Kiyotaka's Point of View
WALKING INTO THE CLASSROOM, Chiyabashira-sensei looked around the classroom in surprise. Everyone was waiting in suspense for the results of the midterms, but Axel just kept yawning and kept looking outside. I sigh, he's tired.
"Sensei. I heard that the results will be released today, but when exactly?"
"There's no need for you to be that excited about it, Hirata. You probably passed."
"...When will they be released?"
"Well, now is a good time. There isn't much time for certain procedures if we did it after school."
At the words "certain procedures", some of the students had a visible reaction.
"What... what do you mean?"
"Don't be confused. I'll explain it now."
After all, this school likes to explain the details all at once.
She stuck the paper with everyone's names and scores on the board.
"Honestly, good job. I didn't think this class would do this well. In math, Japanese, and social studies, there were over 10 perfects."
I look at my score, and yes an average score. I looked at Axel's score. He scored all 90. He definitely scored high this time, well he has those past questions. If he lowers his scores some of the students will interrogate him.
Looking at the row of 100s, the students were cheering. However, one group of students weren't smiling.
The only grade is Sudo's English score.
And then—
Four of Sudo's grades were a solid 60 points. His English score was a 39.
"Woohoo!!"
Sudou stood up and shouted in relief. Ike and Yamauchi stood up at the same time and cheered.
There was no red line to be found on the paper. Axel and I glanced at each other and breathed a small sigh of relief. Horikita... wasn't smiling or cheering, but she appeared to be relieved inside.
"You saw it, right Sensei? When we put our minds to it, we can do it!"
Ike had a triumphant smile.
"Yea, I recognize that. You did well. However—"
Chiyabashira-sensei had a red pen in her hand.
"Huh...?"
Sudou let out a concerned voice.
She drew a red line right above Sudo's name.
"W-what the hell? What does this mean?"
"You failed, Sudo."
"What? That's a lie, right? Don't bullshit me, why did I fail!?"
Of course, Sudou was the first to protest. The classroom did a complete 180 from cheering to an angry uproar in a split second.
"Sudou. You failed the English exam."
"Don't lie to me, the passing grade is a 32! I passed!"
"When did anyone say that the passing grade is a 32?"
"No no, Sensei said so! Right, everyone!?"
Ike shouted in support of Sudo.
"Nothing you say will help. This is the unmistakable truth. In this midterm, the passing grade was a 40. In other words, you were one point short. Almost, but not quite."
"F-forty!? I never heard of this! I can't agree to this!"
"Then, should I tell you how we decide what is a passing grade?"
Chiyabashira-sensei wrote a formula on the board.
She wrote, "79.6/2 = 39.8".
"Last test, and this test as well, each class has a set passing grade. And that grade was half the average."
In other words, anything lower than a 39.8 was a failing grade.
"Well then, that shows how you failed. You got a lower score."
"Impossible... Does... does that mean I am expelled?"
"Although it was a short time, you did well. After school, you will be asked to fill out a dropout form, but you will need a legal guardian. I'll contact them for you afterwards."
Seeing everything progress so casually, all the students knew that it was actually happening.
"The rest of you, good job for passing. In the final, please work hard to do the same and pass the test. Well then, onto the next topic—"
"S-sensei. Is Sudou-kun really dropping out? Is there no way to save him?"
Hirata was the first to reach out to Sudo. Even though Sudou hated him and verbally insulted him. Be grateful Sudou Hirata is still kind to you.
"It's the truth. He got a failing grade, so he will have to drop out."
"...Can we see Sudo-kun's answer sheet?"
"Even if you look at it, you won't find any mistakes in the grading. Well, I expected you guys to make a fuss about it."
Taking Sudou's English exam answer sheet, she passed it to Hirata.
Hirata looked through every question with a gloomy expression.
"There are... no mistakes."
"Well, if that's all, homeroom is now over." I looked at Axel who looked at the board while sighing, do we need to stop this expulsion?
Without any sympathy or any second chances, Chiyabashira-sensei ruthlessly announced his expulsion. Knowing that any comforting words would have the opposite effect, Ike and Yamauchi stayed silent. Hirata was also the same. And sadly, it looks like one portion of the class was relieved. Are they happy a hindrance to the class has finally been kicked out?
"Sudou, come to the staff room after school."
