Classroom of the Elite (LN) - Vol 1 Chapter 7.1: The group of failures Part 1
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Vol 1 Chapter 7.1: The group of failures Part 1

Are you free during lunch? Do you want to eat together?

During break-time, Horikita came up to me asked.

An invitation from you is unusual. I feel scared for some reason.

Its nothing to be scared about. I can buy you the vegetable set, if youre fine with it.

Isnt that the free meal?

Just kidding. Ill seriously buy you whatever you want to eat.

Definitely scary. Is there some kind of catch?

Seeing as how Horikita invited me to eat with her, I cant help but feel suspicious.

I would be suspicious if I was invited out of the blue. I remember Horikita saying that before.

If we always doubted everyone elses true intentions, human society wouldnt function, right?

Well, thats true, but

I didnt have anything planned, so I followed Horikita to the cafeteria.

I chose one of the more expensive meals, found a seat, and sat down with Horikita.

Well then, itadakimasu?

Horikita was staring at me as if she was waiting for me to eat.

Whats wrong, Ayanokouji-kun? Why arent you eating?

O-oh.

Scary. Theres definitely a catch somewhere. Theres no way that this is for free. Nevertheless, I cant stall forever. Itd be wasteful if I let it go cold. I hesitantly took one bite of my croquette.

Its sudden, but listen to me.

I have a bad feeling about this

As I thought of getting up and running away, my hand was grabbed.

Ayanokouji-kun, Ill say it again. Wont you listen to me?

Fua

Ever since Chiyabashira-senseis advice, the number of infractions during class has certainly decreased. It wouldnt be wrong to say that more than half the reason for our deducted points has been erased.

Yea, thats true. It wasnt a really hard problem to solve, though.

It may not last very long, but at least the last few days are much better than before.

Now, the next thing we have to do is to improve the test scores for the midterm in two weeks. Earlier, Hirata-kun also started to take some action.

Study groups, huh. Well I guess it would help. However

However, what? Sounds like youre implying something. Do you have any problems with study groups?

No, dont worry about it. Its strange to see you worried about other people, though.

Originally, I couldnt even imagine getting a failing score. However, it is true that there are students in the world that inevitably fail their tests.

Are you talking about Sudou and his friends? Ruthless words as always, I see.

Im only saying the truth.

Since none of the students could leave school grounds, contact anyone on the outside, or attend cram school, there was no other option but to be taught by other students.

Im somewhat relieved because Hirata-kun proactively started up a study group. However, Sudou-kun, Ike-kun, and Yamauchi-kun didnt join, right? I still feel uneasy.

Oh, those guys. Theyre not on very good terms with Hirata. They wouldnt participate.

In other words, those guys will probably fail. And in order to get up to class A, we have to avoid getting negative points and focus on staying positive, right? I also think theres a high possibility that good test scores are related to getting positive points.

Its natural to think that the students would get a reward proportional to the effort they put in.

What ifyou also hold a study group like Hirata? So that we can help out Sudou, Ike, and Yamauchi.

Yea. I have no objections to that. You probably think thats surprising, huh?

Your whole attitude is surprising for me.

Im not really surprised, though. Shes still doing this for herself, and I never thought she was particularly cold either.

Well, I got that you want to move up to class A. However, I honestly never thought that you would use such an ordinary method as teaching them. After all, those kind of people hate studying. You also stayed away from the other students on the first day, right? Its commendable that someone like you who doesnt want friends would offer to teach them.

Thats why Im talking to you, isnt it? Fortunately, theyre people close to you, right?

Ha? Hey, are you really

Itll be faster if you talk to them. Theres no problem since theyre your friends, right? Here, just bring them to the library. I can help them study.

You say some unreasonable things. Do you even think that someone like me, who is leading a harmless and inoffensive life, could do that?

Its not a matter of can do or cant do. Just do it.

Am I your dog or something?

Its your freedom to aim for class A, but dont involve me in your plans.

You ate, right? My treat. Lunch. That wonderful, tasty special meal.

All I got was the honest good will of another human.

Too bad, but that wasnt out of kindness.

I cant hear you Here, Ill give you some points. Were even now.

I wont stoop as low as to receive gifts from other people. I will turn down your offer.

Im starting to feel angry at you for the first time

How is it? Will you cooperate with me? Or are you going to make an enemy of me?

Its like youre pointing a gun at my head and threatening me

Its not like, I really am threatening you.

Is this the power of violence? Its very effective.

Well If its only gathering them, I guess theres no problem cooperating, right?

Horikitas weakest point is that she wont make any friends.

Also, Sudou, Ike, and the other are all people that I became friends with after much trouble. I cant have them drop out of school this quickly.

When I was hesitating, Horikita pressed me even further.

You also dont think that I would forgive you for colluding with Kushida-san to call me out, right?

You said you wouldnt blame for that. Bringing that up now is unfair.

I said that to Kushida-san, but I dont remember saying that to you.

Wow, you dirty

If you want me to forgive you, work together with me.

Looks like there was no escape route for me since the very beginning.

I thought that she would just drop the subject, but I guess its only possible by listening to her request now.

Theres no guarantee that theyll come. Are you fine with that?

I believe that you can gather everyone. Here, this is my phone number. If something happens, contact me.

Although it was in a unusual way, for the first time in my high school life, I got the contact info of a girl.

Its Horikitas, though Well, Im not particularly happy about it.