April 2, 2015

Unbeknownst to our almost-poker-faced protagonist, Kushida had thoughts directly contradicting the words she herself uttered.

'Hee! Hee! So, it seems like I finally have a chance to infiltrate Horikita's interpersonal walls. It was so humiliating when she declined my request for her number. That bitch will pay!'

Oh so potty-mouthed she was. The so-called Angelic girl mentally insulted her classmate just because she couldn't befriend her.

While Ayanokōji was focused on his mission to approach Hirata and address the class, Kushida had her own agenda lurking in the shadows. She intended to use Ayanokōji as a pawn to bridge the gap between her and Horikita.

Her desire to befriend Horikita had grown into a determination to infiltrate those interpersonal walls that Horikita had erected.

Kushida was willing to employ cunning tactics and utilize the unsuspecting Ayanokōji to achieve her goal.

On this particular topic, the fact that she got in contact with Horikita's singular contemporary loner was a step in the right direction.

Speaking of which, Ayanokōji took initiative to write a detailed message addressed to the pretty boy (Hirata) scheduled to send automatically at 14:05 exactly.

Ayanokōji's carefully crafted message to Hirata was a subtle but significant move in their plan. It held hints and advice about the school's hidden rules and the potential problems that could arise, designed to make Hirata aware of the situation and be prepared to address it.

It was a gamble whether Hirata would truly assist, but it wasn't like anything would be lost if not.

If the defects lost a lot of class points, it was still okay since spending lavishly was never a requirement for this institution. A reserved supply of free products was available at the stores, which would be sufficient for basic survival.

Relief, remedy and precaution go well together in actuality...

If suffering is completely avoided before its projected deadline, a person can find themselves in a comfortable position while everyone else wails in pain.

1

Horikita arrived while Kushida was walking away from Ayanokōji's desk. Simultaneously, the brunette was aggressively tapping at the screen as if he'd accidentally downloaded a virus.

The scene was... uncanny.

Let's just say his poker face did not complement the actions of his fingers very well.

Just imagine if Plankton from 'SpongeBob SquarePants' tried to steal the Krabby Patty formula in this exact manner.

Many kids would be cursed with ruthless nightmares.

Putting aside her shock, she approached her desk which was right next to his. "Stressed?" That was all she could do to start this conversation while taking her seat.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"To be completely honest right now, you look constipated."

"Ayanokōji-kun, have you eaten anything bad? Is it perhaps an illness?" she continued, feigning concern for the protagonist. It wasn't convincing, however.

"Sorry, but I'm allergic to bullshit, Horikita."

"Your face tells me all I need to know. Why don't we start there first of all?" Horikita retorted, citing a source for her apprehension.

"What's wrong with my face? Tell me the truth, otherwise you can shut up." He knew she would not stop talking, but it was fun to shoot his shot.

He'd finally finished typing and scheduled the message for Hirata.

"Only a fool deals in absolutes, Ayanokōji-kun. Take note — it's not just your face, it's everything about your existence. Why does my seatmate have to be such a dull one?"

He noticed how smoothly she paraphrased Star Wars, but didn't bring it up.

The silence was palpable after such a rundown. They were staring into each other's eyes deeply, wholly involved in trivial banter.

Only now was it clear that their faces were almost touching. If either made a wrong move, things could turn disastrous.

Ayanokōji — ever the pinnacle of fearlessness — choose to take the chance. He moved forward, purposefully leading their lips to collide.

The girl was left puzzled, stunned, stupefied, astonished and all other synonyms possible. It lasted for about eight or nine seconds before they separated.

Luckily enough, it didn't seem like anyone else had noticed, otherwise, this story would have ended with murder. Still, that wasn't far off from reality considering her furious expression.

Lavender scent was in the air, and muffled speech filled the background. Blazing fire was in Horikita's eyes and she gnashed her teeth.

"Please accept my humble apol-"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Ayanokōji-kun..."

"Y-Yes?" his voice turned squeaky before his scary neighbour.

So much for the so-called 'Masterpiece of the White Room'.

"Which option is better? Death, or torture?" she served this question hot like stew meat.

"Neither — I'd rather not deal with any of those two. I value my life dearly."

As if his answer actually mattered in this situation, he kept speaking. Unfortunately for the brunette, he would know what 'torture' really meant today.

Horikita grabbed something from her mathematical set; it was sharp.

After eleven or twelve strikes, she finally relaxed from her relentless attacks on his arm. The cuts on his skin were visible, and it was obvious at this point...

Horikita Suzune was a devil in human skin.

2

Yet again, it seemed as if a blessing from God landed in Kushida's grasp.

She had seen everything that transpired with her own two eyes and a phone camera on hand.

Yes, she recorded it — the kiss, and the assault. She had it all captured.

What would become of it?

That's the problem. She didn't know what to do yet, but there were a few options.

Aside from that, the socialite was successful in her venture of making friends of most people within Class-1D. The impending milestone for the girl was to repeat this process for other classes, and eventually other years as well.

A game of patience, she told herself.

Moments later, Chabashira-sensei walked in at a brush pace, heels clacking against the rough floor. Everyone settled in her presence, silencing the room.

