Classroom of the Elite 2nd year Volume 12.5
Chapter 11. Goals
Next Monday, the new school term will finally begin, marking our third and final year at school.
I arrived at Class 2-B with Horikita first, and then the other students in their uniforms gradually gathered in the classroom.
It seems that, as long as we follow the rule of not dirtying the classroom or leaving trash, we can use it for an hour. The classroom has 39 seats in total, but due to Yahagi's withdrawal, one seat is now vacant. The seating arrangement has been adjusted to match the new Class 2-B configuration. Although we were told to bring our own drinks, Sudou seems to have borrowed a large insulated water jug from the basketball club and filled it with tea to provide free drinks for everyone. A few other girls also brought thermoses, kindly preparing hot cocoa and iced tea for the group.
After a while, I exchanged glances with Satou and a few other girls who are close to Karuizawa. However, they didn't approach me directly—probably not wanting to dampen the celebratory mood.
That said, my relationship with them has taken a significant step back compared to before.
It's just like them, though, to care so deeply about their friends and empathize with them. It's a good tendency to have.
Besides that, a few other people seemed to be paying attention to me. A subtle sense of unease that I hadn't noticed since the entrance ceremony until now. Perhaps they've caught a glimpse of my abilities.
As the scheduled time approached, 35 students had gathered in total. Karuizawa and Takahashi still hadn't shown up.
"Karuizawa-san doesn't seem to be coming... Was it really her who initiated the breakup?"
The one who initiates a breakup should come to something like this with a clear conscience, shouldn't they? Horikita speculated.
She probably noticed the cold stares Satou and the others were giving me.
"Maybe she's just busy with something or not feeling well?"
"…Yeah. That's possible."
Perhaps hearing "Karuizawa's" name, Yousuke, who had been glancing in our direction, walked over.
"Mind if I interrupt for a moment? It's about Karuizawa-san… I heard about it."
Horikita stepped back immediately, silently signaling that she wouldn't intrude.
"Even though you helped out so much, I ended up letting you down. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for. It's unfortunate you two broke up, but these kinds of things can't always be helped. Besides, I'm not in a position to lecture others."
Horikita listened quietly from the side, so Yousuke played along, pretending he had been in a relationship with Karuizawa—even if it wasn't true.
"Do you know how she's doing?"
"Satou invited her, but it seems like she still couldn't come. I don't know what I can do for Karuizawa moving forward, but I intend to help her if she's in trouble. Not just her—my goal is to support the entire class so we can all move forward. So, you don't need to worry."
Even without the topic of Karuizawa, Yousuke still has a thing or two he holds against me. He probably wanted to bring them up here.
In his words, there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction over how I handled Maezono's expulsion.
Yet he understands that he can't blame me for it.
That's precisely why he reaffirmed his determination to protect the class.
"Don't worry" was also Yousuke's way of signaling his resolve.
"If there's ever a time when you're unsure about something, Ayanokouji-kun… I hope you'll talk to me."
"Horikita said something similar. Thanks, Yousuke."
"…Alright. I'll see you later. I'm going to go chat with everyone for a bit."
Despite struggling to maintain his composure, Yousuke put on his signature smile and joined the group of classmates.
"He's already realized it—the choice you made was the right one."
"There's no need for him to think I was right. People can't just live off pretty words; growth doesn't happen that easily. Let him wrestle with it."
As long as he fights, struggles, and finds answers closer to the truth within the class, that's enough.
"You're surprisingly calm."
"I'm just not sensitive. If you don't let criticism affect you, you also won't be swayed by praise."
I don't need anyone's acknowledgment of my accomplishments.
No one understands me better than I do.
"…I see. But I still want to say—I'm truly grateful to you."
"Even though I caused Maezono's expulsion?"
"That was an exam where expelling someone was necessary to win. In the end, the problem wasn't yours—it was mine. I need to keep growing, to make decisions not just once, but twice or three times. I need to develop the ability to win without causing anyone to be expelled."
After answering my question, Horikita smiled wryly and continued:
"I've thought about it countless times, but it never seems to go smoothly."
