As we embrace the unknown, we walk forward through the path of uncertainties, and we sometimes found ourselves get stumbled across upon a huge mountain that challenges us to conquer the heights. We face it as we had no other choice, but to accept our fate. We thread our way and acknowledge that we cannot control nor predict every outcome.
It's just so weird that even though you are already at the peak, the skies remain so distant. I tried reaching it out, but my hands won't be able to grasp. Is it still not enough? Should I climb even more high? I don't have wings to fly. Before I knew it, I was pushed on the edge by my own reflection. I open my arms wide as I descent down the surface. The higher you climb just to reach the glistering stars in the skies, the more painful it is when you fell.
I suddenly woke up in a strange place. Where am I? Why am I here? What does it mean? Since when did I arrived? I don't know, but if feels so cramped inside. It was filled of my memories that I once buried before, dreams that I abandoned. I stood up from a deep slumber and tried to walk through the path of unknown, but a red string that has been tied onto my limbs won't let me take a step.
Every time I tried to get away from the threads of life, a shadow will attempt to pull me down, drowning me at the deepest part of the ocean. There's no way to escape, only hope and death are salvation. What is the answer to this equation? Even the best won't be able to come up with a solution. I roam my eyes around just to see everyone staring down at me. Are they laughing at me? Are they taking pity at me? I don't wanna know. I just keep my gaze down and hope to end this as well as wanting to disappear.
We are the authors of our own stories, the architects of our dreams. Life offers us a blank canvas, and it is up to us to paint it with colors that resonate with our souls, yet I wasn't able to realize that I was living through a lie, a fantasy that has been created by my own playful mind. Yes, a dream of mine and a fantasy that I desire.
*****
Although I'm definitely confused on what was happening, one thing for sure, I won't do the same mistake as what I did anymore. Last time, my introduction was suck, more horrendous than Ayano if I should say. I guess that's the side effect of being a neet. Good thing humans are capable to learn from their own mistakes.
"Umm.... Greetings, I guess. I'm uhh.... Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
Hmm... My introduction feels lacking. Let's add some taste to the dish.
"My hobby is piano and calligraphy."
Uhh..... This is bad, really really bad. I don't know what to say anymore. When I looked at Hirata, pleading him to help me get out of this suffocating situation, he smiled at me and said,
"Nice to meet you too, Ayanokouji-kun. I hope we get a nice school year ahead of us together!"
Aw, thank you, Mr. Nice Guy!! Insert manly tears. Without you, I will probably going to spend the rest of my school life in seclusion! Also, sorry to break your hopes, but wishing for a nice school year in this campus is like finding a missing submarine at the middle of an ocean, if you know what I mean. As soon as I sat back on my seat, I heard my neighbor chuckled. Yeah, you had fun, right? You're welcome.
The introduction continues. I'm not interested hearing them making loud noises to make theirselves look confident and cool, not to mention I already know the important characters thanks to that novel, so I lean my head down the table, and took a short nap. I'm mentally exhausted. I need to recharge my battery even for a bit.
Right after I closed my eyes, someone tapped my shoulders. It was Hirata and it seems like everyone already went to the gymnasium for the entrance ceremony as only the two of us are the remaining ones left in the classroom. Uh, huh. So no matter how I resist the temptation, I still fell asleep. As Hirata led the way to the gymnasium, I asked him about something.
"Hirata, why did you not went ahead together with others? You actually don't need to let yourself get left behind just for my own sake. We are still not close enough for you to do such things."
Even my neighbor left without waking me up. Well, I'm not expecting her to act kind so it's not really a big deal.
"Err... I don't know what should I answer regarding about your question. I mean, isn't a normal thing for me to do so? Being kind seeks no exception. We are now classmates so we should look each other's back in order for us to not let even one of our classmates get left behind. We must, together, walk forward to the path that has been pave to us."
Ah yeah, my way of thinking got so distorted that even a simple act of kindness is a strange thing to me. No, I don't think Ayanokouji influence the way I think. This is just the way I originally am. Since I'm grateful to my benefactor, I simply thanked him and he smiled gently at me with a reply,
"You're welcome."
*****
After the entrance ceremony was finished, 70 to 80 percent of the students headed towards their dormitories, while the remaining ones quickly formed into groups and made their way to cafes and karaoke as they spent their points lavishly without having any idea on what will happen afterwards. I feel pity about them, but they are the ones who did it to theirselves. They can't blame anyone even the system itself.
Me? I would probably head straight to my designated room or wander around the school to memorize the place, if not only because of something I must do. When all students was dismissed, I head straight at the convenience store to meet someone. Just as what I expected, after I got myself inside, I immediately ran into Horikita. As soon as she noticed me, her face turn sour and frowned.
