No time needed when you're Me

Just like in the morning, the afternoon classes proceeded in the same atmosphere. Before we realized it, the bell rang, signaling the end of the day's lessons.

Like a kind of deliverance, each student sprang up and got ready to leave the classroom. As for me, I stood up too, but for an entirely different reason. Leaving my belongings on my desk, I walked to the podium.

Seated, I directed my attention to the entire class. I could already see that those who were about to leave had stopped, intrigued by my action.

"Dear classmates, may I please have a bit of your attention?" I asked.

While my action had halted the crowd, my words made them sit back down without complaints. Even Horikita, whose attitude I feared, remained seated, calmly reading a book.

Without further delay, I began. "Sorry to restrict you like this, but I would like to discuss a matter with all of you."

Seeing no objections, I continued. "I would like to create study groups for the class. What do you think?"

I put the subject before everyone. I hoped everyone would accept it, but this is Class D we are talking about...

At my words, the initially calm class began to stir. "Kōenji-san, I agree with your proposal, but I think it is too early for such things," said Yukimura Teruhiko, addressing me.

Such a response did not surprise me. "Yes, and also, I don't think we can form reliable groups since we don't know each other's academic levels. It's really too early, Kōenji-kun," added Mori Nene, a young girl with light brown shoulder-length hair. A named character, albeit a secondary one.

As for the rest of the class, they had similar thoughts. Of course, some students received my proposal favorably, but they were not in the majority.

I let the class warm up a bit before speaking again. "May I have your attention, please?"

As if my words carried a weight of deterrence, my classmates stopped talking, making the class calm again. "I know this may seem early, but I firmly believe that by sowing early, we will reap earlier. We are in a high school that advocates excellence, and as you may have noticed, the concepts covered are much more in-depth than in a regular high school. My main objective in establishing these study groups now is to set the foundations as early as possible and give everyone a chance to stay in the average."

Having said this, I gauged the class. My words seemed to have an audience that was becoming more receptive. However, it had not yet reached the peak I aimed for.

I looked at Mori. "Regarding the problem of not being able to form effective groups due to lack of data, there is a solution."

I then looked at the whole class, whose eyes seemed to await my next words eagerly. "The solution is me."

There was bewilderment in the audience. My words were so incomprehensible that everyone unconsciously tried to grasp them. But, ultimately, no answer came to them, forcing them to abandon their reflection and ask me instead.

"What do you mean by that, Kōenji-kun?" Hirata asked, as if he were the voice of the entire class.

There's no point in keeping the suspense any longer.

"As I said, I am the solution to the problem," I replied in a tone suggesting it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Kōenji-kun…"

"What Hirata is trying to say is, explain to us how you are the solution, Kōenji-san," Yukimura interrupted Hirata, taking over.

There's no need to be enigmatic any longer.

"To put it more clearly, with me, there's no need to wait to know everyone's level. In other words, I already know each of your levels."

This time, my words were clear, but the class was still in total confusion. At the same time, it was understandable.

"What do you mean by that?" Yukimura asked, his tone suggesting he was irritated by my seemingly strange remarks.

"It's true, Kōenji-kun. How can you know all of us? We've only been here for two days," said Kushida, her words obviously having a double meaning.

"I am capable of knowing the abilities of any individual with just a glance. I can also grasp people's thoughts, but in that case, I need to establish physical contact with the person."

My words were delivered so calmly that they sounded like the most sensible thing in the world. If my previous words had puzzled everyone, these words completely stunned the entire class.

I looked at Sudō.

"It's with this ability that I could grasp your personality the other day, Sudō-kun. Can you confirm to the class that we had never met before that day, and if my description of you was false or true?"

A heavy silence settled.

All eyes were now on Sudō. Feeling suffocated by all the attention, he grunted a bit before finally speaking.

"Although I don't know how you did it, I have nothing to say against your description of me yesterday. I don't remember seeing your face before the first day of school."

'Thanks for your cooperation, Sudō. Now, will this convince everyone?'

"Really absurd. Who would believe such nonsense?"

Of course, it wouldn't end that simply.