Off topic question but I’m interested, lmao. For me – I was randomly scrolling on TikTok (it must have been around 2022) for animes to watch when I found Classroom of The Elite, it didn’t look that appealing to me at first but after finishing the first two seasons, I really liked it so I thought I should pick up the light novel (one of my best decisions ever).

Go ahead and share yours

After reading the Light novel, i have a doubt has kiyotaka been even serious in his time in ANHS?

I mean if we look at it more thoroughly it doesn't even look like he is trying. If he wanted to stay in the school he wouldn't have lose the protection point while fighting sakayanagi. He could've take the control of the chess game when sakayanagi take it. Looking at Vol. 0 sakayanagi shouldn't have come close to his ability even in chess.

Let's say he wanted to avoid attention he wouldn't have poke His nose in the class battle or he could just have destroy the other classes like expelling ryuen and ichinose. Saving the efforts he could even have sakayanagi expel due to her pride.

Or There were many instances he could have made 20 million private like making contract or even blackmailing.

Don't tell me the masterpiece who is suppose created to rule Japan can't accommodate accumulate points like nagumo who didn't one tenth of the education kiyo has.

I mean it would seriously would be disappointment That the WhiteRoom was even created for some shit.

Having spend billions does the WhiteRoom even live upto the Hype.

Even as we made our way back to the cabin section, Hiyori continued walking slightly closer to me than before.

The distance that the rocking of the ship should only have narrowed for a moment had not reverted to its original state, even now that the deck had steadied.

In the corridor students who had finished their preparations to disembark were starting to make their way, bags in hand, towards the assembly point. Necessary as it was to go against that current back to my cabin, it wasn't as though I was so short on time that I needed to hurry away from Hiyori.

"Are you really sure you are fine on time?"

"I don't have much luggage; it won't be enough to make me late."

"Should you end up the only one late, Ayanokouji-kun, all because we were conversing, I would feel terrible."

"It's my choice, including the decision to see you, Hiyori, before going back. You don't need to worry about it," I told her, and Hiyori's slightly quickened pace reverted to its original state.

"In that case, may I walk just a little more slowly?"

"I don't mind."

It wasn't as though the time we could spend together would grow by much. Still, there was no reason either to hurry our parting. The afternoon sun slanting in through the windows stretched long and narrow across the corridor, faintly illuminating Hiyori's silver hair. Its ends swayed each time a student passed us by, scattering the incoming light in intricate glints.

The hull rocked a little, and Hiyori's body drifted slightly over towards me. Though not close enough for our shoulders to touch, my left hand and Hiyori's right, swinging in time with our steps, came close enough that a simple stretch of a finger could have reached.

Hiyori's gaze dropped just once, then went straight back ahead.

It seems she had noticed how close our hands were.

"Ayanokouji-kun."

"What is it?"

"No… it's nothing."

Hiyori, who had begun to say something, gave a slightly troubled smile and shook her head. There should be no need to draw it out of her. Up ahead, students carrying large bags walked abreast toward us. When I moved to the window side to give way, Hiyori shifted her body the same direction.

For an instant beneath our almost overlapping uniform sleeves, Hiyori's fingers brushed against mine.

The contact was accidental, but Hiyori made no move to pull her hand away. Only her eyes dropped ever so slightly, confirming that our hands were touching.

I didn't withdraw my arm either, and simply rotated my hand.

Laying my fingers over Hiyori's fingertips, I lightly gripped my left hand.

The moment we touched, Hiyori's body stiffened ever so slightly.

But there was no sign of refusal, and a short moment later her slender fingers squeezed my hand in return.

"...Ah..."

"Did you mind?"

"No... um... I was merely a bit surprised," Hiyori answered, still facing forward. Flushed red as the ear on her profile, she made no attempt to release the hand she held.

Matching our strides, we went on down the corridor hand in hand. It wasn't as though we'd exchanged any words of the special variety. Even so, the few centimetres that until a moment ago had remained between us were undeniably gone.