"...Chiyabashira-sensei. Do you have some time?"
Although she had stayed silent until then, Horikita quickly raised her hand. In her school life, Horikita had never made remarks during class voluntarily.
At the new sight, both Chiyabashira-sensei and the whole class were surprised.
"That's unusual, Horikita. You're raising your hand. What's your question?"
"Earlier, Sensei said that the previous test had a passing grade of 32 points, which was calculated by the formula you wrote earlier. Is there no mistake in calculating the last test's passing grade?"
"Yea, no mistake."
"Then, I have one more question. I calculated the mock test's average to be 64.4. Dividing that by two, you get 32.2. In other words, higher than 32. Despite that, the passing grade was a 32 by truncating the decimal point. That's contradictory from this time."
"Y-yea. The passing grade should be a 39 then!"
In other words, Sudou's grade of 39 should've just barely passed.
"I see. You anticipated Sudou's grade to barely pass. Only your English grade was low, after all."
"Horikita, you..."
Sudou noticed something. The other students, in surprise, looked at the paper once again. Even though four of her five grades were perfect, she got a 51 on her English score.
"You really—"
Sudo realized what she did.
And by no mistake, too. In order to lower the average grade, she purposely lowered her own grades. I heard Axel chuckle and sigh with disbelief. I guess he didn't expect Horikita to do that.
"If you think my opinion is wrong, please tell me why the calculation differs between the last test and this test."
The last ray of light. The last bit of hope.
"I see. Well then, let me tell you one more thing. Sadly, there's one error in your formula. Rather than truncating, we rounded the tests. Last test rounded down to 32, this test rounded up to 40."
"Tsk..."
"In your mind, you probably noticed that the score was rounded. But holding onto that possibility... Well, that's too bad. First period will start soon, so I will leave now."
Horikita had no more ways to retort and stayed silent. She wasn't able to counter her words, and her last hope was shot down. Sensei just grinned and looked around.
"Is that all? I'm Leavin–." But before Sensei finished her sentence someone called her name.
"Sensei.'' Many of the students froze at their seats, unable to speak or even to breathe because of the cold voice coming from Axel. Sensei stood there and her posture suddenly became stiff.
"Y-Yes, Arison?" I just sigh and I look at Horikita who seems not sure about what she feels right now.
I looked at the expression of Axel, I cannot read him actually he was the second person that I cannot read. His eyes were closed and in that moment he opened his eyes.
"Can we talk a little outside?" he asked her.
"Of course, follow me." Sensei said after that Axel stood up and followed her outside the classroom/ I sigh. 'Another problem again.' My classmates just sigh and feel relieved when the cold outermost sphere is gone.
10 minutes later
"Let's go, Horikita." I called her out, I looked at her who was still thinking about the cold sensation coming from Axel. I can't blame her.
'I'm the first person to experience that.... bloodlust.'
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
Axel's Point of View
"EWWW SENSEI, DO YOU KNOW THAT SMOKING is bad for your health?"
"Tsk how about snacks, that is also bad." I pouted and looked away. We are currently at the rooftop. I start eating my snack. I look up to see the clouds and sun.
'It's refreshing.'
"What are we going to talk about?" she asked me. I looked at her and smiled brightly and that's enough to give her a shiver.
"Hmm Sensei... Do you think that today's Japanese society is fair?" I asked her while looking at the clouds while some winds blew my long black hair.
"Is that an important question for you?"
"Of course.. You want to go to Class A right? Then answer my question."
"If I speak my opinion, then no, it's not fair. Not one bit" she said while smoking. I just nodded.
"Yes, I also think the same way. Fairness and equality is a lie." I said while playing with my hair.
"Is that question that you want to talk about?"
"One week ago, when you told us that the test material had changed, you said something like this: 'I forgot to tell the class.' Because of that, the notice reached us about a week after the other classes were informed about it."
"I said that in the staff room. So what?"
"Even though all the questions, our points, and the threat of expulsion are the same among all classes, only class D is treated unfairly."
"Are you saying you can't agree to that? But it's a good example. I guess you could call it a micro example of our unfair society today."
"Of course, no matter how positively you look at it, the world is an unfair place. However, we are humans that can think and act."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm trying to say that it should seem equal at least."
"...I see."
