章節 16: Flawed.

"Why does that matter to you?" Horikita asked in a confusing tone.

"If your interested in reaching Class A, let me give you a peice of advice. Try to learn as much about Ayanokoji and Kazuki as you can now, while you can."

She paused. "If you don't it might be too late."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Horikita asked. "Let me start from Ayanokoji." sae said, "why is Ayanokoji helping you guys. Why, despite his excellence, does he refuse what he can do?"

"I don't know" Horikita admitted.

"Class D is a place where defectives are placed and in my opinain, Ayanokoji is the most defective among you all."

"What about Yuto?" Horikita asked, seemingly more interested.

Sae slowly exhaled some smoke as she replied, " 'Though he doesn't look out of the ordinary, but a deep shadow lurks inside of him. He is the most flawed boy I have seen in my life.' Those were the words of the person who took Yuto's interview in the entrance exam. "

"Who is this person?" Horikita asked. Sae smirked as she answered, "Narumori Sakayanagi."

Horikita's eyes widened as she muttered, "The acting chairman himself.."

"A man with over three decades of experience and a genius whose works are known throughout the world. Yet he couldn't read Kazuki even once in their entire conversation. That tells you something, doesn't it?" Sae said in a serious voice.

Horikita nodded slowly, feeling a chill run down her spine. "He's more than meets the eye."

Sae still continued, "He may appear straightforward and friendly, but in my opinion, he is perhaps even more mysterious and cunning than Ayanokoji." she stopped and looked at Horikita, who's eyes were still as wide as ever.

Sae's gaze was intense as she locked eyes with Horikita. "Keep your wits about you, Horikita. The truth behind these students is darker than you can imagine."

__________________________________________

"Oh my god! This is so comfy!"

As Yuto stood there, in his room, wearing his cozy panda pajamas,

Suddenly the doorbell rang

He opened the door to see, Horikita? The unexpected visit caught him off guard.

"Suzune-chan?" Yuto greeted her, trying to mask his surprise.

Horikita, usually composed and serious, seemed flustered by his appearance. "What the hell are you wearing?!" she blurted out, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

Yuto chuckled, glancing down at himself. "Pajamas?" He couldn't help but grin at her reaction to his attire, finding her incredulous expression amusing. But beneath the light banter, a more serious conversation unfolded.

Horikita sighed, unable to suppress a small smile at Yuto's playful demeanor. However, her expression quickly shifted back to seriousness as she explained her reason for coming.

"I just talked to Ayanokoji about him manipulating me about the cameras in the annex," she said, her voice tense with concern.

Yuto's whistling ceased as he listened intently. His avoidance of eye contact betrayed a hint of guilt. Horikita couldn't help but wonder how this carefree boy in panda pajamas could be the same person who outmaneuvered the acting chairman himself!

"Why did you take all the risk instead of me?" Horikita's voice held a mix of frustration and curiosity.

Yuto's smirk faltered, replaced by a more somber expression. "That could've ended badly for you," he replied quietly.

Horikita hesitated, her usual stoicism cracking under the weight of her emotions. "What about you?" she asked, her voice softer now, tinged with concern.

Yuto's deadpan gaze met hers. "Does the ice-queen really care what happens to me?" he teased lightly.

"Of course I do! You idiot!" Horikita's outburst surprised them both, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Yuto's heart skipped a beat at her words, but he maintained his composure. "You are invaluable to the class, losing you would be a shame," she added, her voice more composed now.

Yuto nodded, understanding the gravity of her words. But before he could respond, Horikita pressed him further.

"WAIT! You were avoiding the question! You sly bastard!" she accused, her frustration evident.

Yuto chuckled softly. "Busted..."

"Answer me," she demanded, her eyes searching his for the truth.

Yuto took a deep breath, his expression serious. "I really thought my only crush would be smarter," he confessed, his gaze unwavering.

"What does that suppose to mean?" Horikita's confusion was palpable.

"I love you. Does love really need a reason to be saved?" Yuto's words hung in the air, his vulnerability laid bare.

Horikita was taken aback by his confession, her cheeks burning crimson as she struggled to process his words. She reached out, pinching his cheek in a feeble attempt to regain her composure. "Why are you confessing to me, you bastard!" she stammered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Yuto frowned, his own cheeks tinted with embarrassment. "WHAT! That was my reason! Do you want me to say it in a cooler way?!" he retorted, his frustration evident.

Horikita shook her head, refusing to believe that such a stupid reason could be the motivation behind his actions. But as Yuto knelt before her, his eyes filled with sincerity, she couldn't help but soften.

"The first time we met... was the last time I wasn't thinking about you," he said, his voice filled with 'genuine' emotion.

Horikita remained stoic, her facade unyielding. "If you're trying to be cool, I'm afraid that isn't possible, given what you're currently wearing," she quipped, unable to resist a teasing jab.

Yuto's cheeks flushed even deeper as he glanced down at his panda pajamas, feeling a pang of self-consciousness. "What's wrong with panda pajamas!" he protested, his voice laced with indignation.

Horikita sighed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "This was a waste of time. If you really want to keep the secret, do so," she said, turning to leave.

Yuto watched her retreating figure, feeling a sense of loss. As the rain poured down from the sky, he muttered to himself, "That was really my reason though..."

______________________________________

The summer holidays had begun, and as Yuto strolled towards the library, he spotted someone who piqued his interest. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he approached Arisu, the school's revered queen of intellect and wit.

"Well, well, if it isn't the school's queen," Yuto greeted her with a playful twinkle in his eyes.

Arisu's laughter tinkled like wind chimes. "And what brings Class D's rodent ruler to my humble domain?" she teased, her tone laced with amusement.

Yuto couldn't help but chuckle at her remark. "I may be but a shadow of Suzune, but I think 'rodent' is a bit harsh, don't you think? I was kind enough to call a lolli like you a queen!"

Arisu's lips curled into a sly smile. "Ah, but sharp tongues are part of your charm, aren't they?" she countered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Yuto's gaze drifted to the figure standing beside Arisu. He couldn't help but notice the amused smirk on Masayoshi Hashimoto's face. Arisu caught his glance and introduced her companion with a hint of pride.

"Oh, this is Masayoshi Hashimoto, my loyal steed," she announced, her tone teasing.

Hashimoto chuckled sarcastically, playing along with the banter. "I'm positively elated for you to bestow such a noble title upon me, princess," he replied with a mock bow.

Yuto observed the dynamic between Arisu and Hashimoto with interest, noting the camaraderie and playful banter that characterized their relationship. But his attention soon turned back to the chessboard laid out before Arisu.

"Do you want to play chess, Rodent-kun?" Arisu's invitation caught Yuto off guard, but he couldn't resist the challenge.

Yuto chuckled nervously, waving his hands in denial. "No, no, I just play it as a hobby. I can't imagine myself playing with a prodigy like you, lolli-chan."

But Arisu was undeterred, her smile unwavering. "I insist," she stated firmly, her eyes sparkling with determination.

With a sigh of resignation, Yuto acquiesced. "Very well," he conceded.