Chapter 14 - Vol. 1: Chapter 14 - Abilities

"Obsessed?" Horikita became slightly confused."Chabashira-sensei told us about the special exams, which wasn't supposed to be mentioned when we paid for her information. Her current attitude towards the class isn't easy to read due to her frequent mockings, but her indifference is completely gone. And lastly, Chabashira-sensei is being awfully cooperative with us. Too cooperative, even," I said. "I suppose the decisive piece of evidence I need will be from Chairman Sakayanagi's mouth, but I don't have it right now. I'm only around 75% sure about this.""You think you've figured everything out, Ayanokouji?" Chabashira-sensei asked with a smirk."I'm not that conceited, Sensei. If I said anything wrong, then again, please correct me," I asked, closing my eyes.Horikita was looking back and forth between Sensei and me at a slow pace."What do you think, Horikita? Do you believe in everything that Ayanokouji has said thus far?" Chabashira-sensei turned her attention to Horikita."I honestly can't tell. Ayanokouji-kun's arguments are shaky at best. As he said, there is no decisive evidence. However, you, yourself, are suspicious, Sensei," replied Horikita."Oh, please. You don't have to try so hard to act skeptical. It's fine to act impressed when it comes to Ayanokouji. After all, he's completely right. I want Class A. I want you guys to become Class A," admitted Chabashira-sensei."Do you understand, Horikita? I don't know how long Chabashira-sensei has been teaching in this school, but it's clear that the past Class Ds she's handled before were all subpar. This year is different, however. There may be a lot of defectives, but we still have wildcards like you, Hirata, Sudou, and Kushida. There are also unknowns like Kouenji. In short, we have a chance to rise on the ranks," I explained."I can understand that students who graduate in Class A will have bright futures, but what's in it for the teachers? Are there special rewards?" asked Horikita."You're exactly right, Horikita. Teachers are also evaluated by the performance of their classes during graduation. And of course, the better classes' homeroom advisers will be rewarded accordingly—" I interrupted her."That doesn't matter. I don't think Chabashira-sensei cares about those rewards in the least. I'm guessing that it's all for a personal reason," I said."You've been saying; "You think-", "You're guessing-", and things like that from the start. Ayanokouji-kun, you're simply speculating things—" Now it's Horikita who was interrupted by Sensei."Horikita, his speculations were all on point, weren't they? This is one's not an exception. I do have my own personal obsession and reason for reaching Class A, but that's not for you kids to know about. Just remember that I'm on your side as long as Ayanokouji works his way there." Chabashira-sensei shrugged her shoulders.I thought so... "Sigh... Well, that's all for my business with you, Sensei. Horikita, it's your turn." I turned to Horikita for the first time."Oh, I thought Horikita was just your spectator," teased Chabashira-sensei."Sensei, I'm not satisfied with my placement in Class D. I'm sure I did well on the entrance exam, and I don't remember making any mistakes in the interview. So, why? I would like to know the reason for it," asked Horikita with a serious expression on her face."I was prepared to be asked that question for a while now, so I have my answers ready. Telling students about their entrance exam results isn't normally allowed, but I can make an exception for you, Horikita. To be honest, I'm impressed. You had the third-highest overall result for your entire year. It's the same with Yukimura, who also scored amazingly. Both of you did perfectly well on your interviews, too." Chabashira-sensei clapped softly."Then why...? If Yukimura-kun and I are superior students, why are we in Class D?" Horikita, who was both confused and angry with what she just heard, asked strongly."Horikita, who decided that smart students are the superior ones?" Chabashira-sensei's expression suddenly turned serious."W-What..." Horikita muttered reflexively."Well, that's all I can tell you. I can't say anything further." With that, Horikita turned to glare at me."Do you believe my theory now?" I asked, to which Horikita responded with a click of her tongue."Oh, Ayanokouji's figured it out and has told you about it already? What's with that, Horikita? You didn't even need to ask me at all, did you?" Chabashira-sensei said in a slightly mocking tone."I acknowledge Ayanokouji-kun's intelligence, but that doesn't mean he's a superior student. I believe that I can do better than him in academics, and I'm confident enough in my athletic abilities." Horikita said with indignation."Oh, really now?" Chabashira-sensei looked at me with a curious smile, probably because she also had no idea what the extent of my abilities was."Well... I'm sorry, Horikita. But I don't think you can beat me in either of those. And you should know that I don't need to brag or lie about this. If you don't believe me... then I guess we can try competing in the first early quizzes and physical tests," I said."Are you serious...? Fine then, we'll see who's more superior when the time comes," She says that, but her confidence definitely took a hit when I told her that she couldn't beat me. I don't think I sounded arrogant because I was simply stating a fact. She must've sensed that I was just telling the truth."Well then, if Yukimura or any of your other classmates have a problem with their placements, just tell them what I told you here today. In this school, we value the talents and potential of our students. We don't focus on one aspect alone. We try to nurture everything so that you can become an upstanding citizen in the future." Chabashira-sensei said, as a matter-of-factly."Thank you for your time, Sensei. Horikita, let's go?" I asked."Yeah... Let's go." Horikita followed me after bowing lightly towards Chabashira-sensei.Not able to bear the silence, Horikita instantly asked me when we reached the third floor."Were you really not lying? Are you that confident in your abilities?" Horikita asked with a glower."Yeah. For reference, I can easily ace the entrance exam if I want. Or wait... maybe that's too light of a reference... Horikita, do you know if 𝛾 is rational? Do you know the answer to 𝜋+e? How about the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture, or perhaps the Riemann Hypothesis?" I asked."What in the... I... I can guess that those are mathematical concepts, but no... I don't. I don't know them. Why would you suddenly ask that?" Horikita became even more confused."Those are some of the math problems that remain unsolved to this day. I've reached a level where I've learned everything about math that I have nothing left to ponder about but those unsolved problems. Does that make a good reference of my academic abilities to you?" I asked with my usual monotonous voice."That's just... ridiculous... Do you seriously think I would believe that...?" Horikita gasped."Of course not. You're free to believe whatever you want." I continued to walk, turning my back to her.Horikita and I continued walking our way to the dorms. When we reached the lobby, I started talking before we jumped into the elevator."Do you still want to talk in my room?" I asked."No... I think I'm good for today. I need some time to think about the things I've learned from our conversations...""I see. We'll just continue tomorrow then," I responded.Oh, I almost forgot."By the way, Horikita. Is it alright if I ask for your contact info?" I immediately started trying to grab my phone."Oh... That's fine." Horikita said yes without much commotion. I'm glad. Knowing her, I thought I was going to get brutally rejected.After I got a hold of her info, the elevator door suddenly opened because we'd reached the fourth floor."See you tomorrow, Horikita." I gently waved my hand."Yes. See you tomorrow." Horikita responded, but she only stared at me with her usual cool expression.I would probably head down again later to buy some food. I changed my clothes and lay on the bed for a bit."7:32 PM, huh?" I muttered under my breath before plugging my phone to charge.High school is pretty nice, isn't it?I honestly thought that to myself. I wonder what else I could learn here. It would be great if I made more friends— not just from my class. But if I want to do so, my time is limited. Once the first month is over, we'll be at each other's throats. Making friends outside the class around that time will be drastically more difficult.Sigh... On second thought, high school is pretty hard, isn't it?