56 Chapter 3: Meeting

A/N: I messed up with the timeline again, lol. I overlooked something crucial. When Yukimura, Ayanokoji, Miyake, and Hasebe go to the pallet cafe the first time, Ayanokoji mentions tomorrow is his Birthday.

How did I overlook this...

Anyhow, instead of Thursday, the Test is written at Friday, and handed back at Monday, the 19th, at the same day Yukimura, Hasebe, Akito, and Kiyo go to the cafe, the first time. 

I'll make sure to change the dates, probably.

Also, long chapter ahead. 

[Word Count: 6829]

Soon, this fanfic will reach its second milestone, with 200k words. It's been quite the journey, honestly, and still, I have not achieved the chapter I desire the most to write, the confrontation with Chairman Sakayanagi...

Lol... I hope it doesn't take that long, anymore... 

Anyway, without speaking much further, there you go. Hope you enjoy it.

--

[Ayanokoji Pov]

[October 16th, Friday]

As I left the dormitories, I did a deep sigh, hoping I wouldn't be paired up with someone very bothersome. Since I was in Group 2, I'd be paired up with someone from Group 3, in the end. 

Kurushima, even though you know I'm X, you could have allocated me in the group 3, couldn't you? 

Haah...

Since we don't have so many good students, it's logical, I guess...

He knows of my abilities now, after all.

But to think he was able to deduce I wasn't hiding myself from Ryūen, but deliberately wanted the outcome of a confrontation to happen, that's quite surprising.

I used Manabe for that solemn reason, since the Zodiac Exam, because I want a confrontation with violence to happen. 

While deducing a traitor certainly being possible in Ryūen's class, who revealed his girlfriend's competition list, it doesn't necessarily imply to be X.

It could have been an accident, and if not, there's also the possibility of a girl being manipulated by Sakayanagi, too.

Given the fact that many girls in general like him and are in love with him, it's not entirely impossible to conclude that a girl of Ryūen's class deliberately spread this information because of jealously. 

Or it could be Ryūen, who did this, aiming for it, as he had given the competitions in which Kurushima participated to Sakayanagi, likewise with that of his girlfriend.

And Sakayanagi won't tell anything either...

But... she seemed quite anticipated to fight him, too, herself. 

As an individual who's aware of Kurushima's past, she should be able to know him decently enough. 

If I really wanted, I might be able to get the information...

However, she seems to have her own plans, after all. 

Should I wait?

Unlike any other students in our Class, I've not noticed any severe defectives qualities of Kurushima, yet.

There were his money managing problems, his recklessness; both in the Island Exam and Sports Festival, but that was it, actually.

You could argue that there was his kind-hearted nature, but in that comparison, he isn't different from Ichinose, is he?

It's his past, after all, in the end, that allocated him into the original Class D, then?

Of course, it might also be an attempt of the school creating balanced classes, but well, I'm not sure.

In that sense, how did the school evaluate me, then? 

No, that's a very useless question.

If it's that 'man', he probably already covered up my past, and that of any other White Room Student completely, with a false middle school, and many other made up aspects, covering it.

For a secret institution that works for almost twenty years by now, this is his least kind of problem, currently.

Rather, the issue of financing the White Room will always prove itself to be a bit difficult.

I wonder...

Once I'm back, will I feel the regret of not having fought against my destined predicament, returning to that place?

Or will I simply feel indifferent?

This school, will show me this, in the end. 

Freedom, huh?

Three years...

It's not a long time, but I'll enjoy it as much as possible.

In that time, I'll try to learn as much about humans, interesting ones, observe their growth, their limitations, and then, whether some chosen ones might be able to beat me or not...

Kurushima...

Your recklessness isn't a negative trait, at all.

This unpredictability at the 'Pole' competition, it's something even I would have never been able to predict...

No matter what, I'd have never used the same strategy, of bringing the Pole down through jumping midair, moving your weight frontwards.

Strategies I cannot predict through logical reasoning alone... 

My defeat... could it be truly possible?

I'm not sure, but these three...

Sakayanagi, Kurushima, and Y...

They might be able to do it.

Although, do I want that? 

I'm not sure...

I want to lose, but also win.

I'm still stuck in that mentality, after all...

With a deep sigh, I walked towards the classroom, sitting myself on my seat. Not even shortly after, the Mini Tests were handed out, and I, wrote enough correct answers, to get put in Group 2.

