A Battle Before The Real Battle[2]

"A call recording? With whom?" Horikita asked her, as it was quite intriguing piece of information.

"It was with Sakayanagi. I am sending it to you via mail. I was totally baffled by the contents they were talking about. But, the main highlight is apparently, there is some kind of scheme going on, by acting director Tsukishiro, to expel Kiyopon."

"...Huh?", Horikita was also confused by the sudden twist in story.

How was Ayanokouji involved in all this? 

Well, to be specific, it was him, from whom this whole ordeal started, as he was being targeted by Yamauchi in the in-class voting special exam initially.

Horikita listened to the call recording carefully, repeating the important parts, where Yamauchi was offering Sakayanagi a deal for the upcoming special exam as a chance to have a match with Ayanokouji.

However, Sakayanagi neither confirmed everything, nor denied, so it was not exactly conclusive.

Furthermore, the main focus of their conversation was revolving around Ayanokouji, which was quite unexpected to her.

But there was a bigger problem here.

Horikita is somewhat aware of Ayanokouji's abilities, so she can imagine him getting such treatment from beings like Sakayanagi or Tsukishiro. Thus, she can digest the conversation in the call recording.

But what about Haruka?

Not only she knows nothing about Ayanokouji, they are in the same friends' group, which means somewhat close.

And after hearing such things just after her best friend, Sakura Airi's expulsion, there was no telling what she would do.

Horikita also understood the depth of this matter, and decided to take this into her own hands.

"While Ayanokouji-kun's name getting mentioned here is truly a shocker, we can't be sure that all that Yamauchi-kun said is true. But, we finally got a lead from the investigation. So, Hasebe-san, I have to ask you to step down for a while now. I will look into this matter from now on." Horikita urged Haruka to halt their plan for a while.

In the meantime, Horikita, herself would find out the truth behind this ordeal.

Looking at the hesitant face of Haruka, she reminded her of their main goal.

"I will say this again, Hasebe-san. Our goal is to find out some solid proof of Yamauchi-kun's cheating in that exam, which would result in his expulsion. Then, as Chabashira-sensei said, only then ,there would arise a chance to bring back Sakura-san to school. We are in a cooperative agreement here. You would get your friend back, while the class would be free from a traitor, and we would be able to appoint someone capable as the commander to win the upcoming special exam."

Haruka nodded along.

"If you understand, then it's good. And don't take any risky action on your own like yesterday."

This was the agreement they had. 

If the cheating is found out, then there would be heavy punishment on the officials involved in the exam process, and because the expulsion just happened 2-3 days ago, there was definitely a chance that Sakura could be brought back.

However, it's easier said than done.

The suspect Yamauchi's movements were constantly tracked, and the places he visited was thoroughly investigated.

While Horikita was pre-occupied in making plans for the year-end special exam, after hearing that call recording, she also focused on this matter completely.

And thus, every piece of information she found pointed towards a single evident statement.

"The results of the in-class voting special exam was tampered with."

***

Meanwhile, the suspect was enjoying his lunch.

Well, that line would have been true if I had any money to buy anything.

I am broke for real for the first time in my life.

It doesn't really pose any problem with basic necessities, as there are free food and essentials sold at a store.

But the quality and taste is quite bland. And I can't complain, because it's free food.

So, after that deal yesterday, I have 4 private points in my wallet. Literally four.

And now, after completing my lunch, I am going towards the library.

No reason, though.

I just felt like visiting a noise-free place.

And, as I entered the library, it was just as I had expected. 

Exams were already over, so it was nearly deserted.

However, at the corner, there sat a quiet, silver-haired first year girl, immersed in a thick book.

I was not expecting her to be present as well. So, not to disturb her, I also quietly picked up a book, looking interesting from it's cover, and took a seat at some distance.

But, to my surprise, she noticed me, and waved her hands, to which I responded with the same gesture.

I had told her that I would visit the library on Monday, but due to various reasons I couldn't.

As I was thinking of continuing reading, she stood up from her seat, and came to sit in front of me with her book.

As the silver-haired girl sat down across, she gave me a small, polite smile. 

"Hello, Yamauchi-kun," she greeted softly.

"Hey, Shiina-san," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I see you managed to find some time to visit the library," she said, her eyes briefly glancing at the book I had chosen.

"Yeah, it's just... you know, school stuff," I said, brushing off the seriousness. "Anyway, what are you reading?"

Shiina's eyes brightened at the change of topic. "Oh, it's a collection of short stories by Haruki Murakami. His writing is so captivating and thought-provoking. What about you?"

I glanced at the book in my hand. "This? It's a mystery novel. I picked it up because the cover looked interesting. Do you know this one?"

Shiina leaned forward to get a better look at the cover. "Oh, I think I've read that one. 'The Silent Detective,' right? By Kazuhiro Nakamura?"

"Yeah, that's the one," I said, nodding. "I thought it might be a good distraction."

"I remember reading it last year," she said with a smile. "The detective's unique method of solving crimes was really intriguing. Nakamura's writing style keeps you hooked from start to finish."

"That's good to hear," I replied. "I'm looking forward to diving into it."

She smiled at my reply, and I did so as well.

After that, she started focusing on her own book, and I also started reading the one I held.

However, there were a few things that was sprouting inside my head.

As my previous life was filled with hard labor, there was not much time for me to actually think about things deeply.

But now that I have so much free time, my mind just wanders deeply into such things.

So, I decided to share some of my thoughts with the mature-minded girl sitting in front of me.

"Um, Shiina-san, this might be a little sudden, but do you have any kind of goal, having admitted to this school."

"Goal?", she tilted her head in confusion.

"No, I mean, something you like to achieve here, or something you want to do in future. For example, graduating from class A?"

Shiina's eyes softened as she considered my question. "A goal... huh." she said thoughtfully.

"I suppose graduating from Class A is a common goal for many here, but for me, it's a bit more personal."

She paused, seeming to gather her thoughts before continuing.

"It's not like I don't want to graduate from class A. I would do everything in my power to help my class towards that goal. But, personally, I don't like the idea of students fighting among themselves to climb up in class points."

Well, it was to be expected.

Shiina Hiyori is probably the most mature one in that jungle of class D students. 

She doesn't have any urge to win special exams, nor would she refuse to cooperate to win.

"But, if I have to fix a goal.....that would be to understand people better."

"Understand people?" I asked in confusion.

"You see, in my previous school, I often felt disconnected from others. People were friendly, but there was always a sense of distance. I wanted to bridge that gap, to learn how to connect with others on a deeper level."

I see. 

I had never thought of such a thing before.

Understanding someone else has always been a foreign concept to me.

Even if I observe that person on a daily basis and make a characteristic note of them, it would never be clear to me what they are thinking.

Therefore, hearing such words, my respect for her has increased.

Even as an adult, I tried to do that multiple times, but failed.

What was my father thinking, when he was quarreling with my mother, what was my mother thinking when she threw the ashtray towards my forehead, what was Shinomiya senpai thinking when she one-sidedly abused me on a daily basis.

"Well, it seems like lunch break is over. See you later, Yamauchi-kun."

After that brief exchange, she left the library with that thick book.

I also got up and started moving towards my class.

The show must be in it's interval stage right now there.

But, that conversation left a big question in my mind.

"What did I want to do in my previous life?"

Was there even anything I wanted to become or pursue as a career?

What was my goal, then?

While wondering about the future and reminiscing about the past, I wandered the hallways of the school, a labyrinth of thoughts weaving through my mind.

But, there was a part of me that kept on clinging on to the hope of finding the answers to these questions right here in this school.