The ball rotated lightly in the air, landing with a small plop in my hand. Repeating the motion again and again as my back rested on the bed had become boring, but I couldn't be bothered moving either…
Two weeks.
That's all the time I had left until the end of the first month and the curtain would be pulled, revealing this place for what it truly was.
Was I wrong?
God, I hope not…
Not because that might be embarrassing, I couldn't care less about the rest of my so-called peers in that classroom. But because the alternative mind-numbing tedium would completely snuff out the flames of conflict. Three years of the same shit as middle school. Couldn't think of anything worse.
…
The ball fell once again, with a soft sound. Nestling into the crease between my thumb and forefinger.
Points. Guaranteed employment. Classroom hierarchy. Free meals. Inequity. Sakagami. Manipulated results. Constant surveillance even for the teachers…
All of it hinged on the S-system. It made things possible…
Made what possible?
The running of this school? But for what purpose?
The hints are all there, this school is different, like some weird social experiment or something…
100,000 points per person, per month. 40 students per class. Four classes per year, with three years present.
I scanned the bed briefly.
No phone…
I forgot I put it on charge.
…Calculator's too far away.
"Tch." Whatever.
Even without working the numbers a single class would receive 4 million yen in a month. A stupid amount of money.
What was it…? 5 million yen was the average yearly household income, or thereabouts? It wasn't just a huge amount of money, it was exorbitant. If one were to harness all those funds… Living comfortably would be the least of your problems, whether here or out there in the real world.
"No, that's not quite right…"
This place… You couldn't see it from the goods or commerce. But prices are inflated, beyond reasonable levels. You could live with little money being spent, but that wasn't the purpose of the S-system. It was to succeed, to stand above others.
"Changing seats… that was nearly 50,000 yen." Even if it was an auction put together on a whim…
Wait…
Was it a whim? Sakagami seemed nonchalant, as if he didn't care either way, but who's to say whether he has implicit instructions given to react in that way? That time in the staff room could've also been to comply with orders. Otherwise, what point would there be to monitor the staff room?
…
I sat up in a rush. A smirk forming over my lips.
"Doesn't that mean… he would have a reason to disregard orders?" Do the teachers have an incentive to act out of turn? I can't think of any reason to put them under a microscope at all times, if that isn't the reason.
If security was the main reason, then a camera placed outside the room in view of the door would be more than enough. The fact Sakagami was on guard also gives the idea that the feed is either consistently or checked semi-frequently.
Without access to non-student areas it's almost impossible to get a clear picture of how many cameras are on campus. My count had already elevated into the hundreds. Monitoring all of that space 24/7 is all but impossible. So… how often? Do certain areas get checked more often? How often does the camera feed get restored? Do the cameras constantly record, or just when they sense movement?
I had a lot of questions, and I intended to get answers.
I already knew Sakagami wouldn't answer my questions, at least not without coughing up for them. That pawn's information already cost me quite dearly and that was under the condition I wouldn't spread it around.
Well, what Sakagami didn't know wouldn't hurt him…
But seriously? What does it take to get those scores? With pinpoint accuracy? In all subjects?
Is he autistic or something? You know like the kind that get super invested in hobbies and suddenly know everything under the sun about that niche information?
Come to think of it…
Are the so-called scholars just retards that got fixated on the useful stuff instead of… I dunno… model train kits?
…
I squoze the ball tightly, throwing it immediately at the small trash can on the other side of the room.
The hell am I wasting my time thinking about?
"Hmph."
Retard or not I'd make use of him and the little blue midget that followed him around. Those two were a meal set, I had one then it was almost assured I had the other. I didn't need to know how they ticked, didn't need to understand how or why he could achieve those scores. Nor does it matter if his guesses about the upperclassmen were correct. The only thing that matters is how they can be of use to me.
That's it.
If they resist, then all I have to do is put them down.
The same goes for any of the others.
And for that message to ring loud and clear, for the alarm bells of fear to blare in that classroom at all times, an example was necessary.
The only question that remained…
Who was it?
"Kukuku…" I couldn't help myself get a bit excited at the thought.
I think I'll take my time with this one…
[Civil War]
"Do I have everyone's attention?"
"Yes, Hirata-kun! Will you boys hush already?"
"What is it now? We already stopped talking in class, we aren't going to have to do more are we?"
