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

(V6) Chapter 5: Off with the Tactics

SOME DAYS BEFORE SUBMISSION DAY

WE had gym class today. Submission day was coming up. 

I was with Horikita and Ayanokouji for the mean time before me and Ayanokouji split away from Horikita to change into our gym clothes. He did go to Karuizawa and left me out of it before returning to me for our walk towards the locker rooms.

"Soon, Horikita will submit her test questions." I casually stated.

Ayanokouji didn't respond, rather he stopped walking and was looking at the girls walking away to their locker room to change.

"...Yeah." He said as I stopped to turn to him.

It was hot, unusually hot for this time of the year. We were already sweating from the heat. I wasn't planning on doing any physical activity for today due to this. I'll get tired out just from this... usually. While I was thinking of this, I heard my other classmates casually talking about their day so far.

"You're a horny motherfucker, you know?" I said as we began walking again.

"Don't worry, it's not that. It's more so a person."

"Eh?" I got confused but quickly inferred who he was talking about. "Have you already planned things against her?"

"Erm...yes." He was acting a bit weird. "Long term, short term, more or less."

"I see... that's quite good to know... I suppose?" 

"Right... her." 

Ayanokouji entered the locker room and was met by the boys. I entered a couple seconds later and soon enough, we started changing. However, I saw that Ayanokouji was taking a considerably slow time to change. By a couple minutes, most of the boys were already out of the locker rooms.

"Ayanokouji! You're being a sloth dude!" Sudou shouted at him. "Hurry up, you too Shinjiro!"

"I will, I will." I responded. I went over to Ayanokouji after closing my locker. "You're taking long, hurry."

"I am." He said calmly as he looked at Ike and Sudou leaving. "You can go. I'll be there with you in a second."

"Alright-"

"Actually, on second thought," He started patting down his legs. "I might've forgotten something, but I'm sure I did bring it today. I'll just search for it quickly."

"..."

"...Look, I may or may not be with you once I leave the locker room."

"Sure... well I'm going then. Take your sweet time."

Dude's up to something. Unfortunately, I don't know what he's up to. I have no clue, but whatever he's doing, I'm not going to interfere.

I left him be and joined in with the other boys. It took a couple minutes before he eventually got out.

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Ayanokouji's Point of View

Roughly the same moment I got out, Karuizawa also appeared to have exited the girls' locker room. I waved a peace sign at her as I was walking, and she gave up a thumbs up. 

Now knowing that she did in fact have information to tell me, as she also clarified that she typed her info short and quick into her notes on her phone, then copy and pasted it in order to text me after gym was over. Which was the reason as to why she gave me a thumb up rather than any other gesture.

'She and I got off at the same time, that feels nice.' A very nice coincidence from a good, popular sitcom show. It was nice to see it in real life.

I joined up with the boys and P.E started as it always did. It wasn't anything too special, however there's wasn't much to do afterwards. So, after all our activities were done, the coach allowed us to change back into our school uniform and have free time before the period ends. We had about a good 15 minutes left.

I took the opportunity to go to Karuizawa, who was on the floor sitting. When she saw me near her, she stood up. "I got you some info, want it?"

"Oh no, I don't."

"Didn't knew you'd be a sassy one."

"Just get on with it." I spoke. "Sudou for me."

She rolled her eyes and began speaking as well.

"Maya."

"As expected," My anticipation was correct, and the incident back in the karaoke room proved it as well. She was expecting the mastermind, in other words me, to pick up the signs of what she was doing. She wasn't actually expecting to clean Horikita's blazer. She was testing her. I suppose Kushida's tactics and behavior, along with my own preparations, led me to this conclusion.

Not only that... but she was aiming for Satou...  So, in case the bet didn't go the way she expected it too... or perhaps... the bet was a misdirection?

Ryuen wouldn't had planned this; he wouldn't want Horikita to be gone at all. She's like entertainment to him, but most importantly, he thinks that if Horikita is gone, the cover for X is too. He wouldn't want to give that up, he wants an entertaining battle between him and X. 

Thus, although it's not concrete, it's extremely likely that Ryuen doesn't exactly know what tactics Kushida is employing. Either way, they're both working together specifically for the rumors and the bet.

I've already concluded this, but I need her gone. She's too much of a threat. Too much of a wildcard for Class C. Sudou though? She either used someone or she personally did it herself. Regardless, I need to observe her more.

"I have a small idea on why you made me do all of this. Couldn't you have asked Shinjiro-kun to do your part of the work too? I mean, he is a boy, and it'll cover your actions more. Like... I suppose making you more 'discreet'?"

I could see where she's going with this. She actually has a valid point.

"I don't want him to know of my current plans."

"Ah... I get it then."

Well... that's the reason but there's many factors as to why this is the case.

"Horikita?"

"I did that one, don't worry."

 Good, this phase is mostly over.

"That's all." I turned my back around before she tugged on my sleeve.

"Rumors have been slightly down now. Ever since small, insignificant but still bad rumors started before a spike occurred, I've been pretty nervous."

"Please, they're not going to know... hopefully."

"...Fine. Just beat Ryuen-kun. The evens are in your favor." Karuizawa asked.

Who the hell says... her brain is either slow or sped up. "Evens?"

"'Odds are in your favor' does sound repetitive, no?"

"Whatever you say. I'll deal with Ryuen." After forcefully moving my arm away from her grabbing my sleeve, I started walking to Horikita.

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Word Count: 1078 Words