Classroom of the Elite: Stalemate

Vol.2 : Chapter 6.1-Summer Shade

Ayanokoji's POV.

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"Um, Ayanokoji-kun, can you hear us?"

"Earth to Ayanokoji, do you copy?"

I blinked several times, regaining my senses only to see an apricot-haired girl in a swimsuit.

"Uh, yeah, Ichinose, I can hear you right now. Did you say something before?"

On this, Ichinose pouted, only to soften her expression yet again. "Sure did, but you were spacing out for quite some time. Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine, just got lost in my thoughts."

"Don't pay too much attention to him, Ichinose-san. He always does this; it's a normal occurrence already."

I turned my head to the person with a familiar strict voice and saw Horikita in a long summer skirt with a top and hat over her long raven-colored strands.

"You're too harsh on me, Suzune..."

"Whatever you say." She brushed off my comment and took a seat near us.

"So, as I was saying, what I asked you was, I had a conversation with Sakayanagi-san recently."

I turned my head to her and nodded for her to continue to the point.

"Well, she was very friendly and spoke really warmly about you."

"Okay, so what's your point?"

Here she laughed awkwardly.

"I don't mean to intrude, but do you really know each other for so many years? I've never seen you two together anywhere, so I just wanted to clarify, you know, haha."

On this, I shrugged my shoulders.

"Well, we've known each other for more than 8 years already, so it's only natural for both of us to consider each other as close friends."

"Oh, I see. Sorry to doubt; those rumors were just so spontaneous, you know."

"Why are you guys sitting here?"

All of us turned our attention to Hirata and Karuizawa approaching us.

While Hirata was wearing his everlasting peaceful smile, Karuizawa, who was clinging to his arm, had her usual natural expression.

"Oh, we just decided to sit for a bit. Don't mind us."

'This is rather tiring...'

I thought to myself, looking at the water.

Two Hours Later.

"Goodbye, Kiyotaka-kun. We'll see you later."

Now it was only me and Akito walking to the dorms, as all the other students still had some business to attend.

"Where are you going now, Ayanokoji?"

"To the dorms."

"Let's go then. I'm too damn tired after all these activities in the archery club. Besides, this swimming training the school suddenly enforced on us was something I didn't really appreciate."

"Well, this school doesn't do anything without proper reason, so I suggest you stay on your toes in this regard."

On this, he shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, playboy leader."

"What's with the nickname?"

Akito, in turn, just chuckled with a cheeky smile.

"Come on, Ayanokoji, I saw everything, so stop denying it."