‘I wonder if they'd react if I ordered another serving…’ I mused as I shoveled another piece of Karaage into my mouth.
‘They don't seem to be paying much attention to me.’ A relief, really.
When I received a slightly surprising lunch invitation from Hirata a little while ago, I wasn't too excited.
Right now, my presence in the class had gotten significantly harder to ignore and an invitation to lunch by Hirata drove that fact home.
I wouldn't say I wished for an inconspicuous life, but I wasn't thrilled by the possibility that I'd always be the center of attention.
Some things get a little bit more difficult when people pay attention to you….
But it seems my fears were unfounded. The group I was dining with weren't strangers to me, so my presence wasn't too much of a change in their status quo.
Which resulted in this — a perfectly peaceful, stress free lunch.
I don't believe it's worth mentioning, but Horikita received the same invitation.
Naturally, she turned it down. She mentioned something about an appointment, but maybe she was just making excuses.
“Ayanokouji-kun, you haven't said anything in a while. Is something wrong?” Keeping his voice low so only me could hear, Hirata expressed some concern about my single-minded focus on the food in front of me.
“No, nothing. Just enjoying the food.” I replied.
“That's good to hear. I was afraid I put you in a tough spot by suddenly inviting you.”
Always thinking about others, Hirata.
“No, it's fine. I already speak to a few of them so I'm not too rattled.”
“I guess you're just a naturally quiet person then.”
“Something like that.” I replied.
I couldn't exactly say I was a man of few words at this point…
According to Horikita, I get unbearably talkative at times. Though, I'm pretty sure no one here would like to be around me when I speak a lot.
Apparently, I was “condescending” and “good at looking down at people”.
A rather unfair assessment by Horikita, seeing as my perceived condescension was helping her grow.
But I digress. Sick children tend to reject and hate medicine, this is no different.
“Oh! Is that Ayanokouji-kun?”
Hm? An unfamiliar voice.
I glanced up from my bowl, looking in the direction of the feminine voice that so enthusiastically called my name.
My vision was occupied with the beautiful image of the class B student I had spoken to with Horikita in the previous month. Her face carried the same smile it did during our first meeting.
“Ichinose, it's been a while.” A better chance encounter than Ryuuen, at least.
She was accompanied by two other girls, who seemed just as upbeat and cheerful as her.
“True, it's like we're not even in the same school.” She commented as she finally shifted her gaze to the others at my table.
Nobody spoke for a few seconds —- seconds that my mind took to realize that I should introduce her to my.... classmates, being a mutual acquaintance.
“Ah, sorry. Guys, this is Ichinose Honami, from class B. I met her briefly last month with Horikita.” I didn't know how good of an attempt that was, but it would have to do.
YOU ARE READING
Classroom of the elite: Autonomy.
Mystery / Thriller"My flaws are the tools for my perfection." Dissatisfied with his state as a blank slate, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka resolves to change during his time in the Advanced Nurturing Highschool. Not entirely sure about the type of change he wants or how he inte...
