A Liquid Inspiration
Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)
One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.
That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.
For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.
It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:
"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."
This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.
Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!
Vol 2. Chapter 3 - Turning the Tables
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
The next day, I invited both Airi and Ken for lunch to discuss what exactly happened when they encountered the three Class D Students. Although I already formulated a couple of possible angles, it was best to hear the information straight from the source.
"So, Ken," I began, my voice slicing through the warm hum of cafeteria noise, "how did things escalate to that point?" I gestured to the fiery redhead to kickstart the conversation.
Ken took a bite out of the teriyaki he was eating before turning to face me. "Well, here's how it started. I was talking about the coach about becoming a regular in the summer tournament," he began, a grin making its way to his face.
That was certainly impressive. As a first-year, becoming a regular for the loaded basketball team was a testament to Ken's athletic prowess. Of course, I knew of this firsthand, having played a game with him.
But hearing that he got recognized for his efforts was still pleasant news.
"Is it official already?" I asked, the cool condensation from the glass of water clinging to my fingers as I took a refreshing sip.
"Well, it's not set in stone just yet, but it is a possibility," he replied, his gaze drifting toward the sky framed by the cafeteria window. "It feels nice, though... to be recognized this early on."
"Th...That's really impressive, Ken-kun," Airi chimed in, her soft voice barely audible over the clatter of cutlery, as she offered the redhead a small, shy smile.
"Thanks, Airi!"
"Alright, back to the topic. How exactly did it get to the point of confrontation, Ken?" I probed, my tone firm yet patient.
"Oh yeah, about that. Well, after practice on Monday, I was about to head back to my dorm room since I needed to rest and all. But before I could do that, Kondo and Komiya, who are also part of the Basketball Club, called me over to the special building. They said they wanted to talk to me about something. I could've just ignored them, but I mean, I occasionally talk to those two guys during basketball. I thought it'd be better just to hear them out. So, of course, I went to meet with them, right?" Ken began, pausing only to unscrew the cap of the Gatorade bottle in his hand, the sound of fizz echoing slightly.
"But when I got to the special building, it wasn't just Komiya and Kondo there. There's this ugly bastard Ishizaki, who was with them. They then began making fun of me, saying that I don't deserve to be made a regular and a bunch of other stupid shit. Then, one thing led to another, and before I knew it, that Ishizaki guy was about to throw a punch... until Airi came out of nowhere and interrupted it," he continued, his tone bitter, as he pointed his thumb at the pink-haired girl, her eyes widening in surprise at the sudden attention.
I nodded my head. "Thank you, Ken. Now, Airi, tell me how you got there, what you did, and what happened afterward," I said, motioning to the pink-haired girl to speak out.
Ken snickered. "You sound like some type of detective," he said, leaning back in his chair and causing it to creak.
I shrugged, the simple movement rustling my uniform. "I needed information. How am I going to achieve that if I'm not gonna ask?"
"Smartass."
I ignored Ken for the time being and turned my attention to Airi, who was fidgeting.
"Um... I was there because I wanted to take... some pictures of myself," she began. "No one really goes to the Special Building, so I thought I'd be undisturbed there."
Ah, that's right. During one of our hangout sessions with the group, Airi revealed that she enjoyed taking pictures of herself for fun, seeing it as her medium for self-expression.
"And... I didn't get to take new ones," she continued, sounding a little sad at the fact.
"Because the confrontation happened just as you were about to take some photos, right?" I asked.
Airi nodded, her pink hair bouncing with the movement. "Un... so just as I was about to take some photos... I heard Ken-kun's voice. It sounded harsh, like he was in a heated argument, so I decided to hide and peek over to see what happened. Then, that's when I saw Ken-kun facing three boys from the other class. They all got so heated until, umm... that green-haired boy tried throwing a punch. But before he could reach Ken-kun, I... got the courage to tell them to stop it," she said.
"And from what you guys talked about in the group chat, they just gave up when you arrived. Did I get that right?" I asked, glancing at Airi.
Airi somehow took my gesture as me not believing what she was saying and, thus, lowered her head. "T-That's actually what happened... Kiyotaka-kun."
"Oh, don't worry, Airi. I believe you," I replied, giving her a reassuring nod. She let out a relieved sigh, the tension in her shoulders visibly melting away. "What puzzled me was the fact that they just ran away. I'm pretty sure they could beat up Ken if they wanted to. There's three of them, and that Ishizaki guy is apparently a fighter."
"Oi! I can take them with no problem," Ken protested, glaring at me.
"Shut up, idiot. What would you do if the three of them ganged up on you all at once? Airi is there too, so you'd be looking out for her as well," I pointed out, leading Ken to click his tongue in annoyance.
"The point is, you were in a disadvantageous situation, Ken... and those guys knew it. That was why they were so brazen in their taunting," I continued.
"I-I... Man, I hate it when you're right," Ken conceded, sighing heavily. "So what's in your mind, Kiyotaka?"
