Classroom Of The Elite 2nd Year - Full Volume
Chapter 3
"I also asked Karuizawa and she also denied it, but believing in her words was a different matter" It seemed like Yukimura who disliked Karuizawa, was inclined to distrust her words. Of course, to know that for sure, he could have just checked his phone, but given the relationship between them, it seemed like it would be difficult to do.
It seemed like Yukimura was satisfied for now since she did not ask any further. I buried my face in the pillow and closed my eyes. I felt uncomfortable because there was someone in the room who saw me sleeping, but it wasn't too annoying. I was able to be as adaptive as a chameleon in times of need, in terms of making friends as well. Looks like Yukimura has already started to acknowledge me as a friend. I then fell asleep after hearing Yukimura's sigh again from across the room.
***
In the afternoon, I once again went to the group discussion room (rabbit). But even in the same place and in the same space, depending on who you are, the atmosphere will definitely change as well. I arrived at the room ten minutes before the start of the discussion and the person who came right after me was Karuizawa. The moment she saw me, her expression turned into disgust and she immediately turned her gaze away from me.
He then sat in the corner of the room (the corner furthest away from me) and started playing his phone. It's not that we're fighting or anything, or we're not getting along. I was easily hated by him. It was the worst kind of relationship I ever had. If there is a reason behind such hatred, there is room for peace. But if there is only an ambiguous dislike for me, I can't make any settlement with him.
Right now, standing with him is so bad. I could have just left the room and spent some time in the hallway until Ichinose and the others came. But I can't just leave because the atmosphere is getting awkward here. I quickly corrected my attitude in a way that suited someone as dignified as a man. After all, this type of test was very bad for me.
Especially since he revolved around the concept of 'Talking' which was my weakness. Having spent an entire semester as a loner, it doesn't mean I'm capable of suddenly starting to cultivate a chatty personality. But Karuizawa seemed to have no intention of staying still since she put her phone near her ear and started talking.
"Ahh, Rinocchi, how are things there? Inhere? There's something terrible here" he talked to his friend via cell phone. Since we were the only people in this room, of course I could hear every single talk. The worst part was that as soon as he ended his call, an awkward silence descended upon the room. Then he spoke to me.
"Aah ... talked about who among you is ‘targetnya’, It looks like Yukimura-kun and Soto ... bla bla-kun, right?"
At least he remembered Sotomura's name, I thought. Since there was no one else in the room, it seemed like he asked me to talk. It was a question that Yukimura asked me a while ago. There's no denying that everyone wants to make sure of it with me.
"No" I answered him.
"I see, then it doesn't matter" But unlike Yukimura, he didn't ask for confirmation anymore.
"Do you believe me?" I asked him.
"Huh? You said you weren't a 'target', right?"
I was surprised that he would easily believe my words. It doesn't mean we were together or anything. But I think there is nothing to doubt because what I really want in this exam is not the point. What I want to confirm is whether this person known as "Karuizawa Kei" is really useful or not.
"You two came early" It seems like the three students from Class B have already come at the same time.
"Let's go today as well" I replied to Ichinose.
T/N: Maybe in japan this sentence is 'yoroshiku' or please help.
Ichinose also called Karuizawa with those words but Karuizawa ignored him and continued to play his phone.
And just like yesterday, all the members gathered together before the discussion. It seems like this situation has not changed at all from the previous discussion. Class A quickly took some distance and only the remaining three classes gathered together to form a circle. Seeing that, Karuizawa stood up and went to join Class A and sat down beside Machida Class A. That action might be considered a defensive measure against Manabe.
Machida did not actively participate in the discussions, but his 'presence' was still very strong and his voice was influential in the group. And there is still a difference in strength between an abandoned man and a woman. Manabe and the Class C girls can't do anything if Karuizawa is with Machida.
If Karuizawa decides to rely on me being unreliable or Sotomura, Manabe and his group will not hesitate to attack him. Thinking like that, Karuizawa's decision to choose Machida was very appropriate.
"It's okay, if anything happens, I'll definitely save you"
"Thank you, Machida-kun" Karuizawa replied.