Once the test ended, and Chabashira-sensei collected the Tests, we spoke for a bit, until everyone decided to leave.

Everyone followed Kurushima's precise instructions, also mentioned in our group, so there's no way for anyone to mess this up, even Kushida. 

She doesn't want to get expelled, after all.

As for Horikita, it's a different topic. That said, I'll prepare her expulsion, soon enough, with the help of Karuizawa Kei. 

You'll make yourself quite useful.

Walking outside, towards a bench, I felt someone pulling my sleeves. I looked slightly back, seeing that it was Horikita.

"What happened? Why are you in Group 2, suddenly?"

"Kurushima happened..."

She tilted her head to the left, looking at me slightly in confusion.

"He figured out I was X, the one who helped our class to win in the Deserted Island Exam. That's what happened..."

"How?"

"Purely on his deduction abilities. He seemed to have concluded it already on the Zodiac Exam."

"The Zodiac Exam? That soon? Did you really have the intention of hiding yourself from him, Ayanokoji-kun? And why would he confront you now?" 

I wasn't going to explain that I wanted this situation to happen. I thought about it, that once Kushida betrays us again, Kurushima will ultimately have to get involved. 

Kushida not only betrayed us in the Sport Festival, but also in the Zodiac Exam, providing Ryūen with the VIP identity of the Dragon Group.

But he ultimately chose the approach of gathering Points.

Although, he wasn't in knowledge of Kushida's betrayal, as from his view, Kanzaki must have provided all 3 VIP's to Ryūen, in return, expecting him to submit both the VIP's of our class, and that of Sakayanagi's class. 

With this, he'd achieve multiple things.

Making Ryūen into the target of everyone, while also giving Ichinose Honami, their leader, a reality check, again. 

It'd have successfully worked, if Kurushima didn't figure out the pattern, too. 

Considering Kanzaki's personality, it does make sense, as he's more likely, to be the leader of Class D, than Ichinose, rather.

However, he wasn't really in the position to negotiate with Ryūen, since while Katsuragi was being passive, Kurushima was a danger in his eyes, likely. 

He evaluated Kurushima to be a more than high enough threat, just from the short time we're in school, huh? 

That wasn't it, naturally.

Like he mentioned in the Sports Festival, he probably knew Kurushima, and some sort of his abilities, or heard of them, which makes him careful around Kurushima...

Besides if Kanzaki is Y...

It'd make more sense, in the end. 

Y is someone from the current Class D, most likely, who are sabotaging their own class, in order for their goals... 

As for the reason...

Eliminating one class from the competitions... perhaps, and then, change classes? 

If Y has like me a serious blackmail video, it'd make sense, at the very least. 

I saw the black-haired girl pinching me in my arm, as I was slightly spacing out, currently.

"And?" she asked, expectant, wanting me to answer her previous questions. 

"Because he thought I was the traitor, in the Sports Festival."

"The Traitor?! How did he conclude that...?"

"Unlike you, he doesn't have insights of Kushida's fake persona. For him, I, X, was the person who had done that, to avoid Ryūen's suspicion of me, by making myself look like a Pawn in his hands."

Horikita furrowed in thought, touching her chin, slowly. "Now that you explain it, It does make sense..."

"He wanted to know that, and we had a small little talk. In the end, he decided to put me in Group 2 probably, because our Class didn't have to many people who are academically overly capable." 

"It's a bit troublesome, though..."

She smirked at me. "You won't be able to hide yourself from him now, after all. He realized your worth..."

"I guess..."

But I'd like to stay in the background though... 

I sighed, and later wished farewell towards Horikita. 

--

[October 19th, Monday]

Everyone in the classroom looked towards the door, just waiting for Chabashira-sensei to open the door and arrive, answering with whom we're going to pair together for the Paper Shuffle. 

Shortly after, she entered the room.

"You'll have ten minutes to discuss the results of the pairings among yourself, once I announce the pairings. After that, we'll continue with today's lesson further."

The results of Friday's quiz were announced, and it went as follows:

Horikita Suzune and Ken Sudō, Kurushima Kaoru and Inogashira Kokoro, Hirata Yōsuke and Yamauchi Haruki, Kushida Kikyō and Ike Kanji, and so further.

The pairs were announced almost as we had expected.

By the way, my results said:

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka... Satō Maya.

"The gods have a bad sense of humor..."

How did it come to this?

It was the kind of outcome that would cause me to think like that.

Satō seemed to notice that we had been paired up together and looked back in my direction with a smile.

