CLASSROOM OF THE ELITE X QUINTS: Complicated Feelings

Not Everything Goes as Planned pt 3

Time seemed to stop. No movements nor sounds, only the dense emotions emitted from the brown and blue gradient pair of eyes. Ayanokouji and Ichinose were intensely staring at each other. Then the latter looked away when she realized the awkwardness between them.

“I have to go now, Ayanokouji-kun.” she took away her hand that was on top of his and turned around towards the doorway.

“Wait, let me send you off.” he stood up and tried to catch up with her but Ichinose coldly declined.

“You don't have to, Ayanokouji-kun.” she said still on her back. “I’m totally fine, totally fine…” her words grew weaker as if she's holding back something heavy inside.

“Just let me do it, Ichinose.”

He easily caught up with her and grabbed the doorknob before her. It would only be a waste of time to argue over something insignificant, so she took her time in putting on her shoes, while he waited for her to finish before opening the door.

“Thank you.” she still couldn't look at him.

Ayanokouji didn't respond, he just twisted the handle to let Ichinose leave his room for good. The unexplainable feelings between the two hadn't been resolved yet, but for them, it's better to leave it be for now.

It is out of character for Ichinose to run away, but this was as far as she could go, doing anything further would only leave her more broken.

She pushed the door, her face was down while he's staring at the wall.

“Ichinose-san…”

An unexpected voice coming from the hallway surprised the two.

There were five girls standing outside of Ayanokouji's room. Ichinose’s only familiar with the two among the rest because they're her friend’s sisters, meanwhile Ayanokouji knew all of them.

He was about to say something but Itsuki suddenly ran towards the elevator and Miku went after her.

Ichihashi, Azuma and Sakura, the three who were left behind, looked at them with awkward expressions on their faces.

“I-We’re sorry for the inconveniences, Ayanokouji-kun.” – Ichihashi bowed to them. – “We will get going now.”

She grabbed Azuma by the arm as she still hadn't recovered from the shock. Then dragged her away towards the same direction as the other two headed.

Ayanokouji wasn't given a chance to explain himself. The four had already left, only the meekest one among them was standing while holding a plastic bag. He doubted that Sakura could convey his reason why Ichinose was inside his room.

Ayanokouji just hung down his head, puzzled on what to do.

“U..Ano… They brought this cake for you, Ayanokouji-kun.” – she handed him the plastic bag. – “Goodbye.”

Ayanokouji had lost all hope. He never expected the girls to give him a cake, no, that was not the issue. He doesn't have any idea how long they waited for him outside of his room. Although he doesn't really care about his reputation in the first place,  he never asked for it to go spiral.

Ichinose’s case would also likely add fuel to the fire. But it's very unlikely for them to share it to the others, being overheard had a higher chance though.

The girl noticed his anxiousness. Even if Ayanokouji totally hid it on his poker face, anyone in his shoes would feel nervous in his current dilemma.

“Leave it to me, Ayanokouji-kun.” she said. “I’ll explain everything to them.”