Chapter 5 - Class Familiarity
Entering the classroom the next day was like walking into a viper pit. I had chosen to come just on time, arriving minutes before classes were supposed to start to avoid dealing with unnecessary trouble, but it seems that was inevitable. Horikita was pointedly ignoring me, still upset after our interaction at the store. Sudou was torn, because as much as he was insulted by my actions yesterday, I had still assisted him in avoiding trouble with the seniors, and he couldn't completely ignore the possibility that I wasn't as harsh as my first impression gave off, along with being forced to recognise my strength. The rest of the class, however, was glaring at me. Obviously, they hadn't forgiven my actions and words yesterday, acting superior and calling them defects had struck a serious blow to their egos.
It wasn't wrong though.
Eventually they would realise, whether it be now, or next month when we inevitably receive a lot less points, if any, that I was correct. When that happened, well, it would be wonderful chaos, a crushing blow to their self-worth. But until then, or until their hatred wears off, I would have to suffer their distain.
One possible solution would be to keep my head down. Yesterday I had made a big impression, one which couldn't easily be changed, but if I kept to myself eventually, they would forget me, and come test time I would, along with Kouenji, prove our superiority to all of them.
Before I could continue my train of thought any longer, I was approached by one of my classmates, the one who had been surrounded by girls. Fit, average height and blond hair. I believe his name was –
"Hirata Yousuke. It's good to finally make your acquaintance, Ayanokouji-kun was it?" He extended his hand towards me, which I grasped and shook. He had a firm grip, and so I responded in kind, matching it exactly. This was the easiest way to hide strength, make it indistinguishable from your opponent and no one could tell the difference.
"Likewise. Since I left early yesterday, I've only had the opportunity to talk to a few people so far, so it's nice to meet another classmate properly." Surrounding us I could hear murmurs, questioning why Hirata would talk to a "stuck up narcissist like him", and wondering why I was acting so differently today. That should be obvious. Hirata was clearly a central figure to much of the class, so his favour would revert some of the damage I had done to my image in their eyes.
"I was wondering if you could explain what you posted yesterday. I read it over with a couple of other members of the class, but even then, we couldn't quite understand what it was saying."
"It meant exactly what it said. There's no point elaborating further on it, since if you didn't understand my post there really isn't a less complex method of explaining the situation. If you still don't understand," I gestured to the person walking through the door, "you could ask sensei, although she obviously can't confirm any of the details." Hirata took notice of what I was saying and nodded. It seemed he was one of the smarter students in Class D. After quickly scribbling on a sheet of paper and placing it on my desk, he returned to his seat and waited for class to begin.
To my disappointment, no one asked Chiyabashira any questions about my claims, and even more so, most of the class wasn't paying attention. Clearly, they didn't take my post seriously or hadn't bothered to read it. Unfortunate, but it's not my place to help them any further. I'd given them everything they needed, but if they refused it then there was no point bothering any further.
Looking at the piece of paper on my desk, it had a name and a phone number. Huh. Maybe he really did want to make friends with me. In any case this would be a useful asset to have.
The moment class ended, I got up from my seat, only to be greeted by several boys in the class standing in front of me. From the constant chatter in class, I had picked up the rest of the names of my classmates that I hadn't learned yesterday (do they not understand how to act in a classroom), especially the boys standing in front of me.
"Oi bastard. You've got a lot of nerve showing your face today!"
"Yeah! A guy like you could never be better than us!"
"To think you would insult us all on the first day, even an angel like Kushida-chan, how mean are you?!"
Their names were Ike, Miyamoto and Yamauchi, respectively. Sudou was also standing alongside them, although he wasn't saying anything, probably dragged along to look tough.
The rest of the class, bar Horikita and Kouenji, both of whom had already left, grew quiet watching our interaction.
"Do you expect me to not come to class?" Whilst they had the right to be upset, their arguments were rather flawed. Did they think I wouldn't show up out of shame, or was scared of anyone here from the repercussions? Rather foolish, although I suppose defective students couldn't reason any further than that.
