Classroom of the elite short Stories

Rumors don't disappear in one night

As I walked through the crowded hallway, the whispers and hushed tones of other students were undeniable, indicating that the rumours about me and Sayuri were still swirling around the school.

Suddenly, someone bumped into me who was carrying a stack of books. She looked up at me with a flushed expression and said, "I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going."

As she spoke, I observed her closely. She had fair skin, long black hair tied back in a ponytail, and a rather tall stature. There was a frazzled look about her, as if she were still trying to regain her composure after the collision.

"It's fine," I responded calmly, my tone neutral and devoid of any emotion. "These hallways are overcrowded now."

She looked relieved at my response, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She took a deep breath and looked at the books scattered on the ground. She bent down to pick them up, and I followed suit, helping her gather them. As we collected the books, she introduced herself:By the way, I'm Aoi. Nice to meet you."

"Ayanokoji kiyotaka from class 2D," I also introduced myself.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka," she repeated, testing out my name. "I'm in class 2-A." As we stood up, books in hand, I couldn't help but notice the way she seemed to look at me, as if she were sizing me up. Her gaze was a mix of curiosity and trepidation, as if she were trying to figure me out. "You're in class 2-D?" she asked, her eyes flickering with interest.

"Yes, I am," I replied, my tone neutral. I could sense that her interest was piqued, and I knew that she was aware of the rumours surrounding me. It was inevitable, given the school's gossip mill. I wondered what she thought of me or if she had any preconceptions based on the rumours.

She nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "I see." There was a brief moment of silence between us as we stood there in the hallway, both of us holding the stack of books. I could tell that she was still somewhat flustered, but her initial shock had worn off, and she seemed more composed now.

"Thanks for helping me pick up these books," she said, her voice soft and sincere. "It would've taken forever if I did it myself."

"You're welcome," I replied simply. Despite our brief interaction, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about Aoi that intrigued me. Her demeanour and actions suggested a sense of vulnerability and insecurity, and yet there was also a hint of resilience and determination.

"Well, it was nice meeting you," she said, her cheeks reddening slightly as she realised that our conversation had run its course. "I guess I'll see you around," she added before walking away, her long ponytail swaying behind her.

Aoi suddenly turned, a look of realisation on her face. It seemed like she had remembered something and wanted to speak to me again. Without a word, I waited patiently for her to speak, observing her with a calm and composed expression. It was clear that she had something on her mind.

With a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, she began speaking, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and embarrassment. "Hey, I know you probably get this like a million times... but... are the rumours about you and that girl true or not?"

"Which rumors?"  I asked calmly, my expression remaining neutral. I had a suspicion that she might be talking about the rumours involving Sayuri, but I wanted to confirm before responding.

Aoi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down at her feet before looking up at me again. "Well, the ones about you and the girl from class 1-D. I don't mean to pry," she added hastily, her voice soft and sincere. "It's just that... well, I've heard so many different versions, and I was curious... like everyone else."