Classroom of the Elite (LN) - Vol 9 Chapter 3.1: No Intention of Changing Part 1
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Vol 9 Chapter 3.1: No Intention of Changing Part 1

Chapter 3: No Intention of Changing Part 1

As popular a location as ever, we arrived at the thriving cafe.

Even if Im somewhat lacking common sense, as an ordinary high school student, Im able to understand something like this now.

This cafe is a branch location for a super-major company outside of the school, particularly popular among girls in the social world. Outside of here, the price per cup is expensive for high school students, so its not something they could afford to be drinking very often. For a high school student who isnt working at least part-time, theyd only be able to afford coming here a few times every month. However, because students at this school receive money corresponding to how many class points they have, many students can afford to come here as long as they arent in a particularly dire financial situation.

Due to that, its inevitable that the cafe would be thriving every day.

Though, it wasnt so full that we were unable to find a place to sit. We ended up taking a pair of seats facing one another. Mii-chan never tried to match my line of sight. Instead, she stared at the cup of coffee I had ordered that I was holding in my hands. I suppose she and Airi are similar girls. If I inadvertently pressure her too much, it might make it harder for her to say whats on her mind. I decided not to break the ice and waited for Mii-chan to initiate the conversation.

Meanwhile, I told her I was going to get up for a second and get some sugar from the counter.

There, I took a single pack of sugar.

Without letting my eyes wander, I confirmed that Hashimoto had also come to the cafe.

Its unlikely that he would have just so happened to suddenly want a cup of coffee.

Without a doubt, Hashimoto was following me.

Was he sent by Sakayanagi in order to monitor me? No, that doesnt seem very likely. Sakayanagi currently doesnt want to spread information around about my existence. Plus, even if she wanted to keep tabs on me, she would have forced Kamuro to do it. If Sakayanagi has a grasp on what type of person Hashimoto is, its understandable why she wouldnt think hes the right choice for something like this.

She shouldnt be under any sort of rush to tell Hashimoto about me and risk having him then disclose it to a third party.

If thats the case, is he following me based off his own judgment?

Back during training camp, I dont remember doing anything that would necessarily attract any of his attention.

To him, I should have been just another member of the group. Ryuuen, Ishizaki, Albert, and Ibuki. I considered the likelihood of any of them saying anything to him one by one, but none of them would have said anything.

Well Its not like Ill be able to come to any conclusion by thinking about it now.

However, sooner or later it seems like itll become an issue that Ill have to deal with, one way or another.

For now, Ill ignore Hashimoto and focus on my conversation with Mii-chan.

I returned to my seat after about a minute, and immediately as I did, Mii-chan broke the silence.

Hey Uh, its about Hirata-kun.

About Hirata, is it?

I was hoping youd tell me a few things about him

You know, Hirata and I arent particularly close to each other.

I responded to her immediately in order to draw the line, however, she responded by giving me a surprised look.

But then, why did Hirata-kun advise me that Ayanokouji-kun was the most reliable person in the class?

Oh really?

Yeah. He said that Ayanokouji-kun was the most reliable and level-headed person in the class. He spoke really well of you.

While it makes me happy to be praised by Hirata like this, if things like this continue to spread around I feel like itll develop into something troublesome. However, I understand why Hirata would give my name to Mii-chan.

There are plenty of reliable students, but in the particular case of Class C, it gets somewhat complicated.

Considering the other boys, its not surprising that Hirata would look me as the next most reliable student.

Still, its about Hirata, huh?

From my earlier conversation with Haruka, I can more or less guess what its about.

Recently, Hirata-kun and Karuizawa-san, uh broke up with each other. Have you heard about it already?

Naturally.

What about it? I pretended as though I didnt understand where she was going with this.

T-That, well

After faltering with her words several times, she finally began to speak about the real issue at hand.

Do you know if theres anyone, H-Hirata-kun likes right now?

It appears that this was what she had been wanting to ask about. In this case, which answer is the correct one to respond with?

Although I thought something like that for a moment, I immediately came to the conclusion that giving a genuine answer would be for the best.

I dont think so.

R-Really!?

Of course I cant say so with absolute certainty, but as far as I know, theres nobody. Besides, hes just been dumped by Karuizawa. It would be too early for him to like someone else already.

While I was speaking, Mii-chan gradually calmed down.

Is it alright if I ask you just one thing out of mere curiosity?

Y-Yeah.

When did you start liking Hirata?

Eeeeeh!?!?

Did I ask her something strange? Mii-chans face turned bright red as she went into a panic.

W-W-W-Why would you ask such a thing?

Oh no, if you dont want to answer, you-

-Right after the entrance ceremony?

-dont have to.

Im a little clumsy

A single encounter with Hirata was the only trigger she needed to fall for him.

Mii-chan spoke openly.

Something like that I guess.

Is that so?

Although there are various uncertainties, one things for certain. She was attracted to Hiratas gentleness.

But-

Mii-chan had been blushing as she talked about meeting with Hirata, but her expression clouded over suddenly as she was brought back to reality.

I I dont think Im good enough to become Hirata-kuns girlfriend

Why?

How am I even able to ask that? Im surprised that Im even able to speak up.

Because there are too many rivals Besides, Ive never been in love before or anything

Even though shes overflowing with feelings of love, it doesnt seem like she has the courage to take action.

And while I dont want to think that a lack of prior experience with love is a handicap, it definitely has some effect.

Well, Mii-chan Wait, is it alright for me to be calling you Mii-chan?