"It doesn't matter whether or not 'forgetting' to tell us was on purpose. However, it's a fact that one person is now being forced to leave the school because of those unequal conditions."
"What do you want me to do?"
"That is why I came to you. I want to meet with the school, who is perpetuating this inequality."
"To say you don't agree?"
"I just want to confirm the school's decisions with the right people."
"Sadly, even though you aren't wrong, I cannot let you. Sudou will drop out. It'll be very difficult to overturn that ruling at this time. Give up."
She ignored my argument. But that doesn't mean there's no meaning in her words. As expected, this person is someone who always has a hidden implication in her words.
"Difficult to be overturned at this time. In other words, there is a way to change the outcome."
"You and Ayanokouji, I personally have a high opinion of you. Certainly, getting the old test questions was the correct solution. Furthermore, coming up with that idea even goes beyond common sense. But you distributed the questions to the class and raised the average test score. I think there's merit in coming up with that idea."
"I did nothing special, I want my classmates to pass the exam."
"I know that you didn't openly admit it, but there are upperclassmen too. I also know that you have the test questions from the third year."
Somehow, my actions were discovered. I smirked and just smiled when she told me that. Well I don't care. I am planning to step in to protect my freedom.
"However, despite having a solid start by getting a hold of the test questions, you messed up at the end. That was why your plan didn't work. If he memorized them more thoroughly, Sudou probably wouldn't have gotten a failing grade in English. Why don't you give up and let Sudou drop out? Won't his future be more comfortable then?"
"To be honest....I already have planned if he fails this exam but first let's wait for them."
"Who?"
"Sensei." She looks at the two people who just arrived at the rooftop. I waved at them. Horikita seems confused about why she is here. I want Horikita to know about this.
I want to gain her trust...more...more until she obeys me and follows all my instructions.
From my pocket, I took out my student card.
"What do you mean?" she asks while looking at me and then looks at the two, of course Kiyotaka already knows my plan and he also takes his student card from his pocket.
"Please sell me one point for Sudou's English test."
"..."
Looking at me in astonishment, she laughed loudly.
"Hahahahaha. That's an interesting proposal. As I thought, you're different. I never imagined you would try to buy points."
"Sensei, you said so on the first day. There's nothing that can't be bought by points in this school. The midterm is one such thing in this school." Kiyo butt in, I nodded Horikita just keep listening.
"I see, I see. Certainly, you could think of it that way. Do you even have the money to pay me, though?"
"Well then, how much is one point?" I ask.
"A very difficult question indeed. No one's ever asked to buy a point before. Let's see... I'll give it 100,000 points."
"Fine. Horikita, can you lend me a hand?
"Of course." She said and we all three pay for that 100,000 points. I smirk.
"Hmmm I already received it. Something to ask or to say?" she asked us and especially Horikita. I know she is smart and someday or tomorrow she will understand what I'm doing.
We all shook our heads and with that Sensei left the rooftop, Horikita looked at her points.
"Why am I giving 40% of the points here and you two just give 30% each?" she asked.
"I don't want Sudou to fall in love with–" she glared at me so I immediately composed myself.
"I know that you can tame a Tiger, I did this because someday we need that Tiger so I'm not planning to leave him..not yet. So tamed him well, and beside this is the perfect job for you." she just nodded.
"Fine, aish Honestly I don't get you two. I'm going." she said then leave at the rooftop. I sigh and immediately hug Kiyo, he just hugs me back.
"Cold cold."
He just sighs and patted my head.
"Do you really need our points? You almost have a half million points, you know." I smirked of course when I didn't have anything to do, I hacked the system and got some points, of course I didn't leave any evidence.
I pressed myself on his chest and never let go. Ha.. this is paradise. After that I looked at him.
"Well, we need to gain her trust more. I believe in the future, she will be useful to us."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
Kiyotaka's Point of View
I SIGHED AND LOOKED AT THEM. What are they doing in my room again? Well atleast Axel is in my room too... but he is now sleeping at my bed.
"Cheers!"
"...What's with that gloomy face? Sudou wasn't kicked out, so everything's over, right?" they asked me, should I feel hurt? Well I know that I'm gloomy but I don't really care about that.
"I don't mind the celebration, but why is it in my room?"
