Pathogen (Classroom of the Elite)

Chapter 1: OUTBREAK.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka

It was now the second day of August. About a week had passed since the sudden cancellation of our special exam, and today was the day we would be arriving back at Tokyo. After making sure there was no one around, Kei and I decided to spend the last hour sightseeing on one of the upper decks.

"Such an incredible view, isn't it?" Kei remarked.

The city of Tokyo began to take shape in the distance, and the sun cast its golden rays onto the ocean, making it sparkle like diamonds. The expansive blue skies felt like a contrast to last-week's unfavorable weather.

"You've said the same thing before," I said.

"I know. But it never gets old, especially when I'm with you." Kei stood by the rails, staring out into the distance with a smile.

This particular spot on the ship eventually turned into our usual meeting place, because most students wouldn't bother to come up here to absorb the scenery around them. I supposed that was understandable, given the expansive list of entertainment options out there.

"Hm...?"

All of a sudden, a strange feeling of discomfort shot throughout my body. I felt like something was off. What was it? For some reason, I couldn't relax.

"Kiyotaka, is there something wrong?" Kei asked.

"No, it's nothing..."

I could hear something. It sounded like... screams. People were screaming. That was where that feeling came from. But for what reason? As I looked around, surveying my environment, the screams grew louder, and eventually, frantic footsteps could be heard.

Eventually, the noises became loud enough that Kei seemed to notice them as well.

"Kiyotaka... Do you hear that? What's happening—"

Crash! The sound of glass shattering reached my ears, coming from one of the windows above us. After that, two students came flying out of it before plummeting all the way down to the floor. And finally, upon impact, Kei visibly flinched.

One of them staggered to his feet before lunging at the other, who was lying helplessly on the ground. The victim screamed, desperately trying to push away the attacker while it buried its face into the soft flesh of his neck.

"K-Kiyotaka... Sh-should we help him?" Kei asked, her voice now reduced to a whimper.

I responded to Kei's question by shaking my head. I wanted to observe.

The aggressor sank its teeth into the victim's throat, tearing apart his flesh before blood began to spill out everywhere, spreading onto the wooden floor. It almost felt like watching a wolf mercilessly devour its prey.

"Oh my god..." Kei's voice was shaky as she watched the gruesome scene, grabbing onto my arm tightly.

After that, the student slowly turned his head toward us. His skin was pale, almost corpse-like, and his pupils were completely dilated, giving his eyes a dull, cloudy appearance. Veins shot throughout his face like a spider's web, and a mixture of blood and saliva dripped from his mouth. This thing wasn't human.

All of my senses flared up at once as the student started snapping its mouth uncontrollably. It then sprinted toward us with his mouth open, letting out a shuddering growl as he closed the distance with unexpected speed.

"RAHHHH!"

Just as the student leapt at us, I grabbed Kei, pulling her close as I hurled us both to the side. The momentum of the failed attack almost sent the frenzied student over the edge, following with a clang as it hit its abdomen onto the railing. With no time to think, I quickly gave it one last shove which sent it plunging into the ocean, ending with a distant splash, and never to be seen again.