Chapter 23: Chapter 7.2

The cicadas cried as I stood next to my open window, looking out at a part of the campus. Occasionally, the chilly night wind would blow, brushing against my face.

I leaned against the window’s frame and stuck out my head, taking a deep breath. This is something I readily enjoy, and nothing beats the open air. Something about it is completely therapeutic.

As I reflect, the thought of how our class will perform in this miscellaneous event pops into my head. Now I’m not sure how useful I’ll be in regards to that, but my usual scores of 70 should be enough to add something of value.

Dropping myself on my bed now, I sorted through my school’s various emails and noticed the one I attempted to send to my mother on that very day. The no-outside-contact rule at school has had no effect on me; my parent must be rejoicing because she no longer has to clean up after me or prepare meals.

I silently chuckled to myself.

Yeah, that’s probably her reaction to all this; after all, she is the one who transferred me here. Closing my eyes now, all I can do is smile because I believe she deserves this vacation.

*

I was on my way to class, and it was more of a slow walk because I didn’t want to mix with the crowd; if I did so, I have a feeling I would potentially be spirited away to another classroom and never found again since I am still new to the environment.

Letting out a slight yawn as I made my way through the halls, spending the entire night studying does take a toll on you.

All right, I can’t even think that with a straight face, but the truth is that I spent the majority of the night watching movies, because why not?

The truth is that I have a tendency to do things last minute, so that also translates over to my studying skills; maybe that’s why my grades are considered okay. So hopefully I can shed that practice while I'm here.

As I entered the class, I noticed Tachibana sitting at her desk with a book in her hand. It was titled "The Cold Vanish." It appears she is interested in true crime stories. Now that I think of it, she does seem like the type to attempt to recreate the different gruesome scenes from her novels.

I took my seat and reclined in it while letting out a concealed yawn. Maybe I will take a nap in class.

Tachibana noticed my relaxed behavior and said, "Well, based on your body language, you don’t have any intention of actually paying attention to the upcoming lesson, and I take it that is almost your approach to the current examination?"

It seems that my plans have been thwarted before I had the chance to perfectly execute them. She is quite a formidable opponent.

"Your skill of perception is very sharp, I see."

"Are you trying to be sarcastic?"

"If I say yes, I have the sinking feeling that you may attempt to have me share the same fate as the individuals in the book you’re currently reading."

"You’re a very smart boy, you know that?"

"I’m not going to take that as a compliment."

She turned a page of the novel and replied, "That’s very unfortunate because that's the closest thing to one you’ll get from me."

Tachibana doesn’t look like the type to hand out compliments like candy, so it was pretty much expected.

There is silence between us once again, which is generally overpowered by the students in our class interacting with each other.

I scanned the classroom and noticed Fukami was quietly tucked into the corner, chatting up a storm with the other girls. Their conversation is going pretty well considering the amount of laughter and chatter coming from their little group.

Given her personality, it's understandable that she would attract so much attention and affection. Tachibana, on the other hand, is someone I find to be slightly more attractive, but her personality tends to turn off a lot of people, including males.

I don’t think I have it in me to join a friend group. I would prefer to stay a free agent while floating around; staying committed to something is not one of my strongest qualities, and also, most of my classmates haven’t really interacted with me as well.

From what I have mentally noted so far, I would say that about 2/4 of the male students in the class have a crush on her. Considering there are only 15 boys in the class, those are pretty high numbers, and the more I think about it, what stands out to me is the fact that the class is split evenly between male and female students, with 15 students from each gender. Out of the year one group, there are a total of 120 students, as evidenced by my current rank.

On the other side of the classroom, Hisoka and two other students were each playing on a handheld device.

It looked like the latest model of the Nintendo Switch. I’d been eyeing it for a while now before I came to this school, but I found no genuine reason to buy it apart from just wanting to own one.

Hisoka noticed me looking over here and walked over with the device in his hand. It appears that he believes we are friends after our interaction at the club fair. "Kaneko, do you play video games?"

"If I am in the right mood, I will play one or two games."

He then turned his device towards me and showed me the game he was immersed in.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time I can’t help but hear the lost forest theme, also known as Saria’s song, playing on a loop in my head.

"I am stuck on this stage, and you’re a smart guy, so can you assist me?"

Why not? After all, I used to be stuck on this stage as well; however, nothing is worse than being stuck in Lord Jabu-Jabu’s stomach, and I can still feel my frustration from all those years ago. All those air punches were being thrown when I entered the same room for the 20 millionth time.

I took the device from him and navigated through the water temple. I’ll admit that temple can be a bit tricky if you don’t pay attention to your actions, and it’s not like you can automatically restart the place.

After roughly 10 minutes, I got to the boss’s room and gave him back the device. "That should do it."

Hisoka looked at me as if I were a god and replied, "I am starting to think that you’re a genius. First the train, then the clubs, and now this."

