Classroom of the Elite: Crimson Usurper (V5-V11.5)

(V6): Chapter 1.1

THE second semester continued.

My surroundings changed bit by bit. Class C had made it through major events like the Deserted Island, the zodiac exam and the sports festival, and slowly but surely, we were coming together as a class. People's friend circles gradually expanded, and they began to show marked academic improvement.

Even our problem child, Sudou, was changing for the better. Before the sports festival, he'd slept through class as if it were no big deal. Now, he actually took notes, probably because Horikita checked in on him after. He still got sleepy on occasion, but that was probably because he put in intense practice for the basketball club. He also softened his rough treatment of Ike and Yamauchi.

Sudou was maturing, and people's opinions of him began to improve. However, he wasn't the only one changing. I saw it in myself, too.

"Are you by yourself?" someone asked, pulling me from my musings.

"Is it bad to be by myself?" I asked.

Horikita appeared to chuckle at me. "Ayanokouji-kun, your dear friends Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun haven't been inviting you out much. Isn't that right?"

Ike and Yamauchi had left the classroom with the Professor in tow, heading toward Keyaki Mall. I thought I'd maintained a Buddha-like calm, but Horikita apparently saw through me. Yeah. After the sports festival, my two closest friends had invited me to hang out much less often. Actually, it was more like they'd completely cut me out.

"It's hardly surprising," Horikita continued. "They used to think that all of you were in the same terrible-student boat. Then they discovered that you were actually hiding remarkable physical ability."

"What remarkable physical ability? I'm kind of fast on my feet, that's all."

"Very fast, especially for a student. Besides, they probably noticed that you scored much higher than average when you measured your grip strength. You understand, don't you? People tend to fundamentally resent those who excel. In your case, though, they resent you because you concealed your excellence." Horikita sighed. "Well, enjoy your life of solitude. Shinjiro-kun can teach you some life tricks."

"Yeah... first unit, first lesson. How to deal with overthinking and loneliness." Shinjiro monotonously said.

"No... No, I'm good."

"Ah, alright."

"It feels like you two reverted back to your natural instincts?"

"Which is?" He asked.

"Awkwardness."

With that sarcastic remark, she left, her long hair swaying as she exited the classroom. Even though she was usually all alone, too, her dignified conduct was worth at least a little respect.

As Horikita left, Karuizawa cast a strange look in my direction. However, as our gazes met, she moved her eyes away again. There was clearly some meaning in the look.

She tried to scoot her skirt a little down when she stood up and left right behind Horikita.

Karuizawa's short, fluttering skirt caught my attention. It was a little shorter than the other students' skirts. In cases like those, one or two centimeters made all the difference in the world. 

 I don't know if she scooted her skirt a bit down because of the one behind me or if it was because of me eying her down.

...Not like that anyways. Well... I pray.

"Hey, Ayanokouji-kun."

I recognized that voice. It was Satou Maya. She was the same kind of fashionable gyaru as Karuizawa. She used to be friends with Shinjiro until the incident and got along with Ike and Yamauchi, but she and I hardly ever talked. It seemed as though Satou wanted the kind of social clout Kushida had, but she wasn't all that popular with the guys, though Ike described her as 'the sort of girl who's used to being around guys'. I'm assuming Ike meant that she was some sort of player... or something. I'm not sure.

Right now, Satou seemed to have been waiting to get me alone. She glanced around the room as if anxious.