Chapter 12: Horikita Manipulates the Best Detective and the Perfect Human

A little while after leaving the issue in the hands of the student council, I returned to my room to find Hirata waiting at my door.

Hirata: *looking nervous but expectant* "H-Hey... would you mind if... we talked...? It's important..."

Ranpo: *smiles and welcomes Hirata into his room* "Of course! Come in! Is there something you need to tell me?" *gestures towards his chair and invites Hirata to sit with a gesture* "So, I guess you want to talk about the study groups?"

Hirata: *sits down and adjusts himself* "Um... Yes, it's actually related to that." *asks a question* "Edogawa-Kun... could you help me with something?"

Ranpo: "Call me Ranpo, and of course, I'll help you. What's it about?" *takes another bite of his snack*

Hirata: *takes a deep breath* "Horikita and Ayanokoji turned down taking on a group, and I..."

Ranpo: *grinning mischievously* "Don't worry about that. In a few weeks, you'll hear that Horikita will be in charge of Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudou."

Ayanokoji: "Though it depends on whether they make it work or not. Maybe I should ask Kushida to help them? Although, if I push her too much, she might explode from stress."

Hirata: "Really? Wow! In that case, I'm a bit more relieved..." *smiles* "So, can I ask you for one more thing?"

Ranpo: *crosses his legs casually* "Of course, go ahead. What is it?" *seems relaxed and nonchalant.*

Hirata: "When the time comes, can you tutor the girls in my group?... I need to mingle with the rest of the class, and the girls have a good impression of you from when we went out to eat."

Ranpo: "... Eh? The girls?" *looks a bit puzzled, but quickly realizes what Hirata means* "W...Well, I can try...!"

Hirata: *gestures of gratitude and smiles* "You'd be doing me a great favor. Thank you!"

---

It's the first weekend in May. Ike and the others started listening to the teachers in silence. Only Sudou continued to sleep during class, but no one tried to stop him. However, Sudou received the anger of many of his classmates every day.

Right now, I'm leaning on my arms, trying to use my hands to conceal the fact that I'm sleeping.

— "W-Whoa!?"

Was that Ayanokoji? It seems like poor guy was thinking the same as me, but he didn't take into account that the only way to have complete freedom is by demonstrating power. For example, look at Koenji and me. We never do anything or pay attention, but no one can say anything because we're the best. "The two Jokers of Class D."

Chabashira: "What's wrong, Ayanokouji? You suddenly shouted. Are you in your rebellious phase?"

Ayanokoji: "N-No. Sorry, Chabashira-sensei. Some dust got into my eye."

Normally, students would have started whispering, but they stayed quiet and instead sent glances, being cautious about their points.

Turning around, I stared at Horikita intently. Why does she have a compass in her hand? I don't even think there's a reason to use it during class. As soon as the class ended, I went to Horikita and Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji: "There are things that are okay to do and things that are not! Compasses are dangerous!"

Horikita: "Are you mad at me?"

Ayanokoji: "You have a dangerous weapon in your hand."

Horikita: "Are you saying I stabbed Ayanokouji-kun with the compass point?"

Ayanokoji: "You have a dangerous weapon in your hand."

Ranpo: "Hey! I'm here too... What gives you the right to talk on the side without including me?"

Ayanokoji: "Sorry 😐"

Horikita: "Is there something you want, Edogawa-Kun?"

Ranpo: *nodding while cleaning his mouth* "Yeah, I have something. I want a chocolate bar and two ice creams."

Horikita's expression changed to a pained one, but she nodded slowly.

Ayanokoji: "You're definitely scary. Is there some kind of trap?"

Seeing how Horikita invited us to eat with her, I can't help but feel suspicious. But food is food. I always have the option of using my "Ultra Deduction," but if I do that, she might get mad and take the food away.

Horikita: "If we always doubt everyone's true intentions, human society doesn't function, right?"

Ayanokoji: "Well, that's true, but..."

Ranpo: "I guess you're right..."

I followed Horikita to the cafeteria, thinking solely about free food. Horikita bought the sweets, found a seat, and sat down with me.

Ayanokoji: "Well, then, itadakimasu?"

Ranpo: "Itadakimasu!!!"

Horikita looked at Ayanokoji with a stern expression, while I devoured everything voraciously.

Horikita: "What's wrong, Ayanokouji-kun? Why aren't you eating?"

Ayanokoji: "Oh." 😐

It's scary. There's definitely a trap somewhere. There's no way this is free. But at this point, there's no turning back... I lost (Horikita with food > Fyodor and Dazai).

Horikita: "It's sudden, but please listen to me."

Ayanokoji: "I have a bad feeling about this."

While thinking about getting up and running away, Horikita grabbed my hand and Ayanokoji's.

Horikita: "I'll say it again. Won't you listen to me?"

Ayano/Ranpo: "Ugh..."

Horikita: "From Chabashira-sensei's council and your explanation, Edogawa-Kun, the number of infractions during class has certainly decreased. It wouldn't be wrong to say that more than half of the reason for the reduction in our points has been eliminated."

Ayanokoji: "Yes, that's true. However, it wasn't a particularly difficult problem to solve."

Horikita: "Now, the next thing we have to do is improve our scores on the exams that are coming up in two weeks. As you anticipated, Edogawa-Kun, Hirata decided to create study groups."

Ranpo: *nodding as he stands up and stretches* "That's right. Even last night, Hirata came to my room and asked me to take charge of a group."

Ayanokoji: "Isn't that Hirata's

group?"

Ranpo: "Exactly, Emotionless-Kun, but Hirata wanted to be able to get closer to the rest of the class."

Ayanokoji: *looking slightly hurt* "I guess that makes sense."

Horikita: "Originally, I couldn't even imagine getting a failing score. However, it's true that there are students in the world who inevitably fail their exams."

Ayanokoji: "Are you talking about Sudou and his friends? I see, as ruthless as ever."

Horikita: "I'm just telling the truth... I'm a little relieved because Hirata decided to start a study group. However, Sudou-kun, Ike-kun, and Yamauchi-kun didn't join, did they? I still feel uneasy."

Ayanokoji: "Oh, those guys. They're not on good terms with Hirata. They wouldn't participate."

Horikita: "In other words, these guys will probably fail. And in order to reach Class A, we have to avoid getting negative points and focus on earning positive ones, right? I also believe that there's a high chance that good exam results are related to earning positive points."

Ranpo: *getting up and stretching* "Ah, I think that's enough. If you ever need the help of a 'Super Detective,' don't hesitate to call me... Bye!"

Ayanokoji: "Goodbye..."

Horikita: "I suppose there's nothing we can do..."

---

Right now, I have some options to ensure that I pass this exam without expulsions, but I could also use this as an opportunity to gauge the class's abilities. But it's worth it if I end up causing more problems for innocent people like my classmates.

I think a part of me just wants everyone, regardless of their class, to graduate into Class A.