THE CLASSROOM OF THE ELITE

12.VOLUME 4 Part 12

Midnight. Or rather, two hours passed from midnight.

My roommate seemed to have woken up quietly. Be careful to

did not wake the other three people who were asleep in the room

then, he slowly got out of bed.

Because students are instructed by school rules to sleep in their jersey, they leave their room while they are in the middle of the night

wearing it. After making sure that she didn't just go to the toilet, I also grabbed my room card key and got out of bed alone.

There was no guarantee that he would make his move today, but

it seems like the results of my hard work are finally visible on their own.

As soon as I realized that I had also woken up, he quickly turned around

staring at. Our eyes met and without a look from

in his eyes, I told him that there was something I needed

talk with. He replied that he would wait in the corridor.

Then she left the room, and in the corridor she was waiting for me with

a hard expression.

"Would I wake you or have you woken up, which one

didn't it?" he asked me.

"Last of all, I thought you were leaving the room tonight" I replied.

"Why do you think that? Tonight is the first night

I actually left the room at night"

I assessed the situation and decided to fight it would not

take us anywhere and ask honestly.

"It's not just that Karuizawa called you tonight?"

And with that one word he seemed to have understood it all. As is

expected of Hirata, his ability to understand the situation was indeed

unparalleled.

"You know something?"

"I'm in the same group as Karuizawa, I don't know

to what extent, but more or less I understand the situation,"

Looks like Hirata is waiting for me to say something more

much more and of course with the explanation I am giving at the moment,

still not quite a reason why I followed him until late

nightly.

"You once said that you wanted me to act as a bridge

between you and Horikita, isn't it?"

"I understand, so you're here because of Horikita-san who ordered you,

ain't he?"

It lessened my difficulty to explain more to him

so it would be so easy for me.

"Yes, he ordered me to report all the groups (rabbits)

to him, including Karuizawa's situation. So, as soon as I heard about

karuizawa's situation and reported it to him, she too

ordered me to watch you. Of course he ordered me

to eavesdrop on you, but because you told me to be

the bridge between you and him, I think I'd rather not peck

your eye. This is my chance to hear from you

also, "

"What information does he want?"

"Everything Hirata knows about Karuizawa, and

your conversation with him"

It seems Hirata who does not know the state of this group (rabbit)

confused about why he needed information about

Karuizawa was especially informed about the group itself. But most

no he understands that this information tends to affect what is

it will happen in the future.

"I'm not sure how much I can say to you, I still

should consider Karuizawa-san's feelings"

And that way, Hirata started walking down the corridor. Within

this quiet scenario, I don't feel like I'm trying to

speak so that I pursue him with free quiet steps

from worry.

Even though I've been lying in bed for about two hours,

my hair is in perfect condition. I don't really care

to myself, but to make sure that people don't feel

uncomfortable when I see me, I have to consider the conditions

my hair.

"I'm sure Ayanokouji-kun won't say anything that doesn't

important, but what I am going to say is very sensitive information and it is likely that Karuizawa-san will refuse to talk and come back. I just want you to keep those facts inside

your mind"

There was always an option for me to eavesdrop on them while hiding

self, but there was no way Hirata would allow such a thing. Because of this

is something that Karuizawa doesn't want others to hear, she won't

ever let me eavesdrop like that. The best in the

this scenario all I can do is nod in response.

The meeting place is in front of the vending machine located at

the rest area on the second floor. It was in the middle of a long corridor in the

onboard. A place that is easy to see and easy for someone to

notice if someone is eavesdropping on them.

This location makes it very difficult to hide

listened. Karuizawa was already there, with the jersey, sitting on the sofa

while waiting for Hirata. At first when he saw her, he smiled

for a moment, but when he saw me behind Hirata, he immediately changed

and changed into an angry expression.

"Why is Ayanokouji-kun with Hirata-kun?"

