Chereads / Birth of the shadow: Uchiha sasuke x COTE fanfic / Chapter 21 - Shattered illusion-2

Chapter 21 - Shattered illusion-2

Horikita stood frozen, her usually composed expression faltering at Chabashira-sensei's words. The revelation that someone in Class D had achieved full marks on the entrance exam seemed impossible to her.

"In Class D?" Horikita repeated, her tone laced with disbelief. "You're saying someone who scored perfect marks is here, in the same class as... us?"

Chabashira leaned back in her chair, the smirk on her face widening. "Exactly. Surprising, isn't it? The very system you deem flawed has placed you and this student on the same level."

Sasuke, still listening from the kitchen, allowed a faint smirk to tug at his lips. 'It's amusing how quickly Horikita's arrogance is crumbling.'

Horikita's gaze sharpened as she quickly regained her composure. "Who is it?" she demanded. "If such a student exists, I want to know their identity."

Chabashira's expression remained unreadable, though a trace of amusement lingered. "That's not information I'm obligated to share, Horikita. Whether you find out is entirely up to you."

In the kitchen, Sasuke exchanged a brief glance with Ayanokoji, who remained stoic as ever. Ayanokoji raised an eyebrow, silently acknowledging Sasuke's amusement.

Sasuke leaned slightly against the counter, crossing his arms as he exchanged a glance with Ayanokoji. "She's persistent," Sasuke said quietly.

Ayanokoji gave a slight nod. "She won't let it go."

Horikita clenched her fists at her sides, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "Then what was the purpose of telling me this? If you won't reveal who it is, why bring it up?"

Chabashira shrugged casually. "Because you asked."

Horikita's eyes narrowed, the frustration in her expression growing. "Fine. Don't tell me, but I remain dissatisfied with being placed in Class D."

Chabashira tilted her head slightly, her gaze curious. "May I ask why you're dissatisfied?"

"There is no one who would be happy about being incorrectly evaluated," Horikita replied firmly. "And I'm sure the student who scored full marks in Class D feels the same." She paused before continuing, her tone sharp. "Also, the differences between classes greatly affect future prospects. It's only natural that I'm unhappy."

Chabashira chuckled softly, her laughter tinged with mockery. "Correctly evaluated? You have quite the high opinion of yourself."

Horikita bristled but remained silent.

"I recognize that your academic ability is impressive," Chabashira continued. "You are undoubtedly intelligent. However, who decided that intelligence alone warrants placement in a superior class? We never said that."

"That's just… common sense," Horikita retorted, though a hint of uncertainty crept into her voice.

"Common sense? That same 'common sense' created the broken Japan we live in today," Chabashira countered sharply. "Indeed, we used to separate the inferior from the superior using test scores alone. As a result, incompetents, desperate to defeat the truly superior, created a system that only perpetuated inequality. In the end, it led to a hereditary society where status and privilege were passed down, regardless of merit."

In the kitchen, Sasuke noticed Ayanokoji let out a faint, almost inaudible groan.

"What?" Sasuke asked, his tone neutral.

"Nothing," Ayanokoji replied quickly, brushing it off.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow but decided to let it go, focusing instead on the conversation in the staff room.

"Certainly, you have the ability to study. I won't deny that," Chabashira continued. "But this school's goal is to produce excellent people—not just academically gifted ones. It's a mistake to assume you can be assigned to a superior class by academic ability alone. That was explained during the entrance ceremony, wasn't it? Think about it logically. Do you believe someone like Sudou would've been accepted if we only considered intelligence?"

Horikita opened her mouth to reply but found herself unable to refute the point.

"Also," Chabashira added, "it's rash to say there's no one who would be happy about being evaluated below their actual level. Take Class A, for instance. They bear the school's expectations and envy from the lower classes. Competing under such pressure isn't easy. There are students who prefer being in lower-ranked classes to avoid the spotlight."

Horikita frowned, her disbelief evident. "That's a joke, right? I can't understand people like that."

Chabashira smirked. "Really? I think there are a few in Class D. Oddballs who are perfectly content with being underestimated."

"You still haven't explained clearly," Horikita said, regaining her firm tone. "Was my placement in Class D a mistake? Please double-check."

Chabashira's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a calm, authoritative demeanor. "It's too bad, but your placement in Class D was no mistake. You are definitely a student at that level."

Horikita stiffened at the bluntness of the statement, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I see. I'll raise this with the school administration."

"You'll get the same answer," Chabashira replied, unfazed. "But don't lose hope. As I said this morning, classes can rise or fall. There's always the possibility of reaching Class A before graduation."

Horikita crossed her arms, her skepticism apparent. "That doesn't seem like an easy path. How could an immature Class D ever surpass Class A? It seems impossible."

Sasuke, listening intently, silently agreed. 'It's a lofty goal, especially with the current idiots in Class D.'

Ayanokoji remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Chabashira leaned forward slightly. "Whether it's impossible or not is for you to decide. Tell me, do you have a special reason for wanting to be in Class A?"

Horikita hesitated, her usual confidence faltering for a moment. "That is…" She paused before standing abruptly. "I'll excuse myself for today. However, I still don't understand."

Chabashira leaned back, her smirk returning. "Very well. I'll remember that."

The sound of a chair scraping echoed as Horikita stepped away.

"Oh, before you leave," Chabashira said, her tone casual, "I called someone else to the guidance room. Some of who might be relevant to you."

Horikita froze mid-step, her eyes widening. "Relevant…? No way… Niisan—"

"Come out, Uchiha. Ayanokoji," Chabashira called.

Sasuke's smirk deepened slightly. 'It's time.'

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