"My room's dirty, and so is Sudou's and Yamauchi's. We also can't go to the girl's rooms, right? No, of course, I'd love it if we were in Kushida-chan's room. That's why your wonderful and completely empty room is the best, Ayanokouji."
"It's only been two months since the start of school. It's strange to have so much stuff, rather."
Other than my daily necessities, there's nothing else I really need.
"What do you think, Kushida-chan?"
"I think it's fine. It feels clean, fresh, and simple."
"Right? It must be nice to be praised by Kushida-chan. Hahahaha."
"All things considered, though, this midterm was pretty dangerous. If we didn't do that study group, Ike and Sudou were definitely going to get kicked out."
"Hah? You were pretty much on the edge too, you know?"
"No no, I would be able to get a perfect score if I tried. Seriously, that past test paper that Axel gave really helped me!"
"Everything's thanks to Horikita-san's effort. After all, she also taught Ike-kun, Sudou-kun, and Yamauchi-kun." I said while clapping a little. Horikita glared at me.
Horikita stayed outside of the circle, and was reading her novel by herself. When we said her name, though, she raised her head as she put the bookmark back in the book.
"I'm just acting for myself. If someone dropped out, class D's points would drop as well." What a tsundere.
"Even if it's a lie, say that you did it for us. We'll think of you better."
"It's fine if you don't think better of me."
Well, her attitude is the same as ever, but her participation in this group is an improvement in itself. Well atleast Axel has planned for her. If it was the old Horikita, she definitely wouldn't have come.
"Well, but... Horikita is surprisingly nice."
Following up on her remark, Sudou replied. Good that a good start of taming, go for it Horikita!
Ever since Horikita apologized, Sudou stopped being so hostile towards her. Before, he declared her to be no good, but it looks like people change.
"Anyway, why did Sensei decide to cancel Sudou's expulsion?"
"I was also wondering about that. What sorcery did Axel use, do you have any idea of Horikita??"
"Eh, don't remember I just talked to her and Axel helped me with that and with that she cancel Sudou's Expulsion."
"Uwa, a secret!?"
Ike fell over exaggeratedly. I sighed. I looked at Sudou who was completely messed up. I think he started falling in love at Horikita. That's good then I can solo Axel.
"But we don't have to worry then because Sudou is with us right!" there we go, Kushida. They start cheering again. So loud, if Axel wakes up he seriously beat up you guys.
But something is wrong with her now.. She looked pissed. Hmm.. weird.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
ME, KUSHIDA AND AXEL WHO IS sleeping left in my room. Kushida insiste to helping me clean my room. I tell her that I can do it myself but she has a good... heart. Not really.
"Done!"
"Thank you Kushida." I told her, she just waved her hand and was still smiling at me. But an unexpected question came from her mouth.
"Tell me Ayanokouji, do you like girls like Horikita?" she asked me. Do I like Horikita? Well... maybe as a friend.
"Well slight." I said. She just nodded and kept smiling.
"Do you think Axel likes her too?"
"Yes I think, Axel keeps talking about her while we're eating." That's a lie. I just want to see her reaction but.. She kept smiling.
"Hmm okay then. Thanks for telling me." She starts cleaning her uniform and starts walking to the door.
"So I will leave now Ayanokouji-kun bye bye!" she said, I just nodded and waved my hand.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───
Third's Point of View
KIYOTAKA JUST SIGHED AND WALKED back to the bed and saw a white phone. He checks Axel's phone and finds Axel's phone. He just sighed and picked up the phone.
"This is Kushida's phone." The brown haired boy said to himself.
Kiyotaka opens the door and peeks through. He then saw Kikyo's back not too far away and then he walked to the elevator.
As they exit the building Kiyotaka sees Kikyo walking to the street to the other side making the boys curious to where her destination is.
"Where's she going at this hour?" Kiyotaka murmured.
The brown hair boy begins to stay silent as he stealthily walks far behind the wandering female. As she reaches the place where no one is there, several benches empty as they face the coast of the ocean. Streetlights flickering as Kikyo walks towards the metal bars.
'I don't really need to be hiding, really..' Kiyotaka stared at the female's back.
He stayed silent and focused on Kikyo's clenching fist. He wondered what face she was going to use.
"What a pain." A female voice slurred over the brown haired male's ears.
"You think you're so great just because you're pretty.."
