I came, I saw, I lost! (Classroom of the Elite Fanfiction)

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Thud.

The door of the student council office closed with a sound.

Kumagawa had left the room, leaving Ayanokouji alone with the student council members.

Manabu looked toward the door, then turned to Ayanokouji.

"Is he always like that?"

Ayanokouji didn't immediately respond. He took a moment, reflecting on the strange nature of Kumagawa's behavior.

"More or less," Ayanokouji replied. "It's hard to get a read on him"

Ayanokouji considered the situation. He had his own theories about Kumagawa, but even he found it difficult to fully understand his actions.

"Then, what do you think about earlier?" Manabu asked.

'Earlier...'

Even without being said, Ayanokouji knew exactly what the student council president was talking about.

Kumagawa had completely destroyed their spirit. He hadn't just won the case—he had dismantled everything the witnesses and the accusers had hoped for, leaving them crushed in the wake of his actions.

Ayanokouji paused, reflecting on the situation.

"To be honest, Kumagawa's behavior may seem terrible, but the fact is, he performed a necessary action. His decision to expel them, no matter how brutal, was the right one..... In a strange way, it was almost... for their own good."

"...? What are you trying to say, Ayanokouji? Are you saying that, in the end, Kumagawa Misogi is a good person that performs good deeds?"

"What, of course not, something like that is just impossible."

Ayanokouji completely denied it.

If Kumagawa was a good person, then evil couldn't exist in this world—or rather, even a rock on the side of a road might end up being considered a good person. Besides "good", the definition of "person" might even change.

"Well, whatever." Manabu said, shifting the conversation. "I assume you had no hand in this, I suppose."

"Hand in what?"

"Kumagawa's evidence."

"I did not."

Ayanokouji answered truthfully. He hadn't been involved in gathering the footage, nor had he assisted in any way. In fact, he was somewhat surprised by how Kumagawa had handled it.

Though how he had chosen to end it was another matter entirely.

Manabu, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke again.

"Let me ask you something, Ayanokouji. Do you think allowing Kumagawa to join the student council is a wise decision?"

Ayanokouji raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why are you asking me that?"

Manabu didn't answer immediately, and Ayanokouji took that as a sign that the student council president was genuinely contemplating the issue.

It wasn't a surprising question. Kumagawa had openly declared his desire to join the student council during the club fair in the first week of school. At the time, it seemed like a joke—another one of his bizarre antics that no one took seriously.

But apparently, the student council had taken that statement seriously and was actually considering it. However, after seeing Kumagawa's earlier actions, it was clear that Manabu was now hesitating.

And if he was hesitating, that meant something had compelled him to consider letting someone like Kumagawa onto the council in the first place.

Ayanokouji couldn't imagine what that reason was, but if it involved Kumagawa, it had to be something serious.

"If you want to let him join, let him," Ayanokouji said plainly. "It's your student council, not mine. I just don't want to get involved. I don't like trouble."

Manabu remained silent for a few moments, as if contemplating something. Then, with a slight nod, he asked one more question.

"Lastly, if I decided to offer you a spot in the student council, would you accept?"

Ayanokouji didn't answer right away. He looked at Manabu, then at Tachibana, who had been quietly observing the conversation. Then, he let out a small breath.

"I refuse."

His response was immediate, firm, and without hesitation.

"I see." Manabu closed his eyes briefly, as if expecting that answer. "Care to explain your reasoning?"

"There's no reason to. I simply don't want to."

That was the truth. There was nothing to gain from joining. No particular merit. No advantage. If anything, it would only increase the number of unnecessary attention he'd have to deal with in the future.

He just wanted a peaceful high school life without any trouble.

...But somehow, that sentence felt strange.

Manabu studied him for a few seconds before nodding in understanding.

"Very well."

That was the end of the conversation. No further persuasion, no insistence. Horikita Manabu wasn't the type to waste time on something that had already been decided.

With that, Ayanokouji took one last glance at the clock and turned toward the door.

"I'll be leaving, then."

Tachibana stepped aside to let him pass, and Ayanokouji exited the student council room.

As he walked down the quiet hallway, he thought back to Kumagawa's parting words.

'I lost once again.'

Even now, Ayanokouji wasn't entirely sure what Kumagawa had meant by that. But there was one thing he knew for certain.

Kumagawa Misogi was trouble for his peaceful highschool life.

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Step. Step. Step.

Several footsteps splashed through shallow puddles, the raindrops creating soft ripples across the wet pavement.

Sakayanagi Arisu walked beneath the rain, her usual composed expression slightly clouded. At her side, Kamuro Masumi held an umbrella above her, though the way she carried it made their dynamic less like two friends sharing an umbrella and more like a servant attending to her master.

Meanwhile, Sakayanagi's cane tapped lightly against the damp ground, its tip occasionally sinking into the water before rising again.

Her expression, however, was far from pleasant.

Kamuro noticed. She glanced at Sakayanagi but said nothing, waiting for her to speak first. It wasn't often that Sakayanagi displayed anything but amusement or calm confidence.

