act as if he was gonna assault the girl.
"Hey, can you keep it down someone trying to sleep here" Accelerator now spoke gaining the attention of the two
Accelerator showed little care and empathy for the girl, he only interrupted cause it was noisy. He would have intervened liked when encountering delinquents picking on a victim but this was a different scenario and he's not in Academy City.
"You again." The boy replied and Accelerator now fully recognized him as the student council president.
"Please this does not involve you." the girl spoke with fear and relief.
"Yeah, yeah I'll leave." Accelerator replied but was stopped by the student council president. They glared at each other in complete silence, Accelerator unfazed and bored, while the president glared like a predator studying its prey.
By surprise the president backhand Accelerator in the face. Accelerator may not be able to use his powers to destroy him but his experience against the darkness made him quick as he instinctively took a step back to avoid the attack. He then aimed a sharp kick at his unguarded spot and exhaled deeply, extended his right arm, and opened his hand.
Accelerator used his cane to apply force to make him dodge the attack and used it to strike his knee but was block leaving an unguarded spot to which Accelerator took advantage of that and pushed him against the wall without using his cane to strike the floor near him to intimidate him.
"You look experienced, I didn't imagine you could evade all of my blows so quickly, Also, you seemed to look like you have done this before multiple times based on your look and how you move. Have you been taught?"
After the attacks stopped, he began to questions Accelerator.
"No, I just got the experience from dealing with muggers and delinquents a while back."
"Hmmm interesting, I just learned about your abilities, another anomaly first a student one who scored the same grades on his entrance exams who I am sure is hiding his intelligence on purpose, and now you a person with your caliber that should be in Class A."
"Nice what is this an interrogation or do you got nothing else better to do president." Accelerator spouted to which got the surprise of the girl who was watching.
"Well go back to your drama I am leaving, next time make sure you're not alone." Accelerator walked off leaving the two surprised at his behavior after passing another student who was approaching the other two.
In another study session for Accelerator in the library, all he had to do was write make complex formulas and concepts simpler for his classmates to understand, and give them to Ichinose and Kanzaki and making it look like they did most of the work to remove discomfort for him.
It was beneficial nobody bothers him and Ichinose has the illusion of helping him and thinking he is starting to open up.
"Alright good job everyone " Ichinose congratulated the group with a shining smile.
After that Accelerator was the first to get up and leave. Things are kind of getting well the class is still having a hard time on how to interact with Accelerator and with Accelerator still having a hard time finding no trouble.
"Hey, Asahiko wanna join us we're going to the cafe to hang out." It was Shibata one of his classmates.
"No thanks I have plans of my own."
"Mission failed we'll get 'em next time." Shibata thought in his head.
"Well, at least there's progress." Mako continued.
"Yeah I am guessing he was bullied in the past and distances himself from other people," Ichinose concluded.
"Oh yeah like you see in romance and also villain backstories," Kobashi added.
"So we're gonna do whatever it takes in order to help him ," Ichinose said with determination
"YEAH.," the group said in unison with the same level of determination.
"Tch what dumbasses." Little did they know Accelerator could hear them as he took a stop at the manga section of the library and found nothing. Does he deserve all of this help, people being concerned with him, If they truly knew him and his past would they still have the same level of concern and determination probably not they would distance themselves from him it was different with Last Order, Yomikawa, and Yoshikawa. If this was in Academy City he would threaten their lives to make them stay away from him. The only reason he didn't resist was not to make trouble here and when he returns.
He was angry at them that he could act like a bully or a delinquent to shut them off but couldn't. It was not the kindness, the fact they were a pain in the ass nor the inability to make them stop but it reminds him of someone so much it pisses him off.
"Oh I am sorry could you help me get another book I couldn't reach." His thoughts were ruined by another white hair, the girl he helped one time.
"Ask somebody else, I am crippled." Accelerator said walking away who was clearly now in a bad mood.
It was now the day of the exams of course Accelerator was the first to finish which impressed his classmates especially the teacher.
After that instead of sleeping, he rested his feet on the table and read his manga the last book he will borrow from the library.
At the end of the test, he was approached by many of his classmates again impressed by him.
"How did you do it."
"You really are a man of culture Asahiko(Accelerator)."
"Do you want to join us"
"Wanna head out for a bite to eat, I know this restaurant my treat."
Accelerator blocked out all the words deep not in the book he is reading but in his thoughts as he went back. Does he deserve this ? he sadistically murdered people to get stronger, sure he was manipulated but he still did it and enjoyed it. Another reason he went with this was to experience a normal high school life he will never have back in Academy City.
But he doesn't understand what normal is, even in the light he is still in darkness, He is already a monster it's too late for him s, he's ready and accepted he's going to hell when he dies. Sure he may do some good saving people and rescuing Last Order, but the damages are done. He is not worth saving, he is mellowing out and he is a villain.
He looked at his classmates surrounding him with an uninterested look. He and his classmates just stared at each other not knowing how to respond as if it was a staring contest and the winner gets a cash prize.
Accelerator concluded "what the hell" and decided to socialize a bit maybe if the analysis got out that he became soft he could use this is as an advantage to anyone who will go against him thinking he has become soft making them underestimating him. Even if the analysis summarizes he is a lost cause, incapable of cooperation or outcasted people would still target him anyway
It was a new strange phenomenon Accelerator socializing. Ichinose and her group watched like proud parents.
"What the hell is wrong with me," Accelerator said in his head as he talks to his classmates.
"Okay let's do this, kukukukukukuku time to crush them all and reach to Class A, That person from Academy City whoever you are I am coming for you."
A student hidden in the darkness said with a confident smile as he schemed ahead.