"Data Extortion" - Classroom of the Elite

Volume 1: Chapter 11 - Neophyte

With a month and a half passed at this institution, I have come to the conclusion that I may be in for a bigger ride than I had at first realized. 

I still haven't figured out why my parents chose this sort of 'punishment' but no doubt it's somehow connected to the White Room. What did I have to do with it? That was the part I was trying to figure out myself.

I never took interest in that place. Though if I could blow it up with TNT, I'd gladly do it. However, that was out of the question for now. I was capable, but I had realistic expectations as well.

At the very least, I was able to get my classmates to try a little harder. I was never one to take leadership roles, even though I was good with people in general. The responsibility that weighed on the leader was too much, and it rewarded too little.

Suzune took the leadership role because she saw merit in herself, no doubt also a benefit, given as class leader, she'd be able to have more control. After all, someone with an ego always seeks that - control.

Not to deny her abilities, but in terms of socializing, she doesn't know her elbow from her plump ass, metaphorically speaking...

"In your own world again?" The beauty asked me. She placed her hand on my forehead, then on her own. Phew, is this how euphoric a first crush feels?

"No fever by the looks of it." How sweet. She's checking if I feel sick.

"I never have a fewer." I yawned. It was strange how I always craved sleep, yet at the same time, I never want it. 

"Meaning what? You don't get sick?" She asked with a hint of sassiness in her voice, she picked up on my teasing, and I'd like to think that I'd rubbed off on her a little. I doubt she would've spoken like this before we met.

"I take as many pills as possible to make a headache go away." She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. I wasn't lying, I took every medication possible when I was sick. I hated feeling restless and doing nothing, so why not?

"With habits like yours, I doubt you'll live long..." She said with indifference. Suzune wasn't wrong, but, uh...

"Live fast, die young." I replied with a basic response. I cared more about how intense my life was, rather than how long it was. That's the reason I took so many risks.

"I wonder if you'd say the same when you're fifty and in a hospital bed." Ouch. That did sound like a terrible fate. With that said, I enjoyed the conversation, it felt more relaxed and casual compared to how we usually spoke.

"Hey, are we conversing?" I smiled, she simply turned her head slightly and glanced at me. Then turned back to her book.

"I like you better than anyone else here, I'll give you that much." Did she expect me to feel honored? Being the most liked in a class like this...was far from an achievement.

"Is it cause I'm hot?" I was curious. She raised an eyebrow at my inquiry. Looking at me as if I was some weirdo.

"Your looks mean nothing to me. If you didn't have a head on your shoulders, I wouldn't even bat an eye at you." Was that her way of telling me I was ugly? I couldn't imagine someone not caring about the way a person looks. Maybe she just sees me as a way to get to class A, who knows?

I noticed she cocked her head down slightly.

"My brother...he sees something in you, something I don't." Her tone had changed, Suzune was always anxious whenever the topic of her brother came up. I think he's the only person she may genuinely be scared of.

"He does?" I asked as if I was clueless, though I know what he sees in me - danger, probably potential as well, but I couldn't be sure. She meekly nodded, continuing to speak, quietly.