I heard she liked Kurushima though... but if that's so, why'd she approach me?

Because he's already taken?

Or was it something like...

Uhm, how did Karuizawa refer to it, again? 

Ah, she mentioned it was something like a 'crush' some girls felt regarding Kurushima, but nothing like love, apparently. 

But what did the word 'crush' mean, actually? 

I didn't ask her, because it seemed like a word high schoolers are fairly well aquatinted with...

Should I search it on the Internet...

No, that's unnecessarily, in the end. 

...

I'm still curious, so, I guess, I'll look into it later...

I looked around our class, as the desired outcome was achieved. Since our Class had 40 Students, each one of the four groups had naturally the 10 Members equally distributed.

Group 4 was having 10 People with 0 Points, while Group 1 scored between the scores 87–100 Points, alongside Koenji Rokusuke. 

Group 2, my group, was having 80 Points as the maximum limit, while Group 3, just scored 1 Point, thus distributing our pairings between these two groups equally. 

Seeing that Koenji did his part too, Horikita sighed out of relief.

Kurushima in return didn't even seem to doubt Koenji, out of some reason.

Was it his confidence of knowing Koenji well, perhaps?

Not even a second later, Chabashira-sensei interrupted me out of my thoughts. 

"Looking at the results, some of you seem to have understood the intent of the quiz. It then follows that this information was successfully shared with the rest of the class."

"Pair the students with the highest and lowest scores. If the results are the same, the partners will be randomly selected. I probably don't need to explain it to you all, but I'll tell you this anyway."

"There doesn't seem to be any issues with the pairings." I said.

"Yes. It's going so smooth that I'm a bit scared. But the real thing starts now. How to make exam problems and overcome the exams on our own. Your pairing is Satō-san, which should be fine."

I didn't select her deliberately, but with the upper and lower students combined, the other half of the students in the class are likely to score outside the predicted strategy. A result like this can be said to be just right.

Satō is a candidate who could potentially fail the final. I have to keep my grades at a high level moving forward.

Haah... talk about staying low, huh?

"Uhm, everyone," Kurushima said, gaining the attention of everyone present.

"Although I did slightly mention it yesterday, in order to raise the classes average score, we will hold a study group until the final exam. We four, Horikita-san, Kushida-san, Hirata, and I, will form two-hour study sessions."

I slightly looked at Horikita, who seemed to have discussed this with Kurushima, Hirata, and Kushida, in advance, already, apparently. 

"Horikita-san and Kushida-san will form A two-hour session from 4 pm to 6 pm after school ends, for those, without club activities. For those with Club activities, Hirata and I will hold the two-hour session from 8pm to 10pm."

Since Kurushima was part of the student council, this was the only time he was available, likewise with Hirata, who was in the Football Club. Kushida and Horikita weren't, so it was clear, that they'd take the later time. 

"So let's solve the Final Exam together, without any worries, and take our position in Class A, back."

Many cheered up, through Kurushima's speech, until Sensei did a couple of coughs, signaling us to be quiet. 

The history lesson started, continued, and ended.

At the end of the lesson, everyone seemed to prepare themselves to head to the cafeteria, aside from Kurushima, who took from his bag a bento out, presumably indicating, he'll eat here.

I looked around, seeing some classmates staring at him, as he usually would never eat here, but well, ever since he's together with his girlfriend, he sometimes eats Bento's, and eats them in the classroom, rather than the cafeteria.

Probably because he doesn't buy himself anything, so there's no reason to go there, if he eats something else. Also, it might seem as rude, I believe. 

I'm not quite acquainted with many social norms, yet... 

Some of them probably wanted to talk with him, but there's nothing to be done about this. 

I looked around the classroom, and noticed Sudo, being slightly disappointed. 

Apparently it was because he was unable to be with Horikita in the same study session, as he was in love with her, I presume.

But he should be relived, since Kurushima, his friend, is there, I guess.

I heard that these two often play basketball, together.

I wonder...

Does it make fun...?

Disrupting myself out of my spontaneous thoughts, I could see an unexpected problem occurring right in front of my eyes, making me unable to leave.

Horikita, Hirata, Kushida, and some other people did the same, staying here.

As for the rest of the class, they walked towards the direction of the cafeteria, as the lunch break is only about 35 Minutes.

"Kurushima-kun... I need to talk to you for a minute. Is that alright?"

Akito Miyake asked, wherein Kurushima gave a small nod, leaving his bento on the table.

