Ayanakouji finally knows what a friendship based on mutual support and fondness feels like. (Take THAT --- "dad-guy".)

That's interesting. Ayanakouji "doesn't know what he doesn't know". Simply arranging beautiful flowers affected him in an unexpected way. More facets of human emotions are appearing in Ayanakouji's personality. But since he's never experienced them before, he has no point of reference to compare them. Our man is growing . . .

When did they "date"? They only went to the gym. She was in his room a few times. Why do so many people believe this rumor that Ayanakouji is going to dump Kei for Ichinose? When and where in the LN did Ayanakouji even say that? When did the author publicly state: "Everyone be prepared for the big breakup scene that's going to happen during the Second Year arc when I pick up the story where I left off"?

How did the rumor that Ayanakouji was going to dump Kei for Honami gain so much traction over this past year? Where in the past volumes of the LN is it specifically stated that this is Ayanokouji's full and deliberate intention? Which volume? Which chapter? How could anyone know this before the author had even resumed writing the still developing story? Did he ever release a formal *spoiler alert* saying to be on the lookout for "the part where Kiyotaka Ayanakouji breaks up with Kei Karuizawa to date Honami Ichinose during the Second Year arc"? I think people are putting 2 and 2 together and getting 9.

Why does it seem that in Japanese society people can barge into someone's personal business, blurting out accusations and demanding answers? Is there some backward obligation to become servile, go on the defensive, and reveal your personal matters to aggressively nosy people? Unacceptable. 100%. People like that need to be told out loud in front of everyone: "Are you digging in my business because you're a gossiper and a pathological liar? Stop talking to me and walk away while you still can." Don't. Permit. It.

This quote from Kei stays with me:Looking back right now, this was the first time Ayanokouji-kun and I had spent time alone together. In my three years of school life, he would become the most important and irreplaceable person, but at this very moment I wasn’t aware of it. Kei is older at this point. She is recalling her past high-school days with Ayanakouji Kiyotaka. She highly cherishes the memories looking back. That can only mean one of two things:1. Is she currently his wife?2. Or is she fondly reflecting on a boy she once dated, named Ayanakouji Kiyotaka, who helped her become the woman she finally became? (I'm hoping it's number 1.)

I'm hooked. This LN reads like a book from one of my favorite genres : Intrigue. I'm relatively new to the artistic media trinity that is Light Novel/Manga/Anime, having begun in earnest about 3 years ago. And I have become VERY invested in this particular story. I was first introduced to it by means of the anime series. My jaw dropped at the end of the final episode of season 1. All throughout, we, the viewers, were allowed to hear Ayanakoji's inner monolgue. We were freely invited to see how the wheels in his head turned. He was enigmatic, which, in turn, made him magnetic. We heard his mental notes : "Interesting", "Hmm", and the like. We saw him stealthily contributing in ways that were beneficial to the class and to individuals, all while denying any involvement. Rather, he was consistently shifting the credit to others. Yet --- he appeared to be a walking contradiction. Because, despite whatever good came out of his way of helping, it seemed that something was missing. There was an astonishing lack of warmth His actions were not those of a selfless person. They were clandestine, shadowy, and disaffected. That kept me wondering why. I am intrigued by stoic characters in stories. Great authors know how to keep that character's true intentions away from others within the plot, as well as from us, the readers. If the author is especially gifted at this craft of storytelling, things finally resolve in a way that we never saw coming. And the final seconds of Classroom of the Elite season one? I never saw it coming. Ayanakoji's chilling, detached, private monolgue as the credits were rolling made me do a Keanu Reeves. "Whoa . . . " I needed to get to the source material as fast as humanly possible. In short order I am thoroughly enjoying this amazing work of art. It's very much a page-turner, leaving me checking back repeatedly for the next installment. I'm here till the end. It has not disappointed me once. And I'm confident the end will leave me feeling the same way.

Hey, just for the record, I too have a soft spot for Ichinose! Her character is potrayed as someone you "fall in like" with. THEN you "fall hopelessly in love" with her. Jussayinizzall!