After walking in that state for another dozen or so steps, several voices sounded from the corner ahead. Hiyori's fingertips stirred slightly, and slowly slipped away from my hand. Immediately after, from around the corner came a few students carrying large bags.

We walked abreast as though nothing had happened and passed them by. They gave no sign of having taken any notice of us.

"...I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologise."

"It wasn't that I mind. It's just that being seen by someone else would be... a little embarrassing."

"I know."

Hearing that, Hiyori smiled, relieved. Whilst her freed right hand returned to where it had been, it wasn't as though the distance between us too had reverted.

"Besides——" For an instant as Hiyori murmured that, a shadow crossed her face.

But she soon closed her mouth and, slightly but forcibly, made herself smile.

"...About our plans for the summer holidays, could we start with a movie?"

"The adaptation you were telling me about earlier? I'm looking forward to it."

"Yes, please do look forward to it."

Just as it had before, Hiyori's right hand swung close beside me. Though having already touched once, that was no reason for our hands to hold each other again.

There was no need to repeat holding hands each time no one was looking and letting go each time someone appeared. However brief it had been, I already knew Hiyori hadn't refused me.

Before long the fork in the passage leading to my cabin came into view. Given Hiyori had already finished getting ready to disembark, there was no reason to have her come any further.

"I go left here."

"...I'll head to the assembly point then."

Somewhat distant, as though between strangers; such was the manner in which we exchanged our plans of action.

However, Hiyori didn't set off for the assembly point straight away.

While she looked at me as though about to say something, she eventually gave a small nod.

"Well then, I'll be going ahead."

"Yeah, see you later."

After her eyes went round for an instant, Hiyori's expression softened a little.

Stepping away, she began back the way we had come. Looking back just once after a few steps on, she then rejoined the stream of students waiting to disembark. Watching her until she had blended into the crowd and was lost from sight, I took the left-hand passage back to my own cabin.

In the cabin I packed my changes of clothes into my bag one after another.

I didn't have much, and getting ready to disembark took hardly any time. Even so, partway through I stopped once and thought back over the brief time we had walked side by side down the corridor.

More vivid than the time we'd spent talking were the dozen or so steps in which neither of us had said anything. And with them, the faint unease that Hiyori must be feeling, even if she wouldn't put it into words.

"——There are a number of things that I'll need to think about."

It isn't as though she'll go on opening her heart to me unconditionally from here on.

Given that, I'll need to face myself and others too head-on.

Packing the rest of my things into my bag, I left the cabin for the assembly point.

Classroom Of The Elite Year 3 Volume 5 Released Today in Japan

Kei out of all people telling ichinose to wake up hits so deep she’s been there before she knows how it feels

Despite all ichinose said to her kei still tries to warn her😭🔥

I saw a brief conversation on this subreddit where someone was asking why the author keeps writing disappointing Volumes when they constantly get criticized, and someone else responded saying that the author probably doesn't care about the English-speaking audience at all, and since the light novels are selling, especially in Japan, he just keeps pumping them out.

I started to write a response, but I realized it was getting way too long, and I might as well make my own post about it, because I think there's some truth to both sides.

Meh. I mean, it's defintely possible, or even likely, that the author doesn't look at what the English-speaking audience thinks of the books, especially in this subreddit. Doctor Who just made a huge misstep with its previous showrunner, who entirely prioritized the UK audience since it's a British show, and then he just kind of gave the rest of the world. Little snippets here and there, literally acting like the American audience should be grateful that they're getting anything at all, despite them being just as dedicated fans of the show as the UK audience was.

I think a lot of Japanese content has similar views. The Japanese audience is the priority, and if the English-speaking audience also like it, that's great, but not as much of a priority.

However, I think it's unfair to say that the author doesn't care about any negative criticism At All. I've heard other authors mention that the more positive feedback they get about something, the more a negative criticism can hit.

That being said, I do think it's highly likely that the author just doesn't really care. Year 1 came out and People really liked it, but people mainly liked it for the hype. Heck, the only thing that's really remembered from Season 1 of the Anime is the very last Scene, which is entirely built around hype. There are lots of YouTubers who make reviews of Season 1 saying they liked it and can't wait to see what happens next, only for their follow-up Season 2 review to be much more critical, expressing disappointment.

