Chapter 17

"What do you think you're doing?"

Sudo himself was surprised.

Tatsuya never really bothered making friends with everyone like Kushida, befriending only those who came to talk with him.

He never really took the initiative to introduce himself to anyone.

As such Tatsuya's male friends did not even amount to five.

Sudo's face took on an irritated expression as he said, "Move!"

But would Tatsuya listen?

"Are you really planning to cause trouble for everyone?" He asked with a calm voice.

"Hah!? I already told ya to keep me out of your nonsense and do whatever ya want to do." His expression grew dark when he noticed that Tatsuya had no intentions of moving.

He moved forward trying to push him out of the way like he did with Hirata but surprisingly Tatsuya didn't budge. Sudo tried to use more force but Tatsuya grabbed his hand.

"I said move!"

Tatsuya didn't let go though, the pressure he was applying on Sudo's wrists gradually increased and Sudo's expression turned for the worse.

Hirata who was watching on the side quickly intervened, "Wait guys, let's calm down. Tatsuya-kun please let go of his hand."

"I'll repeat my words. Will you keep causing trouble for the class?" Tatsuya's voice turned a notch lower and Sudo narrowed his eyes.

He yanked his hand out of Tatsuya's grip and rubbed his sore wrist before walking off with a snort.

This time Tatsuya didn't stop him but merely shook his head with a disappointed expression.

"What a fool..."

Hirata, Kei, Hasabe, and some other girls who heard him paused in shock. Hirata smiled with a nervous expression, "It's fine we can convince him at a later date."

But surprisingly Tatsuya shook his head, "No."

"No one will help him. If he isn't going to be responsible for his own mistakes then he deserves to be expelled."

Tatsuya didn't really care about the class anyway.

"This..." Hirata had a hesitant expression, "That's a bit harsh don't you think?"

"Yeah Tatsuya-kun I agree he's extremely unlikable but to be expelled is a bit..." Kei said with a smile trying to soothe him while Hasabe didn't know what to say.

The girl didn't want to argue with Tatsuya over that mad gorilla.

For her Tatsuya was obviously in the right and it was Sudo's fault for not listening to him. Of course, she wasn't saying this out of blind faith or something.

The situation was clear and everyone knew who was right and who was wrong.

"Well, I suppose all he has to do is study himself. Passing shouldn't be hard and Kushida can help him too, she probably wouldn't want anyone to be expelled." Kei scratched her cheek with her fingers and spoke with a nervous chuckle.

Hirata smiled and said, "True, a passing grade shouldn't be that hard if he truly tries."

"Hmm... I wonder." Tatsuya muttered before shooting Ayanokouji a very subtle glance before turning his head to Hasabe. "Though now... probably no one can save him."

I'll make sure no one does.

The latter part of his words went unheard and Hirata changed the subject challenging Tatsuya for a swimming race.

The girls quickly forgot about it and split into two groups supporting them both while cheering loudly.

...

Horikita and Ayanokouji who heard the entire conversation were silent and didn't say a word from the start.

Ayanokouji who noticed Tatsuya's glance which barely lasted a split second turned his head and saw a subtle frown on Horikita's face and turned to look at Tatsuya again.

"I wonder what he wants."

Horikita flinched and narrowed her eyes toward Ayanokouji. That was exactly what she was thinking so she was a bit surprised to hear it being said out loud.

"I think he provoked Sudo too much." Ayanokouji continued while looking at Ike and Yamauchi who quietly slipped away and left.

"Do you still want me to convince them for the study group?"

Horikita locked eyes with Ayanokouji and for the first time felt unsettled staring into his dull gaze.

"Yes."

Saying this she left startling Kushida who was still looking toward the commotion at Tatsuya's side.

"Ah, Horikita-san! Wai-" By the time she climbed up from the pool Horikita was gone and she was left alone with Ayanokouji.

"Well that's unfortunate..." Kushida muttered and Ayanokouji just nodded along.

He then sighed in sadness which puzzled Kushida.

...

Classes were over as usual and nothing interesting happened.

Tatsuya didn't talk to Sudo and others like usual and they didn't bother with him either. It was as if what had happened at the pool didn't matter.

Eventually, days passed by, and Horikita noticed something.

"The one who sat beside me... She's been absent for the past few days." She muttered with the obvious intention of letting Ayanokouji hear it.

Ever since the S-System was introduced she had been on the edge slightly trying to make sure the class could still earn points.

That was exactly why she was even trying to hold a group study for Sudo and the others.

Ayanokouji who was not paying attention to her words froze in confusion, "Do you mean Airi-san?"

"Oh? Do you know her?"

"Well, not really but since she's the deskmate of my deskmate I thought I should remember her name."

Horikita was stunned hearing that and looked at him with disdain.

"Can you not?" Ayanokouji lamented and Horikita did indeed stop.

"Do you know why she's not been coming to class?"

"Not really, no." He shook his head and felt curious. "Is it because her grades weren't that good and she's skipping class so you're worried she'll be expelled?"

Horikita paused for a moment before slowly nodding.

"I'd rather not have anyone expelled for any reason without a proper understanding of how this school works."

"Oh."

But then Horikita stared at him silently and Ayanokouji was puzzled before an ominous premonition hit his heart.

"We need to meet her and know why she's skipping class."

"Wait! What do you mean... we?"

...

"Do you know her dorm room?" Horikita asked casually while walking beside Ayanokouji.

Ayanokouji who couldn't even cry tears could only nod helplessly, "...Yes."

After a moment he added, "I got it from Kushida-san."

"Mmh."

Horikita hummed in agreement and nodded without any additional input and Ayanokouji just sighed.

Students started getting thinner and after a while, they made a turn only to-

Thud!

Ayanokouji bumped into Horikita.

"Why did you suddenly sto-"

"Shh!"

A quick signal made him stop and he stepped back with Horkita who was looking ahead.

He followed her gaze only to see someone familiar walking in front of them.

It was a tall young man with a broad back and messy black hair that occasionally fluttered due to the winds in the corridor.

"Tatsuya...kun?" He muttered in confusion before turning to Horkita, "Why did you stop?"

"Don't you find it odd that he's heading to the girls' dorms?" She asked in an odd tone and Ayanokouji stopped for a moment.

"It's probably to meet Hasab-"

"Oh."

He suddenly remembered that Hasabe had yet to leave class so how could Tatsuya be going to meet her?

How odd...

***

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