"No, that's quite alright, Ike-kun. I just wanted to thank everyone for their behaviour over the last two weeks. We can't see the results quite so soon, but I'm sure we'll have favourable results thanks to everyone's efforts. Well done, once more. Let's keep this up to the end of the month!"
"Yeah! We'll get those points!"
"What should we buy with the points we get next month?"
"Ooh, I seen this cute dress the other day…"
"There was that game coming out next month…"
"Heh. I can't wait until you have to pay the piper; Hirata-kun and Kushida-san. Don't blame me for it, you took the deal." The voice was relaxed, almost mocking in tone.
"Don't make it sound like you planned it, they gave you the deal…" Another boy responded in a timid outburst.
"What was that Ijuin?!"
"N-Nothing…"
"100,000 points and all I had to do was not sleep in class. Too easy."
"So long as you follow your end of the deal and don't contribute to any infractions then you'll get those points. However, don't forget our deal."
"I know. I know. If it really turns out to be true, I'll follow any orders you have to say about school from now on. But it ain't gonna happen. You guys have been watching way too much anime, didn't have you pegged for a nerd though, Hirata. Hahahaha!"
"Fufu. I can't bear to watch such foolishness. Adieu."
"Kouenji-kun. Can we rely on you to act as you have been so far?"
"I act as I please. Nothing more or less."
"It would be reassuring if we could have your partnership, though I apologise if I feel I have forced your hand in that aspect…"
"I don't blame a commoner for misunderstanding. No one can force my hand. Although, I must admit watching you people dither about can be entertaining. In fact, I wonder just who will step forward once the 'piper is to be paid' as he put it."
"Of course, should Sudou-kun be correct then we will pay him. I would offer to do so myself, but Kushida-san was kind enough to take on that burden."
"Burden? Nothing more than a wager. Only… you two didn't set down the chips. That is what is so interesting to me."
"Kouenji-kun?"
He shut the door behind himself with little more than a smirk on his face.
Kouenji was a strange person, even in this class filled with bizarre characters. From his actions it doesn't seem like Kouenji's planning on getting in the way. So long as he remains a non-factor that's fine… however, if he chooses to become a detriment issues will arise. If a single cog falls out of place, Hirata's plans to control the behaviour in the classroom would become worthless. It would be possible to lose all points by the time next month rolls around. If his hypothesis is correct.
"The real reason I asked for your attention is for attendance at a study group me and Kushida-san will be heading. Attendance is not mandatory, however, there will be refreshments provided if you do choose to participate. Let's not think of it as a forced study session but instead as a class get together. A party of sorts. I'd like to keep spirits high if you'd all like to join."
"A party? I'll be there."
"Yeah!"
"Count me in too, Hirata-kun and Kushida-chan!"
"Yeah, yeah… you say that, but we've still got to study whilst we're there… Sounds like a pain."
"Of course, we'll be going to karaoke afterwards. Anyone interested feel free to join us, the room has already been reserved so the only cost you have to cover would be drinks of your own."
"…Can't even cover drinks there, huh? That free ride ended rather quickly." One of the boys uttered his worthless complaints into his sleeve.
"Haruki."
"Huh? What?"
"Don't you see, this is our chance."
"Chance…? For what?"
"If we go to karaoke, Kushida-chan will definitely be there as an organiser of the event…"
"I mean, yeah… but why does that matter?"
"You fool. Not only do we get to hear her no doubt angelic voice but…"
Gasp!
"But…"
"Impossible! It can't be done."
"But if we get lucky…"
"Even so…"
"We can use the study session before it to get points with her and then…"
"Karaoke will be our chance..."
"Whoever gets to sing a duet with her…"
"Might have a shot."
"Hey, Kanji. No hard feelings."
"Heh. Yeah."
"May the better man win."
Not a chance in hell.
They would have better luck finding a needle in a haystack whilst blindfolded and immune to pain. That's the kind of uphill battle these two were fighting. I didn't mind betting on the underdog, only this dog was probably a Pug or French bulldog and had several inborn defects. The kind of dog that's endearingly ugly but would naturally die off with little effort, just breathing gave them a difficult time, just like the two boys I was looking at. The resemblance was honestly uncanny.
"Horikita-san, will you be joining us for the study group?" Kushida extending an invite to Horikita, that didn't surprise me.
"Unnecessary. I shall study alone as I always have." Horikita declining the offer. That didn't surprise me either.
"Then perhaps you would join us for karaoke after?" And so Kushida persisted, it feels like a variation of the usual routine. One would think she'd get tired of it by now, I admired that persistence. If not because Horikita was a naturally unlikable person. Or rather she didn't want to be liked in the first place.