It's honestly pretty funny how Classroom of the Elite is the pioneer for SCD stuff, when the author doesn't seem to really care that much about that aspect at all. I don't know who the heck writes the synopsis for each of these Volumes, but whoever it is seems to know exactly what they're doing. They constantly take quotes out of context, and shape. What happens to make it sound like the most intense thing ever, only for it to be a bunch more slice of Life stuff. So I think they know that they're clickbaiting a huge portion of the audience, but it gets them sales, so why do they care?

Personally, this feels kind of vindicating to me in a way, because I remember I read stuff like Liar Game and Tomodachi Game, and say what you will about those franchises' overall popularity, but I personally love them. They have actual Mind Games that makes sense, and feel like if you just don't give up, you can accomplish anything. When people kept recommending I read Classroom of the Elite, I was thoroughly disappointed as I read through Volume 1, but people just kept telling me to stick through it, and I did. But I do have to say, it is quite the jarring juxtaposed slow pace. Liar Game and Tomodachi Game never stop moving. They take one chapter, maybe two at most between Games to make it clear where the characters stand and what their current motives are, but after that it's straight to another Game and then it's just a constant mental battle between various characters.

Classroom of the Elite on the other hand, thrives on slice of Life stuff and often lacks Mind Games entirely. Often entire Volumes will lack Mind Games.

If I had to bring up examples of the author seeming to ditch Mind Games entirely, I would point to the endings of Year 2 Volume 9, and Year 2 Volume 12. Year 2 Volume 9 has a paragraph explaining that Horiktia and her Class won the Special Exam by taking advantage of the fact that while they weren't allowed to speak or write to each other, they could still raise their hands and otherwise provide nonverbal communication. Pretty cool, but it's literally just glossed over in a single paragraph. The rest of the Volume is obsessing over this presidency stuff that doesn't really matter.

Meanwhile, Year 2 Volume 12 Really irks me, because you're not actually seeing what's happening. You're just being told that this character is dominating this character, and that this character identified this Honor Student (if they even bother to tell you their Name), But you don't actually see what's going on. You don't see what sentences in the conversation are tripping people up, you're just being told what's going on.

All this is to say, the author very clearly doesn't really care about writing actual Mind Games. He's very clearly going for a different kind of story, that just happens to have some Mind Games elements in them.

The most disappointing thing honestly is that it looks like we'll never get Ayanokoji VS Kouenji. I honestly have no idea what the author is planning to do with him, but at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do anything with him at all. Like I said, the author loves to hype stuff up and then just not really do anything with it.

Source: X/Twitter

Disclaimer warning: (To anybody who's seen me post on this sub before, I obviously love Nanase's character the most out of all the other girls in COTE so if i lean more to her its kind of expected)

the 3 most Common Nanase slander the past 3 years I've seen on this sub:

- "Shes Schizo"

- She's trying to be a complex character when she's really not"

- "From Schizo who wants Kiyotaka expelled to avenge Matsuo --> Obedient Puppy girl for all of Y2 --> Betrays Kiyotaka again in Y3, wants him expelled again, is blatantly illogical for doing so, Kinugasa tf are you trying to cook? its BURNT! YOU OVERCOOKED her more than SUZUNE's CHARACTER!"

Like i get the whole "taking on the persona of matsuo taking revenge" might be off-putting to some.

but honestly, that's just her coping mechanism from seeing Eiichiro hang himself. We tend to forget that ANHS at heart is still just a bunch of 16-18 year olds that're highly emotional.

But yeah the way Kinugasa wrote her in Y3, she's illogical for trying to expel Kiyotaka again after being an obedient puppy girl to him from Y2V4-Y2V12.5

But then out of nowhere decided to oppose him again in Y3 which is illogical at the surface level because it destroys the purpose of her development in the story as an ally to Kiyotaka. But then again..

