Classroom of the Elite

Part 2

"Happy birthday, Ayanokoji-kun!"

When I entered the classroom everyone started wishing me.

Last year no one even knew about my birthday except Kei but this year I was getting so many birthday wishes. I didn't honestly know what I should be feeling.

Ike, Sudou, and even Satou wished me.

"Happy birthday, Kiyotaka."

Yousuke came all the way to my seat.

"Thank you."

I replied.

Just then another figure popped her head from behind Yousuke and addressed me.

"Oh, Kiyotaka! Happy birthday!"

"Thank you."

The one who had just wished me was Kei.

I had thought that she wouldn't be wishing me inside the classroom for it might draw everybody's attention.

But it would also have drawn suspicion if she was the only one who didn't wish me. That must be why she had decided to wish me and as her plan, she might have come along with Yousuke. That was the right call as well. Even though the two of them had already broken up, not that they were in a relationship, to begin with, they got along as usual, so it probably wouldn't seem unusual to anyone.

After the both of them returned to their seat, Akito posed a question to me.

"Karuizawa-san calls you by your first name, eh?"

He caught on to the fact that she had addressed me by my first name and found it suspicious.

"You know that Yousuke and I are a bit close, right?"

He nodded and I continued with my explanation.

"At that time, he was still dating Kei. Since he used to call me by my first name, she also started calling me by my first name saying that if her boyfriend is allowed then I am allowed as well. And I couldn't turn that down, could I?"

"I see. But you also use her first name, right? Kei."

"Isn't it natural to call her by her first name in return since she uses mine?"

He was probably satisfied as he didn't probe any further.

At first, I had decided to say Karuizawa instead of using her first name but that might have backfired so I deliberately addressed to her as Kei. And it looks that I was right.

Now, the greetings are all over.

All of the students had a serious look on her face.

Today was the day that marked the start of this special exam. And it was the day of my birthday. Should I take it as being lucky or unlucky?

When I was thinking that Chabashira-sensei entered the classroom.

"Looks like everyone has done some homework."

One could tell by one look on their face that they were more than ready to square off against this exam.

"As you all have been informed prior, today will mark the start of your special exam Ridiculous Riddle. Just to let you know again, this exam will occur for a period of about a week, with the exam ending on Monday."

After pausing to look over her students, she continued.

"And as you have been told beforehand, you will all be getting two hints for figuring out the class codes. The code will be a five-digit one. You are free to guess the codes of any class that would garner 50 CP for each correct guess. And to make it clear once more, only the leader has the right to submit the answers."