"The attack on you was deliberate and planned ahead," I revealed, the severity of my words making both Ken and Airi's eyes widen in shock.
"Planned ahead? What the heck do you mean by that?" Ken asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.
"With what Akito said in the group chat yesterday, it would seem that Ishizaki Daichi was a troublemaker himself. The fact that he was there when Kondo and Komiya invited Ken to meet with them in the special building was proof enough that they intended for a fight to happen," I began.
"Now, with Airi revealing that Ishizaki tried to go for the first punch, the picture became clearer. If they really wanted to teach Ken a lesson, what would have happened was the scenario I said earlier: the three of them ganging up on Ken all at once," I continued.
"Wait," Ken said, his eyes widening in realization. "So what you're trying to tell me is that they never really intended to beat me up? But... they only wanted to instigate a fight?"
I raised an eyebrow at that.
"Because what you said made perfect sense, man. When I was in brawls way back, it was never one-on-one. People wanted to dispose of the big guy easily, ya know?" Ken continued.
Coming from Ken, that was actually a pretty smart observation, but then again, academic abilities are different from a person's "street smarts."
What Ken pointed out was probably rooted in his past, wherein he had been involved in plenty of fights, so he pretty much knew the psychology behind these skirmishes.
I nodded my head at Ken's words. "Indeed. And another reason why I think this was a premeditated attack was due to their reaction to Airi being there. If I were a ruffian and saw someone like Airi making the save, I would have used her to make fun of Ken. But they panicked and just gave up when she appeared."
"That... That surprised me too. I... thought they were going to do something... but they didn't even bother," Airi said.
"And for the clincher... there are no security cameras in the Special Building. The three of them intentionally provoked Ken because if they got the short end of the stick, they could just easily claim that Ken assaulted them for no reason," I continued.
"Wait... can you simplify your words? I can't keep up with your smart language," Ken said, trying to make a joke.
I shook my head in amusement.
"Basically, you were being set up by the three, and if their plan succeeded, you might have suffered heavy sanctions, like being suspended, for one," I said, leading Ken's eyes to widen.
"W-What?"
"Like I said, with no visual footage, due to the Special Building having no cameras in it, they could just claim that you beat them up for no reason, and you might have gotten suspended. But with Airi being there as a witness, that plan immediately went up to smokes. That was why they left."
"Damn, I really owe Airi one, huh? Thanks, Airi, you're a lifesaver," Ken said, glancing at Airi, who was flustered upon getting praised.
"But wait, how do you know there are no security cameras there?" Ken asked, turning his head to me.
"I'm in the Student Council. I know these things," I replied nonchalantly, taking a bite out of the burger in my hand. The savory flavors exploded in my mouth, momentarily distracting me from the seriousness of the conversation.
"Oh yeah..."
"Yo... You really are amazing, Kiyotaka-kun. To think... you already analyzed the situation the way you did," Airi said, praising me.
"But why would they target me? It's not like I'm on bad terms with Komiya and Kondo," Ken asked, furrowing his brows.
That was actually an excellent question on Ken's part.
Now that it was established that the attack was premeditated, the question now was: Why was Sudo Ken the chosen target? And why now?
The surface-level answer would be Ken's reputation as a hothead. It would be easy to provoke him, considering how he typically reacted when someone pushed his buttons.
But that's only one angle to it. One that solved the question, "Why choose Sudo?"
However, with my knowledge of Ryūen Kakeru's attack against Ichinose's Class C, the puzzle became much deeper and the answer clearer.
Ryūen Kakeru was making his move and was issuing a challenge to both Class C and Class B.
He was signaling his intention to take over our spots, and as part of his scheme against Class B, he had chosen Ken, who, under normal circumstances, would have fallen prey to his unorthodox plan.
I simply lucked out with the fact that Airi and Ken had become friends, and thus, the timid girl acted out of her nature and moved to help Ken out with the disadvantageous predicament.
Ryūen Kakeru... what an interesting guy.
After gathering my thoughts, I turned to face Ken.
"Because you're an easy target, Ken."
Ken's face twisted into a scowl, "What do you mean by that?" he demanded, his voice taking on a more aggressive tone, but I could tell he was trying to restrain himself.
I looked at Ken for a few seconds, my unflinching gaze seemingly unnerving the brash redhead.
"Class D had finally made their move, and they chose you to be their target," I replied.
"Those bastards..." Ken muttered under his breath, glaring at no one in particular.
And I don't think this would be the only move Ryūen would be making against our Class.
The failure of Ryūen's plan would simply lead to the boy heading back to the drawing board and, perhaps, changing his target.
But that didn't mean I would just stand idle and let Ryūen control the game.
"That said... Ken, do you want to get back at those guys?"
3.1
Later that afternoon, Yuki, Chiaki, and I were inside my dorm room, enjoying the peaceful solace it had brought.
The faint scent of fresh linen hung in the air, mingling with the mouthwatering aroma wafting from the kitchen. The sizzling of the Tonkatsu in the pan and the soft hum of the air conditioner provided a comforting backdrop, while the warm light filtering through the curtains cast a cozy glow over the room.
