Classroom of The Elite: Revenge

[Ayanokoji Pov]

[February 6th, Saturday]

I kept my fair share of distance as I observed one of the potential candidates for being the figure X on the rooftop further. 

"Kanzaki, hm?"

That name crossed my thoughts often after the rooftop incident, but I've had yet to figure out if there was an actual chance that it was him.

The easiest solution would be naturally to test out by physical force if there is any resemblance with the person on the rooftop, but it's something I cannot practically do within the school grounds so easily. 

It could be the very own chance that he or X is waiting for. 

Perhaps Kanzaki himself is merely affiliated with the plan and would report in case I contact him or he receives anything such as a love letter to the person in his class. 

I've had no intentions walking to his hands. 

While Kanzaki looked like the perfect candidate at first glance, he might be nothing more than a protective shield admits the real person who is hiding themself in his class. 

The real person could be pulling the strings in secret in his class. For it to be Kanzaki, it's far too convenient of a choice.

In terms of everything, he seems like the perfect candidate, which merely brings me back to suspect him less due to that basis. 

In the end, the likelihood that someone else was behind was more likely. But I couldn't be absolutely sure until the very end. 

He was fitting of every criteria so far.

The question is. . . The motive behind him in the end. 

The change of the person before the rooftop incident and after is pretty visible. 

He was passively, giving me no information aside from which class he belonged back then in the Island Exam.

I had spoken with Chabashira-sensei and she had told me there was no change of people that moved during the second day, in the middle of the night to an enemy's camp. 

If it wasn't for the fact that I knew about her desire of reaching Class A I might have doubted the credibility of her information, but there is no reason to doubt the accuracy. 

A couple of classes like our's did move there in the noon, but neither Horikita, I, Hirata or Kurushima had talked with Kaneda.

I had an eye the whole time on my surroundings. 

Especially, on our leader at that time and what kind of strategy he had. 

Aside from that, we didn't spend much actual time there. We moved from one place to another and he and Hirata accompanied us. 

Kaneda would have also noticed if he got something from one of us smuggled and wouldn't take so long to realize it for Ryūen to investigate it a day afterwards.

Ryūen would have also sooner investigated us or the other classes as well in that case then. 

Nothing particularly hinted at the other classes.

Information was known to everyone in the class through Hirata, and even with Ibuki being doubted behind her "purpose" by some, in the end, no one would be abandoned was the motto of the majority of the class. 

It also meant that every single person had access to that information in our class as well the entire year.

Katsuragi, who made a contract with Ryūen would ensure to know the details of his plans as well, so there was no point of differentiating the information of who knew and who didn't. 

It was fully covered, where a reasonable list of suspects was available. But above everything, the one pointing were at the former Class B.

Even now, everything points at that direction. 

So it was only logical to assume "X" being someone from there, since the majority of the evidence is speaking for it. 

But it would be also the perfect way to target someone and frame them, if intended. 

From my earlier impressions of him, that would be how I had seen it.

But where does his sudden behavior change come from?

Even though my plans were interrupted, until my fight with Ryūen, he never did anything that aimed to expel me. 

There were opportunities, like the Paper Shuffle Exam, but nothing happened till that timeframe. 

But one day, he begins to throw the majority of his advantages away, appears on the rooftop and tries to expel me, so abruptly?

I had assessed him completely differently in the entire timespan, so what resulted to his sudden change of behavior? 

"That's something I'd like to know."

His attitude towards me was beyond simple dislike.

It was more than that.

I could tell from my fight and how he acted that it was hatred and anger that drove him.

For that, he ended up using my plan toward his advantage. He waited patiently until I beat Ryūen and his group, to eliminate any witnesses on my behalf.

He made sure nothing recorded him when entering the building and made sure neither Horikita Manabu or Karuizawa would be able to witness what would happen afterwards.

In the end, neither her nor his statement would have proven to be of any help in front of the school and I would have been expelled, if I hadn't defeated him back then. 

However, breaking the bones of Ryūen and his group. . .

Compared to his prior behavior where he acted passively, that sudden change was a shift towards the very extreme. 

What could have caused this?

I have a far stretched speculation, but he could know about that place and that man. . .

That was one thing I had in mind that might explain his change, but it didn't explain the entirety of his actions. 

His prior actions contradict that more than enough until the rooftop incident happened. 

If so, could he have learned during his time here about all that?

I'm unsure how to explain his resentment—his hatred for me properly, otherwise.

I felt his obvious anger during my fight with him.

But I couldn't possibly be the real target of his hatred. I was trapped in that place my entire life.

The conclusion of it being a White Roomer is also non-existent, so the object of his anger and hatred was someone else—that man, I believe.

For that, he seemingly was willing to do all this and was fine with expelling my entire group, likewise with the 2nd and 3rd Year groups that were partnered up with my group during the Mixed Training Camp. 