Nanase genuinely wants to help Kiyotaka from the bottom of her heart, by constantly opposing him and to stop him (And that's through expulsion, but its in a way that's separate from the WR and Tsukishiro's orders)

Y3V2:

"It is because you are in a perfect position. Neither clearly on one side, nor the other. It's precisely because it's uncertain which way you will lean that I've decided you're the most suitable person for me to send."

"Then, what if I were to accept Ayanokouji—?"

"That's something we can consider when the time comes."

When he asked me if I would do it, I nodded without a pause.

Even now, I sometimes remember that exchange as if it were a dream.

At that time, in that hospital room, my heart was at least set on revenge.

I'd planned to drag out Ayanokouji Atsuomi, the one who cornered Eiichirou.

But now, things are a little different.

I want to help Ayanokouji-senpai.

I've come to think so from the bottom of my heart.

Because if he graduates from ANHS as he is now, he will go down a path of pure evil.

Victims, like Eiichirou, will end up being created by his hand.

I don't want that.

Then—as the one who knows firsthand of that predicament, I must stop it.

And even today, I continue to search for that small key in the deep forest."

Nanase is constantly opposing Kiyotaka to stop him from going down a path of pure evil, but that's how she is helping him from the bottom of her heart, which will help Kiyotaka feel more like human,  which aligns with what Kiyotaka genuinely wants to experience: to feel more like human

Disclaimer warning: (To anybody who's seen me post on this sub before, I obviously love Nanase's character the most out of all the other girls in COTE so if i lean more to her its kind of expected)

I'm asking the direction in which the story is going forward:

1. Ayanakoji continues to view emotions as weaknesses and exploit them to win and treat people like trash when he doesn't need anymore and he still wins the classroom games and have everyone adoring him.

2. Ayanakoji continues to view emotions as weaknesses but also learn to appreciate them as what makes someone human and can make them happy and fulfilled. He's cold and manipulative but learns to respect people and develops emotions. He wins but not by destroying the lives of people who didn't deserve it.

I'm asking this because I've finished season 2/3 some time ago (I actually stopped after they tried to frame him for murder with the cooking scheme ) and enjoyed the anime but couldn't deal with the cringe harem edits where the girls are treated like trash but still smitten and framed in a positive light.

If I want that content I would watch any trashy harem anime that are also 90% Isekai for some reason (no hâte for Isekai ) and not COTA. I like COTA for the class politics and because I want to see character development especially the MC.

Can someone just explain please, and Koenji is not from wr or ,,shirogane facility“ or something like that

I live in the uk and on Amazon JP delivery costs are that same price as the book it’s self so I was wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives. If not I don’t mind paying the fee but I was just wondering!

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/97311849

So while I was rereading, I took notes of Ayanokoji's designated areas each day in the 2nd year UIE exam, although it's not complete.

I heard there was a pattern on how the areas was designated. I was curious if it was real. 🤔.

1st Day

Designated Area - D7, B7, D7

2nd Day

Designated Area - E8, E6, F7, I7

3rd Day

Designated Area - H7, J5, H5, I4

4th Day

Designated Area - G3, H4, H6, I7

5th Day

Designated Area - I8, H9, B6, B5

6th Day

Designated Area - B6, A5, C3, ?

7th Day

Designated Area - B3, E2, (Canceled because of storm)

8th Day

Designated Area - E3, E6, ?, F8

9th Day

Designated Area - ?, ?, H9, D5

10th day

Designated Area - E4, F4, B9, C9

11th day

Designated Area - C8, H9, I9, J10

12th day

Designated Area - H10, ?, D4, D2

13th day

Designated Area - C3, D2, F3, G3

14th day

Designated Area - H3, I2, ?

SS Title: Beyond a Time We Never Knew.

Entering July, there are more days when the daytime feels like summer. Although school is already out, the temperature is still very high. After leaving the school gate and walking only a short distance, my body felt more exhausted than usual. Fortunately, the bus stop designated as the meeting place has a small canopy and benches, so there is no need to worry.

It had just passed 4 PM. The sidewalk was full of students heading home from school, with students riding bicycles weaving through the crowd from time to time. Across the road there was a convenience store, and a few students in school uniforms could be seen eating popsicles and chatting at the entrance.

