(Author: Frankly, avoiding failing marks on the midterm exam isn’t an obstacle at all for Class A, so from here on, Volume 1 will end in about 2 or 3 chapters.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Two weeks remain until the midterm exam.
During morning homeroom, Mashima-sensei informed us that a major change had been made to the exam scope.
At first glance, it might seem like an unbelievable outrage, but considering the exam scope was announced two weeks in advance, there’s no real need to panic.
By the way, regarding those past exam papers, I made copies at the convenience store on my way to school this morning and handed them over to Arisu.
At this rate, Arisu’s faction will take a massive lead.
…Assuming everything proceeds smoothly, that is.
“Hey, Honjo…” “Hmm?” It was currently lunch break.
As usual, while enjoying my lunch in the cafeteria with Arisu and her lackey brigade, Hashimoto alternated between staring at me and at my bento box with a grimace.
“I’ve been debating whether to say this until today, but I can’t hold it back anymore.
…Why is the content of your bento exactly the same every single day?!” I wondered what it was, only for it to be a critique of my lunchbox.
Looking closely, all the other members besides Arisu were wearing subtle expressions as well.
“Oh?
Do you guys intend to nitpick the bento I devised with perfect nutritional balance?” “No, no, it’s not about the balance!
Put yourself in our shoes, having to watch a standardized meal without a hair’s breadth of difference day after day!
Not only the bento, but even the order you eat it and the time you finish are almost identical—it’s honestly starting to give me a sense of terror!” Even if you tell me that, this is my routine, so I can only tell you to give up.
“It is useless to say anything to Kiriha on this matter, everyone.
Whenever Kiriha cooks for himself, he stubbornly eats the exact same dish for all three meals straight.” “…Princess, is that for real?” “It is for real.
It was already like this when I first met him.” “Creepy…
Are you a robot or something?” “How rude.
Who are you calling Doraemon?” “I didn’t say that?!” To me, meals are nothing more than a process for body-building.
I don’t find it agonizing to eat the same dish every time; rather, calculating nutritional balance over and over again from scratch is an utmost hassle.
To enjoy a meal, for me, doesn’t refer to enjoying the flavor, but to enjoying the interaction with the people sharing the dining table.
“Oh dear…
It’s gotten completely late.” Checking in on the Karate Club after a long while, I found members working tirelessly on heavy practice in the dojo, despite the upcoming exams.
Apparent reason being: while I promised to deliver results in individual matches, the captain and the others are genuinely aiming for the nationals in team competitions.
Hearing such passionate ambition made me want to lend a hand, and before I knew it, I ended up getting carried away coaching until the final exit time.
After temporarily returning to the dorms, hurriedly finishing dinner and preparing tomorrow’s bento, I did the training that forms part of my routine…
and before I realized it, past 10:00 PM had rolled around.
“Getting sleep-deprived would be putting the cart before the horse, so maybe I’ll pass on late-night self-study…
Oh?” At a time like this, I spotted a female student with distinctive long black hair stepping out of the dormitory building.
If it were just that, I’d find it curious but leave it alone, but without missing a beat, a brown-haired male student came out and followed after her.
Still being a naive youth myself, I couldn’t resist my curiosity and decided to trail the two of them.
However, what greeted my eyes behind the dorms was a sight of the President attempting to throw the black-haired girl, while the brown-haired guy grabbed his hand to stop him.
…Wait, what’s going on here?
While I was puzzling over it, the President switched his target to the brown-haired guy and attacked.
The brown-haired guy handled the President’s storm of violence with extreme dexterity, but…
it’s probably better to step in and stop this, right?
I pulled a certain item from my pocket and crossed at high speed between the President and the brown-haired guy.
“—!
Honjo…
Mm?!” “Brother?!” It was no surprise that the black-haired girl—who was apparently the President’s younger sister—looked shocked.
What I had just prepared were several thin wires…
which were now wrapped around the President’s arms and legs.
Or rather, brown-haired guy, zero reaction?
Judging by that previous clash and this, you’re quite a big deal, aren’t you, pal?
“…What is the meaning of this, Honjo?” “No, that’s my line, Mr.
President.
Even though you were lecturing Akane-senpai so arrogantly about the Student Council’s dignity and whatnot, turning to ‘long live violence’ yourself is honestly a bit of a turn-off.” I’ve owed you for various things, but business is business.
