Classroom of the Elite, A Hypocritical Gray Life

"Haha, Ayanokoji-kun, you really do like to joke. Where would a curse of fate even come from?"

No, Ichinose, you're wrong. The curse of fate is very real. It's right here on me.

"Please wait a moment, I need to submit this form to the dormitory manager." With that, Ichinose trotted over to the manager's station.

"A form? What kind of form?"

"Don't worry, it's not something that all the first-year classes are required to do. If I'm not mistaken, the content on that form is our class's suggestions for dormitory improvements. Things like noise control, adjustments to water facilities, and so on."

"They've gone that far? I haven't even thought about these things..."

"I didn't think of it either. After all, Ichinose is the class representative; it's only natural that she considers a wider range of things than we do."

"Class representative... speaking of which, you mentioned the class officer system earlier. I remember this school doesn't have any provisions for committee positions, right?"

"Mhm, but our class held an election on our own. In fact, the benefits are quite obvious. Once we determined our respective functions, the efficiency of our teamwork improved."

It is precisely because of this that Ayanokoji can so clearly feel the team-oriented nature of our class.

"So you have a corresponding position as well?"

"Why are you able to ask that question with such a tone of certainty? No matter how you look at it, there's no way I would voluntarily take on responsibilities. You just said my aura is oppressive; even if I were nominated, someone as mediocre as me wouldn't receive any praise."

"I just thought that all the students participating in the investigation would have corresponding positions. So, Raku, you have your own reasons for helping, right?"

"Perhaps." I replied with a casual evasion, trying to muddy the waters.

After all, I am doing this of my own volition. Heh.

Chapter 27: The Ghost in the Mirror

Seven parts human, three parts ghost, combined to make a person.

Perhaps at night, when the yin is strong and the yang is weak, one sees what is meant to be seen.

It is for this reason that the saying exists: one should not look in a mirror at night. In the early hours of the morning, the ghost energy within the human body gradually rises to its daily peak. Peering into a mirror during this time allows one to obtain things unimagined—things that cannot be seen during the day.

Actually, this "thing" is less of a ghost and more of one's true self. After all, as the saying goes—a mirror can only ever reflect a true image, not the true self.

That is roughly the logic behind it.

1

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Ayanokoji-kun, you came to ask for relevant clues, right? But unfortunately, I haven't obtained any effective information so far. How are things on Raku-kun's side?"

"The same as with Ichinose. I've already explained this point to Ayanokoji."

"Mhm... well, is your side progressing smoothly?"

"We've made some progress, at least. The photos taken by the digital camera can serve as an alibi." Ayanokoji then gave a brief summary.

The situation still leaned in favor of Class C.

"It seems you all are working very hard, too."

"I don't have any issues; the main people in charge of this matter are Kushida-san and Horikita-san."

And the person in charge on our side is Ichinose... The promotion of gender equality has made the phenomenon of "strong women" in this society quite common. If this continues, will men face their own era of decline?

As the conversation progressed, we arrived at the school, and at the same time, we slowly became the center of attention. The reason wasn't Ayanokoji, and certainly not me, but Ichinose's eye-catching figure.

Her soft, pink hair, clear eyes, and proud, upright chest all showcased her open and honest personality. Even if she hasn't admitted it herself, Ichinose's cute and charming appearance is enough to make her reputation in the school quite prominent, not to mention her incredibly gentle personality.

"Good morning, Ichinose!"

"Good morning, Ichinose-san!"

"Good morning, everyone!"

Facing the greetings from the students, Ichinose responded enthusiastically.

A rose-colored, vibrant life bloomed completely before my eyes. I tried to escape the extreme damage it caused me, yet the scope of what it carried was beyond my imagination, especially since I myself was bound to a fixed area.

I really want to run away...

"Hmm, Raku-kun, what are you doing? Hurry up and catch up with us."

"Am I not walking?"

"Your speed is slower than a seahorse."

"..."

Tch, what a nag.

"In that case, I won't see you off. See you next time."

"Mhm. If we receive any effective information, I will send it to you immediately."

"Thanks."

After saying goodbye to Ayanokoji at the entrance of the Class D classroom, Ichinose and I quickly arrived at Class B. Along the way, Ichinose seemed to want to deliberately slow her pace, but seeing that I didn't take the hint, she quickly followed behind me.

Just as I thought it was all just my imagination, Ichinose suddenly grabbed the loose sleeve of my shirt from behind.

"Hmm, is something the matter?"

I turned to look at Ichinose, confused, only to find her head bowed and her expression somewhat flustered.

"If it's not too much trouble, could you wait a moment before entering the classroom, Raku? Actually, there's something I'd like to talk to you about..."

"Something you want to talk to me about... it wouldn't be a confession, would it?" I asked expectantly, my mind drifting to the tropes found in novels.

...Of course, I was joking. There's no way something like that could ever happen. It was likely just going to be another personal critique; it wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last. I've grown accustomed to being lectured, whether by Teacher Hoshinomiya or Ichinose. The difference, however, is that Teacher Hoshinomiya criticizes me right in the middle of class, while Ichinose tries her best to avoid the eyes of others.

"..." Ichinose didn't respond to my remark immediately. Instead, she lowered her head even further, her face flushing a deep shade of red.

After a long and agonizing wait, Ichinose gave a trembling nod.