They were polar opposites in a sense. Kushida trying everything to be liked by everyone. But it didn't come off as pathetic or needy like others might if they had tried the same, instead she had a genuine interest in most things and just seemed to enjoy being around people.
One spread joy and the other despair. It was the classic light versus dark. Good versus evil.
And the sides couldn't be more obvious.
"Even more unnecessary." The ice queen replied with a blunt tone. A tone that bashed you in the head to truly let that realisation sink in.
"It couldn't be because you're worried about your banshee-like voice, could it?" Those words had sprung from my mouth without a thought. I was almost surprised at my own lack of restraint.
"Setsuya-kun. Perhaps you should attend, seeing as you would rather cloud watch than pay attention to the class?"
"…I can't help it that I don't understand that stuff. At least I'm not being detrimental to our class points, like the others."
"That doesn't make you any less incompetent. Keep stargazing as class goes on, tell me how that goes for you." I couldn't help this overwhelming sense of boredom. My brain wanted escape, so it looked away from the classroom.
She continued. "After all, the best way to understand something is to never confront it head on. You fool."
Sigh. I hated giving her ammunition. Because she was right. Didn't make her any less unlikeable, though. I looked away.
"Ice woman."
"Idiot." She returned.
"No friends."
"Buffoon."
"Scary."
"Coward."
"Oppressive."
"Masochist."
"…Man of defined tastes."
"Unrelenting pervert." The unrelenting was a bit unnecessary, no?
I shifted focus, instead pinning in on her appearance. Something she could probably feel pretty secure in, if not proud of.
"Slender."
She looked once at me with revulsion. "Unkempt."
"Kind of cute… but in an annoying way."
"Utterly vapid and ignorant." This wasn't the play, I guess.
"R-red eyes…?"
"Unremarkable. In every which way; from your toenails to your last strand of hair. I honestly almost forgot your name whist we were speaking right now." My entire existence has been trashed.
…
Fine. If you want to play it that way, then we can. I'm not against playing dirty! Because I know your weakness!
HAHAHAHA!
I pointed at the one character-trait she would never be able to defend…
"Small chest." It wasn't true nor was it false. But I felt like it might actually bother Horikita for the first time, so I took a chance.
"Virgin. Please die." That last part wasn't even a character trait, just a request.
Alter course! I don't like how she's holding that compass!
"Pure."
"Filthy."
"Forgiving?"
"Justice."
"…Justice?"
"Ouch." I felt a puncture in my shoulder. I was made into a pin cushion.
"…?" As I nursed my twenty-eight stab wounds, I watched the unforgiving ice queen remove herself from the seat and stand above me. The shadow eclipsing any chance I had of ever seeing the sun again.
Scary…
"Loser." I watched her form trot off like any other day through the doors and no doubt straight back to the dorms. Alone as usual.
…Loser.
"…" I don't know why, but that one actually hit pretty deep.
…
"I'm not a loser am I, Kushida?"
"I-I wouldn't say so… Haha…" A quiet and tired laugh left her lips. Wow…
"…"
"Damnit…" She got me.
[Civil War]
AAAAHHHHH!
My vocalisations were muffled by the large cotton obstruction grasped between my hands.
…
I had resorted to screaming into my pillow now.
I wasn't quite sure of how or what I was supposed to do…
Like… what even are friends?
It felt right to say that in the moment, to call him a friend, and I did value the things Ayanokouji had done in pursuit of that friendship but… what do I do now?
What do friends do?
Radio silence would just mean nothing's changed. Even if we affirmed our acceptance of each other, nothing has changed in essence. We aren't talking over the phone or in person more than we would before… Is anything different?
I don't know…
A feeling nags at me that something has changed…. But I don't know what or how it has.
Did I deserve change? Did I deserve friends?
I don't know that either…
All I've done is hide and run from the people that extended their hands to me. Both Kushida and Ayanokouji, what did they even want with me?
Why were they helping me?
It felt like at every step of the way I faltered someone was there with sagely advice to guide me on a different path. Without Kushida's advice I wouldn't have talked to Ayanokouji again… Without Ryuuen's constant meddling I wouldn't have jumped in between them. And without Ayanokouji… this school would be a lot more boring and these three years even more difficult to sit through.
He gave up on his good reputation for me…
Why?
That was the main question I still couldn't answer.
