10.1

AT LONG LAST, with the new semester starting on Monday, we would be facing our final year as third-year students.

Horikita and I were the first to arrive at the 2-B classroom, and students adorning their uniforms began to gather one after another. Under the condition that no one would dirty or trash it, it looked like we were allowed to use the classroom for just one hour. The number of seats here was adjusted to 39, one less due to Yagami's expulsion, tailored to the new second-year Class B. While each person was responsible for bringing their own drinks, Sudō managed to borrow a tea-filled, tank-style insulated container from the basketball club. Or in other words, he borrowed a water jug. Additionally, several girls brought pots, offering hot cocoa and cold tea out of goodwill.

Soon, I caught the eye of girls like Satō, who were close to Karuizawa, but they didn't confront me here. It seemed they didn't want to dampen the celebratory mood.

However, it was clear that my relationship with them had significantly regressed.

It showed how deeply they cared for their friend and empathized with her emotions. A commendable trait indeed.

In addition, I noticed several classmates casting wary glances my way. Those who had now experienced a glimpse of my abilities were feeling a strange unease I had never sensed previously, all the way from the entrance ceremony up until now. Eventually, as the scheduled time arrived, a total of 35 people gathered. Karuizawa and Kōenji didn't show up.

The celebration began without all classmates present.

"Karuizawa-san doesn't seem to be participating... Was she really the one who dumped you, like you said?"

Horikita speculated that if Karuizawa had been the one who initiated the break-up, she would've been participating today without a worry.

She must've noticed Satō and others looking at me with somewhat cold glances.

"Maybe she simply had other plans or wasn't feeling well?"

"...Right, that's true."

Hearing Karuizawa's name, Yōsuke approached, concerned.

"Can I talk for a moment? About Karuizawa-san... I've heard the story."

Horikita immediately stepped back, silently showing that she wouldn't interfere with our conversation.

"I'm sorry I couldn't meet your expectations, Yōsuke, after all the help you gave me."

"That's nothing to apologize for. It's unfortunate that your relationship ended, but that's just how it is. Besides, I'm not in a position to judge others either."

In front of Horikita, Yōsuke also had to play the role of someone who Karuizawa had broken up with, even if their relationship was fake.

"Have you heard about Karuizawa's condition, Yōsuke?"

"Looks like Satō-san invited her here, but it didn't work out. I don't know what I can do for her in the future, but I intend to help when she's in trouble. And not just Karuizawa-san, I'll take care of our class so everyone can move forward with confidence. So, don't worry."

Even setting aside Karuizawa's situation, Yōsuke must have a grievance or two he wanted to voice.

His words revealed that he wasn't satisfied with Maezono's expulsion.

But he already understood that he couldn't just complain.

That was why he'd resolved, once again, to protect the class.

'Don't worry.' Yōsuke referred to his own condition in those words as well.

"If you ever feel lost, Ayanokōji-kun... I want you to talk to me."

"Horikita told me something similar. Thank you, Yōsuke."

"...Yeah. Well then, I'll go talk with everyone for a bit."

Though it wasn't his usual, Yōsuke showed his characteristic smile and headed down to his classmates.

"Deep down, he understands it too—that the choice you made was actually the right one."

"Horikita, is there really a need to force ourselves to think it was right? However, the world doesn't just revolve around idealism. And people don't grow easily. Things aren't that simple.

That's why it's fine for him to struggle all he wants with it."

It would be good if, within this class, after struggling and struggling, we could find an answer that was closer to the correct one.

"You really are strong, Ayanokōji-kun."

"I'm just thick-skinned, that's all. Just as I don't mind being blamed, I don't care about the lack of praise either."

There was no need for others to acknowledge my achievements.

I understood and analyzed myself as a person superior to anyone else.

"I see... but I am grateful to you. I wanted to express that to you properly."

"Even though it led to Maezono being expelled?"

"It was an exam where we couldn't have won without someone's expulsion. Besides, in the end, it's not your problem—it's mine. I need to grow more. And I don't just need one option, but I need to be able to choose from two or three of them. I need to gain enough strength to win without having to expel anyone anymore."

After answering, Horikita showed a small, wry smile.

"I've thought that way many times, but I never quite seem to get there."

"That's true. Even though time has passed, it's just a small fraction of our lives. We still don't have nearly enough time to develop the skills to handle everything perfectly."

Horikita agreed and headed to the podium as her classmates called out to her.