The Prodigy - Classroom Of The Elite

It's been about three weeks since that swimming event, and it looks like everything's settling down now. I'm doing pretty well in class.

I've got a few people I can genuinely call friends. There's Ayanokoji, for instance. He's a bit hard to figure out, but we've started walking home together and sometimes even heading to school together. We also have lunch together now and then.

Horikita is a bit more complicated than Ayanokoji. We talk mostly about school stuff since she's really smart. I ask her questions about our classes even if I already know the answers because she's really into studying. It might sound a bit odd, but that's just how it is!

I feel like Horikita is starting to open up more in our conversations, which is a relief. If things had stayed as awkward as they were at the beginning, it would've been tough, especially since we sit next to each other.

Then there's Hirata, who I would definitely call a friend too. But because she's super popular and busy with club activities, we don't get to chat as much.

Besides that, I chatted with a few others too, like Kushida and Karuizawa Kei. There's a rumor going around that Kei is dating Hirata, but since I'm friends with Hirata, I know what's really going on. Not that it matters much to me. Hanging out with Hirata's group for lunch a few times, we've exchanged a few words here and there.

Honestly, I find Kei's personality even more annoying than Kikyo Kushida's.

As for people who don't like me, I'm pretty sure Sudou isn't a fan. After that swimming competition, he seemed to have this "I'll get you next time" vibe towards me, which was unexpected since I thought it was just a friendly contest. I didn't realize he'd take it so seriously. Because of that, Ike and Yamauchi mostly ignored me too.

But then again, it's hard to say who ignored whom, since I wasn't really trying to talk to them either.

I can't remember the names of others, but that's how things stand for me in class and at this school right now.

Now, if I were to give my take on the class, I'd say there's a big reason why these students are in Class D. Most of them don't seem interested in studying. They're busy chatting, some are dozing off, coming in late, talking during lessons, using their phones, and doing countless other things that aren't exactly ethical. And most of the time, the teachers don't even bother to call them out on it.

It was both funny and a bit suspicious how things worked around here.

Still, there were students like Horikita, Hirata, and even Kushida, to some extent, who actually tried to focus on the class.

Right now, Horikita was jotting down notes from the board since the second period of the day had just ended. She looks really cute when she's concentrating on her notes. Well, to be honest, she's always cute.

"Stop staring at me; I'm not going to help you if you fall behind with your notes," she said, without even glancing up. It was like she had some sort of sixth sense that let her know I was watching her.

"Are you secretly the supergirl of this world?" I teased as I shifted my focus back to my notes. Although, I can't really imagine a supergirl being so serious all the time. Besides, having a sixth sense isn't exactly one of supergirl's powers, is it?

Soon enough, the third period started, and Chiyabashira-sensei walked in to teach History. Even as she entered, the students barely paid attention. After three weeks, they had gotten used to not taking the teachers or classes seriously. It was just normal for them now.

The thought of deliberately getting into trouble just to prove a point makes me feel like losing my mind.

"Settle down a bit, please. Today's lesson is going to be serious," Chiyabashira-sensei said firmly, trying to quiet the noisy classroom.

"What do you mean, Sae-chan-sensei?" someone asked. Apparently, they'd already come up with a nickname for the teacher. It's a bit odd, but who am I to judge?

"It's the end of the month, so we're going to have a short test. Please pass these to the back," she said, handing out the test papers to the students in the front row. Eventually, the single-sheet test made its way to my desk. It had questions in the five main subjects, and with only a few questions per subject, it really was quite short.

"Huh? I wasn't listening, though. This is so unfair!" Ike complained.

"Don't worry about it," the teacher reassured us. "This test is just for future reference. It won't affect your report cards, so there's no risk involved. Of course, cheating is prohibited."

She specifically mentioned that it wouldn't be on our report cards. If it was truly unimportant, she might have just said it was for practice or assessment, but it seemed like she chose her words very carefully.

Maybe I'm just being overly suspicious these days. Watching too much "Death Note" will do that to you.

I glanced down at the paper. There were four questions per subject, and with five subjects, that made 20 questions in total. Honestly, these questions seemed much easier than what I'd expect at this point. They were even simpler than the ones on the entrance exam. But since I was playing a long-term game, I intentionally left some questions unanswered to land myself in Class D.

The challenge was just to get into Class D and ace the entrance exam, so this time I didn't need to hold back.

Each question was worth 5 points, making it a total of 100 points for the 20 questions. As I worked through the test, I noticed the questions started off easy but then suddenly spiked in difficulty toward the end.

