Cote: Retelling

(2) Chapter 3: Curry for Lunch

Current date: June 3rd

----6 days until Sudo's Trial----

My mornings usually progress in a specific order. I wake up around 5:40, wash up in the bathroom, make myself a cup of tea or just hot water if I feel like being extra frugal that day. Then, I put on my jersey and head to the nearby park to meet Matsushita. Sometimes she's there first, sometimes I wait for her. We have our morning jog and, depending on the time, walk to school together.

It's interesting how this little routine with Matushita came to be without any real initiative on my part. Even now, I'm not sure exactly how it happened. We just met each other during our jogs and it somehow evolved into this. Well, I'm not complaining.

Today was much the same.

"Apparently, the cafeteria's thinking of introducing a new curry set meal. They're having a trial run which starts today." I start, making banter with my running partner while thinking about how ironic it would be if I were to eat curry today.

"Are you going to try it out?" Matsushita says besides me.

"Maybe." I say. "Depends on how expensive it is."

"Ah, of course. As to be expected from our class' resident cheapskate."

"Is that what people know me as? A cheapskate?"

"Well, it's definitely one of your most defining features."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was. Hey, Ayanokouji-kun, what do you think about splitting one of those curry sets between us? I'm also a bit interested."

"That would be helpful, but I have arrangements with Kushida and Hirata."

"Just you three? Are you guys discussing something important?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Hirata-kun's usually swamped with people asking him out to eat, and since he never refuses he's always eating in a big group. When he's in a small group it probably means something's going on. Last time he ate with a small group it was with Kushida-chan and Karuzawa-san, and we got the quiz problems after."

Ah Matushita, good to see someone in class D is trying to use their brain. Your deduction is a bit presumptuous, but it's good to see you making an effort.

"Are you guys talking about Sudo's issue?"

"Basically."

"Well, it's good to see our class' brightest are already on the case."

"Am I included in that description?"

"Oh, don't sell yourself short, Ayanokouji-kun. Most of us girls agree you've got a good head on your shoulders."

It's amazing how being decently competent is enough to stand out among our class' boys. I was aiming for an upper-middle place in the social hierarchy, so I suppose this is fine? It would be helpful if there was another boy (other than Hirata) who shared a similar social standing so I could be less conspicuous, but this is acceptable.

"So? What do you think? How are things looking for Sudo-kun?"

"Doable. A reversal might be difficult, but I think preventing expulsion is well within reach."

"Well that's good... But then there's also the question of points."

"Regarding that, I have no idea how hard this will impact our points. It's unfortunate, but we have no precedent to compare our situation to."