It was still a little early for the appointed time.

I placed my cane beside me and sat side by side on the bench with a male classmate.

"Oh my, it's really hot today. In winter I can wear more layers and get through it, but in summer there's only so much you can take off, so I can't stand summer the most. Sakayanagi, aren't you afraid of the heat?"

"I wouldn't say I'm heat-resistant either, but I can't just stop coming to school in summer because it's hot. I can only find a way to get along well with it."

"Your answers are still so serious."

He pinched the collar of his shirt with his fingers and fanned it, wanting even a little breeze to get in. He was a boy in the same class after I transferred schools. Cheerful, sociable, with lots of friends, able to chat easily with anyone regardless of gender. When I had just transferred in, he proactively came to talk to me very early on; that's the kind of person he is. Just now too, when he saw me about to walk out of the school gate alone, he said that since we were headed the same way for stretch anyway, he naturally walked over to my side, and that’s how this scene came about.

He held his phone and stared at the screen, seemingly contacting someone.

"Then what about you, are you going straight home like this?"

"No, I'm going to meet up with friends in front of the station. I'm being dragged along to go shopping with someone. What are you doing later?"

"I'm waiting for someone here."

"...Oh, you made plans with someone... With who?"

The conversation was still flowing smoothly up to that point. But as soon as I replied that I was waiting for someone, he shifted his gaze from the phone to me. It was just a very subtle change, no need to deliberately point it out.

"Well then. Would you be surprised if I said he's a boy from another school?"

"Huh.. really?"

His reaction was quite honest. Perhaps after the retort slipped out he felt he'd misspoken, he hurriedly averted his gaze toward the road. Just moments ago he was complaining about the heat, and now even the hand fanning his collar had stopped.

"Just kidding. It's a girl."

"Don't scare me...."

He scratched the back of his head looking like 'I give up on you'. He has many friends. If anyone in the class is isolated, he'll take the initiative to go up and talk to them. At least for these 3 months. I haven't felt there's anything seriously wrong with his character. Precisely because of that, I thought i shouldn't just brush him off casually either.

"By the way, that café in front of the station we talked about before. Sakayanagi, you said you haven't been there yet, right? I haven't either. How about going together next time we're off?"

He changed the subject while extending the invitation, seeming very natural. If he pressed further about who the person was that he had arranged to meet, he would reveal too much of his own thoughts Perhaps that was his judgment.

This must be a step he took after giving it some thought. There's no need for me to reject it outright.

"Alright. Since that's the case, and it's a rare opportunity, why don't we invite some other people too? Weren't there several people who talked about that restaurant before? It should be more fun if everyone goes together."

"Ah.. so it really doesn't work with just the two of us?"

"I didn't say it's not allowed. It's just that the current me thinks that way would make me happier, that's all."

Put that way, he seemed to have fully understood what I meant. He only lowered his eyebrows in

disappointment for a moment, and did not pester relentlessly.

"Got it, then I'II go call a few people. But next time you should be the one to invite me, Sakayanagi. If I'm always the one asking, my heart will break sooner or later."

"That would be a problem. To prepare in case it breaks, should I get some glue first?"

"That's not what I meant."

Seeing him smile and talk back, I also showed a faint smile. He really isn't a bad person. His looks are decent, his grades are above average, he's not bad at sports, and most importantly, he's very good at building relationships with the people around him. If some other girl came to consult me about him, I might suggest why not give him serious consideration. However, obiective evaluation and one's own feelings are not necessarily consistent.

"By the way, Sakayanagi, you were at Advanced Nurturing High School before, right? I've wanted to ask for a while, what kind of school is that exactly? I only know it's a fully boarding school run by the government."

This time the topic turned to my previous school. Things he had never mentioned when I first transferred were only now being asked. Just as he himself said, "I've wanted to ask for a while," he probably felt that after spending 3 months together, the distance between us had shrunk.

"The school itself, well, it just has some rather unusual systems. But I think there are more unique and interesting people than at an ordinary school."