"Maybe we should keep you from our class! Did ya think of that? Come on Sudou, let's get him!" They posed themselves in the most ridiculous fighting stances, probably taken straight out of some movie they watched. Luckily Sudou himself was hesitant and didn't move, probably considering this a bad idea. Good Sudou. Learn to think.
"If you try and fight me you just prove my point. Clearly you didn't read what I posted yesterday, because if you did you would know about the hidden cameras in the room." I sighed at this. "Please use your brains, there is no reason for me to have to beat you up."
"You just insulted us again didn't you!" Actually, it was twice Miyamoto, but I guess that's too hard for you to notice. "Who cares about shitty cameras!" Saying this he ran at me. Slowly. This was just sad. Should I let him hit me or stop him. Both options had their pros and cons, however hitting him would only serve to further anger the others. Stopping him would also reveal my strength, which I didn't want to do. So, then I decided.
"Yaaaauugghhh!" I stepped to the side just before he reached me, and he ran right past, straight into the wall, and then collapsed on the floor. This was apparently far enough for the rest of the class, as a few of them stood up and started scolding us for fighting. This continued for a couple of seconds before the false angel herself stood up.
"Please, everyone, don't fight. It's only the second day, we should be trying to get along not fighting." It seems most of my classmates took her word as gospel. That fake smile of hers was truly very effective. I had yet to figure her out, but I could tell she would be much more interesting than most of the other defectives here. "Ayanokouji-kun, what you said yesterday before leaving was very hurtful however, I would like to move past it. You are a classmate and it's important for everyone to get along."
"Kushida, wasn't it?" At her nod I continued. "I won't apologise for what I said yesterday. I said what I meant, and that's just how I am." The angry glares started to return at this, and some people opened their mouths to retort but I continued before they could. "All my life I've been home-schooled. I've never had a chance to meet many, or any, people my age, and I don't know how to interact properly. I will try my best to be a more considerate classmate from now on, so please, I'd like to move on from that, and try to be a bit more thoughtful." A few sad smiles went across the room, and most of the people angry at me before had calmed down at my story. That should throw them. Most of the girls, and even some of the boys it seemed, had bought my semi-apology. Thanks to Hirata's conversation with me, and Kushida giving me the chance to control the conversation, I had manipulated it in a direction where most humans would be instinctively forced to feel sympathetic to me. Even if they still were mad, their mind had no choice but to forgive me. It seems the only ones who weren't convinced were the shallowest of girls, all of whom seemed to flock to Hirata, and the three boys who confronted me earlier, their eyes still saying, 'we hate you'. Apparently, my confrontation with them wasn't over yet, but that was a problem I could easily deal with. The only other person who didn't buy it was, surprisingly, Kushida herself. Her smile was all forgiving, yet her eyes were full of mirth. She was smirking on the inside, I felt, scoffing at both the bullshit I spewed, and the fact that most of the class bought it.
I would have to change my earlier assumption of her: she was not potentially useful, but essential to have on your side. Her control of the class was undisputed, and her ability to act was undeniably impressive. Eventually, she would slip up, make a mistake, and I would be there to catch it, and make her mine. With the trust people placed in her already, in a few months her ability to cause chaos would be virtually unstoppable.
"If that's all, then I'll be going now." As I walked to the door Kushida called out to me again.
"Wait. Ayanokouji-kun can we exchange phone numbers. You missed it yesterday, but I'd like to be friends with everyone in the grade, so if you could please."
"Sure, why not. It'd be handy to have your number, you seem like a helpful person." There you go Kushida, my thanks for your help earlier, I will shove your pedestal up just a little bit more. All the more useful for me later on when you become my tool.
With this, I left the room, heading out to explore some more, and hopefully to find some ice cream.
Authors Notes
Absolutely detest this chapter but it needed to happen i feel. Later chapters won't work if he didn't do this, and personally i feel this getting out of the spotlight is more like Ayanokouji than what ive written so far but honestly im fucjing tired rn. Assignments being a real pain, so finish that up after this. Calculus is fun but not with group work. Enjoy!