Classroom of the Elite: Crimson Usurper (Volume 4)

Chapter 4.2

OUR ship floated on the dark, lonely sea. As we got closer to 11:00, more and more people began to gather. The café, which had been completely silent, started to fill up with people. Eventually, the place was packed. Ayanokouji secured five seats well ahead of time, well now four since I was already in a seat with my coffee. Soon after, a lone girl approached us.

"Sorry to keep you wait..."

... This is awkward.

Karuizawa approached us, of course she tensed up immediately after seeing me. It makes sense considering... the horrible things I've done to her...

She went far away from me and instead sat next to Ayanokouji from the other side.

"Sorry for calling you so late." Ayanokouji apologized.

"No... it's okay."

Karuizawa looked at Ayanokouji as if she wanted to say something. Ayanokouji sensing this, glanced at her to prompt her to speak.

"Ah, um. I was just wondering if everything really went okay," she said.

"Don't worry. I'm positive that one of the guys from Class A sent the school an email with my name." Ayanokouji assured as he looked towards me.

"All is fine. I'm also certain Class A summited the email."

"I see."

"How can you say that for sure?" she asked Ayanokouji.

"I'm guessing you're talking about that piece of paper you gave me. Right, Ayanokouji-kun?" Hirata's approach from behind made Karuizawa jump in shock. Well, that was understandable. After all, Karuizawa had screamed at him and said they were breaking up the other day.

"Excellent work on this test, both of you. Of course, you too Shinjiro. You three did great. Also, may I sit?" he asked. 

"Sure."

Karuizawa shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. She looked away but didn't show any sign that she would refuse him. It was 10:55 p.m. In just five more minutes, an email should be sent to all the students.

"It's just about time. Is Horikita-san still not here? Shouldn't we contact her?" asked Hirata.

"She's the type to come at the very last second. We have another four minutes." Ayanokouji stated.

"Ah, looks like she's here." said Hirata.

"Huh?"

Apparently, Horikita had arrived earlier than Ayanokouji expected.

"Ahh. When I see you people, I can't help but sigh." muttered Horikita. 

"Is that a good thing?" I asked.

"No, not really."

She looked at me for a bit and I looked at her. I leaned over to the side to look who's behind her.

"Ignore him. Think of him as a ghost that attached itself to my back," Horikita said flatly.

"Aw, come on. It's not like I'm some Pokémon"

"You are."

"Don't say that, Horikita. I just thought you might be nervous during the test, so I was worried about you. That's why I came to check on you."

Sudou Ken. He stood so close to Horikita that they were practically attached.

"You're in the way. Get lost." she spat. 

"H-hey, don't say that. I gave this test everything I had, you know?" 

"Yes, I know, and you did a good job."