"What an unpleasant coincidence. Do you have some kind of ability to foresee the future for you to ran into me perhaps?" As Horikita stated such a rude remark, I found myself in a complete frozen state.
"What? Did you hit your head or something?"
"Ah, no, my apologies. I was just..... surprised how sharp your tongue is."
"I don't think what I did is rude, but whatever."
I don't know, but why do I feel this is some kind of a deja vu? Have this situation happened before? Might probably because I already read this scene multiple times, but no, who am I trying to fool? I know, I'm just trying to forget the fact that I had such a terrifying nightmare earlier, but what if it was true?
The probability is high considering the fact that my soul is currently living inside a certain character of a novel. This is definitely some kind of supernatural phenomenon, yup, it's already too late for me to ponder it. Maybe all those things happened in my dream actually occurred, then when I died, I return few hours earlier before the said event.
Seriously, this is ridiculous. I didn't know Re:Zero is a thing now. Ah well, I don't think that story is applicable to apply in this situation as it happens in a fantasy setting, but I might as well take that into consideration. There are still a lot of question that remained mystery and worse, it keeps piling up. I'm afraid that I might get devoured by it someday so I'll try to do something and lessen the questions I had as much as possible. Anyways, let's take that all aside and deal what's on the hand for now. I can leisurely spend the rest of my time to figure answers later.
"By the way...."
When I tried to get her attention, she purposely ignored me and just keep putting things in her basket. Nevertheless, I continue despite the cold shoulder she gave me.
"Before I forget, I actually came here to warn you." She suddenly halt for a moment, but resumed what she was doing, still keep pretending I'm just an air. "This school is not usually what you think. It's more deeper than that."
This time, I successfully had her full attention. She looked at me with a sharp gaze, but I didn't took a step behind and remained unfaze by her intimidation. Uwa, so scary. If not only because of Ayano's desensitized personality, I probably flinch.
"What are you trying to imply?"
"How about try to figure it out yourself?"
When I pointed the free stuffs placed on a shelf located at the corner of the store, her eyes followed and knitted. Then, I left her in a completely confused state. I don't actually care either way. All I want for her is to be aware of her situation. If I feed her all the information I had, I will only saving her for today, but if I teach her properly, I might be able to save her for the rest of her life, if you know what I mean. That's the difference between giving and teaching, similar to a man and a fish.
I know Horikita already had her suspicion so I guess I don't need to worry that she might take my advice lightly. Well anyways, after I pick up some cup noddles displayed at the shelves with the same size as her's, and a bit of necessities as well, I went straight to the counter just to see students quarreling. Unlike what I had in that dream, this time, the main actors, my objective, is currently present which made me sigh in relief.
Well then, I guess it's time to teach a wild dog how to behave, perhaps?
*****
After Suduo bid his farewell and parted ways with me, I decided to head straight to the room I was assigned and dip myself on a nice hot bath, but before I do so, a familiar voice demanded me to halt.
"Wait!"
I looked at her with a questioning gaze. As I patiently wait for her to speak up, a short silence prevails. She's probably thinking what to ask.
"You, your name is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, right?"
I remain silent, implying that she should get straight to the point.
"Want to have a dinner at my room?"
"........."
"........."
Huh?
*****
And that's how I got myself inside her room. Seriously, inviting a guy who you just met, how careless can you be? Do you know that I can assault you anytime if I feel so? Or maybe that was your intention all along? There's also a probability that she's just too confident to her self-defense skills that she's not even worried towards a weak looking guy like me. No, of course that's a joke. I know Horikita isn't that kind of person. I wonder what will your brother think if he found about this? Nothing, I guess?
"You're not thinking anything lewd, aren't you?"
I want to say no but......
I know it sound ridiculous, but it seems like Ayano is a human too. We always regard him as perfect, a full definition of human peak, but look at his body right now. I'm getting aroused, but compared to my previous body, the lust is too faint to be perceive. Additionally, I feel numb, so although I feel a little bit aroused, I don't feel like doing anything that will cross the line. Is this one of his perks?
"There's a certain lady who invited a stranger inside her room, worse it's a guy. What do you think will others thought?"
When I told that to her, she flinched. Serves you right. One's ignorance can lead harm to others. I know she doesn't have any ill intention when she invited me, or she? But Horikita, you should also think other's convenience as well. Ever since the thing happened between her brother, she keeps living her life in solitude. Like how bro-con can someone be? Because of that, Horikita doesn't seem to care about others. It's one of her weakness that I should deal with.