After being glared at in silence for a while, the President eventually let out a sigh and raised both hands.
“To be lectured by a first-year…
I am still green myself.
I no longer have any intent to fight, so will you remove them?” “Understood.
That was a big help, Mr.
President.
If I had opposed you and gotten hated by Akane-senpai, I would’ve been so shocked I’d only have about 70 years left to live.” “No, that’s plenty long.
You’d be living out your natural lifespan.” “Ooh, sharp observation, just as expected of a handsome guy.
But you’re naive, brown-haired guy; I’m definitely going to survive until I witness the birth of Doraemon with my own eyes.” “D-Dora…
what…?” In an instant, time froze.
The black-haired girl and the President stared intently at the brown-haired guy with eyes looking at something unbelievable, while I couldn’t conceal my astonishment as I wound up my wires.
What kind of upbringing allows someone in modern Japan to become a high schooler without knowing Doraemon…?
A brief silence continued, but the President cleared his throat to regain his composure.
“…Impressionable movement control, Ayanokoji.
Did you practice some form of martial arts?” “Just piano and calligraphy.” Hmm, the brown-haired guy’s name is Ayanokoji-kun, huh…?
How are piano and calligraphy supposed to help in a real fight?
If you’re trying to hide your true strength, your playing-dumb skills are way too terrible.
“Between Honjo and you, it seems there are many unique students among the freshmen.
…And Suzune, I am honestly surprised that you had friends.” Hmm, the President’s sister is Suzune Horikita-chan, huh?
…Wait, Mr.
President, isn’t that way of putting it kind of cruel?
“Ayanokoji-kun is not a friend, just a classmate, and that guy over there isn’t even an acquaintance.” This side was pretty cruel in her own right too.
Setting aside me on a first meeting, Ayanokoji-kun is wearing a slightly sad face over there, poor guy.
“As usual, it seems you mistake isolation for independence.
…Ayanokoji, if you wish to climb up, struggle like your life depends on it.
With half-baked effort and resolve, you will never reach him.” After glancing at me for a split second, the President walked right past Ayanokoji and vanished into the darkness…
Hey, it’s already past 9:00, you know?
Go back to the dorms.
“…Dear me, that was quite a calamity for you two.
What on earth happened to cause that?” “It has nothing to do with you.” “Wow-oh, what a cold response.
Was I interfering unnecessarily?
If so, my bad.” “No, that’s not it, you saved me.
Honestly, it would’ve been bad if things kept going like that.” Bad, huh…?
“…You’re welcome, then.
It’s a bit late, but shall I introduce myself?
I’m Kiriha Honjo from Class 1-A~” “Class…
A…!” Whoops, what a splendid pair of eyes filled with hostility.
Well, we are indeed in a position to be targeted, but you don’t have to glare at me like I killed your parents, you know?
Scary, scary.
“I’m Kiyotaka Ayanokoji from Class 1-D.” “Class D…
The class where Mr.
Six is.” “…Mr.
Six?” “Mr.
Six, a.k.a.
Rokusuke Koenji.
We’re friends.” “Friends…
with Koenji…?!” Man, that’s harsh on multiple levels.
Are there really that many kids without friends in Class D?
“…And who are you?” “I see no necessity to introduce myself to you.” “Then I’ll call you Cockroach-chan from now on, okay?” Since she suddenly aimed a hand-sword strike toward my flank, I parried it away.
You’re pretty emotionally unstable, aren’t you, girl?
“…-?!” “Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean you can resort to violence, okay?
Someone who can’t even offer a proper greeting has no right to complain no matter what’s done to them.
…Even if you’ve been assigned to the lowest class.” “…!
…It’s Suzune Horikita…!” Horikita-chan glared at me with eyes so full of frustration she looked ready to grind her teeth.
So this girl is that type after all—the type who truly cannot accept being in Class D.
I don’t dislike kids like this who will desperately try to climb up…
plus she has black hair.
Still, Class D, huh?
Given the whole 0-point incident, to be honest, I didn’t expect much from anyone other than Mr.
Six…
but quite a few interesting people have gathered there, haven’t they?
“Well then, I’ll head back to the dorms.
It seems Horikita-chan dislikes me, after all.
…Ah, and Ayanokoji-kun.” “Hm?
