Classroom of the Elite (LN) - Vol 10 Chapter epl8: Volume 10, Epilogue: “The Dropouts” Part 8
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Vol 10 Chapter epl8: Volume 10, Epilogue: “The Dropouts” Part 8

Volume 10, Epilogue: The Dropouts Part 8

Afterward, I found out that I had received an email on my phone.

Sakayanagi, huh?

I didnt know how she found out about my email address, but I figured I might as well go and meet up with her.

I had thought that she would come and see the results on the bulletin board, but

As per Sakayanagis message, I headed toward the special building where she said shed be waiting.

Even though it was almost past the time she had requested for us to meet, I figured that if I left now, wed still be able to run into each other.

Once I got to the special building, I immediately went to the place where we had talked last time.

So you finally came.

Seeing that you have my email address, you must have gotten your hands on my phone number as well.

I didnt call because I didnt think it would be much of an issue if I didnt get to see you today.

What do you want?

For the time being, theres something Id like to explain to you.

As she spoke, she leaned forward a little bit on her cane, shortening the distance between us.

Since I had done something a little bit disorderly, I thought you might be somewhat uneasy, but it seems my worries were uncalled for.

Of course, Sakayanagi was referring to how she had manipulated Yamauchi into concentrating all the censure votes on me.

When you talked to me about delaying our match, I was already ninety-percent certain you were telling the truth. I just didnt trust you completely, so I took some measures of my own, just in case.

I know. Though, you agree that I didnt break our agreement, right?

You didnt do anything that put me at a disadvantage. You didnt lie.

While I had been forced to endure at least some degree of mental stress, if we only consider the outcome, I had ended up with an overwhelming number of praise votes.

No matter how I looked at it, there was no reason for me to hold anything against Sakayanagi.

Thank you very much.

Sakayanagi bowed her head slightly to show her gratitude.

Incidentally Totsuka-kun shouldve ended up with a total of thirty-eight censure votes, but ultimately only got thirty-six. You voted for him, didnt you?

I wasnt certain of anything, but when you said you wanted to have Katsuragi expelled, it felt like it was just a bluff.

In which case, I felt like the chances were higher that she was targeting Yahiko, Katsuragis supporter, instead.

Even though my vote hadnt changed anything, I had ended up casting it for him anyway.

How wonderful. As I thought, youre definitely the real deal. The perfect opponent.

So? Was all of this just your attempt to mess with me?

Well Id be lying if I said it wasnt, but there is a reason why I said that I wanted to postpone our match. I mentioned something similar not too long ago, but this provisional exam is undoubtedly something that a certain someone prepared in order to have you expelled from the school. In fact, this someone has already happened to send me a message requesting for me to help get you expelled.

A message?

Yes. It was probably from the same person who had gotten my father temporarily kicked out of office. Originally, they had set up the provisional exam with slightly different rules. The votes that classes would use on each other were going to be censure votes, not praise votes, so theres no mistaking what their goal was. That wouldve been quite the unreasonable exam, dont you agree?

If that had happened, it wouldnt matter who the student is, if you were colluded against by the other classes, youd be forced out of school.

It wouldve been an unreasonable exam where even Sakayanagi and Ichinose would be at risk if the other classes were out to get them.

Exactly. It seems the current school staff were vehemently opposed to it and managed to change that part of it. Besides, I would never cooperate with that person anyway. That wouldnt be any fun at all. Thats why, in order to ensure your safety, I decided to use all of Class As praise votes on you. That way, even if someone had been up to something behind the scenes, it wouldve been impossible for you to be expelled.

Then, why did you pick Yamauchi? Was it just random chance?

Do you not remember? He bumped into me and knocked me over during the Mixed Training Camp. Furthermore, he was quite rude about it.

Something like that did happen back then.

It was revenge for that.

She had targeted him just because of something simple like that?

For Sakayanagi, that alone mightve been more than enough of a reason.

However, all I did was light the fire. In the end, he was burned because he was a burden to his class.

I guess.

Even if Sakayanagi hadnt interfered with the exam, the end result wouldve probably been about the same.

Those were the main reasons I had asked to postpone our match. At the same time, I wouldnt mind seeing my father return to his position so the school can return to normal, but

Suddenly, within the empty special building, someone new had arrived.

Hello hello.

A lone man dressed in a suit appeared before us.

This is my first time at this school. Do either of you know where the staff room is?

If youre looking for the staff room, then youve come to the wrong place. That said, please excuse my lack of manners, but may I know whos asking?

My name is Tsukishiro. Ill be working as the acting director of the school for the time being.

He waved his hand politely and gave the two of us a seemingly gentle smile.

