CotE: Year 2 Volume 5 Translation

Chapter 2- Part 3

I walked with Kei back to the dormitory from the keyaki mall, chatting with her. 

Then, in the lobby of the dormitory, Horikita was sitting on the sofa, waiting for someone. I pushed the elevator up on the first floor, and when Kei and I got on, Horikita got on as well.

 "Ayanokoji-Kun, may I have a word with you?" 

The elevator stops on the fourth floor where my room is located. 

"I'll see you later, Kiyotaka."

Kei is easily jealous, but her ability to grasp the situation is not low. She knows that Horikita is not subject to these types of differences in the first place, and when she hears about the special exam, she can make a decision before thinking that it would be better not to disturb her. 

"Yeah. I'll get back to you."

A year ago, I would have never believed that we would end up spending time together like this.

 When I got off, Horikita came down with me. I turned around to see Kei smiling and waving at me from the elevator as it began to close. The elevator soon closed and went up.

 "How long have you been seeing her?"

 "Now, when did that happen?"

 "Rumor has it that it's spring break, but I'm guessing the relationship really got going earlier."

 She said these words to me with a hint of something in her eyes. 

"I don't know."

 Whether or not there is a rationale behind Horikita's words, I'm not interested in or willing to touch on that point.

 "That's not the point. You said you wanted to talk to me?"

 "... ... Yes. I have something that I want you to hear about on special exams. Will you?"

 "Yeah, no problem." 

"Eh?"... Yes."

 "What's with the reaction?"

 "I was prepared for you to say no. Didn't you look unhappy the other day when you were put in charge of the maid cafe?"

 Apparently, she was surprised at how readily I accepted her consultation.

"It's here, please come into the room."

We went inside. 

"You're not asking me to help you, are you?"

"It's ...... I don't know. In the meantime, if you'll just listen to me, I'll go further."

 Perhaps thinking that she would be rejected if she explained it to me badly, Horikita started talking. 

"I've been thinking about having a semi-compulsory exam before the exam if I want to make sure I pass this special exam. But even if we were to prepare for it, it would be impossible to reach a consensus unless we knew what the assignment was, wouldn't it? Depending on the situation, we'll inevitably have to use different options."

  Even if there were only two choices, yes or no, it would be nothing but reckless to decide to vote only yes or only no before the issue and vote delusionally.

 "You've thought of everything, haven't you, Horikita? How to get through this special test?" 

"I think the shortest way to pass the special exam is for someone to have the final say. No matter how many options there are, no matter how the vote splits, you have to promise to follow the pre-determined leader's judgment and will."