Chapter 27 - Vol. 1: Chapter 27 - Retreat

On April 16th, the Friday of the second week, I was in my room with four other people. I've gathered them all here right after class."Horikita, Kushida, Hirata, and Karuizawa-san, thank you for sparing some time for me," I said.Right now, Hirata and I were sitting on chairs facing the bed. The three girls were all sitting on the bed itself.I'm surprised that Horikita isn't sitting distantly from her seatmate, Kushida. And even if Karuizawa was the one beside her, I predicted that she'd do the same. It seems like her tolerance for the types of people she dislikes has grown a lot."Of course, Ayanokouji-kun. You wouldn't gather us like this if it wasn't something important." Hirata replied with a gentle expression.I can tell from Karuizawa's eyes that she's struggling. On one hand, she can't act like her true self because only Hirata and I know of it. On the other hand, she can't act as bullish because she shows she'll butt heads with Horikita, which would waste our time. At the same time, she can't act too out of place... Kushida will definitely pick up on that.Right now, it's too dangerous to share her secrets with Kushida. Firstly, she doesn't trust her. And secondly, she might become an enemy, given Horikita's early warning.I've been investigating Kushida's movements for the past week and unfortunately, I haven't found anything concrete just yet."Can I ask what I'm doing here? I can, like, understand why you called Hirata-kun, Kushida-san, Horikita-san, but I'm not a capable student like them." Karuizawa feigned ignorance."That's a reasonable question, Karuizawa-san. Well, I actually called you all here not because of your capabilities as a student. What I'm after are your social skills," I answered."Huh? Do you want us to teach you about social skills? You can talk to others just fine, right?" Karuizawa responded."Karuizawa-san, I think Ayanokouji-kun is referring to something else. Why don't we let him finish?" Kushida wryly smiled as she talked to her."Hmm, fine then." Karuizawa finally decided to start listening.Pristine acting, if I may say so myself."First, I would like to ask you one thing." I looked straight at them before uttering my question. "Do you think I should lead the class?"They didn't react strongly but instead opted to think about the question. After a brief moment of pondering, Hirata was the first one to speak."I... think you should lead the class, Ayanokouji-kun. Your qualities are very excellent. If someone deserves to carve a path for our class, it should be you," said Hirata."I think... I agree with Hirata-kun. I'm not the smartest person in the class. Both Hirata-kun and Horikita-san are more academically capable than I am. But... if Ayanokouji leads the class, I'll do my best to support him as a close friend." Kushida said with determined eyes.I remember the words that Horikita once said to warn me. Just how real were those eyes, Kushida?"Isn't it fine? Ayanokouji-kun's, like, super smart and super athletic. Nothing can go wrong if he becomes the class's leader." Karuizawa joined in with a shrug."I have no complaints. If Ayanokouji-kun can bring us to Class A, then I'll do my best to cooperate." Horikita finally gave her verdict."I see," I sighed softly before continuing. "Then I'll issue my first command to all of you.""Eh? Immediately?" Kushida asked with a genuinely surprised face."Yeah," I nodded. "I want the four of you to lead the class for me."Well, for now, at least. Depending on how the other classes respond, I'd gladly take my position back.An awkward second of silence ensued, but Hirata saved me from my suffering."Care to explain what you meant by that, Ayanokouji-kun?" Hirata asked with a bitter smile.When I looked at everyone's faces, I only felt more embarrassed. Kushida wore the same bitter smile as Hirata. Karuizawa's face was serious on the surface, but I noticed that she was actually trying to hold her laughter. Meanwhile, Horikita was just glaring at me."W-Well... You see, I lack presence, and I want to take advantage of that. After this month, classes will officially start competing against each other," I explained. "I don't mind being in the limelight, but I think it's more efficient if I work from the shadows... at least for now.""I see..." Hirata already has a clue of what I'm talking about from when we discussed Karuizawa's matters. But, of course, he also feigned ignorance for her sake."So you're saying that you want to avoid attention from other classes?" asked Horikita."Similar to that. I'm not exactly trying to avoid attention itself. What I'm trying to do is avoid getting targeted early," I replied."Targeted? By who? And how would they "target" you exactly?" asked Karuizawa."Of course, you can make basic schemes like breaking the rules and throwing the responsibility to someone