SPECIAL CLASS: Classroom of the Elite

CHAPTER 3-1: A Meal with the Quintuplets

"The time is a great teacher, they say; the unfortunate thing is that it kills its students." - Hector Berlioz

-----

POV : Kiyotaka

Time passed, indifferent to everything around it. Today marked the second day, but in reality, it was the first day of classes. The entire day was devoted to introducing the program for the coming year. The teachers seemed almost too accommodating, to the point where one might wonder if we were really in a preparatory school.

Many of my classmates weren't paying much attention to the lesson. Katsuragi, for instance, was just playing around without really listening, while others, like Azusagawa, Maebara, or Sora, seemed lost in their thoughts, some even dozing off. I didn't criticize them—after all, I was part of that group, though it wasn't something I was particularly proud of.

What surprised me was the complete lack of remarks from the teachers. Everyone seemed free to follow or ignore the lessons as they pleased, without any reprimand. Perhaps this was how it worked once the mandatory instruction period was over. Or maybe there was a subtler reason behind this apparent freedom. But for now, it didn't concern me directly, so I simply observed in silence.

Forger-sensei: The lesson is over for today, he declared in a calm and measured voice, each word carefully chosen. We will meet again this afternoon for the next session. Be prepared.

Forger-sensei, without giving us another smile, left after those words, signaling the start of the lunch break.

Lunchtime arrived in a rather relaxed atmosphere, with everyone seemingly relieved by the break. The students got up one by one, some slipping away in small groups to eat in the cafeteria. I watched them, remaining seated in my place, listening distractedly to a few snippets of conversations I could catch... It probably wasn't a very good habit of mine, eavesdropping on other people's conversations, I suppose.

Keiichi: Phew, I'm starving! That class was endless, I almost fell asleep right there. Seriously, it dragged on so long I thought we'd be stuck there all night! Keiichi stood up from his chair, looking exasperated, but with that mischievous grin on his face. Enough talking, it's time to eat! I hope there's something edible because right now, I'm ready to devour anything!

Mion: Mion stretched, a playful smile on her lips, before teasingly saying, Well, after all that hard work, we deserve a little break, right? I hope it's not going to be this boring the whole time... Otherwise, this poor old man might actually fall asleep for good, ah ah ah! She burst into laughter, lightly tapping the table to emphasize her joke, her eyes sparkling with a childlike mischief, though her gaze betrayed a hint of fatigue.

Rena: Hauu, Mii-chan, don't say such unlucky things! And besides, this is only the beginning anyway!

Mion: Eh eh eh, yeah, I was just kidding, Rena! Honestly, in any other school, it would have been even more boring, so we might as well have a little fun here. But I must admit... She trailed off, a mysterious smile forming on her lips. I'm really looking forward to what next month has in store. Things might get interesting!