It seems that with dependability, Machida is already very aware of Karuizawa. Since she was a cute girl on the outside, how else, even if the feeling of protecting her was born inside Machida. Despite this new love story, the real problem now is the test. Just like us, the other classes might as well understand well. They must have talked about it like we did and had to ascertain whether the "target" was in their class or not.
"Now, I've been thinking about it since last night. But, I piker now we have to discuss with each other the way to find out who ‘target’ is" said Ichinose.
"That again? I told you there are people who don't want to negotiate. And without us participating, there's no way you can find that ‘target’" words mocking Ichinose like it came from Class A.
"I think no, I think it's a matter of trust here, and that's why today, we're going to play cards with everyone. Of course I won't have everyone join, so it's just people who want to join" Ichinose then continued talking while taking out a deck of cards with a smile.
"Hahahaha, building trust with card games? It was stupid" Class A continued their scolding.
“You may think like that, but if you try it, it will be a lot of fun, Time will be a very long time to spend in silence alone. It doesn't matter if you don't feel bored" And as usual, all Class Bs voiced their approval for Ichinose.
"I will also participate, after all I'm being idle," Sotomura added. But of course no one else seemed willing to agree to Ichinose's plan so I raised my hand lightly and gave my permission to him.
"So we're five now, because now I'm thinking about playing Daifugo, is there someone who doesn't understand the rules here?" Ichinose asked us. Of course, to some extent, I also understand the rules of card games. Including Daifugo. There seems to be no problem with anyone else and the game starts off smoothly.
Others who are not involved in the game are equally attracted to us or send us glances from time to time. Ichinose then started shuffling the cards that were split evenly between the three of us. I have the Joker, 2 and 3 Clubs. It seemed like a pretty strong side had already formed. My hand currently controls most of the other players, but in Daifugo, you can't say for sure that the stronger side always wins. A change can occur, weakening your side and making you mired in defeat.
But no one denied the fact that my current side gave me an advantage. I must have a strong strategy to utilize this side. I have to admit, playing cards is a much deeper experience than I ever imagined. What else is the personality of each player highlighted in the game.
Ichinose, for example, did not fight with his own side alone, but also carefully analyzed the other players and used moves in his favor. Hamaguchi risked everything at the end. It seems like their respective strategies reflect their personalities.
Sotomura, who is usually well-informed with topics related to otaku, I expected to show a much calmer personality. But it seemed like he was the type to get angry when he started losing. But it seems like he is also the type who calms down occasionally and returns to normal when the game is over. I thought this might be what Ichinose expected. To find out the personality and characteristics of the players. Of course it was only slightly useful, and talks with the rest of the group were still not happening.
But not only Sotomura, but he also observed my behavior. From Ichinose's point of view, I wondered how I was seen by him. From an objective standpoint .. I'm sure I'm a really boring person. Active with the good side but inactive with the bad. I have to look like a perfectly normal person. This approach is better than adapting to the game and throwing Ichinose's observations into chaos.
So we kept playing cards, from Daifugo until we finally played as Old Maid. And when we're done, an hour has passed. Both Class A and Class C joined forces and in the end, only five of us had participated in this game from start to finish.
"It's a lot of fun, sometimes it's good to play it the old-fashioned way, too,"
said Sotomura, it seems more like playing cards than having to go through an hour of discussion. But just by repeating this game like some kind of psychological warfare tactic, I still can't see the true purpose of Class B here. I'm sure only Ichinose knows about that.
"Then ... I'll go"
"Where are you going?"
"I can't let Class A get away with it after this"
"So you went to see Katsuragi-kun?" It seemed like Ichinose was planning to make direct contact with someone who was planning a Class A closed fortress strategy. Although normally I am not the social type, I have to take advantage of this flow.
"If you don't mind, can I come with you?" I asked him.
"Of course, I don't mind, maybe Ayanokouji-kun is also interested in Katsuragi-kun?" Ichinose asked me. Instead of being careful with me, she was very curious as she tilted her head when she asked me.
"It's not that, it's just that Horikita is also in the same group as Katsuragi" I replied to her.