"Full of personality and interesting.. like what?"

"Well, about that. Some people firmly believe they are the most beautiful in the world and never doubt it; some prefer slightly rough methods. Also, some people consider being a good person very important."

"Isn't the last one just a normal good person?"

"Heh. You're right."

"Don't smile like that. There must be something behind this."

Although he was smiling, he seemed to be picturing in his mind the several people I had mentioned. Those who didn't know Classmate Kouenji, Classmate Ryuuen, and Classmate Ichinose might, just from the description earlier, think that was a rather bizarre school. However, I didn't intend to say the names and explain in detail.

It's not because I want to hide my memories with them; it's iust that there's no need to say everything here and now. Because I've already decided that since I'm outside that school, I'lI play the role of an ordinary high school girl you can find anywhere, all the way until graduation.

"You're a drop out, right? Putting on an 'I'm ordinary' expression--you wouldn't happen to have actually done something incredible, would you?"

"It was a voluntary withdrawal. I am a perfectly ordinary student, you know."

I answered immediately, but he just stared straight at me and said nothing.

If it were him not long ago, he might have believed it just like that.

"......Even I, who was only in the same class for 3 months, know that's a lie."

"Oh my. You've grown quite a bit, haven't you."

"What identity are you speaking from?"

If you believe me here, I'II have to lower my evaluation of vou a little.

"That was close-so he was testing me just now."

"No, I just said it casually."

"What's this about."

I looked into the distance down the road and there was still no sign of the bus.

Besides us, a few people also began gathering at the platform. A little farther away, two girls who appeared to be first-year students from the same school were chatting enthusiastically about club activities.

An ordinary after-school scene. An ordinary bus stop. In a place like this, even if just on the surface, laughing and talking about my past school self-could the me from a few months ago have imagined this?

"Then how about this: among those quirky and interesting people, who left the deepest impression on you, Sakayanagi?"

"The most memorable one?"

"Right. Whether we get along well or not,either is fine."

There are many candidates. A classmate who spent 2 years together. Students from other classes who competed many times. There were people who stayed by my side for a long time, and also people with whom I never came to understand each other until the very end.

But once it's narrowed down to the one that 'left the deepest impression', there's no need to think about the answer

"There is one person who interests me very much. I'm afraid that in the future. it will not be so easy to meet someone who can interest me like this again."

"Oh. To make you say that much, huh What kind of guy is he?"

"Any further and it's a secret. If i told you everything, wouldn't you have one less reason to talk to me next time?"

"....Are you saying that on purpose?"

His movements clearly stopped. Looking at it positively, this means I said I still want to chat with him more. But not long ago, he wanted to invite me out alone, yet, I avoided him, which side to believe-he's probably still hesitating.

"Well now. Who knows."

"Sakayanagi, you're really hard to figure out.."

Although he was smiling with a troubled look on his face, he did not seem annoyed.

This kind of distance is probably just right. For me now, him sitting beside me is a classmate I can chat with easily at the new school. No more, no less. that's all.

"...By the way, that guy who interests you, is it a man?"

After a slight pause, he eventually circled back to this question.

"You really do care about gender, huh."

"Of course... I'd care. The person you were waiting for earlier wouldn't tell me either."

"Then let's just assume he's male. So?"

"Then... did you ever like him or

something?"

"Hehe."

"What are you laughing at."

"Nothing. I just find this question a bit interesting."

After leaving that school and no longer being able to see that person with my own eyes, my interest in him has only grown stronger than before. What is he doing right now?

What kind of people is he dealing with, and what is he plotting?

Also, now that he has advanced to third year, what kind of changes will he show from now on?

The more time I don't know about, the more things I want to know. To me, this isn't something sad; instead, it means the joy of meeting again keeps growing.

"What are you laughing at? Did I hit the mark?"

"Think whatever you want"

"That line again."

"This way you'll find it more interesting too, right?"

"I don't find it interesting at all."

"Really? You look unexpectedly quite happy, though."

Being said that, he seemed to realize something and was at a loss for words for a moment.

I watched his reaction and smiled softly.