"Kiyotaka, what are you gonna do about Class D?" Yuki asked curiously, her voice soft and inquisitive. "You've been very vague about it yesterday, you know?"
Standing in front of the cooking area, I spoke without turning around, feeling the heat from the stove against my skin and the faint tickle of sweat forming on my brow.
"Right now, the game is all about predicting each other's next moves. For us, it would be predicting who would be Ryūen's next target, and for Ryūen, he'll be trying to predict whether we will stay on the defensive or pull off a counter-strategy," I replied, using the kitchen tongs to flip the Tonkatsu. The food sizzled louder for a moment as it made contact with the hot surface, releasing a burst of tantalizing scent.
"I wonder how they're going to decide who to target next," Chiaki mused, the fabric of her clothes rustling as she shifted in her seat. "The only reason they picked up on Sudo-kun was the fact that two of Ryūen's goons are also in the Basketball Club. But then again, we don't know the reach of their intel."
With how we've managed to handle Class B, there are four weak links that Ryūen could try to target: Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, Hondo Ryotaro, and Miyamoto Sochi.
That being said, Ryūen didn't need to target all of them at once to cause damage. All he would need was to see which one of them had the most vulnerability and the feasibility of forming a plan of attack.
Now, if I were Ryūen, and let's just assume that I had decent intel about the people of Class B, I would be specifically targeting Yamauchi and Ike. Although Hondo and Miyamura have their distinct weaknesses, Yamauchi and Ike are the easiest to exploit.
And this was due to their immense perversion that could easily be taken advantage of.
"If I were Ryūen and assuming I have decent intel on Class B," I paused, a contemplative look making its way onto my face as I tapped the handle of the kitchen tongs against the edge of the frying pan. "I would be targeting Yamauchi and Ike."
Chiaki raised her eyebrows in surprise, while Yuki simply nodded, as if she had already arrived at the same conclusion.
"Those two? But they're just... you know, harmless perverts." Chiaki asked, a puzzled frown creasing her forehead. "Why would they be the best targets here?"
"Well," I began, the sound of the sizzling Tonkatsu providing a rhythmic backdrop to my explanation, "both Yamauchi and Ike are known for their perversion and lack of discretion. This makes them particularly vulnerable to being manipulated and exploited by someone like Ryūen."
"I agree, but do you know what he might do?" Yuki asked.
"Ryūen might approach this in a two-pronged manner," I speculated, my gaze focusing on the frying Tonkatsu in front of me. The aroma of the breaded pork cutlet filled my senses, grounding me as my mind raced ahead.
"Firstly, he could orchestrate a situation where Yamauchi and Ike's perversion would lead them to compromise themselves. For instance, he could entice them with an opportunity that they couldn't resist - a chance encounter with a beautiful girl from his class, perhaps. Given their lack of discretion and poor impulse control, they'd likely fall into the trap easily."
I turned the heat down, allowing the Tonkatsu to fry slowly as I continued. "Secondly, he could also use their perversion as a weapon against them. By creating a situation where they are caught in a compromising position, it would lead to significant disciplinary action."
I paused, flipping the Tonkatsu thoughtfully. "With how the guidelines of this school worked, the result would be an immediate expulsion. And that would make us lose 600 points, which we just can't allow."
"However, this is all based on the premise that Ryūen has accurate information about our class dynamics and individual weaknesses. The question that remains is: how far does his intel reach? And how accurate is it? Those are the factors we need to consider as we prepare for the next phase of this battle."
I turned off the heat and moved the pan off the burner. The soft click echoed in the silence of the room, punctuating my statement.
Chiaki nodded slowly, taking in my words, while Yuki looked deep in thought. "So, the key here is to stay vigilant and be prepared for any moves Ryūen might make against our class, especially when it comes to Yamauchi and Ike," Chiaki concluded.
"Basically. But it'd be hard to do considering the tendencies of Yamauchi and Ike," I replied, sighing.
"Will we be playing this defensively, then?" Yuki asked.
"We have to be both defensive and proactive," I replied, leaning back against the kitchen counter, the cool surface a stark contrast to the lingering warmth from the frying pan. "Although we can't directly control Yamauchi and Ike, there are certain precautions that we can do to counteract the volatility of those guys."
"But at the same time," I continued, crossing my arms over my chest, "we can't just stay on the defensive. We need to build upon our existing intel and formulate a counter-strategy. Chiaki, can I count on you for this? You can try asking for Kushida's help in this if you need it."
"Kushida-san, huh? While she does have some connections, I don't think I'll be needing her for this one," Chiaki replied confidently.
Yuki giggled. "As expected of our resident stalker ninja, Chiaki-chan!"
"Hey, it's not stalking! It's just... detailed observation," Chiaki protested, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she crossed her arms defensively. Yuki's laughter only got louder at her flustered response.