I managed to solve them, but I was sure most of our classmates in Class D would struggle with them. Still, since Chiyabashira-sensei mentioned this test wouldn't impact our report cards, it probably wouldn't be a big deal.

Chiyabashira-sensei kept a close watch on us as she slowly walked around the classroom, making sure no one was tempted to cheat.

I glanced over at Horikita, who would never even consider cheating. Her pen moved confidently across the paper, and it was clear she was heading for a perfect score.

Meanwhile, Ayanokoji seemed lost in thought, just staring at his paper.

When lunchtime came around, Ayanokoji joined Ike and Sudou for a meal.

It was just Horikita and me left in the room.

"Hey, would you like to grab some lunch with me?" I asked, knowing we hadn't had a chance to eat together yet.

"Why me? You could ask anyone else, and they'd probably say yes."

But not everyone is Horikita.

"I think you're overestimating how many people would agree to have lunch with me. Besides, there aren't many who'd want to chat about studying and books, you know. So, you're really my best choice here."

She turned her head and gave me a curious look. "I'm not sure if you're being honest or not, but I suppose I can say yes this time."

"Thanks," I replied with a smile.

---

"So, you picked the library as our lunch spot, huh? You must really like this place," Horikita commented as we settled down with our meals at one of the library tables.

I guess I've been spending a lot of time in the library lately. It's not surprising that Horikita noticed since she's here a lot too.

"I just find it really peaceful. It's one of the two places where I can sit quietly without any distractions," I explained.

The library's quiet because everyone here is focused on reading. Even as we chat, we're whispering, unlike the noisy cafeteria where you can barely hear yourself think.

"Oh? And what's the second place?" she asked, sounding genuinely curious.

"My room. I usually study there, but when I need a break, I come to the library," I answered.

We fell into a comfortable silence then, focusing more on our food than on talking. There were a few other students scattered around, but none that I recognized, except for one familiar face that I often saw here but never spoke to. I have no idea what class she's in.

"You're just like the other guys," Horikita suddenly said out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled.

"I thought you came here to study, but it looks like you were distracted by something else," she teased, finishing up her meal.

Now I got it. Horikita thought I was staring at that girl. While I was lost in my thoughts about her, I must have looked over for a bit too long. From Horikita's point of view, or anyone else's, it probably seemed like I was just gawking.

"Oh no, it's not like that," I quickly said. "I was just thinking about how she's always around whenever I come here. I've never even talked to her and don't know which class she's in. That's all." I felt the need to explain, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.

"I'll take your word for it," she replied.

I let out a sigh of relief and finished my lunch quickly.

"So, what do you think about the small test today?" I asked to get her opinion.

"What is there to think about it?" she responded.

"Well, how did you find it? There were some tricky questions, but I figured they'd be no problem for you."

"I did my best. It wasn't much different from our usual exams. Why, did you struggle with it? Is that why you're asking?" she teased.

"Nope. With all the help you've given me these past weeks, I doubt I got anything wrong," I said with a grin. She shot me her usual glare, but I was getting used to it by now.

"You're strange. You and Ayanokoji are both strange," she remarked.

"And yet, we're the only ones you talk to. Doesn't that make you even stranger?" I joked.

"Then maybe I should just leave," she said, standing up as if to go.

"Hey, come on, sit back down. Don't be mad," I urged, and she settled back into her seat.

After that, we just had some casual conversation. It was surprising to see her engage with my questions instead of just walking away.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Kushida-san, inviting me to hang out with some friends. "Would you like to join in, Hayashi-Kun?" she asked.

The message was from Hirata, and he even used honorifics in a text, which was kind of formal. But wait, Kushida planned a hangout?

I quickly texted back, asking, "Who else is going to be there?" I wasn't keen on being in a big group. What I really wanted to know was if there'd be a crowd.

Hirata replied, "It's just me and Karuizawa joining."

So, it'll be Karuizawa, Hirata, and Kushida, who planned the whole thing. That didn't sound too crowded, so I was okay with it.

"Alright. Just let me know the time and place," I texted back.

Since it was just these three, and maybe one or two more, it wouldn't feel overwhelming. I figured it would be fine.

Horikita interrupted my thoughts, saying, "I'm going to head out now."

"Yeah, I'll leave too," I said, realizing I got caught up in texting and almost forgot she was there.

We made our way back to class together. Horikita didn't have any friends at school, and it seemed like she liked it that way. It wasn't that she couldn't make friends; it was a choice she made. The emphasis was always on the fact that she chose to be alone.

Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the true Horikita. It felt like she was putting on a facade, trying to be someone she's not. I had picked up on that in the short time I'd gotten to know her.