"Indeed. Time flies. From a lifetime perspective, these two years are just a small part. If you want to hone the ability to solve everything perfectly, there's still a long way to go."
Horikita replied with a simple "That's true," then walked to the podium as her classmates cheered her on.
1.
The celebration began, and as it was about to end—
I stood at the back of the classroom, slightly away from the crowd, watching the final moments of the revelry.
Ayanokouji-kun approached and handed me a paper cup, a sweet cocoa aroma wafting from it.
"Thanks."
Then, the two of us quietly watched our classmates together.
At that moment, everyone was taking turns sharing their goals for the upcoming year.
It was Ike-kun's turn.
I thought he might pull some foolish stunt to grab attention, but that wasn't the case this time.
"…I… well, during spring break, I kept thinking—will Maezono, who dropped out, keep trying her best?"
"Hey, Kanji, why bring up such a downer topic now that it's your turn?"
Perhaps thinking he was about to rehash old events, Sudou-kun tried to stop him.
But Ike-kun shook his head, denying it, and continued:
"That's not what I mean. It's just… it happened so suddenly. It wasn't just Maezono—it felt like any of us could've been the one to leave… I've realized I can't just keep drifting through life every day."
"Yeah, no matter what happens, being prepared in advance is what's most important."
Yukimura-kun chimed in, agreeing with Ike-kun.
"I've never seriously thought about my future plans before—not even once."
After all the chaos over someone dropping out or for other reasons, in the end, you still have to think about your future.
Even if you were expelled from school tomorrow, you should always act with the long term in mind.
It seems he has come to understand how crucial this is.
"Becoming someone who naturally handles things isn't easy, but now that you've realized this, maybe you can do it. Don't forget what you just said."
Like a teacher giving advice to a student, Yukimura-kun offered these words to Ike-kun.
Afterward, the classmates took turns speaking one by one on the podium.
"Most of the students have grown a little. Ike and the others are living proof."
"Yeah, compared to when we first enrolled, it's like night and day."
"So, what's your goal?"
"Me? My goal is…"
If I thought about it too deeply, I might get lost in my thoughts, so I decided to trust my instincts.
"To believe in myself, and to believe in my classmates. If we can do that… we'll definitely graduate as Class A."
I expressed this small resolution of mine.
Of course, it's also a statement that will undoubtedly lead to challenges in the future.
Even so, I conveyed this to Ayanokouji-kun, preparing myself mentally to leave no room for retreat.
"That's a good goal."
"R-Really? It's nothing special, though, just the obvious thing to do…"
"Doing what's obvious is actually quite admirable."
"…I suppose you're right."
Accomplishing what's expected of you.
Indeed, that's not an easy thing to do.
"What's your goal, Ayanokouji-kun?"
"I can't tell you right now."
"Hey, that's not fair!"
Frustrated that I had to spill everything while he dodged the question, I leaned closer to Ayanokouji-kun.
But as I drew near, I suddenly felt embarrassed and quickly backed away.
"Ah… fine. You better tell me next time."
"Next time, then."
To escape his self-assured gaze, I turned my attention to the window.
Although there are many things about Ayanokouji-kun that irritate me, his presence is undeniably reassuring.
To me, he has become a powerful source of support—this is an undeniable truth.
After gazing out the window for a while, my emotions gradually calmed, and I spoke another goal out loud.
"In the coming year, as a companion and classmate, I want to earn your recognition once again."
I spoke the words that naturally came to my mind.
"I won't ask you to help me with everything, but I hope you'll stay by my side and watch over me—"
Although I was a little aware of my cheeks getting hot, I turned my gaze to Ayanokouji-kun standing next to me.
However—
The figure of Ayanokouji-kun, who had been there moments ago, had already disappeared.
"…Ayanokouji-kun?"
Even after looking around the classroom, I couldn't find him anywhere.
Maybe he went to the bathroom?
That would usually be the obvious conclusion.
But… strangely, I felt a mix of loneliness and helplessness.
—Even after the celebration party was over, he didn't return to the classroom.