Kiyotala nods and tilts his head. He noted the change of voice from the girl, it was filled with endless hatred.
Kikyo then grit her teeth before she roared.
"I hate you!!"
"I swear.."
She kicked the metal bars harshly.
CLANK
"I hate you,I hate you,I HATE YOU!JUST DIE, HORIKITA!!, I hate you, I hate you!!, you wretched bitch!! "
TIRRING
A sound came out from the phone from Kiyotaka's hand. Kiyotaka starts cursing himself.
"What?" Kikyo turns around.
"Is someone there?"
Kiyotala silently cursed. No use now, as he was about to stand up and reveal himself.
"Who's there!" Kikyo asks sorely.
Kiyotaka sighed before walking towards the light in Kikyo's vision.
"It's me. Ayanokoji." He said as he walked towards Kikyo.
Kikyo wastes no time stomping over him.
"You forgot your cell phone–" Kikyo snatched it from his hand.
"Did you hear that?" Kikyo asked again to him. Kiyotaka didn't change his expression and just sighed.
"If I said I didn't, would you believe me?" Kiyotaka asked.
Kikyo leaned close to Kiyotaka's face, making Kiyotaka see the pure difference in the girl he knew earlier. Her eyes show no cute reflection but a merciless mirror of a pure predator.
"If you tell anyone about this, I won't go easy on you." Kikyo's face scrunched like a thug as she spat out.
However, Kiyotaka didn't change his expression as he stared at Kikyo's. eyes.
"And what if I did?"
"I'll tell everyone you tried to rape me." Kikyo answered. Basically Kiyotaka regrets saying 'What if I did'.
"That would be a false accusation."
Kikyo grabs Kiyotaka's right arm and places it on her breast.
"Now It's not a false accusation."
Kiyotaka looked at her with slight surprise. He didn't expect that Kushida will do everything.
"Your fingerprints are right here." Kikyo stared at Kiyotaka as she forced his hand to squeeze her cup.
"See? There's proof. Now what are you doing now?" Kiyotaka didn't answer and just kept looking at her.
"I'm serious."
"I understand." Kiyotaka finally said.
"Let go of my hand please."
Kikyo finally let go of him.
"You hear me?"
The girl stared at him with a malicious intent.
"If you betray me, I won't forgive you. Promise me right now, that you won't tell anyone what you saw?"
Kiyotaka just nodded. He bit back a sigh as he remembered the Kikyo he used to hang out and talk with. The kind and cheerful Kikyo, now dissipated by the thought of the real Kikyo standing right infront of him- no, them.
" Ayanokoji-kun. "
Kiyotaka opened his eyes.
" Is Arison-kun with you? " Kikyo asked.
"Why do you ask that?"
"I know, you two have been together almost the entire day compared to Horikita. Are you like a couple or something? Are you dating?" Kikyo demanded.
Kiyotaka shook his head. "Axel is not with me, he is still sleeping in my room and we're not a couple and we're not dating...yet." Kiyotaka mumbled the last word and looked away. Kushida didn't hear that last word of his.
Kikyo turns around.
"Very well, I'll believe you."
Kiyotaka heard her take a deep breath before she turned around, except it was the cute happy Kikyo.
"Okay! I guess we've got another secret, huh?" She said in a squeaky voice.
'Hey Kushida.. Tell me.. Which one is the real you?' Kiyotaka eyed once more until an image of the hostile Kikyo got replaced.
"So, you're going back to your room? Let's walk together!" Kikyo acted like she didn't just threaten Kiyotaka a second ago.
"I'll be here for a while, you can go back to your room now Kushida." He said politely.
"Goodnight then, Ayanokoji-kun!" Kikyo nod before skipping away, she gave one last wave before her figure disappeared.
After that Kiyotaka stared at the mood and sighed. He seriously didn't expect that threat. He put his hand on his pocket.
He wondered if his acting was successful?
A chuckle coming from his back. He looked at him and started sighing. He looked at the boy's hand and saw the video of him and Kushida.
"It looks like I have a job?"
"While she's taming a tiger, I'm taming a snake."
"Good Job Kiyo! Now let's sleep now." he said and ran to Kiyotala's back and hopped in. Kiyotaka' slightly smile. The boy put his head on his shoulder.
"Hai Hai Axel-sama."