But right now—

Her mood was visibly sour.

Two of her classmates had been expelled.

Not that she cared about them. In fact, if something happened to them, it wouldn't bother her in the slightest. The issue wasn't their loss—it was the fact that her plan had been ruined.

Class A was divided into two factions, and those two had belonged to the other side. Their removal was, if anything, beneficial to her. However, the way it happened left a bitter taste in her mouth.

When she first heard that Kumagawa had been caught in a scandal, she saw an opportunity.

An opportunity to expel him.

It wasn't her usual way of handling things. Normally, she wouldn't act so rashly. But for some reason, she wanted Kumagawa out of this school as soon as possible.

She had her suspicions about the incident. Class C was most likely responsible for framing him—Class B didn't have the means to pull off something like this. But knowing that wasn't enough. The accusations against him were strong, and all she needed was a little push to ensure his downfall.

So, she manipulated those two students.

She made their statements more compelling, reinforced Class C's claims, and turned what could have been a weak argument into something undeniable. All it took was a little persuasion—just a small nudge—to make them act as false witnesses.

But in the end, it was a disaster.

Not only had Class C failed, but Class A had suffered as well.

Sakayanagi hated unexpected results.

She tapped her cane against the wet pavement, the rhythmic sound mixing with the falling rain. Kamuro kept quiet, watching as Sakayanagi's lips curled into a small frown.

"Was this within your calculations?" Kamuro finally asked.

Sakayanagi let out a quiet chuckle, but it lacked her usual playfulness.

"Not entirely," she admitted. "I anticipated resistance, but I didn't expect it to backfire so spectacularly."

She hadn't underestimated Kumagawa Misogi's ability to escape from trouble. But she had expected more from Class C.

With a small sigh, she continued walking, her cane clicking against the wet ground.

Then—

She stopped.

A group of students stood ahead, blocking the path. A few of them held umbrellas, shielding themselves from the rain.

One of them stepped forward.

A tall man with long magenta hair, his piercing gaze fixed on her with mild amusement.

"Sakayanagi?"

She tilted her head slightly. "You're from Class C, aren't you?"

Of course, she already knew who he was.

Ryūen Kakeru.

Just like Kumagawa, his reputation was far from clean. A king ruling over his pawns with fear and manipulation.

But even so—

Even if he was dangerous, even if he had influence, he wasn't nearly as incomprehensible as Kumagawa Misogi.

"Playing queen of the school already? Aren't you something?"

His smirk was infuriatingly relaxed.

Sakayanagi merely smiled back. "And yet, you're the one standing in my way. How incompetent."

Ryūen chuckled.

"Kukuku... Incompetent, huh? I wonder what you mean." He feigned ignorance, shrugging his shoulders. "If you're talking about that little incident, I have no idea what you're referring to."

Sakayanagi's eyes narrowed, but just as she was about to respond—

A new voice cut in.

『What's this? Are you guys playing roleplay? How childish.』

Without even turning around, she already knew who it was.

Only one person in this school had such an infuriating voice.

"Kumagawa-kun," Sakayanagi said.

『I forgot to use an umbrella. Seriously, how messed up.』

Kumagawa strolled forward, completely ignoring the tension in the air. His soaked uniform clung to his body, his tie loose, and his usual grin plastered on his face.

He stopped a short distance from them, his gaze sweeping over the group.

『Hmmm? What's this? A secret meeting? Did I interrupt a forbidden love or something?』

Sakayanagi sighed. "Kumagawa-kun, could you stop being disgusting and at least try to speak like a normal person?"

『Eh? Disgusting? That's a bit harsh. I'm just trying to be friendly.』

"Friendly, huh?" He shoved one of his hands into his pockets, his sharp eyes flickering between Sakayanagi and Kumagawa. "That's funny. I didn't know cockroaches were capable of friendship."

But Kumagawa ignored him completely.

Instead, he simply stared at Sakayanagi.

His expression was unreadable. Then, tilting his head slightly, he spoke.

『Um... Do I know you?』

"You must be joking, right, Kumagawa-kun?" Sakayanagi blinked.

She searched his face for any sign of amusement. There was none. Instead, Kumagawa's confusion seemed completely genuine.

『Nope. I don't remember you at all. 』

He then clapped his hands together, as if coming to a realization.

『Ah, I see, I see. It happens sometimes. You see, I tend to forget the names of idiots who can't even finish their job properly. 』

Sakayanagi's fingers tightened around the handle of her cane.

Kumagawa smiled brightly at her.

『So, why don't we introduce ourselves first. 』

He extended a hand toward her, as if greeting a stranger.

『My name is Kumagawa Misogi. What's your name, Sakayanagi-chan?』

Sakayanagi didn't take his hand.

Instead, she merely stared at him, her expression unreadable. The rain continued to fall, tapping against her umbrella as an awkward silence settled between them.

What he had just done was possibly one of the most passive-aggressive, backhanded insults that someone could throw at another person.

Kamuro glanced at Sakayanagi. Even if she didn't say anything, she could tell.

Sakayanagi just smiled, but everyone knew it wasn't a kind smile.