Once he stood up, I saw that it was a hard-shaped made bento, so I guess, his girlfriend made it for him, then?

Of course, it was.

I doubt someone would approach a boy with a girlfriend already, and Kurushima, didn't seem to be the type of person to accept something like that from other girls.

I did hear though from Horikita, that some girls are really frustrated with his girlfriend and want him to be single, but well, it were girl problems, not mine. 

Being popular sure can be a drag, can't it...?

Not like I understand it, though. I'm not even popular, at all. 

Sudo, who was standing next to Horikita, looked at the Bento, too. He did look back at Horikita, wondering whether she'd do something like this for him ever, until looking at the Bento, again, with slight jealously in his eyes.

He approached his table, but Horikita held him on his sleeves, probably thinking it was fine to eat it, but Horikita simply looked at him with a 'Don't do it look', in which he obediently followed along. 

Kurushima must be quite grateful to you now, Horikita. 

You just saved his bento. 

Is that perhaps a developed method of the food trap?

If so, I should memorize it, so I won't fall for the same trap. 

"What's wrong, Miyake-kun?" Kurushima asked. 

He was a student with whom I didn't speak much, Miyake Akito.

He wasn't alone, though. 

Alongside him, there was with a girl whose beauty was a common topic among the boys of the class, Hasebe Haruka.

These two students were usually very quiet and rarely involved themselves with anyone. It was an unexpected visit from an unexpected combination.

"Is something wrong regarding your pairing?" Kurushima asked, immediately coming straight to the point.

He nodded in return. 

"Yes, we are a pair for the upcoming exam, but based on the results we got on the quizzes and midterms, we are good and bad at the same subjects, so there's a bit of a problem. It's a little nerve-racking. We wanted to ask for advice."

He handed over the quiz results and midterm results to Kurushima. Hirata stood up, walking to Kurushima, looking over his shoulder's. 

Kurushima looked rather troubled. "Uhm... that's quite the coincidence. It's as if, the same person answered the same questions..." he said, scratching his head.

"Yeah..." the two answered and nodded, knowing that, too.

"Well... not everyone gets their ideal pairing... But with the help of study sessions, it should help, shouldn't it?"

Both of them nodded.

"But this will be hard. We will complicate the plans we set up or disrupt the progression of the study groups." Hirata said.

It's not that they were too stupid to be able to study for the test. The problem was that the two of them had their weaknesses and strengths heavily skewed.

It was a special type of situation that was somewhat different from Sudō's which was that he was simply not good at studying.

As a result, the quality of the teaching will become less and less adequate. Originally, it would be ideal to teach lessons one-on-one.

"Kurushima-kun... can you..." Hirata said.

"It'll be very hard..." 

"For me, too..." Hirata murmured.

"Kushida-san, can we trouble you with some additional students? There will be a lot of people to tutor, but these two should have some foundation for studying. They shouldn't diminish the overall coordination of the study group."

"Yup. I don't mind, as long as Miyake-kun and Hasebe-san don't mind either?"

Kushida asked the two of them.

Miyake didn't say anything, but Hasebe was different.

"I'll pass. I don't like being around Ichihashi-san."

She refused in response. Fortunately, Ichihashi wasn't here, so the conversation wasn't overheard.

There were only about 8 people present, listening to this conversation. 

"It's also not comfortable for me to attend a study group with a lot of people."

I had thought she would be apathetic about it, but it seems that she ended up disagreeing with Miyake altogether.

"I'll teach them, Kurushima-kun. I wasn't of any use during the... Sports Festival, neither in the Zodiac Exam... so I'll help here, as much as possible."

Yukimura, one of the rather academic good student's approached Kurushima, speaking to him.

His eyes carried great respect for Kurushima, likewise with most other people in the class, too. As a leader, everyone was acknowledging him, and his strategic mind, which contributed to the position we're in now, Class A.

Although, it's only until the 1st November. After that, the current Class C, Ryūen's class, will become Class A.

Quite the unexpected predicament, seeing both the original Class A and B in the last two places, while C and D are above them.

"Are you sure, Yukimura-kun?"

Yukimura nodded. "If they're fine with it, of course." 

These two nodded. "I am fine with it. What about you?"

"Me too."

--

[3 Hours Later]

How did it come to this situation?

Recalling the events, once everyone left the classroom, aside from Kurushima, Horikita, and I. 

"Ayanokoji-kun, I'd like you to help Yukimura with those two..." Horikita said, from the side.

