Classroom12.5

Classroom of the Elite 2nd year Volume 12.5

Chapter 9. Celebration

After changing clothes and checking the menu on my phone, the sound of the rice cooker finishing echoed throughout the room.

I had been so busy this week, alternating between eating out at restaurants and grabbing meals from convenience stores. But today, I was back to cooking for myself again.

Opening the lid of the rice cooker, the fragrant aroma of freshly cooked rice wafted through the air.

That appetizing smell is the result of carbonyl compounds produced from the breakdown of amino acids in the rice's proteins and sugars formed from starch decomposition.

With a bowl in my left hand and a spoon in my right, I scooped out a standard portion of rice into the bowl.

Then, instinctively, I served a smaller portion into another bowl—an automatic action from muscle memory.

"There's no need for this anymore, is there?"

This habit had been happening for months now.

I placed the side dishes and miso soup onto a tray and carried them over to the desk in my bedroom.

Compared to just a few days ago, the arrangement of the room felt a bit bleak.

Since we started dating, Karuizawa's belongings had slowly accumulated day by day.

It's no wonder it feels strange now that they've disappeared all at once.

By the way, Karuizawa's friends had come by to pick up the things she left behind.

Satou, Sonoda, and Ishikura. It's good she has friends who are willing to help since she hasn't shown any interest in meeting me herself.

Among them, Satou was still skeptical—she couldn't believe Karuizawa was the one who broke up with me.

Although she seemed quite concerned, the reality of the situation remains unchanged.

In the end, the conversation concluded with me repeatedly explaining that I was the one who got dumped.

I understand that persistently denying it would be tactless.

This was the best choice. Karuizawa Kei may have some clumsy traits, but she has good looks, supportive friends, and a place of her own in the class. On the other hand, I've always been the one in the shadows.

If someone like me initiated the breakup, it would leave a blemish on her reputation moving forward.

In truth, Karuizawa hadn't done anything wrong.

As I turned on the TV and started eating breakfast, my phone screen lit up.

[Morning. Want to meet up today?]

A message like that popped up.

I thought I'd finish eating before marking it as read, but another message came through.

[You must have plenty of free time after being dumped by your girlfriend, huh?]

[So, it's reached Horikita's ears too, huh?]

I thought the news would spread a bit slower during spring break...

But girls' information networks might just rival the speed of light.

There was no helping it. I picked up my phone and replied to the message.

[Anytime after 10 works.]

[Alright, let's meet at the café in Keyaki Mall at 11.]

After a quick back-and-forth, we set the time and place to meet.

1.

I met up with Horikita, who was waiting at the Keyaki Mall, and we headed to a café.

However, the place was bustling with business today, and we found ourselves having to wait for a table.

"This is a bit troublesome."

"I'm fine either waiting or going somewhere else."

When asked if we wanted to write our names down on the waitlist, Horikita hesitated slightly.

"…Alright then, let's change the location. Sitting on a bench casually will do too, won't it?"

I didn't particularly mind, so I followed Horikita as we moved along.

There were empty seats near the vending machine by the restrooms on the second floor, so we decided to sit there.

"I'll treat you, Ayanokouji-kun."

"Had I known, I'd have stayed at the café. Shall we go back then?"

"I won't treat you at the café though, so do you still want to return?"

"…I see your point."

"Then how about this? If you really want to pay for yourself, I won't stop you."

"In that case, I'll have a hot, unsweetened coffee."

If I said anything else, she might not treat me, so I decided to comply.

Knowing that money would be tight in the future, every yen counted.

Horikita bought two bottles of the same drink from the vending machine and handed one to me.

"Drink it while it's hot. It's got the taste of single life."

"Is that supposed to be comforting or provocative?"

"Who knows? Which do you think it is?"

Probably… no, definitely provocative.

After staring at me for a moment, Horikita tilted her head, wearing a puzzled expression.

"Did you really break up with Karuizawa? Honestly, I find it hard to believe."

"I wasn't hiding it or anything; it's true. Where did you hear about it?"

"Kushida was quite eager to tell me you got dumped. Want to know the specific details she shared?"

I figured it would be good to know what stories were circulating to prepare for the future.

"Sure, go ahead. I'll use it as a reference."

"She said you were crying and begging not to break up, desperately clinging to Karuizawa's leg and whatnot."

That seemed a bit overly tragic…

"Though I can't imagine someone as calm as you doing something like that, let's just pretend it's true."

"Ah—"

"Just kidding. Even Kushida didn't seem to know the exact details of your breakup."

Since we had chosen to use a karaoke room for privacy, it made sense that no one else knew.

Of course, if Karuizawa provided her version, I'd have to accept it.

No… even so, I couldn't help but feel a sense of resistance. For now, I felt relieved.

Although I had braced myself to some extent, I learned today the importance of knowing when to stop.

"In any case, I wasn't a good match for her."

"Really? I don't think that's true. I believe Karuizawa truly valued you."

"Women are naturally good at acting, aren't they? Or maybe she just found someone better."

Horikita showed a slightly complex expression in response to my evasive explanation.

"While I can't deny that possibility…"

"What's with that meaningful look you're giving me?"

"I came to enjoy your dejection, but you seem completely unfazed."

For such a superficial topic, she would normally settle it via text or a phone call.

"You went out of your way to meet just to check my facial expression?"

"Exactly."

What a cunning personality.

"Interfering in other people's relationships makes me seem tactless. I'll stop here for now."

"Please do."