Oh no, youre totally fine. Everyone calls me that. Even though both my parents are Chinese, they both like my Japanese nickname, so even they call me Mii-chan.

That is to say, she isnt half-Japanese or anything like that?

Are you studying abroad?

Yeah. When I was in my first year of middle school, my father came to Japan on business.

So she moved to Japan with the rest of her family?

Have there been any difficulties with that? Like a language barrier or something like that?

It was pretty hard at first. I was more concerned about making friends than the difference in languages. However, there were a lot of people who were pretty good at English at the middle school I enrolled at, so I was able to make friends there.

Speaking of which, I seem to remember that Mii-chan was pretty good at English.

It seems that on top of communicating with others in English, she managed to master Japanese perfectly over her 3 years of middle school. Ive heard that Chinese students have to endeavor through a school system much more rigorous than Japanese students do.

I wonder if Mii-chan has been able to smoothly integrate into Japanese society because shes received that a high level of education.

Beyond this, she just needs to work on her communication skills like Airi.

I wonder if I have a chance

Speaking realistically, shouldnt you have a pretty decent chance?

Really?

I didnt lie. However

H-However!?

While it will probably make her feel anxious, I still have to explain the difficult part of all of this.

Hiratas a good guy, isnt he?

Of course.

Because of that, dont you think hell be more careful next time hes considering going out with someone? It is Hirata were talking about. He may be feeling responsible for it, like he was unable to keep Karuizawa happy.

Mii-chan nodded as though a revelation had just fallen upon her.

Youre right. Along with that, confessing so soon I dont think Id be able to handle it.

I know youre worried about what potential rivals might be doing, but youre probably going to be rejected if you get impatient and confess to him so soon.

I advised her to approach things slowly and steadily until she has a solid foundation to work with.

Of course, its really the type of situation where youll never know unless you ask.

However, I cant really see Hirata being in any sort of rush to associate himself with another girl at the moment.

The odds are that hell end up rejecting the majority of the girls who confess to him.

In that sense, those who slowly stay on the attack will have a greater chance at victory.

I guess I had you a bit misunderstood, Ayanokouji-kun.

Misunderstood?

You know, youre usually really silent and you dont say much Kinda giving people the impression that youre someone really scary. But after meeting with you face-to-face like this, I can tell that youre actually super approachable and that youre seriously listening to what Ive had to say

It seems like shes complimenting me.

However, instead of seriously listening to what shes been talking about, it would be more accurate to say that Im just doing an unconscious analysis of the contents of the conversation. Im only examining each piece of information and deciding whether or not it will be useful to her later on. If she feels like Im listening to her carefully, thats all the more convenient for me.

Does she want to go deeper? It feels like now I have the chance to ask all kinds of thing.

Oh? Mii-chan and Ayanokouji-kun?

Just as I opened my mouth and began to a few other questions, first-year Hiyori Shiina from Class D appeared. I shut my mouth without saying anything.

Hiyori-chan. Hello!

Hiyori-chan. Mii-chan. From their close way of referring to one another, they seem to be rather close.

Are the two of you, by any chance, on a date together?

N-N-No! Not at all Hiyori-chan!

Mii-chan stood up in a panic and desperately waved her arms in front of her to deny the question.

Seeing her reject it to such an overwhelming extent hurt my heart a little bit.

In that case, is it alright if I join in?

Of course! Are you alright with it?

Yeah.

Thank you very much.

Hiyori smiled happily and sat down in the chair next to Mii-chan.

You two are quite the curious combination. What kind of things have you guys been talking about?

Oh Uuuuh

It seemed like it was hard for Mii-chan to say that we had been talking about how to handle the person she likes.

Im interested in China, so Ive been listening to her talk about it a little bit.

About China is it?

Yeah. Its one of the countries Id like to visit someday, so I thought Id hear about it from someone whos from there.

I sent a look over to Mii-chan as if asking for her confirmation. She hurriedly nodded two or three times in response.

Chinas nice isnt it? Im also pretty interested in it, with it having things like the Great Wall of China and all.

Hiyori put her hands together in front of her and smiled.

Hiyoris interest in the topic really went beyond my expectations.

Speaking of China, the wall is definitely a spot that cant be forgotten. Though, personally, Id like to go to Pingyao Ancient City.

Pingyao Ancient City?

It seems like Hiyoris first time hearing of the place.

Mii-chan, on the other hand, widened her eyes in surprise at the fact that I knew of the place.

Even though its a World Heritage Site, the fact that you know about it

Its just a something I heard about.

By the way, are the two of you friends?

Mii-chan asked the two of us after seeing Hiyori and I talk naturally with one another.

Yep! Were reading buddies.

Well, youre not wrong.

Reading buddies?

Mii-chan had an expression on her face that was telling us she didnt understand.

However, she immediately turned that confusion into positivity with her next question.

Isnt it great to be able to make friends across classes?

Its likely that she hadnt had any friends outside of her own class until the training camp occurred.

I think so too. School life can be more than just everyone being hostile towards each other.

Inter-student competition is one of the foundational basics of Advanced Nurturing High School.

Here, most students have a strong tendency to see students outside of their own class as rivals.

However, this time around, the number of students who have opened their hearts to those from other classes has increased.

To some extent, the true aim of the school has become obscured and hidden.

Otherwise, there wouldnt be any rules like the ones we came across at the training camp. However, I can hardly say for certain that this wont be the cause of any negative impacts in the future. When youre forced into a confrontative relationship with others, creating these half-baked friendships could possibly end up causing some adverse effects.