"Don't worry, I called him and we came together"

"Hirata-kun's? Wh why? I told you I wanted to talk to you

alone"

“I know, but I'm worried about what Karuizawa-san said

to me on the phone, so I brought Ayanokouji-kun who seemed like him

understand this situation. Sorry for acting like this"

Although Karuizawa looks very dissatisfied with this condition,

it seemed like he was not going to yell at Hirata.

"But I still want to talk to you alone..."

"If that were the case, but you never said that we would

talking only two on the phone"

More or less I can already conclude that this is related to

class C problem led by Manabe. But I wonder

how Karuizawa will start this topic. If he only wanted to comfort himself by talking to Hirata, there was no need to insist on being alone with him.

It meant that he wanted to talk about a topic that no one could hear about

outward. After all, staying silent like this was useless so

Hirata started talking about their phone.

"You told me about the quarrel you had with

Manabe-san and his friends from Class C. Is that true?"

In response to that question Karuizawa opened her mouth slightly to

replied, but perhaps he was still wary of my presence, nothing

the answer that appears. Once again Hirata broke the silence.

"What Ayanokouji-kun already knows about your quarrel with Manabe-kun

san and the others?"

"Little"

Because the conversation with him doesn't seem to be going well, Hirata

seems to be intending to ask me. Karuizawa still feels no

satisfied with this situation, yet obediently remained silent and listened

our talks. Maybe because I'm the one who saw Karuizawa

bullied by Manabe at the time.

"From what Karuizawa-san told me, it seems like they

accuse him first and then drag him to a deserted place and

almost attacked him brutally"

“Yes, that's right, I saw it myself, Yukimura also saw it”

"I understand .." said Hirata while looking at me seriously.

Then he closed his eyes. In this case, I wonder

how's Hirata's decision? calling Manabe and the others and

reprimanding them? Or report it to school?

"If Manabe-san and the others really use violence, then,

then we have to do something about this. I can't

letting friends use violence against each other"

Hearing those words overflow with a heroic sense of justice, I

seeing Karuizawa smile at Hirata for a moment. But so did she

realizing that I was looking at him, he immediately returned to an angry expression.

"Karuizawa-san, you were bullied to the point of not being able to fight back, is that true?"

"No...."

Despite not being able to answer correctly, Karuizawa simply stared without

the sound. But since he didn't deny it, it seemed like this was true.

Karuizawa seems to have a little problem with a woman

named Rika in the past. Manabe and the others try to make it

apologizing for that. But in the end, it almost increased

being violent to Karuizawa. After hearing the story, Hirata

nods.

"I see, that's why you told me something like that

like that"

"Something like that?" I asked.

"Karuizawa-san told me to defend her and reply to Manabe-san and

the other one" Hirata said.

It's a lot easier than I expected.

But from the point of view of the person who accepts bullying, the mindset

‘ killed or kill’ takes me by surprise. And of course, when Hirata

saying those words, Karuizawa who was silent until now,

speak.

"Why did you tell him all this?"

"Because this is not the usual Karuizawa-san. You're not the kind of person who

trying to fight violence with violence, Karuizawa-san"

"But he's being bullied, right? If you're his girlfriend, then

you have an obligation to save him" I told Hirata.

"Yes, I know that's the problem, but I don't believe in the sentence ‘mata

it's answered with eyes, you know?"

On the side of two things I don't know yet, I feel a sense of conviction

different mixed up there.

"let's think together, how to be friends with Manabe-san

and his group!"

"That's impossible, I was attacked by them so badly. Helpfully

understand ..." Karuizawa pleads with Hirata.

"Unilaterally? Isn't it because you bullied Morofuji-san first,

Karuizawa-san is?"

Morofuji, I'm sure Hirata meant a woman named Rika.

He also did some research on them. I think, that's very outside

ordinary.

"But that's. I don't have any other choice... Shinohara-san and the others

pay attention to me" Karuizawa said.

"So the point is, since Shinohara is there, you have no other choice? what

meanin?" I asked.

“shut your mouth!"