"I understand, I understand, so let's go together, see you, Hamaguchi-kun" Ichinose said goodbye as he left with me, nodding as if convinced of my thoughts. Hamaguchi saw him leave.
Despite seeing Ichinose as their leader, it seemed like Hamaguchi was also able to take individual action. This was very different from the king-servant relationship that Katsuragi and Ryuuen used to their class. As the discussion continued, the timing of the dissolution also occurred at the same time. Ichinose sped up his pace through the corridor to arrive before the group (Dragon) dissolved their meeting.
"Let's hurry, okay?" she's telling.
And with that statement, Ichinose quickly walked to his destination in a slight hurry. Since all rooms are located on the same floor, it is possible to quickly cross the distance between one room and another group room. It had only been a minute or two since the discussion time ended and the students on this floor were still few. And soon I arrived in front of the group room (Dragon).
Of course we could not hear the voices of the people inside, but we could still feel their presence so we stopped in front of the room. Perhaps the fact that no one is out means there is a long discussion that continues there. I've sent him a chat, but there is no sign of ‘baca’ from Horikita.
"It seems they're adding to their time"
"It's hard to imagine Ryuuen and Katsuragi discussing each other. Or maybe this is a Class B power that has already shown itself?"
"I wonder, Kanzaki-kun isn't the type to be the center of attention like that .. and are Horikita-san and the others from Class D? It seems like Class D also has a very outstanding lineup there" Ichinose told me in response.
It's not just Horikita, there's Hirata and Kushida too, I thought. And about 10 minutes after the allotted time, the door of the group room (Dragon) finally opened. The first person to come out of the room was the person Ichinose was looking for, Katsuragi. Some students from Class A followed him. Upon seeing Ichinose, Katsuragi turned to face him.
"Ichinose, what are you doing here? It's not a coincidence, is it?"
"There's something I want to discuss with Katsuragi-kun, do you have time?" he asked her.
"The exam passed for a long time. It doesn't matter to me if there's more than enough time" As expected, she doesn't ignore Ichinose, the Class B leader and is responsive to her requests. After understanding Katsuragi's intent, the disciples behind him came forward and left without him.
"It doesn't matter if I stay here, does it?" he asked Ichinose. Nodding, Ichinose quickly moved sideways towards the wall so as not to disturb others passing by. After successfully getting into the conversation, I stood by Ichinose's side. And from Katsuragi's perspective, I'm the only observer who seems acceptable and he didn't say anything.
"Seeing from our discussion, I more or less understood Katsuragi-kun's strategy. You forbid all Class A students in the group to talk, right? If true, would you reconsider your decision? The current exam revolves around talk, right? "
Three times in our discussion, Class A stubbornly kept silent. And such a fortress was not something Ichinose could tear down in a single blow. For Ichinose, this would be an opportunity to destroy the defense. Now, let's take a look at Katsuragi's response.
"A reasonable request, but it's something that has worn me out waiting for him since yesterday to the point that I think you're late asking me about this, Ichinose” Looks like Katsuragi's strategy has received more attention than expected.
"I have my own circumstances to consider, after all Katsuragi-kun, are you going to reconsider your strategy of staying silent?" Ichinose asked him. Katsuragi was seen thinking about the complaints filed by the other three classes.
"The answer is the same. No matter who asks, this is a strategy I made to win and there is a reason behind it as well. You said that this exam revolved around talk, but if there's anything that makes me disagree with it, it's him, the 'thinking' Exam'. It would be a problem if you misunderstood that aspect of the exam. Considering the exam, I decided to ban the discussion... There's nothing wrong there"
"But Katsuragi-kun, it's like you said that you rejected the exam yourself" Ichinose replied.
"My words may be blunt, but there's nothing wrong. Not only the current exam but also the upcoming one, I will look for a way to get results without doing anything, I will play to keep the current A class position. I believe there's nothing wrong with that"
"Yes, if this is a direct competition between classes, Katsuragi-kun has a suitable idea, but in a mixed class exam like this, is this the right way to do things?"
Connect,......