Such a change doesn't come from nothing.

He must have learned something, that caused this change.

And the only people here that know about this place and that man are as far as I know only Arisu Sakayanagi and her father, Chairman Sakayanagi.

"Chairman Sakayanagi. . ."

A few days after that man came here, Chairman Sakayanagi had a "cardiac arrest". 

Is that a coincidence?

I can't say for sure. But there's definitely a possibility Chairman Sakayanagi talked.

In the end, the reason for everything is that man again, isn't it?

I'm not saying that man is responsible for the cardiac arrest, but he is the reason someone is trying to expel me.

"I wonder what he did. . ."

That man had many enemies so if a student here from one of the families that opposed him are here and he did something, they want to exact vengeance on me. 

Is that it? 

That's too much of a far-stretched speculation. 

As of now I have solid evidence that it is someone from Ichinose's class. Although, if I were to believe that a student here is behind Chairman Sakayanagi's "cardiac arrest" I should write the theory of "X" being in Ichinose's class completely off.

It would be once again applicable on every student if someone was able to do this. 

No, false—It would be those kind of people who that man would try to keep close at. Influential, affluent people, so I could reasonably deduct out a majority of students, by chance, once I know their backgrounds.

Unfortunately, that kind of information is hardly accessible. In that case, I will need Horikita Manabu's assistance.

As the student council president, he must have had access to the first-years student profiles prior to their enrollment. 

After all, he knew about me and my scores, and should know about much more as well about the other students, I do believe.

Although, that kind of information does not come for free. 

Let's see what he wants.

--

That was back then shortly after the Mixed Training Camp. I had made a deal with him, but he postponed it and wanted me to observe Nagumo.

Because of my deal with him regarding the Ryūen incident, I already had to do something for him, but after the Mixed Training Camp and the moment Kushida and Nagumo made contact, he agreed on selling me infos from the first-year students.

Of course under the condition that I break off their cooperative relationship and make sure Kushida doesn't do anything to his class.

In short, I'm also delivering information about Nagumo's next steps, so he and his class could graduate from Class A in the Final Exam without worrying about Nagumo's interference currently. 

Although, I wonder how much he can actually interfere. Aside from expelling students now, he shouldn't be able to do interfere much when the exam comes.

If I could, I would ask Chabashira-sensei, but after her huge favor from back then in the Mixed Training Camp, I don't think I can bring her to tell me about other students background informations. 

Especially, since the rumor with Ichinose is now in circulation and regarding Kurushima, as well. 

I don't think her answer would have changed, regardless. She made it clear once, that there was a "line" she wouldn't "cross".

Although, that happened, after we reached Class A back then, so she was not the same "person" back then anymore.

While I am looking whether this theory can be proved right or wrong, it could also be a complete waste of time and all of it was the doing of that man.

I'm still with the majority of the contents on the same page, until one point. 

Chairman Sakayanagi told it willingly to that student but that man found it out and tried to get "rid" of him. 

[A/N: I hate to do author notes in the middle of a chapter, but it's important to note and keep in mind. Ayanokoji nor pretty much anyone else does know Arisu "fell" unconsciousness at the same time which lead to the Chairman's "cardiac arrest". He knows that Chairman had a cardiac arrest and connects it with the information on his disposal.]

I felt this to be an evenly likely—No, an even likelier scenario. It's hard to imagine that a student is capable of doing this.

Considering the timeframe, it would suit quite well. He was already at the school when I arrived in the office room of the chairman.

It wouldn't be strange if he came regarding that matter primarily.

Although, there might be an off chance as well that none of this was the case.

Chairman Sakayanagi could have suffered just somehow from a cardiac arrest and the student that is trying to expel me might be aware of far less than I actually think. 

I already made rumors about Ichinose during the time of the paper shuffle, so could it be inclined to that and I've been overestimating the student on the rooftop simply?

Perhaps he likes or has plans for Ichinose and doesn't like me interfering with it.

That's something I also can't say for sure, but for that, I'm researching. Whether it's that possibility, another one or a complete different one—I can't tell. 

Horikita Manabu is my closest clue regarding that matter, currently. 

"But it sure is troublesome. . ."

I couldn't help but sigh.

I was on my way right now to make sure Kushida and Nagumo won't be in further contact anymore, while also forming for my own safety an "insurance" regarding her. 

It was necessarily, just in case. 

"Hey, Ayanokoji-kun, I'm over here."

There she is. 

Let's hope, this goes quicker over than I think.

--

[Kurushima Pov]

[8th February, Monday]

"Hey, Kurushima-kun, can we talk?"

I looked to the side as I heard my name being called up from someone I was a bit familiar with. 