Finally, Horikita transitioned to the main topic.

"Actually, this is about what happened after the special exam and the situation with Maezono. Right now, it's hard to genuinely celebrate, isn't it? Everyone seems a little unsettled."

"Yeah, maybe. Most people are focusing on the chaos in the other classes."

Normally, there should've been more excitement and joy over our victory.

But right now, the drama surrounding the lower-ranked classes had taken center stage.

"Exactly. That's why I was thinking it'd be nice to hold a little celebration for the class before we move into our third year."

"A celebration?"

"Something simple, where everyone gathers and makes a toast."

She wanted to hear my opinion on the idea.

"It's tough to bring this up with the other classmates, isn't it?"

"True."

Although we technically won, it came at the cost of Maezono's expulsion.

The atmosphere in the class remained tense even as we approached spring break.

Horikita likely hoped this could help improve the mood.

"Not a bad idea—it's a good one. But where would we hold it?"

"With nearly 40 people gathering, we'd have to be careful not to disturb others, right? So, I was thinking of using a classroom on a weekend. That way, the only cost would be for drinks. How about next Friday?"

Since club activities were off that day, it seemed like an ideal location.

The only thing left was getting approval from the school.

"I'm in favor."

"Will you come?"

"There's no reason to refuse."

"I see. That's good."

After a brief moment of happiness, Horikita's expression turned slightly somber.

"One more thing. There's a reason I called you out, though it might seem a bit self-centered."

After speaking, she remained silent for a few seconds. It seemed difficult for her to continue.

"Are you alright emotionally? I was a bit worried."

"Emotionally?"

"You prioritized the class's victory, but it resulted in Maezono's expulsion. Making that decision must've been a heavy burden."

"I'm the one who chose to be the leader. There's no need for you to dwell on it."

"It's not just about this time. Even in the incident with Sakura, you took on responsibilities no one else wanted to bear, for the sake of the class."

Her gaze carried a hint of uncertainty as she looked at me.

"Because of my weakness, you've had to carry extra weight on your shoulders…"

"I did all of it on my own initiative. You don't need to feel guilty."

"Of course, I do. I can't help but feel that way. I've come to understand my own lack of ability, so at the very least, I want to be your emotional support. If you're struggling, I want you to tell me. I want you to say that you want to be cared for."

I understood what Horikita was trying to convey.

Indeed, if someone else had made similar decisions, they would likely feel distressed.

But unfortunately, I didn't experience those emotions.

What is efficient, what is unnecessary.

Who stays, who goes.

I make decisions like a machine.

There was no need for Horikita to understand that, nor did I want her to.

No, even if I revealed the truth here, it would likely be dismissed as me putting up a front.

"I understand what you mean, but I'm okay for now. If I ever feel troubled, I'll definitely talk to you."

"—Really?"

"Sorry for making you worry."

"Not at all… I just wanted to be a source of strength for you, that's all."

"That kind of statement could lead to misunderstandings, you know."

"…Misunderstandings?"

Horikita tilted her head, not grasping what I meant.

"It almost sounds like a confession."

"…Huh?"

"Now that I'm single, would you like sign up to be a candidate for my next girlfriend?"

After I spelled it out, Horikita finally seemed to catch on to what I was implying.

"…Wow, you've become quite talkative."

With a sigh, Horikita glared at me.

"Compared to the drama of expulsion, this is just me acting tough to cover up my heartbreak over the breakup, so please forgive me."

"I don't even know what to say to that."

After finishing our drinks, we continued chatting for a little while longer.

2.

On the way back. After parting with Ayanokouji, who stopped by the bookstore, Horikita walked alone toward the dormitory.

The warm spring breeze blew gently, causing her now longer hair to sway in the wind.

"Girlfriend candidate... huh."

Although it was a nonsensical joke, Horikita reflected on the past.

It had been two years since she met Ayanokouji.

Becoming close enough to naturally exchange teasing remarks was only natural over that time.

Yet, there were still things she couldn't ignore.

"He's the only one I can talk to in that way."

Horikita never spoke to others the way she did with Ayanokouji.

Not to Kushida, Ibuki, or any other student for that matter.

There was always something unsettling about it.

She realized that Ayanokouji didn't fit the typical categories of classmates or friends.

He stood closer to her than anyone else, constantly watching over her.

During these two years, Horikita had undeniably let down her guard toward Ayanokouji.

"But still, being lovers or anything like that…"

Ridiculous.

Thinking this, Horikita faintly noticed the sound of her own heartbeat.

In a noisy environment, she wouldn't have noticed such a subtle signal from her body.

"...What was that just now...?"

A feeling she had never experienced before—a discomfort in her heart.

Was it nervousness?

Even with that thought, she quickly dismissed it, understanding that it wasn't the case.

Then, what was causing her heart to beat faster now?

She recalled Ayanokouji, whose figure had already disappeared, and his deflective words.

"Would you like sign up to be a candidate for my next girlfriend?"

His incomprehensible gaze, looking down at her from above.

And yet, if she didn't like him, why would she consider signing up as his girlfriend candidate?

"Like," what does it mean?

And "not like," what does that mean?

Could someone like her, who had never been conscious of the opposite sex, even understand that?

"Forget it. It was just a joke. Thinking seriously about it is a waste of effort and too strange."

Horikita wanted to brush away such intrusive thoughts, but they refused to leave.

"...No, stop thinking about it."

Horikita decided to empty her mind.

Because she realized: any deeper contemplation would only drag her further into the mire.