Third period, History. Chiyabashira-sensei's class. She walked in as the bell signaling the start of class rang. Though she had entered the room, the students' attitudes didn't change.
"Everyone, be quiet. Today's class will be more serious."
"What do you mean, Sae-chan-sensei~"
It has only been a month and our homeroom and History teacher has now been given a nickname by the class.
"It's the end of the month. We will have a short test. Pass these to the back."
Chiyabashira-sensei handed out papers to the first row. Eventually, the papers reached my desk. The test had several questions from each of the five major topics.
A number of students were complaining about not being prepared enough for the test or simply know nothing about the questions written on the test.
'If you paid more attention to the lessons instead of doing whatever you wanted to do, then maybe you would know a thing or two about the test.'
Nonetheless, whether they pass or fail this test is of no importance to me.
"Calm down. This test is only for future reference. It will not be reflected on your report card. There is no risk, so be at ease. However, cheating is naturally prohibited."
Chiyabashira-sensei words are a bit strange. Normally, grades are reflected in the report card. However, our sensei's words are a bit different. It's as if she was implying that these grades won't be reported in our report cards but will be reported in some other way.
From the exorbitant amounts of points given to students, the free products on the convenience stores and cafeteria, the strange phrasing of the teachers in this school; I can now say with certainty that there is a catch in the S-System.
Everything can be bought with points. There may also be a possibility of using points to change the rules of the schools; though the amount of points needed may vary depending on the situation. Based on what I have observed and how meticulous this school is, there should an absolute value of points for everything. Anoth—
"You have five hours to complete the test. You may now begin."
Chiyabashira-sensei's announcement broke me from my thoughts. As the test started, I skimmed over the questions. 20 questions, 4 per sections, 5 points per questions for a total of 100 points.
Relating it to my previous thoughts, this test is a bit anticlimactic... it was extraordinarily easy. The questions on this test are approximately two levels below the entrance exam.
For the most part, that was what I thought. The last three questions however, were much harder than the others. They probably can't be solved without using complex formulas. Those were the type of question discussed and taught on the third week since the start of White Room training.
I remembered a lot of people being punished during that time, myself included. All of us were.
"Those who waste their talents are fools."
That voice again. When would you stop?
I kept looking at the test until the final bell sounded.
"Okay, five hours have passed. Please lay your paper flat on your desks. I will walk around to collect your papers."
With her words, the tense atmosphere in class has dissipated and gained back its normalcy and we were dismissed for lunch.
Going to the vending machines, I bought a sandwich and went back to class.
There were a lot of people who opted to stay in the classroom for lunch today. From a single look, I could estimate that the class as approximately 80% of its students. Maybe they were awakened to the fact that they have learned little to nothing this past month since a number of them had textbooks at hand. How nice.
"Her personality is difficult though. I don't like that kind of girl."
"Yea, her personality is—how should I put it— harsh and snappy. She's scary as well, I'd like to date someone who can hold a good conversation with. Of course someone cute, like Kushida-chan."
The dubbed "Idiot Trio" talked about something. They were talking about dates and other similar things. I read about this on forum sites like b.Hatena. Is this the fabled obligatory high school love talk?
How exciting, I want to join.
"What are you all talking about?"
"We were just talking about Hori—AYANOKOUJI-SAN?!"
Kushida Kikyou P.O.V.
Those three cunts are talking about me again. Why can't they talk about things like this in private instead of shouting whatever raucous and indecent thoughts they have out loud.
Do you honestly think I would even think of liking, much less dating you? You're a disgusting pervert and I feel like talking to you degrade my whole being.
I have already set my heart on someone and— she just came in.
Hehe, she's cute today again. No, she's cute every day.
As always, she unaware of the stares she's getting... Whenever Kiyone passes, people's stares would always follow her. Sometimes I worry about her, but that's why I'm here. I'll protect her no matter what.
"What are you all talking about?"
"We were just talking about Hori—AYANOKOUJI-SAN?!"
Kiyone... Kiyone, don't approach those people anymore, please. Those three idiots, or three perverts are infamous. Not just in class D but also in the whole school. Due to their very blatant and loud remarks about their fantasies, they've garnered the irks of the majority of the female student body.
Even that Horikibitch limits her interaction with these trashes. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to my Kiyone. She just doesn't take the hint!
"You were talking about me?"
See?! She doesn't even feel weirded or disturbed that three perverts might be talking about her!