As soon as I voiced my question, Karuizawa immediately shouted at me

to silence. The screams echoed in the corridor.

"Please, please protect me... Hirata-kun you will protect me right?"

Karuizawa begs Hirata.

"Of course I'll protect you, but I won't either

anything to Manabe-san and the others. I'll try

find a way for you to talk to each other and gather together"

“I said it was impossible! If it were easy, I wouldn't

asking you to help me"

It looks a little extreme, but I can understand Karuizawa's feelings. Position

he is far more dangerous now than expected. I wouldn't

surprised if this would escalate into a serious violent incident.

The school has certain rules. Smoking for minors

that's one example, and of course, that's the rule

at any High School in a country. However, there were still successful students

escaping from one or two cigarettes silently.

In other words, there are some rules that cannot prevent

all time. Bullying is one of them. Hirata seemed worried

with Karuizawa, but at the same time, she is also worried about

Manabes. It seems Hirata is determined to solve this by

calm both sides peacefully.

In other words, Hirata looks like he doesn't think of her as

a girlfriend but just like any other normal friend.

"No matter what the reason is, I can't do what you

expect me to do. To me, Karuizawa-san is indeed a classmate

the valuable. If there's a problem bothering you, I will

protecting you. Whatever the reason, I won't hurt anyone.

Even if it's a Class C student "

"You liar! You said you'd protect me!" Karuizawa

yelling at Hirata.

"Liar? I've been saying I'm going to take this attitude ever since

early"

Hirata said something that was hard for Class D students to believe.

"I told you from the beginning, didn't I? If we weren't lovers. That

not real, I don't mind pretending to date you, but I

it won't help you like this and you can't depend

to me"

It seems like a relationship that no one can doubt them

both were actually faked.

"... Why are you telling me this now?" Ask Karuizawa.

Of course this is a complaint against the notice I heard

just now and now I understand what Hirata's purpose is, he uses

Karuizawa to reveal the information as a tribute to

Horikita's. Something like that.

"I think to be able to save you takes an approach

new"

Not that she really left Karuizawa, she was

trying to save him in his own way. He then approaches Karuizawa who looks to have lost her composure, but

he did not try to touch his fragile shoulders.

"What are you talking about... I have to use violence alone?"

"I'm not saying it like that, I'll do my best to

saved you. In the morning, I plan to talk to

Manabe-san and the others, asked him to stop interfering

Karuizawa. You may not like it, but I want to talk

to them that you want to apologize to them"

"That's not what I want!"

Of course, it looks like Karuizawa asked Hirata for revenge

against Manabe and the others for already bluffing him. With

such considerations, this looks like Karuizawa's real essence, though,

His true personality. More than sumua, it seems

Karuizawa has something she is very afraid of.

"I understand. If that's the case there's nothing I can do

to yours. Sorry about that" Hirata coldly told him.

Even in a situation like this, he was able to remain calm. But although

staying calm, Hirata gave Karuizawa who could do nothing

except to rely on the death penalty.

"Ayanokouji-kun, if you have any ideas please let us know"

It seems like he was trying to push this role to me.

"No need! If you won't listen to my request, then I

no need for someone like you!"

Karuizawa shouted while kicking a can of juice from the vending machine

automatic in corridor. The juice inside was scattered on the floor and a sound that

it was all along the corridor.

"Our relationship ends here today. It's over!"

Karuizawa stated that to Hirata. Than truth

their relationship has been revealed, Hirata looks annoyed at the

because he couldn't help her. Although Karuizawa left, Hirata

he showed no signs of chasing her. That meant he had already decided that Karuizawa was not the person he should care about

now it's.

"Ayanokouji-kun, there are some things I can't do. That's why

you're here now, I want you to understand that"

I tried to retrieve information about Karuizawa with

using Hirata, but it seems like Hirata is using this opportunity

to push for the role of saving Karuizawa from her troubles

to me.

"It looks like you want to be more than just a bridge

connecting everyone, you're just selfish.

