Classroom of the Elite : Miles from Normal

Volume 1 : Chapter 5 (Growing Suspicions)

Takazaki POV:

I slept like a log and rose early the following morning to get to school. Even though I didn't feel overly worn out yesterday, the ample sleep left me feeling more refreshed than before. With this much enthusiasm, I am confident that I will be able to get through today without encountering any difficulties and engage in a tons of conversation with other people (well, I hope so at least). I regret not being able to make friends on the first day. But going forward, I'm not going to let that stop me. Maybe making some friends here will help me accomplish my original goal of having a peaceful high school experience.

I thought Horikita would be the first person I made friends with at this school after we had a long talk yesterday. Nevertheless, in actuality, it doesn't seem to be the case. Horikita's treatment of me was very apparent evidence that she has not yet accepted me as a friend. Still, I am somewhat anticipating my future interactions with her.

I ate breakfast while contemplating my current situation. I then opened the door to my room in preparation to leave when I noticed Ayanokoji doing the same. So he is in room 401. I should talk to him. But I'm at a loss for what to say! We exchanged quick glances before I decided to take the elevator for the time being, and Ayanokoji followed suite. In the future, I'll get plenty of opportunities to get to know him. There is no need to worry at this moment.

Fortunately enough the elevator signaled it's arrival as soon as it reached our floor with a beep. Nice timing. To be honest, I'm not sure whether I could wait for the elevator with him in that uncomfortable stillness. That can be considered one of my weaknesses. I've always struggled to start a conversation with a stranger. Even if I can converse with someone about a crucial or critical subject, I find it uncomfortable to even consider having an idle conversation with someone I've just met. It sounds pretty lame as if I am making some excuses. However, I intend to change that aspect of myself while I'm here so that I can communicate with people with ease.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice when the elevator arrived at the ground floor, where the students disembarked. While becoming a part of the student crowd, I started walking towards the main building. On the first day, many people had already formed relationships, leaving me in the dust. While engaged in their conversations, the student crowd walked casually towards the school building. I didn't see any signs of Ayanokoji until I got to the classroom. When I walked into the classroom, there was a great deal of chatter that had stopped, and my classmates' eyes shifted to me and briefly regarded me suspiciously. I didn't even need to think about the reason causing that.

"Hey, Takazaki-kun. Good Morning." greeted Hirata while flashing a smile. He appeared to be surrounded by the girls as they conversed. In spite of this, he came over to me right away, ignoring the awkward environment (caused by me, of course). This clearly shows how his personality exudes genuine friendliness and concern for his peers. If I were a girl, I'm positive that his smile would have mesmerized me.

"Ahh Good Morning to you too, Hirata-kun." I spoke while dodging all of the curious looks nervously that were directed at me. Don't you guys have anything better to do.

"Takazaki-kun, you don't need to be formal with me. You can call me Yousuke if you want. It's fine really." He suggested.

"Even though I appreciate the gesture, I'll have to decline. A-Actually, I am not comfortable addressing someone by their given name after only a few interactions with them." I answered hesitantly, but truthfully.

"Eh? Ohh I see." He looked at me as if this had caught him off guard for some reason.

"Is something wrong?"