Outsider : Classroom Of The Elite

Chapter 4.5 - Stargaze

We silently went inside the elevator and pressed 'Five'. A feint drowsiness took over as the elevator began ascending above. The music that was playing inside was mismatched, making the awkward environment even more awkward.

"Penny for your thoughts, Levent?" letting out a gloomy sigh, Ayanokouji suddenly asked.

I slightly tilted my head over the shoulder and glanced at him. He was apathetically staring at the display, or anything that was remotely more interesting (which was everything).

"About what?"

"Karuizawa Kei."

I guess it was something that was bound to happen sooner or later.

"Any specific reason why you're asking me this?" I inquired.

"Just wanted to confirm a few speculations." he answered.

"Perhaps you suspect her to be the VIP?"

"No, it's not like that. I just need to know about how she operates."

Karuizawa Kei, the subject in question, was much like the queen of class C. She was one of the people sitting on top of the social hierarchy. She could assume control over the girls like a tyrant. Her ability to take the initiative was admirable. She wouldn't hesitate to bang heads against anyone who went against her ideals Her position in the class was unshakable

Again, within the boundaries of our class, of course.

"She usually relies on her lackeys to operate. If I remember correctly, Shinohara, Meazono, and Ichihashi. But I assume none of them happened to be in her group, correct?" I narrated.

"That's right." Ayanokouji affirmed. "Yukimura and the professor are the other two people on our group. Karuizawa didn't take that too kindly though."

"I can imagine how rough it must be. Also..." I sighed and turned toward him, "...You're asking me because you've noticed something, haven't you?"

For a moment, Ayanokouji stared at me silently in a pause before he explained, "Lately she has been acting unusual. Her behavior is quite different, as if she's always on the edge."

I raised my eyebrows. "Did something happen?"

"I guess you can say that." he replied. "Manabe and a few other girls approached her regarding something today, but she was being rather dismissive about it."

"Sounds trouble. Did you overhear their conversation?"

"I didn't get to hear everything from their exchange." Ayanokouji half shrugged his shoulder, which was the same as spitting horse decrement. I narrowed my gaze.

"Nevermind, I just remembered." Ayanokouji instantly changed his narrative. "Apparently, Karuizawa pushed someone in the cafeteria, who happened to be one of their friend. They demanded Karuizawa's apology, but she kept denying her involvement in that matter."

"People like Karuizawa tends to care more about public image than what's actually right." I mused.

"Not only that. When Manabe was trying to take a picture of her, Karuizawa slapped her phone away and stormed off." he continued.

"How abrasive." I dryly commented while sighing.

In terms of behavior, Manabe and the others were better than Karuizawa. They weren't demanding anything grand from her; just a simple apology to the girl she had done wrong. But Karuizawa not only shrugged it off, she had also made things much worse. This had brought more animosity to herself.

No wonder why she was on the edge.

"Do you think she's afraid of Manabe and the others?" Ayanokouji inquired.