The Circumstances of Class D, Part 4

(Dazai Crowley's POV)

Cerulean Academy, Present Day

As soon as Asura paid for both our plates, we later walked over to a specific table that laid in one secluded corner of the cafeteria.

Over there, we were rudely greeted by a person at a special table.

"What took you so long?"

"Ah, my bad, Victor. I got held up again."

Bearing a black fedora hat and a scornful pair of eyes, lied a single displeased looking Victor.

Looks like he's been waiting for quite awhile now.

"Busy flirting again?"

"No. I just had to deal with Gideon again."

"Again? How many times have I told you to leave that man alone?"

"I'm know, I'm know, but it wasn't my fault though. He was messing with one of our classmates again."

Saying that, Asura gestured a little towards me.

"And you are?"

"Dazai. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Dazai, huh. You're a student of Class D, right? I didn't see you introduce yourself back in class."

"Technically, neither did you until you stopped Esmes and Ryoku."

"Fair point."

"Oh yeah! Get this, Victor!"

"Huh?"

"Apparently Gideon tried fighting against this guy, right? But he couldn't land not even a single hit once! It was like Dazai was reading him like a book!"

Saying that while laughing, he slapped my back.

…There was surprisingly a lot of power behind it.

"Oh, really now?"

Was my movements really all that special? All I did was rely on basic agility and eyesight...

Sigh.

"In any case, why was Gideon fighting you two? He doesn't usually start fights with the new students like that."

I figured this question was going to be asked.

"A couple years ago, he and I went to the same school together. Back then, he was quite the bully. He made sure to turn everybody into his victim, me included. And whenever anybody was made his target, he would go to ends of the earth to make their lives miserable. So I guess that's why."

"So it's because he thinks he hasn't finished hunting you down yet, huh. Yeah, that definitely sounds like our classic Gideon. He was always one to go to great lengths when it came to hurting somebody. It's revolting."

"Call it what you will, that guy sure is persistent."

"Sure, but persistence used in such a destructive manner is simply a waste. It would be far better spent studying or honing one's own talents."

"Agreed."

"...Honestly, how did that guy, of all people, end up higher than us?"

"Higher?"

"Gideon is a student of Class C."

"—Oh. Wonderful." I said sarcastically.

"That's not all. Last year, he was also their Student Representative. I heard he was an absolute and unforgiving tyrant during that time."

"I can imagine that. Tranny and violence happens to be one of his favorites."

Suddenly, a question came to mind.

"Is he still running as their leader?"

"Not officially, no."

"Every year, the role gets reset, which gives the new students a chance to shoot their shot as a leader. However, there is no rule that forbids former leaders from being re-elected either."

"I see. In that case, there is a chance he would try running for another re-election, huh."

"Unfortunately, so. I'm honestly surprised the entire class hasn't already submitted their decision."

"Well, believe it or not, Class C happens to be one of the easier classes most students get accepted into compared to the rest. Therefore the ratio between freshmen and seniors is always more skewed than the rest of the school."

"In other words, by the time the old seniors graduate, the majority of the students in Class C will most likely be freshmen. Because of that fact, Gideon will have no other choice but to re-establish his authority every year."

That makes sense.

To establish a hierarchy and take control of your class via tyranny is by no means an easy feat to quickly accomplish. To properly establish dominance, one must also be patient.

Remember, you are fighting against the masses after all. Knowing Gideon, he's probably already realized this fact and began making moves to learn all of the strengths and weaknesses of the new students. Seeing as how this sort of hobby just so happens to be his favorite, it would not come as no surprise to me if he planned on taking his time too.

If so, we'll most likely start seeing some changes in Class C by the end of the first week or so. And then a more decisive result before the month is over.

After reaching that conclusion, a couple more questions came to mind. However, as much as I wanted to ask them, I didn't want to bore either of my new acquaintances with my mundane curiosity.

Either way, there was one thing that Victor said that stuck out to me. Apparently, Class C seems to be the "easiest" class for the average person to get accepted into, hence the vast ratio of new students.

In that case, using Class C as a middleman, it would be easy to determine that getting accepted into any of the other classes would require a great degree of talent and capability, or lack thereof if we're talking about Class D.

The problem with that however is that it doesn't explain some things.

For example, how did a cruel person such as Gideon get placed into Class C when the kind and loving Yamato herself was placed in Class D?

That sort of illogical reasoning can be applied to a couple of other situations and events I noticed happen today.

Of course, for people like Roy and Emmel who are actively trying to stay at the bottom of the totem pole, or truly conceited people like Esmes, some things make sense. However, that same explanation can't be applied to decent people like Yamato or Ester who only want to succeed.

Mrs. Gwein did say that flaws, weaknesses and conceited opinions of oneself are factored into the equation, which are most likely the defining factor that gets one placed into Class D.

But even with certain flaws considered, people like Alice should have still been placed in Class C rather than Class D.

In other words, the criterias for reaching certain classes are, again, just all over the place.

Now, if we're talking about the flaws me, Alice, Roy and Ester have, I can certainly think of a few that would knock us all the way down to D.

However, that information should be classified.

