Chapter 14: Chapter 14 - The Attack 3
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Let me know who you have your money on in class c vs class d here.
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"The best way to predict the future is to create it." ~Peter Drucker
***Kiyotaka Ayanokoji POV - two weeks later***
Horikita approached composed as usual, "What's on your mind?" she inquired, her tone indicating curiosity rather than any care.
I paused, considering what to say. "What do you mean?" I finally asked.
She settled into her seat, her gaze still fixed on me. "You appear more contemplative than usual. Is there a reason?" Horikita pressed.
In truth, my mind was not preoccupied with any particular matter. My gaze around the classroom was not due to interest but a slight unease. "I'm thinking about the upcoming midterms," I admitted.
Horikita nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Many have taken the initiative to study. Hirata has even formed a study group despite Yagami's guide being available to all. Yet, some are still at risk of failing. Sadly, one doesn't become a scholar overnight," she remarked, a hint of frustration in her voice.
"Why not intervene? The repercussions of a student's expulsion could be irreversible for our class," I suggested, knowing full well the stakes involved.
She clicked her tongue, a rare display of irritation. "I've made attempts. If they choose not to study, there's little more I can do," Horikita responded, her resolve clear despite the setback.
I nodded in understanding. While Class D's problems were not my primary concern, their potential failure in the midterms could have far-reaching consequences.
It might be time for me to act. Purchasing the midterm exam from a senior seemed like a plausible strategy, likely the same method Yagami employed for his study guide. The school's tests were probably recycled annually, which would explain why Yagami opted to create a guide rather than distribute past papers. It seemed like the only viable course of action at the moment.
As I solidified my plan, the bell signaled the start of class, and Chabashira entered the room.
Chabashira's expression, typically unreadable, felt slightly off today.
"Settle down, everyone. I have an announcement," she addressed the class with her usual sternness.
The room fell silent, except for Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudo. Their whispers persisted, not caring about Chabashira's announcement.
"Class C has filed a formal complaint against Sudo. They allege he assaulted them post-practice, causing injuries to several students," Chabashira disclosed.
I pondered the implications. Could Yagami be orchestrating this? It seemed out of character for him and too overt for his style if he wasn't who he presented himself to be. Perhaps Ryuen, the ruler of Class C, was the true designer of this scheme.
"That's a lie! They came at me first!" Sudo's protest was loud, his hand slamming down on his desk. His pristine condition contrasted sharply with the claim of multiple injuries the members of Class C had.
Chabashira was unmoved. "Without evidence, your claims hold no weight, Sudo."
"However, should there be any evidence or witnesses, the narrative might shift," she added, leaving a sliver of possibility open.
Kushida rose from her seat, her voice clear and concerned. "Did anyone witness the fight between Class C and Sudo?"
The classroom fell into a hush as Kushida's question lingered unanswered. I scanned the room, noting the shared uncertainty among my classmates. It appeared that no one had witnessed the incident.
Chabashira's voice cut through the silence: "In three days, there will be a joint meeting with Classes C and D and the student council. Since the report was filed on a Friday, you have until Wednesday to prepare a defense. The school wishes to resolve this before finals. Depending on the outcome, there may be a deduction of Class Points, and or Sudo could face severe consequences."
The class erupted into whispers. Class D was already point-starved, and with the new month approaching, we couldn't afford any penalties against Sudo. Such sanctions could cripple our already meager potential points for the next month. And with the midterms on the horizon, even if Sudo were allowed to participate, any disciplinary conditions could spell certain failure for him.
Chabashira didn't pause for long. "Now that we've addressed this matter, let's move on to other topics," she announced, redirecting the class's focus.
***Mid Class day***
Horikita's gaze shifted from the window to me, a question in her eyes. "Ayanokoji, what's your take on Sudo's situation?"
I considered my words carefully. "While Sudo's behavior is often less than exemplary, I'd like to think he wouldn't initiate an unprovoked attack. However, the potential repercussions of this incident could be severe, possibly leading to his expulsion. That outcome would be detrimental, considering we're unaware of the full impact such an event could have on our class's future. After all, Sudo is arguably the most physically capable among us."