While their banter lightened the mood, it didn't take away from the seriousness of our conversation. We all understood the magnitude of the situation at hand.
"Alright, detailed observation it is," I agreed, unable to resist the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "And while you're at it, it would be beneficial to keep an eye on Class D's movements as well. Any unusual behavior or interaction could hint at their next move."
"Got it, Kiyotaka-kun," Chiaki responded, her expression serious once more. "I'll start gathering information as soon as possible."
"Great," I nodded, carefully using the tongs to lift the Tonkatsu from the pan and onto a serving plate.
As the aroma of the freshly cooked Tonkatsu filled the room, Yuki chimed in again, "And what about us, Kiyotaka? What should we do?"
"We'll simply relax," I replied nonchalantly.
"Relax?" Chiaki repeated, sounding incredulous. "But Kiyotaka-kun, we can't underestimate Ryūen. From what I've gathered, that guy's cunning and ruthless."
"I know," I said, glancing at her over my shoulder. "But we can't let him dictate our actions either. If we're always on edge, waiting for his next move, we're letting him control the game."
Yuki clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I'd rather not allow some arrogant dickhead to control the tempo."
"Exactly," I agreed, slicing the Tonkatsu into bite-sized pieces. "And besides, we currently have the upper hand. I'm taking advantage of Ryūen's unfortunate blunder, so I'll make Ken file a complaint against Ishizaki, Komiya, and Kondo."
"Y-You're turning Ryūen's plan against him?" Chiaki asked in surprise. "Just how bad was that altercation that you believe that Sudo-kun could file a complaint against them and win?"
I then proceeded to tell both Yuki and Chiaki what Airi, Ken, and I had talked about earlier.
"So, a bullying and assault complaint, then?" Chiaki said before giggling. "I'm sorry... I just found it funny that someone like Sudo-kun would file a bullying complaint. The guy is a brash short-fused guy, you know?"
"Well, he did say he wanted to get back at Class D for targeting him," I replied, plating the last piece of Tonkatsu. "And I told him exactly how he'd be able to get them back."
"To think Sudo-kun would actually agree to your plan. I'd imagine him saying, "Only pussies complain about something like this," or something similar," Chiaki replied, shaking her head in amusement.
"Ken is more reasonable than you think, Chiaki. He recognizes the stakes... well, I made him recognize them," I replied, placing the serving plate on the table and sitting down with them.
"By filing the complaint, we not only buy time for Chiaki to gather everything she needs to gather, but we would also create a distraction for Class D. They'll be forced to deal with the consequences of their actions, and it might cause them to lose focus on their own plans," I explained, picking up a piece of Tonkatsu with my chopsticks. "Well, there's the possibility of Ryūen not caring about the issue, but that would be a stupid move."
"Tyrants always end up falling one way or another," I continued. "And ignoring the existing disarray would just hasten his downfall."
Yuki nodded in agreement. "It's a different setting than what we've done with Nagumo-senpai. If Ryūen decides to ignore this issue, there would be dissent in his class, and while he'll most likely come out of it victorious, we'll have more than enough time to subdue his class."
"Exactly," I affirmed, taking a bite of the Tonkatsu. The crispy exterior gave way to a tender and flavorful center, satisfying my hunger. "If we can create discord within Class D and make them focus on internal conflicts, it might deplete the resources that Ryūen could use at his disposal."
"And on the off-chance that it wouldn't stop Ryūen's advance, then I'll be ensuring that one of his three goons would be expelled. Just to send him a message," I continued.
I would rather take things easy for now, but if Ryūen Kakeru refuses to behave... then it would be appropriate to teach him a lesson.
The overzealous fish always gets eaten.
3.2
Ryūen Kakeru
July 1, 2015, Wednesday.
As today marked the start of the new month, the homeroom would begin by showing the class this month's point totals.
My eyes narrowed into a glare as my eyes focused on my school-provided smartphone, with the pre-installed school app showing on the screen, to be specific, the Balance Inquiry feature.
From here, you could do many things. You could check your current personal balance, or you could see how many collective points the class had. There was also a function that enabled you to send points to another student.
There were two types of points listed. One of them was marked with a "cl" at the end, which was short for "class." These were also referred to as "class points"—not points that an individual student possessed, but rather, points that the class had accumulated together.
Now, where was I headed with this?
The school said that the points earned by the class would be distributed to our respective accounts on the first day of each month, and since today was the 1st of July, that meant that we should have received the 52,200 Private Points that we earned this month.
However, none of those points were reflected in our accounts. I've asked Albert, Kaneda, and Hiyori about this, and they all confirmed the same thing: no points had been sent to them.
"Good Morning, Class D. Why do you kids look restless? That's quite unlike this class, isn't it?"
Our homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma, strode into the classroom after the bell rang, positioning himself on the podium up front.
"Sakagami-sensei... why haven't we received any points? Today is July 1, isn't it?"
"Ah, so that was what you kids are worried about..."