It wasn't because he liked me in that way, he already said as much himself; 'It wouldn't matter who it is, I'm not ready for that kind of relationship.'
That idea gave me so much relief… it meant he wasn't becoming closer to me for such a stupid reason.
But if that isn't it… what's the real reason?
He likes me as a person?
…
Yeah, don't kid yourself…
Who the hell would enjoy being berated and hurt every time they interact with you? You've never been kind, considerate or compassionate. You're not even nice to be around. You can't pay genuine compliments to people, you can't wear your feelings on your sleeve. What can you even do?
…
Even that time on the bus was no more than simple guilt. I gave that seat up simply because that old couple reminded me of the grandparents that had raised me after my parents had given up on the same task.
That's all it was.
…If they were convinced that a good heart hid under all the brambles and thorns that were my exterior, then those two were mistaken.
I don't think I'm capable of genuinely caring about people. Because every moment the thought of love, kindness and friendship come to mind I just remember that a person like me could never be the recipient of such feelings.
I was undeserving.
Obviously.
…
…Does that mean I turn my back and run away again? Nothing will be any different from before! Ayanokouji's sacrifice would be completely pointless.
All due to my own selfishness.
SMACK!
My cheeks were red raw from the impact.
I needed to wake up already.
I thought I had changed because I had talked to Ayanokouji. Because I had said his friendship mattered. And he had accepted.
Nothing changes until I make the effort.
Not a single moment. But continual efforts… The hero didn't overcome adversity in a single scene, through a single choice. It was a road of difficult steps that reached the conclusion.
Ayanokouji accepted easily because that's the type of person he is. Didn't you learn that as early as the infirmary? I already attacked him, and he forgave it without batting an eye. If he won't hold me accountable, then I'll have to do it myself.
I didn't have friends before, because I lacked the courage to take that first step. Afraid that the world would shun me on principle. If I changed then that would mean I lost, as if I were fighting some great war against everyone around me. Not realising I was just pushing everyone away before even giving them a proper chance…
Now the friends I wanted had knocked on my door and I had nearly pretended no one was home to save face from the fact I looked unkempt. That I was unfamiliar and scared of the change it might bring. The fact that people could get close meant that you could get hurt and that was too much for me to bear.
What was the right answer?
Isn't it obvious? It's been staring me in the face for too long. To embrace exactly what scared me all this time.
Before I never had a reason to comply, just a possibility. Now the outcome was staring me right in the face.
I had to change.
For the better.
…
An example stood before me. It could work, if only I actually tried it.
…
I rocked tiredly on the bed until my feet cautiously reached towards the floor. The cool wooden slats resting against the calloused flesh of my feet.
I was unremarkable, uncouth and harsh against anyone I crossed paths with. I wasn't soft or dainty like girls should be. My skin was hardened and bruised in all the wrong places, like an apple dropped from a tree on a mountain top. I barely even had the form of what should be a woman. I was boyish, scruffy, had a temper and couldn't be honest with anyone else, not even myself.
But you're telling me… someone still wants me near them? In spite of all that?
I don't want to let go of that possibility.
The realisation that he wasn't there when I had come down from the roof. The idea that more moments like that could come to pass, less time spent with him crossed my mind… and I felt apprehensive. The idea that it could happen saddened me.
The image of their backs appeared over one another…
It had been a long time since I had thought of that. I had made peace with my situation and lived accordingly, at least that's what I thought…
But the idea that another person gave me the chance and turned away. I can't bear it.
…
The truth is… I don't want to be alone.
I'd do anything to change that.
Even if it meant becoming someone else…
---
Word count: 3535
New POV character introduced in the second part of this chapter being… Setsuya? I know, I know. Hold up, just let me cook. I promise I'll try to make it interesting. I think the interaction was fun with Horikita but let me know. The state of Class D is probably on your minds. I won't be answering questions on that, feel free to theorize it'll be revealed in time anyway.
I think some readers might think Ibuki and Ayanokouji's thing is all resolved simply because they talked in that moment. That couldn't be further from the truth. Ibuki is a person riddled with inadequacy issues and self-doubt. That situation was something that fell into her lap, it's only natural she would still feel unfulfilled after, since Ayanokouji accepted her half-baked apology as easily as swatting a fly. They still have plenty of ways to develop and grow going forward. This story will be focusing on their relationship as the focal point as seen from Ayanokouji's focus on it in previous chapters.
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Until next time.