Horikita's response was terse. "That's mere speculation."
"Are you prepared to dismiss the chance that my assessment might be correct?" I probed, curious about her stance.
But she offered no reply.
Hirata then addressed the class with a sense of urgency. "Let's work together to uncover the truth behind Sudo's fight. Surely someone must have witnessed the incident."
His call to action resonated, particularly with the female students, and Kushida's support assembled the rest of the class.
Once a consensus was reached, Kushida approached Horikita and me. "Ayanokoji, will you lend us your assistance? We could use all the help we can get."
Horikita's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "Given your earlier remarks, you're somewhat obligated to contribute, aren't you?"
I let out a resigned sigh. "It seems I have little choice," I conceded. "However, if I'm to be of any help, you'll need to accompany me."
Kushida nodded, albeit with a hint of confusion.
We made our way to the cafeteria, where I scanned the room. Among the upperclassmen, a few stood solitary figures savoring the school's complimentary vegetable soup. Their isolation suggested they belonged to the lower classes, and their choice of the free meal revealed their financial conditions.
Identifying a likely candidate, I motioned for Kushida to follow. "What's the plan?" she inquired.
"We will get to sudo; the class as a whole is what we should concentrate on first. Although it's unlikely, given the lack of concrete evidence, a victory for Class C in the upcoming case could still affect our points. We need to mitigate that risk by ensuring everyone performs well on the midterms. Another month without points would be demoralizing. Any score above zero will at least offer a glimmer of hope."
Kushida looks at me with a bit of amazement. "Wow, Ayanokoji, I didn't take you for the analytical type."
I shake my head at her words. "No, if anything, I'm just repeating the words Horikita said to me."
Kushida nods. "So then, what will we be doing?"
"We will buy the previous midterm exams from our seniors," I respond.
Someone is plotting against Class D. But they won't be able to account for a variable like me in Class D. They are probably aiming to drive Class D into financial ruin through this attack against Sudo. If they are successful, Class D won't have a point to their names for who knows how long. We've already gone two months without points; this midterm is Class D's only chance to make some headway. But if we lose all of our potential points because of acts of violence and drop to zero, it will probably be a while till we can get our hands on a decent amount of class points.
The plotter in Class C probably recognizes this and is hoping we recognize it too so that we would just be contractually obligated to hand points over to Class D. After all, even if we only get 5k points a month after the midterms and have to hand half of that each, so 2,500 or 100,000 private points in totality, then that would be better than remaining at 0 private points.
Whoever is masterminding this is seriously heartless.
No matter what we do, we will be under severe financial burden, so we need to maximize our potential points for the next month to be safe.
Not only that, we need to go on an offensive. During the meeting, Horikita will have to make a good argument against the three whom Sudo supposedly attacked and whoever is there to back them.
If we play our cards right, at the very least, we can guarantee we get out of this situation just barely breathing.
With the test answers we will get, as long as Kushida holds onto them to hand out on Thursday, the day before the midterms so that students can memorize answers and the school can no longer act about us having access to the previous exam, then even Sudo can pass the midterms.
The worst-case scenario is that Class C's demands are outrageous and can't be beaten or tricked, so Sudo or the class is punished somehow. Class D takes the exam, but we pass with the answers from the previous years, hopefully mitigating some of the damage Sudo's act of violence will have on the class.
The best-case scenario is that we come to a reasonable agreement with Class C, Sudo isn't punished, and while we may have to give up some private points, we will still be capable of competing with the other classes.
Even then, this all falls back on one thing: the ones defending Class C. Will they be reasonable? And how smart are they? Will any plots work against them to force them to withdraw their claim against Sudo?
Given the intricacies of this plan, I doubt that's the case, but it's something I should keep in mind. While things aren't looking good, and even though I'm not interested in ascension to Class A, Class C is treating the members of Class D like rats, but they should remember that even a cornered rat will fight back. I have no plans to lose like this.
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I've enjoyed writing this arc a lot right now can't wait to conclude it I hope you guys will like It although I feel some won't. Give me your opinion on things as of now I appreciate it.
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