"Nice to see you all arrived early. I can tell we'll be starting this semester on a good note," she praised in a monotone voice.

"You've all received your timetables for this year, haven't you? If anyone doesn't have one, please show me by raising your hand."

When nobody brought up any issues or inquired, she sat at the teacher's desk and did some paperwork while the students either studied or did something else.

After some time, Chabashira-sensei shifted her gaze from her paperwork and cleared her throat. The students, well aware of the signals she was about to say something important, redirected their attention toward her.

"As you all know, this school has its unique set of rules and guidelines. And we believe in fostering self-sufficiency and independence. So, as an annual tradition, we encourage every student to take part in what we call 'The Student Council Elections.'"

A murmur of excitement and anticipation rippled through the classroom. The Student Council Elections were a well-known event in schools, giving students the chance to participate actively in the decision-making processes of the school. They were a rare opportunity for students to exercise their influence within the heavily structured institution.

Chabashira-sensei continued, "The Student Council has an essential role in the school's operation. They help in organizing events, addressing student concerns, and participating in discussions with the school's faculty."

She paused for a moment to let the significance of these words sink in. Then, she added, "The President of the Student Council plays a particularly crucial role in representing the student body to the school administration. It's a prestigious position, and the elected president often has a considerable say in various school matters."

The students were now fully engaged, understanding the potential implications of the elections. It was a chance to have a voice, to make a difference.

"Here's the exciting part," Chabashira-sensei continued, her tone laced with enthusiasm. "The election process is quite straightforward. Any student, regardless of their grade, can run for the position of President. You need to prepare your campaign and deliver a compelling speech to your fellow students."

The students exchanged eager glances, already considering the possibilities.

"But remember," Chabashira-sensei cautioned, "this is not a simple popularity contest. While your speech and campaign skills do matter, the ultimate decision will be based on your merit and contributions to the school. We value competence and leadership qualities above all."

As the students started pondering their potential campaigns, Ayanokōji thought about the situation as well. The Student Council Elections presented an opportunity. An opportunity for someone like him, who had been trying to blend into the background, to take a step backwards, to avoid influencing this peculiar institution in a way he hadn't considered before.

Chabashira-sensei concluded her announcement, "For those of you who are interested, the campaign period will start next week. Prepare your speeches and campaign strategies. The elections will be held in two weeks. May the best candidates win."

The classroom buzzed with excitement as students whispered to each other, discussing their interests, predictions and aspirations.

Little did they know that the Student Council Elections would not only test their competence but also reveal secrets, ambitions, and alliances they couldn't yet foresee.

"I should mention this especially — the last SCP we had has completed his term already. Third-year students are not allowed to become President due to reasons concerning stillness of progress as well as excessive control of power dynamics," she explained.

"A first-year or second-year can become the SCP (abbreviation for 'Student Council President') but a third-year cannot do so." What Chabashira-sensei hadn't mentioned was the fact that Horikita Manabu was the former SCP.

Suzune's elder brother was now a third-year himself, so he was now able to take care of other issues.

"The results will be announced in the following month — May. We're doing this to set the stage for all to adapt to the system," she finished.

The revelation added an intriguing layer of complexity to the upcoming Student Council Elections.

With Manabu out of the picture, there was a power vacuum at play, and it was a matter of who among the underclassmen would rise to fill it.

Ayanokōji, who had been content to stay in the shadows, now found himself contemplating the possibilities this change presented.

The game was afoot, and the field was wide open for those who dared to compete.

3

After homeroom period was over, teachers came along one by one to teach their respective subjects.

It seemingly took a whole eternity to end, but they finally managed to get through it.

Even though Sudō was sleeping through most lessons, no-one dared to wake him up, courtesy of his demonstration of impudence the day before. Most people wanted to avoid delinquents like him lest their bones get flattened.

Ike and Yamauchi were left by themselves since everyone thought of them as worthless idiots.

Even Sudō didn't bother with the two, which was indicative of something... They were certainly a unique spawn amongst those who called themselves 'humans'.

Though, it wasn't anyone's fault besides theirselves — Yamauchi with his pathetic introduction where he lied about being an ice hockey player — Ike with his literal charmless attempt at flirting with the ladies of the classroom.

Onto something more important, Hirata got his message from Ayanokōji at exactly 14:05.

Hirata felt his phone vibrate during a particularly boring lecture. He discreetly checked the message, and his eyes widened as he read Ayanokōji's carefully crafted words. The message was clear, offering hints about the true nature of the school's system and the importance of their upcoming conversation.

Hirata couldn't help but feel a mixture of anxiety and determination. He knew he had to do something to address the issues pointed out by Ayanokōji. His sense of responsibility as the class's popular and approachable figure pushed him to consider the best course of action.

While he couldn't respond to the message immediately, he decided to meet with Ayanokōji.

The information was too important to ignore. It was a risk, but Hirata believed it was the right thing to do for the sake of the class.

The school day continued, with students attending their living their lives. Among them, Yōsuke Hirata was now burdened with knowledge and responsibility, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the course of their class's fate had taken an unexpected turn.

---------------------------------------------------

Word count: 2118