Classroom Of The Elite Year 2 Volume 9

Part 2

After Amikura's proposal, it was decided to enjoy karaoke for a little while, and I went to the restroom before that.

Although it was unexpected, the fact that Kanzaki and the others showed signs of growth in their discussion was a great harvest.

Now, All that remained was to invite Ichinose another day and confirm the reasons for her resignation from the student council.

Ideally, it would be preferable for Kanzaki and the others to handle this, but given the potential for class disruption, I would not recommend them to act rashly.

They should maintain their role as allies who follow Ichinose.

While I don't regret taking on the task, the difficult part is simply conversing with Ichinose for this invitation.

With the special exam and the student council's departure, Ichinose has had two major events happen in succession, and trying to lure her out could raise suspicion.

Would it be better to straightforwardly ask and confirm with her in person?

No, it's better to check Ichinose's mental state first and then decide what to do.

If asking her directly could lead to negative consequences, then it would be pointless.

"Hey, Ayanokoji."

Watanabe hurriedly followed me into the men's restroom.

At first, I thought Watanabe needed to use the restroom, but it seemed that was not the case.

"Listen...you're going to meet with Ichinose soon, right? Well, I have a favour to ask...it's something simple, I think."

"If it's something easy, I don't mind."

After finishing up in the restroom and washing hands, we returned to the hallway.

"I think it's probably something easy, but, well, maybe it's difficult...? Umm..."

Watanabe's usually clear-cut way of speaking became hesitant.

However, he must have thought it wouldn't be good to be away for too long because he cut to the chase.

"It's, uh...about Amikura."

"Amikura? Is there something you're worried about?"

Since Amikura was the one who seemed most emotionally unstable during their earlier discussion, it's possible that Watanabe sensed something.

Though it didn't seem like she needed immediate attention.

"It's not that. Well, I mean, it is, but it's not just that."

Though his words were somewhat incoherent, I decided to listen to him for the time being.

"Has she, uh...mentioned liking any boys recently? I mean, Ichinose should already know about it, right?...Can you try asking her? If it's not too much trouble."

"I see."

I too am starting to understand a little bit about love, emotions, and actions related to them.

I can understand why Watanabe stutters as he tries to convey his feelings.

"You have a crush on Amikura."

"Hey hey hey! Don't say it so blatantly here!"

"It's okay. There's no one here right now."

The only sounds leaking out into the hallway are the BGM playing inside the store and the singing voice from the karaoke box.

It's actually more of a problem for Watanabe to be flustered and yelling so loudly.

"Even when the person you like is in the same group, you were calm. Especially during the school trip."

"I'm not a child, so I don't show it so obviously in my attitude."

Come to think of it, didn't Watanabe say he was shopping together with Amikura today?

When that fact comes to light, things start to make sense.

"Could it be that you were trying to ask her out on a date today?"

If that's the case, then Watanabe is quite the strategist.

"Huh? Oh...well, I was aiming for something similar to that. I got up early and prepared myself. Then we met in the lobby. I was really nervous on the inside."

Looking back on that morning, Watanabe spoke with a bitter expression.

"But once we started walking together, we couldn't really get the conversation going. We're usually good at talking to each other when there are a lot of people around, but suddenly the words wouldn't come out. It was kind of hellish until we got to Keyaki Mall."

It was good up until they went out together, but things didn't go smoothly afterwards.

"Did you dislike being alone with her?"

"I didn't hate it. But I got frustrated with myself for not being able to talk well, and I kept thinking that it probably wasn't fun for Amikura to be with someone like me. And then I heard Kanzaki and Himeno walking and talking about meeting with you."

It might have been a lifeline for Watanabe who had fallen into a difficult situation.

"I asked them if we can come and hang out since we were in the same group during our school trip,"

Perhaps it was a decision to take the easy way out, but not to retreat completely.

"I see, so that's what happened."

It would have been regrettable to lose that chance to be alone with her, but there is nothing more painful than a date that doesn't go well.

Although, Amikura might not have even considered it a date.

"I was a bit scared when I realized an important conversation was about to start, but in hindsight, I'm glad it happened. I feel like I understand Kanzaki's and Ichinose's perspectives now."

Given what I've seen of Watanabe's personality thus far, if Kanzaki and the others had acted earlier, he might have been able to join their side like Hamaguchi.

There are likely still students of that sort in Ichinose's class.

"So... it's about Amikura. Can you find out more about her for me?"

"Me?"

"You're going to meet Ichinose soon, right? I want you to casually bring it up and see if you can get any information."

"There's no guarantee that Ichinose is aware of Amikura's love life situation, let alone if she's willing to talk about it."

"No, she knows. If Amikura was interested in someone or dating someone, she would definitely know."

Watanabe answered with confidence, though it's unclear where that confidence came from.

"Like, the typical gossip among girls?"

"Yeah, that's it. I can't imagine Amikura being the type to date a guy without discussing it with someone first. If she didn't tell Ichinose, then I might have a chance."

"I see. So you want to confirm that there isn't a specific guy she likes yet."

Watanabe nodded with a sly smile.

"Well...actually, what I really want is for my name to come up in the conversation. But there's no sign of that happening, so I guess there's no helping it. If I don't have any rivals right now, then I just have to keep pushing forward."

I haven't been able to grasp any feelings about it myself, so I analyze that there's no possibility of leading.

Well, I'm not sure how reliable self-analysis is when it comes to romance, but I'm also grateful for the kindness shown during the school trip.

There may be some parts that are difficult to ask classmates for help with this kind of thing.

Above all, I appreciate Watanabe's positive attitude.

"If I can casually find out, I'll ask. But please don't have excessive expectations. It would be inconvenient for you if I intruded too much and made her cautious."

"Yeah, that's totally fine."

Watanabe was happy, with a slightly embarrassed yet delighted expression on his face.