Homeroom
Suzuki sat down next to Kiyomi, whose hand was bandaged.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Kiyomi nodded.
"I'm alright."
Suzuki eyed her hand and sighed.
'That was so reckless. What if he was seriously trying to kill her?'
Kushida walked over.
"Kiyomi what happened to your hand?"
"I was cooking something for myself and accidentally stabbed myself."
"Eh!?"
"I'll tell you later. If anyone asks can you tell me then that?"
Kushida nodded.
"Go it."
She looked concerned but sat down as Chabashira walked in and wrote up the results of the Exam.
Class A (Sakayanagi): +30
Class B (Horikita): +50
Class C (Ichinose): +/- 0
Class D (Ryuen): +10
'We.... won!? The two lowest rated academic classes banding together won?'
Chabashira posted the exam results. Two results in particular were interesting.
Ayanokoji Kiyomi
English: 97
Maths: 100
Japanese: 98
Social Studies: 75
Science: 100
Average Score: 94
Total Contribution: 470
Everyone was shocked to see these results.
'How did she? No that's not the right question. Why did she?'
Haruka rushed over.
"Kiyopon! You got 100s in Maths and Science! How?"
"Suzuki is my boyfriend. He's been tutoring me a lot."
"Woah!"
'Giving me credit? Typical.'
Yukimura sighed.
"I lost really badly. A whole 10 points behind you."
"I was just in a good mindset yesterday. I got lucky on some of the questions too."
Yukimura shook his head.
"That isn't an excuse I want to make. Besides you even beat Horikita's score."
Suzuki smiled as everyone thought for a second and then looked to his results.
Horikita Suzuki
English: 89
Maths: 91
Japanese: 98
Social Studies: 81
Science: 93
Average Score: 90.2
Total Contribution: 452
Suzuki sighed.
'I lost huh? Well, I can't really expect to win against her. The only thing I beat her in is Social Studies. Wait... that was my weakest subject! I knew that going into the exam!'
Suzuki sighed.
'Is she really that oblivious about the world?'
Everyone's attention then turned to Sudo's results.
Sudo Ken
English: 76
Maths: 68
Japanese: 87
Social Studies: 85
Science: 74
Average Score: 78
Total Contribution: 390
'He...'
Everyone was dumbfounded at Sudo's surprisingly good results. Suzuki laughed for a second.
'That's amazing. Even if it was my weakest subject you beat me in Social Studies. You've really managed to impress me Sudo.'
Sudo looked at his grades in complete shock.
"I... did it? I... did it!"
Ike was ecstatic and put his arm over his shoulder.
"That was amazing Ken!"
Sudo smiled, knowing his effort had paid off. Chabashira smiled.
"Very well done. All of you. You've all improved by some degree and not a single expulsion. I'm very proud of you all."
Chabashira then wrote up the class totals.
Class A (Sakayanagi): 1021
Class B (Horikita): 797
Class C (Ichinose): 620
Class D (Ryuen): 538
'This was a critical victory. Did Kiyomi know Sudo would perform better yesterday so she banked in an effort to further boost our morale?'
Suzuki sighed.
'Still being more than 200 Class Points behind Class A is not a good feeling. Especially after such an amazing victory.'
He then thought about the exam as a whole for a second.
'Only 50 Class Points to the highest ranked Class and a threat of expulsion upon failure. Isn't that a bit unreasonable? What kind of situation did we just come out on top of? Couldn't they at least have given the top spot 100 Class Points for such a dangerous exam?'
Suzuki sighed once again, dismissing the thought.
'I guess there's no use in thinking about it now.'
"You have been doing well. You've secured your spots in Class B and made it through a difficult exam that put you at a disadvantage from the first day."
Chabashira smiled.
"Next aim for Class A. For now, celebrate."
Everyone seemed in good spirits as Suzuki sighed.
'Class A...'
The class ended.
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With Kiyomi
Kiyomi then met Kushida outside in a secluded area. Kushida sighed as she looked annoyed.
