Classroom of the Elite: Stalemate

Vol.2 : Chapter 6.6-A Deal

Ayanokoji POV

Fifth Day of the Exam: Twelve AM

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Right now, I was sitting next to Matsushita, who was half sitting, half lying near the river, legs sunk in the streaming water. The water flowing gently, its murmurs blending with the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, dappling the ground with shifting patterns of light and shadow.

"So, how's Horikita-san?" Matsushita inquired, her voice barely audible over the soft sounds of nature. Her question hung in the air, mingling with the scent of damp earth and the faint aroma of nearby flowers.

"Well, the last time I checked on her, Horikita's condition was getting worse and worse, which in turn means that for the best of the class, we need to make her depart from the island," I answered dryly.

"I agree with you, though I still can't help but wonder about the possibility of her holding on, only 3 days left after all," the girl wondered out loud.

"That's rather unrealistic, as well as counterproductive," I dismissed, getting up and looking around.

The camp was bustling with life and activity.

Near the entrance to the camp, Sudo and Onodera were having a friendly conversation, certainly clicking really well.

Sudo, unusually lively, grinning in the direction of the swimmer girl.

The latter in turn was telling Sudo something in excessively excited manner.

'Looks promising I guess.'

In the middle of the camp, under the big tree which covered the surrounding area from the sun, Karuizawa, Satou, Hirata, and Kushida were located, chatting and having lunch, the latter almost feeling my look turned in my direction and waved to me, prompting others to do the same.

Nodding to them, I redirected my eyes to the left side of the camp. Near the campfire, Mei-Yu, Sakura, and Haruka were discussing something, Haruka navigating the conversation for sure.

'Although in general I thought I failed to bring out Sakura's development, I may have gone too fast with these kinds of assumptions. While before a couple of days she was rarely talking with anyone except me and Horikita, now she started talking with those in my friend group, rarely even joining Karuizawa's group to listen.'

'Any progress is progress I guess.'

Returning back to reality, I addressed Matsushita, who knew me long enough to understand that interrupting my inner thoughts is futile, just gazed at me, probably wondering what am I thinking about.

"Matsushita, I was meaning to ask, do you know where Kaneda is?" I inquired, observing her.

The girl shot me a momentary look of confusion. "Umm, if you are referring to this class D boy, then he's probably out there with Akito gathering wood for the campfire," she said, pointing in our usual direction for gathering wood.

"Though we advised him not to go anywhere due to his sickness, he still insisted," she added, complaining half-jokingly and winking at me as if knowing my thoughts.

"I see, thanks, I'll get going then," finishing by giving her a nod of acknowledgment I started walking towards the exit from the camp.

"Sure, me too, I still have some things to do."

Saying this, she got up and left in the direction of the girls tents.

Looking around for the last time, I sent a glance behind my back, not surprised to find one particular person in the slightest.