It was one of my classmates, who seemed to eagerly want to talk with me. 

Fortunately, it wasn't a girl.

I had experienced some troubles after my past was revealed last week. It was quite annoying, but more than anything else, I hated to be seen as someone being "weak". 

Impressions like those were things I hated the most.

In the end, that was the sole reason I revealed my past, because Sakayanagi thought she could toy with me because of that. 

I had paid no mind to her in the spur of my emotional moment, but she certainly can do some rather annoying things. 

But in the end, I shouldn't be this affected by my past to be revealed.

It's just my past.

There's nothing to hide. 

So I won't be affected by myself or what others say any longer.

"Make it fast, Yukimura. I don't have the intention of coming late to class."

I was currently on my locker, taking my shoes, so Yukimura wasn't interrupting me at anything special. 

If he wanted to talk I could spare a bit of time.

"It won't take much of your time. I promise. What you said. . . Last week, is it true?"

"I said much things last week, so you need to be a little more specific here, Yukimura."

"I see. Sorry for that. I meant. . . Regarding the scholarships you said your company offers. Is it true? I didn't find anything on it on the Internet."

"Do you think I'm lying about that aspect?"

Even if I said that in the spur of my annoyance last week, I didn't lie about that at all. 

"No—"

"Be at ease. I'm messing with you. It will be announced soon. The decision was made rather late last year and would be officially declared on the 1st April, 2016, so it won't take much longer."

"The school will announce it formally at some time, soon. But it naturally depends on what kind of field you want to study."

"The scholarship is just for STEM, Business and Economics, Healthcare, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences relating fields available." 

"If you intend to study something else other than one of these fields, the scholarship will be useless for you. You'll have to apply under governmental scholarships or other scholarships in that case."

"I explained it to you and did my obligatory duty as the major shareholder of the company that offers these scholarships. That's all from my side now, so I'll be going."

But I could easily tell from his facial expression that he was yet unsure about his future career path.

I heard him once saying that his older sister was a teacher in a middle school I believe, so he might walk toward that same path. 

Of course, it was back then when I was still an approachable person when I heard that from him. It was a bit before the Christmas Holidays begun, so it's not that long ago. 

He struggled finding himself worthy, had self-esteem issues in the end, and came to me and opened himself up.

Back then, even when rumors were circulation about me, I was still a "trustful" person, so it wasn't unusual to get approached by him or some of my other classmates. 

Compared to the "me" now however, most people rarely tried to see me nor would open up to me which was in all honesty a huge relief since I didn't like to be in this position at all. 

Helping other's when I can't even help myself.

What a joke. 

In the end, unlike me, he and nearly all the other students had plenty of options to choose for their future.

At one point, I wished to face similar problems like him, but everything in my life was chosen the moment they died.

I'm being at this again. . . Complaining about everything in my life, as if I didn't have a choice as well. 

I should really stop doing that from now on. 

Sighing internally, I quickly left the place, with some of my thoughts being forcefully shut down. Then afterwards I moved to the classroom to continue my usual day like routine.

But before my day would be over, I was met with an interesting scene I hoped to happen right in front of my classroom.

"Ayanokoji, what the hell, dude...?! What is this? Explain it! You bastard. . ."

I smiled slightly, as everything seemed to go as I intended. 

His peaceful life is officially over now and it won't take much longer for him to get expelled.

I didn't even have to do much.

Just move a few stones here and there. 

All I needed was to be a bit patient until he approached here on his own terms in the end. 

But now that everything is ready, let's see how this develops.

--

After the interesting things in the class was over I met someone again that was a bit familiar.

If he wasn't this important I wouldn't have arranged a meeting for us this time as well, would I?

"You wanted to speak with me again? What is it? As a teacher I'm quite the busy individual."

"The way you speak has changed quite a bit. Is it that you realized there is no use to threaten me after our last conversation?" I asked him, but I didn't need to pry for his answer any further. 

It was obvious what caused this.

If he tried to threaten me with his recording he would have also realized I could have showed the school simply the original one. 

I'm sure he wasn't foolish enough not to consider this possibility right now as well. Back then, he might have been swayed over by his emotions, but not anymore. 

"How about we both lay our phones to the side and discuss why you called me over here without any lingering feelings."

So he went with a proposal like this, abandoning his "plan". But in the end, I knew what kind of individual he was. 

The reason why he tried to hit me — It was not just an issue with my disrespectful attitude by chance, but that he might see me as the "personification" of the "Upper Class".

His wording just now definitely gave me that broad idea.

It truly seems like he let his lingering feelings out on me, having associated me with someone from his past that he condemns by any chance or the mere dislike he harbors for people "like me".

However unlike back then, he was now in another position—an authority one, that is in this school above individuals like "me".

In the end, if that was his raison for everything—I could understand it, at least a decent bit.

