A Rose-Colored Lie: COTE Reaction

The Structure of Japanese Society

O N E W E E K L A T E R . . .

"Please report to the auditorium for an impromptu special exam."

Chabashira-sensei announced this to the class with a stony look on her face. The tension in the air skyrocketed. Everyone immediately sat up straighter in their seats.

"No way! Another special exam?! We haven't heard anything about this!" Ike looked like he wanted to rip his hair out.

Shinohara elbowed his side. "That's why they said impromptu, stupid! I am mad we have an exam so soon after winter break, though."

The class filled with mumblings of general discontent. (Except for Koenji, who was meticulously gelling his hair.)

"Oh, no..." Even Kushida couldn't hide her unease. "I barely studied over the break! I'm sorry if I bring the class down!"

"Huh?! We'd never get mad at you, Kushida-chan!" Guess who that was.

"Stay calm, everyone." Finally, Horikita stood up from her seat, taking control of the class. "This is an unforeseen situation, but with Class D's strength, we'll be able to break through."

Hirata stood up with her. "Exactly. Everyone just stay calm and listen to the leader."

Horikita gave him a grateful nod. He smiled back. In the commotion, nobody noticed the suspicious glance that Chabashira-sensei directed my way.

'This has something to do with you, doesn't it?' she seemed to ask.

I didn't bother answering, simply filing outside with the rest of the class. She would find out soon enough.

Not a minute later, Karuizawa sidled up next to me.

"I have a feeling you did something," she said under her breath with a dazzling smile. From an outside perspective, it would look like she was perhaps sharing gossip with me - an innocent conversation between friends.

"Your instincts are as sharp as ever." No need to deny it, now that I've been directly confronted.

"It's none of my business what this is about. But..." Her nervousness shone through in her eyes. "You'll keep your promise, right?"

An understandable concern. She's already determined that this special exam was centered around me; now she was worried that her own secrets would be caught in the crossfire.

"I don't know if I can stop your past from coming out," I told her honestly. "But whether or not it does, I'll protect you. And I'll take responsibility for anything that happens."

For a moment, her features were washed in pure, unbridled relief.

"Thank you," she whispered. Then her face changed and she giggled loudly. "You're a funny guy, Ayanokouji-kun!" 

After punching my arm, she skipped off to walk with her friends. I was left alone.

We arrived in the auditorium soon after. Most of the classes had already gotten there. I recognized Ichinose's bright hair and Katsuragi's bald head. I also saw a lot of upperclassmen I didn't know. Our teachers were here as well, not that it made a difference to me. I took my seat and listened to the other students talk among themselves. The whole room was filled with nervous energy.

"A surprise special exam? Has this happened before?"

"I think so, but not on a school-wide scale..."

"What the hell is going on?"

"The student council..."

"I have a friend on there. They don't know what's going on, either."

"Fufufufu."