"Help?"

"You don't have to teach them, just oversee the group, and make sure it works flexible. We can't afford these two failing at all costs..." she openly said, as it was just me, Kurushima, and her, present.

Kurushima knew of my abilities as I told her, so there was no use of hiding matters, if it was just around him. 

She did keep her part of being quiet of me being the responsible one of the Deserted Island Exam, but I spontaneously changed my mind, and decided on making her confront him.

As for why, I wasn't particular well established in the class, and having Kurushima, the one everyone listens, as your ally would prove itself to be quite useful. Besides, I'd like to form some kind of connection with him, if possible.

Of course, it wasn't because of things like 'friendship', but rather my interest of seeing his abilities, getting to know him, his past, for his growth. 

In short, for my very own ambition...

"Uh… sure, I guess..."

"Having you there, is a great idea," Kurushima said, while slowly eating his Bento.

"Besides, you and Yukimura-kun were on the same group at the ship, so you two might be somewhat flexible with each other. Especially, considering which stunt you pulled off..." he said.

"I agree with Kurushima-kun! It may be difficult for you to communicate with Miyake-kun or Hasebe-san, but if you work as the middleman, it should be easier for all of us to connect with them."

"Sure..." I followed along.

-- 

And that's how I am in this situation, currently in the pallet, with Yukimura, Hasebe, and Miyake.

Yukimura sat next to me, with Hasebe across the table. Miyake sat next to Hasebe.

I don't know how this gathering managed to happen or how it turned out this way, but the group of 4 had managed to come together despite the atmosphere of discomfort.

"If you have any questions, I'll hear them out first."

After I said this, the only female in the group, Hasebe, rose her hand lightly and said:

"So Ayanokoji-kun can talk?"

"... Is that really the question you chose to ask?"

Hasebe looks up at me as if intrigued. It's apparently incredible that I was talking and speaking to them.

"How do I put it... I didn't have any impression of you at all. Are you the type of student who isn't even noticed when you're absent?"

I haven't had many conversations with Hasebe. Even if I had made an impression, there was no way for her to know much.

After hearing her comment, Miyake brings up the topic of the sports festival.

"But the way he ran as the anchor at the relay race was awesome. Because of that one event, Ayanokoji became the center of attention of the school."

"I wanted to see it. But I went to the restroom and missed Ayanokōji-kun's race. So for me, it feels a little strange. Didn't you race against the former student council president? It seemed to be a hot topic right after the sports festival ended."

"Were you in the track and field club back in middle school Ayanokoji? After watching the relay, a talent scout from the track and field club came."

"Ah, well, I received some solicitation, but I refused."

After all, that type of motivation to recruit was only temporary, and not something that would go on for long. The people in the track and field club shouldn't be thinking about me anymore. Even if someone is a good runner, if they don't want to take part in club activities, it's meaningless to keep on trying.

"To be honest, I haven't ever done any club activities, so I'm not aware of the situation."

Hasebe suddenly looks to me amused, and asks, something. 

"Ah really? What a shame. But Ayanokoji-kun, among you and Kurushima-kun, who is faster?" 

She asked, but immediately dismissed it. 

"That's not even a discussion," Yukimura interfered. "It's of course, Kurushima-kun."

"True enough. I doubt someone could beat such a time in our school."

I nodded. "I'm fairly fast, but not that fast. If Kurushima wasn't injured, he'd have surely won in the relay."

Relentlessly, I stirred the conversation elsewhere, so we wouldn't talk further about me in the relay.

I'd rather avoid getting into this topic too much. 

"I still can't believe he continued for 5 hours in the Sports Festival, despite having broken ribs... How can someone endure this so long?" Hasebe murmured in disbelief, asking that question. 

"I feel like we're burdening him often too much. Especially, since he isn't fully recovered, yet, at all..." Miyake said, slightly ashamed, looking down. 

Yukimura looked down on the ground, too. "Kurushima-kun is amazing, isn't he? Both in academics, athletics, or in general... To do something like this, in an injured state... it's unbelievable. He even got accepted sooner than anyone else before in the Student Council..."

"I feel like, I'm not helping at all. But... I'd like to help him, and the class, as much as I can, and regain our position as A Class back," said Yukimura, with enthusiasm. 

Miyake nodded. "I feel the same way."

Hasebe nodded, too. 

After a brief moment of silence, Hasebe changes the topic over to Miyake.