else. In this case, you'd choose a rule that would result in the suspension or expulsion of a student," I answered."T-That's horrible!" commented Kushida."Who would do something like that...?" Hirata asked with knitted eyebrows."I don't know... but I'm just trying to lock everything down. I'm not saying that I want to stay "safe" on my own, while you guys become my scapegoat. That's just a terrible way to interpret this plan," I explained. "In fact, I don't actually mind being targeted. I believe I can fend off any scheme attempts given the right amount of time and preparation. I'd gladly take the lead role along with their crosshairs on me in the future. However, we can't be naive.""I think I get where you're going, Ayanokouji-kun," Hirata spoke. "You want us to lead the class for you and act as decoys at the same time. Meanwhile, if any of us gets targeted, you'll do everything to stop the assailants yourself. Am I right?""Exactly," I nodded. "It's easier for me to ruin the enemy's plan if he's not aware of my existence. And it's not just about some cliche schemes... The biggest unknown factors for us, are the special exams... Those are what I'm most worried about."Hirata caught on fast. It was also my way to check if any other class had that knowledge. "Certainly... We know nothing about it yet. If the midterms and final exams can get us expelled, it's not a stretch to think that these special exams can do the same..." added Horikita."That's definitely scary..." Kushida said with a frown."As Horikita said, if anyone in the class gets targeted, I'll do everything I can to protect him or her. I won't let anyone get expelled on my watch. Meanwhile, I'll trust you guys to temporarily propel the class forward using your own abilities," I nodded lightly."In other words, you'll put us in charge of the offense, while we leave the defense and counterattacks to you," Hirata concluded my plan using an analogy. "For now, at least.""I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to achieve here. Of course, while no one's getting targeted, I'll do my best to assist you guys from the shadows."For a brief moment, the four of them contemplated everything that they just heard."I'm all for it. I'll follow your plan, Ayanokouji-kun." Hirata agreed with a smile."I'm the same! We'll follow your instructions in the future as well, Ayanokouji-kun!" Kushida exclaimed."Don't overwork me, 'kay?" Karuizawa shrugged with a grin.When we looked at Horikita, she did nothing but nod in agreement."Alright, I guess that's it, huh?" I stood up. "It's still just a little after four o'clock. I'll treat you guys to some drinks in Pallete.""If you want to thank us, then there's really no need, Ayanokouji-kun. But if you're asking us as your friends, then I'm in," replied Hirata."Yey! We get to hang out!" Kushida celebrated."There's no reason to refuse some free drinks, is there?" Karuizawa said with a smile.I turned to Horikita."Do you want to come with us?" I asked."I appreciate the offer, Ayanokouji-kun. But, I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I have something else to do after this. Please enjoy yourselves," Horikita replied with a sigh."Ehh? It would've been fun if you come with us, Horikita-san!" Kushida pleaded."Maybe next time, Kushida-san," she declined with a cool expression. "Well then. I will have to go first. This has been a productive meeting, Ayanokouji-kun. Thank you for letting me participate."Fortunately, she turned Kushida away without a hint of hostility or hate. Of course, I doubt she feels the same on the inside. It must've been really hard for someone like Horikita, who's everything but two-faced, to pull that off."See you, Horikita. See you on Monday," I waved.After everyone exchanged their goodbyes with Horikita, she finally left."Well then, I think we'll have to change our clothes first. Let's meet up at the lobby around 4:30 PM. Is that alright?" Hirata, with his superior social skills, instantly whipped up a schedule like it was perfectly natural."Okay!" Kushida nodded enthusiastically."Sure!" Karuizawa did the same.I nodded in agreement. The three of them finally left after we exchanged our own "see you later"s.After taking off my uniform, I lay topless on my bed. It's unusually warm— Oh right, Horikita and the other two were sitting here just a little while ago... Somehow, remembering that made my heart race. It should be a normal reaction for a high school boy like me, right?I noticed slight changes in the shape of my own body. I traced my fingers along the lines of my arm muscles and torso."My physical condition is slowly getting back to its peak. Those morning exercise routines seem effective," I murmured aloud.Of course, it's still nothing compared to my physical fitness regimes back then.With those fleeting thoughts, I got back up and prepared to leave.