The Lazy Defect, Year 1: (Classroom Of The Elite Fanfic)

Volume 11 Chapter 5: Fix

Tokyo, Japan
ANHS
School Corridor
Monday, March 16th, 2020
Morning

AYANOKOUJI POV

Me {Monday, the start of another week. The walk to school was quiet, the kind of silence that suited me. The weekend had passed with its usual dull rhythms, but today would mark the announcement of the events for the "Event Selection Exam." Each class would be deciding its fate for the upcoming battle. However, my morning took an unexpected turn when I crossed paths with Horikita Manabu and Tachibana-senpai. The sight of them standing together just ahead of me made me slow my steps.}

Me {Horikita Manabu—the former student council president, the unshakable paragon of discipline and precision. Next to him stood Tachibana-senpai, as composed and polite as ever, though her demeanor seemed tinged with unease as her gaze flicked toward me. For a moment, I considered avoiding them entirely, but the Elder Horikita noticed me before I could turn away.}

Horikita [Ayanokouji]

Me {He greeted, his voice firm but not unkind.}

Horikita [Walking to school alone, as always.]

Me {I inclined my head slightly. I mean, he's not wrong.}

Me [Horikita-senpai. Tachibana-senpai. Good morning.]

Tachibana [Good morning]

Me {She replied, her tone warm but slightly cautious. She always seemed wary, as if walking on eggshells whenever I was around. Horikita, on the other hand, cut straight to the point.}

Horikita [I assume you first years are prepared for the announcement today?]

Me {I nodded.}

Me [Prepared enough.]

Me {He scrutinized me with his sharp, hawk-like eyes before giving a small nod of approval. Then, after a brief pause, I decided to shift the conversation. There was something I had been curious about, something I suspected might provoke an interesting reaction.}

Me [How are you feeling now that Yoshida has been expelled?]

Me {I asked, keeping my voice casual. Tachibana's reaction was immediate. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her head turned sharply toward Manabu. Clearly, this was not a topic she had anticipated me bringing up. Manabu, however, remained as composed as ever. His expression didn't waver, though a slight tension crept into the air around him.}

Horikita [Yoshida Nagi...]

Me {He began, his tone as measured as always.}

Horikita [He isn't the type to persevere in the face of failure. That's something I didn't teach him during our time together in middle school. It's not a surprise that he's been expelled.]

Me {Tachibana's brows furrowed.}

Tachibana [Horikita-san... that's rather harsh, don't you think? Nagi-kun was—]

Horikita [—talented]

Me {Manabu interrupted, his voice firm.}

Horikita [But talent without direction is wasted. I expected him to struggle here. It's disappointing, but not unexpected.]

Me {I studied him carefully. His words were as sharp as ever, but there was an underlying note of regret in his tone. Despite his composed demeanor, Manabu had respected Yoshida, perhaps even cared for him in his own way. I couldn't help but think that this disappointment was cutting deeper than he let on.}

Horikita [Still]

Me {The elder Horikita continued, his gaze locking onto mine}

Horikita [His departure leaves ripples, particularly for my sister.]