"It doesn't make sense, sensei. Upon checking the Balance Inquiry, it said that we have 522 Class Points, so we should have received points today. Why didn't we receive anything?!"
"Calm down, Yamawaki," the bespectacled teacher said, motioning for the incensed Yamawaki to relax.
But despite Sakagami's apparent calming down of a student, I could see a hint of frustration in his eyes... but it wasn't targeted at Yamawaki.
It was as if he knew something about what was going on, but he couldn't tell us just yet.
"Well then, now that everyone seemed to have settled down, here are this month's point totals."
Sakagami then put a paper up on the board that listed the current class points of all freshman classes.
After sticking magnets in each corner of the poster, Sakagami moved away and allowed us to see the rankings.
Class A 1004 Class Points (+94)
Class B 990 Class Points (+100)
Class C 710 Class Points (+90)
Class D 522 Class Points (+82)
"Class B got +100? What the hell?"
"We're still too far behind, damn it!"
"The distance even widened!"
"But at least we got like 82 more class points, right?"
While the chatter was going on, my mind was elsewhere.
The fact that we haven't gotten any points despite proof that we should have gotten 52,200 points individually was definitely suspicious.
There was no way that the school just forgot about it, given how high-tech everything was. Heck, those nerds placed in charge of the IT department probably didn't have to lift a finger, and the automated machine would just do its thing.
With that, my mind drifted to the one thing that I believe might have caused this...
The failure of my first attack against Class B.
Those idiots, led by Ishizaki, were apparently discovered by this one girl just as they were supposed to play their part in the scheme on Sudo Ken.
Since there was an eyewitness that could testify against them, Ishizaki withdrew from the scene with Kondo and Komiya.
And apparently, this girl, who Sudo called Airi, had threatened to report them to the faculty if they continued.
But according to what I've gathered about their class, that girl, Sakura Airi, was a pathetic girl who didn't have any ounce of courage in her. Most likely, she simply wanted to have the matter over with and gambled on trying to make Ishizaki and the others withdraw.
"Sensei, can you tell us why we haven't been given our points? Was there an issue somehow?"
Hiyori's calm voice interrupted my thoughts, leading me to glance at the silver-haired girl, who had a stoic look on her face.
"Correct, Shiina. This time, there was a little trouble. The first-year students' point distribution has been delayed. I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait a bit longer," Sakagami said.
Upon hearing Sakagami's words, some of the more stupid students grumbled in discontent, while some of the smarter ones, like Hiyori, had more calm reactions.
"Don't blame me. This was the school's decision, and there's nothing I can do about it. Once the trouble has been resolved, you'll receive your points. If there are still points left, that is," Sakagami replied.
So my suspicions were right all along.
And if my information about Sakura Airi was correct, she must have gone to Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and shared everything that had happened, which led to the situation we have now...
My eyes narrowed as the realization sunk in.
That damned bastard saw through my plan and turned the tables on me.
Ku Ku Ku...
You better make this interesting for me, Ayanokōji.
3.3
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
As the lunch break bell rang, I immediately headed to the rooftop, where I met with Chabashira-sensei.
"This is the first time that we had a one-on-one talk, isn't it, Ayanokōji?" Chabashira-sensei asked, smirking.
"It would seem so since I was with Yuki all the other times I've had a private discussion with you, sensei," I replied.
Chabashira-sensei nodded her head. "Mhm-mm. You two sure are close. So, why did you ask for me this time, Ayanokōji? Does this have anything to do with your attack on Class D?" She asked, almost accusingly.
"Attack? I wouldn't go that far, sensei," I replied, feigning innocence. "I was simply making sure that their attack on our class wouldn't go unpunished."
Last night, Ken, under my instructions, filed a complaint against Ishizaki Daichi, Komiya Kyogo, and Kondo Reo for bullying and another case against Ishizaki Daichi for attempted assault.
Upon further reflection, I found myself agreeing with Chiaki about how funny it was for someone like Ken to file bullying and assault cases against other people, but it was a necessity.
Because sometimes, the best defense is a swift and decisive offense.
"As expected of the Student Council Vice President," Chabashira-sensei chuckled. "You sure have quite the ruthless side."
I shrugged. "It's not like I filed the complaint. Ken did. That said, sensei, now that the complaint has been filed, how quickly would this issue be resolved?"
"Considering there was visual proof that three students had cornered Sudo, it would be finished quickly unless Class D would refute those claims and counter that everything was a misunderstanding. Although their case would be weak, the school would grant them about 3-5 days to mount a counter-argument, depending on how many days would be deemed appropriate."
I see.
If that alternative would be sought by Class D, then it would be likely that Ryūen might pull something within the week to try and mitigate his losses.
I was sure that at the moment, Ryūen had recognized that I had seen through his plans, and the guy was probably building up plans to try and reach for a settlement that would only see him suffer meager losses since that was the best case scenario for his side.
"What happens to Class D when Ishizaki, Kondo, and Komiya are proven guilty?" I asked.
