Classroom of the Elite: Free Will

V10: Chapter 2 - Lunch

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka POV

Almost every student in Class B had decided to meet up in the classroom during our lunch break that same day. The students who didn't bring their own lunches to school were expected to head to the store to get one and then come right back to meet up with everyone in the classroom. I was one of those students, so I left the classroom right away, and when I finished my shopping I returned to the classroom. There were two students who hadn't returned. One of them was Kouenji Rokusuke, a man who couldn't be tied down by anyone. The other was Hirata Yousuke. Those two aside, there were thirty-seven students gathered here.

"It seems like Hirata-kun isn't participating after all."

"Looks that way."

Although some people sounded worried, the clock was ticking. The more time we could spend jointly discussing the events, the better.

"Pfft, 'turn over a new leaf' he says! In the end, that dude ain't takin' this seriously at all!" huffed Sudou.

I could understand why he'd raise his voice in anger. Alternatively, I was sure some students had thought Kouenji might have started taking things seriously, at least on the surface. Reality wasn't so kind—or rather, I supposed, people didn't change that easily. Kouenji would probably continue to wiggle out of things, slippery as ever, getting by on vague, half-hearted words.

But I couldn't imagine such an approach would work forever. Sooner or later, there would probably be another exam like the In-Class Voting test. When that time came, Kouenji would have to pay the price.

"Let's just forget 'im and get this show on the road already, shit."

"He's not worth getting all riled up over. Now then, I've gone ahead and made copies of the manual explaining the events that was provided to us. I'll distribute those copies to all of you. Read it carefully as you eat your lunch. I was intending for us to discuss the specifics in detail after class," said Horikita.

Now that there was no one else to take charge, Horikita had no choice but to step in and lead the way.

"If there's something you don't understand, please feel free to come to me or to Chiaki-san with your questions at any time, even while I'm eating."

It seemed she'd already thoroughly perused the manual and had no lingering questions, herself.

Akabane Karma POV

After Chie's explanation of the exam rules, it was decided that Ichinose would be our commander. It made sense, she was our leader, and she had the protection point. Although if our circumstances weren't so dire, I was certain someone would have nominated me to be the commander. Everyone hated me but they knew what I was capable of, so if I was the commander and we won, it was a victory, if we lost, then I was expelled.

But I wasn't the commander and the only thing keeping me tied to this class was Ichinose.

As the morning classes went on, I kept looking at my notes on the exam. I hadn't been able to look at the handout Chie gave Ichinose but since I already knew the rules it didn't matter.

I had ten events already planned and I needed to make sure Ichinose accepted them. If she did, the class would follow. Horikita would be Class B's commander and Kushida owed me for saving her. This exam needed to happen exactly as I planned it to but that was far from guaranteed. Convince Ichinose, convince the class and talk to him... I couldn't just impose my will anymore.