Classroom of the elite :- Side story

Escape

The Escape

The phone rang.

Ayanokōji stared at the screen, his face devoid of expression. An unregistered number, but he already knew who it was.

He answered. “Hello.”

A deep voice spoke on the other end. “Ayanokōji-kun, I just received intel. Your father is flying to Korea tomorrow.”

A calculated pause.

“Korea?”

“Yes. This is your best chance to escape. I’ve arranged cash and a phone for you. Tomorrow night at 2 AM.”

Ayanokōji’s tone remained flat. “Understood.”

A sigh. “I’m sorry I can’t do more. You need to start a new life with Ichinose. Promise me, Ayanokōji—you’ll take care of her.”

Ayanokōji’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone. “I promise.”

“Tomorrow night, you two will leave the school. You must never be seen again.”

There was a moment of silence.

Then Sakayanagi’s voice softened. “I’ve known you since childhood, Ayanokōji-kun. I know your father. He will do anything to reclaim you. I can’t let that happen.”

Another pause.

“Don’t disappoint me.”

The call ended.

Ayanokōji lowered the phone. His golden eyes remained blank. Tomorrow is the day.

The Final Game

The next morning, Ayanokōji sent a message to Arisu Sakayanagi.

"Don’t go to school today. Stay in your room."

He arrived at her dorm and knocked.

The door swung open, revealing Sakayanagi standing there, arms crossed, her violet eyes filled with intrigue.

She smirked. "Fufu~ Ayanokōji, how rare for you to message me first."

Inside, a chessboard was already set up on the table.

Ayanokōji took a seat across from her. "I made a promise. I need to keep it."

Sakayanagi tapped her finger on the table. "Hmm… three games, right?"

He nodded.

She gracefully took the white pieces. "Then let’s begin."

The game unfolded in silence.

Sakayanagi studied him as she played. No hesitation. No reaction to her aggressive openings. He countered each move with absolute precision.

She moved a knight. "Why did you switch to Ichinose’s class?"

Ayanokōji, without looking up, moved his queen. "I was bored."

She tilted her head. "Bored?"

"Horikita reached Class B. Eventually, she will reach Class A. It’s predictable. Helping Ichinose’s class—the weakest one—was far more interesting."

Sakayanagi chuckled. "You truly are something, Ayanokōji-kun. The demon of the 4th generation. The only survivor of the Demonic Generation."

Ayanokōji placed his final piece. "Checkmate."

Sakayanagi glanced at the board. Then, she smiled.

"You win again."

The second game began.

Ayanokōji’s movements were flawless. Not aggressive, not defensive—just perfect. A machine executing the best possible moves.

Sakayanagi leaned back, twirling a lock of silver hair. "Ayanokōji-kun, will we ever play again?"

His fingers hovered over a piece for a brief moment.

"If we do."

The second checkmate.

The final game was slower. Sakayanagi took her time. As if savoring every moment.

Ayanokōji remained the same—detached, unreadable. His mind was already elsewhere. Already planning.

The third checkmate came as expected.

Ayanokōji stood up.

Sakayanagi’s smirk faded slightly. "Where are you going?"

"The three games are over. I have something to do."

She sighed, then leaned forward, her violet eyes sharp. "One more game?"

A pause. Then, he sat back down.

"Fine."

She chuckled. "Thank you, Ayanokōji-kun."

For the first time, he didn’t respond.

The fourth game passed in silence.

As he stood up again, she watched him. "Next time, I’ll defeat you."

He turned toward the door. "If we play again."

And then, he left.

The Escape

2 AM.

Ayanokōji and Ichinose stood at the school gates, dressed in dark clothes. Their bags were packed.

Ichinose’s hands trembled. "Ayanokōji-kun… the chairman is here."

Ayanokōji’s golden eyes met the older man’s gaze. "I know."

Chairman Sakayanagi stood in the dim light, his face calm.

"You remember what I said, Ayanokōji-kun?"

"Yes."

Ichinose looked down, guilt tightening in her chest.

Sakayanagi’s voice remained steady. "Ichinose-san. Don’t disappoint me. Your new life with Ayanokōji-kun starts now."

Ichinose swallowed hard. "Thank you, sir."

A final silence.

Sakayanagi took a step back. "Now go."

Without hesitation, Ayanokōji turned. Ichinose followed.

As they disappeared into the darkness, Chairman Sakayanagi watched them go.

And for the first time in years, he prayed.

Prayed that Ayanokōji would never be found.

Prayed that, for once in his life…

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka would be free.