"Miyatchi is in the archery club. Is it fun to shoot a bow every day?"

"I wouldn't do it every day if it wasn't fun. By the way, the bow doesn't get shot, the arrow does."

He's right.

"I'm not interested in club stuff, like... I'm good with spending my time doing the things I like."

The two of them are quite different from what I've experienced so far. They were much more talkative than I expected.

"Oh Miyatchi, is it alright for you to miss your club activities?"

"I took time off."

"How brief."

"I will put my time into whatever takes first priority. Archery club isn't very strict, so there are no particular penalties."

"Will you all listen to me for a moment? I want to say something before we begin the study session."

Yukimura, who had been listening to the conversation almost quietly, calmly spoke up. He wasn't actually engaging any kinds of conversation, aside from that, where Kurushima occurred. 

I could tell, he greatly respected him, and felt like a burden, to him. 

The person his eyes focused in on was neither Hasebe nor Miyake, but me.

"No secrets like back at the sports festival, Ayanokoji."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Studying. I've heard from Horikita that you're plenty capable at it."

"... That woman."

It seems Horikita has given unnecessary information to Yukimura that I was unaware of.

Although, I was surprised that Kurushima didn't do so. 

"I'm relatively good at memorizing things. I think I can score pretty well if I concentrate."

If I don't say at least this much, it will be difficult to gain Yukimura's trust.

"Are you the type who doesn't do things even though you have the capability to do them?"

"I can't compare to you, so don't expect too much of me. I'm not good at teaching."

"I understand. You should take this seriously so you can get even 1 more point. Since I will be teaching you, you will absolutely get a higher score than you did on the midterms."

Immediately after, Yukimura proceeded to ask the others:

"Did you bring your test papers from the first semester's final and the last midterm test as I instructed?"

After the school had ended, Yukimura asked them to return towards the dormitories and get their papers, so he could quickly get a grasp where they're lacking at.

Unlike Kurushima or Hirata, he's just overseeing two people, so this much, should be fine.

I can't imagine teaching half of the class, at all, truthfully... 

It must be relatively difficult, especially, since some girls might ignore the first study session and appear rather in the second one, perhaps.

I couldn't tell if that would happen, but it's something I definitely wasn't concluding out at all.

Despite having both girlfriends, the girls approached them still.

Quite a surprise, but some people believe Kurushima's relationship won't last long, because of these two being in different classes. 

Well, it's not like I'm the one who gets bothered by it, so it doesn't bother me, much, actually. 

I do wonder, however, if I had introduced myself a bit differently, could I have become more popular. 

According to Karuizawa, that would have definitely been the case, if I did it properly. 

"Well, yeah."

Hasebe spoke up, and Miyake nodded. They took the papers out of their bags and handed them to Yukimura.

I look at the papers from the side and confirm their contents. The conclusion that comes from there...

"Both of you are excellent at science, but your results in most of the humanities are devastating."

Their score in math was around 70 points, which was a relatively high score, but their scores in world history and language averaged around 40. It's clear that they would be worried if this was left as it is.

"I didn't think you two were on such good terms with each other, but I did know you both shared such a clear weakness."

"When I was studying in the library earlier, I was able to speak with Hasebe. That's the flow of things."

"Miyatchi and I are pretty independent types. I don't really want to become involved with the class. Besides, I don't think I'd overly contribute much anyway, even if I got involved."

These two people held a sense of distance from the class and didn't belong to any specific group.

Was this the reason for their lack of integration with the rest of the class?

"I feel the same in that sense. Even in this group we're in now, I feel very awkward."

"So why did you approve of making a group this time?"

"This isn't exactly a group, per se, it's more like a study club. If there are only a few people in it, it will be quiet. It doesn't bother me when I study by myself, so I'll have to think about finding a new method to study. I'm sorry, but it will take some time for me."

"Okay. I'll just wait and have a tea break, alright?"

Hasebe took out her cell phone immediately and began to relax.

These days, it's easy to kill time as long as you have a cell phone. Should I also take out my phone? What should I do in this situation?

I suddenly felt a gaze, and inadvertently sent my own in that direction.

Several students were watching us while one of them spoke out to somewhere.

I could recognize the five students, immediately.

All of them were from the current Class C, which would be beginning in the next month, November, in Class A.

In the center, a person called Ishizaki stood there, being accompanied by Yamada Albert, someone who instantly was recognizable, as he was the only person in the school with a darker skin color. 