"We were about t—, I mean n-no! W-we were talking about love! Yes, love!"
Did that monkey say that he was about to spew out his disgusting fantasies about Kiyone? They better not, or I will destroy their whole student life.
"Oh, is this the High School Love Talk? May I join?"
When did their obscene talks about their preferences get such as grand name? With Kiyone joining their trio, their talks gradually became more mild and appropriate. I guess that's the effect of having such a girl participate in such a talk.
Eventually, Kiyone became the topic of discussions.
"You know, Ayanokouji-san, you said you'd join but you never really talked. You just listened to us ramble."
By now, all the people in the people were listening for more possible information about Kiyone. She's really popular in class D and the whole school, even if she doesn't know it.
"Ah, I'm not really well versed in love...? Can you teach me about love?"
...
"..."
"..."
"..."
"""HUH?!"""
Did she just confess to Ike, that human trash?!
"Haruki, Ken, my popular phase has come."
"Are you kidding? She said that to me!"
"Calm down you two. There must be some kind of mistake here. "
"Shut up, Ken! You're just jealous!"
That's right, Sudou. Fix this situation. There must have been a mistake or something. It's Kiyone after. She must have accidentally used a really bad wording for what she wanted to say. Yes, that's most definitely it. Definitely, right?
"Ayanokouji-san..., what did you mean when you said 'teach me about love'?
"I want to ask what constitutes as love, obviously."
Kiyone responded as if her answer was obvious. Dear, god help us. I needed to fix this situation. Although Sudou earned a small check on my book, I don't trust him to be able to get whatever is happening here back to normal.
Putting a cheerful facade on, I approach the degenerates and my Kiyone.
"Seems fun, let me join~!"
""Kushida-chan!""
I ignore their barking and focus my attention on Kiyone.
"What constitutes as love, huh... Let me help you, Kiyone-chan!"
"Thank you, Kikyou?"
"Starting off, are you close with anyone?"
I wanted to start off with a relatively safe question. I wanted to ease her in and progress to much more specific questions.
"Yes."
"Male or Female?"
"Male."
Gah—! It's a man? Is it Hirata? Sneaking a glance at Hirata, it seems that he is equally surprised by this revelation. The two monkeys beside me are even more surprised. They were like throwing a tantrum, cursing ikemen and whatnot.
"D-Does he do a-affectionate things to you?"
"Hmmm... he would pat and stroke my head from time to time. Does that constitute as being affectionate?"
Ack—?! They're on that level of skinship already? Kiyone and I are on the same level but since we're both females, it doesn't really count unless it's something more risqué.
"D-Did he, a-at some point, t-tell you how he feels about y-you?"
"Yes, just before I went to the bus to school, he told me that I am one of the most precious people in his life."
I lost even before I started, huh... I feel hollow, sad, and empty. This felt worse than being condemned back in junior high. Even if Kiyone doesn't like me back, the right thing to do is to help her realize her feelings. Even if it hurts.
Fighting back tears I try to help Kiyone.
"W-with all of that in mind, how do you feel about him...?"
"I'm thankful of him for taking care of me. The food that he cooks is very good, he's a very good caretaker."
""""""""""....""""""""""
Haah~ Of course, Kiyone... Sometimes I wonder if she's doing this intentionally. Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. It seems that everyone was pining for one girl.
Thinking about it for a minute, I guess my phrasing was a bit bad. Normally, when you ask someone that questions in context of what was happening prior then— It's no use thinking of it.
All the negative feelings that accumulated within me dissipated. I felt like a new person. It was a very nice feeling.
Walking closer to Kiyone, I wrap her into a tight and warm embrace. I stroke her head and cupped both sides of her checks. It was a cute sight. Our faces were almost touching each other. Both of our noses were like only a few inches apart.
"We'll talk about this later okay."
As if heeding my words, the teacher arrived at the abnormally silent and focused classroom. The only ones standing or out of place was our "Love Talk Group". Making our way to our seats, the teacher began.
"Seems like you all want learn today. What's the big idea, found something new?"
"It's nothing sensei, please continue with the lesson."
Hello, I feel like I'm a bit biased with Horikita. Whenever I write some "fluff", it's always about Kiyone and Suzune. I just love their dynamic, you know; Cold Girl being thawed by this unintentially "warm girl"
Therefore I wanted to write something for Kushida. I'm not quite sure how it turned out but it is what it is. Anyways thank you for reading this chapter.
Allouette.