Anyways, I'm currently seating at the floor in front of a table as she cooks dinner in the kitchen. I know, you don't need to spell it out to me. This is clearly her infamous trap, the one that even the perfect human his self had fell into. How dangerous could this be? Though worry not, I will stand and resist till the last second. I won't fall to the same trick that I read multiple times before. Don't compare me to that pathetic Ayano. This will be a piece of cake.
"You doesn't seem nervous being on a ladies room, don't you? Are you perhaps used to it?"
No, no, no, no! This is my first time, you know!? My first time! But well, I guess this poker face of his is too great to cover up my pitiful state. Should I try to smile a little bit?
"........"
Ah, it's useless. My mouth won't move on its own. There's probably a certain requirement to unlock the smiling feature, lol. Being inside this body is fun. I suddenly felt wanting to make a bucket list to do.
"I'm nervous."
"I don't think so. Your face says otherwise."
Thank you for the compliment?
Once she was done preparing the dinner, Horikita placed the dish down together with a bowl of rice, chopsticks, and a glass of water at the table. The scent of the dish tickles my sensitive nose and looking at it makes my tummy growl even more louder. She didn't put any fancy dressing, but the way how she serve it improves my appetite.
"......"
Uh, ohhhh! This is a Katsudon, isn't? A pork cutlet rice bowl made with tonkatsu, eggs, and sautéed onions simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. This is one of the Japanese cuisine I always wanted to try. Of course, it was all just a sweet dream of mine considering how I once live in poverty, but now that it's already within my reach, why do I feel hesitant?
I think it's because I'm apprehensive. I'm too scared that I might get used to it. Afterall, I'm living in a body which I don't own. Maybe someday I'll wake up from this dream and went back being the same as before. I'm afraid that maybe the things that I once enjoyed might become dull, that if I drown myself on my own pleasure I might not be able to seek the real meaning of happiness anymore.
What if I finally adjust myself to this kind of environment then suddenly, all this thing was taken from me and returned everything as what it was used to be?
That thought alone is enough for me to ponder things. All this time, deep inside my heart, I'm hoping that everything I see, everything that I hear, everything I smell, everything I taste, and everything I feel are all truth and reality, not just a fantasy that has been made by my playful mind. Even now, it remained crystal clear the day where I uttered those ridiculous words, and those words are the reason why I am here.
Whoever heed my nonsense wish whether it be a God, a devil, or even something else, although it might sound selfish, I hope you won't try to take these things away from me as well. Probably thought I'm dissatisfied, Horikita asked concerned.
"Did you find it displeasing?"
"Uh, no. I was just mesmerized. Even though I already knew this dish before, this is my first time I would be taking one."
"You're not good at jokes, don't you?"
No, seriously, I'm not joking. Well, putting that aside for now, it's time to dig in. I'll going to savor it till the last drop. Although preparing for the future is crucial, what matters the most for now is the present. I'll indulge myself to a desire that I never had before.
""Itadakimasu.""
*****
After we consumed everything on our bowl, I felt extremely satisfied. It's a supper that I'll never forget for the rest of my life. Anyways, why did she invited me here again? There must be a reason and I already have the gist on what is this all about.
"So, do you need something from me?"
Once she finished cleaning up the table, Horikita replied with a stern look on her face.
"Tell me everything you knew about the school's system."
Ah, I knew it.
"100k."
Probably confused, Horikita raised her eyebrows as if she was asking for clarification.
"If you can give me 100k private points right now, I will consider it."
You might be thinking that I'm ripping her off, although it's true to some extent, the reason why I demanded such a ridiculous amount of points is because I don't think Horikita is aware about the value of the information she was asking. Even the advisers themselves aren't allowed to spill anything about it. To be honest, 100k points is too cheap, though if she's willing to pay it with her body, then she won't need to spend a single point for this information anymore. Just kidding.
Also, as what I said earlier, if I told that information to her, I'll be helping her only for today. If she could figure it out by herself with my guide, not only she'll be able to survive for today, but also for the rest of her life.
"You ate the food I prepared for you."
"Huh?"
"You ate the food I prepared for you."
"Eh?"
"You. Ate. The. Food. I. Prepared. For. You."
You already told that to me thrice! What are you, a broken disk? Ah, so at the end, I still got lure by my own desire and fell into her vicious trap.
*****
A/N: What do you guys want the protagonist do for his bucket list? I'm open for suggestions! Of course, be realistic and logical as much as possible, but don't limit your imagination just because I told you so. Remember, this story is all about a reader of a Classroom of the Elite so your opinion will be always valid!
To be continued
Chapter 2: Is It Because My Decision Changes The Plot To A Certain Degree?
*****
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- 10/24/23
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