On that day, the 2nd year class D was facing a bizarre situation unlike anything they had experienced before.
Upon reflection, or rather, without even needing to think about it, it was due to the recent special exam held the other day, where Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had achieved a perfect score in mathematics. While it wasn't unusual for him to excel in exams, being the only one in the class to achieve a perfect score regardless of the subject was unprecedented.
The class began to gossip, with suspicions arising about whether Kiyotaka had cheated or not, led by Ike and various others. However, there was someone who dispelled this speculation.
"Sorry to interrupt the excitement, but there's no evidence that Ayanokouji cheated. Don't jump to conclusions when he's not even present."
It was none other than Sudo, an unexpected voice of reason. While his opinion was perfectly valid, no one could have expected such words to come from Sudo.
"What, are you trying to defend Ayanokouji?"
"It's not like that, but it's absurd to assume he could peek at the answer sheets... I just thought there might still be a chance he got a perfect score based on his abilities."
"But his abilities are lower than mine, at least in OAA, right? It's impossible for him to do well without resorting to something shady."
That was Miyamoto speaking. I had never talked to him and had no interest in him, but his way of accusing others of cheating bothered me.
"It's different from when we were first-years, isn't it?"
"Isn't Sudo-kun right? Miyamoto-kun, you're falling behind Sudo-kun in academics."
Miyamoto grimaced at Karuizawa's sharp observation. Well, that's how it goes, as they say. The weaker ones often bark the loudest.
"Hey, Sudo studied a lot, so I acknowledge that. But Ayanokouji just grew too much."
"Then that's even more of a problem, isn't it? It means he didn't contribute anything to the class."
If it was true that he was hiding his abilities, then maybe. But it still angered me to see my friend being berated like this when he hadn't done anything wrong.
"Then what about you? Have you contributed anything?"
"..."
As I spoke up while everyone remained silent, all eyes turned towards me.
"You're one to talk when you haven't done anything," I said, glaring at Miyamoto, and the atmosphere in the class turned tense. However, it was then that Hirata intervened to mediate.
"Let's calm down for a moment. Arguing here won't resolve anything, will it?"
First, he gently addressed Sudou.
"Sudo-kun, isn't it about time for club activities?"
"Huh? Oh, right."
As if suddenly brought back to reality, Sudo decided to leave the classroom. Following him, one of the group members, Miyake, also left. The rest of the students also began to leave for home, but more than half of the class remained in the classroom.
Then, Kiyotaka entered the room, followed by several students who approached him almost immediately, with Yukimura leading the charge from the Ayanokouji group.
"There are some things I want to ask."
Hasebe and Sakura, followed by Yukimura, approached Kiyotaka. I knew Kiyotaka's abilities, so I didn't pay much attention, simply listening while lying on my desk.
"I want to ask about your perfect score in math. Neither Ichinose nor Sakayanagi scored full marks. You're the only one in the entire grade who did."
In a normal test, such an atmosphere wouldn't arise. However, this time was different. Those with high academic abilities understood the rarity of achieving a perfect score.
"As for that..."
Kiyotaka looked around and asked Horikita for help.
"Yeah, I'll explain."
"I'm asking Kiyotaka."
Yukimura expresses his dislike towards Horikita for being an unnecessary outsider.
"Yes, but I am the one who has the correct answer to your question."
".....What does it mean"
Everyone looked at Horikita as she spoke in a strange way. Horikita successfully followed Kiyotaka and somehow managed to convince her classmates. It's not easy to do that.
After school, as I prepare to go home, Kiyotaka suddenly calls out to me.
"Jin, if you don't mind, would you like to come home with me?"
"Is it okay?"
The two of us chatted as we walked towards the dormitory. In fact, I know that Kiyotaka's specs are monsters, but I don't know how bad they are, so I'm going to ask as much as I can.
"I heard from Horikita that you protected me. Thank you."
"Not really...I know your abilities, so I don't like that you're being told this by someone you don't know anything about."
"Still, I'm going to cause you a lot of trouble."
"It's okay, but friends are meant to cause trouble and be harassed, right?"
