𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞: 𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐈

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 - 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞

Thursday morning.

Third semester.

Several buses traveled along the highway to a destination unknown to all the students.

The countryside moved in a blur as I stared out the window beside my seat.

Bus rides were always an enjoyable time for me. The silent hum of the engine and seeing the view before me rapidly change.

It was a calm and relaxing time.

It wasn't just me or the other first-years on this trip.

The second and third years were also on board. The entire student body was heading to an unknown destination.

I continued to look ahead at the scenery in front of me. The bus that we, first-year Class C, were riding on entered a tunnel, the beautiful light of the scene before me quickly vanishing.

The only information the school gave us about this trip was to wear our jerseys and it was strongly recommended to bring back up pairs of underwear and jerseys for this trip.

It was easy to infer that this wasn't a simple field trip. We had traveled for a while now, about 3 hours I'd say, so students brought many of their favorite items like, books, snacks, cell phones, or gaming devices to pass the time.

The bus seats were ordered according to our names. I know there were probably a few students who were disgruntled by the idea of having to sit by the likes of Yamauchi instead of their friends.

I was personally fine with the idea. I doubt I could sit next to a friend like Kei or Maya for three hours and not go brain-dead anyway.

Luckily, I sat next to the smartest one out of the "Help Fukumoto Achieve Life Group" formed last year during the deserted island exam.

It had felt like a long time since I last talked to Chiaki. Special exams and other circumstances that happened before winter break kept me pretty occupied. So it was refreshing to speak to a familiar face after so long.

"Where do you think the school's taking us?" Chiaki asked the question on everyone's mind.

I could only shrug in response. "I have no clue, they've been very secretive about whatever it is we're doing."

"That's true. I doubt it's some field trip, it gives me the same feeling as a special exam."

Chiaki was right. The school wouldn't do anything without a purpose. Keeping everyone in the dark and only giving us a little information on what was required for the trip.

It definitely had the same feelings as a special exam.

"You never know with this school," I continued. "It could be a two-day excursion at a countryside spa, as a reward for all our hard work this year so far."

Chiaki let out a little chuckle in response to my sarcasm. "The school isn't that nice to us, Akio. But I like that you can be so optimistic like that."

"SUDO!" a loud, bothersome, and familiar voice rang throughout the bus not too far behind me.

Ike Kanji, who sat on his knees, facing the back of the bus tried to communicate with his friends in the most efficient way possible.

A chorus of complaints and annoyance arose from everyone on the bus at his antics.

Most people in our class had matured since the beginning of the year. But there were a select few that were lagging behind others in that respect.

My eyes quickly caught the glance of Ike's seatmate.

Ayanokouji held my graze for a moment. Those empty cold eyes peered back at me before returning his gaze to the tunnel walls.