2.1

When it was time for lunch, Yōsuke immediately left his seat and headed for the podium.

"Can we do this before lunch? I think I'd like to hear everyone's opinion. What do you think?"

Kushida raised her hand to answer.

"Um, this special exam means that there are going to be separate options and there's going to be trouble, right?"

"Of course it will. Because there's no need to go to the trouble of having a special form of examination if it can be settled without any trouble."

"Then I think it's better to have a clear leader in case there's a contingency where the choices don't add up. I think if we follow the options that that leader eventually decides on, we can pass the special exam without any problems."

"Yes, I agree. I agree with you, Kushida. But it's going to be a big responsibility for the leader."

The more options there are and the more divided opinions there are, the more criticism there will be from students who support the option that was not chosen. It will take a leader who is capable of organising the entire class.

"If you don't mind, could you ask... Horikita-san?"

"Me?"

"Yes. You've been a leader many times before, and most importantly, I thought you could bring everyone together so that there would be no unfairness. Of course, it's a big responsibility, as Hirata-kun said, and if Horikita-san says it's okay, then it's..."

"Yes. It's possible that other classes will have similar strategies, and you'll be able to use them if you have a difference of opinion. If you don't feel comfortable following my instructions when the time comes, you can let me know now."

Not many students were willing to stand up for themselves or say anything negative about the leader's responsibility. Kushida's proposal was easily passed, and it was agreed that Horikita will be the leader of the group in case of emergency.

For the rest of the day there was a lot of discussion, but no major decisions were made. Sometime later, lunchtime arrived.

"Let's go to lunch. Yukimū and Miyacchi you guys are coming, right?"

The two guys stood up in agreement with Haruka as she turned around and asked for confirmation.

Members of Ayanokōji Group. A small group of five, including myself.

Just as the five of us were beginning to gather, a different classmate came running up to us.

As soon as I made eye contact, the student shouted.

"Kiyotaka! Lunch, let's go."

Without a pause, but with a nervous look in her eyes, she called out to me. No one was paying attention to the fact that Kei was coming towards me, nor was anyone intending to listen to the conversation. But all 37 of the other students, with the exception of Kōenji, looked at us at once.

"Sorry guys, I'm going to eat with Kei today."

I pulled out my chair and stood up before the others could comprehend what was going on.

"I'd like to go to a café. Can we?"

"Hey... Eh...? Wait, wait, wait. Why are you interrupting us for all of a sudden, Karuizawa-san?"

"It's not really a rule to not interrupt, is it? Didn't you hear Kiyotaka's refusal just now? Plus, he promised me."

"I heard what he said but... What do you mean? You were promised something? Wait... Kei?"

After a short delay, Haruka began to understand that we called each other by our first names. Even then, she might not have understood most of it.

"Sorry, but I'm his girlfriend and I'm his priority, you know?"

"Ha?"

"G-girl...friend?"

Haruka and Airi muttered at the same time, although their reactions were quite different.

"So from now on, Kiyotaka may not be able to attend your group's gatherings as much."

"Come on, let's go," Kei said, tugging on my arm as we left the classroom.

The fact that her face was beginning to turn red showed that she was feeling quite embarrassed. I didn't think she would reveal it to everyone in this way either...

Haruka, Airi, and the rest of the students were too stunned to follow us.