Classroom of the Elite (LN) - Vol 2 Chapter 2.2: Weak point Part 2
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Vol 2 Chapter 2.2: Weak point Part 2

The class was divided up into certain groups after school.

However, there werent many people helping in the first place.

Hirata and Karuizawa led the Hero & Girl team while Kushida led the Beautiful Girl & Co team.

They had decided to look for the witness by themselves.

Even so, its difficult to get results in such a short amount of time.

There are 400 enrolled students at the school. Even if everyone from Class 1-D was left out, there isnt much of a difference.

It would be difficult even if all the time during the morning, breaks and after school were included.

Well, Im going home.

Are you really going to go Horikita-san?

Yeah.

Horikita replied without hesitation and left the classroom.

As expected of Horikita. She wasnt discouraged by the surrounding gazes, all asking, Youre leaving? When she becomes an adult, she would probably be the type to quickly leave a drinking partypromising to finish things up at the next meetingwithout reading the mood.

Well

If Horikitas tactic is to leave out in the open, my tactic is to leave quietly in the shadows.

Ayanokouji-kun.

Kushida called out to me with an anxious voice. The small size of the classroom prevented my escape as I was immediately discovered despite my stealthy footsteps.

What is it? Do you need anything from me?

Sorry, Kushida. Im going to reject your invitation with a heart of steel. And then Ill return to the dorms.

Youll help, right?

Of course.

I couldnt refuse her. Kushidas upturned eyes and her cute request added up to a lethal combination.

I couldnt help it; it felt like I was being controlled by Kushida. I wasnt able to resist.

If a person resolves to stay awake, theyll fall asleep in 24 to 48 hours. Despite some people who occasionally claim that they can stay awake for a long time without sleep, they would eventually collapse.

To put it simply, a person has a limit as to how long they can endure. Its a human mechanism.

After I finished giving an excuse, Kushida made a suggestion.

I really want to get Horikita-san to help this time. Can you ask her again please?

But she went home today.

They failed to stop her just a few moments ago. Was it already time for revenge?

Yea. Can you chase after her? If its Horikita-san, I think she will definitely become a big help.

Well, thats true.

If we take the time to persuade her, dont we have a chance?

If she wants to try again, I have no right to stop her. I nodded, telling her I understood.

Ike-kun, Yamauchi-kun, can you stay here? Ill come back quickly.

Ok.

The two of them arent on the best of terms with Horikita. Anyway, it doesnt seem like Kushidas forcing them to follow along.

Lets go.

Taking Kushidas arm, I left the classroom. I wonder what this bittersweet feeling is. For some reason, I heard Ike and Yamauchis angry voices behind me. It must have been my imagination. Heh.

As I made my way down to the entrance of the building, there was no sign of Horikita. I decided to go out of the building. As shes not the type to stop for anything on the way back, she was probably heading straight towards the dorms.

I pushed past the crowd of students putting on their shoes. Soon after, I saw Horikita in between the school and the dorms (as theres not much of a distance in the first place).

Most of the groups headed back had two people or more, but there was alone figure that stood out.

Horikita-san.

I hesitated before speaking to her, but Kushida called out to her with confidence.

What is it?

Horikita turned around, looking slightly surprised. It seemed like she didnt expect us to chase after her.

I really want Horikita-san to help with Sudou-kuns incident Is that not possible?

I thought I already rejected that a few minutes ago.

She shrugged her shoulders, as if the person she was talking to was an idiot.

I know, but But I do think we need to do this to get to class A.

We need to do this to get to class A, huh?

Looking completely unconvinced, Horikita didnt listen to Kushidas words.

If you want to help Sudou-kun, go ahead. I dont have the right to stop you. However, if you need someone to help, go ask someone else. Im busy.

There isnt anyone thats playing around right now.

I unintentionally retorted. She glared at me, with eyes that said, Why are you talking?

Its important to spend time alone. Its uncomfortable to have that time snatched away.

As expected of a loners line of thought, she disliked spending time with other people.

Even if I help him now, this will happen again. Wont it just be a vicious cycle? You may believe that Sudou-kun is the victim this time, but I think differently.

Huh? Isnt Sudou-kun the victim? It would be troubling if he was lying though.

Kushida didnt understand what Horikita said.

Maybe it really was class C that started the fight this time, but in the end Sudou-kun is also the perpetrator.

W-Wait, Why? Wasnt he dragged into the fight?

With an expression that said, Oh my, Horikita looked in my direction.

Not me, I hadnt said anything. I avoided looking into her eyes.

After a few seconds of silence, Horikita spoke with a tired voice.

Why was he dragged into this incident? The entire issue will be difficult to resolve without solving this fundamental question. I will not agree to help until this question is answered. Since I cant help you, why dont you ask the guy next to you? Even though he pretends to not understand, he probably knows what Im thinking.

Please stop talking with the impression that I understand.

Kushida looked at me with a confused expression, as though she was asking, Do you know?

Horikita, dont say anything unnecessary She resumed walking, implying that we were left to resolve the issue. Kushida, having understood something from Horikitas words, was unable to stop her.

Sudou-kun is also the perpetrator? Is that so?

Kushida looked at me, asking for advice.

After Horikita revealed that I was pretending, even if I were to try to feign ignorance, the future seems troubling. Moreover, if Kushida were to ask with a cute expression, I would gladly give her my bank account information.