"Sounding confident, aren't we?" Chabashira-sensei replied, amused. "Kondo and Komiya will get suspended, while expulsion might be on the table for Ishizaki, since he would be guilty of two heavy charges."
"As for Class D, their penalty would involve a deduction of class points," she continued.
It was as I thought. A deduction of class points was the most probable outcome, and it was one that Ryūen would likely want to limit.
With a thoughtful nod, I turned to look at the distant horizon. A deduction of class points was a significant penalty, one that could disrupt the dynamics of the entire year group. If Ryūen didn't play his cards right, his class could fall even further behind.
"I see. Thanks for the information, sensei," I said, turning back to Chabashira-sensei. "This would indeed influence the rankings quite a bit."
"That's the point, Ayanokōji. This school system is designed to promote merit and discourage any form of misconduct. It's all about the survival of the fittest, after all," she replied, her gaze sharp and her tone firm.
"Yes, I understand that, sensei," I responded, keeping my tone neutral. It was clear that Chabashira-sensei relished the competition and the relentless push for supremacy that the school system fostered— something that had been reawakened within her.
As I pondered over my next move, a soft gust of wind blew across the rooftop, carrying with it the faint sounds of chatter and laughter from the lunch crowds below.
Ryūen was no doubt already scheming, and if his attacks on Ichinose's Class C were any indicator, his follow-up attacks would attempt to exert pressure on us.
"Sensei, I have one more question," I said after a moment of silence.
Chabashira-sensei looked at me, her eyes displaying a hint of curiosity. "What is it, Ayanokōji?"
"Let's say hypothetically, if Class D were to offer a settlement... what would be the necessary steps for that? And could such an action prevent or at least mitigate the deduction of class points?"
A small smile appeared on Chabashira-sensei's face. "Well, in theory, they could propose a settlement. However, it would need to be accepted by the victim or victims, in this case, Sudo and your class. As for the class points, it would depend on the terms of the settlement and if the Student Council found it acceptable."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break. As the students started heading back to their classrooms, I thanked Chabashira-sensei for her time and walked away.
To recap, having Ken file the complaint as a preemptive measure ensured that we would have the upper hand in these negotiations. Whatever Ryūen would be planning to turn this situation against us would take longer than the grace period that the school would grant.
Let's say he'd move with haste and try to target Yamauchi and Ike. While the two would be easy to manipulate, they weren't completely stupid to the point of falling prey to a makeshift plan.
The only move Ryūen could make now was to try and minimize his losses— a lose-lose scenario for him.
And upon that realization, a smile found its way onto my face.
It was amusing how the simplest of plans can have such profound effects.
3.4
After the end-of-class bell had rung, I decided to head to the library, fully intent on borrowing a book.
Ever since the midterms had concluded, I actually hadn't gotten the time to visit the library again, being occupied with my load in the Student Council or hanging out with my friends. But today was different, as I was mostly free due to me finishing up my work in the Student Council yesterday.
As I walked through the busy hallways, the day's stress faded. The anticipation of discovering interesting books in the library actually filled me with quiet excitement. After all, aside from my desire for an easy-going and independent life, I would always appreciate a good book, as it typically answered my various curiosities.
Stepping into the library, I immediately recognized the familiar smell of old books and the sounds of students studying.
I wandered through the aisles of bookshelves, gently running my fingers over the spines of the books. The options seemed endless, but since I've read most of these books before, I decided to pass on them and see if something would provide me with new experiences.
"I've really read a lot of books, haven't I?" I mused to myself in amusement.
After browsing for a while, I was drawn to a book that seemed to call out to me. Its title intrigued me, and the cover art hinted at an exciting adventure that would take me beyond reality's limits...
I coughed into my sleeve in an attempt to calm down my teenage hormones.
Now, with a clearer head, a question entered my mind: how... did a book like Fifty Shades of Grey manage to find its way into a school's library?
I couldn't help but be amused at the irony of my discovery. It seemed like someone had made a mistake while stocking the shelves... or perhaps, it was by design.
"Hello! I can't help but notice that you've been staring at that book for quite some time now." I was interrupted in my thoughts when a soft, melodious feminine voice spoke up behind me. Turning around, I saw a girl with mid-back-length silver hair and violet eyes.
She had a small smile on her lips that looked friendly and inviting.
"Oh, I was just surprised to see this book here in the library," I replied, holding up the Fifty Shades of Grey book.
A look of mild confusion crossed her features. "Why so? You're in the erotica section, aren't you aware?"
I blinked in surprise, my eyes scanning the rows of books behind me. Sure enough, the section was labeled "Erotica," and I couldn't believe I had missed it...
Well, I actually hadn't missed it.
I was curious as it was the first time that I had spotted that this section existed in the library.
But since I was in the presence of a girl—a cute one at that— I decided to feign ignorance.
"I had no idea," I said, feigning embarrassment. "I must have been too focused on the books themselves."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Shiina Hiyori," she introduced herself, extending her hand in greeting.