Are you really everyone's ally?" I asked Hirata.

"Yes, I was on Karuizawa-san's side and I was also on Ayanokouji-san's side

kun, but depending on who I'm talking to, I'm finally changing too

my attitude. You're a lot smarter than everyone else thinks"

"You praise me too much"

"Truely, I am quite confident in reading the feelings of others.

I wanted to ask her more about her confidence, but I thought

talking about the solution to this problem comes first.

"First, once again I want to ask you about your relationship with

Karuizawa's. It seems your relationship with him is just a word and

not real"

"That's just a saying, Did Ayanokouji-kun already suspect this?”

"It's been almost four months since you started dating Karuizawa,

but I haven't seen any sign of your relationship

developed since then. Of course, you can consider the choice

that you maintain a true relationship and brotherhood

with him. But you've always kept your distance from him and you're still with each other

calling with your last name"

Even if their physical relationship does not develop, if they are increasingly

emotionally close, of course they will also change their ways

call each other. But to get better or to get worse, Hirata and Karuizawa's relationship shows no signs

progress like that.

In relationships between men and women, it shows no signs

signs of progress or change are strange.

"That's right. We're not really dating. We just go one together

another because we feel the need... Do you understand the opposition here?"

Even though it's not dating each other, it's still necessary to do. That means

their goal is to be allied and that means what benefits each other

dating each other? Who asked for this and who

agree to that request?

That's obvious. It was Karuizawa who asked Hirata to fake it

their relationship with Hirata only answered her request. Knoweth

that was, his actions that could be explained by this fact had already increased.

"The rumors started about three weeks after the initial start

semester and since then the popularity of Karuizawa rose"

This can also be seen in our group. By gluing

himself to Machida, Karuizawa is able to convince himself to be more

the aggressiveness from before and the influence within the group also grew

proportionately. In other words, that's how Karuizawa became a bitch

for Hirata.

"So you pretended to be Karuizawa's boyfriend to help

increase his status."

I asked for the truth and Hirata just smiled at me. I thought this

it was the truth for a while I realized.

that the pieces are still not suitable. Maybe she was

using Hirata and Machida to stand at the top of the caste system

a school? No, if that's all the situation is still unclear. If he wants to

dominating the class, all he needed was to ask Hirata to leave

with him and Hirata would probably agree. The demand is too high.

Karuizawa's daily attitude is very strong and sometimes she also plays a role

as an attacker in a situation of intimidation. But why did he accept that

without questioning?

Karuizawa actually used Hirata and the others

to raise his status in the classroom? That's also a problem

questionable. In this case, you can't say that

he uses Machida only to increase his influence in

in group.

If true, he showed no interest in the group's processes

and keep quiet all the time. If so, there is no need to use

Machida from the beginning.

So what exactly...the trigger that caused him to approach Machida?

I finally feel like I understand

his name is Karuizawa Kei.

'To protect himself, huh?’

With the process of elimination, the only remaining answer was a

veracity. Not wrong anymore.

"You understand, don't you? Honestly, when I heard this answer

from you, I get goosebumps" Hirata said.

"I just heard it from Horikita, Karuizawa has a reason

alone to use Hirata and the others,"

I tried to trick him like that, but Hirata was not someone who

simple so that he could just fall.

"Ayanokouji-kun if I have to tell you honestly.

sounds harsh but I consider you creepy. As such

unpleasant form.if I offend you I am

apologize"

"Not fun? why do you think that?"

"I've seen you since the school year started, but Ayanokouji-kun when

that and Ayanokouji-kun were now like two different people.

Your presence is emanated and the words you use are almost like

you are a different person than usual”

Hirata has the ability to distinguish between actions and behaviors

people around him and never ignore it. Wanted

what if he noticed the difference in me.