"Y-you're joking, right..." Upon receiving her answer, I instinctively took a step back, swallowing hard as nervousness washed over me.

Although I've read countless descriptions of confession scenes, this was the first time I'd encountered such a situation in reality.

Say something, Ichinose! Quickly deny those baseless fantasies of mine!

"I'm serious..."

"There's a limit to how far you can take a joke, you know..." I tried to remain calm in the face of Ichinose's sincerity, but there was no doubt I was already panicking.

"But rather than saying I have something to tell you, Raku, it's more that I was hoping you could do me a favor."

Helping Ichinose with a confession...

What does that mean? Could this be the legendary romantic hint—a hint that she wants me to be the one to confess to her?

That's impossible. In love, whichever party confesses first loses miserably. My masculine pride would never allow me to suffer such a grievance.

Therefore, please forgive me for refusing!

"Raku, you must have been confessed to by girls many times, right?"

Does she subjectively assume I've been confessed to many times, and therefore hopes I'll move from being passive to active this time? No, no, that explanation doesn't hold up. After all, what normal human being would think like that? Relax, maybe this is just a simple request.

So, let me think carefully about my history of being confessed to...

"None at all."

"N-none?" Ichinose glanced at me cautiously, her troubled expression melting my iron-willed masculine pride with every passing second.

Trading my masculine pride for the heart of a beautiful girl—how could such a transaction possibly be denied?

It's a steal, isn't it!

"Yeah, none at all. Maybe there was someone who had feelings for me in the past, but we haven't seen each other since we parted ways."

Rest in peace.

"I-is that so..."

"That's how it is. So, what exactly is this request Ichinose mentioned..."

"It's about a confession... Could you spare some time after school today? I'd like to meet you behind the gymnasium."

"...Can't you say it now?"

"I could, but it would be a bit inconvenient..."

"Does it have to be me?"

"Yeah... I don't have anyone else I can ask for this favor besides you, Raku."

I am the only candidate... What kind of matter could it be? No matter how I think about it, there is only one answer.

"O-okay. Although I don't think I'll be much help, I'll do my best."

"Does that count as a yes?"

"Yeah."

"Then please remember to wait for me after school."

"I understand."

Following my agreement, Ichinose hurried into the classroom. I then approached Kanzaki, still feeling a sense of indescribable agitation.

"I only asked you to come to school a little earlier today; there's no need to look so unhappy."

"Unhappy? I feel like I'm in a pretty good mood, actually... Is my expression really that unpleasant?"

"Isn't it? Your brow is furrowed."

"You can't judge someone's mood just by that, can you? Doesn't that also happen as a side effect when someone is deep in thought?"

"I've never seen you furrow your brow when you're thinking... well, maybe I just don't know you well enough. You're usually like a blank slate, showing no expression at all."

"Isn't that a bit too harsh? Calling me a blank slate."

"Ah, true. A blank slate would imply a twisted face. You're more of a mask-face; I can't even imagine how ugly you'd look when you cry or laugh."

"I can understand looking ugly when crying, but a smile is supposed to be beautified by the joy in one's heart, isn't it? Besides, isn't that even more mean-spirited of you?!"

"In any case, it's time you changed your personality, or you'll run into trouble sooner or later."

"I beg to differ."

My bickering with Kanzaki wasn't a new occurrence. Usually, I would find ways to refute his words, but the hint Ichinose gave me left me too exhausted to respond.

I, who hadn't panicked even when witnessing that bloody scene years ago, was now genuinely feeling my heart pounding in my chest.

What kind of matter is this supposed to be?

In an instant, I felt as though I understood the hypocrisy he spoke of, though only by the slightest margin.

"Hey, watch yourself."

"Can't you grant me some leniency for having my sleep schedule ruined?"

What on earth is this supposed to be? I seem to lack the basic information regarding these matters. At this moment, I realized that if I could not firmly grasp those things in my own hands, I would never be able to welcome a peaceful morning.

I cast my gaze toward the glass window on my left, where a faint reflection of my face stared back.

For a long time to come, I would never be as close to the truth of my own existence as I was right now.

Chapter 28: A Confession? A Confession!

Genius itself is a form of defect.

The English poet John Dryden once said: "Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide."

This is not a statement without factual basis. Not long ago, Dr. Bruce Miller of the University of California discovered what is known as the "genius button" in the human brain.

You can understand it as a simple preventative mechanism that suppresses the birth of a genius. The reason it is called suppression is related to the function it performs. Whenever an idea arises in one's mind, the "error detector" enters a restricted state of "this is not allowed," making people feel the idea is not very interesting, causing them to lose interest.

However, once this constraint mechanism malfunctions, the thoughts in your mind pour out uncontrollably, which is what creates extraordinary geniuses and their great theories. Of course, at the same time, they are also fraught with latent dangers; when too many contradictory thoughts are validated simultaneously, a madman is born.

Therefore, genius itself is a defect, and there is only a thin line between a genius and a madman.

Thus, the best way to crush a genius is to let them fend for themselves, and the best way to cultivate a genius is to place them together with other "geniuses."

Perhaps, then, Class D is a hideout for deformed geniuses.

1

Recently, I have been indulging in stories about supernatural campus events and have been scouring the library for a large number of related books. I discovered that schools where such stories occur were either graveyards in their former lives, or had murder cases occur in the past, leaving ghosts to wander, vast and aimless, with nowhere to return.