When I say that, Kiyotaka murmurs, "Yes, thank you,'' with his usual no emotional expression.
"How amazing are you?"
I'm probably one of the few people in this school who knows Kiyotaka's secret. I think Kiyotaka will probably explain it to me.
"Here's the thing, how about you come to my room? It might be better than staying here."
"Yeah, someone might overhear us. Let's go."
Agreeing to Kiyotaka's suggestion, they got on the elevator in the boys' dormitory. And they arrived at Room 402, which belonged to Kiyotaka.
"Excuse me for intruding."
"Yeah, it's an empty room, but make yourself comfortable."
"Wow, you're right, there's nothing here."
"When you put it so bluntly, it kind of hurts, you know..."
At this point, I decided to bring up the previous topic. Mainly, what the White Room was, why Kiyotaka came here. Well, I knew I'd probably get brushed off, but I figured I'd ask anyway.
"...It's the White Room, right?"
As soon as I uttered those words, he reacted intensely. Of course, Kiyotaka knew that I was aware of this, but his body seemed to react excessively.
"I heard it was considered the masterpiece of that place, the White Room. What would happen if you went all out? I've seen glimpses of your darkness a few times, but I've never seen you go all out."
"Sigh..."
With a sigh, Kiyotaka seemed resigned as he began to explain.
"There's no one stronger than me who's holding back. Unfortunately, I can't imagine losing."
"Oh..."
I understood that he was likely the most powerful in terms of academics and physical abilities among the students at this advanced high school. Well, I expected as much, but to go that far...
"Please, don't tell anyone about this. I've been targeted since my first year, so I can't afford to involve you."
"I'm already involved, and it's my fault for asking."
"I see, but, Jin, there's something I want to ask you too."
"Sure, what is it?"
Kiyotaka stared at me intently as if showing interest. However, it wasn't a pleasant feeling; it felt more like he was assessing a product.
"From my perspective, you seem to have abilities that are sufficient even in the White Room. The flash mental arithmetic in March, and the hostility you showed towards Yamauchi during the class vote... I'm trying to intimidate you, but it seems to have no effect. Who are you?"
His murky yellow eyes pierced through me, shrouded in darkness. But even if he asked me who I was, I wasn't brought up in such a facility, nor am I a rich kid like Kouenji. I'm just an ordinary person...
"I was born and raised as a normal person, without any hidden agendas."
Although Kiyotaka didn't seem to think I was lying, he still seemed to have some doubts. There are people like that in the world, I guess.
"I see, my apologies. Would you like something to drink?"
"Really? Then I'll have coffee, please."
"Got it."
As Kiyotaka headed to the kitchen to fetch water and warm up the pot, almost simultaneously...
*Ding Dong*
The doorbell rang mercilessly. Unlike the lobby, the intercom didn't have a camera, so we didn't know who was at the door.
"Sorry, Jin , could you wait a moment?"
"No problem."
It seemed they had been talking for a while, but somehow, Kiyotaka seemed to have given in. A red-haired girl with twin tails entered. When her eyes met mine, she gave me a bewitching smile, assessing me with her sultry gaze.
"Ah! You're Horagasaki-senpai, right? Nice to meet you, I'm everyone's beloved Ichika Amasawa-chan♪"
She spoke in a sweet voice, but her gaze was sticky as she stared at me. I didn't like this type of person; let's keep some distance.
"Yeah, but... Kiyotaka, I'm just getting in the way here, right? I'll take my leave."
"Huh? Are you leaving already?"
Slightly saddened, Kiyotaka tried to stop me. But seriously, it's impossible to have a conversation with her around.
"Sorry, I'll invite you again."
"Got it."
"Senpai, are you leaving already?"
"Oh, yeah. See you..."
I hurriedly headed to the entrance and put on my shoes.
"Seeeenpaaaai."
That overly sweet word sent shivers down my spine.
"Let's meet again ♪"
Ignoring those words, I returned to my room. I felt tired for some reason... I succumbed to drowsiness and collapsed onto my bed.
=================================
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Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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Creation is hard, cheer me up!