"I've said it honestly, this is only thanks to the advice of

Horikita, I told Horikita about my group and me

obeying the orders he gave me, that's all. Happenings on the island

it's the same. Horikita made the right decision and guided

Class D wins so class gets a lot of points

as a result. In other words there is an advantage in doing this

for me too. He's very bad at communication as you know, so

I'm just saying what you said to him and accepting

orders from him”

I spent a lot of time with Horikita and Hirata

knowing me well would definitely not doubt the words that I have

tell the.

"If it was Horikita-san, she would have judged that she saved Karuizawa-san

san will bring class an advantage,"

"That's right"

"But I think you're still amazing, Ayanokouji-kun. You're different from

Ike-kun or Yamauchi-kun"

"I'm inferior to both of them"

"Even if you just follow Horikita-san's orders, it's still you

talking to me right now. Not like the only conversation

includes details of the order. To adjust to the current

the conversation requires clear logic. Not something you can

think about it overnight

"......"

Hirata looks better than I thought. Despite his wishes

to save him, he was still able to retain his ability

the norm is high.

"That's what you said but, the reason why I accepted the request

Karuizawa-san to be her boyfriend is to help her

'protecting himself' That's what he wants. He wants me

saved him. It may be hard for you to believe, but throughout the years of Elementary and Junior High, for 9 whole years, he received a sum

terrible from intimidation”

"I don't doubt you, but this is the real story, right?"

It seemed like Karuizawa's hyperventilation back then was triggered by her past.

Since I saw it myself, I couldn't help but believe

on the trauma of his past.

"Of course I just met Karuizawa-san after she came in

this school, but I get it, I know the look, the smell and the presence

someone who is a victim of bullying. That's why I agreed to

courting her. His position as my girlfriend, Karuizawa-san will be able to

escaping his bullied youth. I think right now, that attitude is her

having is not the real Karuizawa-san. He's very trying

be tough, right? "

I think normally he can't control his feelings with

good. Victims of bullying usually have personalities such as cherry blossoms.

Obedient and weak. Also on the other hand, someone with a strong personality

like Karuizawa also tends to be bullied. In short, the personality

The current Karuizawa is a fake. That's why he needs someone

like Hirata or Machida on his back.

Someone who can

governing the environment for him. By acting like that, he can

regain its influence.

"More or less I can understand now. But wait, what's in it

if you do this?" I asked Hirata.

It can be a common phrase, but love is part of adolescence

for students. Hirata is very popular among girls. Then

by pretending to be dating Karuizawa, she will give up

to true love.

"his luck? Karuizawa-san is going to live her High School life without

intimidated. That's it"

He just said that. This is not hypocrisy or

love and not for himself.

"Didn't you trust me? If that's my only reason?"

"Bukam means I don't trust you, but there's a deeper meaning

behind that, isn't it?" I asked him in return.

Hirata wouldn't hesitate if it was to save a friend, but he did too

knowing Manabe and the others as friends. The way he cares about

others can almost be described as a disease.

Since he told me so many things about this, there was no doubt that

Hirata also felt the need to tell me about this. He bought

some canned drinks from vending machines and

threw it at me. I accept it with gratitude.

"Until my second year in Junior High, if I have to honestly say that I

is an ordinary person who does not stand out much"

"Hirata .. I really can't imagine it"

Personality is too much different from men who always

showing excellent leadership.

"I don't stand out too much and I'm invisible, my friend is like

that, I'm completely normal, I have a friend that I live with very

good since I was a kid named Sugimura-kun. Six years in SD

we were together in the same class and because we were our neighbors

always going to and from school"

hirata said in a voice full of nostalgia and Hirata remembered the time

his past.

"When we entered SMP, for the first time, we were separated

being a different class, but even so, at first we were still

go to school and go back home together. But, the days

what we did started out a little bit slowly and I started playing

with the boys from my new class, it's an ordinary story you can tell

listen from anywhere"he continued.

It is normal that in a new environment, one would

make new friends. There's nothing strange about it itself.

"But, you see, even though I was busy playing with my friends. At

behind, Sugimura-kun is really bullied"

Hirata continued to say as he gripped his can of juice. Even people

the outside knows what happened.