What is it?” “I won’t pry into your true strength, but it seems you really hate standing out in front.
…Should I keep you a secret from our boss?” “Strength?
I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if you’ll keep it a secret, I’d definitely appreciate it.
I’m a pacifist who likes to avoid trouble, after all.
I definitely don’t want to draw attention from someone who commands a monster like you.” “Got it, got it.
Well then, see you next time.” Ignoring Horikita-chan, who looked like she wanted to say something, I returned to the dorms.
Well, don’t rush it so much; an opportunity to clash will come soon enough.
…Now then, what nicknames should I give those two?
“Brown-haired guy” and “black-haired girl” have way too many candidates…
One week remaining until the midterm exam.
After finishing lunch with Arisu and the others as usual, I headed to the library because there was a book I wanted to borrow.
As expected of a school run by the government, there are quite a few books that are already out of print, so I’ve been dropping by recently whenever the mood strikes.
With the exams so close, numerous students regardless of class or grade were studying silently in the library…
Oh, a few students have started arguing over something.
Where are their manners…?
Wait, huh?
Horirin (Horikita-sister) and Cozzy (Ayanokoji) are there too.
“You can speak ill of us all you like, but aren’t you guys in Class C too?
Honestly, it’s not a class to brag about.” “Class C to A are basically just rounding errors.
Though you guys are in a whole different dimension~” “What a terribly inconvenient yardstick.
As far as I’m concerned, the only class in a different dimension is Class A.” Judging from the content of their conversation, it’s trouble between Class D and Class C, huh…?
Oh?
Shake-chan—a.k.a.
Ichinose—who was studying with students who were presumably her classmates, walked over to that group alone.
Well, knowing her personality, she intends to stop the dispute.
Hmm, coincidentally, students from B through D are all gathered…
Ah, crap, a fun idea just popped into my head.
Decision made: after finishing a quick preparation, I followed after Shake-chan with the borrowed book in one hand.
“You’re as serious and kind a girl as ever, aren’t you?” “Eh?
…Ah, Honjo-kun, long time no see.
Are you perhaps going to help me stop them?” “I doubt it would happen, but there’s a 1-in-a-hundred-million chance you might end up getting hurt, right?
Being gentle with girls is my still-living grandfather’s last request, so I can’t just leave it be.” “If he’s still alive, it’s not a last request, but thanks.
…Okay, stop, stop!” Shake-chan and I stepped right between the two sides standing on a powder keg.
Now that I think about it, I’ve been arbitrating a lot of fights lately.
Displeased at having cold water poured on him, a red-haired guy on the Class D side snaps at us.
“The hell are you guys?
Outsiders shouldn’t butt in.” “Even if you call us outsiders, as someone using this library, I can’t really turn a blind eye to a commotion.” “If you’re gonna act rowdy, do it outside, jeez.
Distracting people while they’re desperately studying~” “No, wait, what’s with that book titled ‘Strange Plants of the World’ in your hand?!
You clearly weren’t studying at all, you bastard!” “And you guys over there, your provocation is going too far.
Just because you’re neurotic before the exam, stop taking it out on others.” “Don’t ignore me, hey?!” Despite having the appearance and personality of a delinquent, Red-Hair-kun has pretty sharp tsukkomi skills, doesn’t he?
“H-Hey, let me go.
That guy is probably Honjo from Class A.
If that person finds out we got into trouble over something like this…!” “Y-Yeah!” Wearing frightened expressions for some reason, the Class C students hurriedly scampered out of the library.
Hmm, being unilaterally known by others isn’t a very pleasant thing…
Next time, I’ll go ask for their email addresses.
“If you guys are going to continue studying, let’s do it quietly, end of story~.
…Ah, Honjo-kun, thank you too.” “Sure thing~.
Well then, good luck with the exam, Shake-chan.” “I told you, stop using that nickname?!” Following Shake…
Ichinose-chan as she returned to her classmates, I also left the library since I had taken care of various errands.
Don’t think ill of me, Arisu, it was just a slight impulse—I’m just so bored I don’t know what to do with myself.
…Yeah, it seems Shake-chan really doesn’t like it, so I guess I have to change it…
Alright, let’s go with that.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Arisu: “Do you carry wire around with you on a daily basis?” Kiriha: “That too is a trade secret.”