He was probably in his forties, somewhere around Sakayanagis fathers age.

Fufu, is that so? It seems that Mr. Acting Director has quite the poor sense of direction, seeing as how you just so happened to wander your way here. Or, perhaps you had decided to pay us a visit after seeing the two of us meet on the security camera last time? This is the same place Ayanokji-kun and I had used to meet secretly at the beginning of the exam. It wouldnt be very hard for you to come here if you had always been keeping an eye on it.

As she spoke, I recalled the unnatural look Sakayanagi had given the camera last time we were here.

If someone had really been watching us last time, it wouldve been easy to lure them out next time we came here.

Not only had Sakayanagi thought of this plan ahead of time, but the person in question seemed to have fallen for it.

The acting director simply smiled and ignored what she had been implying.

You say very interesting things. Though, I suppose Ive heard that this is quite the amusing school. I wonder if all the students here are like you? Either way, please, pardon me.

The man proceeded to walk forward, as if he was attempting to walk between the two of us.

Since youre looking for the staff room, I suggest you go back the way you came. Youre in the wrong building.

With the same smile as always, Tsukishiro kicked Sakayangis cane out from under her as she attempted to give him directions.

Naturally, there was no way for her to react to something so unexpected, so she began to fall over.

With an exclamation of surprise, I quickly reached out and grabbed ahold of her to stop her from falling, only to be immediately met with a strike from his elbow aimed at my body.

Unable to take evasive measures while holding onto Sakayanagi, I was forced to take the blow. I resisted the impact to the best of my ability and let Sakayanagi down to the floor. He came at me again in quick succession, seizing me by the neck and pinning me against the wall with bewildering, superhuman strength.

Youre not as good as rumors say, Ayanokji Kiyotaka-kun.

He was pressing against my throat so hard that I couldnt make a sound.

It was hard to imagine his strength based on his outward appearance. It felt like it would be difficult to break free of his hold.

Youve gone and done something quite reprehensible, Mr. Acting Director.

I know you were sent instructions to have him expelled, Sakayanagi.

So that message was from one of your associates then? Since school officials arent able to explicitly force an expulsion, its understandable that you would come to rely on someone like me.

Sakayanagi smiled as she slowly got up from the floor.

Thank you for helping me, Ayanokji-kun.

It wouldve been impossible for Sakayanagi to avoid that given her physical handicap.

There was even a chance that it wouldnt have ended with just a fall.

Do you believe your violent behavior against students will go unnoticed, Mr. Acting Director?

Theres no need for me to worry about it. The surveillance cameras in this area have been doctored to show dummy footage.

In other words, no matter what happened, there wouldnt be any recording of it.

Now then, Ayanokji, I have a message from your father. He has no interest in playing this childish game anymore, and wants you to come home immediately. How about you blink twice if you understand?

I was unable to speak a single word, and furthermore, wasnt even given an option to refuse.

This was really something that man would do.

So you have no intention of making this easy for yourself?

In response to my complete, unresponsive silence, the acting director began to mumble as he got bored.

Why dont you show a little bit of resistance? Show me something a normal kid couldnt.

His hold on my throat became even stronger.

He was a thoroughly trained, skilled opponent that an ordinary student wouldnt be able to deal with.

Theres more to you than just observation skills, right? Why dont you show me what else youre capable of?

He provoked me once again, but I still didnt show a single shred of resistance.

In the end, Tsukishiro realized that I had no intention of fighting back and loosened his grip.

I officially take office at this school in April. Please do look forward to it.

With that, the man walked out of the special building.

That was a wise choice, Ayanokji-kun.

Sakayanagi praised me for putting up with his actions and restraining myself from fighting back.

Hes the acting director. Had I chosen to retaliate, I dont know how he wouldve used it against me.

He said that the surveillance cameras had been doctored to show dummy footage, but there was no guarantee he hadnt recorded everything anyway. It wouldve been checkmate for me if I fought back and only his violent behavior was edited out from the video.

Are you hurt?

Dont worry. Im used to stuff like this. More importantly, Sakayanagi

Yes? What is it?

Lets officially have our match in the next exam.

As I spoke, Sakayanagis eyes seemed to widen in surprise.

I never expected that you would say that sort of thing to me face-to-face.

If that man is going to be involved starting in April, I dont think I can afford to compete with you for very long. Ill make it obvious to you where things stand and leave it with that.

Thats fine with me. I wont need a second or third time. I will gladly accept the privilege of being your opponent.

The final exam of the first year would begin soon, and that would mark the end of the confrontation Sakayanagi was hoping for.

(Part 8 End)