Even if Cerulean Academy is connected to the holy kingdom's royal family, the information that should be accessible on the Mainland should be extremely limited. After all, people like Gwein take drastic measures to make sure to keep children like us stay hidden in the dark.

—Wait, people like Gwein….

Don't tell me.

Suddenly, a dreadful idea came to me.

Is it possible that there was an information leak? Did Gwein, or somebody else tell the school staff the true details and had us placed in Class D?

If so, why?

At this point, my mind started spiraling down a hypothetical rabbit hole of ideas.

Let's see.

The only people I know that could have access to that information would obviously be my parents, Gwein, Principal Garcello and a couple of other people whose names shall not be mentioned.

Did somebody betray us?

"You know, word has it that Gideon has been expelled twice before a couple years back. Dazai, do you know anything about that by chance?"

No response.

"Dazai?"

"—Why are you asking me? Given his violent nature, I'm sure you can figure it out yourself."

"True."

That was close.

I almost got lost in thought there for a second.

"It's just I thought you would know a little something about the details behind those events."

Sigh.

"You didn't hear this from me, but if you really must know, I heard that he kicked some disabled kid in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs."

Both of their eyes widened with horror.

"The guy lived thankfully, but regardless of the outcome, he still got expelled for that behavior."

"I knew the guy was insane but that's awful!!"

"He should've been arrested for attempted murder. How did he even get away with that anyways?"

"Beats me. He probably pulled some strings."

"You think he has those types of connections?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if he does."

"I wonder if he did something that atrocious the second time around too…"

"I doubt it. If he did it again, Gideon would have been behind bars by now."

"—True. Still though, that guy grinds my gears."

"Yeah, I'm sure most of us feel that way too."

"Hey, Dazai!"

Suddenly, Asura shot up and slammed the table.

Calm down, I'm sitting right next to you.

"What's up?" I said.

"Listen, from now on, you should stick with us. If Gideon causes you any trouble, just let me know as soon as you can. I'll deal with that bastard myself."

"Not you playing the knight in shining armor again..." said a very disappointed Victor.

"Hey, what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. I'm just surprised you're doing this for some guy you just met today and not some girl."

"Okay, that was a low blow, dude."

"Am I wrong?"

"Tch."

"Regardless, gender doesn't matter when it comes to situations like this. I'm just sick and tired of seeing people getting hurt. Especially by people like Gideon. That's all it is."

Now aren't you the icon of chivalry.

I chuckled a little.

"Oi, what's so funny?"

"Nothing. You just reminded me of somebody I used to know. As for your offer, sure, why not?"

"Wait, you're just going to accept it like that?"

Victor asked, surprised.

"I don't see why not. It's my first day here so I have yet to make any friends. You guys seem nice and easy to talk to and I don't like dealing with Gideon all by myself, so I see no reason to turn him down. Not unless, of course, you're against it?"

"This isn't about whether or not I would want you to join us. Besides, if I didn't like you, trust me, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

"So you like me then?"

"It's more like I tolerate your existence."

"Wow."

Atleast he's honest.

"Look, I just don't want you to be under the misconception that Asura is even that reliable."

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean!?"

"It means what it means."

"If I had to deal with Gideon, I wouldn't be so quick to rely on you first. The only time I would ever rely on you was if the world was coming to an end and all hope was lost."

"Oi, are you trying to say that I'm weak or something!?"

Asura glared at him for a moment.

"No, far from it. I'm not doubting your strength. All I'm saying is that I just don't want our "friend" here to think he can use you as some sort of trump card."

As he said those words, he ignored his friend's gaze and redirected his sharp eyes towards me.

"No man is invincible. Every mortal has their weaknesses. And I don't tolerate those who exploit others for their own benefit. So as long as you understand this, there will be no problems."

"—However, if you take advantage of my friend's kindness, I will show you no mercy."

"Do you understand?"

"Victor… Don't you think that's going a little to—"

"No, it's alright. I understand where he is coming from. Therefore, allow me to be perfectly honest."

"Dazai?"

I smile a little.

"Don't worry. I may not look like it, but I can take care of myself quite well. To be frank, I'm not even worried about Gideon either. Right now, there are only two things in this world that I want the most."

Skeptical, Victor raises his eyebrow.

"And that is?"

"To graduate from this school. And to live a life filled with happy memories to remember it by."

Silence suddenly befell us. Only the sounds of our nearby surroundings filled in the gaps.

"In other words, you have no intention of causing trouble?"

"Not trouble that concerns the two of you."

He immediately falls silent.

"Well, what do you say, Victor?"

He narrows his eyes at me even further, as if he was trying to scrutinize my very existence.

But no matter how hard he looks, you will find no lie in my words.

—Only the absence of truth.

Victor sighed and then chuckled a little.

"Heh, fine then. Welcome aboard, I guess."

"Thank you. Glad to be here."

"Wooh, wooh! Let's go! It's time to celebrate!"

"Shut up. You're being way too damn loud."

Excited by their new addition, Asura started slapping my back, which, again, hurt like hell.

Either way though, I don't think I'll be regretting this decision anytime soon.

Because, between the smart and observant Victor to the capable and the heroic natured Asura, it seems like I made some new friends today.