That name was familiar. Not because she was particularly famous, but because I've gone through the student files before.
If I remember correctly, Shiina Hiyori belonged to Class 1-D, Ryūen's class.
But I suppose I shouldn't be too cautious around her just because she's in Ryūen's class.
From her friendly demeanor and body language, it was clear Shiina was simply intrigued by my prolonged inspection of the risqué book.
"Ayanokōji Kiyotaka," I reciprocated, shaking her hand.
"I know," she responded, a giggle punctuating her words. "Almost everyone knows you, Ayanokōji-kun. I mean, you've been named Vice President of the Student Council, and you're still in your first year."
"I suppose my involvement in student affairs has brought some attention."
Shiina's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You must have quite the busy schedule then, with all your responsibilities. Finding time to enjoy a good book must be a luxury."
"It can be demanding sometimes, but I'd always make time for reading books. It's one of the few hobbies that I have," I replied.
Shiina nodded her head appreciatively before her gaze shifted to the book I still held in my hand. "So, are you planning to borrow that book?"
"No, not really. In fact, I'm more surprised that books like these are even made available in the library," I replied, and this time, I meant it.
The girl chuckled, and I noticed that she had a book in her hand as well. "It's an easy section to miss. But I'm glad I found it."
"What book are you borrowing?" I asked, glancing down at the book in her hand.
"It's called 'The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty' by Anne Rice. This is gonna be the fourth book that I'd be borrowing from this section," she said, holding up the book for me to see.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the title. "Sounds... interesting. And the fourth book? Are you a pervert by chance?"
To her credit, Shiina wasn't offended by my sudden question. Instead, the silver-haired girl just shook her head and giggled at my question. "I simply enjoy exploring the vast spectrum of literature. Books provide a wealth of knowledge that sparks curiosity about the intricacies of the universe and the inner workings of the human mind," she said.
"If others could maintain an open-minded approach, they would discover that even provocative literature can reveal hidden truths worth exploring!" Shiina continued, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
Hidden truths? Such as?
How to make someone orgasm in 30 seconds? That's an interesting perspective, Shiina.
"That aside, I'm surprised you would ask such a bold question to a girl, Ayanokōji-kun," she added, sounding amused.
I raised an eyebrow at her remark, realizing my question may have come across as too direct or even rude. I quickly apologized, feeling a slight embarrassment creep up my neck.
"I'm sorry if my question was too bold. It wasn't my intention to offend you. I was merely curious about your reading preferences," I explained, hoping to alleviate any potential awkwardness.
Shiina giggled. "No need to apologize, Ayanokōji-kun. I appreciate your straightforwardness. It's refreshing, actually."
She then leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. "But to answer your question, I'm not a pervert. I'm just someone who embraces different facets of life and seeks to broaden my understanding of the world, even in its more unconventional aspects."
Her genuine smile and unapologetic attitude intrigued me. Shiina's words resonated with my own belief that exploring various perspectives and experiences could lead to personal growth.
"I suppose you have a point," I admitted, allowing a hint of curiosity to show in my tone. "Perhaps I've been too quick to judge certain genres without fully considering the value they might hold."
Shiina's eyes lit up with excitement. "Exactly! That's the spirit. It's all about embracing different viewpoints and expanding our horizons. If you ever feel like exploring beyond your comfort zone, don't hesitate to ask for recommendations."
I smiled politely, not quite sure how to respond. "Thank you, Shiina. I'll keep that in mind. For now, though, I think I'll stick to something a little less... intense."
"Suit yourself," she replied, smiling. "Happy reading, Ayanokōji-kun!"
With that, she walked away, leaving me to ponder the strange encounter. I couldn't help but be amused by the peculiar turn of events. It was evident that Shiina was quite passionate about her literary interests and unashamed of her preferences... or rather, all-encompassing adoration for everything books.
As I returned the Fifty Shades of Grey book to its rightful place on the shelf, I ventured into the other library sections. I was still craving the solace of a good book, so I decided to head down to the mystery book section.
And to my surprise...
"Hello, Ayanokōji-kun!"
"You really weren't kidding when you said you enjoyed all sorts of literature, Shiina," I said, my eyes looking at the stack of books that were now in the silver-haired girl's hands.
Her laughter echoed through the library's silent expanse, causing a few heads to turn our way. She quickly covered her mouth, stifling her laughter before whispering, "Sorry for the noise."
Shiina then looked down at her stack of books and smiled. "Well, as I said before, literature is vast and versatile. It's not just about the risqué, you know. Mystery, fantasy, history, philosophy – there's much to learn and explore. Plus, I love the thrill of trying to solve a good mystery."
"I can see that," I remarked, my eyes scanning the various titles in her hands. They ranged from classic whodunits by Agatha Christie to thrilling modern mysteries from authors I didn't recognize. It was clear that she had a wide taste in literature.
"Have you read any of these?" she asked, noticing my gaze.
"A few," I admitted, recognizing some of the titles. "I particularly enjoyed And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. It's a classic."