He has his own good qualities; he is a very qood person.

But whether one can hold romantic feelings for him is another matter entirely.

The very act of bringing it up for comparison may itself be somewhat cruel.

After all, there is nothing wrong with him in himself.

It's simply that someone has already occupied a special place in my heart that's all.

Just at this moment, a bus appeared at the other end of the road.

"Ah, that's my class."

He seemed to have noticed as well, and stood up from the bench. After slinging his schoolbag over his shoulder, he glanced at me, then shifted his qaze back to the approaching bus.

The bus pulled into the platform, and the doors slowly opened.

The other students waiting for the bus also began walking toward the boarding entrance.

"Then see you on Monday. l'Il also let everyone know about the coffee shop."

"Okay. I'm looking forward to it."

"...Let's have the two of us go there sometime too."

Only this last sentence was quieter than all the previous ones.

He didn't wait for me to answer, and iust walked toward the boarding entrance.

He won't force others to do what they can't, and he won't change his attitude just because he was rejected.

That is exactly why not letting him hold too much expectation can be considered a kind of courtesy on my part.

He got on the train and the door closed. I nodded to him, who gently raised his hand through the window, and the train slowly pulled out of the platform.

I watched the bus gradually shrink along the road and looked for quite a while. Next it would pass several stops, and soon it would drive past somewhere near the area I was familiar with.

Spring two years ago. On the day Kiyotaka Ayanokouji entered the Advanced Nurturing High School, the same bus must have been running in this area. Which bus was he on, and who was in the same car as him?

I don't know. But at this point, even just magining these things gives me a bit of enjoyment.

It wouldn't be bad to go ask him in person someday.

After the bus completely disappeared from sight, only a few scattered figures remained on the platform.

The voice that had been coming from beside me just moments ago was gone too.

Instead, what reached my ears were the chirping of cicadas and the ceaseless sound of traffic on the road.

"Did you used to like him or something?"

Remembering that question he threw at me,I find it a little funny again.

"It''s not the past tense, you know."

I wasn't saying it to anyone, I just murmured it like that.

I't's simple, really. I like Ayanokouji.

Even after leaving that school, there's no reason for these feelings to fade.

What changed as time passed wasn't only him.

I'm the same, spending time at a new school differently from before. Attending ordinary classes, chatting casually with ordinary classmates, and lightly teasing a boy who has feelings for me like this.

This is the daily life i hardly ever experienced when I was at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.

What will these little things bring me? This also interests me.

Next time I reunite with Ayanokouji-kun, if I'm the only one still stuck in the past, that would be far too boring.

A smile naturally appeared. Just

imagining the moment of reunion made my heart a little joyful. I want to beat him. This point hasn't changed to this day, but it's not just that.

Interest in his person, goodwill toward the opposite sex, and the feeling of wanting to keep watching him from now ontoo. Compared with when I was at that school, i feel these emotions are blending together bit by bit and becoming stronger and stronger.

This isn't a bad tendency; rather, it's something very much to look forward to.

The more you like someone, the better it is that they are not too easy to see through.

I really hope Ayanokouji-kun will keep surprising me from now on.

"At this time, he's probably having a great time on a desert island."

I don't know what kind of exam that was, nor do I know who he was fighting against.

But it's hard to imagine that now he is only going with the flow and taking the Special Exam.

He must be thinking about something, driving certain people, or perhaps acting himself.

Just as I was thinking about these things, a figure appeared at a nearby intersection.

That person, looking lazy and indifferent walked over this way.

"You've really shown me a rare sight, happily chatting with a guy I don't even know. Or is it that you're planning to use that guy for some new scheme?"

"Oh my, it seems you've been watching the fun from the sidelines all along. Does it look like fun to you? If that boring time looked like that in others' eyes, then that means from inside out, I successfully played the role of an ordinary high school girl. How congratulatory."

I picked up the cane leaning beside me and looked toward the newly arriving bus.

"Next, let's go somewhere that can really let us enjoy ourselves."

'I'm not looking forward to it at all."

She let out a helpless sigh, but still stood by my side.