Also, he was the person whom we had many troubles, especially, regarding the 'Pole' competition, in the Sports Festival. 

The last boy standing in the left was a very short and skinny guy with a mushroom looking hair, wearing glasses, whom I recognized from the Deserted Island Exam.

I believe Ichinose said his name should be Satoru Kaneda, wasn't it?. 

The last two students from the current Class C were girls. These two were people our class was well-known with.

With one of them I was fairly acquainted. Ibuki Mio, the spy sent by Ryūen during the Deserted Island Exam, likewise with Kaneda, in Class D, Ichinose's Class.

As for the other girl, I believe everyone should have recognized her, because she and Kurushima were often seen eating together, during lunch break.

Her name was Hiyori Shiina, I believe, wasn't it?

She was the girlfriend of our class leader, Kurushima Kaoru, after all, the most popular boy in the first year, who also is somewhat comparable of a 'celebrity' according to Karuizawa, in the school, more or less. 

Given her information network, I didn't doubt this information at all. 

Hasebe, Yukimura, Miyake, and I, looked over to them, immediately. Likewise with everyone else in the pallet, currently. 

From the next month they'd be in Class A, after all, the position they took from us, through dirty-handed and underlying methods in the Sports Festival. 

It was evident that some people held grudge against them, because of this. Not just us, but the people in Ichinose's class too, who lost, through that. 

Their opportunity to earn Class Points was taken from them, through that. Although, we probably would have still lost the Sports Festival, I guess.

The main reason was because one of the classes did not actually participate at all. It was Class 3-D, which was at 0 Class Points. 

They've given up, because no matter what they did, both Class 3-A, and 3-B would undoubtedly rank higher than them, so only a selected few participated, while the rest did not occur. 

There wasn't a punishment, after all, regardless of the situation.

And since they were at 0, and did not participate regardless, there also doesn't seem to be something like Negative Class Points, apparently. 

I believe as they're Seniors, they should be fairly well known with in this topic, I guess. You could call it luck, because I did hear, someone getting expelled from their class, last month. 

Although, not much isn't known about that, at all. Even Karuizawa with her large information network was not able to figure anything out. 

It could be Y's work... 

I suspected it, but if Y is truly someone who's in fact sabotaging their own class, they might be responsible for this. 

Or it might as well be a simple coincidence, itself, that someone was expelled, because of something having happened. 

It could be someone from the Second or Third-Years, too, since Y has not been involved, ever since the Island Exam...

Anyhow, I shouldn't spend my time with thinking about something, I clearly have no answers, either. 

"Shiina-san, it's all thanks to you! I probably would have forgotten it takes one-week for the order of the special cakes." 

The boy called Ishizaki said, with a deep hint of gratitude in his voice. 

Albert, the person next to him, nodded simply. 

"Don't worry, it's nothing."

With a bright smile, she looked at them.

"You're ordering yourself, one, too, right?" he asked. 

She nodded, quietly.

"Kurushima's birthday is tomorrow, too, isn't it? You're planning on celebrating with him, aren't you, Shiina?"

The girl called Ibuki Mio spoke up, asking her that question. 

Wait, I think I did not hear it well, did I?

Birthday... 

So tomorrow is his birthday, too, after all.

I did not expect the leader of our class to share the same birthday as me, but well, it's quite the unexpected surprise. 

In return, she nodded her head. "I do. I'd like to spend with Kaoru the evening, if he doesn't have made up some plans, of course."

"If that bastard does that, call me, Shiina. I'll beat the crap out of him! Spending his time, without you, is definitely out of the question."

She awkwardly smiled, slightly. "Uhm, Ibuki-san, please don't do that."

"As if you can," Ishizaki sneered.

"What...?!" 

She looked at him in slight anger.

"Don't you remember within the first month how he effortlessly dodged any of Ryūen-san's attack's, while having his hands in his pocket's? Do you really believe you could beat him?"

"Tch... shut up! I can, if I want. I'm just not doing it... because he's together with Shiina. If he wasn't, I'd easily beat him up, definitely. But you can't... Ishizaki."

"Huh? I can... I'm not doing it, because of Shiina-san. That's all..." 

"In short, that means, you simply can't!"

Suddenly Ishizaki grabbed her at the collar. "Huh? What did you say, Ibuki?"

"You can't beat him, at all, Ishizaki."

"Neither can you!"

"Huh? Say that again, bastard!"

She, too, grabbed him by his collar, now. 