Shiina's eyes brightened at the mention of the book. "That's one of my favorites too! The suspense and mystery are so well crafted in that story."
"Looks like we have more in common than I thought, Ayanokōji-kun," Shiina said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Maybe we should start a book club?"
"Perhaps. But for now, I think I need to find a book for myself."
"Oh, allow me," she quickly offered. "Based on our shared interest in Agatha Christie, I bet I can find you something you'll enjoy."
Before I could say anything, Shiina placed the books that were in her hands on a nearby table and then darted off into the maze of bookshelves. I could hear her humming softly as she searched through the stacks. After a few moments, she returned, holding a single book out to me.
"Try this one, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It's a mystery and crime novel. I think you'd enjoy it."
I took the book from her, scanning the blurb on the back. It did sound intriguing, and I nodded my thanks.
"I'll give it a try. Thank you, Shiina."
"You're welcome, Ayanokōji-kun!" she said, her violet eyes sparkling enthusiastically. "It's actually the first time that I've met someone in this school who's also interested in mystery novels."
"Is that so?"
Shiina nodded her head. "In my Class, Class D... no one really likes reading, so I don't have anyone to talk to there," she replied.
Ah, so Shiina was one of those people who really didn't bother interacting with people outside of her class.
And from the looks of it, she seemed to be a little isolated as there was nobody in her class that shared her interest.
"You don't have friends there?" I asked.
"Hmm... I'm friendly with a couple of people there, but I wouldn't exactly call them friends," Shiina replied, a contemplative look making its way onto her face. "And I usually just keep to myself since there still are plenty of books that I haven't read yet."
"I see."
"That said, have you already read Dorothy L. Sayers?" she asked, changing the topic.
"No. I've read Christie, but not Sayers."
"In that case, I would most definitely recommend Whose Body? That's the first book in the series featuring Lord Peter. If you read that book, you'll inevitably want to read the rest." She pulled several books from the shelves and handed them to me.
All eleven of them.
"Uh…"
Her behavior left me puzzled. I struggled to figure out how to respond.
I didn't expect her to be this spontaneous.
"I'm sorry. Am I being a bother to you?"
"No, not really. But... anyone would be surprised if someone handed them eleven books, Shiina."
Shiina's eyes widened in realization, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Ah, I see. I guess I got carried away. I apologize if I overwhelmed you, Ayanokōji-kun."
"It's alright," I reassured her, setting the books down on a nearby table. "Your enthusiasm for literature is actually infectious. I'll try Whose Body?, Clouds of Witness, and Unnatural Death for now and see how I like it."
Relief washed over her face, and she nodded. "Sounds good! I hope you enjoy it."
"Thank you for the recommendations, Shiina. I'll make sure to share my thoughts once I'm done," I said, picking up the three books from the Lord Peter series, as well as the Stieg Larsson book that she recommended.
Her face lit up at my words. "I would love that, Ayanokōji-kun. If you ever want to talk about the books, don't hesitate to find me. I'm usually here in the library."
"That's good to know. I'll keep that in mind," I said, turning to leave the aisle.
"Wait, Ayanokōji-kun. There's something I forgot to ask," Shiina called out.
I turned my head in her direction and saw her taking out her phone.
"Can we exchange contact information?" She asked, showing me a small smile.
"Hm? Sure," I replied, taking out my phone and exchanging contact information with Shiina.
"Great!" She exclaimed as she quickly saved my number. "Feel free to text me anytime you like, even if it's not about books. It's nice to have a new friend."
"Thank you, Shiina. I'll keep that in mind," I responded, a subtle smile on my face.
I turned and made my way to the library counter to check out the books. As I was checking out the books, I glanced back at Shiina, who was now back to her stack of books, her eyes scanning the various titles with fervor.
As I left the library, books in hand, I realized something. A mundane visit to the library had turned into an unexpected encounter, an encounter that could potentially lead to an interesting friendship.
And for someone who claimed to prefer keeping to herself, Shiina Hiyori sure could be spontaneous and outgoing.
End of Chapter
A/N: No, he hadn't rizzed Hiyori. The girl simply liked the fact that she found someone who liked to read books.
Kiyotaka is noticeably proactive here, and the primary motivation for that... ties back to Nagumo and the Student Council elections that would happen by the end of the year. By now, Kiyotaka realizes that he needed to put unruly people like Dragon-boy in their place (But unfortunately for Kiyotaka, Dragon-boy has a boner for anyone who could potentially trample him. But hey, he'll figure a way to get the guy's support somehow, although it won't be happening now) and that exactly is what was motivating him to be more proactive.
His goal for this... wasn't actually to cause expulsions in his year. Kiyo simply wanted to see how Dragon-boy would react after being placed in a lose-lose situation.
That said, Dragon-boy and, later on, Arisu, wouldn't exactly be murdered in this story. But, with the changes in the story... why should he give a shit about them?
And Y2? I'm turning Y2 into a Kiyotaka and Friends story because SoL is based AF.