Classroom of the Elite: Alter - Solace

Vol. 5: Chapter 15.3 - Make Things Clear

"Do you like my hair that much?" Kikyou asked with a smirk.

I've been either patting or caressing her hair the entire time. As we leaned on each other, the two of us decided to spend the last remaining minutes inside the clubroom before going back to the field. 

"Well, it's really soft. I like the way it feels."

"Does every girl hear that from you? Even with your monotone way of speaking, you'll still be branded as a flirt if you say those kinds of words."

"That's why I only say them to you," I replied.

"Wha-?!" Kikyou blushed, but she didn't back down. "So... not even Airi-chan and Haruka-chan get to hear them?"

They're on a first-name basis now, huh? I also remember Haruka calling her Kyou-chan. It's nice to see them getting close. Though, it should be really easy with Kikyou's outgoing personality. She meshes well with Haruka, and they could help Airi open up even faster.

"Yeah. Only you."

"Hehh... Hmph, at least you're aware that you're actually flirting with me," she shrugged.

This should be the part where I either deny her words or say that it wasn't my intention.

"Hmm... Yeah, I guess you can call it flirting."

"E-Eh, you actually admitted it?" She looked at me, surprised and confused. "Um, that's good but..."

I would usually deny everything as part of our usual script, so she didn't expect me to own up to it.

"Are you weirded out that I'm flirting with you?" I asked.

Well, I already knew the answer to that question. It was only reinforced by the fact that Kikyou subconsciously strengthened her grasp on my hand instead of letting it go.

"No... I mean, we've been flirting with each other for who knows how long since the first semester..." Kikyou donned a serious expression as she turned to ask me. "But why call it out now?"

That's a very self-aware question.

"Just felt like it," I replied.

"You cheeky little..." Kikyou saw my response as an opportunity to draw out my true feelings through further teasing. "Hehh~? Maybe you're starting to fall for me? Like, for real this time? That's no good, Kiyotaka-kun. I'm everyone's Kikyou-chan, you know?"

"Not really, but it's a refreshing experience. I know you're everyone's Kikyou-chan, so I'm only flirting with you whenever we're alone."

Hearing that, Kikyou's smile turned melancholic. Our relationship was stuck. Given how close we are, our friendship would never regress. But because of the circumstances, it could also never move forward. My wish was to live in obscurity and her wish was to be loved by everyone. If we dive in and become more than what we are now, maintaining the status quo that would make our wishes come true becomes impossible. One small mistake and this comfort zone-- this little bubble world of ours, would crumble to dust, and we'll be forced to face the chaotic outside world.

"Whenever we're alone, huh...?" Kikyou's hands started to tremble ever so slightly. "Say Kiyotaka-kun..."

She leaned in and touched my cheek. I looked at her as our faces slowly drew closer to each other.

"Since we're alone, is it fine if we do something... sillier?"

I saw the reflection of my own face in Kikyou's moist eyes. Her lips were glistening and her cheeks were flushed pink. Kikyou's vision seemed cloudy as she fully submitted herself to the mood. I was honestly unsure of what I'm supposed to do, and in the end, I decided to let things take their course. After all...

"Yo, Ayanokouji-kun~! How's the cool air in Yua's clubroom?!" Iida-senpai opened the sliding door without any hesitation.

Kikyou instantly jerked up and turned away from me. I faced Iida-senpai whose smile went stiff as a mannequin. Following her, a blond-haired girl entered the room with an apologetic expression.

"Oh my... It seems like we came at the worst time, Aoi."

"U-Uhh... H-Hey there, Ayanokouji-kun... and Kikyou-chan!" In a panic, Iida-senpai decided to ignore what she just saw and greeted us.

And of course, Kikyou gladly accepted her invitation to sweep things under the rug.

"Iida-senpai and Konishi-senpai! Good afternoon!" She stood up with a big smile and welcomed them. "Sorry for barging in. The room was really nice and relaxing, so I decided to stay for a while."

Kikyou's cheeks were still tinged with a small blush. Konishi-senpai chuckled before giving her an understanding smile.

"You can come in anytime, Kikyou-chan."

Konishi-senpai smiled at me and raised an eyebrow. She wants me to stand on stage. Will I choose to continue the two's facade, or will I face the current situation at hand?

Alright, I'll oblige. I'm not fond of misunderstandings, anyway. I stood up and stretched for a quick second.

"Good afternoon, Konishi-senpai, Iida-senpai. Thanks for letting me use the room."

"It's no problem, Ayanokouji-kun. I'm sure you've been working hard for your class. And besides, I thought I'd help a fellow Red Team member rest," she replied with a gentle smile. "We'll be gone shortly. Aoi and I just went to get some teacups as an errand for a teacher."

I approached Iida-senpai and stood beside Kikyou.

"It would be bad if Iida-senpai and Konishi-senpai get the wrong idea. Why don't we come clean and clear things up, Kikyou?"

"Eh...? Erm, well... I guess so..." Kikyou fidgeted her fingers together, looking bashful.

"S-S-So you two... were dating after all?!" yelled the perplexed Iida-senpai.

Author's Notes:

Kiyotaka never bothered calling Nagumo, Kiriyama, Fuuka, or any other senior with the "senpai" honorific in his monologues. Konishi Yua and Iida Aoi were the only exceptions due to them acting as actual senpai(s) to him. The way they act lines up with his image of how a senpai would act in a normal "Senpai-Kouhai" relationship. Thus, he treats them as such while acting like a respectful (but cheeky) kouhai in return. 

Kiyotaka never had the chance to interact normally with any senior in the canon, apart from Manabu after his graduation. He was always forced to don his White Room persona because he saw them as potential enemies instead of regular seniors. That wasn't the case for Konishi and Iida who had the same philosophy of living a perfectly normal and fun high school life despite the school's system.