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"I wouldn’t say that. This one could be chalked up to me retracing your steps."

Matsukura curiously asked, "What train?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you what happened there. So th-."

Before he could even continue to tell the story, I immediately changed the topic by asking, "Hisoka-san, are you having trouble with the boss as well?"

"Hell no, this is going to be easy."

Takanawa waved the gaming device in his hand and said, "Kaneko-san, do you have a device? If so, you should play with us. A four-person campaign game would be pretty fun."

Well, I don’t think I would waste money on a device when I’ll most likely use it a couple times then toss the thing to the side.

As I was about to answer, Tachibana cut me off and replied, "Instead of playing video games, you should be focused on your academics because all three of you obviously aren’t the intelligent type, and our exam is right around the corner."

Tachibana appears to have a very sharp tongue and says what’s on her mind without any type of filter. Even if she thinks of them in that way, she says it isn’t a genuinely pleasant thing.

From a straightforward standpoint, I appreciate anyone who doesn't sugarcoat what they say, but I also appreciate those who say the truth in a soft manner that is easier for the victim to digest. So both levels of appreciation are at a deadlock, and I’m unsure which one I would choose if a gun were pointed at my head.

As I look back on it, these three and Tachibana have a commonly shared dislike for one another, or is it more along the lines of her not caring about them while they are annoyed at her attitude?

Tachibana and Hisoka, in particular, because they technically warned me against interacting with the other on the first day of school, but everything seem to be falling into place now.

Hisoka angrily turned to her and snarled, "What’s your issue?" Are you trying to look down on us or something, Tachibana?"

Instinctively, Tachibana turned her nose up at him and replied, "I don’t have an issue; I am just calling it as I see it, and you three are not very intelligent." Everyone in here knows it, and that’s why extra special attention will be shown to you during your preparation for this examination."

She is doubling down on her previous statement; Tachibana isn’t the type of person to retract any type of statement she lets out, especially if she wholeheartedly believes in it.

Hisoka’s facial expression quickly morphed into annoyance as he pointed towards Tachibana in a silent rage. One can say he is paying homage to the evil monkey.

"Do you think you’re better than us because you come from the Tachibana family?"

Tachibana glared at him so intensely that Hisoka could have died at least 1,000 times.

"My family background has nothing to do with my personal opinion of you. So cease your idiotic babbling."

Takanawa attempted to diffuse the situation by pulling Hisoka back while he continued to aim his seemingly cold words towards her, who was unfazed by the entire situation: "I dislike rich kids who think they are high and mighty; just know that we are all peers in this school."

The majority of the class turned their attention in our direction inclusive of the unworried Mikhailov who appeared to take delight in this by laughing.

Oh boy. I hope nothing comes of this. Well, I don’t think their opinion of her could get any worse, right?

Fukami noticed the disruption and left her group before briskly walking towards the battle scene in an attempt to calm it.

Hisoka saw Fukami and believed that she was about to back him up, but I can go out on a limb and say that she is the type of person to take a neutral stand.

She wagged her right index finger at him and said, "Tachibana-chan is right about playing video games, but I assume she meant it along the lines of days before our examination, Hisoka-kun."

Turning towards Tachibana now, she continued, "Also, you need to learn to speak to people, Tachibana-chan. Not everyone appreciates being spoken to in that type of manner."

Tachibana closed the book she was reading and replied, "I refuse to change anything about myself because someone doesn’t like hearing the truth. Our class average is down by a significant amount due to people not trying at all in examinations, not to mention our class is 350 points shy of C-Class."

Hisoka instantly shot back, "You act like it’s our fault when you went off on your own and lost 100 class points due to selfish actions."

Did she really lose them 100 class points because I doubt it a little, considering her rank is relatively higher for someone who lost back-to-back personal wagers on the final days of the first term?

She snarled back at him, "You’re actually still blaming me for that 100-point loss?"

"Tachibana-chan, there were multiple reports of you challenging a top-ten student and losing twice, so that accurately accounts for our point loss." Fukami interjected.

Deciding that she wouldn’t be having any of this, Tachibana went back to ignoring everyone. Our class leader Imoto is running late at the worst possible time and also his girlfriend Yasuma isn’t here as well. I wonder what they could be up to.

After realizing that her words wouldn’t pierce Tachibana’s armor of unbotheredness, Fukami just decided to leave while she had control of the situation.

Angrily, Hisoka mumbled under his breath as he walked over to his desk along with his two friends. I turned towards her and asked, "Was all that necessary?"

Tachibana still stood her ground, asking, "Why would I ever submit? It’s individuals such as him who add no benefit to society."

Still, she didn’t directly address the 100-point loss; was it her fault or not? A lot of people fall into the first category because she usually displays bits of selfishness, so it’s easy to believe she is at fault.

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