2 Chapter 1.3: The abrupt beginning of turbulent times

Unlike lunchtime, after school feels more comfortable since there's no need to be worried about personal relationships.

Also, I don't really stand out if I try to go back to the dorms right after school since there are quite a few people who do the same.

There's some merit in being able to disappear into the crowd like a ninja. If I stick to the back of a group of friends, I can pretend to be a part of their group.

"...How sad."

I was satisfied with myself for skillfully pretending that I had friends, but in the first place, there isn't anyone in this school that cares about who I hang out with.

"Sudou. I have something to tell you. Come to the staff room."

Sudou, who was trying to quickly leave the classroom, was stopped by Chiyabashira-sensei.

"Hah? What business do you have with me? I have basketball practice now."

Feeling listless, he opened his bag, grabbed his uniform and showed it to Sensei.

"I already talked to your advisors. You don't have to come, but you'll face the consequences later."

Sudou was on guard after Chiyabashira-sensei threatened him.

"What the hell... Is this going to end quickly?"

"That depends on you. Just by staying here, we're wasting more time."

With those words, it looked like he had no choice but to follow.

After clicking his tongue, Sudou walked behind Chiyabashira-sensei and walked out of the classroom.

"I thought he changed, but I guess that Sudou is the same as ever. Wouldn't it have been better if he dropped out?"

I don't know who it was, but I could hear someone in the class mumbling to themselves.

After the last test, I thought that the class had become more united as a group. Somehow, that seems to have been my imagination; guess it was a lie.

"Do you think so too? That it would've been better if Sudou-kun was expelled."

While talking to me, Horikita was putting her textbook in her bag in order to return to the dorms. There probably aren't many students that take their textbooks back and forth to review and prepare for the lessons. It's a sad thought.

"Eh, not really. How about you, Horikita? As the only person who helped out Sudou."

"Hmm... Well, we still don't know how many positive points we'll get."

My neighbor, Horikita, replied with an uninterested voice.

When Sudou was on the brink of being expelled, she purposely lowered her own grades, and spent her points to buy a point on the test for him. I didn't expect that kind of behavior from her.

At the same time, we both got up from our seats out walked out of the classroom together. I don't know when, but we started going back to the dorms together. Since we don't eat together, nor hang out, it's strange that it became this way. The only thing we had in common was that we were walking back on the same exact path. That's probably why we ended up walking together.

"I feel a bit worried. About what Sensei said this morning."

"About how our points were being delayed?"

"Yea. It looks like there was trouble, but is that trouble on the school's part or from our part? If it's the latter..."

"You're overthinking it. Lately, we haven't been making trouble. She said so herself. I doubt class D would've been the only class to not get any points. Simply speaking, it's the school's issue."

If there was strong concern for worry, all first-years would've been delayed, so the probability that class D is involved is rather low. ...Probably.

"I wish that was the case. After all, trouble directly affects our points."

Everyday, Horikita always thinks about how we can increase our points. She doesn't think about her private points, but rather, the class points so that she can reach class A. Of course, it's not impossible, but even then, it's pretty far from our grasp.

However, there's still hope. If Horikita is able to find a reliable way of increasing our points, it'll become a great advantage for class D. Furthermore, our classmates will trust Horikita more and she'll be able to make more friends. A win-win situation.

"Oh, right, you should join the chat. You're the only one who hasn't participated."

Taking out my phone, I opened the group chat application.

After the test, we invited Horikita to the group chat. Kushida thought that Horikita, who hated interacting with other people, would be able to participate if it was a group chat. However, her efforts were in vain, and Horikita hadn't participated at all.

"I have absolutely no interest. I also keep my notifications off."

"Is that so?"

Well, it seems like she had no intention to participate in the first place. She probably didn't delete the app because it'll send notify the rest of the group.

Whether or not she participates is up to her, so I didn't pursue the subject. I don't really have the right to do so either.

"Ayanokouji-kun, you're also more talkative lately."

"Really? I thought I was always that way though."

"It's only a slight difference, but you've definitely changed."

Although I didn't mean to change, I must've changed without having noticed myself. I must've gotten used to it.

Especially, I feel like I get along with Horikita—wait, no, we definitely don't get along, but strangely, I don't feel awkward around her. If it were some other girl, I wouldn't be able to converse normally, and would probably be flustered.

That's why I only talk to people close to me.

More than anything, I'm grateful that being silent doesn't make the mood worse.

"Is there anything that made you change?"

"I wonder... If I had to come up with a reason, it would be that I simply got used to school life and made a few friends. Also, Kushida was probably a big factor as well."

If it's only a group of boys, then no one really says much and there's a lot of silence in the conversation.

If Kushida's there, though, someone's always talking at a given time, and the atmosphere feels more lively.

"You seem to be getting along with Kushida-san. Aren't you concerned, especially knowing about her other side?"

"I was surprised when she said that she hated you. But it's natural that you'll like and hate some people. It's no use to get concerned over such small things. Even when she's said it explicitly, why do you pretend to get along with her?"

"I see. Well, I also hate Ayanokouji-kun, but we still talk normally. I don't really mind it."

"Hey..."

What the hell, why say it to my face...

"That's what I'm saying. If someone else says that they hate another person, it's fine, but if someone says that they hate you, don't you feel bad?"

"...Were you testing me?"

While saying "I don't know, was I?", she started coming her hair. Completely forced.

"I don't intend to bother her, but Kushida-san and I are like oil and water. I think there's no need to fight with her."

In other words, it probably means that she won't join a group chat with Kushida in it.

"In the first place, why does she hate you?"

Ever since the start of school, there wasn't much contact between the two. Since when did she start hating Horikita?

Kushida did say that it was her goal to get along with everyone.

"I don't know. She probably doesn't know much about me either."

Even if that's the case, it looks like there's something in between Horikita and Kushida.

"Are you that curious? Go ask her yourself."

That's impossible.

Kushida Kikyou is normally an angelic and perfect girl, but she inadvertently showed me a different side of her.

It's impossible to tell from her kind smile and her tone of voice, but I still remember her remarks from back then. I don't think Horikita knows either.

"No need for that. I'm fine with Kushida as she is now."

"That's just disgusting, you know?"

"...right?"

Even though those words came from my mouth, it sounded disgusting to me too.