She took a slow, measured breath, as if controlling herself.

"...My, how cruel, Kumagawa-kun. To forget a lady's name so easily."

She tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying its usual playful lilt, but there was something colder beneath it.

Kamuro shifted uncomfortably. Ryūen, who had been watching in amusement, let out a low chuckle.

"Kukuku... You sure are interesting, Kumagawa. I heard you were a lunatic, but this is something else."

Kumagawa turned toward him, tilting his head.

『And you... You're from Class C, right? Do you know anyone named Ryūen?』

Ryūen smirk twitched ever so slightly.

"...What?"

Kumagawa clapped his hands together, as if having an epiphany.

『That guy! You must've heard of him, right? You see, I heard all these crazy rumors. That Ryūen Kakeru was some terrifying tyrant, a ruthless dictator ruling over Class C with an iron fist, but also a thug with the charm of a sewer rat.』

Kamuro coughed, suppressing a giggle.

"...."

『You know, some rumors are really ridiculous. Like the one where they say Ryūen Kakeru is actually a tactical genius. Now that's hard to believe. He must be pretty stupid to leave a job half done.』

Ryūen's eyes darkened slightly.

"You're really pushing it, huh?"

『Nah, nah, I just like to be careful, y'know? I'm just making sure you stay far, far away from him.』 Kumagawa wagged his finger. 『I'm already unpopular enough as it is. I don't need to be seen hanging out with some two-bit thug with delusions of grandeur. 』

Kamuro failed to hold back her laugh this time. Ryūen glanced at her, but his expression remained unreadable.

Even Sakayanagi let out a soft chuckle.

"Fufu... This really is quite entertaining."

Kumagawa simply smiled, tilting his head innocently, as if he had just given the most heartfelt advice in the world.

"Did you want to get punched?"

Though Ryuen said it casually, his irritation was obvious. He was already on edge. Losing one of his pawns was one thing, but now Class C would lose points as well. That meant his control over the class would weaken—if even a little. And all of that happened because of the person in front of him.

『Come on, Ryūen-chan. Don't say violent things like that. Countering diplomacy with violence—it's something only the low of the low of the low of the low would do.』

『Let's talk like an elite student of an elite school should. 』

"..."

Both Sakayanagi and Ryuen fell silent.

Sakayanagi, because she was now painfully aware of how insufferable Kumagawa truly was.

And Ryuen, because he was experiencing firsthand just how irritating a person could be.

『Hmm? Did I say something good?』

Both of them simply glared at him.

『How cold. Maybe I should start first?』

Kumagawa cleared his throat.

『Ehem. I, Kumagawa Misogi, will drop out from this school right now.』

"!!!"

All of them were momentarily stunned.

『...Of course, that was a joke. Wow! How many fools just believed me?』

Sakayanagi sighed, closing her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. Ryuen, on the other hand, clicked his tongue

Kamuro, still trying to keep her amusement in check, looked away. She wasn't sure whether Kumagawa was being an idiot or if he was deliberately provoking both Sakayanagi and Ryuen.

Ryuen's patience was wearing thin. He had already wasted enough time here.

"This is a waste of my time." He turned to leave.

『Eh? Already? That's too bad. But don't worry, Ryuen-chan, I'll be sure to remember you next time.』

Ryuen stopped in his tracks, turning back to face them. His usual smirk remained, but there was an edge to his voice.

"I'm gonna crush Class D. Then B. And in the end, Class A... I'll crush you too, Sakayanagi."

Sakayanagi simply smiled, as if she had just heard something amusing.

Then, Ryuen's gaze shifted toward Kumagawa.

"And you... I don't know what the hell your deal is, but I'll deal with you eventually. You can act like a clown all you want, but don't think you'll be laughing forever."

『Well, if you want to be modest, then go ahead—as for me, I'd like it if you would continue to support me with that in mind. 』

"Tch. You're really something else, huh?"

With that, he turned on his heel and walked off, his followers trailing behind him.

Sakayanagi remained still, her gaze fixed on Kumagawa.

『What? Did I say something good again?』

"Fufu, no... I just can't quite decide what to make of you, Kumagawa-kun."

『That's fine, that's fine. Even I don't know what to make of myself. But thanks to you, I'm in perfect condition. It feels like I just can't live anymore without you, now. 』

Sakayanagi frowned. "What's with that, suddenly? That's kind of disgusting..."

She ended up calling him disgusting in a normal way, but even for her, Kumagawa was disgusting in ways that weren't normal.

His mentality was impossible to grasp. It was like he had no heart or logic to begin with. just a chaotic swirl of nonsense that somehow had direction.

『Well then, I'm going to get sick if I stay out in this rain. 』

Sakayanagi glanced at him again. He hadn't even bothered using an umbrella this whole time, his uniform completely soaked through.

Kumagawa turned to leave, but not before flashing one last annoying smile.

『Goodbye, nameless Sakayanagi-chan. 』

Sakayanagi watched him go, tapping her cane lightly against the pavement.

"...How troublesome."

『END』

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