"So what really happened?"
"A crazy Gorilla Man stabbed me."
"Wha? What the fuck?"
"Hosen Kazuomi from Class 1-D"
"Did they expel him?"
"Um no. I'm blackmailing him into helping our class."
"Oh wow. So you don't even care that he stabbed you?"
Kushida sighed.
"Feel free to spread bad rumors about him if you want. His reputation is bad enough anyways."
Kushida smirked.
"It'll be my pleasure."
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With Suzuki
Sudo walked over to him.
"It's my fault isn't it? Kiyomi. Her hand. I..."
"Well yes but she was planning for that to happen so she could corner Hosen."
"You're not telling me you went along with a reckless plan like that right!?"
"Hell no. I had no idea about it. I figured it out after she got stabbed."
Sudo sighed.
"She's crazy. Letting someone stab her."
Suzuki sighed.
"Sudo. Thank for your help yesterday. To be honest if not for you charging in first I probably would have myself."
Sudo looked surprised as Suzuki patted his back.
"You've really impressed me with how far you've come."
Sudo got embarrassed.
"Shut up man! You're making this all gross."
"Huh?"
Sudo got up, turning his back.
"Thanks though."
Suzuki smiled.
"No problem."
Sudo walked off.
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Hallway
Suzuki stood waiting for Kiyomi when she arrived.
"Kiyomi. You put in a lot of effort yesterday. You managed to score that high and you did it with an injury to your dominant hand too."
"Dominant?"
"Your right hand."
He pointed to the bandaged hand. She tilted her head.
"Um I'm left handed."
"But... you always use your right hand."
"Well to be more accurate I'm ambidextrous but I was born left handed."
"What?"
"It didn't really cause me issues. In fact after so long using my right hand it was kind of nice to be able to use my left hand again."
Suzuki pressed his forehead with his fingers.
'Seriously. There's always another surprise around the corner when it comes to her.'
"That was to show you a bit of what I'm actually capable of in exams."
"Were you capable of that in our entrance exams?"
"I probably would have done better. the entrance exams don't have social studies after all."
She lifted her right hand.
"Also no hand injury from a Crazy Gorilla Man stabbing me in the hand."
'Cute.'
Suzuki stifled a laugh.
"So Kiyomi. Is this how your results are going to be like from here on?"
Kiyomi nodded.
"This is a required step."
"Step? For what?"
"You're going to be the Student Council President right?"
Suzuki nodded.
"Then make me your secretary."
"Wha what!?"
"With this my image is good enough."
"But why would you?"
Kiyomi touched his cheek.
"Is it not okay for me to support the man I love?"
'La...love.'
Suzuki blushed.
"No that's okay. Are we going to apply?"
"Not yet."
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Later
Suzuki was waiting in a corner as Ichika walked over.
"What did you call me here for Amasawa?"
"I wanted to explain what happened back then."
"You made me buy that petty knife and then you stole it so you could use it in that plan for Hosen!"
"I wanted to see your reaction to the situation. You remained calm and if not for Sudo-Senpai Ayanokoji-Senpai might not have even needed to take it that far."
"You wanted to see my reaction? You little brat!"
"Hehe. I've been keeping an eye on you you know. Evaluating you to see if you're worthy of Ayanokoji-Senpai."
"Worthy of her..."
"You've passed all my evaluations! Congrats hooray!!!"
"Shut it!"
"So mean."
Ichika smirked.
"You sure have guts though."
"Huh?"
"You even had your way with Ayanokoji-Senpai."
"I what?"
"You don't need to hide it. I could tell from the aftermath."
Suzuki sighed.
'This girl is not normal in any way.'
"So?"
"Hehe. She seemed satisfied so worrying about your ability in bed isn't an issue."
"Will you not talk about that as if it's normal!"
Ichika giggled.
"Horikita-Senpai. You really still have no idea what Ayanokoji-Senpai is capable of. Don't get a big head think you know her better okay?"