"Sugimura-kun often sent me requests for help many times,

many times also he appeared with an injured face and scars on

his whole body, but I prioritized playing with friends

new and never took it seriously. Sugimura - kun

initially having a stubborn personality, it is always quick to

fighting so I never thought about the situation deeply.

But when we both became 2nd grade students, we were brought together

revert. And from then on, Sugimura-kun had already become heartbroken.

The cheerful picture is no longer there and the marks left by

the punches and kicks are what remains. He wasn't even allowed in

go to the toilet and have to wet the bed in the middle of class. That kind of thing already

become routine... "

"So you saw him and..."

"Yes, I think you understand too, but I didn't do anything, I didn't

can do anything. I was too scared if I would be the target

new. I'm afraid my happy life will then be ruined.

for Sugimura-kun who was always with me, I kept pretending

didn't see. I believe one day the bullies will feel

bored him. One day Sugimura-kun will stop coming to school

and the bullying will stop or someone else will come and

saved him. I keep thinking about the things that are self-confident

alone like it”

"And that Sugimura... What finally happened to him?"

"Even now the memory of that day is already burning in my head. Subsequent to

practicing football in the morning, I went back to my class and there, I

looking at Sugimura-kun and decided to wait while following.

Honestly, at that moment, I felt uncomfortable. Even though he is

a friend I've played with since I was a kid, at a time when he was almost

feeling like a stranger to me, I can't stop thinking cruelly

like I'd be bullied with him. Maybe Sugimura-kun too

seeing my rotten heart, yet he said nothing. But

like asking for help that day in the middle of class, he jumped out.

the window "hirata told me.

"Jump out? Is he dead?"

"It looks like he's brain-dead, but even now, people

his parents are still waiting for Sugimura-kun's recovery and trust him.

But whether he's alive or dead now, I don't know. Occurrence

that day was real. So, I'm still wondering if it's just

a dream or a hallucination, it was incredible, because the current Sugimura-kun

jump, I become aware. With respect for myself, I

pushing my precious friend to his death"

And that's how a man named Hirata Yousuke was born.

"I don't think this will provide any safety for Sugimura-kun, either,

but, at the very least, I want to change and to do it, I think

the only way is to save others like him" he continued

Hirate.

"Not that I don't understand how you feel, but the world doesn't

that simple. Even today, someone somewhere is getting

bullied and like Sugimura you talked about, they tried

to save their own lives. You can't

stop those people, right? " I said to Hirata.

"Of course I understand that, I'm not a hero of justice. But I want to

saving the people in front of me. I have to save

them. That is my responsibility to take away sins"

"Then how will you decide this matter? you wanted

save Karuizawa and Manabe, but it is a task that does not

maybe,"

"I know this is an impossible task, which is why you're in

here now,"

I see, it seems like he himself noticed his flaws

by oneself. After all, he looked incapable and wanted to save

people he knows.

"I never thought there would come a time when I would tell a story

this is to someone else. No one knows about this, it is

part of why I chose this school" he continued.

Then after finishing his juice, he threw it on the spot

garbage.

"Can I entrust this to Horikita-san?"

"If you can promise not to divulge it, I'm sure Horikita

will do something about it"

"Then I'll choose to trust you both, because

that's my hope too" Hirata told me.

It seems that at this time Hirata will not go into Karuizawa's troubles and

most likely from now on, whenever Hirata is in trouble, he

maybe it will depend on me. But it also means that I've

successfully securing cooperation with Hirata. That would be

the power I got from my side. It's only natural that he gets

the wages themselves too.

"Hirata, since you have a large social network, I'd like to ask

your help, will you listen to me?"

And with that sentence, I handed Hirata a piece of paper. And

after reading it, Hirata accepted my request without making

an uncomfortable face.

"And also Ayanokouji-kun, since the exam started, there is still one thing that I

hide from you. I know who the last ‘target’ is among Class students

D .." he said.

***