"Both of you, could you please, stop?" she said, with a slight aggravated voice. 

Both of them looked down.

"Okay..." 

"I never experienced Shiina-san like this..." 

Disrupting the conversation, the person called Kaneda spoke.

"I still can't believe Ryūen-shi and Kurushima-kun share the same birthday. It's quite the coincidence, isn't it?" 

She nodded. "It really is! But Kaoru is from Kyoto after all, so it's not unlikely, sharing the same birthday with one other person, especially in this school." 

"Here are the two cakes," the clerk said, after finally getting them. 

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

Ishizaki took the one cake, which was presumably Mont Blanc, while Kurushima's girlfriend took his, the Strawberry Cake, slowly walking out of the pallet. 

"Ryūen-san and Kurushima are not that similar, after all. Their differences are in the taste of their cakes. Mont Blanc is simply better than Strawberry..."

"Huh? What did you say, Ishizaki? Are you saying that the Strawberry Shortcake is inferior to that of Mont Blanc?!"

"Yeah..."

But as they left the pallet, being outside, I couldn't hear their conversation anymore, at all. 

"Tomorrow is Kurushima-kun's birthday?!" Yukimura nodded.

"It seems so..." Hasebe murmured. 

"I should probably buy something, right? I mean, he's our class leader, after all, who always helps us when we're in need," said Yukimura, slightly in thought. 

"I guess so. I'll do the same, then. Although we don't speak much, he always helped me whenever I had questions regarding some Tests or Exam's."

"Should we search for a gift together, then, Miyake? After this is over, I mean."

"Sure, I don't have any problems about that. What about you, Hasebe-san, Ayanokoji? Interested in tagging along?"

"Yes, you can count me in! I don't want to be the only one in the class who appears without nothing. Perhaps, even Koenji might gift him something, so I'd like to avoid that, under any circumstances..."

"And you, Ayanokoji?"

"Uh, sure, I guess..."

Well... that's really strange...

But I do wonder... if anyone will remember my birthday this year.

And if not, perhaps next year, then?

Suddenly, my phone vibrated, abruptly.

"Did you all also have been added...?" I asked them.

".... In the group?" Hasebe continued.

"Yeah," Miyake said. 

[Hirata Yosuke added you in the Group]

[Kushida Kikyo: Everyone, Kurushima-kun has tomorrow birthday, so we'd like to surprise him a bit, for being always there for any of us. We already have everything planned out, and bought multiple cakes, so let's surprise him, tomorrow after class. Sudo-kun, Ayanokoji-kun, can you two distract him with something, while we'll be preparing everything in the class?]

I didn't think my name would be mentioned here...

[Sudo Ken: Of course, count me in. I'll keep him one hour, no two hours away, if it takes that long. Don't worry, Ayanokoji and I will hold him off. Right, Ayanokoji?]

[Me: Yeah, I guess.]

[Kushida Kikyo: Thank you, you two.]

"Good luck, Ayanokoji," Miyake said.

"Thanks..."

I didn't think I'd be spending my birthday celebrating another one's birthday at all, truthfully...

Well... this is quite the unexpected turns of events...

But I wonder... will someone remember mine, tomorrow?

Not sure, but I don't think so...

I don't really have formed, unlike Kurushima or Ryūen connections with others. 

--

A/N: And this concludes the chapter.

I feel the awkwardness for Ayanokoji, literally...

Celebrating someone else's birthday on your own birthday...

Anyhow, I wanted to ask this question actually, once again, but from what you know so far, which of Kurushima's abilities ranks as the best, in your opinion?

Has gathered my curiosity suddenly.

That aside, since I mentioned the rooftop fight is at December 22, and Confrontation with Chairman Sakayanagi will be at December 18, what do you expect Kurushima to do?

Also, which arc was your favorite?

Island Exam?

Zodiac Exam?

Sport Festival?

He's often showing his manipulative abilities, having deliberately expelled someone from Class 3-D, so he would bring Sakayanagi and Kanzaki down. 

Also, I did made small changes, in the Island Exam, too.

Kurushima stayed awake for 45 hours in the Island Exam and made his goal's and manipulative skills more clear in the Island Exam. 

He also has obtained four different kinds of poisons, the one from the Snake Bite, hiding one of the locations from the Medic, Buffalo-Berries, Holly-Berries, and the black nightshade plant.

I didn't mention it at that time, but Kurushima chose this option deliberately, instead of having 'twisted' his ankle, or something else.