"And how would you know better?"
"Because. Ayanokoji-Senpai is the one I admire the most in the world. If she were interested I'd offer myself to her entirely."
"Wait are you?"
"No but if it's Ayanokoji-Senpai then yes."
Suzuki blushed.
'Well Kiyomi is amazing.'
Ichika giggled.
"I'm sure Ayanokoji-Senpai doesn't feel that way though."
"..."
"Horikita-Senpai. You're a lucky one."
The wind blew as Ichika's hair blew in the wind.
"Amasawa?"
"If you had not been as smart or as strong as you are even if she fell in love she'd never approach you."
"She wouldn't?"
"Would you be comfortable dating person who never took a shower?"
Suzuki crossed his arms instantly.
"It's like that."
"Too embarrassing and unappealing."
Ichika nodded.
"Horikita-Senpai. Thanks for making Ayanokoji-Senpai happy."
'She really seems to care about Kiyomi.'
"What is your relationship with Kiyomi?"
Ichika smiled.
"Just an admirer from afar. Why? Were you afraid I was a love rival?"
Suzuki sighed.
'The atmosphere went from serious to childish so easily.'
Ichika then made a serious face.
'Huh?'
"A group fo First Years have been told that anyone who can expel Ayanokoji-Senpai will be given 20 million private points."
"What!?"
"I'm one of those people by the way."
Ichika stuck out her tongue playfully.
'That's a free ticket to Class A... that explains Hosen's actions. But who would be able to afford to give someone that much? The staff couldn't as it's too suspicious. So who?'
"The person who will give out the funds is the current Student Council President Nagumo Miyabi."
'Again she read my mind.'
"President Nagumo..."
"Alright. That's all I'm going to tell you."
Ichika began leaving.
'So that's why she's delaying our application to the Student Council. But there are still so many things I don't know.'
"Amasawa. Wait!"
"Hm?"
"Tell me more. I want to help her."
"Oh? Do you think Ayanokoji-Senpai needs your help?"
"No but..."
"I already told you Horikita-Senpai. Don't get a big head. There's no way she'd need you help."
"I..."
"If she did then she wouldn't be worthy of my respect."
Ichika made a serious fce.
"Amasawa... you're not going to try to expel Kiyomi are you?"
"I wonder about that. Maybe everything I told you here is actually a lie. Just to throw you off and make you think there are more threats than just me? Maybe I actually hold a grudge against her?"
Ichika laughed as she left, and Suzuki got annoyed.
'That damn brat! I really hate that kohai!'
Suzuki leaned against the wall.
'How am I supposed to help you Kiyomi? Is Amasawa right? Am I not capable of helping you?'
Suzuki pressed his fingers to his forehead.
'First Years trying to expel her... 20 million private points... who would hate her that much? I can't think of anyone in our year. So a new first year? Ugh! I feel like the answer is in my head but I just can't get to it! What in the world am I missing!?'
Suzuki hit the wall with his hand.
'Was Amasawa right? I really am not capable of helping her? No! I can help her! But how? How do I do it? How do I make things easier for her? Join the Student Council? Try to convince Nagumo? No. Spending 20 million points. There's no way he made a decision like that without the proper resolve. But why would he even agree to that? Ugh I don't get it. I really can't understand it. What can I do? What can I figure out? ...Am I... really that incapable? I can't even figure out anything even after Amasawa gave me so much information.'
Suzuki took a breath as a shadow cast over his eyes.
'Would I... just be a liability?'
Suzuki shook his head.
'If that's the case the best I can do is be a piece she can move on the board. I'll fulfil my job to the best of my abilities. If she can't tell me anything she doesn't need to. I won't ask any questions.'
Suzuki steeled his resolve, understanding now how he could help her and walked away from the area towards Kiyomi's dorm.
'I know my role. I only have to tell her.'
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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Author's Note
I know it's a bit shorter than usual but I felt this was a good place to end the chapter. Hope that's alright.