But it didn't change anything. 

His importance was on the higher regard of my plan to leave the school so I would continue with everything just as I wanted.

I merely would need a good enough of an excuse for leaving this school abruptly, after what will happen to Ayanokoji, especially.

He will be a pariah, among the whole school when that happens. 

I also will give a certain individual the "coincidental" chance soon enough to figure out who was the perpetrator that attacked her with the rumors.

But that solely will depend on her.

And also, how the school is going to proceed this case. 

"Sure. Let's do that."

"But don't worry, it's nothing special at all. I had come here to talk with you about something."

"Talk with me about something?"

"Firstly, I will need to see your other phone."

"My other phone. . ."

"Do you think I'm stupid enough to be fooled that you came with just one phone here. Please show me your private phone."

He was shocked, but he didn't outrightly deny anything.

"How did you know?"

"You wouldn't have suggested to lay down the phones if you didn't have something else on your hand. It's a simple tactic, which might have worked on others. But not on me."

"It's strange that you didn't attempt on the first time. Then again, you thought you had the upper hand, so it's no surprise."

"Please hand it over and let me delete the recording. Otherwise, I'm meet with no choice to report what happened between us."

I could outrightly tell that his calm side quickly shifted, but I didn't care about it. I took his phone from his hand and made sure to delete the recording. Then I turned his phone off, to prevent any further attempts from him. 

"Now that you got me, what is it that you want?"

"Nothing."

"Rather, I want to ask you something, Sensei."

"Why did you try to hit me? Do you hate me that much? Is it because you were on an authority position and wanted to feel power over me?"

"I. . . didn't like your attitude."

"My attitude, huh? I figured out as much as that. Was that all? I'm sure there's more than that, considering the severity of what you had done. It must be more than that."

"It's that. . . and that I was reminded of someone I heavily disliked from my past."

I figured out as much. 

I knew that I was completely right with my guess. That's the only thing I strangely cared about right now. I didn't have any purpose aside from recording his answers on my second phone here.

I could remind him that I had two phones but he probably didn't dig deep enough about me to know this.

I had two phones. 

Well, three, actually.

One that I obtained during the Mixed Training Camp, which I use to call Aoki.

It's so easy to cut the beginning out and using the context for however you like. 

"I see."

My reply was short, but in the end I hadn't much more to say. 

I gestured him with my hands to leave and he did so, slowly, in the end. He looked back at me but he seemed to be a little bit ashamed of himself.

No words, nor anything else.

Strange that I am going to use this as evidence as well and use it to leave this school. 

I'm going to say, that the revelation of my past and the abuse suffered under a teacher made me decide to leave this school.

Now it's just time to let the audio record how I'm "beaten up". . .

I really am going this far in the end, huh? 

No, it's his fault in the first place for trying to hit me back then.

Why should I even remotely care whether his life is ruined in the process. 

He shouldn't be in a teacher position at the first place, even if I hate myself and think that I deserved to be hit.

In the end, it doesn't matter. 

For my goals, I should be ready to do anything. 

This is just one small thing. 

Considering that I nearly killed a person a few months ago, this is nothing more than child's play.

Yeah. . . Right.

--

A day later, Ryūen came and approached me, with something unexpected in the process of happening that day due to him.

I got back together with my ex-girlfriend.

--

A/N: And this concludes the chapter. 

I said that the chapter would be revealed soon after the new year, but I ended up procrastinating the chapter. 

I apologize for that.

I watched Netflix in my Holidays, took days off, and also began on playing Red Dead Redemption 2, again. 

Yeah. . . Hahaha, I can't excuse myself well. 

I will try to get the next following chapters sooner out. 

Also, happy new year for everyone that is reading this. 

Regarding this chapter, or the end of it, I'm probably going to show you in Ayanokoji's Pov what is happening at the classroom and why Kurushima says Ayanokoji is becoming a pariah. 

You probably have to wait a bit more until the Reunion Scene comes, but I always intended to get them back before Valentine occurs. 

After the next chapter with Ayanokoji is done, it's probably about time that I write the emotional reunion between Kurushima and Hiyori. 

Strange, that the last time you saw them together was nearly 7 or 8 months ago.

Doesn't feel like that. . .

Anyhow, I hope I'm still good at writing romance. 

I got the precise scene and idea, basically, in my mind. 

Yeah, that aside, how did you find Ayanokoji's Pov?

His Pov has been missing, but he naturally cannot connect all dot's as of now completely together, since he is missing information. 

I don't think I scaled him too low, but let me know about your thoughts. 

Well, anyway, this is all, I suppose.

I hope you liked it.

The next following chapters are going to be better, so I hope you don't mind this one at all.

Anyhow, time to say farewell for now.

Goodbye.

Have a great day.