Infinite Possibilities (Classroom of the Elite x Male Reader)

[Chapter Eight]: 'The First Special Test' (pt 2)

"Love is meaningless, Y/N," his father said as he patted the young child on his head, while he tried to solve a math problem on the paper in front of him. It was definitely work meant for teenagers, yet he was doing it and didn't seem to be completely stuck on what to do. "Love will restrict you, hold you back from your full potential. It's like shackles, chaining you and preventing you from being free. Do not let it control you, Y/N."

"..."

"Freedom is everything, Y/N. To lack freedom is to lack life. And to lack life is to lack freedom."

"The answer... is... 42," the child answered, looking up from his sheet like he hadn't heard a single word his father had said.

"...Very good, Y/N," his father smiled, as he ruffled his hair. "Remember. To love is to imprison yourself. And to imprison yourself is to lose your freedom. Always be free."

"I remember that my father intended for me to have an arranged marriage to the daughter of some luxurious company's CEO," Y/N thought as he stared at his reflection in the clear water of the river; he was frowning and his eyes were blank of emotion. "My father's company and that person's company were at odds for a short period of time. The marriage was to represent the new unity between the companies. Unfortunately for him, I escaped. I had no desire to follow his hypocritical teachings."

"Hey!" called out Ike, but Y/N didn't turn his head, and focused on the fish swimming absentmindedly in the river. He wondered if they were free. 

"We caught some fish!" Pluto announced to the class, probably holding said fish, but he didn't move to check

"And look at all the fruit we found!" Kikyo's voice rang, probably having fruit in her arms. 

"Great work, everyone," said Hirata calmly, smiling at everyone. 

"Hirata, what should we do next?" Pluto asked curiously, wanting to get onto something else instead of sitting around, being the energetic person he was.  

"Could you two get the fire ready?" Hirata requested promptly. 

"Sure!"

"Kushida's group, you oversee the rationing," he instructed to the girls. 

"'Kay!" Kikyo responded enthusiastically.

"Anyone who's not busy with other tasks, help us collect drinking water," Hirata continued. "Karuizawa, could you handle things for a minute? I need to do something."

"Sure," his girlfriend replied, and he heard the sound of Hirata's footsteps growing closer to him.

"What does he want?" Y/N thought annoyedly.

"Hey," Hirata greeted in a gentle voice, crouching down and placing a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Are you okay?"

"...I'm fine," Y/N mumbled, not wanting to get into the details. "Just remembered something."

"You can talk to me about it if it's bothering you," Hirata answered warmly, but Y/N shook his head.

"I don't want to talk about it with anyone," he said with a sigh.

"Well... I won't pry, in that case. Will you still be okay to scout out the other classes?" Hirata questioned, and he nodded. "Great. I'll send a few people to go with you, just in case."

"I'm fine on my own," Y/N replied promptly, still looking at his reflection.

"Don't worry, it won't be anyone you're unfamiliar with," Hirata assured him, stepping away momentarily.