I kind of understood what Horikita said. At the very least, Sudou is partially at fault here. Hes the type of person that easily resents others, so he has a violent behavior and tends to say reckless remarks to those who provoke him. I was surprised and impressed when I heard that Sudou was being considered as a regular. He seems good at basketball, but his arrogance and pride would eventually make some people, particularly those who practice just as hard, hate him. Furthermore, there have been rumours that Sudou has been fighting since middle school. I dont know anyone who knew Sudou previously, but seeing that the rumor has been circulating for awhile, there must be some truth to the matter.

The impression other people had of Sudou wasnt good.

This was bound to happen sooner or later. Thats why Horikita said that Sudou was the perpetrator too.

In other words, his usual actions caused this situation, didnt they?

Yep. As long as he continues to provoke those around him with his behavior, this trouble was unavoidable. And if theres no proof, his image, particularly his impression on others, would be used against him. For example, lets say there are two suspects for a murder case. One of them has a previous record of murder, while the other is upright and diligent. Who would you believe?

If one was forced to answer, the majority would have made the same choice.

Thats obvious; the upright person.

With or without evidence, a decision must be made; even if its not the truth. Thats whats happening right now. So long as Sudou doesnt recognise his mistakes, Horikita wont give in.

However, it felt slightly different than the expression of you reap what you sow.

I see, so thats what she meant

Kushida, finally understanding what Horikita meant, gave a small nod.

So Horikita-san isnt helping in order to teach Sudou-kun a lesson?

Something like that. By punishing him, she wants Sudou to have some self-awareness.

Kushida seemed to understand, but couldnt agree with it.

Instead, it looked like she was mad; she had balled her fists in anger..

I dont understand why she would abandon Sudou-kun just to punish him. If shes dissatisfied about something, she should tell him directly. Thats what being a friend is for.

I didnt think Horikita considered Sudou a friend in the first place Putting that aside, she wasnt the type of person who would teach this nicely. She had no sense of responsibility for others.

You should do what you believe is right. Wanting to help Sudou isnt wrong in the first place.

Yeah.

Kushida nodded without hesitation. Shes the type to help out however many times for her friends. To be honest, its a really difficult thing to do; something only people like Kushida could do.

However, its probably better to be more careful when telling Sudou directly. Since theres no point if he doesnt reflect on it, he should become aware of it by himself.

Alright. Ill follow Ayanokouji-kuns advice.

Changing her line of thought, Kushida stretched her back.

Lets go look for a witness now.

After returning to the classroom, I joined up with the others.

Were you unable to persuade Horikita in the end?

Sorry, we tried.

Its not Kushidas fault. We should be fine with the people we have.

I look forward to working with you, Ike-kun, Yamauchi-kun.

Kushida stood there, eyes shining brightly, asking for help. The two of them stared back at her with mad love in their gazes.

Where are we headed?

Looking randomly for a witness would be inefficient.

It would probably be best to come up with a plan before making a move.

If everyones fine with it, how about asking class B first?

Why class B?

Because theyre the class that benefits the most if a witness is found.

Sorry Ayanokouji-kun, but I dont quite understand.

Between classes D and C, which class is an obstacle to class B? To put it simply, which class is more of a threat?

Of course, its class C. So we should ask class C last. But why not class A?

In the first place, there is very little evidence. Class A has no need to provide help in a situation that wouldnt affect them as this dispute is between classes C and D.

Of course, we still werent sure if class B could be trusted. If it was someone crafty, they might have a plan to defeat not only class C but also class D. Even if their plan isnt as detailed, they would have some kind of plan.

Alright, lets head to class B!

Stop.

I reflexively grabbed the back of Kushidas collar as she went ahead.

Nya~!

Startled, Kushida let out a cat-like scream.

Moe~!

Yamauchi had hearts in his eyes at Kushidas cute yelp. That action was probably on purpose

Although I had thought that, my heart died from cuteness overload.

Kushidas communication skills are vital here. However, its not as simple as casually entering the class and attempting to make friends.

Is that so?

If the witness was a friend, or would help for free, thered be no problem. However if it was a more calculating person, they wouldnt agree to help without a price.

We wont know whether or not theyll help us until we talk to then. Even if we take that into consideration will things turn out as expected?

Do you have any acquaintances in class B?

Yep. Theres only a few people that I talk to and get along with, though.

Lets try to ask those people first then.

We didnt want word to spread quickly that we were looking for witnesses urgently.

One by one? Isnt it better to ask all of them at once?

Ike seemed to dislike the indirect strategy.

I also think were looking at it a bit too negatively. It might be good to ask class B first, but I think its better to ask a lot of people at once. We might not be able to find the witness in time if we do it slowly.

I see. That might be true; do what you think is best Kushida.

Sorry Ayanokouji-kun.

Kushida held her hands together in front of her apologetically. It was nothing she should be sorry about. Its natural that our opinions didnt match, and if there were several different viewpoints, we should go with the majority opinion. I withdrew and left the plan up to Kushida and the others. Unexpectedly, I felt someones gaze on me and looked behind.

Only about a third of the class remained in the classroom.

Nothing seems out of place.

At the very least, I couldnt pinpoint whats bothering me.