Disclaimer: I don't own Classroom of the Elite.
The sun was setting slowly over the Advanced Neutering High School. It sunk slowly from the sky, painting it in a deep shade of orange. There was just enough evening light over the grounds of the academy - to allow the students mingling around to be observed by one particular figure.
From the hill he was standing atop of, Kiyotaka Ayanoköji was silently observing his schoolmates. His emotionless eyes glistened from the twilight atmosphere. As always, his vacant expression gave nothing away about what was going through his mind as he watched the other students.
Tools, he thought to himself. That's all these people are. Nothing but tools.
Being brought up in the White Room during his childhood had corrupted the young boy. His father's psychopathic traits had been passed onto him. Ayanoköji's empty yellow eyes darted from one student to the next, viewing them as nothing but pawns to reach his goals.
Horikita … Kushida … every single one of them, he thought. I will use them in any way I can to make it to Class-A. I don't care who I have to use or dispose of along the way. All I care about is winning. Nothing else in this school matters. It's just me - and my tools.
"Um … Ayanoköji?"
The boy was snapped out of his corrupt thinking upon hearing a soft, quiet voice say his name. It was one which he had no trouble recognising. As his mind cleared of his ruthlessly ambitious thoughts, he turned around to face who was standing behind him and wanted to speak to him.
"Sakura?"
A shy gaze was on the sweet face of Airi Sakura. She fidgeted with her fingers as she stood in front of Ayanoköji, her blue eyes observing him through her glasses.
"Um … hi."
"Hey." Ayanoköji's tone was soft and gentle as he greeted the timid redhead. "What's up?"
"Um, I was just wondering … now that classes are over for the day…" Sakura tensed up, squeezing her eyes shut as she let out the question she had to ask the person before her. "Would you like to, um … hang out?"
A silence swept over the pair. Sakura trembled nervously over how Ayanoköji would respond to her question. It had taken the shy girl what little courage she had to approach him and ask what she had in mind. Now all she could do was wait and worry about what his answer would be.
"Sure."
Sakura's eyes opened, wide with astonishment over what she had just heard. Her mouth hung open as she gaped at Ayanoköji. He was staring at her with the same blank look, appearing to have no issue with what she had asked of him.
"A-Are you sure?" Sakura stuttered. "I-I mean, if you'd rather not hang out with me, that's perfectly fine. I'd understand."
"Why not?" Ayanoköji asked simply. "Like you said, classes are over for the day. Why shouldn't we hang out? We are friends."
A huge warmth filled Sakura's face. Her eyes twinkled behind her glasses as her face lit up. With all the elation she was feeling to get to spend her free time with the brunette boy, she couldn't help but smile happily.
"Alright," she exclaimed, her voice a little louder than usual in her joy. "You're right. We are friends."
"We sure are," Ayanoköji agreed in his same monotone way. "So is there anything in particular you'd like us to do? I'm happy to do anything you want."
"Oh I don't mind what we do," Sakura answered, smiling. "Just as long as we're doing it together."
"Alright. Whatever you want, Sakura."
As the pair began to walk down the hill, side-by-side, Sakura couldn't take her eyes off Ayanoköji. She pulled her glasses down so that she could observe him without them in the way. There was something about this boy which made him so different from everyone else at the school. He made her feel so safe and calm. Only he could talk to her without making the timid girl feel nervous and afraid. Valuing his company as much as she did, Sakura was glad she had decided to pluck up courage to ask him to spend the evening with her.
The redhead placed a hand onto her chest, feeling how fast her heart was racing. She felt so happy that the boy she liked considered her to be his friend.
Maybe one day, Sakura thought, he'll see me as more than a friend. Then we'll be hanging out together a lot. That would be truly wonderful.
Ayanoköji couldn't help but steal some glanced at the girl by his side. He took in how sweet and innocent she was. Sakura was so pure without a single bad streak to her. How could bring himself to use her for his own gain? This little sweetheart was able
to bring out sides to the emotionless boy even he didn't know he had.
Alright, I guess I can make one exception, he thought. There's no way I can use Sakura as my tool - when she's my friend. And who knows? Maybe someday we'll be even more…
The end.